Apocalypse Fighter

Chapter 17 Lora & Her Friends

With all kinds of thoughts swirling in Lora’s head, Richard’s eyes came into focus. Cold and emotionless, his gaze had pierced her soul.

       Edith broke through the dense wall of thoughts in Lora’s head.

“Hmm… maybe you are right. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to be more cautious. If he’s renting a house so close to you, it’s probably a good idea not to rock the boat too much till we have a proper plan. I have an idea though.” Edith said, pausing slightly. “Why don’t we acquire the security footage of this man beating you up, and take that to the police? They can’t say no to hard evidenced like that, right?” Edith was anxious, bubbling over with ideas to resolve the situation at hand.

But Lora was hesitant.

“Lora! What are you waiting for? We gotta do something quick. Strike while the iron is hot, that’s what they say, right? We just need to get our hands on the security footage, and then we should be good to go.” Edith said. “I can even get Pepper, my cat, and toss her at the wife of this man. I sterilized Pepper just the other day, and she’s mad at me. She scratches and bites even if I try to feed her a snack! I think it’s fair for this man’s family to have a little visit from my dear Pepper…” Edith chuckled lightly. 

Mrs. Hughes was in the kitchen, but she could hear the entire conversation clearly. She had chills. What a cruel woman! Although Edith looked kind, inside her head she had heinous ideas festering. Like Lora, she was fuelled by jealousy. Simply because Edith had been unable to conceive, she hated women who could bear babies with a vengeance. 

Hearing Edith’s plan, Lora pursed her lips. 

Edith is a mean woman. She acts like she is helping me, but she’s just furthering her own agenda. She is insane! Well, whatever. As long as I get to take revenge, and make that man pay for his sins…

All this time, no one in the house noticed that the man who had watched Lora fight with Richard had followed Lora, and walked towards the manager’s office.

Being criticized by her new neighbor, Mary was rather upset. She was a smart woman. From Lora’s words, she could sense that her new neighbors might not welcome them. Worse, many would likely despise them.

As Mary reconsidered what had happened earlier that day, she began to ponder the deep chasm that existed between wealthy and ordinary people. What had they done wrong? They were simply using their resources to rent out a house of their choice. They were rent-paying, law-abiding citizens who were simply doing their best to get by. Why would others look down on them? Why? Because they were not locals? Because they were renting the house instead of buying it? But who could afford a mortgage anyway?

Cradling Steven in her arms, Mary felt like crying. The world was an unfair place.

“Richard, was it wrong for us to move here? We ordinary people can’t live in places like this, can we?”

“You silly girl. You don’t have to care about that woman’s crazy words. You are much better than her. Relax, we can live here. I will protect you and no one can force us to leave.” Richard hugged Mary and closed his eyes. He wanted to kill that insane woman…

Lora had upset Mary. That was unacceptable to Richard. In Richard’s eyes, Lora would die soon. Richard wasn’t insane. He wasn’t a killer. But after what he had gone through during doomsday, Richard could stomach the worst cruelties. Anyone who had survived that disaster would probably react in the same way. 

Unlike Jordan who would run away from him, Lora would live in the villa next to his house.

Three days later, the doomsday would arrive. If Lora could survive from the mysterious radiation, she would realize how precious food and medicine were like other survivors. Judging from her behavior, Richard figured she would stop at no indignity in order to get food.

Richard knew Lora make a mad dash to gather all the resources she needed. And as commodities drained away, she would rob others blind, and probably attack Richard too. 

But how could he solve this problem? Kill her tonight? That was impossible. There wasn’t much time left. Richard couldn’t take any risks. If he was caught by the police, who would protect Mary and Steven?

Richard considered his options. In the background, he heard Mary answer a phone call.

“Yes, this is Mary. Ah, I remember you… Eleven O’clock. Room 301 in Union Castle beside Grand Square, okay, got it. See you later!” Mary took a deep breath after ending the call. So preoccupied, she had forgotten about the party tonight. Henry Pope called her. She still had time to prepare for the party. But Mary didn’t know if Richard would think it was a good idea for her to go to the party. After all, she hadn’t recovered yet.

Mary turned to look at Richard, who was staring at her.

Richard recalled something important. 

How can I forget the reunion party! Three days later, the mysterious radiation would hit the globe and all creatures on the planet would be affected. At that time, those small mutant creatures like cats, dogs and mouse might attack people. The reunion party is a perfect chance to collect bait.