Chapter 37: House Robbery
In the post-apocalyptic world where resources were scarce and trust was a luxury, Iris and Mira, despite their usual rivalry, found common ground in their hatred for Phoenix and their desire for his well-stocked house. The sisters, both cold and hungry, knew they couldn't overpower Phoenix in their current state, for he was well-nourished and alert. They needed a strategy and an ally.
Iris, the more impulsive of the two, suggested gathering a group of neighbors to storm Phoenix's house. But Mira, always the cunning one, shot down the idea, pointing out that involving more people would mean fewer resources for themselves. She proposed a more devious plan involving Peng, her blindly devoted admirer.
Peng, an employee at the warehouse like Phoenix, had always been overshadowed by Phoenix's charisma and intelligence. This had fostered a deep resentment in Peng, a feeling Mira decided to exploit. Peng, infatuated with Mira, had given most of his food to her, hoping to win her affection. He remained blissfully unaware of her manipulative nature.
When Mira called Peng, his heart leapt with hope. He rushed to her, his hunger and the biting cold forgotten in his eagerness to please her. Mira, feigning distress, spun a tale of how Phoenix had mistreated her. She played on Peng's emotions, painting herself as a damsel in distress. Peng, blinded by his affection and his hatred for Phoenix, eagerly volunteered to confront him.
Mira's plan was simple yet sinister. They would ambush Phoenix and take over his house. Peng, driven by a mix of love and hate, saw this as an opportunity to prove his worth to Mira and to get one over on Phoenix. The sisters smirked at each other, pleased with how easily Peng had fallen into their trap.
The plot took a darker turn when Iris, consumed by her own grudge against Phoenix, suggested they kill him. Peng hesitated at the thought of murder, but Mira's angry outburst and pretended disappointment quickly dispelled his doubts. They prepared for the confrontation, arming themselves with kitchen knives and a steel pipe.
As they approached Phoenix's house, a sense of foreboding hung in the air. The sisters and Peng hid near the entrance, weapons at the ready. Peng, chosen as the bait, knocked on the door, calling out to Phoenix. Inside, Phoenix heard the knock. He and Peng had a complicated history, marred by rivalry over Mira and workplace conflicts. Suspicious of Peng's unannounced visit, Phoenix decided to check his surveillance system.
The sight that greeted him sent a chill down his spine. There were Iris and Mira, lurking with murderous intent. Phoenix's heart raced, but he remained calm. He was no stranger to dealing with treachery and deceit. He knew he had to be smart to outwit them.
"Want to kill me?" Phoenix thought, a cold smile playing on his lips. Despite the danger, he felt a thrill. The game was on, and he was not one to back down from a challenge. It was not yet clear who the hunter was and who the prey would be.