Chapter 70: Deterrent

Lydia, with a determined look in her eyes, raised the baseball bat and faced the daunting task before her: a massive lump of ice containing the remains of ten people. Despite her medical background, which gave her some resistance to the sight of corpses, the task was still a harrowing one. She struck the ice with force, the impact causing her to recoil in pain and drop the bat. Realizing the difficulty of the task with just a bat, she quickly switched to a sledgehammer for more effective results.

With each forceful smash, Lydia's resolve grew stronger, and the ice began to break apart, revealing the fragmented bodies within. The sight was gruesome – the bodies breaking apart like brittle sculptures, their flesh and blood frozen solid, resembling a macabre mixture of red and white. Phoenix captured the entire process on his phone, documenting this chilling act.

After completing the task, Lydia returned indoors, questioning the purpose of Phoenix's recording. He replied with a slight smile, revealing his intention to send the footage to the building's owners' group as a display of authority and a warning. Lydia realized the strategy behind this move – it was Phoenix's way of establishing dominance in the building, replacing the fear that the now-deceased Alexander once instilled in the residents.

As they reviewed the reactions in the group, the couple, dressed only in their underwear, appeared almost like lovers. However, the nature of their relationship was complex. Lydia's feelings towards Phoenix were rooted in dependency, while he saw her more as a useful ally than a partner. For Phoenix, emotions were secondary in this harsh new world.

When Phoenix uploaded the video, it took a minute due to worsening network conditions, a side effect of the extreme weather. The residents' reactions to the video were a mix of relief and jubilation at Alexander's demise. Their hatred for him was palpable, as he had been responsible for much pain and suffering in their lives.

Phoenix then declared his control over the building, sparking various reactions from the residents. Some saw him as a savior, others as a source of much-needed supplies. His announcement, however, did not seem to instill fear in them, a contrast to the terror Alexander had commanded.

Lydia pointed out that Phoenix was perceived as a better person compared to Alexander, noting that he had never actively sought to harm anyone. Phoenix, while not considering himself a good person, felt he hadn't yet crossed certain moral lines.

The conversation in the group then shifted as residents began to realize that Lydia was living with Phoenix. Jealousy and desperation set in, with various people pleading to be let into Phoenix's house, offering whatever services they could in exchange for safety and resources. Lydia, witnessing this, felt a sense of crisis, worried about her place in Phoenix's life.

Amidst this, Mira, a character previously known to Phoenix, expressed her desire to join him, believing that she had a special place in his heart. However, Phoenix's cold response left her desperate and furious. The situation escalated as other residents, including Annie and Iris, also vied for Phoenix's favor, each offering their own reasons for why they should be chosen.

Phoenix, watching this unfold, couldn't help but find amusement in the chaos, while Lydia clung to him, her sense of insecurity growing. She resolved to improve herself in every way possible to ensure her place in Phoenix's life remained secure. The residents' envy of Lydia and their eagerness to replace her illustrated the desperation and harsh reality of their new world, where survival often meant competing for the favor of those with resources.