Chapter 9: Super Warehouse
Phoenix had now addressed one of his major concerns: securing a firearm. With the means to defend himself secured, he felt significantly relieved. In the bleak landscape of the post-apocalyptic world, such a tool would give him a formidable edge against any threats, whether human or otherworldly.
The following day, he began transferring important items into his other-dimensional space. His house was slated for transformation into a safe house, necessitating his temporary relocation to a hotel. As dawn broke, three unmarked black vans rolled into the neighborhood, drawing curious glances from the residents. The vans disgorged a team from Battle Dragon Company, clad in work overalls, who promptly began assessing Phoenix's house for the upcoming modifications.
The neighborhood buzzed with speculation. "What's gotten into Phoenix? He's been stirring up quite a commotion lately," one neighbor muttered. Some colleagues from the nearby supermarket even joked, "You'd think the world's ending with the way he's stockpiling food. What a waste when it all expires!"
A consensus formed among the onlookers; Phoenix's behavior was baffling, perhaps even a sign of a breakdown. Mira and Iris, too, started doubting his mental state. "It all makes sense now," Iris mused, "The fancy restaurant, the hoarding – it must be some kind of breakdown!"
Mira, however, was less amused, her irritation evident. She ruminated over her recent interactions with Phoenix, her efforts now seeming in vain. "What on earth is he planning?"
Despite their concerns about being associated with Phoenix's erratic actions, the allure of a promised feast at a Michelin-starred restaurant was too tempting for Iris to dismiss outright.
Phoenix, for his part, remained indifferent to the neighborhood chatter. Soon enough, they would see who the joke was really on.
He left his increasingly crowded home and drove to the Walmart warehouse. Monday marked the return to routine, but for Phoenix, it was also an opportunity to scout the warehouse for his final sweep of supplies.
The Walmart warehouse, nestled in the economic development zone on the outskirts of Solstice City, was a hub for the region's supply chain. Its colossal size and stockpile of goods were an assurance to Phoenix; soon, everything there would be instrumental in his survival.
The place he'd once found monotonous now filled him with anticipation. From food and apparel to generators and barrels of gasoline, the warehouse was a treasure trove. With intimate knowledge of its layout and security loopholes, Phoenix was confident in his plan to paralyze the surveillance system and transport the supplies to his space – in due time.
After a cursory visit to the warehouse, he casually swung by the neighboring Pharmaceutical Company's depot. There, he met with Patrick, the manager he knew through mutual graft. Phoenix's request for specific medications was initially met with resistance, but the promise of double the market price quickly swayed Patrick's scruples. They shook hands on a deal for five boxes of medication, costing Phoenix $3 million.
With his preparations nearly complete and the apocalypse looming, Phoenix felt little reason to stick to his job. He fabricated a story about a death in the family and secured a leave of absence from his understanding manager.
Freed from work commitments, Phoenix envisioned a period of leisure in a five-star hotel, awaiting the delivery of his purchases and the completion of the safe house.
On his way out, he noticed Mira by the coffee machine, her allure on full display. As she brewed her coffee, a few smitten colleagues hovered nearby, one of them flaunting concert tickets to catch her attention. This man, Daniel, was a familiar face to Phoenix, not just from the neighborhood but also as someone who played a part in his downfall in his previous life.