Chapter 20: The Death of William

Around 10 p.m, William was searching for food in his room. He knew his chances of survival were slim. It wasn't just a matter of being shot, but being shot in this kind of weather! His left arm had completely lost feeling, the bullet couldn't be removed, and his nerves were dying, gradually eroding his life.

Fortunately, the extreme cold was freezing his wound. If it were summer, the wound might have become infected and continuously discharged pus, hastening his death. Now, he had time to prepare for his end.

He was certain of his death, a thought that had come to him when he saw his wife die. What difference did it make to live in such a world? Although everyone wants to survive, perhaps death is a release.

But now, he really didn't want to die. He had a daughter, so adorable. What would happen to her if he were gone? The thought of Samuel's gaze made William shudder.

"Daddy..." Mia, unaware of what had happened, saw her father's arm covered in blood.

"Mia..." William, pale and weak, said, "Daddy's not going to make it. I'll soon join your mother, leaving you alone in this world... We're sorry."

Tears streamed down his face, even though his body was nearly out of fluids. The thought of his child's future ordeal made him want to cry.

"I've hidden all the food in the wall. If you're hungry, go eat. Don't endure hunger anymore." William's voice grew weaker.

He and his wife had hollowed out a wall in their bedroom, creating a very small space. The adults certainly couldn't get in, but Mia could.

"I don't want Daddy to go!" Mia clung to William's legs, tears flowing down her face.

"This damn world, perhaps death is a release," William whispered softly, "Your mother and I will pave the way for you in another world, just as we did before you came to this world. We'll still be a family there."

Looking at Mia's thin, hungry figure, William's eyes showed unbearable pain.

He even thought of taking Mia with him, but ultimately, he couldn't bear to do it. Maybe leaving this world with Mia was the best choice, but what if order was restored?

Mia was still young, she could witness future miracles! They had lived in a peaceful, warm world for decades, already experiencing its prosperity and enjoying what it had to offer. But Mia had only lived for a few years. She shouldn't die with him but should strive to survive, to go to amusement parks, fall in love with a man who loves her, get married, have children, and live an ordinary yet happy life.

William cried bitterly, filled with regret. Those whose doors he had broken into also wanted to survive. The doctor had children, but they had forcefully taken his food. David, just in his early twenties, was a young man, but they had forcefully taken his future too.

Previously, he had resented David, but now he had let it all go.

Knock, knock, knock! Suddenly, there was a knocking sound from outside the door.

William instantly became alert, no longer lingering. He put Mia into the 'safe house' he had dug out and said, "Remember! No matter what happens next, you absolutely must not make a sound!"

"You must survive! You must survive!" William shook Mia's body like a demon, "Do whatever it takes to survive!"

Mia, with tears in her eyes, nodded. William then put her into the hollowed-out wall, covering it up before taking a deep breath.

He knew his time of death was approaching.

He staggered to the door, "David, you really have the ability now. I thought you would be capable one day when you first came, but I didn't expect it to be under these circumstances."

"Are you here for my life? Then take it, but I have one last request..."

He opened the door and was stunned.

It wasn't David he had expected, but Robert.

And the hammer in his hand.

"Robert..." William said, somewhat unexpectedly, "I didn't expect it to be you in the end."

"Stop dreaming," Robert said, pulling out a cigarette that had been frozen. "How could David risk leaving his home for you now?"

"We think we are important, but in reality, David looks down on you."

"..." William's body swayed, and he laughed miserably, "Are you here to kill me?"

"Yes, for that roast goose," Robert sneered, "You may not know, but my son died yesterday, starved to death."

"!" William's pupils dilated, not shocked by Robert's words, but dizzy at the thought of his child possibly starving to death too.

"Since then, I've been thinking, even if I die, I want to die full!"

Robert said, "Jones, that beast, has betrayed everyone. They don't understand what kind of person Charles is. Since Samuel left, I knew this building was doomed."

"But even if I die, I want to taste roast goose one last time!"

Robert burst into laughter!

William was about to faint, saying weakly, "Could you please take care of Mia?"

"No way, no one can take care of her," Robert said, "After eating the roast goose, I'm leaving too. I'm sorry, William, I can't agree to your condition."

"Sorry."

Then, Robert swung the hammer in his hand.