Do You Believe in the Apocalypse?

Arnold looked at her with heartache. His sister was so innocent and kind, carrying a huge secret in her heart, unable to share it with them. She must have been terrified and forced herself to become stronger.

If she hadn't planned to move to Serenity Springs in advance and bought enough supplies for life, those days when the heavy rain first came, all of them would have suffered.

Now, the entire neighborhood was experiencing a power outage, but their house remained unaffected, thanks to Alice buying a generator in advance.

She had silently done all these things alone at the beginning, not understood by them at first. It must have been very tiring.

"Little sister, in the future, just tell big brother what you need him to do," Arnold said with tender affection on his handsome face.

Alice watched the changes in Arnold's expression and silently questioned what he was imagining. But it didn't matter; as long as Arnold believed her, it would make their actions more convenient.

Once Arnold understood the crisis of the apocalypse, he would no longer hold onto unrealistic ideas. They had to be prepared in advance, stock up on supplies, and be pragmatic.

For now, she didn't want to use the items in her space unless absolutely necessary. It was better to lay low until she had enough weapons to protect herself.

Alice and Arnold, witnessing the chaos unfolding in the building, found themselves unable to go upstairs due to the mob blocking the staircase. The situation had escalated from a dispute over supplies to an all-out brawl.

Downstairs, the atmosphere became increasingly hostile as residents fought for whatever resources were left. The initial target had been Martinez's supplies, but it quickly devolved into an indiscriminate free-for-all, with everyone turning against each other.

Some people, desperate to secure their share, stuffed food into their mouths as quickly as possible. In the midst of the chaos, individuals resorted to physical violence to protect their belongings, and fights erupted throughout the floor.

The stairwell was now a bottleneck, with the mob blocking any attempt to ascend. Alice and Arnold stood helplessly on the ground floor, observing the violent scene unfolding above.

"Should we do something?" Arnold asked, concern etched on his face.

Alice hesitated for a moment. The situation was dangerous, and intervening might escalate tensions further. "Let's wait and see. If it gets worse, we'll find another way to go up."

They continued to watch as the residents, driven by desperation and fear, fought over the meager supplies. The sound of shouting, scuffling, and breaking objects filled the air, creating an atmosphere of pandemonium.

As the chaos intensified, Alice couldn't help but wonder how this small community had devolved into such a state of anarchy so quickly. The fragility of society in the face of scarcity and uncertainty became glaringly apparent.

The struggle for survival had turned neighbors against each other, highlighting the harsh reality of the post-apocalyptic world they found themselves in.

Alice, still holding the gun, took a sip of the warm water that Blanche handed to her. The tense situation outside had drained her both physically and emotionally.

"The situation outside is chaotic. It's not easy to find supplies, and there's a risk of running into more trouble," Alice replied, her eyes reflecting the weariness of the day's events.

Blanche nodded understandingly, realizing the challenges they faced. "Alright, rest for now. We'll figure something out together. It's not just about survival; it's about staying together as a family."

Arnold, who had been silently observing, added, "We need to be cautious and strategic. Going out blindly might put us in more danger. Let's plan our moves carefully."

Alice, feeling grateful for the support of her family, finally lowered the gun. The weight of the weapon seemed to symbolize the harsh reality they were now living in – a world where survival required not just physical strength, but also strategic thinking and adaptability.

As they gathered around the table, the family discussed their options and planned for the uncertainties that lay ahead. The post-apocalyptic world demanded resilience, resourcefulness, and a strong bond among those who faced it together.

Alice didn't hesitate at all and immediately refused, "No, it's not safe outside. There are even robbery gangs. It's better for you, being older, not to go out."

Upon hearing the words "being older," Blanche felt a momentary pang. She always thought of herself as not being old, with a psychological age of thirty.

Arnold also advised, "If you insist on going out, we have to accompany you. There was a robbery downstairs just now, and it was finally subdued by a girl with a gun."

"A gun?" Atticus looked at Alice in surprise.

Alice then recounted what happened on the commercial street. Atticus listened with a pounding heart, almost feeling like he was living in a time of war, despite the peaceful days of the past few decades.

"We have enough food at home to last for some time. You should also reduce the number of times you go out," Atticus said solemnly.

Alice nodded, "Okay, anyway, the flood will recede in a few days."

Going out every day in a rubber boat was not only inconvenient but also didn't bring back much. It was better to wait for the flood to recede and then go out by car.

Arnold couldn't help but look at Alice, a hint of a smile on his lips.

It must be a blessing from the ancestors that allowed Alice to foresee the occurrence of the apocalypse.

In the following days, the people in Allen family did not go out. The supplies at home were enough for a month.

After the rain stopped, Blanche took the onions, ginger, and garlic planted in flower pots to the balcony. They grew tall after just a few days of being exposed to the wind.

Arnold either exercised or practiced cooking, sometimes pulling Alice to assist him.

Since the robbery incident in the building, everyone was on edge, and doors were not opened easily.

The Zhang family, who had been robbed, went door to door every day, asking for food. Refusing them could result in being cursed for the entire day.