Chapter 61: Human Flesh

The echoes of gunfire in the building marked a new chapter of desperation among the residents. Phoenix, from the safety of his fortified home, watched as Alexander's actions had set off a chain reaction of violence and survival. The once ordinary building had now become a battleground, where the fear of death had given way to the primal need for sustenance.

Phoenix's surveillance feed showed the brutal aftermath of the struggle. Two men, who had dared to challenge Alexander in hopes of claiming the reward, lay lifeless in the corridor. They had been ordinary residents, pushed to the brink, grasping at the slim chance Phoenix's offer had provided. But Alexander, though injured, had proven to be a formidable adversary. The scene was a grim reminder of the lengths to which people would go when pushed by hunger and desperation.

In his hideout, Alexander grappled with the reality of his situation. The gun in his hand was more than a weapon; it was a symbol of his dwindling power and authority in a world where rules no longer applied. The chopping sounds from the kitchen were a morbid testament to the extreme measures they had resorted to for survival. Alexander, sitting in the cold, felt a creeping sense of vulnerability - a stark contrast to the invincibility he once felt.

Lydia's arrival to treat his wound was met with a mix of relief and contempt. Alexander's offer of human flesh as payment highlighted the grotesque reality they were living in. Lydia, maintaining her dignity, refused, despite Alexander's insinuations that she would eventually succumb to the same desperation. Her refusal to partake in the inhumanity around her was a small, yet significant, act of resistance.

The scene of Lydia treating Alexander's wound was one of uneasy tension. Alexander, aware of his precarious position, chose to keep Lydia captive, a decision driven by fear and the need for self-preservation. The cooked human meat, brought in as a crude reminder of their situation, was met with Lydia's silent revulsion. Her presence there was not just as a healer but also as a witness to the depths of depravity that hunger could drive people to.

Alexander's subsequent plan to move next to Phoenix's apartment was a strategic move born out of desperation. He saw Phoenix's home as a fortress filled with supplies, a potential key to their survival. The decision to keep a close watch on Phoenix indicated a shift in their dynamics - Phoenix was no longer just a neighbor but a target.

The young couple living next door to Phoenix became unintended casualties of Alexander's plan. Their home, once a place of safety, was now adjacent to a den of danger. The building's atmosphere was thick with fear and uncertainty, as residents grappled with the new reality that their home had turned into a war zone.

Lydia, now a captive and a crucial asset to Alexander, covertly informed Phoenix of the plans. Phoenix, ever the strategist, saw through Alexander's intentions. He knew his home was impenetrable and that leaving it was out of the question. His response was calculated - he would wait, letting the fear and anticipation work against Alexander.

The next few days in the building were marked by a tense calm. The residents, exhausted and demoralized by their failed attempts to breach Phoenix's home and the loss of lives, were reluctant to confront Alexander directly. Instead, they resorted to sending private messages to Phoenix, each one a plea for mercy or an offer of a deal.

Among these messages was Benjamin's, which stood out for its shocking nature. He offered his girlfriend, a car model and a symbol of his wealth, in exchange for food. Phoenix's disgust at the offer was palpable. He saw through the desperation and depravity of the proposal, rejecting it outright. This exchange was a stark reminder of how the societal collapse had stripped people of their dignity and morality.

The residents' pleas and offers continued, ranging from sycophantic praise to desperate bargaining. Uncle Isaac, one of the few who still maintained a sense of decency, congratulated Phoenix on his resilience. The women, including Mira and Lydia, reached out to Phoenix, each with their own motives and fears.

As night fell, the building plunged into darkness, both literally and metaphorically. The residents faced not just the physical cold but also the chilling reality of their situation. The official news, broadcasting optimistic reports, seemed disconnected from the grim reality inside the building. Phoenix, reading through the messages, was both amused and saddened by the desperation they revealed.

Suddenly, Phoenix noticed movement on his balcony. A group of residents, wrapped in layers to ward off the cold, were stealthily removing the charred corpses from the previous day's fire. Confronted by Phoenix, they claimed they were merely disposing of the bodies. However, Phoenix saw through their intentions, recognizing the disturbing truth behind their actions.

As the residents carried away the bodies, the smell of charred flesh filled the air, a grim reminder of the lengths to which they had gone in their struggle for survival.