Chapter 64: Crazy

During this post-apocalyptic nightmare, Phoenix observed from his apartment the despair and madness engulfing the building. His demand for Lydia to prove her ruthlessness was a test of her survival instincts. He wanted to ensure that she was not a liability but an asset in this brutal new world. Lydia's hesitation to respond indicated her internal struggle with the moral implications of Phoenix's task.

Phoenix remained patient, aware that time was on his side. He had the luxury of security and resources, unlike many in the building. If Lydia failed to meet his expectations, Phoenix was prepared to abandon any plans of helping her. His primary concern was his own survival, and he was not willing to compromise it for anyone.

The next morning, Phoenix indulged in the normalcy of a routine, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. His exercise regimen and hot shower were luxuries few could afford in these desperate times. Yet, his tranquility was disrupted by the sounds of violence and anger emanating from the building's corridors.

Outside, Peng, driven mad by infection and desperation, unleashed his fury on Phoenix's door. His accusations and insults towards Phoenix were a futile attempt to provoke him. Phoenix, however, remained unmoved, casually mocking Peng's condition and predicament. He accurately described the gruesome progression of Peng's infected wound, further instilling fear and despair in him.

Peng's reaction was one of unbridled rage and pain. Knowing his death was imminent, he sought to fulfill his last desire – to claim Mira as his own. His tragic obsession with her, even in the face of death, was a pathetic display of unrequited love turned into madness.

In a harrowing turn of events, Peng attacked Mira, driven by both revenge and a twisted sense of entitlement. The residents, aware of the commotion, chose not to intervene, blaming Mira for their predicament. Peng's actions, stuffing his rotting flesh into Mira's mouth, were a horrifying culmination of the building's descent into savagery.

Meanwhile, Alexander, next door to Phoenix, struggled to maintain control. His paranoia was palpable as he no longer trusted even his closest allies. His decision to amass a group of men was a desperate attempt to protect himself, but it also increased the strain on their dwindling resources.

Phoenix watched all these developments with a clinical detachment. He understood that Alexander's strategy was flawed and would lead to more internal strife and chaos. Alexander's group, tasked with finding a way to breach Phoenix's apartment, was engaged in a futile endeavor. Phoenix's apartment was a fortress, and he had no intention of leaving it or letting anyone in.

As the days passed, the building's situation grew increasingly dire. The residents, driven by hunger and fear, resorted to extreme measures for survival. Alexander's actions had set off a chain reaction of violence and despair, turning the building into a battleground where the strongest preyed on the weak, and morality was a forgotten concept.

In this brutal world, Phoenix remained an observer, his apartment a haven amidst the chaos. His interactions with Lydia, Peng, and Mira highlighted his strategic approach to survival, where empathy and compassion were overshadowed by pragmatism and self-interest. The building, once a community of neighbors, had transformed into a microcosm of a dystopian world, where every decision was a matter of life and death, and the struggle for survival reigned supreme.