Chapter 3

3

Early the next morning, the technicians arrived to install solar panels.

I went back to the store for frozen goods and enough meat to fill the freezer.

I bought long-lasting vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, and corn, plus a ton of apples.

I also stocked up on jerky and dried fruits.

Water was the most important thing, so I ordered a huge delivery of five-gallon jugs.

I didn't forget the fun stuff either―soda, snacks, and a mountain of books.

I downloaded hundreds of movies and shows onto my devices.

You can't survive an apocalypse without some entertainment.

I also bought two hidden cameras to set up in my old living room.

At lunch, I went to a BBQ place. I wanted to enjoy a real meal before everything went sideways.

My guest arrived right on time.

It was the wife of the guy from upstairs―Zora Miller.

Even behind her sunglasses, I could see the heavy bruising around her eyes.

In the old apartment, Sienna and I used to hear the sounds of things breaking and Zora's muffled screams.

Sienna used to act so sympathetic toward her, but she was the one who suggested throwing Zora to the monsters.

Zora took off her mask. Even thick foundation couldn't hide the marks on her face.

"What did your message mean? You said you could help me… with what?"

I put a piece of grilled meat on her plate.

"I live right below you. I hear the fights every day. Or rather, I hear you getting hurt. Why haven't you left him?"

Zora's hands started shaking. She pulled up her sleeve to reveal fresh purple bruises.

"You think I haven't tried? I've filed for divorce so many times. But people just tell me to stick it out. They say every marriage has problems."

"Then he kneels and begs for forgiveness, and the judge dismisses the case because the marriage isn't 'broken' enough."

"As soon as we get home, he beats me even harder."

I reached across the table and held her hand.

I pulled the small camera out of my pocket.

"If you trust me, put this in your living room. I've seen him bringing other women home when you aren't there."

"Install this, and then go stay with your parents this afternoon. I know a lawyer who can actually win this for you."

Zora shook her head sadly.

"It's no use. I've had videos and medical reports before. He just finds them and deletes everything."

I looked her in the eye. "Trust me. This time, it will work."

I wasn't relying on a camera to solve her legal problems.

I wanted to watch how these pieces of trash destroyed each other when the world ended.

The camera was just for my entertainment.

I remembered the supplies in her house.

"By the way, I noticed you like to stockpile food, right?"

Zora gave a weak laugh.

"Sometimes he hits me so hard I can't show my face outside for a week. He won't buy food for me, so I'd starve if I didn't hide stuff. It became a habit."

My heart softened. "Don't your parents know?"

She looked away. "They're the ones who forced me to marry him. They just wanted Lawson's money. They don't care if I'm dead or alive."

I felt a surge of protective anger.

"Come on. We're going to your place to pack your things. You're staying at my new place. He isn't home, right?"

I also needed to clear out my own stuff from Sienna's place.