In the apocalypse, humanity's moral compass had long since shattered.
For a single bite of food, they'd do anything.
Miles knew that Sarah wouldn't be the last to try breaking in, so he resolved to teach them all a lesson they wouldn't soon forget.
He pulled a handgun from his hidden stash, walked up to the second floor, and opened a small window slit.
Bang!
The shot missed Sarah, striking the lock-picking lackey beside him instead.
Watching his cohort collapse in a pool of blood, the group let out a horrified cry before scattering in all directions.
Miles chuckled to himself, looking at the fallen man, muttering, "Now, that's what I call killing the chicken to scare the monkey."
Sarah and his accomplices staggered back to his home, cold sweat drenching their skin, each drawing deep, panicked breaths.
Sarah himself collapsed painfully onto his couch, writhing in agony. Outside in the freezing air, he'd been numbed to the pain. But back home, with the slight warmth, the searing agony became unbearable.
With gritted teeth, he peeled back his sleeve to reveal his swollen, burned arm, and his face turned pale with dread.
At first, he'd thought he'd only lose the arm, but now, he knew the infection would kill him if he didn't get proper treatment.
The flesh on his hand was charred; without immediate help, the only option would be amputation.
But how? This wasn't some survival show where one could just cut it off with a knife.
"Why... Why is this happening?!"
Sarah's eyes contracted with fear as the terror of impending death washed over him.
In desperation, he ordered one of his men, "Quick, find Cole. Only he can save me now."
He dialed a number.
"Who is this?" came a young woman's voice. Startled, Sarah answered quickly, "I need to speak with Dr. Cole. This is Sarah from Section B."
"Sarah? Never heard of you…" The woman scoffed before hanging up.
"Damn it, that wretch!" Sarah cursed, redialing frantically and blurting out before she could speak, "Please, it's life or death! Miles electrocuted my arm, and I won't survive without help!"
The woman's voice turned colder. "Do you even realize what's happening out there? Your life isn't our concern."
It was clear she found his pleas more bothersome than urgent.
"Cough… cough…"
Just then, a man's weak voice could be heard from the other end. "Lisa, who's calling?"
"Grandfather, you're ill. Please, lie back down!" she replied softly.
"Is it someone in need?" Cole's voice held a faint tremor, and Sarah seized his chance, shouting into the phone, "It's me, Dr. Cole! Sarah from last year's Excellence Awards! I voted for you!"
In their high-society circles, favors intertwined with social currency. Sarah had cultivated countless connections across Chicago—key to his success.
The elderly doctor sighed faintly, his voice strained. "Ah, Sarah from Hongpeng Telecom… I remember now. You said…"
Hearing Cole's weakening voice, Sarah feared the doctor might pass out mid-call.
"Dr. Cole, I beg you! I can't last much longer. Miles shocked me, and my arm's burned to a crisp. I'll die without help!"
Cole was known for his upright, compassionate nature; Sarah hoped the doctor's principles would work in his favor.
"Hmph. Why would he electrocute you without reason? Clearly, you provoked him first—you deserve what you got…" the girl's voice was cold with contempt. "Grandfather, why help a man like this? All he wants is to rob Miles of his supplies."
Sarah's desperation grew. "Dr. Cole, that's not true! We were starving and only sought Miles' aid. He refused and attacked us instead! One of my friends… was shot dead by him!"
Cole's voice trembled with sorrow. "Ah, such moral decay. In times like these, we must come together, not tear each other apart."
For Cole, the preservation of life was sacred. Even the life of a man he didn't respect deserved to be saved.
The girl cut in, outraged, "Grandfather, he's lying to you! Miles offered food rations to those willing to fight off zombies, but this man wanted to take what he hadn't earned. Men like him aren't worth saving."
With that, she hung up.
Sarah listened to the dead line, seething with rage. If the girl were in front of him now, he would have torn her apart.
Meanwhile, in one of the villas, Cole lay in bed, his face etched with lines of exhaustion. In his efforts to help others, he'd pushed himself to the brink of illness.
As a doctor, he knew that sickness in these conditions was nearly synonymous with death.
Yet, he couldn't turn away from someone in need.
Summoning his last reserves of strength, Cole tried to rise. "No matter how dark things become, it's still a life. Lisa, we cannot refuse aid…"
A twenty-something woman by his bedside, Lisa, looked at him with worry.
"Grandfather, please… we're in the apocalypse. You've saved so many, but who will save you?"
"We're doctors, Lisa. Serving humanity is our duty. Even in death, we must die with purpose." Cole's voice wavered, but his resolve was firm.
"No…"
Lisa choked back tears, throwing her arms around him. "Grandfather, if you go out there, you'll never come back. This cold will kill you."
Cole's fever had persisted for days, and they were low on medicine. Venturing out in such weather was suicide, even for a young, healthy person.
"Then… I'll go."
Lisa's voice was firm. "I'll help him. Please, rest. Let me handle it."