Seeing the growing tension, Nathan scratched his head and stepped forward.
"We all work for Miles, don't we? Let's not make this a thing—just drop it, all right?"
Anthony wasn't entirely sure he wanted to escalate matters anyway. Mary might have been a newcomer, but the fact that Miles had brought her here meant she wasn't someone to mess with lightly. Moreover, her capabilities were undeniable—who else would have thought of building a wind turbine on their first day?
"Hmph!" Anthony begrudgingly holstered his gun, muttering as he backed down. "I'm only letting this slide because of Miles. Otherwise, I swear I'd—"
Before he could finish, Ansel wasn't having it. Swinging his blade with swagger, he sneered, "Or else what, huh? Wanna take a swing at me? Come on, big guy—let's see who's got what!"
"Damn it!" Anthony snapped, visibly enraged.
Sensing the situation spiraling out of control, Nathan quickly grabbed Anthony by the arm. "Cut it out, man! Can't you see she's not someone to mess with? Besides…" He glanced at Mary's poised figure and muttered, loud enough for all to hear, "She's got that classy and dangerous vibe. Who's to say Miles hasn't already, you know…?"
The air froze.
Everyone fell silent, stunned by Nathan's bold insinuation. Even Mary, typically unflappable, flushed with embarrassment. Her composed expression wavered for a brief moment before she glared at Nathan, her voice icy.
"You're even worse than him."
Mary's arrival marked a quiet but undeniable transformation in Cloud Heights.
With an influx of resources, the community began returning to a semblance of civilized order. The once-common acts of violence over scraps of food slowly faded into memory. No longer did anyone murder for a measly packet of crackers.
This shift wasn't merely due to Mary's organizational prowess—it was also thanks to the vast stockpiles of supplies Miles had brought forth.
Well-fed people aspire for more than mere survival. They begin to dream again.
Most of Cloud Heights' residents were former professionals, and their adaptability outstripped the ordinary. Two engineers, both previously involved in energy systems research, enthusiastically volunteered to spearhead the wind turbine assembly project. Many others joined in, contributing their unique skills to the cause.
Little by little, the community began to rebuild.
Inside the villa, Miles stood on the second-floor balcony, peering through binoculars at the flurry of activity below. The sight of people working together with purpose gave him an odd sense of disconnection, as though he were watching another life entirely.
For over a hundred days, he had survived the apocalypse, seemingly secure yet perpetually haunted by uncertainty. The fear of a future that might never come gnawed at his soul. He was lucky to be alive, but in this cruel new world, survival itself felt like a curse.
Yet Mary's arrival had changed everything.
With her at the helm, order had been restored. Life regained its rhythm—structured, purposeful, and strangely reminiscent of the time before the world fell apart. Neighbors and former military students, once wary of one another, began working side by side, united by a shared goal: restoring the power grid to their small haven.
"You've found yourself a gem."
Lisa's voice broke his reverie. She stood beside him, her tone tinged with faint jealousy. "With her on your team, you're bound to achieve great things."
"Jealous?" Miles turned, pulling her into his arms with a playful grin. "We're just partners. Besides, she wouldn't even look at me that way."
Lisa scrunched her nose in mock irritation before laughing. "I wasn't into you at first either, was I? And yet, here we are…"
Miles sighed softly, a rare trace of seriousness flickering across his features. "She's different. Too strong—so strong it's suffocating."
"Oh? So you prefer women who are easier to handle?"
"No," he said with a smirk, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I only like you."
"Liar."
Their eyes met, and the moment swelled with an unspoken tenderness. The atmosphere grew charged, the world outside forgotten.
"Close the curtains," Lisa murmured, her voice husky.
Swish.
In the distance, Mary stood atop a platform, directing workers as they set up scaffolding.
"Move it back! We need more clearance, or it won't be safe—" Her instructions faltered as her gaze drifted toward the brightly lit villa. Through the uncovered windows, she caught a glimpse of two silhouettes locked in an embrace, their passion palpable even from afar. Before she could process the scene, the curtains dropped.
"Ugh!" Mary turned her head sharply, her cheeks flushed. Spitting softly, she muttered under her breath.
"Mary, the scaffolding's ready!" Ansel's shout broke through her thoughts.
"Got it!" Mary quickly descended the platform, refocusing her attention on the task at hand. She approached two bespectacled engineers and said, "It's all yours now."
"Don't worry, Miss Mary," one of them assured her. "This system isn't complicated. As long as we have enough materials, we'll have it up and running in less than twenty days."
America was a land of ingenuity and resilience, and its people reflected those qualities. Give them a goal, and they would deliver results beyond expectation.
Mary turned to Ryan, Nathan, and Isaac, who had been observing from the sidelines. "You three, forget this project for now. Start training those military students. I fear the base will send troops here sooner than we'd like."
Ryan scratched his head, uneasy. "Training's one thing, but what's the point? We're just a ragtag group. How are we supposed to fight against soldiers with guns? All it takes is one volley, and we're toast."
"Train anyway!" Mary's voice was firm, her expression unyielding. "We have no means of defending ourselves right now. If the army comes, our only option will be to flee."
"Fine…" The three men nodded reluctantly, though their lack of conviction was evident.
"I'll handle the weapons situation with Miles. You focus on preparing the recruits."
"Understood."
As the trio dispersed, Mary reached for her walkie-talkie.
"Miles, are you there? We need to talk."
"What is it?" His voice crackled over the line, breathless and hoarse.
"I think I know where we can find a cache of weapons. Do you have time to check it out with me?"
A feminine gasp echoed faintly through the static.
"Miles!" Mary's tone turned frosty, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Ten minutes. Wait for me outside," he replied curtly before cutting off the connection.
"That bastard," Mary muttered, stomping her foot in frustration before making her way toward his villa.
"Ugh," Lisa pouted as she lay draped over Miles, her voice dripping with mock irritation. "You're terrible, making a show of things like that…"
Miles exhaled contentedly, the cigarette in his mouth curling with smoke. "You started it, my dear."
Lisa's lips curved into a sly grin. "That Mary must've overheard everything. Are you trying to woo her too?"
Miles chuckled, pinching her nose playfully. "The last time you got mad at me over Nicole, you nearly had my head. Now you're being so generous. Aren't you afraid I might actually take Mary in?"
"That's different," Lisa said, her expression suddenly serious.
"How so?"
Lisa gazed up at him earnestly. "Nicole was all drama, but Mary… Mary's the real deal. With her around, you'll have less to worry about. And besides, she's not the type to bother with petty romantic games."