Chapter 5 - GANGSTERS

Seeing these messages it was clear auntie Evelyn was angry, but she didn't dare to say a word to those two; so she targeted me instead. "Ash you're really trying to make trouble for me, aren't you? Are you going be satisfied if no one goes out to shovel snow?"

Feeling too lazy to type I picked up my phone, turned on the voice message and scoffed "Did you call me out just to vent?! After being scolded by others at that! Believe it or not, if you talk anymore nonsense… I'll kill you!"

Auntie Evelyn immediately backed down, and just when I was thinking I could get back to my business.

BOOM

A loud bang came from my front door; I heard Abhay's voice outside yelling "Ash! Weren't you pretty cocky in the group just now? Come out and see if I don't beat you bloody today!" 

Now I told myself that I would wait for things to get really bad in the apocalypse before getting my revenge. But in face of blatant provocation like this, I chose the normal reaction… I summoned a bunch of weapons from my storage and chose a good looking rifle went to the door and shouted "I'd like to see you try!"

I swung the door open giving him a shot to the shin. - Felt good… Abhay fell to the ground wailing incessantly; he probably never imagined that an honest person like me would be so ruthless when I took action.

 What he didn't know, was that this was only the first step of my revenge. You see, with temperatures now averaging around -120 degrees. Abhay's leg which had been shot through was surely going to be gone if not treated in time… if he even manages to get to a hospital in all this snow that is.

He could only die slowly in this freezing weather, but surprisingly Abhay managed bear the severe pain; he staggered towards his house.

I bet he could never have imagined that, having only met me a few times that, I would actually shoot him. I could see how this realization made Abhay visibly shudder with fear.

He had taken out his phone and dialed the emergency number. But with the whole city already covered in heavy snow, the hospital's ambulance simply couldn't make it. 

Left with no choice Abhay could only go home and treat his wound himself 'fortunately' the weather was freezing cold; his foot was almost numb from the cold.

Abhay finally made it home; the first thing he did was leave a threat in the homeowner group- wow he could have just put it in my DM, but I guess he wants to go movie villain route. He voice messaged "Ashok wait for me, I'll kill you I swear it."

Facing his threat I naturally wasn't afraid; so after locking my gate, I responded with a voice note of my own "keep talking, even if you dare come to disturb me again I'll just disable both your legs"

Onlookers in the group chat were stunned, but to be fair Abhay was the area tyrant. This was the first time someone dared to confront- and shoot- him, and for good reason.

He phoned his followers- yes you can use your workers as goons- and in no time a swarm of followers each holding weapons rushed over after learning about what happened.

Their leader was muscular bald guy with tattoos all over- seriously it was way to cliché… I guess they really were going movie villain route.

He and his posse came to my door; then like they were following a script started yelling "You offended our boss Abhay, how dare you shoot boss Abhay. Today will be your death anniversary" with that he tried to smash down my door but, his weapon recoiled nearly hitting square in the face away this scared the gangsters out of their wits- if going in line with clichés they should be think something like 'how many people has this guy offended? His home's more fortified than a turtle's shell'…or something like that.

The scene from my security camera made me laugh, so I decided to toy with them a bit "Are you guys hungry? Try harder; don't tell me you got those muscles for show…" 

Seeing those morons outside the house swearing, fuming, even daring me to come out was quite funny… especially that last one- do I look like those Bollywood protagonists? Well yes I did but that didn't mean I was stupid.

But a certain film I remembered suddenly gave me an idea; I took a water hose and connected it to the kitchen faucet. Why were they so angry? I should be nice and 'cool' them down.

The gangsters outside who saw the door unlock suddenly; instantly became alert. But upon realizing I didn't fire a shot they had a good laugh; then they rush into my yard… or they tried at least. 

All they got was cold shower, soon a bunch of them fell to the ground frozen over in sadly three managed to escape, but still I was quite pleased.

In this freezing weather, cold water was lethal weapon one shouldn't underestimate. On the other side though the three idiots- if you will- had reached Abhay's house and they were huddled together and shivering.

Abhay who somehow managed to get to the doorway asked "what happened?

How did you guys, a whole group of people fail to bring down a small brat?" 

The men clearly couldn't take it, so they voiced their complaints "Sir that man was too cunning, his front gate is made of solid steel, we couldn't damage it after trying for a long time; we only managed to scratch some paint off. Then when the gates opened he sprayed us with cold water!"

Abhay's face immediately darkened "No wonder the fool was so confident, not to worry I don't believe he can hide in his little fortress forever. Send a few men to keep watch at his door day and night; when he dares to show his face tear him to pieces"

Sadly for him, the food stored in my house, was something I could spend years trying to exhaust and still it wouldn't run out.

On the other side Uncle you was leading a few people to clear the snow blocking the entrance of the residential area; planning to dig a path to the supermarket to replenish food.

However it started to snow; unfortunately they couldn't shovel as fast as the snow fell so after a while they gave up and had to go back. 

Watching this- via drone I bought prior- I sighed in my mind 'humans are no match for a disaster of the scale'. Although the TV was actively reporting; trying reassure all citizens that the country is launching a final offensive against the snow disaster.

I knew it would be futile, this was an eternal winter; 90% of all organisms globally will freeze to death. 'In this snow disaster plant's won't grow normally, animals will die en masse and once what's left of the food and provisions is used up, for a country that's…' my thoughts where interrupted by a certain bitch's message.

Funny enough she was the first to send me a message- that wasn't a threat message. "Ash is you okay?" 

Such concern, I guess she really cares about me… what a joke. "…If you hadn't fought with the others for rights to eat my most important part in front of me. In my previous life I would have still seen her as someone fairly decent."- ignoring the, other things that is.

I felt indifferent, I replied "I'm fine" then Khushi shamelessly asked me for something to eat saying she would return the Favor later. Faced with my crush's request I felt obligated so without hesitation… I sent her a picture of a lobster telling to wet her appetite with it- adding that mocking tone we all love.

Already satisfied I decided to block her only for her best friend sent me a message saying. 

"Why are you so dumb Ashok? Khushi is really angry right now, she even wants to block you".

Reading the message, I had two thoughts: one didn't she know I blocked her yet; two they're really good at acting.

To Be Continued