I had a feeling that this guy was planning to use these people as backup food- call it a hunch that has nothing to do with my previous life experiences *cough* *cough*. It seems it's time to find an opportunity to confront this guy.
The next morning the leader of the conservative faction- the gossip mongering bitch herself- sent out a cry for help in the chat group "Everyone please come save me. Isn't Yash a veteran? You all should be able to fight them off right? Please Help!"- We all know how this goes.
As the impact on the door behind her grew more intense she grew more anxious and voice-mailed "I'm in trouble, none of you will be able to escape…"
As her words fell, the door behind her was broken open by someone. She was dragged out like a dead dog, and her ordeal didn't evoke sympathy.
Contrary it drew mockery from the 'radical' faction; they were messaging things like "Serves you right for being a bitch" and "Your retribution has come hasn't it?" as well as some karma related gifs and memes.
Khushi and her best friend- plus bootlicker- were also very nervous when they saw this scene. If they didn't come up with a plan soon their turn would come.
I could already feel it, almost like a twisted déjà vu. A light bulb went off in her head; she had to spread the news that 'Ash' had hoarded a large amount of supplies and unite everyone to take over his house.
I was added into a group chat for a mutual aid group I saw where I was being tagged in the group chat with messages like "Ash it's too dangerous for everyone to live separately now. Your door at home is particularly solid; we lack a secure base I hope you can join our team. Everyone must unite; if you are alone you will be dealt with by Abhay"
I found this interesting since it differed from my previous life, though I knew that it was different method same result.
I replied "No I'm fine thank you. I'm used to living alone in this little broken 1550Sq meter, fully heated, solar powered… *a long list of things later*… house. I'll manage on my own thanks."
The group chat immediately exploded with some messaging "Ash, please don't be so shortsighted, everyone needs to unite now."
Khushi echoed in support "saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, you can save seven people"
Now following my personal order of priority I replied "No that would be a 72 story pagoda with your number, Khushi go watch more Jackie Chan"
They obviously wanted to keep trying, but before they could irritate me any further I left the group. This stunned Khushi and the others, but not for long as they began to discuss how to take over my house.
A random guy suggested that as long as everyone was well protected, and they manage to break open the door- in their dreams, they'd surely be able to take me down in one fell swoop.
Another person claiming to be a locksmith agreed, even boasted that he could open any lock on the market.
So after coming to an agreement and further refining the plan a little more, they all assembled at my doorstep wearing thick clothing covered in rain coats; carrying umbrellas- I forgot to lock the gates.
Anyway the bold Mr. Locksmith began prying the lock, and pry at it for half the day he did. As it turned out he couldn't even budge it; I who was watching this through surveillance was sneering in my heart- This ladies and gentlemen is a top of the line reinforced security door comparable to or slightly better than a bank vault. If he could open it he's real profession should be bank robber
To tell them to kindly get of my property, I activated the high voltage electric settings in the home defense feature. To put it lightly our brown haired lock picker was shocked to a comedic level- funny how metal lock picking equipment helped.
He grimaced, saying "help me please" before collapsing to the ground brown hair turned chard afro. His body emanating light traces of black smoke- and smelling of burnt hair I assume.
Needless to say Khushi and the others were 'shocked'; their idea guy after taking a glance at the locksmith whose hands still stuck on to the door pointed at it and swore "Ashok you damned beast come out. We came to talk to you, and you killed one of us; now Chandu is dead because of you. Don't you think you owe us an explanation?"
I felt no remorse for what happened "You came to talk? Does talking involve trying to pick your way into my like a bunch of thieves? I don't think there's any need for us to have your so called 'talk' "
I shook my head in this disdain then loaded my shotgun and shouted "isn't it better to stay alive a few more days?"
I stuck my gun through the small window in the door and shot idea man's left arm.
Anuj hurriedly helped him up as they prepared a retreat; not expecting me to be so ruthless- I sadly for them intended to take their lives right now. Just as they had barely moved a few steps away two bullets flew out of the small window hitting Manish and some random neighbor whose name I don't remember.
Khushi and the others started to flee afraid they would be next if they were a step slower- I actually wasn't planning to kill them yet… they have yet to learn true pain.
Once they returned to their lodgings, the three men who were shot laid on the ground howling in pain. If they weren't treated in time in such extreme cold weather, the wounds would necrotize; without antibiotics or other medicines they could only wait for death slowly.
It was at this point idea guy- let's call him that- regretted his actions terribly; it was also at that moment Manish's cousin Rose walked up to Khushi and slapped her in the face.
She screamed "It's your fault, you damn woman! Didn't you say that he only had a strong door? How come there are guns? Actually come to think of it, you were standing so far away when we went there. Did you know it all along?"
Khushi felt wronged "I didn't know I swear; when we went there last time he didn't use them."
Manish who had gotten tired of the drama unfolding- as no one was tending to his pain anymore, called out to her "Cousin please stop, it's not Khushi's fault. I can vouch for her; I'm sure if she had known she would definitely have told me."
Seeing her cousin go from boot licker to king of boot lickers, she felt extremely disappointed. Only she knew that the one who ran fastest just now was herself. Now the only thing they could do was to contact Dr. Diana in the community for help.
After a while Diana came down to check the wounds of the injured people. She was surprised to find this was the same wound I treated for Abhay a while ago; it's also bullet wound.
She then told them the wounds were too deep; without professional equipment the success rate of surgery was less than 20%. Furthermore without antibiotics or similar drugs for treatment if it got infected they could only wait for death.
Hearing this Rose started shedding tears, since she and Manish had grown up together; their relationship was very deep.
She felt her Dr. Diana would definitely have a way to save her cousin. But Diana could only shake her head "If we rashly begin operation to pull out the bullets, without medication the consequences will only be worse. I hope you understand the issue here"
Khushi voiced out "I remember a month ago someone delivered a batch of drugs to Ash's house; there must be plenty of antibiotics and similar drugs in his house."
Idea guy perked up at the news "Really why don't we ask him for some? Since he caused my injury he has to take responsibility."
Rose being the only one still lucid among them brought them back to reality "EXACTLY HE IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE! We were almost killed by him; why would he give us medicine"
Khushi was unconcerned regardless "we just wanted to take over his house; we didn't harm him. Besides we're the ones who got hurt, so we're the righteous ones here"
Diana was rendered speechless; though she didn't say it she felt in her heart 'You guys deserve to be shot'
Anyway Rose who had foreseen that this would soon become a matter of 'who will bell the cat' decisively struck first "Khushi you'll be in charge of getting the medicine then. Ash once pursued you didn't he? You're the most suitable person to handle this"
As if on cue Manish also chimed "Khushi we'll have to trouble you this time; I can only protect you when my wound is healed"
Everyone else seemed to catch the gist of it and voiced their agreement and Khushi was made the volunteer before she even had the chance to say anything.
Thinking of my attitude though, she had no confidence in approaching me directly. So she dialed my number, but she wasn't really sure what to say, so she told me Anuj and Manish are dying and asked if I could help.
So I did what I felt any one in my place would…
To be continued.