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Apocalyptic World: Surviving with my husband and my cute little babies-Chapter 104: Chilly nights
Chapter 104: Chilly nights
Elena was so engrossed in listening to outside voices that she completely overlooked her phone buzzing with notifications.
It was little Koby who noticed the device vibrating on the table. With wide, curious eyes, he picked it up and handed it to Ethan, who looked into it.
Ethan thanked little Koby and glanced at his wife, who was still engrossed in listening to the commotion outside, utterly unaware of her surroundings.
’Wife reprimanded the kids for being too gossipy, yet here she is doing the same thing.’
He then checked the phone to see what the fuss was about. Most of the notifications were from the group chat. The rising water levels had reached the 2nd floor, leaving residents anxious about their safety.
Many were unwilling to accommodate others, forcing those on the lower floors to camp in the corridors, which frustrated their neighbors.
They never anticipated that the typhoon would bring water this high, and as conditions intensified, they feared it would soon reach even higher floors.
In light of these growing concerns, residents contacted the manager for assistance. He then promptly organized a meeting on the 20th floor to discuss the situation and determine the best course of action.
The other messages highlighted military warnings urging residents to take the typhoon seriously and seek higher ground.
There were also government updates announcing the establishment of an evacuation center at a local hotel for those wishing to relocate.
However, authorities advised citizens to remain in their homes for now, as the typhoon’s intensity made leaving potentially dangerous.
They assured the public that once the storm subsided, rescuers would be on hand to deliver much-needed relief goods to those affected.
Once Ethan finished reading the messages, he glanced at his wife, still engrossed in eavesdropping. He gently kissed her cheek to capture her attention.
It worked. Elena turned to him with a questioning look.
’What the heck is he doing? All the kids are here,’ Elena thought shyly.
Seeing his wife’s red cheeks from embarrassment, he smirked and kissed her lips covertly, away from the kids’ eyes. Elena was about to get annoyed, but when Ethan told her about the situation, her playful demeanor shifted to seriousness.
"Do you want to hear the meeting later?" Ethan asked.
"No need. Whatever they discuss is eventually useless," Elena replied, sneering at the managers’ antics.
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock. Elena opened the door to find Lydia, who looked flustered. She didn’t ask anything and simply allowed her to enter.
"How are your parents?" Elena asked.
"The military is trying to evacuate them from the marine institute, but unfortunately, the typhoon is so strong that they’re stranded in a higher area. But they are safe for now," Lydia explained, her expression filled with worry.
Lydia’s parents were relieved to hear her voice, but their concern for her situation lingered. After she reassured them that someone was looking after her, they felt a bit better.
They urged her to stay safe, warning that this typhoon was unlike any other. Lydia nodded and reminded them to do the same.
"As long as the military is with them, they’ll be safe. Don’t worry too much. For now, just focus on yourself," Elena said.
"Hmmm. By the way, which unit should I stay in?" Lydia asked.
"The only unit available is on the 27th floor," Elena said, feeling conflicted. The unit she would be staying in was right across from Oslo, but it was their only option.
"Thank you again, Elena," Lydia said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Afterward, everyone gathered in Grandpa Caldwell’s unit, finding ways to pass the time.
With the typhoon raging outside, there was little they could do, and the residents remained wary of one another, making mingling impossible.
The rooftop power generator was completely depleted, leaving most residents without electricity.
With no further instructions on what to do, Elena didn’t bother to ask.
Fortunately, they had their own generator, so they were unaffected by the power outage.
As evening fell, Grandma Ford prepared a comforting fish soup with steamed white rice.
The older ones joined in with beers, creating a warm atmosphere despite the storm outside. Their conversation filled the room as they enjoyed the simple yet satisfying meal together.
Elena looked at everyone and said, "Starting tomorrow, my husband and I will conduct basic combat training for adults and simple exercises for the kids."
Ethan outlined their routine, emphasizing that daily workouts would prepare them for any worst-case scenario.
With the typhoon raging outside and nothing to occupy their time, this was the perfect opportunity for training.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Elena then added that starting this evening, they would watch a marathon featuring natural disaster films.
"This will help us get used to the scenarios we might face later," she explained, hoping it would both entertain and educate them during the storm.
Ethan set up the projector for the movie while Elena retrieved portable beds for everyone. They planned to have a sleepover while watching the films.
Little Mia was thrilled to see so many people, especially since her parents were also here.
Aunt Liza finally took a break after being busy in space for the past few days, which had left little Mia feeling down.
Now that she was back, little Mia jumped excitedly on her portable bed.
Soon, the movie started, and everyone was engrossed in the natural disaster film. When the clock struck 9 PM, Xander, Daniel, and Andrei went downstairs for night watch.
He instructed his sister Angela to give Little Koby milk before sleeping and let him sleep beside Oslo, as the little one often woke up when the thunder roared.
Angela was about to promise when Grandma Ford offered to handle it herself, mentioning that Little Mia and Koby had the same milk brand. Xander nodded in agreement and thanked her before heading downstairs.
"Take care, brother," Angela said as she closed the door behind her.
Little Mia perked up from her spot on the bed, watching the people as they continued to enjoy the movie.
After a moment, she returned to her parents, snuggling up between them for comfort. The warmth of her mom and dad made her feel safe, and she settled in, content to watch the flickering screen with her family.
The film depicted a natural disaster that struck the city, initially bringing people together in cooperation.
However, as food supplies dwindled, desperation took over, and the once-unified community began to turn on one another. The story highlighted the fragility of human bonds in the face of survival.
As the film neared its end, Ethan kept pestering Elena to return to their unit. He whispered old love confessions that made her giggle softly.
Elena knew what this big guy wanted, but unfortunately, her period had just started a few days ago, so this big guy would have to wait.
"Wife, I love you," Ethan whispered, kissing her gently all over her face.
"What’s going on with you?" Elena replied, feigning ignorance as she looked at her husband with a playful smile. She could see the eagerness in his eyes, full of love and longing.
"Wife," Ethan said, his voice tinged with a hint of grievance.
Elena leaned in, kissed his lips softly under the blanket, and whispered gently. "Husband, I’m on my period, so be a good boy and behave.
Ethan was stunned and simply hugged his wife tightly.
’Well, I guess I have to postpone my plans.’
Afterward, everyone settled down and slept peacefully with their loved ones.
******
Meanwhile, the manager eagerly awaited for the late night to arrive while chatting and drinking with his fellow thugs.
After weeks of planning, they set their sights on the residents of unit 0101, who were temporarily relocated to unit 1401 due to a flooded floor.
The wealthy elderly occupants had frequently scolded him, embarrassing him in front of others.
Now, with the perfect opportunity for revenge at hand, he meticulously plotted against them, ready to execute his plan.
As he glanced at his watch, which pointed to 1:00 a.m., he finally decided that it was time to take action. He quickly instructed them to prepare: "Let’s move now."
The thugs nodded and made their way downstairs, navigating the darkness that enveloped the area.
With no electricity to guide them, they stumbled through the corridors. The residents on the floor quickly noticed their presence but remained silent, too fearful to intervene.
Upon reaching unit 1401, the manager used a key to unlock the door, allowing them to slip inside unnoticed.
The elderly occupants were stunned to find intruders rummaging through their belongings.
The elderly man opened his mouth to shout, but before he could make a sound, he was struck by a hard object, rendering him unconscious.
"Let’s carry them back to the bed," the manager ordered, sneering at the old man. He still adhered to the law, so killing was not an option yet, but he had no qualms about inflicting fear.
He donned a bonnet to conceal his identity and began to enact his twisted plans while the thugs watched, gathering items they deemed useful.
The residents heard muffled screams but were too terrified to step outside and help.
The chilly night deepened their unease as the law seemed to fade away, leaving them vulnerable.