Reborn with Nothing but My Farm and Vengeance in the Apocalypse novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: The Robbery

Melody was startled and quickly asked, "Mom, are you okay?"

Winnie replied, "We’re hiding in the property management center, so we’re safe for now. But the robbers took two residents hostage inside the complex. They’re holed up in the supermarket warehouse in a standoff with the police outside. I heard some of their accomplices went into the apartment buildings behind us to rob people’s homes. Whatever you do, don’t go outside!"

After hanging up, Melody quickly steered the yacht back to the dock. Cradling Albus, she emerged from her dimension and rushed downstairs.

Her grandmother, aunt, and Miss Lowell were watching TV in the living room. They jumped when they saw Melody rushing down the stairs and asked, "What’s going on?"

Melody said frantically, "There’s trouble outside! Robbers broke into the complex! Grandma, watch the security feed. If you see anything suspicious, hide in the basement immediately and lock the door. I’m going over to the supermarket to check things out."

Their villa had been reinforced, and the walls were topped with an electric fence, so Melody wasn’t worried about its security. The priority was the property management center and the supermarket; she was worried about Winnie and Colin’s safety.

Her grandmother quickly blocked her path, saying anxiously, "Melody, you can’t go out there!"

Melody said reassuringly, "Grandma, my mom and uncle are still at the property management center. I have to go check on them. Don’t worry, the robbers are holed up in the supermarket warehouse, and the police are standing guard outside. I’m just going to the property management center to see them."

Her grandmother tried to protest, but Melody knew that every minute spent arguing added to the danger outside. She quickly told her aunt to lock the doors and bolted.

*

Melody ran under the cover of darkness toward the property management center. The grounds were practically deserted. Even the residents who usually hunted Sandvine Worms were nowhere to be seen. Everyone had heard about the intruders and retreated into their homes.

Melody ran into the property management center. The lobby was deserted. Following a prompt from the dimension in her mind, Melody walked to the office area and knocked on one of the doors.

A tense voice called from inside, "Who is it? Go home! Don’t wander around out there, it’s not safe right now!"

Melody recognized Colin’s voice and called out, "Uncle, it’s me."

Colin recognized the voice and hurried to open the door. When he saw Melody, he asked in astonishment, "What are you doing out here, kid?! It’s dangerous!"

Winnie quickly pulled Melody inside, saying with concern, "Didn’t I call and tell you not to leave the house? What were you thinking, coming out here on purpose!"

Melody quickly tried to calm them. "Mom, Uncle, I was just worried about you, so I came to check. Don’t worry, it’s quiet outside. There’s nobody around."

Inside the office with Winnie and Colin were two of the property management’s security guards. Melody asked, "Mom, Uncle, what exactly is going on?"

Winnie sighed and explained. The robbers who broke into the complex today were career criminals. They had been operating all over the city, mugging people who were alone or staking out the homes of those living by themselves to steal supplies.

It had been over six months since the cataclysm, and most households had run out of stored food. Since their recent home invasions hadn’t yielded much, they decided to target the government’s disaster relief supplies.

With the new year approaching, and after enduring almost a full year of scorching heat, many people were at their breaking point.

To lift public morale, the government decided to open up its few remaining granaries. They planned to distribute frozen meat, rice, and flour to the supply points, hoping everyone could celebrate the New Year properly and find the strength to persevere and break through the current crisis together.

When they heard these New Year’s supplies were being distributed, the robbers decided to take a huge risk and hijack them.

The shipments were escorted by the army and armed police, so they didn’t dare to touch them en route. Instead, they decided to wait for the supplies to be delivered to the community supply points and rob the points directly.

The Metropolis Residences was remote and guarded by only two armed officers, making it their prime target.

Melody frowned, her voice tense as she asked, "How many of them are there?"

Colin replied, "About ten of them, reportedly. Most went into the apartment buildings in the back to commit home invasions. When we evacuated to this office, the community security guards and the resident patrol were tangling with them. Two others, armed with guns, forced their way into the supermarket and took residents hostage."

Melody sucked in a sharp breath. ’They actually have guns?’ Everyone knew how strict the nation’s gun laws were. These robbers were dancing with death.

After a moment’s thought, Melody asked, "What about Crystal Lynch and her family?"

Graham Summers shook his head. "I don’t know. The police started evacuating people the moment they saw someone force the gate. We all fled to the property management center. The Lynch family is probably hiding in another office."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify