Magic Space: Struggling to Survive in the Apocalypse

Evelyn Ford took medical oxygen tanks from her space and put them on Taylor Vance and Zion Lowell. She waited until some color had returned to their faces before leaving the room.

In the living room, everyone sat gathered in silence.

Quincy craned his neck and looked around. "Where’s Liam Sterling? He was standing right here a moment ago. How did he just vanish?"

"He went to Mr. Chase’s room to give a report."

"Evelyn Ford, what’s happening outside? The day before yesterday, a few women were chatting outside, and one of them suddenly collapsed. Her arms and legs started to convulse, her face instantly turned crimson, and she was dead in less than three minutes. A few hours later, two elderly people in B-Block also died suddenly. And our neighbor, Winnie Miller’s mother, also died suddenly this morning. She was just gone, without any warning."

"Could it be air pollution? Or is the water contaminated?"

"Didn’t the pigs at the base’s farm get swine fever? Could they have died from eating contaminated pork?"

Everyone started talking at once, each person voicing their own theory.

"It has nothing to do with the air, water, or pork. The oxygen is growing thinner. Many people have already died at the base hospital from hypoxia. The elderly have weaker constitutions, so those over sixty are the first to be affected."

Evelyn Ford’s tone turned serious. "The entire region covered by the polar night is losing oxygen. Everyone should carry an oxygen tank with them, but don’t let anyone see it. Be careful not to attract trouble."

Wyatt Vaughn suddenly raised his hand. "Evelyn Ford, are you saying that from now on, we’ll die if we’re away from an oxygen tank? Is that what this means?"

"Yes, that’s what it means."

Hearing Evelyn Ford’s confirmation, everyone’s faces grew grim.

The door to the guest room suddenly opened, and Liam Sterling and Rhys Chase came out. Rhys Chase was already aware of what was happening outside. His expression was calm, and he still greeted everyone with a smile.

"As I’ve said before, you’re all welcome to move into The Undercity or one of the base’s villas. The oxygen supply is sufficient there, so you won’t need to carry oxygen tanks to live."

Although everyone was tempted, no one agreed rashly.

"We’ll follow Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick’s lead," Quincy was the first to declare.

"Ronan Kendrick, Evelyn Ford, what do you think?"

Ronan Kendrick didn’t speak. He looked at Evelyn Ford, leaving the decision to her. With so many people watching, Evelyn Ford knew how to read the situation. She was well aware of which choice was best for everyone.

"We’ll move to The Undercity."

Rhys Chase nodded. "Then everyone, pack your things. We’ll leave shortly. Liam Sterling, issue a notice. All able-bodied men between fifteen and forty-five in the base, Flumen, and the resettlement housing are to assemble at the temporary police station. With the exception of workers from the pharmaceutical factory and the cannery, everyone else will be put to work building surface shelters."

Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick looked at each other, stunned. They never expected Rhys Chase to make such a decision.

Rhys Chase shrugged. "If everyone dies, what’s the point of this world anymore?"

He took out the red flag that Taylor Vance had given him. "When you’re in a position like this, you have to do something."

Evelyn Ford stepped forward and looked at Rhys Chase earnestly. "Mr. Chase, we’re willing to do our part, too."

"You’ve already given me the greatest help possible. But right now, I have something else very important to entrust to you."

"Please, go ahead."

Rhys Chase looked at the group, his expression turning cold and stern. "The granaries."

***

After receiving oxygen, Taylor Vance and Zion Lowell had improved somewhat. While the others were packing their bags, Evelyn Ford told the two of them about Rhys Chase’s plan.

"Mr. Chase is a remarkable man." A faint smile touched Taylor Vance’s lips as he said this.

"He and Liam Sterling have already left. There’s severe infighting within the base. If they want to unite everyone to build the surface shelters, the base’s leadership must first come together."

’Just as Rhys Chase said, if everyone dies, what’s the point of this world anymore?’

After packing all their luggage, everyone gathered on the ground floor. Evelyn Ford stored the bags in her space. They’d only lived here for a little over ten days, and now they were leaving again.

’It felt like they were always moving, with no permanent home. As if the day they could finally settle down would never come.’

"Let’s go. To the base."

After locking the villa’s main gate, two cars departed from Kestrel Villa, one after the other.

On the second floor of the Miller family’s house, Winnie Miller watched the now-empty Villa 11 next door, a flicker of loneliness in her eyes.

Downstairs, her father, brother, and sister were discussing how to bury their mother, who had died so suddenly. Winnie Miller wiped away her tears. Just as she was about to turn away, a small stone hit the windowpane. She looked down to see Seth Scott leaning on a crutch, waving at her from below.

Winnie Miller went downstairs and met Seth Scott. "What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at home resting and recovering?"

Seth Scott handed a box from his feet to Winnie Miller. "I heard about your mother passing away."

At his words, Winnie Miller’s eyes grew red again.

"These are oxygen tanks. Take them. Don’t go out for a while. A lot of people have died outside, and things are probably going to get chaotic."

Winnie Miller didn’t take them. "If you give the oxygen tanks to me, what about you?"

"I have more. My dad’s a leader, you think he can’t get his hands on some oxygen tanks? Alright, go back inside. Take care of yourself. I’ll come see you again when I’m healed up."

Watching Seth Scott limp away, Winnie Miller called out his name on a sudden impulse.

"What is it?"

"I’m sorry. You got hurt because of me."

Seth Scott snorted. "It’s not your fault. It’s that bitch’s fault for beating the crap out of me like this. By the way, Winnie Miller, you should stop liking that older guy. He’s vicious when he fights. He’s definitely the type to be abusive at home."

Winnie Miller’s face flushed crimson. "I stopped liking him a long time ago! I’m just so embarrassed about it. Don’t say things like that. They aren’t bad people."

Seth Scott snorted again. "You’re still defending them? Whatever. Once I’m healed, I’ll get revenge for you."

"Please don’t! It was my fault. Don’t go looking to get thrashed. You’ll only end up getting beaten up again."

Seth Scott was so angry his chest ached. "They beat me up, and they beat up my dad and your family. And we’re just supposed to let it go? Winnie Miller, what is wrong with you? Did you get kicked in the head by a donkey?"

Winnie Miller said nothing. In the end, no one else was to blame. The problem had started with her.

"Stop talking about it. It’s over. I’ll take four of the oxygen tanks, one for each person in my family. You can take the rest back." Thinking about how she still had to go bury her mother soon, Winnie Miller couldn’t stop the tears from falling again.

Seeing her cry, Seth Scott grew flustered. "Okay, okay, I won’t talk about it anymore. Don’t cry. Just keep all the oxygen tanks. I’m leaving. Geez, you’re too much. Such a crybaby." With that, he hurriedly limped away.

Looking at the oxygen tanks in the box, Winnie Miller felt even more regret for her previous actions.

When she returned to the villa carrying the box, her brother and sister looked at her with red-rimmed eyes.

"Winnie, go pack a few things. We’re going outside the city."

Winnie’s father brought a hoe and a shovel from the utility room, and the family carried her mother to the car.

"What’s this?"

Winnie Miller handed the oxygen tanks to her family. "They’re from Seth Scott."

Winnie’s mother had died suddenly from lack of oxygen. Looking at the tanks, the family was once again overcome with grief.

"Winnie, stop thinking about that fierce man next door. Seth Scott is a good guy, you know."

Winnie Miller nodded. "I know, Sis. Let’s go. Let’s go see Mom off."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!