Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Inviting enemies into the house
"I bet this kid did it on purpose!" William, standing behind, spoke with a venomous tone. "He never intended to let us in, so he made a door that's impossible to enter from the outside!"
"You might be right. If he knew about the apocalypse in advance..." Samuel pondered, rubbing his chin, curious.
David, inside, listened to their conversation and chuckled. He guessed these people were almost going mad. They either conveniently forgot about their previous attempt to rob his house or were fooling themselves into believing that his door had always been like that. However, it suited David to let them think he had prepared for the apocalypse.
At that moment, David took a bite of his beef tenderloin and said, "What a pity I don't have fine wine or dishes to entertain guests from afar. Just some steak, pork loin, and seafood."
Sighing, he added, "This might be enough for me, but clearly not for the many of you outside."
"Don't listen to him; he's just trying to divide us!" William shouted. "Can't you hear the sarcasm in his voice? He doesn't intend to share anything!"
"Ah?" David laughed in response. "William, you know me so well. You're right! I never planned to share with you. I felt nature was too pitiful, so I poured out a bowl of hot mushroom soup. Better to offer it to God than waste it on you, right?"
"You!" The people outside were infuriated by his words.
The thought of hot mushroom soup being poured outside made their hearts ache.
"Brother," Samuel interjected, "that's not very kind. We are all neighbors, and in times like these, shouldn't we help each other to survive?"
"Ah?" David feigned ignorance. "Help each other? Why? Can't you survive without my help? I can survive just fine without yours."
Samuel was angered by his response. "Kid, don't push it!"
"Do you know who I work for?" he said. "I'm with Charles. You know who he is, right?"
Before the apocalypse, not many knew these so-called businessmen. Why should they recognize him? But in this apocalyptic world, most in the region had heard of Charles's reputation.
"What do I care who he is?" David retorted coldly. "Go ask him if he really wants to be my enemy. Tell him if he doesn't want to die, he better stay away from me."
Samuel was dumbfounded, as were the others. They had never heard anyone talk to Charles like that. David didn't seem to care at all about Charles!
"You... you..." Samuel stomped his foot in frustration. "We'll see if you can keep up this attitude!"
"Alright, let's see who gives in first." David mocked, watching William's position on the monitor. He despised William the most. If he had the chance, he'd love to use a penetration ring to shoot him.
But William was clever, or rather cautious, staying within the crowd. Even with a handgun, David might not be able to hit him. No matter, he thought, there would be other opportunities if William continued to cause trouble.
Outside, there was silence. Samuel was furious but knew they couldn't break through the door with their current means. However, he was reluctant to give up. Returning without breaking the door would show his incompetence to Charles.
"This door can't be breached..." Samuel observed the walls. "Surely these walls aren't made of solid iron too?"
"You don't know; we thought the same before but found something odd about these walls," Jones said, his voice heavy. He worried about David provoking Charles. If Charles retaliated, what would happen to them?
"Odd?"
"Yes. We tried hammering them. The same force, the same number of hits would break other walls, but not his."
"Hmm..." Samuel pondered. "Did he reinforce the load-bearing walls?"
"We're not sure," Jones hesitated. They wouldn't dare tamper with load-bearing walls. If they damaged them, what if the building collapsed?
Jones had a sinking feeling. Were they inviting enemies into the house? If Charles decided to damage the load-bearing walls...
The building's safety would be at risk, especially in the current weather, with constant external forces and extreme low temperatures. Materials become brittle in such conditions, and the structural integrity of buildings diminishes.
If they damaged the load-bearing walls, the building might indeed be in trouble.
But David would surely be doomed. If the upper floors collapsed, he would be crushed.
"Let's try it. You must have some tools here, right? Don't worry, we're also upstairs; we won't damage the load-bearing walls."
"We do. Robert, bring your hammer."
Robert, standing behind Samuel, was reluctant to part with his precious hammer but went downstairs to fetch it.
He had a vague feeling. Were they inviting enemies into the house?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
DaoistmD5WZX
DaoistmD5WZX I would like to apologize to everyone, as I've realized that in this story 'Check-in' is more fitting than 'Sign in' for the meaning of 'used in scenarios where you are marking or confirming your presence.' I will find time to make the necessary modifications. Since English is not my native language, please forgive any linguistic imperfections. Love you all.
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