"So, Zane and Danielle have it really rough, huh? In that case, Frances Yates, what are you still doing alive? Why don't you hurry up and die? Free up your apartment for your children so they can all live in a big place. Your being alive not only takes up space, but you're also wasting food. And another thing, don't leave your trash at my door."
Frances Yates had expected Evelyn Ford to be overwhelmed with shame. She never imagined that not only would Evelyn refuse to get angry or ashamed, but she'd throw the words right back at her, smiling sweetly as she told her to go die.
When Evelyn Ford had looked at her just now, Frances had felt a chill crawl right up her spine.
"Evelyn Ford, are you sick in the head? Dumping trash at our door!"
Danielle Collins rushed forward to shove Evelyn Ford but was shoved back instead, landing hard on the ground.
"Danielle, I heard a dog bit you a few months ago. You should be careful. Rabies has an incubation period. As for the trash..." Danielle had landed flat on her butt and was wincing in pain. Just as she was about to let loose a stream of curses, Evelyn Ford picked up the bag of trash and shoved it directly into Frances Yates's arms.
"Returning it to its rightful owner." After saying that, Evelyn Ford locked her door and went downstairs.
"Mom, what are you spacing out for? Get rid of this trash! That bitch Evelyn Ford pushed me down, and you just stood there instead of helping me deal with her! And you," Danielle glared at Leah Crane and snapped, "get over here and help me up."
Frances Yates snapped out of her daze and realized her back was covered in a cold sweat.
"The look in her eyes just now... it was like she wanted to kill me. Didn't you see it?"
Danielle was speechless. "You're her elder. What's there to be afraid of?"
Frances Yates didn't know what she was afraid of, either. But every time she ran into Evelyn Ford, she couldn't help but make a few snide remarks. The things she'd said earlier were just a reflex; she hadn't thought there was anything wrong with them. But now, the moment she recalled the look in Evelyn's eyes, a chill ran through her entire body.
Ignoring the trash in her arms, Frances and her daughter opened their door and went inside. Leah Crane glanced back at the door to Evelyn Ford's apartment.
Downstairs, Evelyn Ford slowly uncurled her tightly clenched fist. There was a tiny pinprick on the tip of her index finger, but the sewing needle that made it was already inside Frances Yates's body. Frances had provoked her time and again; Evelyn had no choice but to teach her a painful lesson.
Using a makeshift rake she had fashioned from a clothes-drying pole, Evelyn began to fish out wooden planks floating in the water. Everyone else was gathering firewood, so she had to at least look like she was doing the same.
After gathering a bundle, Evelyn decided to head back. Just then, Zane Collins and Harvey Sullivan returned in a kayak. Both of them were a mess. Their raincoats were torn, their clothes underneath were soaked, and their lips were purple from the cold. They shivered as they unloaded branches from their kayak.
Evelyn tied her firewood with a hemp rope, picked it up, and quickly turned to go upstairs. By now, the water level was about to submerge the second floor. The neighbors who had been gathering firewood were all crowded on the third-floor landing. No one had time to talk; they were all busy with their tasks.
Back in her apartment, Evelyn placed the firewood on the balcony to dry. The power was now completely out, and cell service was spotty at best. She barely checked the group chat anymore. Even though it was a mutual aid group, everyone was too busy trying to save themselves to have time to help anyone else.
Half an hour later, a loud banging echoed from her door. Evelyn heard Zane Collins's voice.
Zane Collins was tall and imposing, with a temper more explosive than a bomb. He pounded on the door, cursing and swearing.
"Evelyn Ford, you damn brat, get out here! You pushed my sister and shoved trash at my mom? Believe me, I'll destroy you!"
Evelyn flexed her wrists, then flung the door open. Just as Zane's hand came down to bang on the door again, she brought a cleaver chopping down.
Zane jumped back, yanking his hand away just in time. His reflexes were quick.
"Evelyn Ford, you dare try to chop me with a knife? After bullying my mom and sister? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"I'm not the one trying to get killed. You are," Evelyn corrected him.
David Collins stepped forward, looking at Evelyn with disappointment. "Ford, how could you attack someone with a knife? Your Aunt Yates and I have watched you grow up. Today, you not only told her to die and shoved trash at her, but you also pushed Danielle. Her hand is bleeding! How did you turn out like this?"
"Mr. Collins, you know better than anyone what kind of people your wife and daughter are. You don't need to stand here and twist the truth. I'm all alone in this world. Anyone who messes with me, I'll drag their whole family to hell with me. Someone with nothing to lose has nothing to fear. If you want to test me, go right ahead."
At this point, neighbors from the eleventh and twelfth floors had heard the commotion and come down to see what was going on, not to mention the residents from the floors below.
Everyone saw the cleaver in Evelyn's hand and the aggressive Collins Family crowded in the hallway. The expressions on their faces were priceless.
Frances Yates was crying and screaming, embellishing her story of how Evelyn had bullied her. But in this building, everyone knew each other's true character. They all knew Evelyn was quiet, honest, and reserved.
Besides, Evelyn was a medical student. Every family had to deal with headaches and fevers from time to time. It was obvious who they should side with.
"How could Ford possibly bully you? She's still just a kid! Besides, Frances, your grandson is up screaming his head off in the middle of the night. Maybe you should deal with him first."
"Frances, I don't believe for a second that Ford cursed you to die. But when people reach a certain age, they're bound to die eventually. It's not something to be so sensitive about."
"David, you're known for being a nice guy, but you can count for yourself how many times your wife has had friction with the neighbors upstairs and downstairs over the decades. You can't just bully Evelyn because she doesn't have parents."
While some people spoke up for Evelyn, others naturally had to make snide remarks.
"But Ford really has changed a lot. She wouldn't even lend us her motorboat."
"Evelyn's personality is really strange now."
"Miss Lowell, Evelyn treated your Indy for free, and you're still talking about her like that?" Lauren Keller pushed through the crowd, looking at Miss Lowell with contempt.
"I was just telling the truth. I didn't mean any harm," Miss Lowell said, shrinking back.
Evelyn looked up at the crowd.
"Thank you to the aunts and uncles who spoke up for me just now. I'll remember your kindness today. As for what happened, I'm sure you all know the truth. The Collins Family has been bullying me because I have no elders at home. They dumped trash at my door and tried to drive me out of Prosperity Gardens to take over my apartment. They've gone too far. From now on, no one is setting foot in my home."
Seeing Evelyn standing there holding the cleaver, the more timid people took a step back. A few tried to pull rank with their age and lecture her, but were quickly intimidated by the blade in her hand.
The neighbors' gazes toward the Collins Family turned subtle. Evelyn's bold accusations left the family unable to defend themselves. Though furious, they could only retreat into their apartment with their tails between their legs.
Evelyn accepted their support and announced that if anyone's family had minor ailments like headaches or fevers, she could treat them. She would only charge a small fee in supplies—water, rice, or firewood would all be acceptable.
Who wouldn't agree to that? In times like these, having a doctor nearby was like having a life-saving talisman.
As for the few families who had mocked Evelyn, they were beginning to feel a pang of regret.
After closing the door, Evelyn put the cleaver back in the kitchen.
Zane Collins had come looking for trouble, and Evelyn simply rode the momentum to establish her own foothold in the building.
'As for the Collins family…'
Evelyn stared at her own hand, her expression unreadable.