Free Web NovelChapter 8: Chapter 8 Fortifying the shelter.
"Where are we going, Mama?" Aria asked, curiosity shining brightly in her eyes as she watched Ivy move briskly around the shelter.
Ivy had been busy packing a large bag, carefully filling it with a variety of snacks, bottles of water, juice packs, a few toys, and even some educational books to keep her daughters occupied.
She knew today was going to be a long day.
And she couldn’t afford to leave her daughters behind.
Not when the shelter was still in such poor condition. If she ever wanted to leave them there safely, it would only be after she had properly renovated the space.
"We’re going to get materials to renovate our new home, darlings," Ivy finally replied, turning to them with a warm smile spreading across her face. "Are you both excited?"
"Yes, Mama!" Aria and Lila responded in unison, their faces lighting up.
"I’m happy we’re no longer living with Daddy," Aria added softly, her small voice carrying more weight than it should. "Now it’s just you and us. Nobody will bully you anymore."
Ivy’s heart melted instantly.
Without hesitation, she pulled both girls into her arms, holding them tightly as if she could shield them from everything the world had to offer.
"Alright, girls," she said gently after a moment, releasing them with a soft exhale. "Time to move. You can have your breakfast in the car."
She took each of them by the hand, her backpack slung securely over her shoulder, and led them outside.
Yesterday, when she woke up, there had been fifteen days left until the apocalypse.
Now... only fourteen remained.
She still remembered everything too clearly—the two months she had survived in that nightmare, the pain, the hunger, the fear... and giving birth to her baby, only to be betrayed and cast out in the end.
But this time...
This time, she was determined to survive.
Not just survive—but live long enough to see the cure for the monster apocalypse and of course get revenge on those who wronged her. The disaster that had started as nothing more than a simple flu,then fever... before evolving into something far more terrifying.
I really hope there will be a cure this time, Ivy thought as she reached her car.
She opened the back door, helping Aria and Lila settle in comfortably before moving to the driver’s seat.
As she started the engine, her eyes briefly scanned the area.
The smokers and gamblers she had seen the previous day when she came to purchase the shelter were gone.
That alone made her feel a little more at ease.
One hour later...
"Good morning, ma’am. Welcome to Evergreen Construction Company. How may I assist you?"
The polite voice of a female attendant greeted Ivy as she stepped inside the building with her daughters.
The attendant’s gaze softened as it shifted to Aria and Lila, who were smiling brightly while munching on snacks.
"And how are you, angels?" she asked warmly.
"Good morning," Ivy replied with a small nod and a polite smile.
"Good morning, Miss!" Aria and Lila chorused, their voices cheerful and in sync.
The attendant’s smile widened. "You can have your seats over there," she said, gesturing toward a row of chairs.
The girls nodded obediently and went to sit down.
Once they were settled, Ivy turned back to the attendant, her expression growing serious.
"I need razor wire," she said firmly, recalling the system’s instructions from the previous night.
The attendant blinked slightly. "Oh... and how many square meters will you need, ma’am?" she asked professionally.
"Two thousand five hundred square meters," Ivy answered without hesitation.
The attendant’s brows lifted in surprise.
"That much razor wire?" she repeated.
"Yes," Ivy replied smoothly, offering a calm, reassuring smile. "I’m fencing farmland outside the city."
That seemed to settle it.
"Alright, ma’am. Please have a seat while I arrange that for you."
Thirty minutes later, the attendant returned.
"It’s ready, ma’am," she announced, gesturing toward the exit.
Outside, several workers were already loading the massive coils of razor wire onto a truck. Their movements were quick and efficient, clearly eager to complete the order. freewebnovёl.ƈom
"And how much is it?" Ivy asked, raising a brow.
"Oh yes," the attendant said quickly. "I’ve applied a discount for you. The total is ten thousand dollars."
"Alright then. Your account details, please."
The attendant immediately recited her account number.
Within seconds, Ivy completed the transfer.
The attendant’s phone chimed, and her face lit up. "Payment received. Thank you for shopping with us, ma’am. We hope to see you again."
Ivy gave a brief nod before turning to her daughters. "Time to go, girls."
Aria and Lila, who had been growing restless, immediately perked up and hopped to their feet.
Taking their hands, Ivy led them outside.
The massive coils had already been secured onto a truck while Ivy got into her car with her daughters, and soon after, the truck followed behind them.
---
"What do we need all that for, Mama?" Aria asked after a while, her curiosity returning.
Ivy glanced at her through the rearview mirror, a faint smile touching her lips.
"Oh, sweetie... you’ll understand when the time comes," she replied gently.
Aria and Lila exchanged glances before nodding.
Children.
Always curious. Always asking questions.
---
Ivy didn’t allow the driver to take her directly back to the shelter.
Instead, she instructed him to stop in a quiet, remote area on the outskirts of the city.
"I need to use the restroom," she said casually as she stepped out of the car. "I’ll be right back."
The driver nodded, unsuspecting.
Ivy walked toward the back of the truck, her steps calm, controlled... deliberate.
After confirming that no one was watching, she raised her hand slightly and pointed toward the stacked coils.
Ding!
The razor wire began to vanish. freewebnovёl.ƈom
One coil after another.
{1,800 units of razor wire stored successfully.}
Within minutes...
The entire truck was empty.
Not a single trace remained.
After a while, the driver stepped out from the front, frowning slightly.
He had waited longer than expected.
As he walked toward the back of the truck, the bottle of cold juice in his hand slipped from his grasp and hit the ground with a dull thud.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
The wires were gone.
Completely gone.
"W-What...?" he stammered, his voice trembling as panic began to set in. "Where’s the wire?! Was I robbed without even knowing?!"
"Ivy?" he called out, his voice rising.
"I... I..."
A light tap landed on his shoulder.
He spun around sharply.
Ivy stood behind him, her expression calm, almost amused.
"You were not robbed," she said lightly. "Unloading is complete. Thank you for your service."
The man stared at her, utterly speechless.
Before he could ask another question...
She had already turned and walked away.
Leaving him frozen in place, drowning in confusion.
