Evelyn Ford had a simple breakfast, changed into a sweatsuit, and started working out in her spacious living room. She was tall and slender, and with her short-cropped hair, you could hardly tell she was a girl if her face was covered.
Around 8:30, the signal returned to two bars. Evelyn opened her phone. The internet was flooded with news, and the headlines all promised that rescue was on its way.
However, since the torrential rain was a global disaster, the rescue efforts would likely be slow. People were urged to focus on self-rescue. First, residents on lower floors were to evacuate to higher floors. Cities and villages in low-lying areas also needed to move to higher ground as soon as possible. This was especially true for residents living at the foot of mountains or on riverbanks, who had to watch out not only for the downpour but also for landslides and flash floods.
Evelyn picked up her phone to scroll through the news. A red alert popped up every few minutes. She sighed and turned off her phone.
The people who returned at noon were all complaining about skyrocketing prices and how supplies were vanishing in an instant. Still, many had managed to buy kayaks, life jackets, and lifebuoys. Because of the torrential rain, it was impossible to hire construction workers, so those who had bought cement had to handle the repairs themselves.
At twelve noon, Evelyn received a call from Jill Lynch. She'd assumed Jill had already returned to Aeridor, but to her surprise, she was still at Corinth University.
"Evelyn, the water has flooded the first floor of the dorm building. The local students have all been picked up by their families. You're the only one from around here in our dorm. Flora Scott, Rachel Xavier, and I are trapped in our room. The cafeteria is flooded, we can't get out, and we haven't eaten all day. Can you please come and save us? We discussed it, and we'll each pay you a thousand for your trouble."
Evelyn didn't speak. Jill started to sound frantic, her voice trembling as she pleaded.
"Evelyn, I know you seem cold, but you have a warm heart. Please save us. The dorm is so scary. The power is out, and the bathroom and balcony are flooded. We're desperate."
Evelyn could hear other voices in the background; she knew it was Flora Scott and Rachel Xavier.
"I can't get over there to rescue you, Jill. You're better off waiting for the rescue teams. When they arrive, you can follow them to an emergency shelter."
"A shelter? A place like that would be loud and chaotic. Evelyn, how about you just tell me your address? We can have the rescue team drop us off at your place to wait it out."
"Sorry, my place is too small. I don't have room for you."
Jill was taken aback by Evelyn's cold refusal.
"Evelyn, you're the only person I know from Corinth. We're friends! After the rain stops, I'll take you out to dinner."
Evelyn rubbed her temples in frustration.
"Why not just have the rescue team take you to a hotel?" Evelyn said, taking a sip of hot water and leaning back lazily on the sofa. "The accommodations would be nice, and they'd probably cover your meals."
"Hotels are so expensive. How could we afford that?"
Evelyn let out a cold laugh and hung up. A few seconds later, Jill called back. Evelyn blocked her number without a second thought.
'Take them in? Does she take me for a complete idiot?'
Meanwhile, in Room 301 of the Corinth University women's dorm, Flora Scott and Rachel Xavier glanced at each other. Seeing Jill Lynch's crestfallen expression, they couldn't resist a few snide remarks.
"I told you Evelyn was an ungrateful wretch. It's not like we weren't going to pay. She won't come rescue us, and she won't even give us her address. Jill, didn't you always say you and Evelyn were so close? I can't believe she doesn't care if you live or die."
"Jill, call her again. Raise the offer to fifteen hundred each. The first floor is flooded, the water and power are out, and there's no food. We have to get out of here now."
Jill frowned, whispering, "Evelyn blocked my number."
***
In the afternoon, an emergency notice was issued. All public places in Corinth were being converted into emergency shelters: libraries, stadiums, theaters, clubs, cultural centers, and so on. Residents on the first three floors, nursing homes, orphanages, and all trapped students were being prioritized for immediate evacuation.
The building's group chat was still buzzing with discussion. Neighbors who were on good terms with each other started taking refuge on higher floors. At four in the afternoon, there was a knock on Evelyn's door.
Peeking through the peephole, she saw it was the residents from the second floor. Evelyn narrowed her eyes.
"Who is it?"
"Ford, it's Aunt Lowe from 202. Your mother and I were good friends. I used to hold you when you were a baby, remember? Oh, and you must be so scared all alone at home, right? With your parents gone, and you being so young… we're neighbors, after all. I've been worried sick about you."
Evelyn neither opened the door nor said a word. Seeing no reaction, the woman nudged the man beside her with an elbow. The man cleared his throat.
"Ford, it's Mr. Miller. I was hoping you could do us a favor. The floodwater downstairs is rising fast. We were hoping we could shelter in your apartment for a while. We'll leave as soon as the storm passes, you have our word. And we won't be a burden. We'll pay for our stay. We have our own water and food, and you can eat with us. And Mia and Kyle are with us—they'd love to have an older sister around. With them to keep you company, you won't be so scared."
A flicker of scorn crossed Evelyn's eyes. She toyed with the knife in her hand, her voice icy.
"Mr. Miller, Aunt Lowe, the water may be rising, but it hasn't reached the second floor. And the government has already issued an official notice: residents on lower floors should evacuate to the designated temporary shelters immediately. As for me, I'm not easily scared. I don't need company. Please leave."
The pair was dumbfounded. They hadn't expected such a blunt refusal from Evelyn.
"Ford, you need a proper boat to get to the emergency shelters. We don't have one. Besides, it's pouring out there. It's too dangerous to leave."
"What does that have to do with me?" Evelyn was rendered speechless. 'The downpour has barely started, and they're already trying to take advantage of me. How shameless.'
'In all of Building 10, I'm the only one who lives alone. It seems these people really see me as a pushover.'
"Ford, are you really that cruel? You won't even take us in for a few days? We're neighbors! You're a young woman; you shouldn't be so heartless."
'Interesting. Now come the threats.'
"I'm telling you, Ford, just let them stay. You're all alone; it'd be nice to have some company. Young people shouldn't be so selfish. You need to build up good karma. Your parents were doctors who dedicated their lives to saving people. You shouldn't tarnish their memory."
Suddenly, the door to the neighboring apartment opened. A disheveled Frances Yates emerged and started trying to guilt-trip Evelyn.
Evelyn's voice rang out, loud and clear. "Aunt Yates, your son and daughter aren't back yet, are they? That means you have plenty of empty rooms. Why don't you take in Mr. Miller's family? You do a good deed, build up some good karma for yourself. Who knows, it might even protect your children on their journey home and ensure they arrive safely. My parents are dead. I'm all alone in this world; I don't need to worry about karma. But you're different. You actually have children to protect."
Frances Yates's face turned livid. Her balcony was flooded from the downpour, and she'd been bailing water day and night. With her son and daughter stuck out of town, she was sick with worry. When she heard someone trying to get shelter from Evelyn, she couldn't resist fanning the flames. She never imagined Evelyn would be so sharp-tongued, throwing her own words right back in her face.