Chapter 73
Mindy wasn’t confused at all. While others had no clue about Chloe’s true power, Mindy knew exactly how strong Chloe was
Back in that building, Chloe walked away without a scratch, even after being attacked by all those mutant beasts. Nobody could figure out just how strong she really was.
For someone who never hesitated to kill, the fact that Chloe didn’t just finish off Mindy’s mom today was already showing a lot of mercy.
“Thanks, Chloe. Once we find a base, we’ll definitely get out of your way,” Mindy said.
But Mindy’s brother, Scott Fischer, wouldn’t let it go. “Mindy, why are you acting so weak? Chloe cut off Mom’s tongue, and you’re saying ‘thank you‘ to her?”
He saw himself as the only man in the family, always used to getting his way and acting tough.
After the apocalypse, Mindy became a powered human and kept them safe, so wherever he went, nobody dared mess with him. He ended up thinking he was untouchable, afraid of nothing and no one.
But this time, Mindy finally lost her temper with him for the first time. “Shut up. If you keep mouthing off, get the hell out.”
Frank grinned, eyes full of mockery. “If you’re so tough, why don’t you step up? You’re just a leech living off Mindy. What right do you have to act all high and mighty here?”
Scott was instantly pissed. He spat at Frank and snapped, “Who the hell are you? You’re just another deadweight who only survived because of Mindy…”
Before he could finish, Mindy slapped him hard across the face.
He clutched his face, staring at Mindy in utter disbelief. “What gives you the right to hit me? Mom and Dad never even laid a hand on me.”
Mindy’s chest was heaving with anger. She had gone through all that trouble just to get in with Chloe. This idiot brother of hers just couldn’t help but mess things up.
Before Mindy could even get a word out, her grandma, Lisa Fischer, lunged at her, grabbed a handful of her hair, and yanked her down hard. “You worthless brat. How dare you hit your brother? I’ll kill you.”
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Mindy hit the floor, looking completely disheveled.
Once Scott snapped out of it, he jumped in and went at Mindy with kicks and punches. Maybe still not done venting his anger, he gave her a few hard slaps across the face.
Getting beaten up by her own parents, brother, and grandparents, like she was their worst enemy, Mindy felt so bitter.
Chloe watched the farce play out, her brows furrowed slightly, and spoke up in a cold tone, “Mindy, how about we make a deal?”
As soon as they heard the word “deal,” the people who’d been beating Mindy froze and all turned to look at Chloe.
Chloe’s lips curled into a faint smile as she spoke slowly, “Join my team, and I’ll make sure you never go hungry. But in return, you throw your useless family out to the zombies. How about it?”
She lounged lazily on the couch, that faint smile never leaving her face, but something was unsettling about her soft, almost gentle tone.
“How dare you?” Lisa barked, trying to sound tough but clearly bluffing.
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Chapter 73
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Out of nowhere, a pistol appeared, its dark barrel aimed right at Lisa. “You really think I don’t dare?” Chloe replied.
That was the moment the whole family finally felt real fear. It was like reality finally sank in that the world had changed, and Mindy was now their only lifeline.
Scott tugged at Mindy’s hair. “Mindy, don’t you dare agree? Just say no.” He tried to sound as cocky as ever, but there was nervousness underneath.
Mindy slowly got to her feet, didn’t say a word to Chloe, and gave her family a cold, hard look. Her eyes were icy, like they were just a bunch of strangers to her.
After all, she was a powered human. The way her eyes cut right through them was enough to make them flinch.
“W–What are you trying to do?” Scott stammered, his voice trembling as he quickly hid behind his dad.
Mindy spoke coldly, her voice devoid of any warmth, “Since I was little, I did everything, feeding chickens and ducks, cutting pigweed, and doing the laundry.
“At fifteen, you forced me to quit school and start working. For ten years, I handed over every cent I made to you. Even the house I paid for is under Scott’s name.”
She listed out every single thing she’d done for them, from childhood up to now. Finally, she said, “Let’s be real, you just picked me up and gave me food. After that, I was the one keeping this family afloat, wasn’t I?”
The more she talked, the more fired up she got, her chest heaving, eyes burning red and on the verge of tears.
Her whole family kept backing away as they still tried to argue, “Don’t forget, we’re the ones who gave you meals and kept you alive. You owe us. You can’t just turn your back on your own family.”
Mindy snorted with a sarcastic laugh. “Sure, I ate your food for fifteen years, but what I’ve earned over the years is more than enough to pay you back a hundred times over.”
She gave Chloe a deep, respectful bow. “Thanks for the heads–up. I’ll give them one last chance. Don’t bother lifting a finger. I’ll be the one to toss them to the zombies myself.”
Her family behind her went pale as ghosts when they heard that. They finally realized just how desperate their situation was, and Mindy was the only hope keeping them alive.
“No, Mindy, you can’t do this to us. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be alive,” her mom cried out, her voice full of desperation.
“So that’s why you’ve been bleeding me dry all these years? And don’t forget. I’ve saved your lives, too, haven’t I?” Mindy retorted coldly. After the apocalypse, she’d lost count of how many times she’d saved them.
Mindy gave her so–called family a frosty stare, hardening her heart before she spoke, “From now on, we’re done. If you want to survive, you’d better listen up. Otherwise, I’m gone.”
She was a second–level powered human, basically top of the game. Shaking them off would be no trouble at all. Her family finally fell silent, not daring to utter another word.
But Chloe could see right through Mindy. She was all bark and no bite. No matter how tough Mindy talked, she never actually did anything that really hurt them.
Chloe thought she was actually pretty similar to her. Neither of them was ever truly accepted by their own families. Chloe knew exactly how Mindy felt right now.
In her previous life, she’d given up her self–respect and everything she had just for a scrap of family affection she could never have. She would have given anything, even her life, just to hear a single kind word from them.
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Chapter 73
‘How ridiculous, Chloe thought to herself.
But seeing Mindy finally come to her senses, Chloe felt like maybe she was finally finding some closure for all those regrets from her previous life.
The car cruised forward, mowing down any zombies that tried to block their path, but none of them even slowed Emily down for a second.
Emily’s driving skills improved fast. They managed to pull into a village right before darkness fell. The main road was packed with vehicles, so they had to swerve off and take a detour into the nearby village.
Emily slid open the partition window between the driver’s seat and the back and then said, “Chloe, the road ahead is totally blocked. Traveling at night is just asking for trouble. Why don’t we crash here for the night?”
Chloe released her grip, and in her right hand was a mutant core, completely drained of energy after she’d sucked it dry. Its once–vivid color had faded to dull gray, just sitting there in her palm until it instantly crumbled into dust.
Chloe gave Emily a nod. Being a spirit–powered human, Emily wouldn’t have let them stop here unless she was sure it was safe.
“Is anyone still alive in the village?” Chloe asked.
Emily replied, “Yeah, there are still plenty of people alive in this village.”
Chloe was surprised.
With her powers back online, Chloe’s first move was to fix Frank’s broken bones. But even with her power, she could only get him about sixty percent back to normal.
“Frank, you’re good with negotiation. Take Emily and the rest ahead. I’ll be right behind you,” Chloe said. She wasn’t about to leave the RV out here unattended. It was much safer to store it away in her spiritual space.
