Chapter 8 The Heat Wave Begins.
Finished
Standing at the entrance of her condominium building, Kiara glanced at the pavement–darkened by layers of dust–and turned back inside.
For days, she’d been preparing for this disaster. Her storage space was stocked with everything she’d need to survive it
She’d even bought a stack of psychology books to help herself cope. This time, she believed she could push through.
Once home, Kiara locked the windows and doors, pulled a steaming hot fried chicken from her storage, and sat down to eat while watching the news.
The headlines still blared the sudden eruption of Jøplor’s volcano, its ash column now stretching 4 miles into the sky–higher than it had been that morning.
This highly developed nation had been completely cut off from the outside world for eight hours.
People could only guess at the devastation, tracking it through satellite images
Earlier that morning, plenty of online commenters had mocked Joplor’s misfortune. Now, the tone had shifted to uneasy sympathy.
Kiara clicked away from the story and opened the next headline.
“Red Alert for Extreme Heat in Multiple Regions. Temperatures May Reach 136’F–Take Protective Measures.”
Everywhere, people speculated on the cause of the suriden, extreme weather. Many pointed to the eruption in Joplor, confidently predicting that once the Crimsonedge Mountain finished spewing lava, things would return to normal.
Kiara didn’t laugh at their optimism. She had once been one of them.
Finishing her meal, she tossed the meal box and napkin into the trash, grabbed a chilled bottle of Coke from the fridge, and drank until the fizz dulled the restless knot in her chest,
She had planned to go out today to exchange some cash for gold bars, but the disaster had thrown all her routines into chaos. So, she decided to laze around instead.
Curling up on the couch with her phone, she ignored the endless stream of breaking news and opened WhatsApp to check on Sibley.
That was the thing about good friends–sometimes, you were on the same wavelength.
Kiara had just thought about texting her when Sibley’s message popped up,
Sibley wrote, “Kiara, the weather’s crazy today. My boss gave us time off for the heat wave passes. You should stay home too.
–
told us not to come back until
Kiara smiled as she typed back. “Will do. Make sure your parents stay indoors too–you don’t want anyone getting sunburned”
Sibley replied almost immediately. Thanks for what you told me last night. I took my parents to the supermarket and stocked up on supplies–we’ve filled an entire storage room. They’re still sorting it all out”
Knowing Sibley was prepared put Kiara at case
After a few more lines of small talk, she closed the chat.
She opened Skyhaven’s group chat, which had exploded with new messages. She started scrolling back to that morning’s
messages
Just as she expected, most of the conversation was griping about the volcano in Joplor and the freakish heat wave that had now forced many businesses to shut down.
Skyhaven was a high–end community. No one there worried about money.
But at times like this, wealth had its disadvantages.
408 P P.
Chapter 8 The Heat Wave Begins
Finished
Most of the younger residents had never cooked a meal in their lives. Some didn’t even own basic cookware. Day–to–day, they survived on takeout–until now. The disaster had affected their daily lives.
Only when the excitement wore off did they realize that the freak heat wave had shut down every delivery app in the city.
LuvNile complained. This is ridiculous–every delivery app is closed. I’m starving! Anyone feeling generous enough to sell me a pack of instant noodles?”
Benny wrote, “Same here. Worked late last night, didn’t get a proper dinner. About to pass out over here”
JoyOfJoy replied, “Smirking.jpg. See? That’s what you get for never stocking food. I’ve got noodles–come get some. No
charge. I’m in 6B–702.
Kiara’s thumb paused over the screen and clicked on her neighbor’s profile.
Her profile picture was a bright selfie–clear skin, big eyes, a pretty girl by any standard.
But Kiara’s interest wasn’t in her looks. It was in her address. This girl lived in the same building.
LuvNile wrote, “No way–same building! Thanks, pretty. I’m on my way.”
Benny typed. “Lucky you. I’m in Block 3. Tried walking to the complex market earlier, lasted two minutes before my arms started blistering. Hurts like hell,”
JoyOfJoy comforted. Too bad. Ask around, maybe someone closer can help.
More messages followed–some asking for food, some offering it but Kiara quickly lost interest.
She shut the app, headed into her home gym, slipped on boxing gloves, and started working the heavy bag
The closer the world slid toward chaos, the more she needed to keep her body sharp.
After all, the age of predators was coming.
Two hours later, dripping with sweat, she hit the shower.
She’d just finished blow–drying her hair when a knock came at the door.
Her brows pulled together in an instant.
Hugh and Yara didn’t know where she lived now. Last night, she’d been too caught up with seeing Sibley and didn’t mention she had moved.
So who would come knocking on her door?
Sliding a switchblade from her storage into her pocket, she walked to the door and pulled it open.
Travis’s lined, smiling face filled the gap–and in the same breath, his hand braced against the door. “Easy there, sweetheart, he said quickly. “No trouble here. Just wondering if you could spare a little food. It’s too damn hot to go out, and I haven’t caten all day.”
Before she could answer, he shoved up his sleeves to show her some proof.
Both arms were raw and blistered from the sun, making him look downright pitiful.
Kara’s eyes flicked over the damage, a flicker of alarm in her chest.
Day one of the heat wave, and it’s already this bad?
Last time
Kiara cut the thought short. This life had already split from the path she remembered–the moment the Joplor volcano erupted, everything began to change. She couldn’t keep measuring the present against the past.
Travis shifted under her steady gaze, remembering what she could do with her hands. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face.
But hunger was stronger than fear. He was a grown man who never bothered to keep snacks in the house, and now, after nearly a full day without food, the ache in his stomach drowned out every other thought. Any ugly schemes he might have
4:08 AM P P.
Chapter 8 The Heat Wave Begins
been entertaining were pushed aside–right now, he just wanted something to eat.
Kiara’s eyes chilled, her voice crisp and final. I have nothing.”
Starving as he was, his senses were sharp.
Finished
He caught the unmistakable scent of fried chicken drifting from inside, and his expression hardened. “Don’t lie to me–I can smell it, he snapped, his voice rising. Don’t be so petty! I’m not asking for free!”
Travis was cursing, but he didn’t quite dare meet Kiara’s eyes.
Fine. Let her act tough for now, he thought darkly. Once this heat wave breaks, I’ll bring a few friends over and put this bitch in her place. Kiara had dealt with plenty like him before. She knew the harder you hit, the quicker they backed down.
She drove her foot hard into his knee. Isaid I have nothing for you. Get lost!”
