After Tony Chen murdered the tenants of Unit 301, an atmosphere of fear gripped the entire apartment building.The old residents' group chat had fallen completely silent.Tony clearly realized by now that people were secretly forming a new group behind his back.But there wasn't much he could do to stop it—so instead, he began flooding the old group with messages full of threats and persuasion.
"Things are hard for everyone. Nobody wants to kill anyone.""If that guy in 301 hadn't thrown the first punch, I wouldn't have shot him. I'm not a monster, alright?""Let's all live in peace. When we need food, lend us a little.""As long as you cooperate, I promise everything will be just fine."
And just like that, some people actually started letting their guard down.A few even believed his narrative—that the resident of 301 had brought his death upon himself.
Stockholm syndrome.Under the shadow of death, even the smallest kindness from the abuser becomes something to cling to.
Ethan Cross observed all this like a bystander. He didn't comment, didn't intervene—just cold, calculating silence.But inside, he became even more cautious.Even if his own place was built like a fortress, with Tony's men, a gun, and the growing chaos, caution was never a bad idea.
"If he pushes me," Ethan said to himself, "I'll just kill him."
The temporary calm didn't last.By the next morning, it shattered like ice.
Though most residents were afraid to leave their units, the reality was that no one could survive without water.Sooner or later, someone had to sneak out to chip snow and melt it.One unlucky soul tried it—and got caught by Tony's lookouts.
The food they'd looted on day one was already gone.Now starving, Tony's goons had started seeing every neighbor as prey.Anyone who left their apartment was fair game.
The new group chat exploded with a desperate cry for help.
Ethan opened the chat—and smirked.The person begging for help was none other than Sweetie Liu, the girl from the seventh floor.
Tony lived on the sixth—right below her.
That morning, she'd tried to sneak down in the dark to collect snow. But she didn't get far before getting spotted.
Sweetie lived alone.And Tony's guys had already had their eyes on her.After being cooped up for two weeks, those degenerates were itching to blow off steam—and they weren't picky.
Sweetie wasn't exactly pretty, but she was young, and her body wasn't bad.Given the circumstances, they weren't about to be choosy.
Wielding crowbars and steel pipes, Tony's goons came up the stairs laughing.
Panicked, Sweetie managed to slam her door shut.But in her desperation, the only thing she could think to do was beg the neighbors for help.
"Please! Somebody help me! They're breaking down my door—I'm going to die!""@Uncle You, you're a veteran, right? You can fight them! Please, save me!""They're animals! We have to unite or they'll kill us all!"
She sent voice message after voice message, sobbing the entire time.
But this wasn't the Sweetie Liu from yesterday.
Yesterday, she'd been on a rampage, verbally attacking all the male residents in the group.Uncle You replied:
"Miss Liu… I'm sorry, but I can't take on that many of them alone."
As righteous as he was, Uncle You wasn't suicidal.Tony had five or six men, plus a gun. Not even a retired soldier could take them all down.
If the residents had actually followed through yesterday and formed a guard unit, there might've been a chance.But they hadn't.
Sweetie's heart turned ice cold when she saw his message.
"You can't be serious! I'm just one girl—you're really going to let me die?""If I die, I swear I'll haunt all of you!"
Some people had felt bad for her—at first.But once she started emotionally blackmailing everyone, resentment flared back up.
Especially after her little "I'm better than all of you" tantrum yesterday.
"Oh right, we're all useless trash. Shouldn't be a problem for a girl boss like you!""Let's see you fight 'em off with that big mouth of yours!""Didn't you say all men were cowards? Guess you're on your own now!""You dying might actually buy the rest of us some time. Thanks for your sacrifice!"
The chat lit up with laughter.
Nobody sympathized with Sweetie Liu.In fact, they were glad it was her.
If she was getting attacked, that meant the others were safe—for now.
Realizing she wouldn't get help from the men, she turned to the women.
But their responses were eerily uniform.
"Stay strong, sister! We're with you… spiritually.""You got this! Don't give up!""If they break in, girl… you're screwed. Literally.""Try not to cry. They love it when you cry."
Some were faking concern.Others were just toying with her.Long-term isolation and the looming threat of death had already twisted everyone's minds.
The group chat continued to grow, more people joining in.But the tone had shifted—dark humor, sick jokes, zero humanity.
"If you're gonna die anyway, take one of those bastards with you. Die a hero!""Go out with a bang, girl. You'll be a legend!"
Sweetie's fingers trembled with rage.She tried typing another message—But then—
BANG!
The door finally gave in.
Inside his own apartment, Ethan watched the live feed from his surveillance system.He saw Sweetie scream as Tony's thugs kicked in her door and dragged her out by her ankles.
"Yikes… that's one hell of a workout in this weather," Ethan muttered, popping a chocolate bar into his mouth.
It was horrifying—but entirely expected.
In times of death, the primal instinct to reproduce burns hot.
Even at –70°F, even under the threat of frostbite, even knowing their end was near…Animals will still mate.
And humans?
Humans are no different.