Chapter 22: Downpour, Poisonous Moths 18

Evelyn Ford had never dealt with Harvey Sullivan, but she could already glean his character and methods. The man was deeply calculating and vicious. ’No wonder the entire Collins family died in my past life, leaving only him and Jack Sullivan alive.’

Evelyn glanced at Frances Yates, who was already delirious and acting erratically. ’Looks like that needle is already working,’ she thought.

"Rabies is a nasty business, isn’t it?" Evelyn Ford said with a sarcastic smile, then headed home with her trophies.

Danielle Collins was so enraged she looked ready to pounce. But Harvey Sullivan, prompted by Evelyn’s words, was now looking at Danielle with a thoughtful expression.

"Did you or did you not get the rabies vaccine?"

"Harvey, what are you implying? That I’m going to have an attack? I told you, that dog wasn’t a stray! Besides, it didn’t even break the skin. My mom said I didn’t need the vaccine. It’s a series of five shots. When would I even have the time for that?"

Harvey said nothing, his head lowered in thought. Just then, Frances Yates suddenly lunged forward and sank her teeth into Danielle’s neck. Harvey froze for a second before kicking Frances away. At that exact moment, David Collins and Leah Crane, who had been out searching for Zane, returned to witness the scene. David’s eyes widened in fury, and he strode forward to slap Harvey twice across the face.

Blood streamed down Danielle’s neck. She looked at her mother, who had clearly lost her mind, and assumed it was just because she was worried about Zane. But Harvey stared numbly at Frances, then suddenly took a step back, his face a mask of terror.

"She bit someone! She must be mutating, just like those poisonous moths! She’s turning into a zombie!"

Harvey, having seen his fair share of zombie movies and novels, immediately connected Frances’s state to apocalyptic scenes of zombies biting people. He glanced at Danielle, then suddenly shoved her down the stairs.

David Collins felt like his son-in-law had gone mad. ’My son is missing, my wife has lost her mind, my daughter is nothing but trouble, and now my son-in-law has lost it, too!’ An endless wave of resentment surged through him, and he let out a guttural scream in the hallway.

Leah Crane watched the scene with cold detachment, as if this whole farce had nothing to do with her.

Danielle tumbled down the stairs. When she finally managed to get back on her feet, she saw her husband watching her with a wary gaze.

"Harvey, are you insane? You actually pushed me?"

Harvey shook his head, his face a mask of anguish. "Danielle, your mom bit you. Look at her! Does she look like a normal person? She’s definitely mutating into a zombie! Since she bit you, you’re going to turn into one, too! Danielle, I won’t kill you... just go. Get out of here, now."

Danielle was dumbfounded. She looked over at Frances. Her mother, usually so sharp and capable, was now on the floor, clutching her head and letting out bizarre cries. With her pained expression and the whites of her eyes showing, she certainly didn’t look normal. Danielle touched her neck; the bite was both painful and numb. Her legs buckled, her mind went blank, and she collapsed to her knees.

"No, that’s not possible. We’re human. Mom just had a shock, that’s all. If I just bandage my wound, it’ll be fine. Harvey, don’t be like this. I’m scared. Dad, please believe me, I’m perfectly normal."

Harvey ignored her, instead turning to David Collins with an anguished expression.

"Dad, Frances and Danielle are really turning into zombies, like those flesh-eating monsters from the movies. Jack is still so young; I can’t let him get hurt! Dad, Jack is your only grandson!"

David Collins finally understood what his son-in-law was implying. He didn’t want to believe that a perfectly healthy person could turn into a flesh-eating monster. But looking at Frances, who was now rolling on the ground and foaming at the mouth—how could she be considered normal?

"Dad, don’t listen to Harvey! Mom and I are normal people! You can’t abandon us! Jack, help Mommy! Jack!"

Sobbing, she tried to crawl back up the stairs, only for Harvey to kick her down again.

"Danielle, don’t hurt Jack! He’s your son! As his mother, you should make this one last sacrifice for him."

Danielle shook her head, screaming hysterically. Neighbors above and below could hear her cries for help, but Harvey’s words hung over everyone’s head like a guillotine. No one was willing to risk getting involved. On the contrary, they were more eager to get rid of the two potential threats, Danielle and Frances, as quickly as possible.

David Collins’s eyes were bloodshot. Having lived for over sixty years, he understood human nature all too well.

If he didn’t make a choice, he feared there would no longer be a place for his family in this building.

He looked at Danielle, his eyes red as he made a promise. "Danielle, Daddy will take good care of Jack. You need to take your mother and leave. If you don’t, my only choice will be to lock you both in 601. Just go find a place to hide outside for now. Once you’re better, I’ll bring you back."

Danielle screamed, refusing to go downstairs. Just then, Frances lunged at David Collins, mouth open to bite, but he reacted instantly and kicked her away.

Watching Frances writhing on the ground, David’s face was a mixture of lingering fear and relief.

Harvey came over to help him, and together they restrained Danielle. Harvey then ordered Leah to grab Frances. Leah froze for a second, but at Harvey’s urging, she began to walk slowly toward Frances.

Fear and despair washed over Danielle, and she began to beg for mercy relentlessly. Seeing his daughter like this, David’s grip on her loosened for a moment, but Harvey’s hand shot out and clamped down on it.

"Dad, Jack’s still so young! He can’t lose us. Danielle has already lost her mind. She’s about to mutate!"

At that moment, Leah Crane suddenly looked up at David Collins. She spoke quietly, "Dad, I think I might be pregnant. This would be Zane’s only child."

Harvey whipped his head around to look at Leah, but she kept her gaze fixed firmly on David Collins.

Hearing this, David was filled with a mixture of grief and joy. His wavering resolve instantly hardened.

Danielle’s screams and sobs echoed through every corner of Building D. In the end, she and Frances were cast out of the building by their own family.

The Collins family, once seven strong, was now reduced to four.

Evelyn Ford sorted through her spoils from the day as the commotion outside gradually faded away. She glanced at her right index finger. The pinprick was already gone. ’Just like the people I wanted to eliminate,’ she thought, ’perfectly taken care of.’

As for those gossiping idiots, a corner of Evelyn’s mouth twitched. ’Fate has a way of weeding out the useless. No need for me to waste my time.’

No one cared whether Danielle and Frances lived or died. The residents of Building D simply couldn’t help but feel a shiver of unease. To be able to cast out his own wife and daughter... that "good old man," David Collins, was clearly no ordinary person.

「The next day」

Leah Crane and David Collins appeared at Evelyn’s door. Half of David’s hair had turned white overnight, and he looked at least ten years older. Leah stood beside him, her expression blank, looking just as lifeless.

"Ford, about what happened before... I’m deeply ashamed, and I’m sorry. Danielle and her mother have... let’s not talk about that. I’ve come to ask you for a favor. Leah says she’s pregnant. Could I trouble you to take a look?"

Evelyn’s gaze fell on Leah’s abdomen. Leah reflexively clutched her stomach and took a step back.

"I require payment in goods for any diagnosis or treatment."

David Collins nodded. "I understand. We won’t try to back out of it."

"Ford, could you come to our apartment to check my pulse?" Leah asked, her eyes pleading.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. ’What is Leah really planning?’