However, Linda wasn't naive. She quickly assessed the situation and made up an excuse to discreetly remove Negan from the scene.

Meanwhile, Anna and Yingli pretended to browse the goods as if they intended to make purchases.

Ike, Tom, and Carter remained indecisive. Tom feigned disinterest by looking up at the rain-soaked sky, as if he hadn't noticed Carter's predicament. Ike, on the other hand, showed no intention of backing down; he regarded Carter coldly, his resolve unwavering.

Carter, growing increasingly frustrated, vented her anger. "We're neighbors; we should help each other. This is too much!" She stamped her foot in exasperation. "I don't even have a raincoat. How can I go out in this weather? I'm bored."

But nobody paid Carter any attention. The radio in the distance continued to broadcast the same message, and nearly every neighborhood had dispatched one or two people to gather essential supplies. They wore thick raincoats, while those without raincoats held umbrellas, though the latter provided little protection in the relentless downpour.

People from downstream neighborhoods began to stream uphill, and Ike barely recognized most of them. They were neighbors who had lived nearby for over a decade, yet he didn't know their names. Regus, who lived across the street from the Eckers, was among those going out. He wore a thin windbreaker jacket and a large lady's hat tied around his head, doing little to shield him from the pouring rain. But he had the right idea – even with a raincoat, they would inevitably get wet on the journey. He covered his eyes with the hat to keep his vision clear.

Regus spotted Ike standing in the doorway of the convenience store and remarked, "Where's Negan? How can you three kids run errands?"

Suddenly, Carter broke into a smile and said, "Uncle Regus, I don't have a raincoat. I can't go out. Could you help me collect some relief supplies?"

Regus was taken aback, as he didn't even know Carter. Nevertheless, he agreed, "Of course, just give me your ID."

Carter swiftly handed him three IDs. "Thank you, Uncle," she said before heading back home.

Tom cast his gaze downward, but since Regus had agreed, he felt too awkward to say anything. He exchanged a glance with Ike, and they both quietly directed their middle fingers in the direction Carter had disappeared, finding her behavior distasteful.

During the outing, Regus and Negan got to know each other quite well and quickly became good friends. Regus had only moved to the neighborhood less than a year ago because his daughter was attending college.

Rumors had it that Regus was skilled in combat and worked in secret service security in some high-profile capacity. He was known for his strength, yet he remained a kind, honest, and warm-hearted man.

He instantly clicked with Negan.

Ike, Negan, Tom, and Regus ventured out together, which put Aunt Linda's mind more at ease. It seemed that Yingli had managed to purchase some female essentials during their visit to the store.

The strong winds persisted, and the streets were densely populated, making the gusts seem inconsequential. People were indifferent to the weather as they walked together, forming an unspoken understanding. So many people going out together gave them a sense of restored normalcy.

As they exited the mall, the crowd was so dense that Ike could only peer through the sea of people. However, all he could hear was the constant drone of loudspeakers urging everyone to form orderly lines.

They patiently stood in line like the rest of the crowd. They wanted to gather information, but they weren't the only ones with this idea. People at the front of the line were already inquiring, and aid workers with loudspeakers provided responses that everyone present could hear.

The scale of this solar storm exceeded that of last year's blackout in Europe. It had varying degrees of impact worldwide, and countries were providing full support. Since Ike's home was on the outskirts of Los Angeles, they should be prepared for at least two months without power.

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Aid workers were urging those who still had sufficient food at home not to queue up and instead leave the opportunity for those in greater need. There were two types of lights on the relief trucks: white and red. The lights were currently white, signifying that people could collect their first round of relief supplies with their ID cards.

Each ID card could only be used once, and the second relief food distribution would occur when the light turned red. Aid workers emphasized that people should not line up twice to collect relief supplies and should avoid delaying others.

Ike, Tom, Regus, and Negan all successfully obtained relief supplies. The specific information provided by the aid workers reassured everyone.

As Negan and Regus engaged in conversation, Ike and Tom remained silent, observing the unfolding scene.

Jack, a man neither fully an adult nor a child, seemed to have a twisted sense of humor. He approached Ike and made a disturbing request, saying, "Ask Anna to come out and play. We have such a long vacation."

Even Tom, who typically kept to himself, couldn't help but hear the malice in Jack's words and muttered, "You're sick."

Ike couldn't believe the audacity of Jack's request and sneered, "How do you want to play with Anna?"

Tom wasn't sure about Ike's intentions, but he knew Ike wouldn't take Jack's words lightly, so he remained silent, awaiting Ike's next move.

Jack, however, seemed to revel in the discomfort he was causing. He smiled wickedly and replied, "Playing with Anna's feelings, of course."

Ike, keeping an eye on Negan and Regus ahead of them, suddenly pulled a sharp knife from his pocket and pointed it menacingly at Jack's neck. Tom immediately joined in, grabbing Jack and restraining him in a corner.

Jack found himself trapped between Tom's grip and the deadly edge of Ike's knife, unable to resist.

Ike, holding Jack's hair, pressed the blade against his bare neck. He spoke with a dangerous tone, "If I ever hear Anna's name come out of your filthy mouth again, I'll end you, understand?" Jack, frightened and unable to move, stammered, "Y-yes...

Sorry... I was just kidding..."

But Ike wasn't in a joking mood. He questioned Jack, "Do you think I'm joking with you right now?"

The seriousness in Ike's voice sent shivers down Tom's spine, making him wonder if Ike had an uncanny way of frightening people.

Although Jack knew he was playing along, he couldn't help but feel genuinely afraid. Ike was known for his intimidating presence, and Jack had often provoked him in the past, making this threat particularly unsettling.

Ike, well aware that Jack wasn't truly terrified but merely pretending, decided to release him. He pulled the knife away from Jack's neck, and Jack, still trapped between Ike and Tom, cautiously released his grip, afraid to make any sudden movements.

As Ike looked up at Jack, he warned, "You can go now."

Jack quickly shuffled away from the corner, eager to distance himself from the tense situation.

Ike and Tom resumed their walk, with Tom about to tease Ike about the encounter. However, as they entered a tunnel

entrance, a powerful gust of wind struck them. Jack, who had walked ahead, was immediately swept sideways, his body lifted off the ground.

Ike reacted swiftly, grabbing hold of Tom's belt just in time to prevent him from being blown away as well.

They both tumbled to the ground under the force of the wind, their vision filled with nothing but the swirling sky and the echoing sound of Tom's screams. Ike hadn't anticipated Jack's boldness; usually, he was all talk. Today's threat had been a way for Ike to rid himself of his annoyance with Jack.

They were completely at the mercy of the fierce wind and heavy rain. Ike held onto a nearby trash can that had become embedded in the ground, while muddy, ankle-deep water flowed around them. The road had transformed into a temporary river, merging into a larger one downstream. Meanwhile, Jack clung desperately to a lamppost near the intersection of Dahe Road.

Although the river was shallow, the rapid current made it difficult for Ike to maintain his footing. Being swept away in such conditions would be perilous.

"Grab onto that trash can," Ike instructed, hoping to free his hands. He held Tom close, and Tom complied, using the trash can for support as he hoisted Ike up. Together, they made their way cautiously toward the water's edge.

As long as they remained vigilant, they should be safe on a river like this. However, Jack's position was precarious. He was perilously close to the river, and letting go could spell disaster. Jack's face turned white as he desperately clung to the lamppost, fighting the relentless wind and rain.

Ike approached Jack, his eyes filled with an overwhelming surge of anger. "This guy is a menace when he's alive."

Ike knew Jack better than most of their neighbors, or even his own father. He knew about Jack's troubled past, including the incident where Jack had introduced his girlfriend to another man for money, only to have both the money and his girlfriend vanish. To make matters worse, some of Jack's own savings had also disappeared.

As a result, Jack's mind had grown increasingly twisted, especially considering the derogatory comments he had made about Anna in the past. Ike found Jack's behavior repulsive and had no sympathy for him.