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No one was surprised by the woman's desperation. In a world ruled by the undead, where no one knew if they'd live to see another sunrise, food was more precious than morality. To survive, people would sell their bodies, their souls — anything.
"You— put your clothes back on!" Teri shouted.
Jill shot Jack a withering look, then turned to the woman. "You heard her. Get dressed."
The woman hesitated, her voice trembling. "Can… can I have a little food, please?"
Jack smirked. "Your body doesn't interest me in the slightest. Tempting or not, it's wasted on me. Still, I can't ignore such sincerity. I'm a generous man, after all." His tone was calm but arrogant.
The woman's eyes widened. "You mean… you'll give me food?"
Jack nodded toward Teri. "Give her a plate."
Teri quickly picked up a tray, loading it with vegetables, meat, and fruit.
"That's enough," Jack said lightly. "We can't empty our supplies."
Teri handed the tray over. "Here. Take it and eat."
"Thank you, thank you!" the woman said gratefully, walking away clutching the food.
But another woman, watching this, stepped forward quickly. "Give me some too! I'll do anything you want — anything! My body's better than hers, you'll see!"
Jill immediately raised her arm. "Enough. Stop right there."
"Please," the woman begged, "just a little food. I'll do anything. Please."
Soon, others began to crowd around — thin, hollow-eyed survivors who had only canned beans for weeks. Their envy boiled over into desperation.
"Please, just a little!"
"We haven't eaten vegetables or meat in so long!"
"Please share some!"
The crowd swelled, voices overlapping.
Jill stood silently, arms crossed. She'd seen it too many times. Helping others is noble, but not when it costs your own survival. There was only so much food — not nearly enough for everyone.
Teri looked to Jack. "Wu Yang… should we give them some?"
Jack raised his voice. "Everyone, quiet!"
The noise died immediately. All eyes turned to him, waiting.
"You all want to eat?" Jack asked, smiling faintly.
A few nodded quickly. "Yes, of course!"
"Right," Jack said. "But tell me — what good are you to me? Why should I give you my food if you're useless?" His voice turned cold.
"Because we're all human!" a young man shouted back. "In times like this, we should help each other! Not hoard food like selfish bastards!"
Jack started clapping slowly, mockingly. "Oh, righteous words. So noble, so emotional… but tell me — what's that got to do with me?"
"You shouldn't even be here!" another survivor yelled. "You don't belong in this convoy! You're hoarding food — get out!"
"Yeah! Get out! Get out!" voices echoed through the group.
Teri panicked. "Everyone, please — calm down! Let's just talk—"
Jack raised a hand. "Teri, let me handle this." His tone was icy.
"All you had to do was admit you want to live," Jack said, glaring at the crowd. "But instead, you lie to yourselves, pretending you care about morals. You disgust me. If I gave you this food, it'd be a waste."
"Why argue with him? Let's just take it!" someone yelled. "It's our food too!"
In an instant, several survivors turned into looters, rushing forward.
"Stop! Don't do this!" Teri cried. She couldn't believe these same kind, exhausted people were now turning into animals.
Jill shook her head. "This is what happens when the world collapses. The darkness in human nature comes out."
Jack smirked. "Exactly. Humans are rotten to the core. That's why I don't believe in morals or ideals. Only power matters — and sometimes, power means slaughter."
Just then, a firm voice cut through the chaos. "Stop! What the hell are you doing?"
Claire strode forward, eyes blazing.
The looters froze. "We just—"
"Put it down," Claire ordered, her voice sharp and commanding — the tone of a born leader.
"But—"
"No buts," she snapped. "If you want to stay in this convoy, you follow my rules."
Reluctantly, the survivors put the food back, muttering under their breath. One shouted bitterly, "He's hoarding food! We didn't do anything wrong!"
Claire walked up to Jack, eyeing the neatly stacked food. "How did you make all this?"
Jack smiled faintly. "There's nothing I can't do, Claire. But some of your people need discipline."
Claire's eyes gleamed with hunger — not for the food, but for what it meant. "These things are worth more than gold. No one can resist that."
Jack shrugged. "Seems unfair to me. They try to steal from me, and I'm the villain?"
Carlos stepped up, arms crossed, voice cold. "We're in extraordinary times. All supplies are managed by the convoy. No one hoards anything. Hand it over."
Jack tilted his head, amused. "You even sound like a bureaucrat."
Carlos glared. "You joined this convoy — you follow its rules. Now surrender the food."
Jack looked at him for a long moment — then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Ha! Hahaha! Oh, that's rich!" He laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. "God, my stomach hurts — that was a good one!"
"Are you done?" Claire asked, frowning.
Jack instantly stopped, his expression turning blank. "Sorry," he said smoothly. "It's just been a long time since I've heard a joke that good."