Se connecter“The one I built under the mansion. The one I told you about.”Fiona took a moment to process his words. “You’re taking me there?”“Yes. I want you there with us.”Her voice softened slightly. “What about Cassie?”Briar’s face became cold again. “She doesn’t know about it.”“She doesn’t know about the bunker?”“She doesn’t know about any of this,” Briar replied. “And she’s not going to.”Fiona was quiet for a few seconds before asking, “You’re leaving her behind?”“I’m not leaving her behind,” Briar said firmly. “I’m simply not prioritizing her right now. I have to think about the people who matter and the people who can actually help us survive whatever is coming.”Fiona let out a bitter laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”“Fiona—”“No, it’s fine. I understand.” Her voice turned sharp. “You’re a coward, Briar. You always have been. You only care about people when they’re useful to you.”Briar’s jaw tightened. “Fiona, this isn’t the time for this.”“I know. And that’s why I’ll do what you a
Briar removed his hand from the phone and brought it back to his ear. “I understand.”He listened for a few more seconds, his face becoming even more serious. “Fine. Keep me updated on everything. If anything changes, I want to know immediately.”He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.Erica immediately grabbed his arm. Her fingers tightened around his sleeve. “Briar, tell me the truth,” she demanded. “How bad is it?”Briar looked at her for a long moment. His mother could be cold, calculating, and ruthless, but she was also the only person he completely trusted when things went wrong. “Bad enough that we need to start preparing immediately,” he said.Erica frowned. “Preparing for what?”“Everything.” Briar rubbed his forehead. “Food. Water. Medicine. Security. Fuel. Anything we might need if things get worse.”Erica stared at him. “We already have money.”“I know.”“Then what’s the problem?”“Money won’t be enough if the supply chains collapse.” His voice became tens
“It’s for her safety, and yours,” the medical worker explained.Erica shook her head firmly. “She’s not going anywhere.”The security officer stepped forward, trying to keep his voice calm. “Mrs. Welson, please. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. We’re only trying to make sure everyone is safe.”Briar immediately stepped between them. “You heard my mother. Nobody is taking my sister anywhere.”The officer’s expression hardened. His hand moved toward the radio on his belt. “Mr. Welson, I don’t want this to turn into a confrontation. But if you refuse to cooperate, I will have to restrain you.”Briar stared at him, his jaw tight. “You think you can restrain me in my own building?”“I’m not interested in who owns the building,” the officer replied. “Right now, the safety of everyone here comes first.”For a few seconds, neither man moved. The tension between them was so thick that several people nearby stopped talking and watched.Then Vanessa spoke. “I’ll do it.” Everyone turne
Erica touched Vanessa’s face, then looked at Briar in terror. “What the hell is happening to her?” “She probably can’t do without her drugs,” Briar said, trying to remain calm. He pulled out his phone and quickly dialed a healthcare service. “I’m contacting the healthcare team.” He frowned when the call refused to connect. He tried again, but the same message appeared on his screen. “Damn it. The network isn’t working.” Briar lowered his phone and opened another application. A list immediately appeared on the screen, filled with names. There were hundreds of them. Erica leaned closer. “What is that?” “It’s a list of names,” Briar replied. “People who are being prioritized for evacuation.” Erica looked at him in surprise. “Who made this list?” “I did.” Briar scrolled through the names, his expression unusually serious. “I started it weeks ago, after I first heard the rumors.” Erica stared at him. “What rumors?” “Rumors about what was coming.” Briar glanced toward the elevator
Erica touched Vanessa’s face, then looked at Briar in terror. “What the hell is happening to her?”“She probably can’t do without her drugs,” Briar said, trying to remain calm. He pulled out his phone and quickly dialed a healthcare service. “I’m contacting the healthcare team.”He frowned when the call refused to connect. He tried again, but the same message appeared on his screen. “Damn it. The network isn’t working.”Briar lowered his phone and opened another application. A list immediately appeared on the screen, filled with names. There were hundreds of them.Erica leaned closer. “What is that?”“It’s a list of names,” Briar replied. “People who are being prioritized for evacuation.”Erica looked at him in surprise. “Who made this list?”“I did.” Briar scrolled through the names, his expression unusually serious. “I started it weeks ago, after I first heard the rumors.”Erica stared at him. “What rumors?”“Rumors about what was coming.” Briar glanced toward the elevator doors, th
Cassie stared at her. “What?”“You’re showing signs of malaria and typhoid. Your temperature is also slightly elevated, which could explain some of the symptoms you’re experiencing.”Then she blinked. “Malaria and typhoid?”The nurse nodded. “Yes. You should start treatment as soon as possible. Fever, dizziness, weakness, and body discomfort can come from those infections, and it’s better to treat them now rather than allow them to get worse.”Cassie barely heard her. “Malaria and typhoid.”In her first life, those had been some of the symptoms people complained about before everything became much worse. Fever. Weakness. Dizziness. Then the rashes. Then the strange behavior.Her stomach twisted. “But you’re sure I’m not infected?” she asked.The nurse nodded. “Your infection test is negative. For now, we have no reason to believe you’re infected. Just make sure you get treatment for the malaria and typhoid.”Cassie barely heard her again for, Her chest was rising and falling too quick







