CHAPTER 3

In the case of this apocalypse, she needed to make a lot of purchases and the bank was the best way to get money.

But before she could reach the bank, she picked up her phone.

There was one person she had to speak to. Her brother.

The phone rang twice.

“Clara?” The moment she heard his voice, her grip tightened around the steering wheel.

For a brief moment, she remembered his final moments in her previous life. His terrified face and zombified body.

Clara swallowed hard.

“Kyler,” she said softly, a weak attempt to hide the emotions in her mind but she knew what Kyler was capable of.

Since their parents died, he was the one who had always been there for her.

“What's wrong? Why do you sound like that?” Kyler spoke through the phone, and some rumblings echoed like he was currently packing things up.

Clara stared at the road ahead. “I need you to trust me.”

“Clara, what happened?” He asked again, “Did Nicholas do something to you!? I'd kill that man if he dares to lay a hand on you.”

Clara tightened her grip on the steering wheel, and shook her head.

“No, it's not Nicholas. I need you to come and meet me. There's something very important I need to tell you. And I'll explain when I see you.”

She looked ahead, her eyes catching a little girl sitting outside a bakery, staring longingly at the birthday cakes displayed behind the glass.

"Daddy, you promised!"

The man crouching in front of her sighed. "I know, Emma. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, alright?"

"But you always say that!"

Clara slowed her car, and she didn't know why, maybe it was the tears pooling in the eyes of the young girl that reminded her of her own state.

Eventually, she parked and walked over."Is everything alright?”

The man glanced up, letting out a sigh. "Yes. She's just upset because I couldn't get her the cake she wanted."

"I'm not upset!" Emma protested. "I just wanted chocolate cake!"

Clara smiled faintly. "Well, I think we can solve that problem."

“You really don't have to worry.” The man tried to stop her but Clara simply shook her head.

"Let me do something nice for her. It's just a cake, and it's her birthday. No one deserves to feel sad on their day.”

Clara said, her words reminding her of the countless times Nicholas had forgotten her birthdays and would simply apologise with a kiss the next day.

She walked in and paid for the cake.

“My name is Benjamin, I appreciate this.” He said, and Clara returned the smile, “She's a cutie, she deserves it.”

As they waited, Clara noticed the dark clouds gathering overhead.

"Have you been following the weather reports?" she asked.

"The storms they're predicting sound serious. If you have savings, I'd suggest maybe stocking up on some food for a while. They mentioned that the storm would take some days."

Benjamin studied her. "You sound like you expect something terrible to happen."

"I just think people are taking the warnings too lightly."

He glanced at Emma, who was happily admiring the cake box. "I'll take your advice. She's all I've got, and I can't afford to take chances with her safety."

Something about his words struck Clara, and she glanced at his fingers.

"You're divorced?" she asked before she could stop herself, noticing the absence of a wedding ring and the way he spoke about raising Emma alone.

Benjamin gave a small, humourless smile. "That obvious?"

"Not really. I just know what it feels like to have a marriage fall apart."

His expression changed slightly. He didn't pry into her circumstances but simply looked away.

"Then I suppose you understand why I don't intend to make the same mistake twice."

Clara looked at him for a moment before nodding. "I suppose I do." She said, walking to her car.

As she drove away, she glanced at the darkening sky, hoping he would listen to her warning.

Because when the disasters arrived, children like Emma would be among the most vulnerable.

She drove the bank, and marched straight inside.

“Thank you grandmami and grand papi, now with that house, I have a lot of money to survive in that dangerous world.” Clara said to herself as she reached the front of the accountant's table.

“Hi, I'd like to sell a property to the bank.” Clara said, grabbing the woman's attention.

These days, corporate banks were interested in getting any properties they could lay their hands on.

And Clara knew one thing, it wasn't only her mother in-law who was interested in getting that house.

Various banks had been sending her a good amount of emails, just so they could lay their hand on that antique building.

Now she was here just for their price.

“This is my card, please run it through your records, and you'd know what I'm talking about.” Clara said.

The accountant took the card and her eyes widened.

“I'm sorry but wait a moment, I'd need to connect you to our manager.” The accountant said, while Clara stood by the corner.

As if on cue, her brother, Kyler, walked in.

It felt like the whole world had paused. This was her brother and his zombified face appeared in her memory.

But that wasn't him anymore, he was right here and he was standing right in front of her.

Before she could think, her body moved forward, and gave him a big hug.

All the tears she had been holding back, instantly rushed forward.

“Big sis. What's going on? Did Nicholas do something to you again? I told you to leave this man alone.” Kyler said, yet his hands never left her.

In his mind, he had wondered when his sister's eyes would be open so she could see her husband wasn't out for her good.

But now here she was crying in front of him, like she had done all those while.

Clara chuckled, “Yes yes. I'd leave him. He doesn't deserve me at all.”

“Big sis?” Kyler was shocked and he looked at her. His sister was accepting to leave Nicholas?

“Are you okay? Did you hit your head somewhere?” He asked again, causing Clara to roll her eyes.

“I'm fine. But I see what you mean about Nicholas. I am not interested in him anymore. In fact I want you to do something for me and we don't have time.” Clara answered, she could tell him everything about what happened, but it was better to put that time into action instead.

The apocalypse was in three weeks, and the first thing in her head was to get the right place for the job.

[Apocalypse Preparation Detected.]

[Storage Space unlocked.]