Chapter 6: Preparing for the End

Elliot’s POV

The first truck arrived at six in the morning.

By seven, four more had followed, their cargo filling the entrance to the mountain base. I stood near the entrance, watching them work with a checklist in my hand.

For the first time since my rebirth, I was making progress.

The place that had once been an abandoned military bunker was finally beginning to look like somewhere my daughter and I could survive.

“Mrs. Elliot, everything on your list has arrived,” Mr. Bennett said as he approached me. “The workers are arranging the supplies according to your instructions.”

“Good. Make sure they check every item before signing the delivery documents. I don't want to discover missing supplies when it's too late to replace them.”

“I'll handle that.”

I glanced toward the storage chamber. The shelves were filling quickly, the freezers had already been installed. The water filtration equipment was undergoing its initial inspection, while technicians worked on the backup generators.

It wasn't enough yet but it was a start.

“There's something else I need you to arrange,” I told Mr. Bennett.

He sighed. “Should I be worried about how much this is going to cost?” I gave him a small smile.

“Only if you intend to complain about it.”

“Mrs. Elliot, you've spent a considerable amount of money in the last two days.”

“And I intend to spend more.” His expression became serious.

“May I ask why?” I looked at the concrete walls surrounding us Because in ten days, the world would begin to collapse and people would fight over the few remaining supplies.

I had already lived through that nightmare once, and I refused to watch my daughter suffer through it again.

“I want to renovate this base into an advanced, AI

controlled survival facility.” Mr. Bennett stared at me.

“An artificial intelligence facility?”

“Yes. I want the entire base upgraded so that its essential functions can be monitored and managed from a central control room.” He rubbed his forehead.

“Mrs. Elliot, this is an abandoned military bunker, not a technology laboratory.”

“Then we'll make it one.” I opened the notes on my tablet.

“The first priority is a laser array defense corridor at the main entrance. I also want biometric door locks that recognize my fingerprints, with secure access permissions for anyone I authorize.”

“And the other modifications?”

“A robotic garrison area, a separate supply reserve, a reliable core power chamber, and an armor and maintenance room. I also want comfortable living quarters, an automated kitchen, an indoor planting area, and a medical and first-aid zone.” Mr. Bennett began typing.

“Anything else?”

“An exterior UAV operations area for surveillance and a separate emergency evacuation zone. I want the engineers to assess the safest way to create a secondary exit through the mountain.” He looked up from his tablet.

“You've certainly given this considerable thought.”

“Not enough.” I remembered the barricades from my previous life, the desperate survivors who had believed locked doors would save them and the people who had waited too long to prepare.

I wouldn't repeat their mistakes.

“Find a qualified engineering team,” I continued. “I want them here tomorrow to inspect the base and prepare a renovation plan. The essential security, power, water, ventilation, and medical systems must come first. We can complete the remaining upgrades in stages.”

“Ten days is an extremely short deadline.”

“Then tell them to work as quickly as possible. I'll pay for additional personnel if necessary.” Mr. Bennett looked as though he wanted to argue, but he eventually nodded.

“I'll make the arrangements.”

“There's one more thing.” He waited.

“Edward must not learn about this property or what I'm doing here.” His expression changed at the mention of my husband's name.

“He called me this morning,” he admitted as my fingers tightened around the tablet.

“What did he want?”

“He wanted an explanation for your recent spending and the changes you've made to your financial arrangements. He was particularly interested in the assets you've moved into separate accounts.”

Of course he was.

Edward had always been interested in my money.

In my previous life, he had used our marriage to gain access to my family's wealth. He had made himself comfortable in my home, enjoyed the privileges my name provided and gradually convinced me that trusting him with everything was proof of my love.

When the world ended, none of that mattered to him. He had chosen Claire.

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat.

“What did you tell him?”

“That your assets are legally yours to manage.”

“Good. Continue protecting my accounts and make sure nobody gives him information about this base.”

“I will.”

“And if he calls again, tell him I'm unavailable.”

Mr. Bennett hesitated. “He may become suspicious.”

“Let him.”I turned toward the workers carrying another shipment into the storage chamber.

“Edward can spend his time wondering what I'm doing. I have more important things to worry about.”

Like keeping my daughter alive. By midday, the supplies had been arranged as the workers were finishing the inventory.

I walked through the storage area one last time, checking the labels on the shelves. The dry food was separated from the canned goods, the bottled water was stored near the filtration system and the medical supplies had been moved into the designated medical room.

Everything I had purchased was accounted for.

For now, that was enough.

Mr. Bennett joined me outside the storage chamber.

“The engineering firm has confirmed that a team will arrive tomorrow morning,” he said. “They'll assess the property and prepare a plan for the renovation.”

“Excellent.”

“They've also requested a meeting with you to discuss the proposed AI systems and the security upgrades.”

“Arrange it. I want the plan ready as soon as possible.”

“I'll take care of everything.” I nodded and glanced at my watch.

It was time to return home.

There were still arrangements to make, and I needed to check on my daughter before Edward found another excuse to question me.

We left the base shortly afterward.

As the car descended the mountain, I opened my tablet to review the renovation requirements. I had just started checking the list when a notification appeared across the screen.

At first, I barely paid attention.

Then the headline caught my eye.

BREAKING NEWS: MYSTERIOUS VIRUS SPREADING RAPIDLY : FIRST CASE REPORTED IN LOS ANGELES.

My fingers froze above the screen.

Los Angeles.

I read the headline again, hoping I had misunderstood it but the words remained unchanged.

A news presenter appeared beneath the headline, speaking urgently as footage of an overcrowded hospital flashed across the screen.

“Authorities are investigating a suspected viral outbreak after the first confirmed case was reported in Los Angeles. Health officials are urging residents to remain calm while medical teams work to determine the source of the infection.” My heart began pounding.

The first case.

I remembered the initial reports, the official statements insisting there was no reason to panic, and the people who had laughed at anyone buying extra supplies.

They had believed the virus was just another passing emergency.

“Officials have not yet confirmed how the virus spreads. However, several patients have reportedly developed severe symptoms within a short period of time. Residents are being advised to monitor official announcements and avoid spreading unverified information.”

I had calculated ten days until the apocalypse but the first case had appeared earlier than I expected.

I looked out at the passing trees, my mind racing through everything I remembered.

The virus would spread and People would continue going to work, visiting shopping centers, and gathering in crowded places because they wouldn't understand what was coming.

And by the time they realized the danger, it would be too late for many of them.

The countdown had begun and this time, I was

ready.