The First Wave Of Panic

RAYNA

The headlights moved through the fog, growing brighter as the vehicle climbed the road toward the estate. I handed Sera to the housekeeper and picked up my phone. “Take her upstairs,” I said. “And keep her away from the windows.” 

The housekeeper nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Sera tightened her arms around my neck before letting go. “Mommy, where are you going?”

“Nowhere, sweetheart. I just need to talk to the guards.”

“Is the bad weather here?”

“Not yet.”

I kissed her forehead and watched the housekeeper carry her toward the stairs before turning back to the window. 

The vehicle emerged from the fog, It was a black SUV, and I recognized it immediately. It was Michael, my expression turned cold.

I called the security supervisor. “That’s Michael Vance’s vehicle.”

“Yes, ma’am. Should we send him away?”

“Don’t open the gate.”

“Understood.”

I walked out of the living room and headed toward the front entrance. By the time I stepped outside, the temperature had dropped enough for my breath to form a cloud in front of my face and that shouldn’t have been happening this early. 

I pulled my coat tighter around myself and walked toward the security station. 

Michael’s SUV stopped outside the gate. The driver’s door opened, and Michael climbed out. He looked worse than he had yesterday. His suit had been replaced by a wrinkled jacket and trousers, and exhaustion covered his face. 

Lily stepped out from the passenger side, and the moment she saw me approaching, she rushed toward the gate. “Rayna!”

I stopped several feet away. “What do you want?” Michael moved beside her. “We need to talk.”

“I blocked your number for a reason.”

“Rayna, please.”

I laughed coldly. Yesterday, he had been screaming insults at me. Now he was standing outside my gate begging. “What happened to your arrogance?” I asked. His jaw tightened. “I’m not here to fight.”

“Then why are you here?”

Michael glanced toward the trucks moving around the estate. “I know something is happening.” I remained silent. “The supermarkets are already being emptied,” he continued. “Fuel prices have doubled since yesterday. People are buying heaters, food, water, everything they can find, and every weather station is saying the temperature is falling faster than expected.”

“And?”

“And you knew.”

Lily stared at me. “You knew before everyone else.” I looked at her without answering. Michael stepped closer to the gate. “You were buying supplies before the warning was announced. 

You reinforced this villa, installed generators, bought warehouses of food, and yesterday you told me the temperature would reach sixty degrees below zero.” His voice lowered. “How did you know?”

“That is none of your business.”

“Rayna!”

“Lower your voice.” He stopped.

I stared at him through the iron bars. “You came here yesterday demanding that I let you inside because you thought this estate belonged to you. Now you're back because you finally realized I wasn't crazy.”

“We can help each other.” I almost laughed. “With what?”

“I have contacts.”

“You have nothing.” His face darkened. “My company—”

“Is obviously collapsing.” He froze. “Your accounts are frozen, your house is gone, and judging by the clothes you’re wearing, I doubt you even slept somewhere comfortable last night,” 

I continued. “So tell me, Michael, what exactly are you bringing to this partnership?” Lily grabbed his arm. “Michael, tell her about the money.” I raised an eyebrow. “What money?”

Michael hesitated before answering. “I still have access to some private funds.”

“How much?”

“Enough.”

“That wasn’t my question.” His eyes hardened. “Two hundred thousand.” I stared at him for several seconds. 

Before the apocalypse, two hundred thousand might have impressed someone but now, it was almost useless. “You think money will save you?”

“It can buy supplies.”

“Not when nobody wants to sell.”

His expression changed slightly because he knew I was right.

A gust of wind swept across the gate, and Lily wrapped her arms around herself. “Rayna, please. Whatever happened between us, we can’t stay outside in this weather.” I looked at her. “Whatever happened?” Her lips trembled.

“You slept with the man you believed was my husband in my house,” I said. “Both of you treated me like garbage while spending my money.”

“I’m sorry.”

The words came out too quickly, I smiled bitterly. “You’re sorry because you’re cold.”

“No.”

“You’re sorry because you need something.”

“Rayna—”

“You weren’t sorry when you were sleeping with my husband in my bed.” Michael slammed his palm against the gate. “Enough!” The security guards stepped forward, but I lifted one hand, stopping them.

Michael breathed heavily. “We don’t have time for this. If what you said yesterday is true, then everyone is in danger.”

“Exactly.”

“So let us inside.”

“No.”

His face went pale. “Rayna, don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not.” I turned away from him.

“Wait!” Michael called and I kept walking.

“Rayna!” I stopped only when the security supervisor called my name. “Mrs. Rayna!” I turned back and he was staring at the monitor inside the guardhouse. “What is it?”

“The highway cameras.”

I walked over and saw several live feeds that were displayed across the screen. Cars filled the mountain road below, bumper to bumper. Dozens of them had already become hundreds. Families were abandoning the lower city and driving toward the mountains.My stomach tightened.

“Why are they coming up here?”

The supervisor switched to another camera, a news report appeared on the screen. The reporter stood outside in heavy snowfall, struggling to speak over the howling wind.

“Emergency shelters in the lower city have reached full capacity. Authorities are advising residents to seek elevated, reinforced structures until further notice.”

I stared at the screen and realised that the panic had started. 

Behind me, Michael spoke quietly. “You see? You need people.” I turned toward him. “No. I need control.”

I looked at the security supervisor. “Keep the gates closed for now and nobody enters without my permission, but don't provoke anyone outside. I want the guards watching the roads, not looking for fights.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And increase the night patrols.”

“Understood.”

I picked up my phone and called the security consultant I had asked about earlier. “Mrs. Rayna?” a man answered. “I need that candidate immediately.”

“The former military commander?”

“Yes. I don't care what his schedule looks like. Tell him the weather has deteriorated faster than expected, and I need him here.”

“I’ll contact him now.”

“What's his name?” There was a brief pause. “Lior.”

I looked through the glass toward the mountain road, where more headlights were appearing through the snow. “Tell Lior I’m not looking for an ordinary security guard,” I said. “I need someone who knows how to keep people alive when everything else fails.”

“I understand.”

“Good… get him here.” I ended the call.

Outside the gate, Michael was still watching me and for the first time, I noticed fear in his expression.I had seen that fear before, I had watched it grow in people's eyes during my first life, just before the world froze completely.

But this time, I wasn't going to be the woman standing outside the door. I turned away from the gate and walked back toward the villa. The cold was coming faster than anyone expected and this time, I was ready.