CHAPTER 4: FIVE MORE MINUTES

Private elevator silent.

Lena watched numbers climb. 10, 20, 30, 42. Each floor like traveling through time. From death to life.

Doors opened directly into Ethan office. No assistants. Private entrance only he used.

He stood by window, back to her, looking at city.

She stepped out, doors closed behind.

He didn't turn.

"You have three minutes now," he said, voice cold but tighter. "Not five. Explain scar. Real explanation. No crazy time travel."

Lena walked closer behind him. She could smell his cologne. Same one from bunker.

"Do you believe deja vu?" she asked quietly.

He turned then. Grey eyes locked hers. Closer now, she saw tired lines, stress he hid.

"I don't believe anything I can't control," he said.

"Then you won't believe me," Lena said. "But I tell you anyway. Because I died loving you, and I came back. That's truth."

He stared, jaw tight.

"My name Lena Carter. I was reborn yesterday. Before yesterday, I died on bridge with you. May 15, 2026. Horde behind, river below. You held me. You said we go together. Then white light."

Ethan face unreadable. But didn't call security again.

"And you expect me believe you remember future?" he said slowly.

"I remember everything that will happen," Lena said, stepping closer desperate. "Fever Queens now not flu. Virus HNV-1. Government say controlled. Not. By July, hospitals full. By August, military locks city. By September, power fails. By October, world you know ends."

Ethan eyes narrowed. "You could have read conspiracy forums."

"Your lodge," Lena continued. "Catskills. 42.3319 north, 74.1456 west. Stone house, green roof, well dried 2015, you tried fix. Fireplace broken father broke drunk 2008. You never repaired because hate him. You keep photo mother hidden drawer desk, not displayed, because hurts."

Ethan went completely still. Lodge location not public. Nowhere online. Only family knew.

"How," he whispered low dangerous.

"You told me," Lena whispered back tears. "During storm, first winter apocalypse, we hid there. You showed me. You cried first time telling about mother. You never cry, Ethan. But you cried that night and I held you."

Silence heavy.

Ethan walked desk, opened drawer, pulled small framed photo face down. Turned over. Woman kind eyes similar grey.

He looked Lena, eyes not cold, confused shaken.

"No one knows about this photo," he said. "Not even assistant. I keep face down."

"I know," Lena soft. "You said she would have liked me."

Ethan sat slowly, legs weak. Ran hand through hair, breaking perfect CEO image.

"This insane," he muttered. "You can't know that."

"I know more," Lena said kneeling front desk eye level. "You will invest solar company SunVolt next month lose twelve million because fails. Father will call next week asking money and you refuse and he threaten press. You have nightmares about car accident killed college girlfriend Sarah 2014, you never told anyone."

Ethan head snapped up eyes wide almost fear.

"Stop," he said sharp. "Stop."

Sarah. No one knew Sarah. Buried deep.

Lena reached across desk not touching but close.

"I am not stalker. Not crazy," she said voice shaking but strong. "I am girl who loved you at end world. Died in your arms. Got second chance to save you before apocalypse starts. You can think insane throw out again. But in three years when fever spreads and you remember my words on bridge, you will wish you listened."

Ethan stared her hand near his. Fingers small nails chipped not manicured like women chased him.

First time in ten years, Ethan felt something uncontrollable.

Like he knew her hands and voice.

"Why me?" he whispered almost vulnerable. "Why come back for me? I'm not good man. Ruthless. Cold."

Lena smiled through tears first real smile since rebirth.

"Because you are good man when world ends," she said. "Because you saved fifty people, protected them, held me when scared, and died with me when you could have lived."

Ethan stood again walked window back to her needing distance think.

Outside city was normal. Hard to believe apocalypse was coming.

But girl behind knew things no one could know. Lodge coordinates. Photo face down. Sarah.

Sarah name he never said aloud since funeral.

He turned.

"If what you say true," he said slowly testing, "prove it. Tell me something will happen tomorrow that I can verify. Not private memory. Future event."

Lena thought fast. Future memory messy but some clear.

"Tomorrow," she said. "Tomorrow 2:13 PM earthquake small 4.2 magnitude New Jersey felt Manhattan. News say rare no damage. Everyone talk office. And stock market will drop 200 points because fever fear even though government says contained."

Ethan stared memorizing.

"If that happens tomorrow exactly like you say," he said, "I will see you again. If not you never come near me or company again. Understand? Disappear forever."

Lena nodded standing.

"And you will hire me?" she asked trying weak joke.

"No," he said but almost smile ghost. "But I won't have you arrested. Yet."

He walked private elevator pressed button.

"Margaret escort you out back way. No security this time."

Lena walked elevator then stopped turned.

"Ethan," she said using name one more time.

He looked.

"In future you hate when people call you Mr. Cross private. You said makes you feel alone."

Ethan froze.

Elevator doors opened.

Lena stepped in tears falling again but different now hope.

Doors closed.

Ethan stood alone office staring photo mother face up now heart pounding like hadn't felt since Sarah died.

He pulled phone called Margaret.

"Track earthquake reports tomorrow. And pull SunVolt file. Cancel it immediately."

Outside Lena stepped sunlight Manhattan three years before end and first time since dying, felt alive.

Tomorrow would prove she not crazy.

She walked away tower not knowing Ethan watched her from window above unable look away until she disappeared crowd.

He touched shoulder scar.

And whispered "Lena" testing name like memory returning.

She walked faster, smiling through tears, planning supplies, because now he might believe her.

To be continued....