CHAPTER 5: THE EARTHQUAKE AT 2:13 PM

Lena did not sleep again.

She sat floor surrounded trash bags clothes to sell, laptop open, watching clock.

12:00 AM. 1:00 AM. 2:00 AM.

She waiting for 2:13 PM next day like life depended on it. Because it did.

If earthquake happened like remembered, Ethan would believe her. If not, she crazy stalker forever and lose him again.

At 6 AM, she listed camera eBay, bags Marketplace, guitar Craigslist. Price low, need cash fast.

At 7 AM, Maya knocked bringing coffee. "Girl, you okay? Looked wrecked yesterday."

"I am fine," Lena said forcing smile. "Just big interview."

Maya didn't know she reborn. No one would believe.

At 9 AM, she watched news. Fever cases now 12 Queens. Government still saying contained wash hands no panic. Same lies before.

At 10 AM, sold camera $150. Good.

At 11 AM, sold two bags $80.

At 12 PM, ate stale bread saving money.

At 1 PM, sat window phone hand watching seconds tick.

1:30. 1:45. 2:00.

Heart hammering couldn't breathe.

2:10. 2:11. 2:12.

She held phone tight watching clock digital change.

2:13.

Nothing.

No shake. No rumble.

Heart dropped. Did she remember wrong? Was memory false? Did second chance fail?

Then at 2:13 and 42 seconds floor shook.

Small shake. Light rattling. Plant wobbled. Glass clinked.

Earthquake.

Small but real.

Lena screamed jumped up laughed crying same time.

It happened. Exactly like remembered. 4.2 magnitude New Jersey felt Manhattan.

She grabbed phone searched T*****r. Trending: #earthquake #NYC #Jersey. People felt shake rare.

And stock ticker laptop showed market down 187 points dropping fast panic fever.

She remembered 200 points drop close enough. Fear starting.

She did it. Predicted future.

Now Ethan would have to believe.

At Cross Tower floor 42 at 2:13 PM Ethan was in board meeting.

Fifty executives charts revenue. He not listening. Watching clock wall.

2:10. 2:11. 2:12.

Board member talking Q3 projections.

Ethan stared second hand.

2:13.

Nothing.

He felt stupid. Cancelled SunVolt investment because crazy girl cheap blazer told story time travel. Called security then called her back like lovesick teenager. What wrong with him?

Then at 2:13 and 42 seconds building swayed slightly. Coffee rippled cups. Lights flickered.

Gasps room.

"What was that?" someone said.

Assistant ran in "Small earthquake New Jersey 4.2 felt here no damage."

Silence.

Ethan went still. Blood drained face.

He remembered Lena exact words yesterday: Tomorrow 2:13 PM earthquake small 4.2 magnitude New Jersey felt Manhattan.

Exactly.

To second.

And SunVolt file he pulled morning showed hidden lawsuit he didn't know. She right losing twelve million.

And Sarah name. No one knew Sarah.

And lodge coordinates.

And photo face down.

He stood abruptly chair scraping.

"Meeting over," he said voice hoarse.

Executives stared.

"Over? We haven't finished Q3," CFO said.

"I said over," Ethan said dominant cold but eyes shaken. "Out. All out now."

Room emptied fast scared CEO.

He locked door pulled phone called Margaret.

"Get me Lena Carter. Now. That girl yesterday. Find number address everything. Need her here one hour. Cancel all appointments."

Margaret paused "Sir girl you had security escort out?"

"Yes. That girl. Get her. Now."

He hung up walked window hands shaking first time years.

She predicted earthquake.

She knew private things impossible.

Was it possible she really came back future? Reborn before apocalypse like she said?

If apocalypse really coming three years everything he built would burn. Money useless. Tower useless.

Only thing matter was bunker supplies people stand with him.

And girl who died with him.

Lena phone rang 2:45 PM. Unknown.

She answered breathless.

"Lena Carter? This is Margaret Chen again. Mr. Cross wants see you immediately. Car outside apartment now. Black SUV. Please come down."

Lena looked window. Black SUV indeed driver standing.

She ran down bags still floor heart hammering.

SUV drove fast Cross Tower private entrance private elevator again.

Doors opened Ethan was there waiting alone no suit jacket now sleeves rolled tie off less CEO more man.

He stared her.

She stared him.

"You predicted earthquake," he said quietly.

"You felt it," she said.

"How?" he asked voice low almost pleading. "How did you know? Tell truth."

Lena stepped closer eyes filling tears.

"Because I lived it before," she whispered. "And I died. And I was reborn to save you. I told yesterday. I know sounds crazy but happened exactly like I said right?"

Ethan didn't answer words. He walked to her stopped inches away looking down small face.

He lifted hand hesitated then touched cheek gently testing real.

Lena leaned into touch crying silently.

First time Ethan didn't feel cold. He felt heat recognition strong hurt chest.

"I don't know what happening to me," he whispered. "I don't believe rebirth. But I know you know things you cannot know. And I felt something when you said bridge. Like I was there dying with you."

"You were," Lena whispered hand covering his hand cheek. "You were there. You held me. You said we go together."

Ethan closed eyes breathing hard.

"If apocalypse coming," he said slowly, "what do we do?"

Lena smiled through tears because finally finally he believed enough ask we.

"We prepare," she said. "We buy land build fortress stockpile train. We survive this time. Together. No more dying bridge alone."

Ethan opened eyes grey now not cold but burning determined.

"Come with me," he said. "I have lodge. You were right location. We will go see it tomorrow. And you tell me everything about future everything about apocalypse everything about us."

Lena nodded heart soaring.

Second chance working.

She rewriting ending.

He still didn't remember love but believed enough hold cheek.

It was beginning.

Apocalypse still coming three years.

But now she had billionaire who would build bunker with her.

This time they would not die.

This time they would live together and build new world.

She leaned closer, forehead almost touching his, breathing same air.

Ethan didn't pull away this time.

He stayed, feeling warmth, feeling future possible.

To be continued....