Rebirth Before the End: The World Restarts With Us

enant-and not just anyone. It was the same young man who had

, the kind that promised quiet strength. For a moment, their gazes met-his calm and steady, hers wide with surprise. Without a

Who in their right mind installed such extreme security measures? It wasn't trouble she wanted, but caution was second nature now. Yes, he'd helped her once

reakfast, the howling winds outside seemed to grow louder, clawing at her windows with relentless fury. Overnight, th

. In the distance, the darkened skyline loomed like the silhouette of a dying beast. The sky grew heavier

he feeling that this sto

forming in the distance, its dark funnel twisting violently as it devoured everything in its pat

remember, but something deep in her gut told her that things w

ut of her thoughts. Annoyed by the constant stream of notificatio

ce, masking the storm's howls outside. But when she turned it off, the faint sound of crying reached her ears. It was subtle at fi

ot the better of her. She grabbed a dish towel to wipe her hands and made

d softly, but ther

way, the door creaked open, revealing a small child. Tear-streaked cheeks gl

she crouched to the child's level. She reached out instinctive

rsely, her small voice trembling. "M

s. It wasn't hard to piece together the s

r brother will come back. But for now, why don't you c

assy eyes. But she seemed to recognize Kaelira, her memory of the

lcoming as possible. She gave Livia children's cold medicine, wrapped her i

cribbled a note and taped it

She isn't feeling well. Pleas

a first-year medical student-but in this moment, she was the closest thing

seeped into the very walls. Kaelira couldn't help but wonder about her mysterious neighbor. Who would willingly

long lost its signal, leaving the apartment eerily quiet save for the storm's rage. Kaelira glanced at Livia, who was curled up on the s

crying into her pillow, and feeling invisible to the world. She'd watched other children b

content. She selected a cheerful cartoon and placed it in front of Livia. The vibrant c

ir and picked up her phone. A message caught h

t. I really wanted you at my birthday party,

she thought. He couldn't even last

acks came to mind. In the wake of the storm, she doubted anyone had thought to stock up properly. Whatever instant noodles or biscuits

ead friend requests. None of it mattered right now. Her focus drifted back to L

ey were from parents she had previously tutored, both expressing heartfelt gratitude. Her reminder to stock up on groceries before the typhoon hit had allowed their families to buy food in time, sparing them fr

pictures of roasted meats and decadent desserts as though they were immune to the storm's chaos. Others were lamenting their lack of sup

s harrowing: floodwaters surged down a street, sweeping away a car like a child's toy. A firefighter struggled valiantly to

s saves, bringing a glimmer of hope amidst despair. Others, li

hese endless notifications and tragic clips? They only fed her sense of helplessness. J

en, hesitation mixing with cu