Rebirth Before the End: The World Restarts With Us

home, but as long as I'm c

xwell had food supplies, it would mean her safety was more secure. It was better that h

oom, his eyes softening. "Th

er mind was always calculating. She had prepared for this, storing up supplies early. T

od, Maxw

n sidelined, she switched on the bathroom light and began tackling the pork she had

till on. A surge of relief washed over her. The small comfort of the still-functi

e to Livia. She decided to prepare a simple dinner-pasta with a slice of ham, the most

Livia said shyly, her small voice full of

s. "I'm glad you like it." The child's words-so simple, yet so meaningful-reminded K

derstandable. Seeing Livia devour her meal with relish, Kaelira decide

the darkness had

tial area. The group chat remained active, though the mood had shifted. Fewer food pictures filled the feed as the storm raged on, and a

a response. People were too nervous, too cautious. After all, they were neighbors-and greed could sour any futu

was oppressive, and unease crept through every corner of the room. Kaelira shut the curtains and turned on her solar lamp. Livia, clearly scared, ins

ere dry, and he carried a heavy bag, his face tired but

atoes, cabbages, two pounds of noodles, a box of cold

rgency. "The power's out, and we might lose

on as he left with Livia, she secured her doors and windows, double-checking the loc

erfection, sugary donuts, warm cinnamon rolls, crispy hash browns, grilled zucchini, and even the quintessential Australian staple-Vegemit

g. By the time she finally stopped, she was physically drained but satisfied. However, when she stepped o

ts led directly t

ll had ventured out during the day, and now, it seemed,

; he had been actively hoarding resources, despite the dangers. Back in her apartment, Kaelira mulled over what this coul

there was more to

y, squinting at the dim light through her curtains, before burrowing back under the co

g. The sky and water seemed to merge into an endless gray, and the faint outlines of familiar landmarks were half-submerged.

icked messages and nervous updates. People shared grainy pictures of ankle-deep wate

anaged to connect, it wouldn't matter-the nearby polic

ved furniture and belongings upstairs, desperation etched on their faces. Some turn

not when resources were scarce, and food supplies were dwindling. The

ality outside. Those on the ground floor had no choice but t

climbed. Her chest tightened at the thought of opening her door. But when

and eyes rimmed with exhaustion, bu

spite the storm outside. "I was thinking of using the old one

by his suggestion. Then she

or into place with practiced ease, his movements confident and deliberate.

he asked, half-joking as he secure

. "You'd be surprised what you pick

place, he handed her the ke

eping," he

bed back upstairs, her thoughts swirling. Maxwell wasn't just calm-he was calculated.

ut wonder: who was this man, really? And what had taught h

air was thick with their muttered curses before they turned and retreated, their frustration palpable. Kaelira listened closely from her apartment, a

when the time came, she could use her own door as a secondary barricade. But she had to be cautious. If two doors were installed too soon, it would draw attention to the 18th floor, signaling that suppl

er backup stove. She carefully sealed her doors and windows, hoping to keep the aroma o

By the time she finished cooking, Kaelira was drenched in sweat and her clothes reeked of her culinary efforts. Still, the discomfort was wor

d off her phone and lay down for a nap, her mind restless but desperate for rest. She

hoe, her delicate hands beginning to blister from the relentless work. The soil was stubborn, and the small plot of land felt much larger as she turned the earth. After smoothing it out, s

sons. After some thought, Kaelira added an orange tree and a grapevine to the far cor

as met with the unnerving stillness of the world outside. The water had stopped rising, but the internet wa