Four months to doomsday

Xu Lian adjusted the strap of her backpack, her mind sharp with purpose. The morning sun poured through her apartment window, casting a deceptive sense of peace over the city.

But she knew better.

In four months, this city would be a wasteland of death and chaos.

She turned to Chen, who was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. He was dressed casually in a black hoodie and jeans, but there was an edge to his stance, a predator's readiness.

"We'll split up," she said. "I'll handle food and medicine. You take care of weapons."

He gave a short nod. "We meet back here before sundown."

Lian exhaled. They had lived through this hell before, but now they had an advantage. This time, they had power.

And they weren't wasting a second.

---

Gathering Supplies

Lian walked through the crowded supermarket, her cart filling up fast. She picked items that would last canned goods, rice, dried meat, energy bars. Anything high in calories and nutrients.

She worked methodically, grabbing extra vitamins, painkillers, and disinfectants from the pharmacy aisle. If people thought she was overstocking, they didn't say anything.

As she reached for another box of medical masks, she felt a presence nearby.

Her grip tightened on the cart.

A man stood at the end of the aisle, watching her.

Her heart pounded. Was he just a curious shopper, or had someone already noticed her movements?

She forced a polite smile and walked away, keeping him in her peripheral vision. He didn't follow.

Not yet, at least.

Her instincts were screaming. In their past life, people had become desperate long before the government admitted the apocalypse had begun.

She needed to be careful.

After checking out, she wheeled her cart to the alley behind the store, ensuring no one was watching before moving everything into her space.

As the last item vanished, her space pulsed, expanding slightly.

So that's how it worked. The more she used it, the stronger it became.

She clenched her fists. Good.

Now, onto the next task.

---

Chen's Mission

Chen walked into the backroom of a rundown bar, his expression unreadable. He had made connections in his past life, ones that hadn't been useful then but would be now.

A man with a scarred face looked up from counting cash. "Didn't expect to see you here, Guo."

Chen smirked. "Heard you still do business."

The man leaned back, studying him. "Depends on what kind of business."

Chen placed a thick envelope on the table. "Guns. As many as you can get me."

Scarface whistled. "You planning a war?"

Chen's expression didn't change. "Just preparing."

The man chuckled, flipping through the cash. "I can get you rifles, handguns, maybe even some military-grade gear if the price is right."

Chen's fingers tapped the table. "I want them fast."

The man grinned. "Give me a week."

Chen shook his head. "Three days."

Scarface's smile faded. "That's not how it works"

Chen leaned forward, his presence suddenly suffocating. "Three days. Or I find someone else."

The man hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Three days."

Chen stood. "Pleasure doing business."

As he left, his phone buzzed. A message from Lian.

"Meet me at the usual place. We have a problem."

---

Unwanted Attention

Lian sat at a quiet café, stirring her tea absently. She had chosen this spot because of its view of the street she wanted to see if she was being followed.

When Chen arrived, she wasted no time. "Someone was watching me at the store."

His expression hardened. "Describe him."

"Tall, mid-thirties, sharp eyes. He didn't follow me, but he was too interested."

Chen's jaw tightened. "Could be nothing. Could be someone already stocking up, like us."

She met his gaze. "Or it could be worse."

They both knew how quickly things could spiral. One wrong move, and they'd become targets before the apocalypse even began.

Chen exhaled. "We move up our plans. You keep storing supplies. I'll handle security."

Lian nodded. "And we find allies. Fast."

Chen's fingers curled into fists. "We're running out of time."

---

First Contact

Two days later, Lian stood in front of a familiar apartment door.

Her heart pounded.

She hadn't seen Yu Xian since their past life. He had been one of their strongest allies a former military officer turned survivalist.

But in their last life, they had met too late. By the time they joined forces, they had already lost too much.

She knocked twice.

A moment passed. Then, the door cracked open.

Dark eyes met hers. "Who are you?"

Lian smiled. "An old friend."

He stared at her, assessing, his posture tense. "I don't know you."

She exhaled. "Not yet. But you will."

His eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

Lian glanced over her shoulder. "To save your life."

Xian didn't move. "Why should I trust you?"

Lian met his gaze steadily. "Because the world is ending in four months. And you know I'm right."

Xian's breath hitched.

She could see the hesitation, the instinctive denial. But deep down, he knew.

Finally, he stepped back. "Come in."

Lian entered, knowing she had just taken another step toward rewriting fate.

This time, they wouldn't fight alone.

---