The Calm Before the Storm
I observed the final delivery vehicle departing from the warehouse with a sly smile. As expected, the room was piled with boxes of bottled water, bags of rice, and cans of food. I was the last human on a barren earth a week ago. I'm back in the world that existed before everything went topsy-turvy.
"Excellent," I whispered to myself, my voice resonating through the deserted warehouse.
I lifted my hand and looked at the supply heaps. All the items disappeared with a single thought, absorbed into my spatial storage. My warehouse held an enormous expanse that measured thirty football fields in length and ninety meters in height. The finest part is that nothing kept inside was impacted by time. I smiled. I intend to occupy every square inch of it.
My thoughts were cut off when my phone buzzed with a notice. My eyes darted to the television. Confirmation of daily necessities supply from an additional source. I lifted the phone to my ear and tapped the screen.
Yes, everything is ready, I said. Deliver the items to the same spot. I'm going to be there.
After hanging up, I inhaled deeply and enjoyed the fresh, pure air. Breathing and feeling the sun on my skin felt fantastic. This was heaven in comparison to the post-apocalyptic nightmare I'd lived in for the last ten years.
I angrily reflected that in my previous existence, I should have turned on the storeroom sooner. It was already too late when I discovered my capacity for dimensional storing in the second year of the end of the world. Many things were either fought over or destroyed. Most of the time, I had starved, scrounging like a mouse for leftovers.
I let go of the past and concentrated on the here and now. Now, I would be prepared.
"Dimensional transport... dimensional storage" I mumbled, enumerating my skills. I had more, but last time, I was unable to save the planet despite having all those abilities. I was alone and helpless, the last remaining human. My only choice had been to take my own life. I had another chance today, though.
Once more, my phone beeped, causing me to break off my reverie. There was now one more delivery truck on the way. After jamming my phone into my pocket, I went outside. The world was in full swing, the sun high in the sky, and nobody seemed to be aware of the impending disaster.
Boxes containing salt, sugar, oil, and other needs were unloaded by workers. I nodded as I observed them at work. "All appears well."
A middle-aged man carrying a clipboard approached me as one of the employees. Could you please check and sign this, Mr. Ronan?
I quickly counted the boxes and looked through the contents as I hastily skimmed the products. I signed the documents and declared, "Everything is in order." "Your payment is here."
I felt a surge of satisfaction pass over me as I gave out the cash. I saw myself as I had once been hungry, hopeless, and alone. I had the upper hand this time.
Things will be different this time.
My stomach growled, and the deal was finished. I laughed a little to myself. It seems like a long time since I had a substantial dinner. I remembered there was a posh little restaurant nearby that had the greatest steak in town.
I strolled out of the warehouse and toward the restaurant, taking in the well-known sights of the city. People lived their lives, blissfully oblivious to the tragedy that was approaching in just one month. I was on the verge of envy.
As I remember, the restaurant was cozy, friendly, and teeming with activity. I sat down by the window and placed my order for the priciest dish available. I let the flavors burst in my mouth with every bite of the food as soon as it arrived. The offer seemed too good to be true.
"I'd forgotten how good real food tastes," I grinned to myself.
I sat back after eating, experiencing a level of contentment I hadn't experienced in years. Everything was proceeding as expected. I had the materials, the spare time, and the expertise. I'd be prepared for the craziness to start.
My phone buzzed with another notification, and I quickly glanced at the screen. It originated in the warehouse.
"Yes," I responded.
"The products are here, Mr. Ronan. Could you visit to make sure?
I said, "I'll be right there," and gave the waiter a big tip. I had a newfound sense of purpose as I left the restaurant. This time, I wasn't simply trying to survive; I was getting ready to thrive.
Crates were everywhere in the yard of the warehouse when I got there. I looked everything over very carefully. All the items were in my dimensional storehouse, carefully tucked away and all accounted for. My phone rang again as I turned to go. After glancing at the screen, I scowled. Foster Father.
With a groan, I took the call. "What is it that you want?"
"What's my desire?" he bellowed. "Why in the world did you mortgage the property? Shares, stocks, and everything! Are you crazy?
I tightened my jaw and held the phone hard. "I required the funds. It is also my property.
"You don't get to decide that!" He growled. "You're making everything worse! Your father's business.
"My father's business," I cut in abruptly. "I don't have to justify myself to you,"
He screamed, "You ungrateful brat!" "You raised me, and this is how you give me back?" You're discarding everything of your parents' labors!"
Attempting to control my temper, I inhaled deeply. This was a man I used to admire and even trust. But I realized the reality today. He and his spouse were financially responsible for the demise of my parents. And now that I was utilizing it for my gain, they were angry with me.
I snorted, "I'm done listening to you." "Please do yourself a favor and refrain from meddling."
With my heart racing, I hung up. Thoughts of retaliation raced through my head, but I ignored them. I was more concerned with other matters. It was the end of the world, and I had a month to be ready. There was hardly a moment to linger.
Taking a long breath to stabilize myself, I walked back into the warehouse. I had a feeling of success as I looked around at the supplies stacked one after the other. However, I couldn't unwind just yet.
I needed to gather more information, establish contacts, and get ready for the turmoil that was about to take over the planet. This time, I wouldn't just get by I would be in charge.
"I must first tend to those who have wronged me," I whispered, my mind returning to my foster family. They were held accountable for their actions toward my sister and parents. That might wait, though. My top priority now was survival.
I pulled out my phone and began to make calls, setting up additional deliveries. Food, water, weapons, everything that came to mind. Nothing would be left up to chance with me.
Anxiety made my heart race. At last, I was acting and changing things. Now, I would be prepared. I would save more than just myself this time.
A feeling of resolve welling up inside me, I took a quick look at the lowering sun. I was given a month. A month to get ready for global collapse. And I was
going to make the most of every second.
Let the end times arrive. I'll be ready.
THE MEETING I stared out the window as the can drove into the compound, I had a funny feeling in my heart. This was the house I grew up in and while part of those memories were tainted by my foster parents, the rest them were very precious to me.These memories were the only thing that kept me going through the last days of humanity and after the end, they were the ones that made me kill myself and preserve whatever was left of my humanity.And now, I had just given up my ownership rights. But I knew it was because of the future, it had to be done.I paid off the cab driver and began walking towards the house and just as I expected, James, my foster father was standing on the balcony of the mansion, staring daggers at me.I stared back, my composure as cool as possible. I’ve battle beasts that would make the devil himself tremble and piss his pants, I wasn’t about to be scared of a coward.James expression subtly changed, I could see the surprise in his eyes, just as I thought. The
“I went to the future.” I could hear my voice echo through the living room, reverberating across the vast space. The silence was deafening and for a moment, I thought I had spoken in my mind and the others were still waiting for me to say something.But I always count on a fool like James to reassure me as he bursts into laughter a few moments later. I stared at both the laughing James and Maria who couldn't help the small smile on her face. I could see the ridicule in their eyes, the condescending look, the same one Maria had on her face just after she threw my brother to the shamblers and confronted me about my parents death.Just staring at her made my blood boil and I felt a bubbling rage seething within. But just then, I felt a soft hand touch mine and I looked beside me to see Eli with eyes as pure as I remember, staring at me. Although he had a look of confusion, I could see that he was waiting for an explanation.I smiled and continued,“In the future, the world will face a di
“Why are you doing this?” Maria asked, tears streaming down her face. Every single ounce of confidence and her silly sense of superiority were all gone, all that was left was a deep seated fear that made body tremble.I like it, because now, I was sure she was scared of me. But I also hated it, because it angered me to know that she could have this kind of expression and feel this kind of fear after she unhesitatingly threw my brother into the hands of shamblers.“Tell me what happened to my parents.” I asked again on a cold tone.“Johanne, what's wrong?” Eli asked and I looked at him. I was a bit surprised that he wasn't more scared, or at least even if he was, he was doing a good job hiding it. “Is it true? Did you really do to the future? How did you vanish from behind me?”“Eli, I'll explain everything later, but before then, I want you to bear with me and see this through, because soon, you'll be seeing more things like this.”“Torture and blood?” Eli asked,“No, a lot worse.”“T
PRELUDE “Take this,” I reach into my dimensional storage and brought out a wrapped burger, handing it to Eli. We were in the lift of the company. We obviously didn't enter through the front door, I directly transported Eli and I into the lift.I would have directly traveled to his office but I had to be careful, a lot of things could go wrong. And also, Eli advised against it, like he knew that was exactly what I was going to do.Eli looked at me with amazement as he collected the burger and I couldn't help but blush. I missed the look of adoration.“This is really cool! How did you do it?” He asked, already unwrapping the burger to take a bite.“I am a special space anomaly. I had many talents but I'm currently down to only two; dimensional traveling and dimensional storage.”“I see. So you can travel through dimensions and store things in your own space? That's awesome! Can I see?” Eli asked. He made sure to chew before talking.“Unfortunately, only non living things can go in ther
HASTE This! This can't be possible! What's wrong? Is the timeline speeding up? Because of me and my actions? I thought that was just some sci-fi nonsense.Eli looked at me, I could tell from his gaze that he had guessed the same thing. I sighed and looked at Jason, my gaze as serious as possible.“What's going on? Who are you and how do you know the world is about to end?” Jason asked. I could tell from his voice that there was a seed of belief within him which was a good sign.“I can't tell you how I know, you'll just have to take my word for it.” I began. I stood up and began to walk around, arranging my thoughts.“It was supposed to begin a month from now, exactly thirty days. The humidity of earth will suddenly increase, the temperature skyrocketing. The space research centers confirmed that the ozone layer had mutated, filtering in UV rays that have evolved and causing serious damage to earth. This was the first sign.”“But we found the changes first!” Jason said absentmindedly.
STRATEGIST I appeared at an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere with Eli beside me. This time, although his face was pale, he wasn't throwing up.Eli looked around, “this is where the daughter of the governor stays?” He asked with a smirk,“Of course not. This is an abandoned warehouse. I never thought I would get the coordinates right.”“What are we doing here?” Eli asked as we both walked forward. I pushed the door open and revealed the inside of the warehouse. It could only be described as vast. It was very large.“This,...this is where you are going to work for the next twenty four hours. It will be pretty hectic.”“What is it I'm supposed to do? The place is empty.”I reached out and shapes began to take form. In the blink of an eye, everything that was in my dimensional storage appears in the warehouse. I've only managed to fill up less than one tenth of it hence the warehouse could contain it all.“Woah!” Eli exclaimed. He looked impressed. “I thought you were exagger
LIFE IN AN APOCALYPSE Laramie was more than a strategist, she was a fighter and I mean that literally. If this was an ancient time, she would be a commander, and to make it even better, Laramie awakened a relatively powerful special ability as a special anomaly; aura manipulation.Aura manipulation enabled Laramie to manipulate her aura, infusing emotions into it to affect her surroundings. It might sound pretty weak but know that killing intent isn't real, it's just a feeling. Now imagine if it was real, if it materialized into the real world and you could feel one's intent to kill touching your skin? Now imagine if one could infuse an army with that same intense intent to kill, making them all hate you and much as you hate them. Laramie was one of a kind.And the reason this was all possible, the reason why she awakened was because of the trauma her father's death caused her.I didn't immediately notice, and if not for how sad she was and me piecing in the fact that time seemed to
CALL FOR HELP I appeared in a dark alley, looked around and adjusted my clothes. I walked out of the alley, my vox —the two way radio, Eli thought it was too stressful to call it a two way radio so we decided to use vox. I don't know what's wrong with good ol' walkie talkie— was strapped to my waist and my phone was in my pocket.I walked out of the alley and joined the crowd on the pavement. As I walked, I couldn't help but think of the fact that I'm two weeks time, probably even sooner than that, eighty percent of those in this street will be dead. Yet no one knew.I wouldn't mind telling them, but humans are complicated beings. Some won't believe me, some would see this as an outlet for chaos and others will see it as a chance to manipulate people.I've seen firsthand how greedy humans are, I'm one of the greedier ones after all. Which is why as I walked through the crowd, I tuned them all out, knowing that some of them would probably kill me for something as small as a bottle of