CHAPTER 2: A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

Elise stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her eyes fixed on her reflection as she pondered the questions swirling in her mind. The warm water cascaded down her body, washing away the remnants of her past life. She muttered to herself, "Since I've been given a new chance at life, I'll make the most of it."

Her mind racing with determination, Elise vowed to take charge of her life. She would start by gathering supplies, knowing that scarcity would be a harsh reality during the apocalypse. The memory of her untimely demise at the hands of Zane and Alexa still lingered, fueling her resolve.

Although she had awakened the Space and Ice superpower, Elise hadn't had the opportunity to develop it before her untimely death. This time around, she was determined to master her abilities and forge a new path.

Downstairs, Elise's parents and little sister waited anxiously for her to join them. They had been trying to distract themselves, but their worry was palpable. As they heard the footsteps coming down the stairs, Anita, Elise's mother, asked with a voice laced with concern, "Elise, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Mom, but I have something to tell you guys," Elise replied, her voice steady.

Derick, Elise's father, chimed in, "Did Zane break up with you?" His question unwittingly stirred up a mix of emotions within Elise.

"No, Dad, not that," Elise said, her voice tinged with anger. "I forgot about him, thanks for reminding me," she added, her eyes flashing with a hint of resentment as the memory of Zane's betrayal crossed her mind.

As Elise's words hung in the air, Anita's expression transformed from concern to alarm. "Then what happened, sweetie?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

Elise took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for the right words. "Mom, Dad, Madison... the end of the world is coming," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It might sound strange, and it feels and looks like I'm crazy, but it's true."

A sad, despairing tone crept into Elise's voice, and her eyes began to well up with tears. "I wish it were a dream, but it isn't, Mom. I've seen it. I've lived it."

Anita's face contorted in distress, while Derick's expression turned grave. Madison, however, looked puzzled, unsure of what to make of Elise's words.

Derick, ever the calm and rational one, placed a reassuring hand on Elise's shoulder. "Elise, no matter what happens, we're always on your side. Can you give us more details?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm, encouraging Elise to open up.