Chapter 6: Breaking Ties and Making Plans

Serena stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. The same face, the same eyes—yet everything felt different. The memories of her past life were sharper than ever, a constant reminder of what was to come. She had already taken the first steps: gathering supplies, forming alliances, and securing her future. Now, it was time for the next move—cutting off the dead weight before it could drag her down again.

Lucas.

She exhaled sharply, grabbing her phone. She had debated waiting a little longer, but every moment she spent still attached to him was a risk. She dialed his number, and after a few rings, his voice came through, smooth as ever.

"Hey, babe. What's up?"

Serena closed her eyes, steeling herself. "Lucas, we need to talk. Can you meet me at the park near my house?"

There was a pause before he chuckled. "Sounds serious. Are you breaking up with me?"

"Just meet me," she said flatly before hanging up.

She turned to her duffel bag filled with emergency gear. She was prepared for anything.

---

At the park, Lucas arrived with his usual casual confidence, dressed in a leather jacket and ripped jeans, his dark hair perfectly styled. He smirked as he walked up to her.

"So, what's this about?" he asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Serena didn't waste time. "I'm breaking up with you."

The smirk faltered, replaced by confusion. "Wait, what?"

"I don't love you, Lucas. Maybe I never did," she said, her voice calm. "And even if I did, I don't trust you."

His expression darkened. "Is this about Ava? You're still mad about that stupid fight?"

She shook her head. "No. This is about me knowing exactly who you are and what you're capable of. You'll always put yourself first, and I won't be a fool this time."

Lucas took a step closer, his jaw tightening. "Serena, where is this coming from? You've been acting weird for weeks."

She met his gaze, unwavering. "Just accept it, Lucas. We're done."

His hands clenched, but instead of arguing, he scoffed. "Fine. Your loss."

She watched him walk away, feeling nothing but relief.

One loose end tied up. Now, for the next.

---

Cutting Off Ava

Ava was easy to find—she was waiting for Serena outside the university. She waved, smiling brightly. "Hey! You never texted me back. Where have you been?"

Serena forced a small smile, though she knew it didn't reach her eyes. "Busy."

Ava linked arms with her. "You're always busy! But that's why I'm here—to drag you out for fun. Let's go shopping. My treat!"

Serena pulled her arm away. "Ava, I think we should stop hanging out."

Ava blinked, laughter fading. "Wait, what?"

Serena folded her arms. "I don't trust you."

Ava's face contorted with offense. "Excuse me?"

"You only stick around when it benefits you. I see that now. And I don't have time for fake friendships."

Ava took a step back, face twisting with anger. "Where the hell is this coming from? We're best friends!"

"Not anymore," Serena said simply.

Ava's hands balled into fists. "You're making a mistake, Serena."

"No, I'm correcting one."

She turned and walked away, feeling lighter with every step.

---

Forming the Plan

That night, the group gathered at an abandoned warehouse Serena had chosen for secrecy. The air was thick with tension as everyone stood in a loose circle.

Serena exhaled. "Now that we're all here, we need to finalize our survival strategy. We only have weeks before everything collapses."

Zane crossed his arms. "We should secure a permanent base before things get worse."

Kiera nodded. "Agreed. Somewhere defensible, with good access to supplies."

Damien smirked. "And somewhere we can test our powers without attracting too much attention."

Leo, the ten-year-old telekinetic, grinned. "I can lift stuff to build barricades!" His twin, Lila, giggled. "And I can warn us of danger before it comes."

Serena smiled at them. "That's exactly why we're all here. We each have a role to play."

Jaxon leaned forward. "We need weapons. Lots of them."

Serena nodded. "Already taken care of. I've been stockpiling supplies for weeks."

Elise, the healer, frowned. "And what about the virus? Do we know exactly how it spreads?"

Serena's expression darkened. "Airborne, at first. Then, through bites. Once it mutates, it becomes worse."

A heavy silence settled over them.

Zane finally spoke. "Then we need to move fast."

Serena met their gazes. "From now on, we're all in this together. We don't just survive—we dominate."

The group exchanged determined looks.

The apocalypse was coming. And this time, they would be ready.