Days that pass quickly (N)

[A/N: Hello everyone.

As I mentioned in the previous chapter, there are few chapters that aren't interesting, perhaps some details about house improvements or something similar.

There is something different in this chapter, can you notice the difference?]

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In the evening.

The phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me from a failed attempt to fall asleep. It was a message from Ron: "Sadly, it seems you were right about everything", he wrote, pairing the text with a sad emoji that felt like a clumsy attempt to lighten the weight of his words. I appreciated the effort; after all, it wasn't easy to keep a conversation about the end of the world from turning awkward. "Well, it's late. We'll talk tomorrow. Bye", he added, cutting the chat short with his usual pragmatism.

"I hope everything goes well tomorrow", I muttered, setting the phone aside. Exhaustion weighed on me like a slab, but sleep eluded me, trapped between the images of my past visions and the certainty of what was coming. I collapsed onto the bed, wishing, for a moment, that it was all a nightmare I could wake from.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Four days until day 0.

"One day closer to the end", I said as I opened my eyes, my voice laced with a sarcasm that had become my shield against reality. The dawn's light filtered through the curtains, painting the room in dull gray that mirrored my mood.

"I guess this morning will be a repeat of the ones before", I commented, dragging my feet to the kitchen. I brewed coffee as bitterly as I thought, and as I sipped it, I mentally reviewed my to-do list: reinforce the houses, gather more supplies, contact Ron. The routine kept me sane or at least gave me the illusion of control in a world crumbling at breakneck speed.

A few hours later.

Work was a farce, an absurd choreography I repeated daily as the clock ticked toward chaos. "If there's one thing, I'm grateful for since the dreams stopped, it's this extra energy", I thought, finishing my third day on the new shift. Without the visions haunting my nights, my body felt lighter, though my mind still bore the weight of the inevitable.

"Hey, Alex", a familiar voice greeted as I stashed my things in the locker. It was David, my coworker, with his usual smile that clashed with the oppressive office atmosphere.

"How's it going?", I asked, trying to sound casual, though my tone lacked enthusiasm.

"Everything's fine on my end, but you… you don't look so good", David replied, furrowing his brow with concern. "Last week, you sounded anxious, like you were carrying the world on your shoulders. Now you look exhausted, like you haven't slept in days. If you need to talk or need help, I'm here. We've known each other for years, right?", he added with a warmth that caught me off guard.

His offer took me by surprise. David and I had worked together for years, but our relationship had been most superficial at first. Chats during work meetings, shared coffees on breaks, the occasional joke. Over time, though, our similar ages and long tenure at the company had brought us closer.

"Now that I think about it, we're closer than I realized", I reflected, recalling the day I accompanied David to his father's funeral. It had been a tough moment; he was shattered, and I, unsure of what to say, just stayed by his side. "He was the last of his parents still alive", I thought, feeling a lump in my throat as I relived his grief.

"Alex?", David pressed, pulling me from my memories.

"Well, I don't know how to explain it… I found out about something that's going to happen, but it's so absurd I doubt you'll believe me", I admitted, hesitating.

"Try me", he replied with confidence that threw me off.

"It seems a zombie apocalypse is coming", I blurted out, expecting a chuckle or a skeptical glance. Instead, David stared at me with a seriousness that chilled my blood.

"Really?", he asked, not with doubt, but seeking confirmation.

"It's true", I affirmed, feeling a strange relief in saying it aloud. "I wish I were wrong, but there are people who've helped me confirm it. It all adds up."

I spent the next hour explaining what Ron had told me: the hoarding of resources by elites who knew the truth, the military movements that couldn't be brushed off as mere drills, and the possibility that it was all a scheme to profit from war conflicts. David questioned how I'd concluded it was zombies, and I had to dodge the details of my dreams, offering vague reasons he noticed but didn't push. I told him about rumors on forums, reports Ron had intercepted, the palpable tension in the streets. Each word seemed to convince him more, and his face shifted from curiosity to a determination I hadn't expected.

"We'll talk again tomorrow", he said firmly. "If it's as you say, there's no point keeping up with work as if nothing's wrong. I'll request the vacation days they owe me and start preparing, like you. We can help each other. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Alright. See you", I replied, still processing his reaction. I'd expected empathy, maybe patronizing support, but not this immediate resolve. David didn't just believe me; he was ready to act.

"I'll get more stuff today", I told myself, feeling a spark of determination. Having David on my side lit the burden of my fears, as if we were sharing a load that had been crushing me alone. Ron offered relief too, but his motivation was different: he was fighting for his family, a cause I deeply admired. "I wish there were more like him, putting their loved ones above even themselves", I thought, with a mix of envy and respect.

In the afternoon.

The sun was beginning to set when I reached the meeting point with Ron. "Great to see you, Alex", he exclaimed, giving me a strong hug that caught me off guard. His enthusiasm contrasted with the tension we both carried.

"With the challenges we're facing, we could call ourselves comrades", I thought wryly, noting how our relationship had evolved from distant acquaintances to allies in this race against time. "Good to see you too, Ron", I replied, trying to match his courtesy.

"How are your preparations going?", he asked, with a curiosity that felt genuine.

"All good, except those bank leeches took a chunk of my money, as always", I joked, letting out a bitter laugh.

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[A/N: Do you think there are bankers who do not pursue profit?]

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"That's their job, dear Alex", Ron shot back, stifling a chuckle. "I could've introduced you to some contacts for loans, but those lenders would've watched your every move, and you could've ended up in trouble. The bank's annoying but harmless. Those guys, not so much. Plus, if everything collapses, they'll probably survive, and you don't want to run into them in a broken world", he added, referring to loan sharks tied to criminal gangs.

"Yeah, I'd rather deal with the bank… Haha", I replied, laughing with him.

"Let's not waste time. You're coming with me in my car", Ron said, pointing to a sleek black vehicle parked a few meters away.

"As you wish", I agreed, climbing into the passenger seat without much thought.

A couple of hours later.

The deal with the suppliers was smoother than I'd expected. "You came well-prepared", Ron commented as we finalized the agreement with some shady-looking guys who, surprisingly, honored their word. "You saved us. We got the whole warehouse", he added, gesturing toward a medium-sized storage unit packed with shelves full of boxes.

"I didn't expect we'd manage to buy all this", I admitted, stunned by the sheer volume of medicines I could now store. It was enough to supply the houses and shelters I was preparing, and maybe more.

"Let's split it now. I need a quarter of it, but only medicines, not the support items. You can keep the rest", Ron proposed. "That said, I want to cover half the total cost for the help you gave me today."

"No issue with you taking that share, and you don't need to pay extra. Just cover your part", I declined his offer. "But I'd like to ask for another favor."

"Is it about the weapons?", he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I need help getting some used cars in good condition", I explained, feeling a bit embarrassed for asking more.

"Just that? Easy, I can handle it", he replied without hesitation.

"Thanks a lot", I said, looking down.

"You're welcome… By the way, I have a question I need you to clear up", he added, his tone growing more serious.

"Sure, go ahead."

"I've set up a place in the city, with reinforced security and nearby houses occupied by people I trust", he explained. "Do you think I should prepare an extra shelter, like you suggested?"

"You're a smart man, Ron", I replied gravely. "You know there's no such thing as an impregnable castle, let alone a house. Take me, for example: I've prepared eight houses and some containers, and I'm still missing details. It sounds paranoid, I know, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. If something goes wrong, you need a plan B, and then a plan C."

"I see", he said, lost in thought.

"I've got to go", I said, feeling the day's weight. "I'll come back soon for my share of the medicines. I'm keeping a copy of the key."

"Sure, we'll stay in touch", he replied, still deep in his reflections.

In the evening.

Back home, I checked the messages piled up on my phone. "All the houses now have cameras and security systems installed. According to the construction manager, three houses will be ready tomorrow, and the rest by Friday", I murmured, feeling a mix of relief and unease. Everything seemed to be going too smoothly, and in my experience, that was never a good sign.

"Sure, now that I've mentioned bad luck, karma will work its magic", I thought with a sarcasm that had become part of me. I sank into the couch, staring at the ceiling, and let my mind drift to the memories of the dreams that had brought me here. Burning houses, hordes of the undead, and a leader who, more and more, resembled David.

Thursday, November 12, 2026. Three days until day 0.

"A new day, or one day less?", I mused upon waking, pessimism clinging to me like a shadow.

"Let it be a new morning", I said with a sarcasm that felt automatic, as I got up to face another day.

A few hours later.

The work shift was torture, each minute a countdown to chaos. When I finally finished, David intercepted me in the hallway, his face brimming with urgency. "Alex, have you checked the forum?", he exclaimed, almost breathless.

"What happened?", I asked, intrigued by his excitement.

"They're talking in the group about some guy named 'SirAlexFutureson' who's been posting emergency messages on social media and forums, warning about an imminent pandemic. Lots of people confirm the military's mobilizing in their countries, and governments just keep saying it's 'protocol,'" he explained, his eyes gleaming with a mix of fear and excitement.

"Really?", I replied, feeling my cheeks flush. I knew exactly who he meant.

"It's true", he affirmed. "Why are you so red? Is it you?", he asked, incredulous.

"Yeah, it's me", I admitted, wishing the ground would swallow me.

"Haha… Who would've thought! Now I get why you were so calm when I mentioned the group", he commented, laughing. "I'm not laughing at you, it just caught me off guard", he clarified, seeing my discomfort.

"I know", I replied, not upset.

"Well then, no doubts about it. Starting today, we prepare. We could even form a group", he proposed with an enthusiasm that seemed out of place in a world on the brink of collapse.

"Let's go somewhere quieter to talk", I suggested, and we headed to my truck.

We reached a nearby park, where the fresh air helped me organize my thoughts. I showed him my notebook with the preparations: supply lists, house blueprints, security strategies. I avoided mentioning the dreams but detailed every step I'd taken. David praised my thoroughness, suggesting tweaks to adapt the shelters for a larger group. His attitude stunned me: while I'd succumbed to panic upon learning the truth, he was already planning to save others, envisioning a future where a group could thrive.

"He's looking more and more like the survivor leader from my last visions", I thought, listening to him talk about withdrawing his savings and taking out loans, just as I had. His enthusiasm was contagious, but it also made me feel small, as if my own fear held me back.

"When do you think it'll all start?", he asked, his voice now more serious.

"From what I know, they'll likely ask people to stay home on Friday, but that won't be the real start. That day, they just won't be able to control the disaster anymore", I explained, keeping the details vague.

"I see. We need to stay alert from now on", he said, frowning.

"No need to panic just yet. The key moves will happen in the days leading up to Friday", I reassured him, though I doubted my own words.

"You're right. I just need to start preparing and do everything I can", he replied, his enthusiasm returning.

"I wish I had a bit of his optimism", I thought, envying his ability to find hope amid the chaos. As we walked back to the truck, I knew that with David and Ron by my side, maybe, just maybe, we could face what was coming. But deep down, a voice kept whispering that time was running out.

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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED

Thanks everyone for reading.

Alex has gained an important ally, one he can trust far more than the rest.

He's also secured an important resource.

The difference in this chapter is that I used an AI to improve the monotonous descriptions I used.

Comment what you think.

Read my other novel called Vinland Kingdom: Race Against Time.

You can find it on my profile.]