I always thought the apocalypse would announce itself loudly—plunging the world into chaos with explosions, earthquakes, or some other grand spectacle. Instead, it arrived with an unsettling quietness, like a predator stalking its prey.
We spent the day preparing for what I knew was coming. Bao, Nao, Xue, and I had settled into the top floor of the newly purchased apartments. Each room was carefully stocked with supplies—canned goods, water, clothing, and medical kits. The renovations had been completed just in time, with reinforced walls, escape hatches, and even a generator discreetly hidden in the basement.
The twins spent most of the afternoon decorating their shared room. Bao insisted on putting up posters of heroes from his favorite comics, while Nao meticulously arranged her collection of colorful figurines along a high shelf. Xue, too young to participate much, played quietly in her playpen, occasionally babbling happily to Mouse, who lay nearby, his sharp eyes watching her protectively.
"Everything's ready," I murmured to myself as I closed the last cabinet in the kitchen. My checklist ran through my mind like a mantra: food, water, security, and emergency supplies. Everything was accounted for.
But no amount of preparation could shake the weight pressing on my chest.
As the sun set, painting the city in hues of orange and pink, I stepped onto the balcony. The view was breathtaking—a sprawling metropolis that glittered like a jewel. It was hard to imagine it would soon become a battleground, a place where survival would outweigh beauty.
The air felt charged, heavy with unspoken tension. My fingers gripped the cold metal railing as my thoughts wandered. Had I done enough? Could I really keep my siblings safe?
"Dàgē?"
I turned to see Nao standing in the doorway, her delicate face framed by the golden light of the setting sun.
"What is it, Nao?" I asked, softening my tone.
"Do you think... we'll be okay?" she asked hesitantly, her big eyes searching mine for reassurance.
I crouched down to her level, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Of course. I've made sure of it. You, Bao, and Xue will be safe, no matter what happens."
Her lips quivered slightly, but she nodded, seemingly comforted by my words. "Okay. Can we all sleep in the same room tonight?"
"Of course."
By 10 PM, all of us were settled in the main living room. The twins shared the large sofa, huddled under a thick blanket, while Xue lay in her portable crib nearby. Mouse sprawled out on the floor, his massive body taking up most of the space near the coffee table.
I sat in the armchair, unable to sleep. My gaze flicked between the clock on the wall and the dark window beyond. Each tick of the second hand felt heavier, louder, like a countdown to something inevitable.
At 11:30 PM, I noticed the change.
The room seemed colder, the air thinner. Mouse growled low in his throat, his ears perking up as his sharp eyes darted toward the window.
"Dàgē?" Bao whispered, his voice trembling.
"Stay quiet," I instructed, rising from my seat.
I crossed the room and pulled back the curtain, revealing a city bathed in darkness. The streetlights had gone out, replaced by an unnatural glow on the horizon. It pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat, casting eerie shadows across the buildings.
The apocalypse was here.
At 11:45 PM, the first wave hit.
A low hum resonated through the city, growing louder with each passing second. The walls trembled, the floor vibrating beneath my feet. Mouse barked sharply, his hackles raised.
"Stay close to me," I ordered, moving to gather Xue from her crib. The twins clung to each other, their small faces pale with fear.
"What's happening?" Bao asked, his voice barely audible over the rising hum.
"It's starting," I replied grimly.
At 11:58 PM, the power surged, and the lights flickered wildly before plunging us into total darkness. Outside, the glow on the horizon erupted into a storm of lightning, illuminating the city in jagged flashes of white and blue.
The twins screamed as a wave of heat and cold erupted around them simultaneously. Bao's hands ignited in brilliant flames, while frost crawled up Nao's arms, encasing her in a shimmering layer of ice.
"Breathe," I said firmly, kneeling between them. "Focus. You can control this."
Nao's teeth chattered as she clenched her fists, the frost receding slightly. Bao's flames dimmed, though his hands still glowed faintly.
"I-I'm sorry," Bao stammered.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," I assured him. "This is your awakening. You're stronger than you think."
Xue, meanwhile, was eerily calm. She gazed at the chaos unfolding around us with an unsettling serenity, her tiny hand reaching out to touch the air. I felt a faint buzz, like static electricity, emanating from her. Her psychic powers were stirring, though they hadn't fully manifested yet.
"Mouse, guard them," I commanded, and the massive dog growled in response, positioning himself protectively in front of the twins and Xue.
A sudden crash outside the door snapped my attention to the hallway. My heart raced as I grabbed the metal bat I'd stashed nearby.
"Stay here," I told the twins. "Lock the door and don't open it until I come back."
The hallway was chaos. Broken glass littered the floor, and the walls bore scorch marks from what I could only assume were spontaneous mutations. At the far end of the corridor, a figure staggered toward me.
Its body was grotesquely contorted, black veins bulging under its skin. Its glowing green eyes locked onto me, and it let out an unearthly screech.
A mutant.
I didn't hesitate. Swinging the bat with all my strength, I struck the creature in the chest, sending it crashing into the wall. It lunged at me again, its claws swiping dangerously close. With a final blow, I brought the bat down on its head, and the mutant collapsed in a lifeless heap.
Breathing heavily, I leaned against the wall, my hands trembling. This was only the beginning.
As I turned to head back to the penthouse, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Lìyuè."
I spun around, my grip tightening on the bat. Standing at the other end of the hallway was Crow, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded.
He smirked, though his expression was tinged with something deeper—concern, maybe? "Helping. Looks like you could use it."
I didn't trust him—not yet. But something in his gaze made me pause.
"Stay out of my way," I said, brushing past him.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied, his voice following me as I returned to the penthouse.
Inside, the twins and Xue were safe, though the fear in their eyes was palpable. I gathered them close, Mouse pressing against my side as I spoke.
"It's going to be a long night," I said. "But we'll get through this. Together."
Outside, the storm raged on, and the apocalypse unfolded with relentless fury. But we were ready—or so I hoped.