The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over Lake Charles, Louisiana. The air was crisp, a deceptive calm before the storm. Inside his modest home, Ethan Parker stood by the window, his eyes scanning the horizon. He knew what was coming. He had lived through it once before, and this time, he was determined to be ready.
Ethan's mind raced as he reviewed his preparations. The bunker was nearly complete, hidden beneath his backyard. It was stocked with canned food, water, medical supplies, and enough fuel to last for years. He had taken out every loan he could, maxed out credit cards, and sold off anything of value. To the outside world, he looked like a man on the brink of financial ruin. But Ethan knew better. He was a man on the brink of survival.
"Just one more day," he thought, his fingers tapping nervously on the window sill. "One more day until it all begins."
He turned away from the window and walked through his house, checking and rechecking his supplies. The generator was ready, the solar panels installed, and the insulation in the bunker was top-notch. He had even managed to secure a small plant factory setup to grow fresh vegetables, and some livestock. Every detail had been meticulously planned, every contingency considered.
Ethan's thoughts drifted back to the first time he had lived through the Deep Freeze. The sudden drop in temperature, the chaos, the desperation. He had watched as society crumbled, as people fought over scraps of food and warmth. He had died in that frozen wasteland, alone and unprepared. But this time, he had a second chance.
"Not this time," he muttered to himself. "This time, I'll be ready."
He glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. Tomorrow, the world would change forever. He felt a pang of guilt for the people who had no idea what was coming, for the friends and neighbors who would be caught off guard. But he couldn't save everyone. He could only save himself.
Ethan took a deep breath and headed down to the bunker one last time. He checked the locks, tested the ventilation system, and made sure everything was in place. Satisfied, he climbed back up and sealed the entrance, covering it with a heavy rug. It had to remain hidden until the time was right.
As he lay in bed that night, sleep eluded him. His mind was a whirlwind of memories and plans. He thought about his family, long gone, and the life he had lost. But he also thought about the future, about the chance to rebuild, to start anew.
"Tomorrow," he whispered into the darkness. "Tomorrow, it all begins."
With that final thought, Ethan closed his eyes, ready to face the Deep Freeze once more.