Willow's inability to return was a major setback. Zephyr's plan had been to load the modified van with supplies and take Willow and Lucy's family to a secluded resort a hundred miles outside Prism City. He'd been there once; it was deserted but fully equipped, a perfect temporary sanctuary. From there, he could assess the situation and plan their next move. He knew the apocalypse was coming, but he had no idea what form it would take. The van would provide mobility and safety, a significant advantage.
Now, that plan was shattered. Instead of escaping to the relative safety of the countryside, he had to head into the densely populated city of Nanjing. The journey was fraught with uncertainty. He had no idea when he'd arrive, which is why he'd told Willow to stockpile supplies and wait.
If the van modifications weren't taking three days, he would've left immediately. Without it, he was just a college student, with little chance of getting Willow out safely.
That night, Willow sent him a location pin: a teacher's apartment she'd rented in a small alley near campus, on the top floor, the sixth. She also sent pictures of two rooms crammed with enough supplies to last a month.
"Don't worry, Zephyr," she texted, adding a grinning emoji.
He'd told her about the apocalypse, omitting the Etherscope. Not because he didn't trust her, but because it was too much to explain.
Surprisingly, she'd believed him. And despite the impending doom, she'd remained remarkably calm, even taking pictures and using emojis. He knew she was probably scared, but as long as she followed his instructions, her level of belief was irrelevant.
"Okay, Willow. From now on, stay inside, lock all the doors and windows, and don't open up for anyone, even if you know them. Understand?" In the apocalypse, laws and morals would crumble. It felt harsh, but he had to make it clear. He'd seen enough apocalyptic movies to know people would kill for a pack of cookies.
"Got it," she replied.
Her compliance eased his mind, slightly. With Willow's safety (hopefully) addressed, he could focus on reaching Zenith City.
Three days crawled by. The news grew increasingly ominous, with reports of traffic disruptions and international tensions. But most people remained oblivious, going about their daily routines: commuting, school runs, grocery shopping, cooking dinner…
Zephyr stayed home, venturing out only to check the situation. Griffin sent a few texts, which he ignored. Miles texted too: "Dude, you okay? Did you borrow money for a hot date? You're gonna fail if you don't come back to class!"
"Don't go anywhere on Tuesday," Zephyr replied. "Lock yourself in your dorm and play video games." He didn't know if Miles would listen, but he had to try.
"Why Tuesday specifically? Oh, wait, tomorrow's Tuesday…"
Zephyr took a deep breath. Yes, tomorrow…
That night, he couldn't sleep. He'd hired two movers to load the supplies into the van, sent a mass text to everyone in his contacts, and reminded Lucy and Willow one last time. Finally, overcome with anxiety, he sat down on a box of supplies next to the van and drifted off.
A strange ringing jolted him awake. Not an alarm, not a siren, but something inside his head. The Etherscope.
He scrambled to his feet and ran to the van. From the outside, it looked unchanged. But as he reached for the handle, a stream of information flowed into his mind. A faint electrical current zapped his hand, and the door clicked open. An anti-theft system, accessible only to him.
He stepped inside, his jaw dropping. The interior was completely transformed. All the materials he'd painstakingly gathered were gone. The rows of seats had been replaced by two plush sofas flanking a small table and shelves. Sliding doors, sleek and futuristic, divided the space. He opened them to reveal a compact but fully equipped bathroom, a kitchenette, and a small bedroom with a surprisingly comfortable-looking bed.
He rushed to the driver's seat, equally impressive. Enclosed in its own compartment, it featured a large screen display and a control panel bristling with buttons and levers. He sank into the soft leather seat, gripping the steering wheel. The van's systems came alive in his mind, the dashboard illuminating with a soft glow.
Base Vehicle (Standard Version) Modification Complete. Vehicle Specifications:
Model: Base Vehicle (Standard Version, van Camouflage)
Layout: Bedroom x1, Kitchenette x1, Bathroom x1, Small Living Room x1
Weaponry: Compressed Air Cannon (Basic), Muzzle Velocity 810 m/s, Capacity 500L
Armor: Level F (Resistant to standard small arms fire, collision-safe)
Power: Gasoline
Top Speed: 186 mph
All Faults Repaired.
Exhilaration surged through him. The modifications were even better than he'd hoped. This was just the standard version, though. True off-road capability would require further upgrades, more materials. He hadn't had the time or the money to prepare for those, nor did he know what they'd be.
Still, this vehicle drastically improved his chances of survival. He quickly familiarized himself with the controls and called the movers.
They arrived and began loading the supplies, their eyes wide with astonishment at the van's interior. They'd assumed he was stocking a small store or a street vendor stall, not…this. Converting a beat-up van into a luxury RV? What a waste of money!
Zephyr ignored their bewildered stares, checking his watch and scanning the surroundings. Once everything was loaded, he jumped inside, secured the doors and windows, and nervously settled into the driver's seat. It was time.