"I have to be prepared... I can't ignore this feeling."
Iris muttered while closely observing the soldiers rushing into Claire's home. Moments later, a young man around Iris's age emerged, helping Claire on one side, with Lira supporting her on the other.
Claire looked weak, leaning against both of them as they walked to the waiting van.
Behind them, Uncle John and his wife followed, worry etched on their faces. The soldiers rushed to load Claire into the vehicle. Within minutes, the van sped off, disappearing from Iris's sight.
Lira stayed behind to speak with the couple and Mark, Claire's older brother. Who stood close by, his expression tense.Mark spotted Iris in the distance. He raised a hand in acknowledgment. But Mark turned away, ignoring him. Their friendship soured since Claire's breakup with Iris.
With a shrug, Iris let it go and walked back into his house. He made his way to the largest bedroom, his parents' room.
Iris moved to the right side of the bed. A thick layer of metal sealed the window, blocking any view outside.Right beside the bed was a heavy metal door embedded in the floor. He bent down and pulled it open. It revealed a set of stairs to the basement that builders had constructed with great care.
The family built the basement after wild animals became a danger. Iris had been especially influential in pushing for its construction. He felt he must act on anything too important to ignore.
The space was very sturdy. They often reinforced it to keep up with the Earth's expansion.They built the basement to endure. It had a reliable ventilation system. Its spacious interior could fit a family of four. They could survive there for a long time if needed.
Iris took off his shirt and worked out for an hour. Then, he stretched out on the bed in the center of the basement.
He had kept up this routine to stay fit and healthy. In the past three years, he had trained in mixed martial arts and firearms as well. This gave him a decent combat ability for any danger.
Iris, an IT specialist, had been working diligently over the past few years. He was earning enough to support the ongoing construction of his home and fund his training.
As he lay down to rest, his heartbeat had begun to settle. It turned erratic again, causing him to clutch his chest tightly.
This time, the premonition was intense, and Iris felt an overwhelming sense of something unknown, stronger than ever. After a minute or so, his heartbeat settled, and the feeling diminished.
Rising from the bed, he headed back upstairs. Passing the kitchen, he saw Lira. Without interrupting her, he went to his room and opened his laptop.
Iris then ordered a large supply of dry rations, fresh water, and some other necessities. It was enough to sustain his family of four for over a year.
Afterward, he picked up his phone and called his best friend, David.
About ten minutes later, a truck pulled up in front of Iris's home, catching Lira's attention. She stepped outside to check.
"Iris, where are we off to today? Hey, Lira."
David called out as he stepped down from the truck, noticing Iris coming out to meet him.
"Hey, David!"
Lira waved with little enthusiasm and went inside. She wasn't interested in engaging with him.
David watched her go, sighing.
"I still don't get why she hates me, Iris."
Climbing into the truck, Iris shrugged.
"Maybe she just doesn't like you. She's never been fond of people who like to show off."
David shot him a mock death glare as if daring him to push it any further.
"Let's go, let's go already..."
They headed to the nearby town of Marlborough, diving into some "exclusive" shopping.
Iris picked up a variety of guns, from pistols to sniper rifles, and a lot of ammo. The government had relaxed firearm laws. It encouraged self-protection due to a growing threat from wild animals.
As they were driving back, David finally broke the silence, glancing at Iris with a raised eyebrow.
"So much ammo and every type of firearm? What, are you planning to take over the village?"
Of course, some firearms, like machine guns, still required special licenses.
These licenses Iris managed to get through his father. He wasn't sure what his father's job was. The man, once a construction manager, had indeed gained some influence due to his new job.
Iris used this connection to get licenses for various guns, each for a different purpose. He stocked up on ample ammunition as well, knowing the future remained uncertain.
"Nothing like that."
Iris replied, shaking his head.
"Like I said, that feeling keeps getting stronger with each passing day. I just want to prepare and not leave anything to chance."
David nodded, understanding. He was the only one Iris had confided in about these unsettling premonitions. Iris hadn't shared them with his family because he didn't want to cause them any worry.
David had been skeptical at first. But, as he saw the world change day by day, he soon believed in Iris's intuition.Under Lira's watchful eye, Iris stored all the packages in the basement with great attention to detail.
"Alright, David. I suggest you avoid going outside for the next few days."
Iris said in a low voice as he walked back to the truck. David nodded in agreement, then drove off and waved at Lira, who responded with an eye roll.
Later that evening, two trucks arrived in Bedwyn. One stopped outside Iris's home. The other pulled up at John's.
The truck at Iris's brought the bulk of rations he had ordered. After the delivery staff helped stow everything in the basement, Iris and Lira saw them off with a generous tip.
"Iris, what's going on? You brought in a load of packages this morning, and now you've ordered so many rations. Are you hiding something from me?"
Lira looked straight into his eyes, refusing to let him dodge her question.
"I honestly don't know! But I have this strong feeling that something terrible is coming. Let's just call it your brother's intuition."
Seeing she wouldn't let it go, he decided to tell her the truth. He left out details, like his racing heart, to avoid worrying her.
"Oh! So many strange things happening, indeed..."
Lira didn't fully understand Iris. But, she had seen enough to know anything was possible. She decided not to press the matter further.
Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Claire stepped out of the other truck, looking completely fine.
Without a word to Iris, Lira rushed to Claire. She was just sending off the soldiers who had dropped her off.
Iris looked at Claire in surprise. After all, there was a possibility she might be like his father, with a special ability. What surprised him even more was her quick recovery. It outpaced his father's and another villager's.
When Lira hurried over, Claire smiled and noticed Iris in the back.
As soon as she saw him, her smile faltered, but she maintained her smile and raised her hand in greeting.
Iris responded with a simple wave, his face reflecting true happiness for her recovery.
As the girls chatted and John's family emerged, Iris went inside. He didn't want to be a distraction or, more likely, an eyesore.