Rebirth in the Apocalypse: Frozen Earth — Part 1
Serial Fiction, Part 1 | Reborn.
Pain, excruciating pain engulfed Finn as he experienced a suffering so deep it felt etched into his very bones. This was no mere sensation but a harsh reality unfolding on him. Betrayed by friends and neighbors he once trusted and aided, they now greedily dissected him for resources in these desperate times, disregarding all the help he had previously extended to them. As he lay dying, Finn caught a glimpse of his beloved, Raina, standing behind the crowd, pitifully shouting, “I made him open the door. You owe me a rib of him to make soup!”
It was Raina who had deceived Finn into opening his door, leading to his demise. Looking at her, his eyes filled with hatred and regret. He blamed his own naivety and kindness for his downfall in this cruel world and wished desperately for a second chance. Next time, he vowed to be ruthless and live only for himself.
Suddenly, Finn’s vision darkened as he lost consciousness, but in an instant, his eyes snapped open, and he sat bolt upright on his couch. The hellish pain was vivid in his mind as he gasped for air, drenched in sweat. “What’s happening? Wasn’t I killed by those monstrous neighbors?” Confused, he surveyed his surroundings, recognizing them as his own home, strangely comfortable despite the brutal cold he remembered.
The year was 2050, and Earth had been hit by a Cambrian storm caused by a supernova fifty thousand light-years away. The global temperature plummeted, burying Sea-sky City, where Finn lived, under snow for a month with temperatures reaching minus seventy degrees Celsius. Even harsher conditions were reported in northern China.
Finn stood, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and guzzled it down. The cold water tasted like ambrosia after the apocalypse, where the only way to get water was by melting snow in deadly temperatures. After quenching his thirst, he checked his phone: November 12th. The apocalypse was a month away. “Looks like I’ve been reborn,” Finn realized, acknowledging the realness of his past month’s agonizing experiences.
He was filled with relief and determination, remembering those who had betrayed him. This time, he would survive without mercy. His immediate concern was to prepare for the impending apocalypse. Luckily, his financial situation was relatively stable; he had inherited a spacious apartment and had savings, but these would soon be insufficient.
Finn pondered how to stockpile resources in his new life. Just then, a white light appeared before his eyes. Rubbing his eyes, he felt a strange intuition that this light was part of him, and his mind filled with information about it. Curiously, he stepped into the light and found himself in a vast, white, empty space.
“This must be some sort of extra-dimensional space,” Finn thought, thrilled. His exposure to gamma rays seemed to have mutated him, granting extraordinary powers. This space was perfect for storing supplies.
As a regional manager for a Walmart warehouse, Finn knew the layout and inventory of the world’s largest retail stockpile in Southern China. He formulated a bold plan to exploit his knowledge and new abilities to secure enough supplies for multiple lifetimes.
Finn’s new abilities allowed him to effortlessly transfer objects into this space. He tested this by placing household items like teacups and basins into it, and then larger items like TVs and refrigerators. The space accepted everything without limit.
Armed with this extraordinary capability and inside knowledge of Walmart’s logistics, Finn prepared to strip the warehouse before the apocalypse, ensuring not only his survival but also a life of abundance.
As he considered his plans, his stomach growled loudly. Looking at the takeout chicken rice on his table, Finn decided to indulge. “With the apocalypse coming, I should enjoy good food while I can,” he reasoned, opting to live freely in his remaining days of normalcy.
Finn stepped out of his apartment into a scene of tranquility filled with joy and comfort. Parents played with their children in the community square, their faces beaming with happiness. Yet, Finn knew that in a month, all this would turn to dust.
He quickly left the community and headed to a nearby Michelin three-star restaurant. Dining there would cost thousands, a luxury Finn had never allowed himself before. But now, having returned from the brink of death, he was determined to celebrate lavishly.
Upon entering the restaurant, Finn chose a window seat and ordered the most expensive dishes and a bottle of Lafite Rothschild. The meal cost him fifty thousand, and even the waitstaff eyed him speculatively, assuming he must be a wealthy heir.
Indifferent to their stares, Finn devoured the feast before him. Having endured six months of a frozen apocalypse, each bite was so delightful it almost brought him to tears. His intense eating drew whispers from other diners, but Finn cared little for their opinions. After all, in the post-apocalypse, people would beg for a packet of instant noodles.
While Finn dined, Raina passed by the window with her friend, Celine. Both women longed to indulge in such luxury but lacked the means. They scrutinized the restaurant’s clientele, hoping to catch the eye of a wealthy bachelor.
Raina was stunned to see Finn inside, surrounded by a lavish spread. “Isn’t that Finn? How can he afford to eat here?” she exclaimed.
Celine covered her mouth in surprise. “Was Finn always this rich?” she whispered, looking at Raina suggestively. “Raina, you’re so lucky! The guy who’s been courting you turns out to be a hidden rich guy.”
They knew Finn had pursued Raina for over two years. Although Raina never committed, she hadn’t refused him either, treating him as a backup while hoping to marry into wealth.
Seeing Finn alone with a meal that cost tens of thousands sparked doubt in Raina. “Could Finn actually be one of those wealthy men who hide their riches to find true love?” she mused, convincing herself of the possibility.
Celine suggested they approach Finn, but Raina hesitated, not wanting to appear greedy. “Let’s wait outside and pretend we bumped into him by chance,” she decided, playing the role of a goddess to maintain her leverage over Finn.
After enjoying his meal for over an hour, Finn left the restaurant, satisfied and full. The food at the Michelin-starred restaurant was average to him, but after his recent hardships, it was deeply moving.
He planned to visit a nearby supermarket to test the storage capacity of his newfound spatial ability, ensuring he’d be prepared for any eventuality.
As Finn stepped out, a familiar voice called out, “Finn, what a coincidence!”
Turning, Finn saw Raina and Celine. Raina casually brushed her hair behind her ear, a classic move to catch his attention. Finn inwardly sneered at the tactic, recognizing the manipulations of a top-tier manipulator. Not long ago, she had led him to his death, even contemplating using his bones for soup.
Finn’s gaze turned icy with murderous intent. The apocalypse was near, and killing her would bring no repercussions. Should he act now?
Raina shivered under his stare, nervously asking, “Finn… what’s wrong?”
Finn quickly masked his expression. “Nothing, I mistook you for someone else.”
He changed his mind about killing her immediately. Letting her die too easily would be a disservice. Besides, acting now might land him in jail when the apocalypse struck. Better to let her experience the despair of the apocalypse and then take his revenge.
With time on his side and memories from before, Finn knew he could make her suffer immensely. For now, his priority was to build the safest haven to ensure his survival in the coming end of days.
Finn was distinctly cold towards Raina, who, along with Celine, couldn’t help but notice his indifference. However, their mistaken belief that Finn was a secretive wealthy heir only drew them closer to him, thinking that a bit of temper was a sign of sophistication.
“Hey Finn, were you dining here just now?” Celine asked casually.
Finn frowned slightly; he knew Celine was no better than Raina. Both had played roles in his past betrayal and demise. “Yeah,” he replied curtly, hands in his pockets, as he started walking towards the supermarket.
Raina and Celine hurried to keep up. “Where are you heading?” Raina asked with a feigned gentle smile.
“To the supermarket,” Finn responded, his tone still cold and slightly impatient. He harbored a deep resentment, wishing he could end her right then if not for wanting her to experience the apocalypse’s despair.
“It’s such a coincidence, we were about to buy some stuff too. Perfect timing!” Raina quickly said, exchanging a knowing look with Celine.
Finn realized they must have seen him at the Michelin-starred restaurant and now mistakenly thought he was rich, which explained their sudden warmth. Disinterested in explaining, he continued to the supermarket, their misconception only reinforcing their belief in his wealth.
As they followed, Raina stayed close to Finn, occasionally touching him deliberately. When he looked her way, she turned shyly, her cheeks blushing, playing the innocent well.
Finn scoffed internally. Raina was a master of manipulation, worthy of an Oscar for her performance.
At the supermarket, Finn grabbed a cart and began filling it with essentials like sausages, instant noodles, self-heating hot pots, and spices. Raina and Celine were stunned by the quantity of food he was piling up.
“Are you going camping with all this?” Raina asked when she saw the cart overflowing.
“Yeah,” Finn replied nonchalantly.
Celine whispered to Raina, skeptical, “Would a rich guy really eat this stuff on a camping trip?”
Despite her doubts, Raina couldn’t let go of her belief that Finn was wealthy, especially after witnessing his lavish dinner. She offered her help eagerly, sensing an opportunity.
Finn, seeing a chance for petty revenge and needing help, decided to exploit their willingness. He had a month to prepare for the apocalypse, ensuring his safety was simple, and he could always access more supplies through his contacts at Walmart.
He considered letting Raina know he was stockpiling resources, then having her beg him for help when desperation hit. He planned a secure shelter to withstand any attack, even turning the tables on any aggressive neighbors.
Imagining their frustration gave Finn a twisted sense of satisfaction. He decided to find a security firm to build such a safehouse, or perhaps an underground bunker in a remote area as a backup.
“Then you two can help push the cart,” Finn decided as Raina and Celine eagerly agreed, despite their fatigue.
Finn bought a vast amount of food, including long-lasting items like canned goods and meats, which he wanted to test storing in his special space. He assigned Raina and Celine the heaviest carts, enjoying their struggle.
“Are you hosting some event you haven’t told me about?” Raina complained.
“Just preparing for a rainy day — what if the apocalypse happens? It’s good to be stocked,” Finn joked, his comment flying over Raina’s head as she laughed it off.
She hinted heavily at expecting a return invitation to dine out. “Since I helped you so much today, you owe me a meal!”
Finn smirked, “Sure, but I’m quite busy lately. Maybe next month?”
“Deal!” Raina responded eagerly, with Celine chiming in excitedly.
With their help, Finn managed to transport all his supplies back to his apartment, using their belief in a future treat to fuel their efforts. In his mind, the gears were already turning on how best to utilize his resources and newfound allies in the looming catastrophe.
After successfully transporting a massive load of supplies back to their apartment complex, Finn, Raina, and Celine drew curious looks from many neighbors. Finn didn’t mind being seen stockpiling. He knew that with Raina and Celine aware of his shopping spree, keeping it a secret was no longer possible.
If survival was his only concern, Finn could have sold all his assets and built an impregnable fortress in a desolate area. However, that would not satisfy his need for revenge against the neighbors who had brutally betrayed him in his previous life. He needed to stay, to exact retribution in a more excruciating manner.
His plan to build an unbreachable shelter hinged on finding a security company capable of constructing such a fortress. Otherwise, he’d resort to his backup plan: building an underground shelter in a remote area.
While pushing the carts home, a grandmother, recognized by everyone as Mrs. White due to her role in the community committee and her frequent meddling, approached them. She eyed the food in the carts with interest, especially the fresh meat, and made a pointed suggestion that Finn share his bounty with the neighbors. Previously, she had managed to extort food from Finn and had actively participated in the looting of his apartment.
Mrs. White’s grandson, little Tom, made a grab for a box of expensive chocolates in one of the carts. Finn swiftly retrieved it, firmly telling Mrs. White that he intended to keep all his purchases for himself. He was done playing nice, especially with the apocalypse looming.
Mrs. White was outraged by Finn’s refusal to placate her grandson, who threw a tantrum. Finn coldly warned the child, intensifying the confrontation. After a heated exchange, with Mrs. White trying to guilt Finn into giving up the chocolates, Finn reiterated his stance and walked away with Raina and Celine, ignoring the continued outcries from Mrs. White.
Back at his apartment, Finn ushered Raina and Celine out after unloading the supplies. Despite their curiosity about his wealth, they left after sensing his disinterest in entertaining further discussion.
Alone, Finn opened his mysterious space to store his purchases, intrigued by the lack of decay in the perishables stored overnight. However, he discovered that living creatures did not survive in the space, as evidenced by the dead fish.
After settling the groceries, Finn set about meticulously planning his preparations for the impending apocalypse. He prioritized food supply, warmth, and security, considering ways to fortify his apartment against possible breaches. His plans included installing a fireplace for heating and reinforcing his home with steel or alloy to withstand attacks.
The safety of his fortress seemed assured with the help of a local security firm known for working with the elite. Recalling a news story about a billionaire’s bunker that could withstand heavy weaponry, Finn felt inspired to ensure his shelter would offer similar protection.
Lastly, Finn contemplated his medical and weaponry needs. He planned to secure common medicines from Walmart’s inventory and considered acquiring more serious weaponry through less conventional means. While some items like machetes and crowbars were easy to obtain, more potent arms required careful planning and discretion to avoid legal issues.
With his plans laid out, Finn relaxed for the night. The next morning, after checking the unchanged condition of the food in his space, he decided to indulge in one more luxury before the world changed forever.
He called the Ritz-Carlton, the largest five-star hotel in Sea-sky City, known for its exquisite cuisine. “I need to book 500 tables of food for a three-day banquet,” Finn announced, planning to preserve the hotel’s finest dishes in his space.
The sheer scale of the order stunned the hotel staff, prompting a quick consultation with their manager. The magnitude of the feast, representing over a million in expenses, highlighted Finn’s determination to live in comfort during the apocalypse, even if the world outside crumbled.
“Hello, I’m Harry, the manager at the Ritz-Carlton. May I know who I’m speaking with?” the voice on the phone inquired.
“This is Finn. I was calling about booking 500 tables. Is that going to be an issue?” Finn responded.
The manager was taken aback. It was the first time their hotel had encountered such a massive request. However, the prospect of securing such a large order was too good to pass up.
“Mr. Finn, such an order would cost over a million. We can prepare everything promptly, but we would require a $200,000 deposit in advance.”
“That’s fine,” Finn replied coolly, “Send me your account details, and I’ll transfer the deposit right away.”
With money ready to facilitate matters, the manager quickly agreed, added Finn on social media, and sent him the bank account information. Finn transferred the $200,000 without hesitation.
Upon confirming the deposit, the manager immediately instructed his staff. “Hurry, we’ve got a huge order! Tell procurement to stock up, and hold all other takeout orders. We need to prepare 500 tables worth of dishes within a day!”
…
After hanging up, Finn reflected on the necessity of cash. “Money may be worthless in a month, but it’s still needed to buy things now.” He had about 2 million in savings and inheritance, and he’d just spent a quarter of it, which did sting a bit. However, he rationalized the expenditure as beneficial since, post-apocalypse, money would be mere paper.
“Still, I’ll need more money for upcoming expenses,” Finn thought. His eyes then settled on his property. His apartment in the center of Sea-sky City, measuring 120 square meters in a decade-old complex, was worth around 5 million at current market rates.
“Perfect, I’ll get a mortgage. It’s practically free money at this point.”
Enthusiastic about his plan, Finn left for the bank. Along the way, he received a text from Raina hinting at boredom and a desire for company. Finn glanced at the message and tossed his phone aside, focusing on his financial mission.
At the bank, Finn’s substantial loan amount and complete documentation facilitated the approval of a 4 million loan. He didn’t haggle; after all, it was essentially free money. Satisfied, he signed the paperwork, and the bank transferred the funds to his account.
“Now, after deducting the expense for the banquet, I’ve got about 5 million left. Enough for the renovation,” Finn mused, “but I’ll need more for medicines and weapons.”
As he contemplated how to acquire additional funds, Oliver approached him on the street. “Hey, man, need some quick cash?”
Finn looked up, assessing Oliver. “Who are you?”
Oliver grinned, lowering his voice, “Just wondering if you need money and the banks won’t help?”
It was clear to Finn this was a loan shark.
Playing along, Finn sighed, “Yeah, my business urgently needs cash flow, but the banks…”
Seeing Finn’s feigned distress, Oliver quickly presented a business card from ‘DuoDuo Financial Services Ltd.’ with the name Oliver, Business Manager.
“You can really lend me the money? I need 5 million, and I can pay it back in three months,” Finn declared.
Oliver reassured him, “Let’s discuss this at my office. Our company specializes in helping out in these situations.”
Curious, Finn followed Oliver to a nondescript office building. Inside, Oliver introduced Finn to the boss, Jacob, a burly man trying hard to project an air of legitimacy.
“How much do you need?” Jacob asked straightforwardly.
“I need 5 million,” Finn stated.
Jacob frowned, “That’s a significant amount. But I must warn you, our interest rates are very high.”
As Oliver and Jacob subtly pressured him, Finn maintained his desperate guise, agreeing to the steep interest. “As long as you lend me the money.”
Satisfied, Jacob arranged for the loan, while Finn internally celebrated the ease of securing more funds for his preparations. This encounter, though risky, was just another step in his complex strategy to survive the impending apocalypse.
To be continued …
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