The sound of his family's peaceful breathing filled the room. Rob lay in bed with his eyes wide open, while dawn continued to paint the sky in shades of orange and pink. The warmth of Victoria's body beside him, the soft murmur of Amélie sleeping in her crib, and Matthew's light snoring from his room were clear signs that he was truly back. It was all real. He had returned to the past.
But it wasn't a dream. He couldn't afford to treat it like one.
He had seen the end of the world. He had lost everything. And now, for a reason beyond human understanding, he had been given a second chance. He couldn't waste it.
He got up silently, careful not to wake anyone, and made his way to the desk in the living room. He pulled out a notebook and began to write with meticulous precision, just as he used to during his years as a civil engineer. Every letter was a declaration of war against the fate he had witnessed.
Objective: Save my family and the planet.
Limitations:
- I cannot reveal what I know about the future, or I'll be seen as insane.
- I cannot trust governments or institutions.
- The apocalypse will begin in less than exactly one year.
Immediate Priorities:
- Strengthen myself physically and mentally.
- Gradually and discreetly strengthen my family.
- Acquire financial resources using future knowledge.
- Locate and purchase secure land to build a base.
- Prepare the base with technology, weapons, food, and resources.
Rob reviewed his memories. He knew there were soccer matches whose betting outcomes would yield massive profits. He remembered clearly how Alan, his best friend, loved sports. Alan bet for the thrill, but Rob would do it for strategy. He knew the exact results of key matches, sports scandals, even injuries that would alter championships. Every detail was a weapon in his arsenal.
He also had information about tech companies that would explode in growth in the coming months—startups that would go from nothing to becoming giants. He knew when to invest, when to pull out, and which cryptocurrencies would skyrocket in the short term. He had photographic memory of stock charts, geopolitical shifts, and the rise of digital currencies.
He opened his computer. In minutes, he created multiple bank accounts and crypto wallets. Using secondary identities, he hid portions of his assets, planning to avoid taxes and unnecessary tracking. He scheduled reminders to invest in Bitcoin before its surge, to buy shares of an emerging social network, and to pull out right before the market crash.
But more important than that: he needed to choose the perfect location for his stronghold.
Chile, his homeland, was a geographical gem:
To the east, the Andes Mountains: a natural wall that protected from land invasions and made it hard for large beasts to cross.
To the west, the Pacific Ocean: difficult for sea creatures to traverse, as long as one stayed away from the coast.
To the north, the Atacama Desert: a dry, unforgiving natural barrier.
To the south, the proximity to Antarctica: freezing temperatures that would limit the spread of many mutated creatures.
"Central Chile… ideal," he murmured, marking a safe zone on a printed map.
He searched for land with access to freshwater, fertile soil, and enough elevation to stay safe from potential tsunamis. Close to secondary roads but far enough from cities to avoid looters in the early months of chaos. His engineer's instincts roared to life. He would design a self-sustaining fortress, equipped with solar energy, deep wells, dehydrated food storage, defensive panels, and surveillance cameras.
His thoughts were interrupted by movement in Amélie's crib. The little girl opened her brown eyes and stared at him. Rob walked over and gently picked her up, feeling the warmth of her small body restore his sense of purpose. Amélie had always been very attached to him. Though she couldn't speak yet, she looked for him with her eyes, clung to his neck, and laughed with a sweetness that melted all worries.
"My girl… this time, Daddy will protect you to the very end," he whispered.
Later, as Victoria prepared breakfast, Rob observed her with renewed focus. His wife was meticulous. She liked cleanliness and found comfort in keeping the house tidy. Cooking for her family was one of her great passions. She did it with love, even decorating the simplest dishes. Rob knew that attention to detail could become a great asset. She could manage internal organization at the base, inventory control, and food supply in a survival environment.
And Matthew... that eleven-year-old boy, so curious, so intelligent. Rob had plans for him. He remembered that even in the previous world, Matthew had strong physical abilities and a sharp mind. If they started training together now, he would build a solid foundation for when the "Survival System" activated.
Apolo and Maya woke up shortly after, running to Rob with their usual energy. Apolo was a German Shepherd with a noble and determined gaze. Maya, an agile and playful mixed-breed, was extremely protective of the children. Both were adorable and loved going out for walks—but when they sensed danger, they became true guardians.
"You two will be key this time as well…" he told them, stroking their heads.
He returned to his notebook and added new pages filled with detailed plans:
Physical routines for him and Matthew.
Online first-aid courses for Victoria.
Investments in solar panels, storage tanks, surveillance drones.
Legal acquisition of weapons under the pretext of rural security.
Studies in advanced structural engineering for bunker design.
A contact list of people with useful knowledge: doctors, blacksmiths, farmers, mechanics.
He knew he couldn't do this alone. This time, he wouldn't make the mistake of relying solely on his own strength. He would build a network of allies. He wouldn't tell them the truth, but he could guide them. The world would change soon, and he would be the center of that change.
In the afternoon, he took Apolo and Maya for a walk with Matthew. While strolling through the park, he subtly spoke about the importance of exercise, discipline, and strategy. He proposed training together as a way to spend more time as father and son. Matthew accepted enthusiastically. He would do the same with Victoria later—encouraging her to adopt a healthier lifestyle, to learn about alternative medicine, and to apply her medical knowledge in extreme contexts.
"This time, the world won't catch me off guard," he repeated at sunset as he sat at the table with his family, sharing a dinner lovingly prepared by Victoria.
"I've got a few ideas for the future," he said to her with a calm but determined smile.She raised an eyebrow as she cleared the plates."You've turned visionary now?""Let's just say I want to make sure we're ready for anything."She shrugged but smiled back. She didn't know what he knew. But soon, everyone would start to change.
And Rob would make sure he was ready when the sky spoke again—because his family depended on him, on what he knew about the future, and it would be unthinkable not to use it to protect them. Humanity needed him too. If they wanted to survive, he had to become unimaginably strong—strong enough to endure everything that cursed god sent to Earth.
Thinking through every kind of strategy, he fell silent. Only by giving his absolute best would they have a future—and he would make sure of it, even if he had to destroy everything in his path with his own hands.