Early in the morning, I had a hot coffee and a small take-out of steamed buns while driving toward the location. As I arrived, I saw massive bulldozers and trucks loaded with construction supplies, along with a few workers unloading them. I was pleased to see how efficient they were.
Stepping out of the car, I scanned the unfamiliar faces, searching for George or any other head staff. As I walked toward the center, I spotted all five of them. George approached me with a greeting, while the others nodded in acknowledgment.
"Ms. Summer, we've received some materials, and the rest will be arriving throughout the day. If the blueprint is ready, we can start right away," he said as I glanced at the workers clearing the snow from the area.
"Yes, Mr. George. Here is the blueprint," I said, pulling out a printed copy of my design and handing it to him. "You should start with the double wall I've drawn on the blueprint and begin digging for the underground floors."
As we discussed the project, he nodded. "Alright, Miss. I've got your instructions. You don't need to worry—we'll follow your plan precisely."
"That's good to hear, Mr. George. Actually, I may have to return soon, and over the next two months, I might not always be here. So, I want to ensure I give you clear instructions before I go back to my country."
George translated my words to the others before turning back to me. "Miss Evelyn, it's alright. You can trust us. This is a huge project, and we don't want to make mistakes. We'll stick to your plan."
"Alright. And for the glass used in construction, it needs to be bulletproof. Also, install iron grills on all windows, which can only be opened from the inside." I added as I reviewed the design.
"For the first floor, make it higher than standard housing. I need a strong base, so if there's ever an earthquake or other climatic issues, the building can withstand them." I tried to phrase my concerns as casually as possible.
Once everything was finalized, Mr. George shook my hand. "Everything is set. We'll start constructing the walls in two days, and with our manpower, I believe we can finish them within a week. As for the port, we'll prioritize that as you requested."
"Thank you, Mr. George. Actually, as I mentioned, my boss is quite wealthy, and they may require transportation here, which is why the port is a priority."
"No worries, Miss Evelyn. Everything will be done as you've asked, and we'll speed up the process. You can rest assured and take your flight back without concerns."
With that assurance, I drove back to the hotel. Now that one task was done, it was time to focus on the next.
Now, I need to get back and, first of all, sell our house. My bank account is draining fast—nearly 37 million Y Dollars for labor, around 15 million Y Dollars for construction materials given to George, and an additional 70 million for the land. A total of 192 million Y Dollars is already spent, and in my eyes, there's little to no money left in my hands.
So, I must return to my country and start working on the next phase. At the top of my list is buying large quantities of solar equipment—all devices that run on solar power—and massive solar panels to generate electricity for our base. Y Country heavily relies on imports for electricity, and when disaster strikes, there will be a severe shortage. Eventually, the power grid will collapse, especially in this island nation.
To ensure we have a stable power source, I need to plan ahead. The best solution is to harness solar energy. Fortunately, after the disaster, the climate will shift, bringing more sunlight to Y Country, making solar power a viable option. I need to purchase a massive number of solar panels and any other solar-powered equipment to conserve our other resources.
Tomorrow is my flight back, and today, I just want to have a calm meal—away from all the tension and exhausting work I've been doing. So, I bought a sardine fish from a local supermarket, along with some noodles and eggs. My room has a small gas stove for making light meals, so I used it to prepare fish soup alongside a bowl of noodles with sunny-side-up eggs.
Since returning to this life, I haven't cooked. Cooking used to be one of my passions, but after the disaster, there was hardly anything left to cook. The area where I survived was hit by a massive heat wave that lasted for months after the satellite crash. Most of the available food spoiled, and after that, whatever we found was a luxury, regardless of whether it was expired or barely edible.
At this moment, I feel grateful to have the privilege of choosing what to eat. I have the power to say, This is spoiled, I don't want it. But when you face a dire situation, anything edible becomes a means of survival.
As I took a small bite, my heart felt heavy. I don't know why, but I'm feeling overwhelmed. Maybe it's the guilt—guilt that I'm saving myself and my loved ones while leaving others behind. But deep in my heart, I know that even if I wanted to, even if I tried my hardest, I couldn't save everyone.
Yet, the human heart clings to these foolish emotions—guilt, sadness, regret. I know many innocent people will die, from children to the elderly. But I have to save myself first. No matter how much I try to reason with myself, telling myself that survival is the only thing that matters, the guilt still lingers.
Maybe—just maybe—this time will be different. Maybe they will find a way to save everyone.