The Beast thundered down the last stretch of road, kicking up dust as it neared the massive concrete walls of Dean's fortress. With the press of a button, the reinforced steel gates groaned open remotely, revealing the haven that Dean had spent years preparing.
As the vehicle rolled inside, the gates sealed shut behind them, securing them from the chaos outside. Dean maneuvered the Beast into the garage, parking it in a designated space next to his other survival vehicles. The massive structure also housed two fuel tankers and his helicopter, all neatly arranged for quick access.
Dean turned off the engine and exhaled. "Alright, everyone out."
Marcus, Emily, Robert, and Linda climbed out, their faces filled with exhaustion and curiosity. The drive had been intense, but now they were safe.
Dean stretched his arms. "First things first—you guys take a shower." He smirked. "You reek of death."
Linda chuckled weakly, while Emily let out a relieved sigh. "God, I've never wanted a shower more in my life."
"There's a bathroom on the first floor of the house," Dean said. "Fresh clothes are in the storage closet. Take your time—I'll give you a tour afterward."
Two hours later, Marcus and his family emerged, looking refreshed. Dressed in clean clothes from Dean's stockpile, they followed him as he began his tour of the fortress.
"Welcome to your new home," Dean said as he led them toward the main house.
The two-story structure looked simple from the outside, but it was built to withstand anything. Thick reinforced concrete walls, shatterproof windows, and an electrified fence surrounded the property, powered by solar panels.
Inside, the first floor had a cozy living room, a kitchen, and a dining area, all stocked with essential appliances and furniture fitting for a single man. The second floor had a single bedroom with a personal bathroom, along with a balcony on each corner equipped with sniper rifles and high-powered telescopes.
Marcus whistled, impressed. "Damn, Dean. You really thought of everything."
Dean smirked. "This is just the beginning. Come on."
Next, Dean led them to the vast farmland, covering several acres. Rows of **vegetables—corn, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and beans—**stretched across the open field. There were also fruit trees growing along the fence line.
A large barn stood nearby, home to livestock that included chickens, goats, and cows. A smaller stable housed two horses, which Dean used for scouting beyond the perimeter when needed.
Linda's eyes widened. "This… this is incredible."
Dean shrugged. "Had to make sure I wouldn't starve."
Moving on, Dean showed them the garage, where several modified vehicles sat, each reinforced for combat and survival.
Marcus walked past a heavily-armored truck, patting its side. "And here I thought The Beast was impressive."
Dean smirked. "They each serve a purpose. Speed, durability, storage—you never know what you'll need in an apocalypse."
Next, he gestured to the helipad, where a small helicopter rested, fully fueled and ready.
Emily gasped. "You even have a helicopter?"
"Yup. Just in case we need to get out in a hurry."
The real surprise, however, was beneath the fortress. Dean led them to the concealed entrance of his underground bunker.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing a massive underground compound equipped with everything they'd need to survive long-term.
Dean showed them the weapons room, where firearms were neatly mounted on walls, and lockers filled with ammunition lined the walls.
Then, he guided them to the food storage room, stocked with canned goods, dehydrated meals, vacuum-sealed meat, rice, beans, salt, sugar, and water filtration systems.
Finally, he led them to the tech room, where multiple CCTV monitors displayed every inch of the fortress. The room was filled with server racks, communication radios, and a satellite-linked computer.
"This is where I keep an eye on everything," Dean explained, taking a seat in front of the monitors. "The whole perimeter is covered with cameras. If anything moves out there, I'll know."
Linda looked around. "And what about living space?"
Dean gestured to an empty underground section. "Plenty of space down here. You can set up your own rooms however you like."
Robert placed a hand on his shoulder. "Dean… this is beyond anything we imagined. Thank you."
Dean simply nodded. "We all survive together."
Just as Dean was finishing the tour, something on the CCTV monitors caught his attention.
A group of men, armed and moving cautiously, had stopped near the outskirts of the fortress. They had followed Dean from the city.
Dean's eyes narrowed as he zoomed in on one of the men.
The same tall man in a leather jacket who had watched them earlier was now standing at the treeline, a wicked grin on his face.
"Looks like we've got company," Dean muttered, exhaling smoke from his freshly lit cigarette.