The days flew by, almost imperceptibly for Rob, who watched as his plans finally began to materialize. His investments, initially intended to secure a modest amount of capital, had exploded into overwhelming success. Pitcoin skyrocketed in value, TokTok and PallBook consolidated as emerging giants, and his sports bets—made with knowledge of future outcomes—generated profits multiplied hundreds of times over.
In just two months, Rob had amassed a fortune far greater than he had ever planned. It was no longer just about survival: now, he could think about building a true bastion, an impenetrable refuge for his family and the few allies who would withstand the inevitable apocalypse.
With that goal in mind, he moved on to the second stage of his plan: purchasing the ideal land.
Rob traveled across multiple rural areas in central Chile, searching for something very specific: a property far from major cities, in an elevated, fertile, and hard-to-access area. He wanted a location with:
Significant geographic elevation to avoid flooding.
A natural water source, like a stream or an underground river.
Fertile soil for future crops.
Surrounding hills or valleys to help defend against invasions.
Enough space to build a self-sustaining base.
After weeks of searching, he found the perfect place: a vast valley enclosed by mountains, with access to a small freshwater lake and rich black soil ideal for farming. Moreover, the land had only a couple of entry roads, making it easier to defend.
Rob didn't hesitate. He made a direct cash offer. The property was his.
He wasted no time and began massive acquisitions of everything they would need:
Tons of non-perishable food: legumes, rice, specialty flours, high-durability canned goods.
Thousands of liters of bottled water.
High-efficiency solar panels.
Industrial batteries for energy storage.
Satellite communication equipment.
Agricultural tools, irrigation systems, portable greenhouses.
Building materials for bunkers and shelters.
Legal weapons, ammunition, and passive security systems (fences, motion detectors).
Every purchase was logged, classified, and temporarily stored in rented warehouses while he planned the transportation to the final site.
The physical work and daily routines were beginning to show impressive results. After two months of rigorous training and balanced nutrition:
Everyone's bodies, from children to adults, looked more toned.
Physical endurance had significantly improved.
Agility, coordination, and baseline strength increased daily.
Even little Amélie, though still very small, seemed to have endless energy.
Always thinking a step ahead, Rob decided to introduce a new challenge for the whole family: language learning.
If the world were to collapse, those who could communicate with the few remaining major civilizations would survive. So he proposed that everyone learn Mandarin Chinese and Russian.
They already spoke Spanish and English, but now the adults and teenagers would start intensive classes in new languages. The younger children would have age-appropriate programs.
The clan embraced the idea enthusiastically. It was another step toward evolving into a family capable of surviving in the new world order.
But not everything was easy. One of the hardest moments for Rob came when he proposed a radical decision: asking the whole family to quit their jobs to focus exclusively on training, education, and building the bastion.
The idea was met with a heavy silence during a family dinner.
Victoria, especially, seemed uncomfortable. She lowered her eyes to her plate before speaking.
—"Rob... I understand what you're doing. And I believe in you, you know that. But..."—she took a deep breath—"leaving my job at the hospital? Leaving my patients? I don't know if I can."
Rob felt a knot in his chest. He got up from his chair and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.
—"Vicky... you are the heart of this family. You're the one who heals us, who holds us together. But think: what good is it to heal strangers now if we can't protect our own when everything falls apart?"
Victoria pressed her lips together, fighting back tears.
—"I've always wanted to help, Rob... to be useful, to save lives..."
—"And you will,"—he said gently—"When the time comes, when the world crumbles, they'll need someone like you. They'll need us. They'll need doctors, nurses, caretakers. But if we don't strengthen our foundation now, we won't be there to save anyone... not even ourselves."
Victoria closed her eyes. Two tears rolled down her cheeks.
Rob leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers.
—"I'm not asking you to give up your calling. I'm asking you to protect what's most precious first: our family. Yourself."
Victoria sobbed but slowly nodded.
—"Alright... I trust you."
He hugged her tightly, while the whole family gathered around them in silence, sharing the emotional weight of that decision.
That night, one by one, every member of the clan formally submitted their resignations from their respective jobs.
Now, all their energy was focused on surviving, growing stronger, and building the last bastion of humanity.
That night, Rob gazed at the sky from his terrace. The stars flickered indifferently to human dramas.
But he knew the truth.
The clock kept ticking. The apocalypse was drawing near.
And this time, they would be ready.