No Second Chances Apocalypse

| September 24, 2023 - 11:32 AM

Lin drove down the winding road toward Sunrise Valley Town, a small settlement nestled between rolling hills and thick patches of forest.

It was exactly what she had hoped for—far from the chaos of the city, but still alive, still functional.

She passed a gas station, a hardware store, a general market, and a few scattered businesses—all the essentials a town needed to survive.

The population couldn't be more than a few thousand. Good.

Too small for major government intervention.

Too big to be wiped out immediately when things fell apart.

She pulled into the main street, parking near a row of small businesses. No corporate chains. No high-rise buildings. Just a tight-knit, self-sustaining community.

This place had potential.

She stepped out of the car, locking the doors. Time to explore.

| September 24, 2023 - 11:40 AM

Lin started at the general store, pushing open the wooden door.

A bell jingled, and the scent of wood, spices, and something freshly baked filled the air.

Shelves were stocked with canned goods, fresh produce, local meat, hunting supplies, and farm tools—everything a prepper's paradise needed.

Behind the counter, an older man with silver hair and sharp eyes glanced up from his newspaper.

"Well, now. Don't think I've seen you before," he said, setting his paper down.

Lin approached with an easy smile. "Just passing through. Checking out some properties nearby."

He eyed her, taking in her crisp business-casual clothes. "City girl, huh?"

Lin smirked. "Not for long."

The man huffed a small laugh. "You buying the Harper property?"

Lin's expression didn't change. "Maybe."

The man nodded slowly, leaning on the counter. "Smart move. Lot of land, good water supply. Course… most folks around here wouldn't touch it."

Lin tilted her head. "Because of the shooting?"

He shrugged. "People around here remember what happened. Some think the place is cursed."

Lin didn't believe in curses. But she wasn't about to argue with local superstition.

Instead, she smiled. "I like a challenge."

The man chuckled. "Well, if you're sticking around, you'll be needing supplies. Name's Ed Dawson. I own this place."

Lin extended a hand. "Lin Zhang."

Ed shook it, his grip firm. "Welcome to Sunrise Valley, Miss Zhang. You planning to settle in for good?"

Lin's lips curled slightly.

"Something like that."

| September 24, 2023 - 12:05 PM

She left the store with a mental checklist of everything she could stockpile.

Next, she made her way to the hardware shop—another small, locally owned place. No massive warehouses, but they had power tools, generators, building materials, and fencing supplies.

Good.

She walked through the aisles, taking note of the inventory. The owner, a burly man in his fifties named Joe Carter, gave her the same curious look Ed had.

"New in town?" he asked.

"Something like that," Lin replied.

"You the one buying Harper's place?"

Lin raised an eyebrow. "Word travels fast."

Joe smirked. "Small town. That property's been sitting for a while. Nice to see someone finally doing something with it."

Lin glanced at the stacks of lumber, rolls of barbed wire, and industrial locks.

Yeah. She'd be doing a lot with it.

| September 24, 2023 - 12:40 PM

After checking out a local diner and taking a quick drive around the outer farmland, Lin headed back to her car.

She had seen enough.

This town?

It could survive.

When the world started burning, Sunrise Valley wouldn't collapse overnight like the cities would.

And if she played her cards right?

She'd be ready before anyone even saw the flames coming.

| September 24, 2023 - 12:50 PM

The Sunrise Valley Market wasn't really a market.

Not in the city sense.

There was no sprawling farmer's market, no neatly organized booths with colorful signs.

Just two stalls.

One sold fresh produce—baskets of apples, potatoes, leafy greens, and bundles of herbs tied with twine. The other had meat and dairy—cuts of pork and beef in coolers, jars of fresh milk, blocks of cheese wrapped in wax paper.

Lin parked near the lot and stepped out, hands in her pockets as she approached. Small. Simple. But functional.

The old woman tending the produce stall looked up. She was thin but sturdy, her face lined with deep wrinkles, her gray hair tied back in a messy bun.

"New face," she said, voice sharp but not unkind.

Lin gave her a polite nod. "Just moved in."

The woman snorted, wiping her hands on her apron. "That so? You the one who bought the Harper place?"

Lin wasn't even surprised anymore. "Word really does travel fast here."

The woman smirked. "Fast and accurate."

Lin scanned the stall. The produce looked fresh, well-grown. She picked up a bundle of carrots, inspecting them. "You grow these yourself?"

The woman nodded. "Everything you see, I farm myself. Name's Martha Liu. Been growing and selling here for forty years."

Lin raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."

Martha shrugged. "Town's gotta eat."

Lin set the carrots down. "How often do you sell?"

"Twice a week. Wednesdays and Sundays." Martha eyed her. "You planning to start farming?"

Lin smirked. She liked how direct this woman was.

"Thinking about it," she admitted.

Martha huffed a laugh. "You'll be up to your ears in work. But if you're serious, I can sell you seeds. Start-up advice'll cost extra."

Lin chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

| September 24, 2023 - 12:58 PM

She moved to the meat and dairy stall, where a broad-shouldered man was unloading a fresh cooler. He looked up as she approached, wiping sweat off his forehead.

"You must be the new Harper owner," he said, no hesitation, no question.

Lin sighed. "At this point, I should get a sign made."

The man laughed, offering a hand. "James Porter. I run a livestock farm just outside town. Supply most of the beef and pork around here."

Lin shook his hand. Firm grip. Calloused fingers. A man who actually worked his land.

"Good to meet you," Lin said. Her eyes flicked to the fresh milk jars. "Raw milk?"

James nodded. "Best you'll find. No chemicals, no over-processing."

Lin picked up a jar, testing the weight.

This town wasn't just surviving. It was self-sustaining. Good.

"Need anything else?" James asked.

Lin thought about it. "Do you sell livestock?"

James paused, eyeing her. "Thinking of raising your own?"

Lin smirked. "Something like that."

James nodded approvingly. "Well, when you're ready, come find me. I do pigs, chickens, and cattle. Just make sure you're serious. Farming's not for the lazy."

Lin grinned. "Don't worry. I don't do anything halfway."

James chuckled. "I believe that."

| September 24, 2023 - 1:10 PM

Lin left the market with a mental list of resources and suppliers.

She wasn't just moving in.

She was integrating.

And when the time came?

This town would be her best defense—whether they knew it yet or not.

| September 24, 2023 - 1:15 PM

Lin loaded the trunk of her car with bags of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and dried goods. Too much for just her parents.

But that was the point.

She closed the trunk, adjusting her grip on the two extra bags she had set aside. These weren't for her family.

They were for Lucas and Jake.

She smirked to herself as she slid into the driver's seat. Lucas was going to be so confused.

| September 24, 2023 - 3:10 PM

Lin pulled into her apartment parking lot, the weight of the food making her arms ache slightly as she carried the bags upstairs.

She barely got the door open before her mother called out.

"You're back already?" Helen peeked around the kitchen doorway, eyes widening when she saw the groceries. "What on earth—"

Lin grinned, kicking the door shut behind her. "Surprise."

Helen hurried over, taking a bag from her arms. "Lin, what is all this?"

"Fresh food," Lin said simply, setting the rest on the kitchen counter. "Straight from a local market. Sunrise Valley has some solid farmers."

Helen started unpacking, her movements automatic, but Lin could tell she was pleased.

Her father, Richard, walked in, brows raised. "Did we suddenly win the lottery?"

Lin snorted. "Not yet."

Richard picked up a jar of raw honey, inspecting the label. "This is good quality."

Lin leaned against the counter, watching them. "Get used to it. If you two really move to the farm first, you'll be eating like this every day."

Helen paused, fingers hovering over a bundle of fresh herbs.

Lin saw it—that tiny flicker of thought. The idea settling in deeper.

She pressed on.

"And I didn't just buy for us."

Helen gave her a questioning look.

Lin grabbed the two extra bags. "I'm dropping these off for Lucas and Jake."

Richard frowned. "Lucas… Fang? Your boss's bodyguard?"

Lin nodded. "Yeah. He's got a kid. Kid needs good food."

Helen sighed but smiled. "That's sweet of you, but Lin, you don't usually—"

"Mom," Lin cut in, smirking. "Let's just call it an investment."

She grabbed her keys and turned toward the door.

"Be back soon."