Six days before the apocalypse, both companies made their announcements.
At exactly nine in the morning, the official website of Alps Builders published a message to all employees.
Moments later, the same announcement appeared in the company's internal chat system and official social media pages.
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Announcement from Alps Builders
To all valued employees,
As a token of appreciation for your hard work and dedication, Alps Builders is granting a company-wide appreciation leave starting tomorrow.
All employees will receive six days of paid vacation with full salary in advance. We encourage everyone to take this time to rest, travel if you wish, and most importantly spend meaningful time with your families and loved ones.
Your efforts have contributed greatly to the growth of this company, and we believe every member of our team deserves time to recharge.
Operations will resume after the scheduled break.
Thank you for your continued commitment.
— Chairman Michael Alps
---
At the same time, Aetherion Land & Holdings released its own announcement.
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Announcement from Aetherion Land & Holdings
To our incredible team,
We are proud of everything you have achieved with us. In recognition of your dedication and long hours of hard work, Aetherion Land & Holdings will be granting a six-day company vacation beginning tomorrow.
All employees will receive paid leave with advance compensation during this period.
We encourage everyone to use this time to relax, reconnect with family, and enjoy the moments that truly matter outside of work.
Our company believes that success is built not only on productivity, but also on the well-being of the people who make everything possible.
Have a wonderful break.
— Management Team
---
Within minutes, employees began reacting.
Many were shocked.
Others were confused.
Comments flooded the companies' social media pages.
"Is this real???"
"Six days paid vacation?? Thank you so much!"
"Best company ever!"
"Did we hit some huge business deal or something?"
"I'm telling my family we're going on a trip!"
Some employees joked in the comment section.
"Are we celebrating something?"
"Did the bosses win the lottery?"
Others were simply grateful.
"Thank you to the management. This means a lot to us."
In both companies' offices, employees began packing their desks early.
The mood quickly turned festive.
Nobody questioned it too deeply.
After all, few people would complain about paid vacation.
Inside the bunker, Luis glanced at his tablet and smiled slightly.
"People are happy."
Mia nodded quietly.
"That's good."
---
The following day Mia made her move.
Using multiple security layers, encrypted networks, and anonymous servers, she created a social media account that could not be traced.
Even skilled investigators would struggle to track it.
She stared at the blank post box for a moment.
Then she began typing.
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Anonymous Post
This is not a joke.
A global disaster will begin within the next five to six days.
Strange violent behavior will begin appearing in cities around the world. People will attack others without reason. These individuals will show no fear, no pain, and no normal human behavior.
This event will spread rapidly.
Prepare food supplies. Stay indoors if possible. Avoid crowded areas.
If this message reaches you, take it seriously.
The world you know may change very soon.
---
Mia read the post once more.
Then she pressed publish.
---
Later that afternoon, Mia and her parents walked through the reinforced corridor of Luis's underground bunker.
The bunker was enormous.
A self-sustaining underground complex.
Storage rooms filled with food and medical supplies.
Water purification systems.
Emergency generators.
Reinforced steel walls.
Luis's parents were already waiting in the dining area.
"Welcome," Olivia said warmly.
Lunch had already been prepared.
The group sat together around the long dining table.
It almost felt normal.
Almost.
Luis turned on the television mounted on the wall.
A news channel was broadcasting live.
---
"Today many employees across the country were surprised by an unexpected company-wide vacation announced by two major companies," the reporter said.
The screen showed the logos of Alps Builders and Aetherion Land & Holdings.
Helen smiled slightly.
"Well… that's us."
The reporter continued.
"Both companies announced a six-day paid leave for all employees, encouraging them to spend time with their families."
Frederick chuckled.
"People are probably wondering what we're planning."
Michael shrugged.
"As long as no one suspects the real reason."
Mia quietly continued eating.
For a moment, it felt like an ordinary family lunch.
Then Luis suddenly picked up his phone.
"Hey… this is trending."
Everyone looked at him.
"What is it?" Mia asked.
Luis tapped the screen.
"A live video from Europe."
He turned the phone so everyone could see.
---
The video showed a busy street in Barcelona, in Spain.
People were walking normally along the sidewalk.
Suddenly the camera shifted.
A man stumbled into view.
He looked disoriented.
Then, without warning, he lunged at a woman walking past him.
The woman screamed.
The man grabbed her arm and tried to bite her.
People nearby shouted in panic.
Someone pulled the attacker away.
The camera shook violently as the person filming ran.
The woman was crying while others tried to help her.
Luis lowered the phone slowly.
The room became silent.
Mia's expression turned serious.
"That's not supposed to happen yet."
Everyone looked at her.
"In my previous timeline," Mia said quietly, "the first public incidents appeared two days later."
Helen frowned.
"So this is earlier?"
"Yes."
Michael leaned back in his chair.
"That's… not good."
Luis nodded slowly.
"But it's good we decided to enter the bunker early."
Mia agreed.
"If we waited longer, we might have been caught outside when it started."
---
That evening, news channels everywhere began reporting strange incidents.
Violent attacks.
People behaving irrationally.
Hospitals reporting unusual cases.
Social media exploded with speculation.
At the same time, Mia's anonymous post began trending online.
Millions of people shared it.
Some believed it.
Some mocked it.
On television, commentators debated the message.
"Some internet users claim this warning predicted the strange incidents now being reported."
Others were skeptical.
"This could easily be fake or AI-generated."
One analyst laughed.
"It might just be marketing for a new movie."
But panic was already spreading.
Videos showed long lines at supermarkets.
People were panic buying food, water, and medicine.
Luis sighed as he watched the news.
"The panic started faster than I expected."
Mia nodded.
"At least some people are preparing."
Helen looked worried.
"What about your uncle?"
Mia's mother, froze slightly.
Her younger brother lived in Sydney, Australia.
Mia had warned him a week earlier while they were stocking supplies.
But Helen still worried.
Luis handed her a tablet.
"Call him."
She nodded quickly.
The video call connected after a few seconds.
Her brother appeared on the screen.
"Hello, Helen."
Her eyes softened.
"Daniel… how are you?"
"I saw the news," he said.
Behind him, boxes were stacked inside his house.
Food supplies.
Water containers.
Emergency gear.
Helen looked relieved.
"You prepared."
Daniel smiled gently.
"Your daughter sounded very serious when she warned me."
Mia leaned closer to the screen.
"Uncle."
He nodded.
"I followed your advice."
Helen's voice trembled slightly.
"You'll stay safe, right?"
Daniel gave a reassuring smile.
"I'm not alone here. My family and some friends are staying with me too."
He looked at Mia.
"You think it will really happen?"
Mia hesitated briefly.
"Yes."
The room became quiet.
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Then we'll be ready."
Helen wiped a tear from her eye.
"Please be careful."
"You too," Daniel said softly.
The call ended.
Inside the bunker, silence settled again.
Outside the world was beginning to panic.
But underground,
They waited.