The anonymous survival post spread across the internet faster than Mia expected.
Within hours it appeared everywhere, forums, group chats, emergency discussion boards. People copied and reposted the information repeatedly as panic grew across the country.
By the next morning, the post had reached national television.
Inside the bunker's monitoring room, the large screen displayed a morning broadcast discussing the viral post.
The news anchor held a printed copy of the message.
"An anonymous survival guide has been circulating widely online overnight," the reporter said. "The post claims to provide information about the behavior of infected individuals."
Footage of the post filled the screen.
The reporter continued, "Some people believe the advice could help civilians protect themselves during encounters with infected attackers."
Then the broadcast shifted to a different commentator.
"But others say the post may simply be someone seeking attention during a national crisis."
Another analyst shook his head.
"There is currently no scientific proof that destroying the head stops infected individuals."
The screen switched back to the anchor.
"Authorities are asking the public not to spread unverified information."
Mia quietly watched the broadcast.
She didn't react.
Luis stood beside her with his arms crossed.
"Looks like your post caused a storm."
Mia shrugged slightly.
"I expected that."
People always rejected the truth when it sounded too terrifying.
Luis studied her expression.
"You don't seem bothered."
Mia looked back at the screen calmly.
"I'm not."
Whether they believed it or not didn't matter.
The truth would reveal itself soon enough.
And by then… it would be too late for arguments.
After the news broadcast ended, Mia remained seated in the control room for a long time.
Her thoughts drifted to memories she wished she could erase.
The future she had lived through.
After her parents died protecting her, she had been alone with Kevin.
For a while, the world had already collapsed.
Cities were abandoned.
Police and emergency services disappeared.
Food supplies vanished from stores within weeks.
Survival became the only thing that mattered.
Mia remembered looting abandoned houses with Kevin and Chelsea.
At the time, it had felt wrong.
But starvation forced people to abandon morals quickly.
They broke into grocery stores.
They searched empty homes for canned food and medicine.
One day, they found a van abandoned on the road.
The driver was already dead inside.
Kevin dragged the body out without hesitation.
Then they took the vehicle.
They had no choice.
Her own car—the one her parents gave her—had been left behind during an escape from a swarm of zombies.
She still remembered that moment vividly.
Her parents had stayed behind to fight.
They were already bitten.
They knew they would turn soon.
So they told her to run.
Even now, the memory made her chest tighten.
But this time, the future had changed.
Back then, the incident had happened inside the parking structure of Alps Builders.
That day, dozens of infected had flooded the area when employees were leaving work.
Now, because of the early paid leave announcement, that disaster never happened.
The company building had remained empty.
One small change had prevented a tragedy.
But after that…
Mia didn't know what the future would bring next.
The timeline had already shifted.
Anything could happen now.
Later that afternoon, Luis stepped into the communications room holding his phone.
"I just spoke with Pablo."
Mia looked up from her laptop.
"How is he?"
Luis leaned against the desk.
"He's leaving the city."
Mia frowned slightly.
"With his family?"
Luis nodded.
"They're going to his parents' house in a nearby town."
Mia understood immediately.
Viremont City was becoming more dangerous by the day.
Luis continued.
"He said some of his neighbors were already talking about looting a nearby store."
Mia sighed.
"It's starting."
When people realized food supplies were running out, desperation followed.
Luis looked at his phone again.
"I told him to call me when they arrive safely."
"Did he say when they're leaving?"
"Soon."
Luis pocketed his phone.
"He sounded nervous."
Mia couldn't blame him.
Cities became death traps once panic truly spread.
She hoped Pablo's family could reach the countryside safely.
In another section of the bunker, Helen stood happily inside the hydroponics room.
Rows of growing plants lined the walls under soft artificial lights.
The hydroponic system had been carefully designed to produce fresh food year-round.
Helen leaned closer to one of the trays.
Her face brightened.
"Mia!"
Mia stepped inside a moment later.
"What is it?"
Helen pointed excitedly.
"Look!"
Small red berries were beginning to appear among the leaves.
"Strawberries!"
Mia smiled.
"They're growing already?"
Helen nodded happily.
"I told you the system works."
She gently touched one of the leaves.
"If everything continues like this, we'll have fresh strawberries this summer."
Mia felt warmth in her chest watching her mother.
In the future she came from…
This room had never existed.
Helen moved to another corner where several large pots sat beneath grow lights.
"I'm still waiting for the blueberries," she said thoughtfully.
Mia looked at the tall plants.
"They take longer."
Helen nodded.
"Yes, but they'll grow eventually."
She turned to Mia with a gentle smile.
"Fresh fruit will make this place feel more like home."
Mia smiled softly.
For a moment, the bunker didn't feel like a shelter from the apocalypse.
It felt like a family home.
And seeing her mother happy…
Reminded Mia exactly why she fought so hard to change the future.