Chapter 1

Back then, I spent all my savings hoarding supplies.

But in the end, my mom and my younger sister, Jemma Graham, pushed me out into the snow, where I froze to death.

It was all because the guy Jemma had a crush on said a few words to me.

This time, I wasted no time awakening my spatial ability. I emptied the house overnight, not leaving any food for those ungrateful people.

When the apocalypse hit, I watched from behind the security cameras as Jemma excitedly let that jerk into our home.

By the seventh day, the stash in the warehouse was so jaw-dropping that it left them absolutely stunned.

*****

My cheek was on fire.

Jemma's voice dripped with contempt. "Mom, look at her! She's rambling on about the end of the world again, blowing all our cash!

"How many times do I have to say this? I still haven't gotten that necklace I've been eyeing!"

The pain in my right cheek burned like hell. I held my face, looked up, peering through my fingers.

I saw Jemma hanging onto my mom's arm, both of them frowning as they glared at me, like I was something they'd scrape off their shoe.

Mom's well-preserved face was twisted with anger and impatience. "Hattie! I'm warning you for the last time.

"Stop freaking us out with your nonsense about nightmares! You think you've got money to burn, huh?

"Starting tomorrow, I'm taking control of your salary. If I catch you hauling home any more pointless meat, flour, or oil, I swear you'll be sorry!"

The scene, the words, even the tiniest expressions on their faces, everything lined up perfectly with that icy moment etched in my memory.

This wasn't a dream.

It felt like an icy hand had grabbed my heart and dragged it down into the depths of a frozen lake.

The cold that cut through my bones in my last moments mixed with the burning sting on my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine.

This wasn't just some nightmare warning.

It was that… I was back.

I was back to the day before the apocalypse hit.

I was back to the day they slapped me, and I swallowed my pride, kept draining every last cent, hoarding supplies for this so-called family, all for the sake of "getting through tough times."

And after we "survived" that so-called tough time, how did my story end?

Oh, right. The night before the supplies ran out, my dear mom and sister personally shoved me into a snowdrift at -85°F.

Jemma was still smiling as she pushed me, saying, "Hattie, don't you always plan ahead of time?

"If you skip your rations, maybe Devin and his sister can squeeze out a couple more days. Come on, do me this favor, will you?"

Devin Duke was the jerk Jemma had a crush on.

How ridiculous. Just because Devin had been polite and chatted with me a bit when I asked about the supply list, Jemma believed I was trying to snatch him away.

And Devin? He was just stringing Jemma along, putting on an act for her, only because he wanted to get his hands on our stash of supplies.

My limbs were frozen stiff, every breath a struggle. The last thing I saw before my world faded out was Mom's cold, indifferent face turning away behind the window, and Jemma nestled in Devin's arms, grinning with triumph.

Did I hate them? Absolutely. But right now, all that filled me was a chilling, empty numbness, and a cold, merciless clarity.

"Did you hear me? Why aren't you answering?" Mom snapped, her anger boiling over when I stayed silent.

I slowly lowered my hand from my face, letting my eyes drop to hide the cold, broken look in them.

I made my voice come out low and rough on purpose. "I heard you, Mom. I... It's my fault. I shouldn't have said all that, and I shouldn't have wasted money."

Maybe it was my "sincere" apology that did the trick. Mom let out a cold snort, her face softening a little, but her words were still sharp.

She snapped, "If so, get back to your room. You're just a pain to look at! Don't bother coming out for dinner tonight. Go reflect on yourself!"

Jemma shot me a smug look, chin held high, and hooked her arm through Mom's as they headed for the living room. Her voice was sickly sweet. "Mom, don't let her get to you.

"It's not worth getting upset over someone who doesn't appreciate you. Let me give you a back rub, and tonight, let's make some stew. I just learned a new recipe..."

I turned and walked in silence toward the so-called "my room", the smallest, darkest spot in the whole house.

On the hallway wall was a family photo: Mom had her arm around Jemma, who was beaming, while I stood off in the corner, my smile barely visible, almost fading into the background.

Back in my room, I bolted the door tight behind me.

The world instantly fell silent, leaving only the sound of my own shaky, suppressed breaths bouncing off the walls of that tiny space.

I walked over to the window and pulled the curtain aside just a crack.

Outside, the city was bathed in the glow of evening lights, cars streaming along the streets. Everything looked peaceful and prosperous.

However, in less than a day, the first super blizzard would hit without warning, the temperature dropping by dozens of degrees in just a few hours.

And the fragile order of civilization would fall apart faster than anyone could ever believe.