The Bunker || ONC 2026 Entry

It arrived before the sirens.
Before the emergency alerts.
Before the sky split open with fire.

When civilization collapses in a single night, Alex retreats to the only thing he had dedicated his life to - only to discover he is not alone. The cat has followed him underground.

As days stretch into something unrecognizable, the bunker becomes a chamber of memory and doubt. The cat listens to sounds Alex cannot hear. It stares at ceilings before aftershocks and strikes.

In a world reduced to ash, and with systems and supplies dwindling, survival is no longer the only question.

Some warnings come too late.
Other warnings shouldn't be ignored.

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This is my official entry for the 2026 Open Novella Contest!

It is based on prompt #98: You never imagined the end of the world would begin with a one-eared black cat showing up at your door.

The first milestone is achieved near the end of chapter 2. In total, chapters 1 and 2 are 2,247 words combined.

The second milestone is achieved at the end of chapter 7. By the end of chapter 7, there are 8,077 words.