The Last Town Standing Chapter 4: One Month, One Chance

January 10th, 2025 [Morning – Maya’s Home, Delhi

MOM

Beta, you’re up early. What are you scribbling so seriously?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Just... planning something.

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Emergency backup stuff, you know, in case of disaster.

MOM

This is about that survival show you watched again, isn’t it?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Something like that.

DAD

Maya! Your loan’s been approved. What on Earth are you planning?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Research. And maybe investing in bunkers.

AARAV SHARMA

You mean hoarding weapons like a mini Rambo?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

We’ll see who’s laughing when everyone else is running out of rice

[Private Chat – Maya & Aarav]

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

We need to get the family out before April. But not too early — we’ll scare them.

AARAV SHARMA

Yeah… Dad’s already suspicious. You’re a genius but a terrible liar.

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Rude. Accurate. Let’s move on to supplies today.

[Maya’s Journal – Prep Diary Day 5] Contacted Diya. She’s working at St. Jude’s Hospital. Bookmarked gun dealer forum under fake name. Ordered solar generator and water purifier. Filed fake business proposal to justify cash inflow. Applied for another loan (Aarav yelled at me).

[Phone Call – Maya to Diya]

DIYA

Hello?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Hi... is this Dr. Diya Sharma?

DIYA

Yes, speaking. Who’s this?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

You don’t know me yet, but I know you. I need to talk to you — it's about survival.

DIYA

Okay... creepy. Are you a journalist?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

No. But I know you have healing potential. And in three months, people will be bleeding and dying everywhere

DIYA

Who are you?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Someone who already lived through the end of the world. Meet me. Tomorrow. Café Eleven. Noon.

[Later – Maya’s Kitchen]

DAD

You’re spending too much time with that notebook of yours.

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

It’s my apocalypse plan.

DAD

Is this a phase?

MOM

(whispering): Maybe she’s heartbroken again

AARAV SHARMA

Oh god.

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Seriously?! I’m planning to save all of your lives and you think I’m emotionally unstable?

AARAV SHARMA

I mean, I didn’t not think that...

Maya’s Text Notes] Add martial arts classes next week Disguise prep as “trekking adventure” for family Search for safe house in Himachal — isolated, cold, but defensible Watch weather trends for late March Find Ravi. He was a sniper last time. [Midnight – Rooftop, Maya and Aarav]

[Midnight – Rooftop, Maya and Aarav]

AARAV SHARMA

So... Diya’s the first recruit?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

Yes. She was a healer in my past life. One of the best. Lost her arm trying to save a kid.

AARAV SHARMA

Damn

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

I owe her a better fate this time.

AARAV SHARMA

And what about me? How did I die?

MAYA SHARMA (MC)

You bought me time. Ran straight into an S-class. I never even got to say goodbye.

AARAV SHARMA

Then let’s make sure I live long enough for one this time.