It was a winter morning in Luxembourg, as the day began, the 24 year old man sat at his desk on the 12th floor of his building in Kirchberg, mindlessly scrolling through his work emails. The office buzzed with the usual hum of chatter, keyboards clicking, and phones ringing.
Sam was lost in thought, staring out of the window at the city below, watching people walking and cars passing by when suddenly his phone vibrated on his desk. An urgent, annoying buzz. He grabbed the device, expecting some work-related notification. But it wasn’t.
The phone’s screen flashed red.
“EMERGENCY ALERT: Multiple nuclear strikes reported. Take immediate shelter. Further information to follow.”
Sam’s breath caught in his throat. His hands trembled as he unlocked his phone to read the emergency notification again. This… this can’t be real, he thought. He looked away, seeing the same facial expression reflected on his colleagues. The once-busy office had fallen into a morbid silence, as everyone got their breath taken away.
As people around him were checking their phones, receiving the same terrifying alert, someone whispered, "Is this...a joke?" But the tension in the air told Sam that it was far from a joke.
Within seconds, the entire office was thrown into chaos. Some people began making phone calls as they were trying to contact their loved ones, others rushed to the windows check outside to see if anything unusual was happening. Sam could hear the sound of hurried footsteps, screams and panicked voices as the once calm open space morphs into a field of madness.
It was no news that the political tensions around the world, the war in Ukraine, Russia’s nuclear threats, North Korea’s implications, the strained relations between China and the United States, and the growing tensions in the Middle East, had developed into a world war.
He had always thought something like this might happen. But now, now it was real.
I have to stay calm, he thought, his mind snapping into action. He quickly stood up, observing the chaos that installed into the office floor as his voice cutting through the noise said :
Listen up everyone ! he shouted, drawing the attention of his terrified colleagues. This isn’t the time to panic. We need to act fast, we don’t have a lot of time.
His colleagues turned to him, wide-eyed and desperate for direction. They had no idea what to do, and Sam could see the fear and confusion in their eyes. He knew he had to take control of the situation.
Everyone, get as far as possible from from the windows. We don’t know if any strikes are coming this way. We need to take shelter, the basement or the parking lot below the building is the safest place for now ! said Sam in a calm but firm voice, which gave people a sense of focus.
His co-worker Maria, shaking with fear, stuttered :
But... but we don’t know how many nuclear bombs will reach the city. What do we do if they fall here ? And my husband... I need to call him… !
Before finishing the sentence, Sam interrupted and looked at the scared women.
There’s no time for that right now, Sam said, though he hated saying it. We’ll try to call our families once we’re safe. The priority right now is getting downstairs before any of the bombs detonates nearby.
The sounds of the sirens from outside began to grow louder. Sam’s phone vibrated once again, as he checked it quickly, another emergency broadcast from the government, confirming that missiles had been launched toward several European countries. It didn’t say where and when they would hit.
Ok everyone, we have maybe half an hour to get to safety, no time to lose! Sam shouted. He turned to his male colleagues and said :
Let’s get as many water bottles as possible downstairs, we will definitely need it.
Robert together with six of his colleagues started grabbing the bottles, as Sam ushered everyone toward the stairs.
Everyone, stick together !
They raced down the emergency stairwell, dozens of people following Sam’s lead. He kept his head cool, despite the fear crawling into his mind. His thoughts shifted to his family: his parents, brothers and his girlfriend, Mia. I have to make sure they’re safe. He didn’t have time to call them yet, there were too many people depending on him here.
As they reached the underground parking spot, Sam scanned the space, checking for anything that could help them. He saw large pillars that might offer some protection if a shockwave hit. After further scanning, he saw a door on the back of the parking lot. As he approached the metallic door, he saw the inscription “Utility Room”. He started inspecting the room and decided that it would offer further protection as there were also a lot of tools to help them reinforce the place.
Everyone, get inside and stay here. Away from the open areas. We don’t know when or where the bombs will hit, but we will be safer here, said Sam, his voice steady despite his own growing terror.
People gathered in small groups, huddled against the concrete walls, some crying, others trying to contact loved ones. Rick and the remaining colleagues arrived at the place and started stacking up the water bottles. Sam finally took a moment to breathe. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to his family :
I’m safe. Get underground if you can. I’ll come find you when this is over. I love you all.
Seconds later, he sent a similar message to Mia. His heart ached as he typed the words.
The streets outside were a total nightmare. The air was thick with the sound of car horns and screaming. People were pouring out of buildings, checking their phones, scrolling through social media. The entire world seemed to be glued to their screens, watching as the news unfolded:
Missile strikes confirmed in Poland, Germany, and France. Nuclear fallout imminent in nearby regions.
Sam’s stomach dropped. Poland and Germany were so close. Luxembourg could be next.
He tried to stay focused. People were still looking to him for guidance, and he couldn’t afford to lose control now. His heart pounded, but his mind remained clear.
Suddenly, the lights in the parking garage flickered and went out. Darkness swallowed the room, and gasps echoed through the space.
What’s happening ?! someone cried out.
Sam pulled out his phone, using its light to navigate the area.
Stay calm, it’s just a power outage. We’ll be okay.
But as he said the words, he wasn’t sure he believed them. They had no way of knowing if a missile was already on its way or how much time they had left.
Sam moved around the room, checking on people, reassuring them as best as he could. But inside, he was filled with fear. He couldn’t stop thinking about his family. His parents lived on the outskirts of the city, his brothers scattered across the country, his girlfriend worked a few kilometers away.
What if I never see them again?
Sam’s phone buzzed again, but this time it was a message from Mia. His hands shook as he opened it.
I’m safe. Underground. Don’t worry about me, just stay alive. We’ll find each other. Love you !
Sam exhaled a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. For a moment, relief washed over him. Mia was safe. His family, though, he still didn’t know. But he couldn’t afford to leave just yet. He had taken charge. People here were depending on him to lead them to safety, to survive whatever came next. And deep down, Sam knew that his day wasn’t going to be an easy one.
Suddenly, a deafening rumble shook the ground beneath them. The walls of the parking garage shaked, and dust rained down from the ceiling.
A woman screamed as Sam’s instincts kicked in.
Everyone! Take cover ! Now! he shouted, his voice barely audible over the rumbling.
He threw himself behind a concrete pillar, heart pounding as the ground continued to shake. A wave of heat seemed to pulse through the air, and Sam’s ears popped from the pressure.
Then, silence.
Sam slowly lifted his head. The parking garage was still intact. But the city above? He wasn’t sure.
People were crying, clutching each other.
This was just the beginning.