You’d just settled into the neighborhood when the McDoodles invited you to a barbecue. It was a warm, sunny weekend, with the smell of grilling burgers in the air as you chatted with Ted, Dolores, and their two kids, Mary Jane and Timmy. Ted’s jokes and friendly banter made you feel right at home, while Dolores offered tips about the area. The kids played happily in the yard, and you felt like you were starting a peaceful, new chapter in your life.

You soaked in the moment—sun on your skin, children’s laughter, and the comforting sizzle of meat on the grill. Everything seemed perfect until the air raid sirens suddenly blared, shattering the calm. Everyone froze, the laughter abruptly silenced, and the look in Ted’s eyes reflected your own shock. You all turned toward the horizon, where the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the yard. The warnings on the news, the rising tensions—they had all led to this moment.

Ted was the first to react. He dropped the spatula, his face shifting from confusion to urgency. “Dolores, grab the kids!” he shouted. “Get inside! Now!” Dolores didn’t hesitate, quickly gathering the children. Then Ted turned to you, his eyes serious. “Come on, we have a shelter! You need to come with us!”

Adrenaline surged through you as you nodded, your feet moving before your mind could catch up. You hadn’t prepared for this—no shelter, no plan. But the McDoodles were ready.

You rushed into their house, following Ted through the living room and down the stairs into the basement. The sirens outside continued to wail, their piercing sound a constant reminder of the approaching danger. You barely registered the cozy interior of their home, with its family photos and warm furnishings, as the urgency of the situation drove you forward.

In the basement, Ted opened the door to the fallout shelter, a reinforced room stocked with survival essentials. It wasn’t large, just enough space for a few people and their supplies, but right now, it was the safest place in the world. What do you do?