(April 10, 2054) Year of OutbreakCurled up in front of a tv, little Cole eats her breakfast. A cartoon about a tiger cub plays. Until Cole's father interrupts and turns it off. "Come on, Coco, I have to take you to school." He says, grabbing his keys and coat when a shout comes from upstairs. Followed by the loud footfalls of someone coming downstairs."Dad!" Rosalie shouts, she's wearing her school uniform with her dark hair tied up. Holding her smartphone as she rushes to turn on the tv. "Did you see the news?""No." He answers while helping little Cole with her shoes. "Rose we can see it later. We have to go.""N-No, Dad look." She urges, switching the channel.The news report shows Rosalie's gym teacher passed away from Malum 2. "Sixteen students have recently been hospitalized. The High School will be closed. It's recommended that students and their households quarantine until further notice." The news report concludes."I guess we're staying home…" Dad sighs, taking off Cole's
(6 hours after departure)Cole wakes in the backseat of the van, and immediately starts mentally obsessing on the driver. Percieving a partial reflection of his face in the rearview mirror.He wore a mask like everyone else, and remained silent while behind the wheel.Uncertainty shimmers in her gray eyes as she eyes his snow white hair."It was a dream," Cole finally realizes as the fog of drowsiness lifts from her head. She dreamt it all, the kidnapper, the blood, the gunshots...Cole couldn't remember the last time she had a 'good' dream.She took a couple deep breaths and sat up straighter. Hearing Tuck's voice call over the radio. "Hey Cole, there's a button on the left side of your helmet" He informs.Cole feels with her fingers until she finds it, then presses it. When she does, the helmet loosens and she was able to remove it. "Thank you, Tuck" Cole breathes in relief as she frees her head. Just in time when her watch beeps.She smiled as she remembered Eris set it to remind he
Cole is lost in thought, zoning out as the van rolls along. The steady hum of the engine and the monotony of the scenery outside can be hypnotic. When the van finally comes to a stop, it's a small jolt that snaps her back to the present. She stretches and looks around, wondering where they are now. She watches as trucks fill a motel lot. Soldiers wander masking up before checking every room. Cole felt nervous, remembering the nightmare she had, discovering that the driver was not her real driver. It all seemed so real, until she woke up. Eventually, the team camped for the night. Most slept in their cars, while others stayed awake. Cole guessed they were keeping watch. The soldiers seemed to enjoy the cool night as they strolled in groups of twos, walking the stretch of the lot. Her driver, Doug, disappeared somewhere. Cole was suspicious, but she guessed he didn't want to sleep in the van. The night passes while Cole fails to sleep. Tossing and turning in the back of the van.
"Uh..." A long, dramatic groan fills the car as Vincent focuses intently on the road. He reaches for his water bottle, only to discover it’s empty. With a resigned sigh, he mutters, “Tuck, I thought you had your own bottle.” Tuck, slumped in his seat, replies with a strained voice, “Well, I ran out.” He shifts uncomfortably, his grimace deepening. “Oh...” His voice trails off into another groan. “Can we please pull over?” Vincent glances at the road sign, noting that Atlanta is just seven miles ahead. “We’re almost there. It’s just a bit further.” “I can’t make it that long,” Tuck pleads, his face contorted in pain. “Please, pull over.” Vincent’s gaze shifts to Tuck, who is clutching his stomach and visibly struggling. As the sun dips towards the horizon, Vincent realizes that driving any further could be dangerous, especially with the encroaching darkness. He weighs the urgency of Tuck’s condition against the need to continue driving. Finally, he clicks on the radio. “Doc t
Loud, motor-like snoring echoed through the room, emanating from a cell phone. Positioned on a pillow beside the sleeping patient. The screen of the phone illuminated the darkened room, casting a soft glow as it displayed the source of the noise: a partial view of a sleeping boy's face.Lights activate and illuminate the chambers where the sleeping patient, a woman, lay curled up beside the phone, her head resting close to the device. Despite the noise, she appeared undisturbed, lost in the depths of sleep.The nurse hesitated, her gloved hand hovering over the door handle, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She glanced back at her colleague, a silent question passing between them."Should we wake them?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the hum of the hospital machinery.Behind the nurse, stood a shorter doctor also suited up. An annoyed look grew on her face the longer she waited. “Either open the door Nurse Rue, or I push you through it.”Rue bit her lip, then replied:
"Recording us?" A stranger's face entered Cole's vision. He leans over her, a gun in his grip as he studies the female patient. Looking over her from head to toe.Faint breaths escape her lips as she tried to resist the cold grip that crept up each of her limbs. The man lingering looked years older, with wild hair tousled on his head and a beard. His light hair appeared as red as the flashing lights, but Cole guessed it had to be silver. Strands of his beard dangle below his chin as he speaks. His voice is gentle at first, and slightly husky. The stranger’s eyes are deep and dark, like looking in a bottomless pit. They wander over her vulnerable figure, taking in the sight of her dying state.In the corners of her vision, Cole vaguely spots four others. They wander the room in silence."Little girl. What were you recording? Uh? You doing that for your friend...? Can’t you see, she’s abandoned you? Just like the others. Just like my boy...” He says with icy pain and resentment in his to
"You…" Cole breathes in and out. Calming her heart which was beating too fast for her to focus. "You said you were a doctor." She mentioned."Y-Yes." Vincent reaches into his pocket. "I can show you."Cole tensed, but when Vincent took out his work badge and wallet, her shoulders relax. "Look", Vincent spoke as he held up the badge. "That's me… Vincent Lance."She studied the badge with her eyes. His name and picture were on it. "Saint Hallman?" Cole read the top of the badge. "Saint Hallman's Hospital was destroyed four years ago." She looked at him curiously, remembering how the building glowed in the night. Like a torch against the night sky, Saint Hallman burned, while Cole and Doctor Isla viewed the horror; from the safety of a helicopter."You were there?" Cole wore a look of disbelief."Yes." Vincent pressed his lips together after admitting it."Then you knew a doctor…" Cole hesitated, then decided to describe the doctor. "She's not very tall… Brown hair, long, usually with a w
"Cole?" A voice echoes in the darkness of her mind. Slowly luring her back to consciousness. Cole opens her eyes partway to see a worried young boy. Leaning over her with a plastic rod in his hand. He pokes at her thigh, as if she were a possum on a road. Checking to see if she was alive."Hey. Can you hear me?"The patient tilts her head. Through foggy vision, she spots another entering."What the fuck happened, Tuck?" Eris says when he sees the patient."I don't know, doc. I just found her, I swear." Tuck says."Fuck, I don’t need this right now." She hears Eris grumble while he steps away. Cole thought both of them were going to leave, when he re-entered the bathroom with a pink throw blanket. "Hey kid." Eris speaks softly, despite the clear annoyance in his gaze. "Let me help you up."Cole's gray eyes peek to see Eris extend his arm toward her. His tall frame shadows Cole's smaller form as her eyes fill with dread. Cole's heart beats out of control as he nears. Reeling to the surfa
"Uh..." A long, dramatic groan fills the car as Vincent focuses intently on the road. He reaches for his water bottle, only to discover it’s empty. With a resigned sigh, he mutters, “Tuck, I thought you had your own bottle.” Tuck, slumped in his seat, replies with a strained voice, “Well, I ran out.” He shifts uncomfortably, his grimace deepening. “Oh...” His voice trails off into another groan. “Can we please pull over?” Vincent glances at the road sign, noting that Atlanta is just seven miles ahead. “We’re almost there. It’s just a bit further.” “I can’t make it that long,” Tuck pleads, his face contorted in pain. “Please, pull over.” Vincent’s gaze shifts to Tuck, who is clutching his stomach and visibly struggling. As the sun dips towards the horizon, Vincent realizes that driving any further could be dangerous, especially with the encroaching darkness. He weighs the urgency of Tuck’s condition against the need to continue driving. Finally, he clicks on the radio. “Doc t
Cole is lost in thought, zoning out as the van rolls along. The steady hum of the engine and the monotony of the scenery outside can be hypnotic. When the van finally comes to a stop, it's a small jolt that snaps her back to the present. She stretches and looks around, wondering where they are now. She watches as trucks fill a motel lot. Soldiers wander masking up before checking every room. Cole felt nervous, remembering the nightmare she had, discovering that the driver was not her real driver. It all seemed so real, until she woke up. Eventually, the team camped for the night. Most slept in their cars, while others stayed awake. Cole guessed they were keeping watch. The soldiers seemed to enjoy the cool night as they strolled in groups of twos, walking the stretch of the lot. Her driver, Doug, disappeared somewhere. Cole was suspicious, but she guessed he didn't want to sleep in the van. The night passes while Cole fails to sleep. Tossing and turning in the back of the van.
(6 hours after departure)Cole wakes in the backseat of the van, and immediately starts mentally obsessing on the driver. Percieving a partial reflection of his face in the rearview mirror.He wore a mask like everyone else, and remained silent while behind the wheel.Uncertainty shimmers in her gray eyes as she eyes his snow white hair."It was a dream," Cole finally realizes as the fog of drowsiness lifts from her head. She dreamt it all, the kidnapper, the blood, the gunshots...Cole couldn't remember the last time she had a 'good' dream.She took a couple deep breaths and sat up straighter. Hearing Tuck's voice call over the radio. "Hey Cole, there's a button on the left side of your helmet" He informs.Cole feels with her fingers until she finds it, then presses it. When she does, the helmet loosens and she was able to remove it. "Thank you, Tuck" Cole breathes in relief as she frees her head. Just in time when her watch beeps.She smiled as she remembered Eris set it to remind he
(April 10, 2054) Year of OutbreakCurled up in front of a tv, little Cole eats her breakfast. A cartoon about a tiger cub plays. Until Cole's father interrupts and turns it off. "Come on, Coco, I have to take you to school." He says, grabbing his keys and coat when a shout comes from upstairs. Followed by the loud footfalls of someone coming downstairs."Dad!" Rosalie shouts, she's wearing her school uniform with her dark hair tied up. Holding her smartphone as she rushes to turn on the tv. "Did you see the news?""No." He answers while helping little Cole with her shoes. "Rose we can see it later. We have to go.""N-No, Dad look." She urges, switching the channel.The news report shows Rosalie's gym teacher passed away from Malum 2. "Sixteen students have recently been hospitalized. The High School will be closed. It's recommended that students and their households quarantine until further notice." The news report concludes."I guess we're staying home…" Dad sighs, taking off Cole's
Two days pass on the road to West Virginia. Vincent follows the guiding Humvee in front him as he grips the steering wheel. With Tuck sound asleep in the passenger seat. He fell asleep to the loud hum of the truck's engine. A collection of steel cases are strapped in the truck bed. The sky above is darkened by clouds that seem to roll endlessly. They flicker with lightning and echo with soft rumbles. Eventually, the rain starts to pour. Gentle drops sprinkle all over, becoming larger and larger. Until a heavy pour soaks the road. Beating loudly on the windows and body of the truck. The collection of raindrops sound like microwaved popcorn. Windshield wipers swipe left and right. Allowing glimpses of the road. Vincent squints his eyes as he looks ahead."More rain?" Tuck sits up straight with a yawn. The rumble of thunder was enough to stir him from sleep."Ugh, I have to pee." Tuck groans as he ties his hair into a ponytail."We have a few miles before the next stop. With any luck, th
Cole rose from her bed. The sun had not yet risen. The bedroom is pitch black and silent. Apart from the soft tweets of birds that echo as the dawn approaches. Cole sits up anxiously and stares at nothing while twirling the end of her braid with her finger. Lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear when the bedroom door was opened.Only when the lights flick on, Cole snaps her gaze toward the entrance.There stood a figure suited in black, holding a bag in his left hand. “Hey Cole.” Tuck hesitates but nears her bed anyway.Cole watches as he set the bag down and unpacked its contents. He spreads each item on the white bed sheet. She stares at the strange outfits and mask. One outfit was black thermal with a hood to it. While the second was some kind of astronaut suit?“You’re going to have to change into this… Doctor’s orders.” Tuck explains. “This thermal one might be a little loose. I modified it to unzip in the back and the pant legs too. I have plenty of socks for you and gloves. T
"Cole. I need you to listen." Vincent tries to speak, but Cole was already on the verge of tears."You can't know that. I'm not going. Vin, I'm not going." Cole dodges his reach when he gets too close."Cole, I need you to put this on." Vincent sighs, growing impatient as he holds onto a suit meant for the patient."No. I don't need that cause I'm not going.""Cole, if we stay here you won't survive." Vincent finally says. "The people that attacked us took supplies. Some of them are damaged… We can't care for you properly if we don't have what we need."Cole fell silent while she processed it all. "I can’t go" She shakes her head, stepping back again when he stepped forward.“I won’t go”. Cole shivers out, emotions swirling in her dark gray eyes. “I won’t go” she repeats in a firmer tone."Cole." Vincent gave a warning tone. A tense look on his face as he stares at his patient. He steps forward, while Cole takes a step backward. Losing her balance when the back of her leg bumps the bed
After years of isolation, Cole got used to sleeping alone. Now there was someone snuggling her like a mama cat.It felt good.Safe…Vincent continued this every night, until the power was restored.The next few days felt like a month. Salvaging parts, fixing the power, doors repaired, broken windows boarded, and damaged walls patched. Cole was resting, Tuck was ordered to go scouting with a separate team. All while Vincent and Eris were summoned to the training room. They faced a restless 'Natalie' who was determined to train them harder. Both Eris and Vincent were back in training with Lieutenant Natalie Yuki. She went over close combat, weapon assembly, all types of potential escape routes and vulnerable points within the house. Plus, how to store explosives to keep from blowing the whole house up."I think I remember why… I chose to go to med-school…" Eris pants, laying on the training room floor. Right next to Vincent, who got tossed out of the ring as well by Natalie's best soldie
"I…" Cole blinked nervously, looking down at her hands in shame. Even though Vincent showed no sign of anger. "I think I overslept."Vincent was quiet and had an air of calm surrounding him. His seated form shadowed hers. Vincent was wearing a pair of dark blue trousers and the protective mask covering his face. Seeing he was shirtless and with wild hair of his own. Cole guessed he rolled out of bed and slipped on a mask. It wasn't proper protection, but Vincent did not seem to care."Vin, if you get sick, I'll never forgive myself". Cole spoke, peeking up at him. "You should go put s-something else on".Vincent took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he extended his other arm. Reaching, he cups her chin in his hand and brings her gaze to his again. "There are worse things to die from…" He says, chewing on his lip as a thought crossed his mind. Cole read the look in his green eyes as they traveled to the bruises on the side of her face. Pain surfaced in them, darkening the light i