"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