“The Mayor’s office and National guard have ordered an evacuation of the city and surrounding suburbs. Citizens are instructed to report to the Point Ball Park, The Richland Mall, or the Hill Top Movie plex. Whichever is closer to your… Hold on a moment, I have just been handed an update. What? Um...any individuals that are currently…is this right? Any individuals that have the flu are not to be taken to the evacuation areas. You are instructed to leave them as soon as possible. Secure the sick individual and leave them where they are. Medical attention will be sent when you give your information at the evacuation sites.” The announcer tried his best to remain calm.
“Those evacuation points again are: The Point Ball Park, Richland Mall and Hill Top movies. By order of the National Guard the following policy is in effect for evacuation. If someone is sick or has been injured by someone that is sick they are to report to the Medical tent upon arrival at the evacuation point.” The announcer’s calm voice began to crack. “Anyone with the flu will be evacuated separately…but it is recommended that they be left in your homes until help can be sent to them….CAN WE CHECK THIS PLEASE!” The voice on the radio was becoming more agitated by the second. There was a crackle, an emergency tone, then a recorded message saying exactly what the announcer had read. Evacuation points and report or leave the sick or injured.
Bill changed the channel but it was on every station. “Leave the sick, or drop them off at the Medical tent… They know what is going on.” Bill grumbled.
Beth looked at Bill. “The Mall is closer, but the Point is only a few blocks from the distribution center.” She said hopefully.
Bill jerked the wheel as several cars jumped the median to head back to town toward the ball park. “Shit!” Bill yelled avoiding a woman who looked out of her mind in panic.
Beth saw three children in the car all crying and screaming as a man rose up from the back seat. “Oh my God!” She screamed and pointed at the car ahead.
“Hold on!” Bill yelled throwing an arm across Beth. The woman’s car jumped the curb glanced off a telephone poll and flipped over. Bill clipped the rear of the car spinning it as he accelerated past it.
“Mr. Reager! We have to stop! We have to help them!” Beth screamed grabbing his arm and spinning in her seat.
Bill was shaking his head and mumbling as he drove on. “Too late for them too late. Can’t stop too late. We’ll find Steve and we’ll leave. I’ll find your brother; I said I would, but no more. Too late to help them.” He pounded the wheel
Beth was torn between wanting to get to her brother and helping. She closed her eyes turned back to face the front, cursed herself and Bill, “Yes. Let’s get Steve and get out of here.” Tears stained her face as she hated herself and her old teacher. Looking down at her phone she frantically typed in another text. She had to retype it several times as her fingers couldn’t find the right keys. She sent the message to her best friend and watched the indicator. “Message sent.” She got excited. Immediately typing another text to Steve with excited fingers she hit send. The progression indicator displayed “Sending” she urged it to go, “Sending”
“Come on come on.” She shook the phone.
“Sending”
“You can do it.” She pleaded.
“Message failed”. The failure notice burned into her chest.
“Damn you! You worthless piece of sh, um, uh. Sorry Mr. Reager”
He glanced at her and laughed. With all this?” He gestured out the window, “You think I care if you swear…This fucking sucks.” Beth sat shocked then laughed and looked down at her phone waiting for a reply from her friend.
Into the Fire
Steve slammed through the gate separating the lot from the
“Those evacuation points again are: The Point Ball Park, Richland Mall and Hill Top movies. By order of the National Guard the following policy is in effect for evacuation. If someone is sick or has been injured by someone that is sick they are to report to the Medical tent upon arrival at the evacuation point.” The announcer’s calm voice began to crack. “Anyone with the flu will be evacuated separately…but it is recommended that they be left in your homes until help can be sent to them….CAN WE CHECK THIS PLEASE!” The voice on the radio was becoming more agitated by the second. There was a crackle, an emergency tone, then a recorded message saying exactly what the announcer had read. Evacuation points and report or leave the sick or injured.
Bill changed the channel but it was on every station. “Leave the sick, or drop them off at the Medical tent… They know what is going on.” Bill grumbled.
Beth looked at Bill. “The Mall is closer, but the Point is only a few blocks from the distribution center.” She said hopefully.
Bill jerked the wheel as several cars jumped the median to head back to town toward the ball park. “Shit!” Bill yelled avoiding a woman who looked out of her mind in panic.
Beth saw three children in the car all crying and screaming as a man rose up from the back seat. “Oh my God!” She screamed and pointed at the car ahead.
“Hold on!” Bill yelled throwing an arm across Beth. The woman’s car jumped the curb glanced off a telephone poll and flipped over. Bill clipped the rear of the car spinning it as he accelerated past it.
“Mr. Reager! We have to stop! We have to help them!” Beth screamed grabbing his arm and spinning in her seat.
Bill was shaking his head and mumbling as he drove on. “Too late for them too late. Can’t stop too late. We’ll find Steve and we’ll leave. I’ll find your brother; I said I would, but no more. Too late to help them.” He pounded the wheel
Beth was torn between wanting to get to her brother and helping. She closed her eyes turned back to face the front, cursed herself and Bill, “Yes. Let’s get Steve and get out of here.” Tears stained her face as she hated herself and her old teacher. Looking down at her phone she frantically typed in another text. She had to retype it several times as her fingers couldn’t find the right keys. She sent the message to her best friend and watched the indicator. “Message sent.” She got excited. Immediately typing another text to Steve with excited fingers she hit send. The progression indicator displayed “Sending” she urged it to go, “Sending”
“Come on come on.” She shook the phone.
“Sending”
“You can do it.” She pleaded.
“Message failed”. The failure notice burned into her chest.
“Damn you! You worthless piece of sh, um, uh. Sorry Mr. Reager”
He glanced at her and laughed. With all this?” He gestured out the window, “You think I care if you swear…This fucking sucks.” Beth sat shocked then laughed and looked down at her phone waiting for a reply from her friend.
Into the Fire
Steve slammed through the gate separating the lot from the
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