On Monday, she got the call that they were being shut down. The last quarantine zone that was still up and running. Gone. Life as she had known it was about to change completely.

Brooke was born, and had been living in sector 221 for her entire life. Her parents were one of the few to survive when the virus, known as Cerebral Encephalopathy Strain-9 (CES-9) had first broken out. It was a world wide catastrophe. This virus was different from anything doctors had ever seen before; it was incredibly fast spreading and the symptoms seemed to be mainly neurological and behavioral. When an individual contracted the virus, they started to behave more aggressively and become increasingly more irritable the longer they had it. At first that is all it was. Just seeming to be in a daze and feeling ill for a while. But then as the virus persisted, the symptoms enhanced. People diagnosed with the virus started to demonstrate symptoms of ataxia, hypersalivation, severe cachexia, and become violent. The infected individuals were showing no signs of returning to normal and were uncontrollable. The world had to adapt quickly. From looking for a cure to help the infected people, to trying to escape them.

Brooke had been working in the hospital unit of their station, helping the elderly eat, bathe, and play chess in their free time, when a nurse called for her to step outside –it was urgent. She couldn’t help that her mind went straight to her younger sister Tasha and her mother who was working in the cafeteria unit. She didn’t know what could be so urgent because life in the quarantine zone was incredibly boring and repetitive. Not much changed around here except the occasional “pancakes for dinner” every once in a while, courtesy of her mother. Brooke stepped into the hall, confused and a little nervous. The nurses brows were furrowed and her lips were tight as she spoke

“Brooke, I just received notice from the Department of Protection and Security that we have had a breach.”

Before she could speak, she felt her stomach turn and her throat squeeze around the knot that had formed. She knew what that meant. Her mother had told her when she was very young what a breach was and what it meant. But her mother made it very clear that it would never and could never happen.

“Wait what?” choked Brooke “I thought that was impossible?” she felt her face beginning to flush and her eyes starting to water. The nurse, only looking more serious by the second, continued.

“The breach occurred in the Youth and Education Unit, and we are trying to keep everyone calm and contained. But right now, we need your help.”
Brooke knew that once she turned 18 she would be a part of the group of new adults that would have to be ready in case of emergency, but she didn’t realize it would be happening so soon.

“Okay. What do I need to do?”

“I’ll explain on the way. Follow me, quickly.” The nurse led Brooke through the metal corridor towards the administrative unit. She assumed this is where the rest of the crew would be meeting to figure out what to do next.

“Brooke, I need you to stay calm and listen closely to what Mr. Dux has to say. He will instruct you on exactly what needs to be done.”

Her training for the emergency crew had prepared her for this moment but she still felt as uncertain and terrified as ever. As they reach Mr. Dux’s office, she saw that the rest of the emergency crew had been gathered and they seemed to all be sharing similar emotions to her. She spotted her training partner, Theo, and gave him a nod. Even though she had no clue what to expect. Mr. Dux enters the room and Brooke feels the air go stale. Mr. Dux is an extremely poised individual with a usually assertive demeanor, but right now, looks like he has seen a ghost.

“Everyone listen up.” he says, with a slight tremble. “As you know, there has been a breach in the youth and education unit. Everyone nearby has been evacuated, but we cannot stay here. They have already infiltrated our security and we must get everyone out of the area.” Brooke knew that the infected were getting stronger and smarter. She has been doing her research. But with their facilities security systems and defense team, how have they gotten in?

“Brooke and Theo, start all of our vehicles and get as many of the children safely into them as possible. Mark and Rhea, go to the medical unit and package up the last of our medicine supply and bring it to the garage where we will load it into the additional vehicles. ”

As Mr. Dux continued to deal out orders to everyone in the room, Brooks’ head was beginning to spin. This is real. They are evacuating. The infected are in their home. All the what ifs and potentials filled her head and she couldn’t think.

It wasn’t until she felt Theo’s hands on her shoulders shaking her and his voice saying

“BROOKE! We have to go now!” that she snapped out of her trance and forced herself into action.

She was doing her best to focus on the task at hand but all she could think about was if her little sister had been out of the unit in time and if her mom was safe. She had to get herself together. They needed to get these vehicles filled with gas and up in running as quickly as possible.

“You take the right wing of the garage, I’ll take the left,” instructed Theo. She nodded and immediately got to work. The garage was located in the outermost part of the facility, the closest to the outside. To the infected. A dull roar could be heard from in the garage and Brooke thought it was Theo getting an engine started on the opposite side. She then realized what it really was. A hoard. Brooke had never encountered an infected in her 18 years in sector 221, let alone a hoard of them. The hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up and her muscles tensed. She was sweating profusely and uncontrollably shaking. The only thing keeping her upright was the thought of getting her sister and mom away from the sick, crazed beings that surrounded their home.

As she and Theo finished prepping the last of the vehicles for departure, a loud bang could be heard throughout the entire facility. Suddenly the emergency sirens were going off – that could only mean one thing. Another breach. They rushed back to Mr. Dux’s office, dodging all of the people running to their compounds. At this point they are both sprinting as fast as possible, not knowing where the breach was or how severe it is. All Brooke knew is that there was a hoard outside, and now they are in. Brooke suddenly stops in her tracks and Theo turns around, not hearing her footsteps behind him anymore.

“Brooke! What are you doing?” says Theo, breathing heavy with concern.

“We have to get out. They are already inside.” Brooke can hear the mass of infected that have entered the facility and knows that they are safer out, than in. “We have to get out now Theo. Grab your brother and mother, and I will get my mother and Tasha. Forget the plan. We have to escape.” Theo stares at Brooke wide eyed for a moment but Brooke can tell that he knows she’s right.

“Okay” Theo breathes. Without another word Theo turns and dashes in the direction of the family unit where his mother and brother are located.

“Meet back here in 5 minutes!!” Brooke shouts after him. Fueled by adrenaline, Brooke sprinted through the metal corridors with no regard for what was happening around her. She had one goal. Get. Out.