Chapter 3 - Annonce(Announcement):
Bower Apartment, 11:58 AM/Friday/April 14th/2011
Room 412, Brien's small apartment room with a bright TV on the local news channel
Anticipating the soon to come broadcast, Brien is anxiously pacing while staring at the black-screened television in an unnerving silence. Next to the young Irish boy, Sarah is lying in his bed wearing the blankets over her as she blankly stares at the TV with a cup of coffee in her hands. Horror fills the room and the silent city as they wait to be briefed on something that may change their entire lives. Acting as a mirror the black-screen of the television reflects back at Brien and Sarah.
"What happened during your run," Sarah asks, trying to break the silence.
Still pacing, Brien responds "we uh… stopped at a café and da' chef or owner had something wrong with him," he freezes thinking about the following events, "suddenly this cop opens the door and shoots the fella'."
Staring at Brien with compassion, Sarah throws the blanket off of her, stands up, and walks towards him. She shares no words and instead gives him a tight hug, still wearing the same clothes that he had given her the knight prior. All he does in response is grip her in a hugging position. But he lies his head down on her shoulder and starts to sob on her.
"I-I… I saw a man die," Brien says sadly.
Trying to comfort him, Sarah pats him on the back, "and that isn't your fault. Maybe there was something up," she painfully closes her eyes thinking of a similar situation she was in, "... before he got shot. Was there any blood?"
After taking a second to think, Brien responds "yeah, a large puddle was near 'em why?"
"Do you remember the thing your friend told us about? It was called Necromoxious… maybe the cop had a reason," Sarah says, recalling the traumatizing event that is still causing her to be somewhat reserved.
Brien's now teary, bloodshot eyes stare at Sarah with a sense of shock.
Suddenly a countdown starts on the television, and the clock says 12:02. This countdown causes an ominous feeling to loom over the small dorm-like room. Anxiously the two stare blankly at the TV hoping it can explain what's happening.
The countdown ends and a man wearing a suit shows up on the screen, seeming to be just a basic news anchor begins to speak, "Good afternoon America, I'm Nasir Lawal. If you live in any big city or suburban area you'll realize a fraction of the military has been relocated to a local landmark or hotspot. Those soldiers are there to make sure you follow these rules, I will read them now and they will appear on your screen. Rule number one is, no staying out past 9:00 PM as this will be a prime time for the military to patrol in search of anyone infected with the newly discovered sickness, Necromoxious. Rule number two is, no social gatherings that will have more than six people present being that the virus easily will spread, by spreading saliva or physical contact such as, scratches or anything that draws blood. Rule number three, if you see anyone with the following symptoms please alert the closest soldier to deal with the "infected" person. Gray skin, constant vomiting, black veins, black or red eyes, and limp movements or twitches. Finally, rule number four is, if anything begins to get bad around your city the military will shoot three loud cannons, if you hear the blast please stay put in your homes, if there is a fourth shot from a cannon, exit your home immediately and hurry to your local evacuation point. Maps of all evacuation points will show up in a moment. Thank you for listening to this urgent broadcast. May God bless you. Be safe."
Right after Nasir disappears a map showing all evacuation points shows up on Brien's TV. The one in Boston only about an hour walk away being the Boston City Hall, a large building with a brick base on top of a slope. Shocked by what they both heard and saw, Sarah and Braden stare fearfully forward at the television with worry pouring out each and every hole in their bodies. Slowly they turn towards each other. Now staring bullets at each other, they speak not using words, but merely their facial expressions. Finally, Brien begins to walk towards her. Once he makes it to her he hugs her tightly and she does the same. During their tight embrace a sudden knock comes from the ominous door.