After understanding the rules they had to follow to enter the quarantine area, all the survivors woke up to a harsh reality: the military was completely using them. Whether they entered the quarantine area or decided to leave the city, all the supplies they had worked so hard for would become military property. Those with more explosive tempers immediately became enraged, loudly declaring that they would never accept such authoritarian conditions.
However, some people had heard that if they didn't choose to enter the quarantine at that moment, they might never have the opportunity to do so. Without saying anything, they returned home in silence to pack their belongings and prepare to enter the quarantine zone.
Although some considered protesting with demonstrations or destruction, the military was no longer willing to tolerate disturbances. This time, they took drastic measures, arresting anyone who disturbed public order during these special times. Those arrested would be denied entry to the quarantine zone and expelled from the city.
This severe approach calmed many who had thought to take advantage of the chaos, discouraging them from causing further problems. Although the conditions to enter the quarantine were extremely harsh for Americans who valued freedom and democracy, most silently accepted the fact that it was a safe haven amidst the constant fear they had lived with.
Not everyone, however, was willing to give up their supplies. Some decided to find hidden refuges within the city, hoping to escape once everyone else had entered the quarantine zone.
Thus, time passed quickly, with everyone preoccupied with their own thoughts.
A week went by in a rush. Amidst the constant noise of construction, a wall several meters high was erected in Dallas, covering one-fifth of the city. The words "FEDRA," painted in red, stood out on the wall.
During this time, some people packed their belongings, ready to enter the quarantine zone at any moment. Others found hiding spots and moved their supplies, waiting for the right moment to act. There were also those who, disappointed by this "new America," decided to leave everything behind and flee the city with their families and provisions.
Although some chose to flee, the majority wanted to enter the quarantine. As they observed the crowd around them, they realized that only a limited number of people could be accommodated. Dallas, a key point in the central-southern region, was overcrowded due to the massive influx of refugees from the completely fallen southern region.
Once the preliminary construction of the wall was completed, hundreds of soldiers were deployed to the city's administrative offices. At the appointed time, they began registering information about the survivors in their settlements.
Dozens of police cars slowly drove through the city, broadcasting the latest announcement through their loudspeakers:
"Attention, all residents are requested to prepare their identity cards and proceed to the nearest registration office at 9:00. We will register your information, and, if necessary, you will be assigned to other quarantine zones. If you wish to voluntarily go to another area, please present yourself at the nearest administration office. Your requests will be prioritized..."
Brian stood on the sidewalk, listening to the military vehicle's loudspeaker as it slowly passed by. His eyes followed the vehicle until it disappeared at the end of the street. Then he glanced at his watch: it was only 8:00. He turned toward a nearby street by an abandoned factory. The person he was supposed to meet had not arrived yet. After a brief hesitation, he decided to walk toward the administration office two blocks away.
The street was filled with people also paying attention to the time, ready to rush to the registration office after 9:00. Brian noticed their anxious expressions. In the past few days, a rumor had circulated: it was said that the first 5,000 people to register their identity would be automatically accepted into the quarantine without the risk of being transferred to other zones. Although many believed it was just a rumor, some were willing to take the chance and try to be among the first.
At the military administration office, which had once been a local bank before the outbreak, a dozen people were gathered outside the door. They whispered to each other, nervously pushing one another, hesitant to be the first to enter. They didn't want to stay in Dallas, but they feared the unknown outside the city, worried about infections and dangers.
Two fully armed soldiers stood at the entrance, observing the crowd with indifference. They had been standing there for almost half an hour without anyone daring to enter. Suddenly, an Asian boy of about twelve or thirteen years old walked past them. With determined steps, he climbed the stairs and pushed open the door without hesitation.
One of the soldiers watched the boy and then looked in disgust at the adults still hesitating on the sidewalk. He muttered, "Worse than a kid."
The pleasant sound of the bell echoed as the office door opened. Brian looked around; aside from a few staff members and some soldiers on guard, the place was empty. He approached the counter, where an employee stared at him in surprise.
—Hello, if I voluntarily go to another quarantine area, can I choose the destination?
The employee, still surprised, nodded slightly. After all, some children had managed to survive alone in Dallas. Perhaps this boy was one of them.
—Sit down, tell me where you'd like to go first —the employee replied, regaining his composure.
—Washington.
The staff member, about to type on the computer, was stunned.
—We don't have the authority to send anyone to Washington. If you have any special status, we could report it —he said seriously.
—Yeah, I figured —Brian replied, unsurprised. Washington was the capital, and many had likely tried to get there with privileges.
—Is there anywhere close to Washington? —he asked after thinking for a moment.
The employee searched the computer for a while before responding with a tone of sympathy:
—The closest places are St. Louis and Memphis, but Washington is very far from those points.
Brian walked over to a wall map and searched for the cities mentioned. His face darkened as he realized just how far he really was from his goal.