CHAPTER 20

District 4, Washington DC, Chinatown…

Toxic fumes permeate the air, spreading its gastric poison rapidly down the street.

Due to the early morning fog and high level of dust floating in the air, a barrier is created between the desolated highway and the large sinkhole situated on the other side of the road.

A yellow bus of about average size is tipped sideways on the road, the front tail of the bus hanging delicately on the edge of the large hole, swaying with the threat of falling into it.

Moans and tiny whimpers can be heard if one listens close enough, and crowded within the bus are several dead bodies.

The scene inside is like that of a horror movie, windows are broken and scattered around, blood pretty much covers everywhere, and most of all several bodies are lying around in odd positions that even a flexible person can't attain.

But despite the stench of death, there can be heard from various lengths whispers of breathing and tiny whimpers which warns of survivors.

One of them in particular has her eyes open to the horror inside the bus, unable to move because she's being caged by 2 of her dead classmates.

Her small heart races in fear, blood dripping down her face and moving straight into her teary eyes because she's hanging upside down in her seat.

Down the road, a loud siren can be heard and for one close second, it's enough to give the young girl hope. But then a horrific groaning alerts her senses before she feels the bus tip down into the sinkhole.

~*~*~*~

Seated in the cafeteria I was having my lunch quietly among the rowdy noise of recruits when a loud siren goes off, startling everyone.

I remember the training we received while in the forest a month ago and quickly rise to my feet, picking up my tray I let out a curse I hurry out of the cafeteria.

Gears kicking in, everyone soon follows after me as I hurry down the hall to find chaos and commotion going on, every Guard and Agent within the building both young and older were racing towards a particular direction and I followed after them.

After the whole speech from Warrior Ramirez after our arrival, recruits were directed to the south side of the Camp where we had an entire building to ourselves for training and as our sleeping quarters.

Though the arrangement was great, unfortunately, we're located a long way from the main building of the Camp.

The one place everyone seems to be heading towards as we barge through the heavy wooden doors and saw more chaos happening outside.

Older Agents jumped into their cars and drove off at rapid speeds, while others raced on foot.

Hesitating at the foot of the stairs leading into our building, my mates come to a halt beside me as we stared at the confusion happening all around.

It's completely one thing to be trained for a red alert, but to have to experience it as a newcomer is fucking nerve-wracking.

Placing our hands over our noses everyone couldn't help but cough out loud, our lungs getting clogged up thanks to the large amounts of dust that keeps flying into the air due to the stampede of feet's and the rough roar of tires.

"What the hell is going on, why is everyone running?" Asked the brain dead idiot who stood by my side.

Turning to glare down at him, I wonder how the hell he made it as a recruit. "What does it look like, it's a fucking red alert!"

"What!" Several voices yelled simultaneously in panic, making me realize there's more than one brain dead idiot around me. "What do we do?"

"Get to the main hall as summoned." A familiar voice replied, making our heads snap to the side.

We watch our trainer, Kevin Hatch walk casually with his hands in the pocket of his pants. My stone-faced roommate right by his side. And I wonder why they're together?

"Standing here isn't going to be of much help."

"But how will we be able to make it without getting crushed in all this mess?"

"How else, use your abilities… or run. The choice is yours." He replies, the patronising tone in his voice making me narrow my eyes in annoyance.

Disappearing in a cloud of dark smoke he makes his exit smooth and everyone stares at the now space before them in surprise.

"I'm up for a race, if you think you can keep up with me?" My roommate says to me, raising her hand in a mock salute she smirks and races off without a backward glance.

Ever the competitive one, I kick into a run right behind her, more than willing to show her who's going to keep up with who.