3 Out of Time

One year later.

"Hello, everyone here and at home watching. I want to first off by saying congratulations, the final spacecraft has been completed. The Commander General has informed me that all the ships have been put through their final testing with passing results. This is an enormous accomplishment for Country Q! We have struggled since the war, and now we can see hope. As all of you know, we were able to produce twenty ships, with each ship capable of holding 8,000 people. Though out of the three countries that survived the war, we are the smallest in population, this doesn't mean everyone will be able to get a seat. We have known this to be so for 50 years now, though it doesn't make this any easier, what we need right now is hope, not anger..."

"Easy for him to say, considering he has a front row seat on one of those ships." Lila thought as she watched the president's address to the nation on her work screen computer.

It has been a year since graduating from the academy, being posted to a city office and a year watching co-workers and citizens receive their tickets. Especially since her office is the one who mails them out! Frustrated, Lila threw her headphones at the computer screen, unable to take the President's droning speech any longer.

Sitting back in her seat, Lila looked around the office, realizing she was the only one left inside. Shutting down her computer and locking up her desk, Lila left her job to go home.

Outside, the streets were packed the people as everyone was out celebrating the completion of their salvation.

Making it home, Lila park herself on the couch in front of her big screen television.

"3...2...1 Let's eat!" Lila flipped the soft lid on the ramen noodles cup and welcomed the steam, fluffy noodles, broth into her mouth.

Slurp after slurp, Lila placed the piping hot noodles into her mouth regardless of her burning her tongue and lips.

*Burp*

Finishing the sweet torture, Lila patted her stomach where a small bulge appeared. "That was good."

After eating all the free street food, the stall owners were giving away, Lila also stopped by a 24-7 store near her placed to indulge her favorite snacks.

Lila felt she can officially claim the title Ms. Poatao now.

About to enter into a food coma, she stretched out on the only furniture in her government-owned studio apartment, her couch.

It didn't take long before her eyelids fluttered closed, and her breathing in deepen.

Relaxing into a comfortable position, Lila was about to enter into a deep sleep, when she felt it. It was a soft but noticeable shake.

Eyes immediately snapping open, Lila was no longer in a relaxing mood. Sitting up, she placed her feet on the floor and waited.

Slowing down her breathing, and staying as still as a statue. Lila waited...

There! There it was again. This time her trash on the floor moved. The first thing that popped into her mind was an Earthquake.

Rushing to the window, Lila saw that the people in the street haven't noticed it yet. Quickly running to her room, she threw on her clothes from earlier in the day, and grab her cell phone.

Calling the only number saved in her phone book, Lila waited for Ms. Joy to pick up.

Three rings later, she heard Ms. Joy's voice, "Hello, Heaven's orphanage."

"Ms. Joy, it's Lila. There is not a lot of time to explain. You need to get all the children inside the safe house now..." Before she could go on talking, Lila's whole apartment building shook, and this time everyone felt it.

"Lila!...Lila! Can you hear me?"

"Ms. Joy just get everyone inside the safe house. Don't waste any more time. The earthquake is not over!" Lila hung up the phone when she heard Ms. Joy's say she was getting everyone inside.

Pulling the door to her apartment open, Lila rushed out into the hallway and ran to the closest stairwell. With most of the people outside celebrating, the building was practically empty except for a few homebodies like herself.

Living on the tenth floor of a fifteen-floor apartment building, Lila didn't see anyone until she reached the sixth floor. A sea of neighbors, who were rushing inside created a traffic jam, had stopped her in her tracks.

"Everyone needs to go down, not up! This building will not hold up against the earthquake! Everyone move to a safe house-"

"Oh, shut up! What do you know this building is military made and certified."

Lila was trying the get the neighbors to move out of her way when a voice interrupted her. Turning to confront the rude person, Lila came face to face with Tweedle Dumber and Tweedle Dimwit.

Just as Lila was going to retort back, the fourth tremor hit. Cracks appeared on the wall, and dust fell onto people's heads.

When the tremor finally stooped everyone in the stairwell turned an about-face and ran back outside.

Word spread in the streets, and now everyone was heading to a safe house.

Lila's petite body ran and ran, but no matter how much she pumped her arms and picked up her feet, she still was being passed by the crowd.

Can't run anymore, Lila stopped to catch her breath. The number of people heading in the same direction she was going, told her there wouldn't be enough space at the safe house.

Lungs burning and leg feeling wobbling, sweat pouring down her face and back, Lila knew her body was not made for this kind of workout. Just when she thought she was going to collapse, the fifth tremor came. And this time the trembling made the pavement look as if waves were rolling beneath it.

Looking at the waves spreading outwards away from the city, Lila realizes she was heading in the wrong direction.

"Tur-tur-turn around...QUICKLY, EVERYONE! TURN AROUND! YOU CANNOT HEAD THAT WAY! IT'S DANGEROUS!..."

No one paid any attention, it was as if she wasn't even there.

"That way is toward the epicenter..." Throat sore, Lila could no longer raise her voice.