1 Escape

"Get on the ship! Hurry!"

"Ahhh! They're coming!"

"Run faster!"

Lots of people ran towards a large fortified ship. It was made of the strongest metal ever discovered and was built by the best shipwrights in the country. It was also rumored to have engines that helped keep it afloat. Thousands of people can be housed inside and facilities were built but no one knows what they are for, except the government who asked for its construction.

Everyone struggled to board. They were panicking. Some shoved the weaker ones so they could pass through and get on to safety first causing a stampede. It was a riot. It really resembled an apocalypse, like those usually read in books or those of movies. But this is reality. It's really happening right now.

"Ugh! Hey! Stop pushing!" A girl, probably in her early teens, shouted after she was thrusted to the ground.

She quickly stood up and dusted herself. People kept bumping into her as they fled. Using her hand, she swept back her light brown locks, which reached just below her shoulders. Her gaze went back from whence she came. Black smoke rose from the ruined villages. The air smelled of iron. 

A drop of red liquid splashed on her cheek. Slowly, she wiped it off.

"When did the sky turn this shade of red? Even the rain is red. Why has the world come to this." she whispered.

Fear can be seen from her brown orbs as she witnessed abominable creatures capture her fellow men. These creatures, they were once humans.

A year ago, a virus struck and spread around the world. At first, it was just a simple cold, headaches then a fever. Few months later the virus evolved affecting the physical forms of those infected. Researchers have found nothing about this evolution. The reason? Because the population was quickly being annihilated by them. The government focused on escape instead of a cure. They used the funds to build that ship of theirs.

"Cleo! Cleo!" a young boy, a little taller than her, came. He was panting hard and little drops of sweat ran down from his messy hair to his cheeks.

"Rio. Why is this happening?" The girl named Cleo asked. Her voice quavering.

"There's no time for questions and answers right now! We have to go! Look!"

The boy pointed at the huge ship. The soldiers positioned at the entrance were starting to push away the people trying to get inside. Then the ground suddenly shook and they heard rumbling. The engines have started. The gates were beginning to close too.

"What are they doing? There's still a lot of people left." Cleo said.

"They can't and won't take everyone! We have to hurry and push our way in before it's too late! Big bro is waiting for us, come on!"

Rio grabbed the girl's arm and ran with her towards the ship. He ducked and squeezed through the crowd until they're in front. Both of them gasped from what they saw. The ship was moving away from the dock!

"We didn't make it, Rio."

"No… I can't let this happen. Cleo, listen to me! You have to survive no matter what!"

"But-"

Rio grabbed Cleo and lifted her, with all his might he threw the girl towards the closing gate.

"Survive, Cleo!!!!"

The girl made it. She hit and rolled on the metal floor. She stood back up hurriedly, ignoring the pain, and tried running back but was stopped by a soldier.

"It's dangerous to go back! Stay here!"

"Let me go! Rio's still there! We have to go back for him!"

The brown haired girl struggled from the soldier's grip but he was too strong for her. All she could do was cry and watch as they moved away from her friend. She saw him smiling and waving at her, as if she was just going into a vacation. Beside him, people ran and jumped on the water from desperation.

"Rio! Run!" Cleo shouted.

Before the gates completely closed, she saw a robotic hand raise from behind her friend.

"Noooo!!" she screamed.

"There's nothing we could do for him! Settle down!" the soldier scolded her.

She glared at the soldier which she recognized instantly. He was from their village too. He was like a big brother to them before he enlisted in the military. His name is Connor. A 25 year old with average height. Half of his face was covered but she can see his greenish eyes. Those eyes used to be so gentle but now, it almost looked empty.

"Why didn't you save him!? You could've let him get on!" Cleo shouted at him.

"I want to! But you alone would get me in trouble already! Can you just shut up and be thankful that you're safe!?"

"How could I.. Many people were left behind, including my friend. Our friend! You and the government are so heartless!"

"Hey! If you're gonna complain about the government who just saved your sorry existence, then get off this fortress!" A rowdy looking soldier shouted at her.

"Sorry about this. I'll take care of her." Connor said.

"As you should. Tsk. Low ranking nobody." the other soldier said and left.

Cleo kept on crying on Connor's arms. He helped her stand up.

"You have to stay strong at this kind of time. I'll lead you to the dining hall for now. I'm guessing you're starving." he said.

They walked in silence until they reached a large room. Lots of people have gathered. Cleo bit her lip as she scanned the area. Mostly kids and teens were there. Their parents probably sacrificed themselves just so their sons and daughters could survive.

"I'll leave you here. I have to go back to my post. Don't worry too much and get your food over there before they run out."

Cleo nodded and walked to the counter where a long line of dirty children waited. She stood on the back and waited patiently for her turn.

"Oh gosh. Food's almost gone." The child in front of her whispered.

"Didn't you get your food already?" Another kid, thin and tall, spoke beside Cleo. His eyes focused behind her.

"I dunno what you're saying." A big fat boy answered. "You think a measly food like that is enough for me?"

"There's still a lot of other kids that haven't eaten yet! Don't be so unreasonable."

The large kid cracked his knuckles and glared at the thinner one.

"Will you shut up? Sheesh. Since you pissed me off I'm taking your food instead!"

He grabbed the bread on the other's tray and finished it in a few bites. He then shoved Cleo out of the way and moved forward, stealing her place.

"Oops. I didn't notice you there. Too bad, now you have to go back to the end." he snickered.

Cleo looked back and the line became longer. The other kids turned their eyes away, afraid to get into trouble.

"Hey, big guy. Is that a way to treat a lady?" someone spoke.

"Hm? Who..."

The fat kid turned his head but before he could even take a glimpse of the owner of the voice, a fist flew into his cheeks. He stumbled.

"Heh. That's all you got? You're all bark, no bite."

The puncher smirked at Cleo and offered a hand, it was a girl.

"Thank you." Cleo said.

"No problem. I've still got some bread left. You can have it. Pay for it next time."

Cleo watched as the other girl left. Her long purple hair swayed as she walked. Cleo remembered her. She was that one quiet kid in class. What was her name again? Dani?

"Wait up!" Cleo exclaimed and followed her.

"What do you want? I've got no more food."

"You're Dani, right?"

"Yeah."

"We're in the same class before."

"I know."

"You.. were absent for a long time, what happened to you?"

"You're so nosy, just eat."

"Oh."

Both of them sat on a table at the corner. Cleo quitely ate the bread while stealing glances at Dani.

"What?" Dani asked.

"Nothing!"

Moments later, soldiers entered the hall. All of them were carrying guns. They lined up behind a man wearing a different colored armor.

"What's happening?" Cleo asked.

"I don't know. Shut up for a sec."

The soldiers stomped their feet simultaneously, gaining the attention of everyone.

"Ehem." The man at the front spoke. "My name is Edward Rupert. I am one of the high ranking officials assigned to oversee The Fortress."

Murmurs began and the soldiers stomped their feet once more to silence everyone.

"All of you here are the lucky ones who have managed to enter The Fortress. Consider this as your second life. As all of you know, the government was the one responsible for the construction of this base so from now on, we ask you to devote your life to the government." Edward continued.

"Devote our life?"

"What do you mean!?"

"I'm scared."

"Ehem." Edward resumed. "We will conduct individual tests to make sure that not one infectee has made its way inside. Rest assured, your safety is our first concern. After the inspection, everyone will be assigned to their own chambers. Each chamber will house four people at minimum. Make sure to be acquainted with each other because that will be your team. We will let you rest. After two days, your training will begin."

Edward left. Medics came inside in place of him and began conducting their tests.

"Training? What do they mean by training?" Cleo asked.

"You've got so many questions." Dani said then she moved slowly towards the exit.

"Where are you going?"

"Stop following me. I'll get discovered."

"What do you mean?"

"Stop being annoying."

"Dani..."

"Hey, you two." a voice called out to them before they reached their destination.

"Ugh. I'm almost out." Dani said.

"Are you trying to escape?" It was one of the medics. "I'll test you two first."

"Don't get any closer." Dani threatened.

"This won't take long. It won't hurt, you wouldn't even feel a thing."

"Stay there!"

Dani produced a knife and pointed it at Cleo's neck as she grabbed her.

"Dani!"

"Shut up. I had a hard time getting in. I'm not getting caught now."

"Are you infected?"

"I said shut up!"

Soldiers lined up in front of the two girls, pointing their guns at them, getting everyone's attention.

"We will not hesitate to shoot! We'll count to ten, if you don't release the hostage, we will shoot!" one of the soldiers shouted.

One.

Two.

"Dani. It's only a test."

Three.

Four.

Five.

"It will be alright if you have nothing to hide."

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

"Dani, please." Cleo pleaded.

Nine.

"Shut… up!!!!"

Ten.

A blinding light enveloped the two as the soldiers began shooting at them. It lasted for a few minutes. Everyone waited with baited breath as the smoke started to clear.

"What…. is that?" one of the children pointed at where the two girls were previously at.

There was something blocking the way. Something greenish, like the color of tanks.

"Woah! That looks cool!" the thin kid from earlier shouted.

"No wonder she could punch me that hard!"

Cleo stood there, alone. Her arms had changed into a large metallic shield,  covering herself. She was panting hard.

"What… is that…"

Cleo's eyes slowly closed and she fainted. Her arms glowed and shifted. It turned into Dani.

"Please… don't kill… us.. We will… serve.. the government." Dani managed to utter before losing consciousness and falling beside Cleo.

The soldiers looked at each other, not knowing what to do next.

"Take them to the lab! Now!" Edward shouted at the door. He hurriedly came back when he heard the commotion.

"Yes sir!"

The soldiers moved fast and took the girls.

"Resume the inspection!"

"Yes sir."

Everyone resumed quietly. The kids were silent but their faces showed different emotions. Fear. Awe. Hope.

What could these two bring to this already ruined world? Will they be the start of humankind's retaliation or will they completely wipe out the population?