Crossroads
By DJ Dork

-Prologue-
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Rochelle stumbled down the corridor, cursing under her breath, trying not to spill the mug of coffee she balanced in her right hand. She paused and leaned against the wall for support collecting the stack of disarray papers tucked under her arm. The thick sheets slid under her loose grasp, struggling to collapse from the unbalanced weight, but Rochelle maintained her hold and pursued further down the hall.

She passed the ongoing doors and windows piling down both sides of the hallway. The mixed chatter of fellow co-workers, either talking on the phone or in person, reached her ears from all directions. Among the clamor, busy fingers pounding on the keyboards, and the continuous fits of coughs and sneezes never seemed to dwindle. Each day the news station is occupied with less bodies as more staff began to call out sick.

Another flu strand is spreading. Rochelle thought.

While the strange course of event has been hovering in the back of her mind, Rochelle hasn't let the illness ruin her time at work. She still worked just as hard, but reminded herself to keep some of what of a distance from those who have fallen under the weather.

"Hey Ro."

Rochelle smiled, snapping out of her train of thought. "Hey Macy."

Macy, a young slender dirty blonde, treaded down the hall toward Rochelle. She held a notebook in her hands, and her pen, like always, sat behind her ear.

"Are you on a coffee run again?" Macy asked. She stopped in the hall in an attempt to converse, but Rochelle only steadied her pace with a keen sense that she was running late.

"Yes girl it's that time again, but Mrs. Harris has something to ask me."

Macy grinned, and adjusted her thin glasses. "Are we counting on some good news?"

"I hope so."

Macy chortled, and nodded. "Don't worry, it will be. We should plan a night to go out drinking soon, it has been a while."

"We should. I'll call you later, "Rochelle called over her shoulder coming up on Mrs. Harris's slightly ajar door.

"Okay, take care." Macy's voice trailed down the opposite end of the hall.

Rochelle heard her boss's demanding voice emanating from in between the crack. She gently tapped the door with her knuckle, and waited until Mrs. Harris welcomed her in. Rochelle pushed the door open with her foot, and stepped into the square office where Mrs. Harris sat behind her desk talking on the phone.

Mrs. Harris motioned for her to have a seat at the empty chair, and Rochelle obeyed setting the coffee on the table. She exhaled a sigh of relief, content to get rid of the extra weight, and began to organize her clump of papers while silently waiting.

"It has been a struggling week here as well. I've had numerous staff call out of work, and many stories that need to be cover." Mrs. Harris chatted away on the phone while absent-mindedly tapping her pen on her desk.

Despite the stress visible in her weary bright eyes, Mrs. Harris held her composure and revealed little countenance. Her long brunette hair, pulled into a ponytail, sat high on her head, and she dressed more casual than usual in a nice buttoned up shirt, and a pair of dark slacks.

"You do what you have to do then," Mrs. Harris continued.

Rochelle picked at her nails, and looked around the office even though she has been here countless of times. Nothing has ever changed except for the people who visit. Rochelle didn't have to glance in order to know that a large fake plant took up space in the left-hand corner, or that pictures of family and friends hung up one wall while newspaper articles dating back years ago hung diligently on the other. The large window behind Mrs. Harris's desk over looked the busy Cleveland street, and the partially covered sky filled with graying cumulous clouds.

"Yes, thank you. Good-bye." Mrs. Harris hung up the phone, and groaned rubbing her temples.

"Tough day?" Rochelle asked, her eyes trailed back to her boss.

"You have no idea." Mrs. Harris eyed the coffee, and her lips curled as she reached for the black mug. "Two scoops right?"

"The usual."

Mrs. Harris took a sip, and Rochelle watched her abnormally pale face return to its olive tone texture. Once sated, Mrs. Harris licked her lips and set the mug aside. "Now, I called you here on an important matter." She folded her arms on her desk. "This is your chance to get out of your normal routine, and go report a story."

Rochelle's heart raced. Her back straightened, and she leaned forward in the chair. "Really? You're giving me the chance to do a report?"

Mrs. Harris nodded. "You have been doing a great job around here, and plus…a lot of my reporters are out sick."

"What story?"

"There is an evacuation center located in Savannah, Georgia relating to this flu strand spreading across the continent. A lot of strange occurrences are going on there, and it is a perfect opportunity to get a story."

Rochelle's excitement vanished just as quickly as it arrived. "Savannah…Georgia?" She heard the dull lackluster in her voice. A sudden uncomfortable pang twisted in the pit of her stomach, but she couldn't quite grasp if it was from hunger or the thought of heading down south.

Mrs. Harris leaned back in her chair. "I understand that it is a great distance, but this could be your big chance."

She's right. Rochelle nodded. I can't let this opportunity pass.

"I'll do it. I'll go to Georgia, and get you a story."

Mrs. Harris clasped her hands together. "Excellent! I knew I could count you." She smiled and grabbed her coffee. "You will be able to handle it right?"

Rochelle lowered her head to the papers she cradled in her hands. She thought about it for a moment, letting the silence drown the room, but could only devour herself in the positives and how her job would change if she returned with the perfect story.

"I'm sure. What could possibly go wrong?"

Author's Notes:

I am returning to fan fiction because of my overly obsessed love for Left 4 Dead 2. I currently do not own the game, so bare with me on things, but I will be able to have my fun of killing zombies with frying pans on Christmas. Most of the information I gathered was from watching gameplay videos on Youtube, reading L4D2 wiki, and other wonderful fan fiction stories.

I will admit I do have an equal love for Ellis X Rochelle and Nick X Rochelle, but over time one of them has been a bigger craze even more. I've noticed a lack of both pairings, so decided to resurface and contribute my batch of stories, and one-shots.

There is plenty more to come. Trust me.

Also, I am a human being. I am not perfect so please don't complain if you see any mistakes. Point them out, and I will be sure to fix them.

-DJ Dork