PROLOGUE

It starts like this: with a virus.

Doesn't it always?

It starts like this: people get sick and -

"Over the counter medication sales have hit a new high…"

"Doctors are urging people to go get a check up if you feel any of the symptoms listed on screen…"

"Specialists are now urging hospitals to prepare for more patients…"

"The CDC has started quarantine in at least six states…"

"For more updates on this crisis, stay with us here on Channel 5 News."

It starts like this: people get sick and if you're one of the lucky ones, you get sick and then you die.

If you're one of the lucky ones.


[3 months later]

"Hi, Emmy. It's me, Dad. Um, things are getting - things are not good, Emily. Please stay safe. Stock up on supplies, make sure your apartment is safe and just….They're not letting anyone in or out of Camp, honey. Your mom's just about to blow a gasket and honestly I'm trying my hardest to not just grab the first car and gun and head up there to get you myself. But I know that you've been through so much and you are so strong and if anyone can survive this, it will be you Emily. So, stay safe and make smart choices. I...I can't make any promises, baby. But just know that I love you and your mother loves you and just….Call me back when you get this message, please. Okay, Em? Love you."


"Is everyone there? Aria?"

"Here!"

"Spence?"

"I'm here, Em."

"Hanna?"

"Hold on, my phone's got shit signal - TWO BARS YOU PIECE OF SHIT?"

"Hanna! Inside voice!"

"Whatever, Spence."

"Okay then. Alison?"

"Mhm."

"Okay, so what did your dad say Em?" Aria asks, trying to get them back on track.

"He says he can't make any promises." She replies with a sigh. She's managed to get all four girls on a conference call to explain the situation as best she can, but there really isn't much to explain. The world has gone to shit and they all know it.

"So, what are we supposed to do? Just lock ourselves in our rooms and hope for a miracle? That's bullshit, they're the government! They should be doing something!" Hanna argues.

"That's politics, Han. They don't know what to do, so they're saving their own asses and waiting for the worst to blow over probably." Spencer rationalizes.

"The worst is just starting, Spencer! Look outside your window, there are fucking zombies out there!" Hanna argues back.

"Emily probably loves this though, right Em?" Alison cuts through the argument with a lighthearted tease. "A proper horror movie experience."

"Yeah, I totally love it." Emily says with a weak chuckle.

The other girls laugh quietly as well, before silence engulfs the conversation for a few minutes.

"There are some people - not government, obviously - that are doing these bus drives. I'm getting my Mom on one this weekend, she's coming to meet me and Caleb here in New York." Hanna says softly, breaking the silence.

"I'm grabbing one out of Philly into Rosewood tomorrow." Alison adds.

"What about you guys?" Emily asks.

"Well, I'm in the South. Can't get much safer than that right?" Aria says humorously.

"What about you, Spence?"

"New Haven is lovely this time of year, so." Spencer replies cynically. "And you, Em?"

Emily pauses and thinks her answer over. She knows the answer she wants to give, but she's not sure if it ultimately is the one she should give -

"Emily?" Hanna's quiet voice cuts through her thought process.

"I think I'll stick around here for a bit, but I'm not staying holed up in here forever." She replies.

"What do you mean?" Aria asks.

Fuck it, Emily thinks.

"I mean, if the Army won't come to me, I'll go to the Army."

"What are you going to do? Walk to fucking Texas?" Alison asks incredulously.

"Yes. And then I'm going to go and get you guys."

"Emily, that's insane -" Spencer starts before Emily interrupts her.

"No, it's what any of you would do if you were in my position. I'm going to head to Texas, get help, and come get you guys."

"Emily -" Aria starts before Emily also cuts her off.

"Our friendship comes first, right? It always has. Us against the world."

The girls go quiet again, before Hanna speaks up.

"After dealing with -A, I never thought we'd still have another Big Bad to beat."

The girls all laugh softly.

"I'm coming for you guys, I promise." Emily says.

"Us against the world." Alison repeats softly.

"Sounds like a promise." Spencer affirms.

"Sounds like a prayer." Aria says wistfully.

"Sounds like a dumb album name." Hanna corrects. They all laugh again.

I'm coming for you guys.


[2 weeks later]

Emily suddenly jolts awake. Someone's been shaking her and when she rolls over she's met with big brown eyes.

"Hey, sorry. It's just that it's morning and well, we have to get a move on."

"I'm up, I'm up." Emily replies as she sits up and rubs at her eyes. It took her 10 hours to make it to Palo Alto and Emily's been resting for the past two days while her and her partner gather up supplies for the next leg of the trip. She wasn't initially planning to stop here, but exhaustion had won out and so she made the walk to an apartment she hadn't been in for at least a year.

She honestly expected it to be empty, the owner long gone, but it wasn't. It wasn't and now she has someone to go with her, someone else who can actually shoot the extra gun Emily has been carrying around. It's a relief, to be sure.

A few minutes of shuffling around later, they're all set to go.

"Lead the way, Fields." Her partner's voice says humorously.

Emily laughs. "Let's go, McCullers."


[Destination #1: Austin, TX.]
[ETA: 30 days]