The Remainders
Full Summary~
The lives of nearly five hundred people are changed drastically when a virus is planted in a local mall, causing the government to put the entire building on a full-scale quarantine. Everything seems alright, but when people start dropping dead a full scale panic is jump started, and slowly the victims realize that the virus is the least of their problems, and the real thing they should be worrying about is human nature in itself.
Pairings~ (no particular order)
NaLu, GaLe, Gruvia, Jerza, Bixanna, Miraxus, Cobra/Kinana, ElfEver, RoWen…
Shoutout~ Riven for getting me hooked. (fuck) And the book No Safety in Numbers, which this story is heavily based off of. The book so thoroughly disappointed me that I decided to write it for myself.
Friday, June 23rd
4:00 PM
The food court of Magnolia mall
Lucy
He's late. I'm perfectly on time and yet again he is late.
I shouldn't really be surprised, he is always late, but this is the time it really counts.
I had finally, after working up nearly five years of pent up frustration and courage, mustered the strength to tell my best friend, Natsu, that I was in love with him.
And I had a sliver of hope, that if he were to show up on time I wouldn't have to spend minutes worrying and regretting, but that sliver of hope has long diminished, and here I am, worrying, and regretting.
Maybe I should wait, maybe this is a sign that I shouldn't tell him…Maybe he's with his girlfriend! Oh god, what am I going to do!?
Fisting my hands in my jeans, I shakily stood up, peering over crowds of people, hoping to see Natsu's flamboyant pink hair among them.
No dice. I scooted away from my spot at the food court to look around for him, he might've forgotten where our usual spot was.
You idiot, of course he hasn't forgotten where the usual spot is! It's called that for a reason!
Sifting through ribbons of people, I felt myself stop short when my ankle kicked something rough and sharp. I looked down to see a very out of place looking suitcase, one that someone from the nineteen thirties might've used.
I looked up to see if anyone was searching for the lost case, surely no one just dumps their possibly antique suitcase on the ground of a busy mall, and when I kicked it didn't move, there was obviously something heavy inside.
But no one seemed to be looking, so I hefted it up, letting out a grunt of surprise at its surprising weight. I managed to drag it back to my table and slam it down on top.
Doo do do do doo inspector Lucy…
I fingered the locking mechanism until I heard a dull clicking sound. I paused, my hand lingering over the side, poised to open it up.
Ugh, this isn't right…I shouldn't be digging through someone's luggage…
But like they said, curiosity killed the cat.
If I was anybody smart, I shouldn't have touched that suitcase. The second I saw it, I should've backed the fuck up, and walked the fuck away, like any average asshole would.
But apparently, I'm a major league dumbass, because I flipped open the lid of that suitcase and looked inside, like Pandora opening her precious box.
Instantly my face contorted into that of a confused one. Inside was a strange looking device, covered in wires and tubes and all sorts of things that would give a mechanic an orgasm.
I reached a tentative finger out, to touch the device, but I jerked my finger away. I may be a dumbass, but I'm no innocent. I watch shit tons of crime shows, and I know to never touch the thingy that looks like it could totally be a bomb.
My eyes scanned the aisles, searching for a security guard. It didn't take long to find one, and I waved at him long enough so that he came jogging over.
"What seems to be the problem Miss?" He asked politely, scratching his head at what a pretty girl like me would need a security guard for.
I'm not arrogant, just confident.
"Um, well, I sort of found this suitcase on the ground, and I thought you might want to take a look…" I said awkwardly.
He nodded and I stepped aside so that he could inspect the suitcase.
His wide eyes and small gasp are enough to make me want to scream and run for my life.
He pulled out a small walkie-talkie and muttered something incoherent into it before snapping the suitcase shut and speed walking away.
"Uh…hey! Wait!" I called out, but he paid no heed to my shouts of protests, and he disappeared into the service hallways.
"Dammit." I muttered. If that thing was a bomb, then I should probably get out of here. But it might just be some machine thing, plus I have to wait for Natsu.
Ugh, I'm totally screwed.
If I stay, I have to confess to Natsu. If I leave, I'll have to explain to Natsu why I left.
So I chose to stay, and wait out Natsu.
Wrong choice.
Friday, June 23rd
4:33 PM
The book store
Levy
"Get that one, over there!" I cried excitedly.
"Do you really need another one shrimp? You already have like fifteen books in your hands." Gajeel gestured to the pile of books in my arms that I was struggling to carry, but I nodded profusely anyway.
"Yes, I really do! Now grab it before someone else does!" I said, steadying myself against the opposing shelf so that I wouldn't fall over from the weight of my books.
"There's no one else here." He deadpanned, grabbing the book anyways.
"That's besides the point. Give it!" I said, making room for the final book in my pile.
"Tch. Rude." He said, slapping the book on the pile so hard it came toppling down.
"Gajeel! Look what you did!" I accused with an angry pout. He shrugged and leaned back on the book shelf, pretending to be asleep.
"Punk." I seethed, retrieving the fallen literature.
"You were the one who dragged me here anyways," he mumbled, eyes still shut.
"Um, yes. I needed you to reach all the high-up books. You've fulfilled your duty." I said, waving him away.
"Says you shorty. Ya can't just order me around, I ain't your slave."
I laughed and stood up with all my books tucked in my arms. "You're here, aren't you?"
His eyes opened. "Why you little—,"
I skipped away, still laughing, to the check out counter. He followed me begrudgingly, grumbling about me being a witch and that he should've never come.
After paying for my books, I had barely managed to convince Gajeel to get ice cream with me before we were interrupted by a loud speaker crackling over the intercom.
Attention mall shoppers, due to a training exercise the mall will be on temporary lockdown, please remain calm and continue your day as you normally would. We thank you for your cooperation and will inform you when you are allowed to leave.
Gajeel's face scrunched up. "Training exercise? That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. And who said I was gonna cooperate?" His hands formed fists as I sweat dropped nervously.
"Come on, I want ice cream. Forget the stupid training exercise." I said, tugging his arm fervently in the direction of ice cream.
He finally gave in, but I wouldn't forget the uneasy look on his face, as if he were waiting for something awful to happen.
Friday, June 23rd
4:45 PM
In front of 21 dresses
Jellal
"Ugh. This is so boring." Erza said loudly, moving around so that the potted plant we had been hiding behind jostled and groaned.
'Erza! You're going to break our cover!" I whispered angrily, shoving the binoculars back over my eyes.
"But I'm bored. You promised me we could go to Cupcake!"
"We're locked in anyway, you heard the announcement. Calm your tits."
Thwack!
"Ouch! What the hell did you just hit me with?" I inquired, rubbing the back of my injured head.
"Doesn't matter. Why does Juvia want us to do this again?" Erza asked, switching positions so that her feet were resting on my lap.
"I told you, she thinks Gray is cheating on her. Come on, we owe it to her to find out the truth!" I encouraged, scanning the area with my binoculars.
"Give me those!" She yanked the binoculars away from me and took a look for herself.
"Found him."
"Seriously?!" I asked, I had been looking for him for nearly an hour, and she finds him in fifteen seconds?
"Yup. Right there." She pointed over by Abercrombie and sure enough, Gray was standing looking extremely impatient in front of the store.
"Looks like he's waiting for someone…" I said, squinting hard so that I could make out what I was seeing.
"Oh! I see a girl…oh shit she's hot…oh my god! She's hugging him! That bastard! Let's push him off the balcony!" Erza said, almost excitedly, while making a move to stand up.
"No! Just wait a bit…we have to make sure that he's actually cheating on her…" I said, leaning forward so that I could see better.
"What? Come on, he's totally hitting that! Let's go bust some nuts!" Erza said, plunging her fist into her palm for effect.
"No, Jesus, shut up. Keep watching." I said, shoving her face out of the way so that I could see Gray more clearly.
And…wrong move, Way to go Jellal, you pissed her off.
Erza had already jumped me before I could finish my thought, her body weight cutting off my oxygen as I sputtered for breath.
"I'll teach you to smack me, you little—,"
She momentarily stopped manhandling me from behind the plant when several rushed security guards stormed past us with little to no regard to how many people they trampled. I barely managed to jerk her head away from the hallway so that she wasn't completely barreled over.
"The hell was that?" Erza asked, smoothing her wild crimson hair from our mini battle and watching the guards fade out of view.
"I don't know. Maybe it had something to do with that training exercise." I put air quotes around training exercise while readjusting behind the plant so that I could continue stalking Gray.
"Looks like they're really in a hurry." Erza said blankly, her eyes lingering where she had last seen them.
"Just forget them. We have more important things to worry about!" I yelled, noticing the fact that Gray and the mystery woman had disappeared.
She sighed heavily, as if she were carrying a heavy burden. "Fine. Let's catch that bastard, then Cupcake."
I smiled. "Great. Let's move."
Friday, June 23rd
5:12 PM
21 dresses
Mirajane
"Mira, ooh, look at this one!"
I smiled kindly at my younger sister's find, a long white dress that pooled around her ankles when she twirled.
"It's gorgeous Lis," I gushed, holding my hand over my mouth. It really was, but it reminded me of something that I wished wasn't happening.
My sister was growing up.
Ever since I was younger, my one goal in life was to protect little Lisanna, my little sis, no matter how difficult it got. And it got extremely difficult when both of our parents were killed in a car accident. Me, my younger brother, and Lisanna all moved in with my grandmother and struggled for a very long time, but after counseling for me and boxing lessons for my brother, we all pulled through, and we always would.
But here I was, dress shopping with my little sister for her date with…Bixlow. My experiences with Bixlow were less than pleasant, but Lisanna adored him, so I did my best to not judge a book by its cover.
Of course, most books weren't six feet tall and painted with tattoos.
I had my fair share of bad experiences with boys, mostly because my taste was horrendous. It seemed that I could only pick assholes, douchebags, and losers. But I had a new boyfriend, Albert, and he was the world's biggest gentleman, and I couldn't be happier.
Well…almost.
My taste for…dare I say it…bad boys has been flaring up lately, and I just find myself to be…bored.
No matter, I'm sure it'll pass.
"Well, what do you think?"
I had almost forgotten the whole reason I came to the mall. I snapped my gaze up to see Lisanna in a brand new dress, dark blue with silky ribbons criss-crossed all around.
"Oh Lisanna…you look beautiful…" I said, my bottom lip threatening to start shaking.
"Really? I wasn't really sure…" Lisanna said, playing with a small ribbon near the hem.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, you look stunning," I said, standing up so that I could get a better view.
Lisanna was a positively gorgeous young woman, I knew that enough. She had short, smooth silvery hair much like my own, and bright, kind blue eyes that could make anyone feel at home.
"Do you think Bixlow would like it…?" She asked nervously, knowing exactly what I thought of him.
To shield her from my sour face, I turned around quickly. "Of course he'll like it, if he doesn't then he's absolutely crazy."
She smiled her radiant smile and did a quick twirl. "Great…I think this is the one…"
I smiled brightly as well and called Elfman over to see her, he had been sitting outside of the store, claiming that dress shops were not 'manly' enough.
Ever since mom and dad died, Elfman felt all of the pressure to become the man of the house, which led to his slight obsession with doing things that are 'manly'. I didn't hold it against him, and I never would.
"Are you almost ready to go…" Elfman grumbled quietly probably scared to be this close to so many sparkles.
"Oh yes," Lisanna said, standing there in her beautiful dress as Elfman's jaw dropped.
"Lisanna…you look…" He couldn't finish.
Lisanna giggled and disappeared into the changing room so that we could purchase the gown.
"If that Bixlow tries anything funny…" Elfman trailed off and I nodded gravely.
"That'll make two of us little brother."
After we paid for the dress, we all decided to head home, our grandma was expecting us home by 5:45 and it was a twenty minute drive to get home.
"Oh I'm just too excited, he said it was going to be a surprise and that I should wear something nice!" Lisanna babbled on about her date with Bixlow, but I was distracted by the fact that the doors to the parking garage were surrounded by guards with guns.
Big guns.
'Do you seriously think they're still on lockdown?" I asked aloud, looking around for someone with answers.
"I guess so. Maybe we should just ask them if we can leave, grandma's expecting us!" Lisanna said, tapping her watch.
"I'll go ask." I said, but Elfman pulled me back.
"I'll go Mira." He said firmly, walking up to a security guard for some information.
Lisanna and I waited anxiously, the security guard seemed rigid and cold, I hoped he wouldn't do anything drastic.
After a few minutes Elfman returned with his mouth twisted into a firm line.
"There have been some difficulties, and they're going to be on lockdown for a bit longer. They gave us a fifteen dollar gift card, to use anywhere in the mall." Elfman's eyes said that it was going to be a lot longer than 'a bit'. He handed me the card and I slipped it into my purse, trying to ignore the cloud of worry shrouded over us.
"Well…I'll call grandma to tell her that we might be a bit late…" I said sheepishly, pulling out my phone.
I unlocked the screen and clicked the phone button, wondering what I'd tell grandmother so that she wouldn't worry, when I noticed the words no service blinking at the top of my screen.
That's weird…I could've sworn I had service a few minutes ago…
I looked up, my mouth dry and my mind blank. "No service."
They both looked as astonished as I did, but they didn't say anything.
"Well," I broke the silence nervously. "How about we grab something to eat?"
"That sounds good!" Lisanna said happily, leading the way to the food court.
What was going on here?
Friday, June 23rd
6:27 PM
The music shop
Cobra
Aah, 6:27. Only three minutes until this god awful shift ends.
I fucking hate working at the music store, music has pretty much died in the last twenty years. Pretty much the only music they play is annoying poppy music that repeats the word love an absurd amount of times before the singer wails obnoxiously.
And listening to that shit on replay for four hours a day can get a little…
Suicide inducing.
The only perk to my remedial job is the view.
Because my dear friends, across from the music store is the Victoria secret store.
And not only are hot babes walking in and out of that store 24/7, but the giant billboards are big enough for people to see from miles away.
Awesome.
But the biggest, and best perk of all is the Victoria Secret worker who comes to the music shop every day at 5:40 and browses a different music section.
She is absolutely gorgeous, with the rarest shade of violet colored hair and green eyes and she always smiles at me like I'm someone famous.
She is in the shop right now, and I'm creepily watching her as she digs through the old eighties records.
She has a delicious ass.
She hummed along with the latest pop single as I absently glanced at my watch.
6:31.
…It can wait.
Besides, I'm pretty sure the mall was on some sort of weird lock down anyways. Shit like that happens when I have my headphones on, I swear. No big deal, I'll just stay here until Jerry comes for his shift.
…Where is Jerry? Usually he's here by now…
Were they not letting people in the mall because of the lock down? Because then-
"Excuse me,"
I almost fell off the back of my chair when the gorgeous girl looked at me expectantly from the other side of the counter.
I said something intelligent, like ahh hmm and she smiled kindly.
"Can I ask you something?" She asked, leaning forward a bit so that I could see up her shirt.
"Yes?" Ah I sound like an idiot…gugh…great.
"Do you have any idea what's going on?" She whispered lowly, her eye fleeting back and forth.
"You mean…the lockdown?" I said with a swallow. She nodded slowly.
"I…no. I don't know."
She pursed her lips and looked around again, man did she seem on edge, like someone was watching her.
"…Don't you think it's weird? I just saw twenty security guards go into the service hallway. I think something bad might've happened…" She said.
I tilted my head to the side. It was obvious that the 'training exercise' or whatever the hell they were calling it was total bullshit. But this could be my only chance to find out what's going on…
"Why don't we go find out?" I asked. She looked confused.
"What do you mean?" She asked with a wry smile.
'I've got my service key. Let's go check it out." I suggested with a light shrug.
Please say yes please say yes please say yes.
"Let's go then." She said with that same bright smile she greeted me with every day.
I smiled back. This was perfect. A (sort of) date with a hot girl, and possible information about what was going on.
"Yeah," I said, standing up and grabbing my bag. "Let's go."
Friday, June 23rd
6:00 PM
Friday Night
Wendy
"Mom," I started, sitting up straighter so I could see over my menu.
My distracted mother looked up from her own menu with tired eyes. "Yes dear?"
I laid my menu down and gave her a stern look. "Mom, what's wrong?"
She sighed, knowing I had caught her. "Nothing sweetheart, just…work running me ragged is all."
I hummed in doubt and observed my menu absentmindedly. Hm, the Caesar salad sounded really good right now…
"I think I'm going to get a salad." I said firmly, folding up my menu and setting it down on the table.
"Alright, I'm going to get the veggie sub, it just looks too delicious," my mother said with a worn smile.
We waved the waiter over and ordered, but I couldn't distract myself from the burden that seemed to be looming over my mother's shoulders. I knew being a doctor was hard, especially seeing all the death and despair, but the toll had never been quite this drastic before.
"Uh, so…what do you think about this training exercise?" I asked a bit lamely. Usually conversation between my mom and I flowed like the Nile, but today it was like there was a dam built right in between us.
My mother opened my mouth to answer, but her phone blared loudly and she grimaced.
"I'm sorry Wendy…just…let me take this." She reached out of her bag and pulled out her phone, making a sick face when she saw the caller ID.
"Hello?"
I heard faint squabbles on the other line, and my mother's face became confused.
"I'm sorry, what?"
More talking.
"That's…are you sure?"
Nervousness began taking me over.
Oh no! What's wrong!? I bet something awful happened…
"Can it wait?" My mother asked desperately, giving me a very sad look.
Even more talking, and the faintest of yelling.
"I…alright. I'll be there."
My heart sank as she hung up her phone.
"Wen—,"
"It's alright, just go. I'll be fine." I said sadly.
"I'm so sorry Wendy, it's an emergency." My mother explained guiltily.
"Do what you have to. Will you pick me up around 8? I think I'm going to go shopping some." I said glumly.
"I…sure, here's some money." She handed me an extremely large wad of cash and hurried up from her seat, almost forgetting her purse in the process.
This wasn't really new, mom was always on call, being one of the most skilled doctors in all of Magnolia, but I wondered what could have her stirred up enough to just abandon me here.
The waiter came with my salad and mom's sub, and I ate alone in my own thoughts.
The salad tasted terrible, the lettuce was pretty old. I asked for the check only minutes after getting my food, and paid dutifully, leaving my mom's sub untouched.
Attention mall shoppers,
Oh, they're probably finishing up the lockdown.
We regret to inform you that the mall is going to remain on full lock-down until more information is given. Again, we are very sorry for any possible inconveniences and ask you to remain calm and orderly. Please stay away from all exits and go about as you normally would. Thank you all for your cooperation.
That's…weird…
How is my mom going to get to the hospital if the building is still on lockdown?
I gingerly pulled my phone out of my pocket, ready to dial her number, but when I did an error notice popped up.
Error 936- No service available.
What?
I tried again, but the error popped up once more.
I checked the wifi, but there were no networks online.
Are they…cutting us off?
The cold dread hit me like a thousand tons of steel.
I have a feeling that a hell of a lot more is going on than just a training exercise.
Yay! It's finally on my profile. Ugh, I'm such a weirdo.
~Review responses~
xXJayfeatherRocksXx~ Yeah, the main reason I disliked it was because I couldn't relate to any of the charcters. At all. They were all so stereotypical and almost...forced. Just...bleh. I didn't even care if they all died, plus the ending was a little weird. Oh well, I hope you like my version a bit better! (even though my writing is...bleck)
NoSyrupOnMyWaffles~ Omg, this review made me laugh way too hard. Sorry for making everything extra difficult, but anyways, welcome aboard!
NovemberFord~ Ah, ok! I'll write some Gray/Cana bromancish stuff in this. Should be easy enough to make it work. (Cana is my spirit animal)
Pineapple-ninja16~ when I read your username, all I can think of is Psych. Sorry if that makes no sense to you. Anyways thanks for being a precious lil soul and reviewing and not running away frightened.
Delia365~ Glad you liked it! Hoping this'll only get better!
loGAN~ Trust me I am just as surprised as you are.
Celessee~ I will! Hope you won't have too much trouble finding this!
Disney lovers 101~ Yay! Someone who likes my writing! (trust me, there aren't too many of you guys out there!)
alEC~ We've already talked about this, but peace out and kactus for lyfe
Sorry for all inconveniences, I hope all of you are still interested! (And I will write the next chapter quick, I promise!)
So…in other news…who's your favorite character?