"This is an emergency broadcast...everyone stay indoors... do not leave your home for any reason..."

"Yeah, yeah," Ben groaned flipping through the channels.

"I was watching that", C.J sank deeper into his chair.

Ben, eyes still stuck on the television screen, continued flipping channels, only to toss the remote to the side, defeated. "Doesn't matter, same shit's on every station."

C.J. and Ben sat alone inside the dark store. "Jesus," Ben took his hat off as he and C.J. watched a girl get shot in the face by a police officer on TV. "Is this really happening?"

"First floor's clear!", C.J and Ben jumped at Bart's voice. Bart laughed.

"Quit screwing around Bart" C.J rubbed his eyes. It was nearly 4 am. "Where's the new kid? I told you watch him."

"Chill C.J., he went to the security room when finished doin rounds. So what's the news?"

Ben got up and started stretching,"Same shit about this virus thing, it's fucking crazy."

Bart walked over and sat in Ben's unoccupied seat. His expression looking anxious, Bart turned to C.J., "So what do we do?"

C.J. used to hate how Bart would always rely on him, like he was his big brother or something. But, as he got to know him better, C.J. realized that Bart was just a big kid. This situation was definitely the kind that Bart needed help grasping with. Ben was annoyed that Bart didn't look to him. He had been working there just as long as C.J. He thought it was an authority thing.

"We keep the mall secure, we make sure nobody gets in here." Ben answered.

"Basically what we do every night." Terry walked in.

Bart looked over at C.J. again. C.J. nodded. "Yep, keep an eye on the cameras, rounds every hour, stick together." He took off his hat and brushed his hands through his hair.

"They say they're sending help." Terry said, looking at the screen.

"Well, we're doin fine. We don't need any help. We'll just stay here til they sort this shit out." Ben declared walking out of the store.

"Where you goin?" Terry asked.

"Gonna go grab some coffee" Ben answered, walking past Terry.

"You think that's a good idea? Goin down there alone?" C.J. put his hat back on and looked back at Ben.

Ben, noticing everyone staring at him, took this as C.J. questioning his authority. "I don't need you to tell me what to do. You can save that shit for your little butt buddy over there." Ben motioned to Bart, laughing at his own joke.

"Fuck you man!" Bart hollered back.

"Asshole" C.J. muttered as Ben sauntered towards the elevators.

Terry joined C.J. and Bart on the couches. They all watched in silence for a little while until Terry broke the quietness. "I hope my mom's okay."

C.J. began thinking about his own family. His poor old man never recovered from losing C.J's mother. He could see the old drunk now, sitting in his beaten up recliner, wasting away. He was probably too intoxicated to even process what was going on in the world. He remembered their last encounter. C.J. was trying to be nice, visiting his father during the holidays. He knew it was a tough time for him. "You're still a security guard? A fucking security guard?!" his father let out a raspy laugh. "That is some fucking joke. Couldn't make it in the academy, so he becomes a fucking security guard! At a mall!" His father continued to laugh sarcastically while stifling a cough. "Thanks for the gift kid," he motioned to a watch C.J had gotten him,"nice to know you payed for it guarding a fucking Victoria's Secret!" he spluttered as he took another swig of Jack Daniel's.

C.J. closed his eyes and tried to erase the memory from his mind. Looking at the worry on Terry's face, he became aware that he could actually relate to him, despite the fact that he had no family to be concerned about. Ever since the talk began about this "world crisis" he couldn't get Danielle out of his mind. He found himself constantly wondering if she was alright, if she was hurt or scared, if she was worried about him too.

"Dammit" he thought to himself, "Why didn't I offer to take her home? Why didn't I ever ask for her number? Shit, why'd I have to be such a dumb ass?" She could be in his arms, right now, if he had ever taken a fucking chance. Now, for all he knew, she could be dead in the streets.