Found some free time for once. I'll be updating and writing new chapters for any story i can work with at the moment. Writer's block for 12 candles is still in effect sadly but like i've mentioned before i may just rewrite the whole thing. Maybe this time I'll make it work.

The Dead Awakening

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Chapter 5

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Quarantine

1216 Franklin Avenue

May 21st

8:32 PM

Ever since that disease had been appearing everywhere on social media, internet and TV, everyone assumed it was just one big scare like many previous mass hysteria that had occurred in the past. One in which many pharmaceutical companies would make money off of. People would form huge lines in every pharmacy in the country for hand sanitizer, medical masks and medicine. Corporate greed at its finest. Making money off of scared families who were frightened over a simple flu.

Only difference now was that this whole thing wasn't a simple flu. Every major city and state had contracted this disease. People as of now are experiencing violence and outcry. This takes the term "All hell breaks loose" to a whole new level.

Upon the emergency broadcast, the Louds quickly did everything they could to prepare for quarantine. They packed clothes and other miscellaneous items to help cope with the recent events. At least then they'd have something to do to kill boredom. They all shut the lights in the house including the TV which still had the emergency broadcast playing. The patriarch shut it off, not wanting to see or hear from it anymore. There was enough scares going on as is.

The neighborhood acted quick too. Mr. Grouse had packed his belongings in his car and drove away from Royal Woods. He had most likely seen the emergency broadcast on TV but chose not to go to a quarantine zone. Wherever he goes, it's better than sitting tight in a crowded building. He'd much rather go to his family, hoping they were doing okay. The Yates across the street had left as well, but they chose to go to a quarantine zone unlike Mr. Grouse. They all had been gone by the time the Louds were outside in Vanzilla. They left their entire house with the lights on and the door opened, not caring if a looter came in and stole their stuff.

Lynn Sr. and his family were ready to go. Unlike the Yates, he locked the front door and had the whole house sitting in the dark. Just as they were gone from view of the house, Lana jumped up from her seat. "Dad! What about Charles? Cliff? Walt or Geo? My pets? What's going to happen to them?" she panicked. She loved the animals in the Loud house. She was the mother to each and every critter. She couldn't bear with the fact that they were leaving them behind.

He sighed. "Sweetie, we can't bring them with us. They may not take in our pets. We have no choice but to let them sit it out at home." It pained him to say that. The pets were part of the family, and leaving family behind is immoral in his mind.

She sunk back down in her seat. "But...who's going to care care of them?" she blinked back tears. Lola hugged her twin. She shared the same feeling as her sister did. Their father didn't answer. Instead, he kept driving.

They drove past many families loading their luggage into their cars. Many mothers and fathers were comforting their kids. Some families who didn't have a vehicle were stranded by the street trying to flag down anyone who can hitch them a ride. Rita watched as they passed by one family, a woman, her husband and their daughter who was holding a stuffed bear. They didn't have a car. They had their bags outside the house and were waving at passing vehicles, in hopes that they could pick them up and drive out to a quarantine zone. She watched as Lynn drove past them. He didn't bother to look at them. The van was already full. They couldn't hold anymore people inside. Her heart broke as she saw the tearful expression on the little girl, holding her teddy bear tight as they drove away.

In the far distance they saw lights shine as bright as the sun. A loud pop was heard. Just about everyone in the van jumped in fright. Whatever happened, it couldn't have been good. If people had begun riots, whose to say it's safer now?

The high school was just a few blocks away. Already there were dozens of cars lining up in the street. It was like a line to a new roller coaster ride. It looked as if it would take hours just to go through. No way they were getting in soon. Lynn Sr. had an idea, he drove away from the line and behind a tree nearby. If for whatever reason they needed to go back to the van, they wouldn't be stuck in a traffic of cars on the road. He unbuckled his seat belt. "We're going to walk from here. C'mon everyone let's go." he said.

Rita was confused as to why he parked so far away. "Wait why are we here? The entrance is over there." She said.

"It's just a precaution honey."

She chose to just go with it as did everyone else. Everyone got out of the Van and grabbed their bags. They all walked together to the entrance of the high school. So far they were the only ones walking on foot. They passed by many cars honking at the drivers ahead. It seemed like something was holding everyone up. Lynn looked up ahead. She saw a few soldiers armed with guns going to each car and getting everyone out.

"Hey! The army is taking everyone from their cars!" she said. Luna looked to see that her sister was right.

"Yo what gives?"

Lisa fixed her glasses. "They're escorting everyone in, from the looks of it at least. It's a good thing you chose to set our vehicle away from the road father."

Lisa was right. Every car was blocked by the previous one. They weren't even moving them away. At least now he knew his instincts were right by having Vanzilla parked away from here.

The soldiers bringing people inside were National Guard. Each solder wore a digital camo uniform, hat and carried M4 rifles. They had a tactical vest on to hold magazines and a sidearm for any purpose needed. There were about a dozen soldiers going through cars, each doing their best to get everyone inside quick.

"Hold it there!" yelled a man. Up ahead a National Guard soldier alongside with two other members stopped them. They had weapons in hand but didn't have them up. All thirteen members of the family froze.

The man was Hispanic. His name "Sgt. De La Cruz" was patched onto his left side of his upper chest. He had tanned skin and short black hair. His face was skinny, giving an illusion that he had no fat in his facial area. He walked up to the family. "Are any of you infected?" He asked firmly.

"No sir, we just came from our home." said the patriarch.

"Makes no difference sir, people have been getting sick as soon as they leave the house. I'll ask again, ARE ANY OF YOU INFECTED?"

He was intimidated by the man. "No sir."

De La Cruz nodded. "Alright then, follow me while we escort you inside." He lead them inside while one soldier followed behind the family. Everyone didn't hesitate and instead followed without question.

Just as they reached the front entrance of the school they saw many CDC officials who were looking over a few people who from what it looks like, were sick. Each CDC official had a light blue suit with a gas mask covering their entire head. Their black gloves were rubber, preventing any contaminated source from touching them. One was looking over a woman who looked as pale as Lucy. Her eyes were puffy and her nose was runny. It might've seemed like she had a flu but it wouldn't have been the case. She coughed roughly, some blood coming out which landed on the hazmat suit of the official before her. They quickly dragged her into a tent that was off to the side which was guarded by armed members of the National Guard. Each of them wearing gas masks as well.

Lori had wondered if Bobby made it. She wasn't sure if he came before her or if she did. Regardless, she hoped he was okay. She hoped every single one of her friends were okay. She hadn't heard from Whitney, Becky or any one from her clique. This worried her.

Helicopters flew above and really close to the ground. Two other were circling around the building. They were surveying from above, making sure there wasn't anything terrible occurring. Whether it be a fight breaking out among the crowds or a sign of breakout from those who were kept in quarantine.

Past the main entrance was the lobby. The school safety desk was now being occupied by a person in a hazmat suit sitting with a book in front of them. In that book were names and addresses of everyone who was inside and those coming in. Beside the person were two other soldiers who were holding their rifles as well as wearing gas masks. Did this mean that it was airborne too?

To the left was another hazmat, who was holding a book in their hands. Behind the person were two soldiers carrying a large folding table that belonged to the school. They set it up and had the hazmat sit down. One of them yelled "Those who have not registered yet please form a line here!" Lynn Sr. took this opportunity to make their way in quicker. The entire family rushed over to the line.

The patriarch came up first. The person in the suit asked. "How many in your family?" Their voice a bit muffled from the mask.

"Thirteen including me and my wife." He said. The hazmat wrote down a few words, their head looking down at the book. "Names?" They said.

"I'm Lynn Loud. My wife Rita Loud, and my eleven children. Lori Loud, Leni Loud which is spelled L-E-N-I, Luna Loud, Luan Loud spelled L-U-A-N, Lynn Loud Jr., Lincoln Loud, Lucy Loud, Lana Loud, Lola Loud, Lisa Loud and Lily Loud, Lily with only one L." The hazmat wrote the names of the Loud family into the book.

"Okay Mr. Loud thank you for your cooperation. Please have everyone place their bags on the floor in front of them. We will have to check them to make sure nothing harmful or unnecessary are being stored."

They didn't protest against it. Each Loud placed their bags before them and watched as the soldiers looked through their belongings. Some had hoped that they didn't dump their clothes out on the floor or better yet have their undergarments placed outside the bags, for everyone to see. Each bag was good the soldiers would say "Clear" when they were thoroughly checked. They picked up their bags afterwards.

"Now if you please, follow Dr. Santana to the medial ward. Please have your family's medical history ready." they said.

"Thank you." said Lynn.

Doctor Mario Santana was one of the many doctors in the quarantine zone. He was working late at the hospital before being told to relocate to the high school. A widowed father of two, he had both of his children picked up and dropped off at the school where he would explain to them both the situation. They were very understanding and followed through. He is of Mexican descent, having looked a bit over thirty. He was a fairly handsome man, having a slim and smooth face.

Doctor Mario Santana walked over to the Loud family. He was a bit shorter compared to Lynn Sr. with fairly tanned skin, short black hair and a shaven face. "Hello Mr. Loud, I'm Doctor Mario Santana." He had a slight accent. "If you and your family would please follow me to the room down the hall we can get started with the next process."

Mario and Lynn both shook hands in greeting. The family followed the doctor away from the crowded lobby. Upon leaving a few people were calling out on the family, claiming they were waiting far too long already.

"Bullshit! My wife and son had been here before they were! Why are they going first?!"

"Line cutters!" which wasn't true at all.

"Watch them hog everything! Medicine and food won't last long for any of us!" cried another.

Lori tried to silence out the outcry. She hated the words and accusations being thrown at her family. But you know what? Fuck all of them. They were on the line first and they had every right to be here. These people can just wait here all they want even if it takes all night.

She looked around the halls as they all continued to walk. Several armed guards were waiting by the doors. Through some of the classroom door windows she could see people inside. Some looked really sick. A few already had blood on them. What was going on with these people? Were they sick with this disease too? Looking at the school now felt different compared to how it was yesterday. At least then this looked like a school. Now it feels like some sort of refuge camp in a war zone.

Two armed soldiers waited by the door. One of them opened the door and proceeded to standby when they walked through. Inside, instead of textbooks and schoolwork it was all replaced with medical trays, crates, medicine and beds. There were machines on one side of the room. Mario walked over to the desk which once belonged to a teacher. He grabbed a clipboard and walked back to the family.

"Okay, do you folks have your medical records in hand?" he asked nicely.

Rita opened her bag and pulled out a folder. Inside were the records of each family member. From insurance records to forms. Some papers held records of any allergies and past visits to the hospital. She handed the folder to Dr. Santana to which he received it carefully. He opened it up and grabbed each record to overview any possible allergies or injury they have or have had in the past.

Lola and Lana tapped their foot impatiently. The two hated doctor visits. It was always so boring. They would have preferred to be in their room right now playing Princess and Dragon. At least then they would be having fun.

Lola was the first to complain. "Ugh Mommy Daddy, how long is this going to take?"

Rita caressed her daughter's head. "Soon sweetie. Dr. Santana has to make sure we're okay to go inside."

He chuckled "That's right little one. It's important for me to check if you, your sisters, parents or brother have any allergies that we need to know of." He began to fill out the forms for each Loud member. Writing their names down on each line.

"But we don't have allergies!" cried Lola. Clearly she didn't like this.

Lisa fixed her glasses. "Clearly you have forgotten that Lana here has an allergic reaction to rhubarb."

Dr. Santana chuckled. "Allergic to rhubarb? My cousin had a bad reaction to it. I could remember how badly his face swelled up after he made contact with a pie. But don't worry, rhubarb allergy won't have any effect on you. Just don't eat it of course." he remarked. "Now I'm going to take everyone's temperature. So just stand still and I'll come around to check everyone."

He took out a medical thermometer and walked over to everyone. He placed the thermometer on their foreheads and let the device do the magic. Every time the device checked their temperature he would write down the result on the sheet. Each Loud had a normal temperature scale. No one surpassed over 100. He went back to the table for the next step.

Having moved over to the table, he set down the clipboard. He looked over a sheet and followed the instructions given by the CDC on how to do the process. Putting on latex gloves, he took out an empty syringe and placed a new needle. This made a few of the Loud children flinch. A needle shot? Not what they asked for!

"Now I have to get shots from every one. It's a mandatory process. So whoever is ready can come up first. I'll make this as quick as possible." he said.

Lori walked up. As the oldest sister she figured maybe the younger ones won't think of it too bad if she went through it. Especially Lily, because as soon as that needle goes through her arm she will wail like an ambulance siren. Dr. Santana used a cotton ball to rub the spot with alcohol. Afterwards he inserted the needle and took a quick shot of blood from Lori. She winced once the needle pierced her skin. It only took a few seconds before it was over. "Now that wasn't so bad wasn't it?" he commented. He placed a band aid and replaced the needle after.

Leni was a bit scared of needles. As a little girl she was never used to them, and she still isn't used to them now. Lori walked past her sister and put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll just be quick Leni." she smiled. She was still shaken at the sight of the needle.

Lynn Jr. was getting a bit impatient for Leni to ever go. She walked over to the doctor and raised her sleeve. "C'mon doc, the quicker the better!" she said. He repeated the same process as he did with Lori. She jumped out from the seat and walked back to the rest. Her father came by next. He raised his sleeve and let Dr. Santana do the work.

The rest of the Louds followed after except for Leni and Lily. When it came to their turn, Leni shook in fear. She really didn't like needles.

"Leni honey come on it's your turn." said her mother.

She fearfully nodded her head. Luna and Lori came to her side.

"Dude it's cool. Just one pinch and it's all over" said the rocker. She and Lori held Leni by her arms in a careful manner. She still resisted getting a needle shot no matter what her sisters told her. The parents felt bad for their second eldest. They know how much she hates getting any needle shot. What Luna and Lori were doing was somehow working. Leni was slowly walking over to Dr. Santana.

"It's okay Ms. Loud. I'll make it a quick one. You won't feel any pain i promise. He said. He wanted her to be at ease. If she can do that then this wouldn't take too long. He is capable of doing a quick shot like he said. Having experiences with inpatient patients, as odd as that sounds, he learned to do quicker methods.

Still scared, she let the doctor work on her took the syringe and did a quick shot. The needle went in, took blood and got out. Leni felt a slight pinch which made her whimper and shut her eyes. By the time he got the needle out, Leni opened her eyes and saw that it was done.

"Like wow, i felt almost nothing." she said in amazement. Santana was amused by her comment. "See? I told you I would make it quick."

Now it was Lily's turn. The parents dreaded this the most. Since she was still an infant, getting a shot would be worse for her than it was for Leni. Not only would she cry, but she wouldn't stop.

Rita held Lily in her arms. "Okay Lily, this might hurt a liiiiiittle bit okay?" she tried to keep her calm. The baby looked at her mother. She may be an infant but she's smart enough to know many things. When she looked at Mario, all she saw was a big pointy thing that went into her family's arms. She started to cry.

"Shhhhh It's okay Lily, It'll just be quick okay?" said her mother.

This wasn't any new to Mario. Having experiences from small clinics to hospitals, he's worked with everyone of age. From babies to elders. He understood that babies wouldn't be keen to needles. He remembered how his kids reacted at a young age.

"I'll make this quick okay? Just like what i did to your big sister." he said to Lily. Not sure if she understood him but he continued anyway. He rubbed the cotton on her arm, which caused her to cry even more.

The other children felt sorry for Lily. She doesn't know too much about this stuff to understand. Hopefully in time she will. The father joined his wife in comforting his youngest daughter. "It's okay honey just let the nice doctor work. It'll be a quick one."

As soon as the needle pierced the infant's arm she let out a loud cry.

"AHHHHHHHHHH! WAHHHHHHHH!" she cried.

He took a quick sample and took the needle out. He quickly put on the band-aid and set down the syringe and took off his gloves. Lily still cried while her parents did everything to quiet her down.

"I'm sorry about Lily Dr. Santana. She's still not used to this kind of stuff." said Rita.

"No need to worry Mrs. Loud, I've worked with people of all ages. I remember how my kids cried when they got their first shots." he said.

Walking over to the counter, he picked up the clipboard and wrote down some notes. Lisa was wondering what else they had to go through. Although she was the smartest in the family and possibly in town, a quarantine protocol is something she's unfamiliar with.

"So Doctor, what else are we required to do next?" she asked. He still found it odd how a toddler her age was very smart. He figured it may have been a birth defect that affected her IQ. "Well now, everyone should be good to go. Since none of you had shown symptoms of infection we skipped over the first part of our process."

Lincoln spoke up. "What was the first part?"

"Injection. If any of you had symptoms of high fever or accelerated heartbeats. When i checked everyone's temperature i saw that you all had a normal reading. High fever and high temperature is one of the major symptoms from what we know. Since no one had any of the two, i skipped over to the blood sample. After that, we finish."

"Finally!" Cried Lola. She received a stern look from Lori which caused her to shrink.

"Yes little one, finally." He set down the clipboard and wrote a check on the check box to indicate that he finished with the Louds. "You''ll all be free to go now. They'll escort you to the gymnasium where everyone else is being held. They'll tell you the rest." he said.

Lynn Sr. walked over to the doctor and shook his hand. "Thank You for everything Dr. Santana."

He received the handshake "Just call me Mario Mr. Loud."

"Right. Mario. Got it." he said.

Two armed guards came in and took the Louds to the gymnasium. One of them, named Reylenne, explained to the family what comes next.

"Alright, now everyone will stay in the gymnasium until further notice. Until we get orders on what to do next, you'll all wait here. You've been assigned sleeping cots. You are to stay with your assigned sleeping cot when it is time for lights out, which is at 2100 hours. After that, anyone caught outside their cot, either loitering or causing a disturbance, will be isolated and moved to the detention center. There, you will be held until further notice. Every morning you'll each receive breakfast. Lunch will be served as well as dinner. But from what i can tell you, don't expect a five star meal. We have to ration our food supplies to fit everyone's needs. If you are in need to use the lavatory, you are to request permission from one of us. No one wanders the halls alone. We will escort you to the restrooms where you will have five minutes to do your business. Take any longer than that and you will be removed from the restroom by force. Break any of these rules and you will be escorted to the detention center."

The brunette woman turned to the family. "Are we understood?"

"Yes Ma'am." they said in unison.

They reached the entrance to the gymnasium which is guarded by two more armed members. They stepped aside and let Reylenne enter with the family.

Inside the school gymnasium, it was partially crowded. Bunk beds and sleeping cots everywhere. Crates of supplies were stacked high on one side of the gym where staff supervised. A set up of tables not far from the crates where they served food and provided water for everyone. Two staff members, one Asian woman and one Caucasian man, were patiently waiting by the tables. Two soldiers were in the gymnasium, one at each entrance. They didn't have rifles but they were equipped with side arms.

"Wow, I can't believe this was done all in a few hours." said Lori. She was still thinking about how just yesterday this was a regular high school gym. Instead of the supplies on one side of the room, it was mostly school owned basketballs and dodge balls. The gym teacher, Coach Boomer, would be yelling at the kids to run laps or make them play either dodge ball or volleyball. Now you see armed people and a whole crowd in fear over a dangerous disease. Her entire world was changing. She thought college would've done that for her.

They were escorted to their cots. Since the gym is huge, they had no issue assembling five bunk beds. One cot was set up for the parents, to which they agreed to share with Lily. The children went to each bed, throwing their bags on the sheets to claim as their own. Luna and Lynn sat on their beds. Lincoln went on to take out his comics to read, it was better than doing nothing. Lucy did the same too, except instead of comics it was the book of Edgar Allen Poe's entire literature collection. Luan, Leni and Lori just laid in their beds, wondering about what was going to happen next. How long were they going to keep this up? How will they go home? Lana and Lola sat on the same bed. The older twin had her thoughts back to the pets back home. How long would they be gone for? Who's going to feed them? Hops? Cliff? Charles, Geo and Walt? They were animals capable of many things except feeding themselves. She just wanted to go home, not stay here where everything felt so scary. Her younger twin had a similar thought. There were so many people here. While she liked attention, she didn't like being in one big room with a whole bunch of people for a long time. At least back home she was able to get beauty sleep without interruptions. Here, it would happen often.

She wondered if Bobby made it here. He said he and his mother and sister were just on their way back when they were leaving the house. What was taking long? Did something happen to them on the way here? She feared in that prospect that something might've happened.

Just before she could worry any longer, she heard the familiar voice of her beloved soulmate. "Lori!"

She turned her head and saw him rushing his way to her. He had a dufflebag slinged across his back. She was relieved. "Bobby!" she cried as she got up from the cot. She jumped into his arms while he held her in a tight bearing hug. "I'm glad you and everyone else made it here safely." he said in her ear.

She tightened her hug. Her heart was relieved knowing she was holding him dearly. "Me too." she said somberly.

Ronnie Anne and her mother followed behind. Maria saw Bobby with Lori, which put a smile to her face. She liked the girl. Hearing a lot about her made her consider Lori a part of her family.

The youngest member of the Santiago family found the white haired boy reading a comic book by his bed. He heard Lori cry out Bobby's name. He put down his comic and saw the young Hispanic girl walking her way over. He was glad that she made it here. Not only because they were best friends (Not counting Clyde) but because he did care for the girl, even if he never admits it. For once he would have a friend to talk to until Clyde and his dads came.

Speaking of Clyde, where is he? Was he here already?

"Hey Lame-O" said Ronnie Anne. She walked over to Lincoln and playfully punched his arm.

"Ronnie Anne, it's great to see you."

He set his comic aside and jumped off the cot. "It's good to see you really, I haven't seen Clyde or anyone else from school yet."

"Well now you got me. Clyde isn't here?" She asked.

He shook his head. "I haven't seen him or his dads anywhere. But yet again we just came. I haven't even checked the whole gym yet."

She took a few steps ahead. "Then what are we waiting for?"

"Ronalda!" yelled her mother. "It's almost 9! We have to be at our beds!" Her mother was right. Curfew for everyone to sleep was 9pm. If anyone was out of their beds, they would have to deal with the supervisors.

She huffed. "Damn, and we just got here." She turned to him "Guess I'll see you in the morning?"

He smiled at her. "You bet. I'll wake you up if anything." he jokingly said.

She punched his arm. "I dare you to try." she gave him a quick hug before walking over to her mother. Bobby joined shortly after so that his mother wouldn't call out for him either.

Behind Lincoln were nine girls who were eager to hear from Lincoln about his short brief moment with the girl.

"Seems like you two are pretty close." said Lori. He jumped when he heard her from behind. He turned around and saw his sisters with grinning faces. At this point he should've expected it.

"Well she's my friend, I'm just glad they made it here safely." He said. He knew that they wouldn't listen to that of course. Whenever it came to Ronnie Anne they always romanticized it in every way possible.

"I don't know dude, that hug said it all." said Luna. "C'mon little bro! No need to hide your feelings. You can tell us!"

He backed up a bit. "Guys i told you she's not my girlfriend!"

The rest of the girls started talking all at once, gaining a few glances from some of the people around. A few recognized them. They didn't exactly have the best reputation for being the quietest family around. Those who knew were slightly irritated that they have to deal with them here.

Across the gym, not too far from the Louds, was a young pre teen girl. She was Lincoln's age. She was reading from a comic book she stuffed in her bag. It was an Ace Savvy comic. She heard the commotion of nine girls who sounded excited. She brushed a strand of her white hair and looked over. There she saw a group of girls all talking to the boy with white hair.

White hair?

She put her book down and looked closer at the boy. He had snow white hair, just like she did. He had a noticeable cowlick that stood straight up. She touched her cowlick that looked just like his. She never thought she'd see another kid with white hair. She thought she was the only one.

A taller boy walked over and looked down at the white haired girl. He noticed that she was looking at someone in deep focus. He followed her line of vision to the girls and the boy in front of them. He had white hair just like his sister.

"What's the matter Linka? Did you find your twin?" teased the boy. She snapped out of her focus and turned to the tall brunette boy with a faux hawk. "Uhh, well-"

"I'm just kidding sis. But weird. And here i thought you were the only kid in the world with white hair." Said the boy. He put his hands on his pocket and took out a guitar pick to which he started to fiddle with.

She giggled at his comment. He wasn't wrong. She thought the same thing. "I thought the same thing Luke. Maybe he might related to me."

He playfully ruffled her white hair. "Then that means he's a dork, Just like you." he walked back to his cot. Her brother Luke was a pain in the butt, but she knows he likes to mess with her. He's the only one of her older brothers, except for Loni, who shows brotherly affection. From his appearance, one could assume that he's a troublemaker. From the jean jacket vest over his purple punk style shirt to his silver buckled belt and black plaid skinny jeans. They wouldn't be wrong. He can be a real nuisance at times. He once made a slingshot just to shoot rocks at the neighbor next once used his BB gun to shoot pellets at the car windows parked in the next block. He's a menace yes, but he can be caring.

She turned her attention back to the white haired boy. He does kind of look like her, only difference was that she had faint freckles while he had more visible ones. She was also more petite compared to him.

It was almost lights out. Maybe it was time to get ready to turn in before they shut off the lights. She put away her comic book and tried to make her bed as comfortable as possible. As she was doing that her father walked by. The tall blonde man approached his daughter. "How are you doing sweetheart?"

"I'm doing okay. It's pretty boring here." she said. Her father understood her feeling about all of this. He didn't like it as much as she did. He had hope that this would all be over soon.

"I know sweetie. But i think this is just temporary. As soon as this is all over, we'll all be back home. Maybe we can all take a family road trip when we get back. How does that sound?" he asked. Truth be told, it sounded good. They haven't been on a road trip since her older brother Lyle almost caused the RV to crash. That alone made them reconsider it. Hearing about one now sounded better than staying here. She brightened up. "I'd like that Dad."

He smiled and caressed her hair. "If you're having trouble sleeping you could always come to me and your mother."

She laughed. "Dad! I'm not a little girl anymore!" He laughed at her comment. "But you're still our little girl, even when you reach my age."

His age? He was practically Forty. By then she would have kids of her own. "Whatever you say Dad."

He leaned in and gave her a peck on her head. "Goodnight Linka. I love you sweetheart." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I love you too Dad. Goodnight."

The gymnasium soon shut off it's lights and prepared for the night. There were still some people outside waiting to get in. Some coming from the other safe zones after being rejected entry. They prepared for this. They had set up empty classrooms as temporary sleeping quarters until they could settle everyone in. Of course they won;t have all the space. But for now that would do. They weren't going to make people sleep outside at night.

Outside the gym, two solders were stationed to watch the entrance. It was boring, considering they had supervision on the inside. Not like people would try sneaking out anyways. A tall black soldier named Henry Wilkers turned on the radio. Apparently last they heard, New York was chaos.

"...Reports of Manhatten being...As poli...tional Guard..." Wilkers banged on the radio lightly. "Damn thing! The signal must be shit."

The other guy, Ferris, watched as Wilkers tried to make the radio work. "Signal here is shit. It'd take a miracle for it to actually work."

Wilkers kept trying. The recent report of New York was on everyone's mind lately. After a few bangs, he got it working. "There's your miracle, now wipe your ass with it." Said Wilkers. Ferris only laughed at his comment.

"With Manhattan down, Police and National Guard have taken refuge over at Staten Island, where it's rumored to be the last up and running New York Safe Zone. The infected appeared to have started killing bystanders and officials alike. According to some survivors of the Manhattan downfall, they said it only took minutes for the island to be overrun. Manhattan is now declared a dead zone."

"Shit. Poor bastards couldn't keep it contained." said Wilkers. The thought of fellow army brothers and sisters being attacked came to his mind. How did they not stop these people? Did they choose not to shoot?

Ferris stood silent. If Staten Island is the last safe place in New York, how long until Royal Woods gets the same attack Will they be able to defend this place. Will those psychos break through?

"Shit's getting serious. I don;t think this is just a random sickness anymore.. Said Ferris. Wilkers turned his head to Ferris. "What do you mean by that?" he asked. Ferris took a deep breath. "I mean, if New York is gone? Then what's gonna happen to every other state? Every city? Town?"

Wilkers was unsure on what to say, It was scary enough knowing that the big apple is on it's last stand. He still wanted to believe that this would be a short lived moment. That way things would go back to the way they were.

The high school was secure so far. Armed members at every entrance including outside. If these psychos come near, then they would be in for a fight of their lives.

The moonlight outside shined upon the night sky. The people inside the safe zone were at some peace knowing nothing dangerous would happen. Linka looked above by the starry night sky. So far things were quiet. No sign of any terrors. All of this is making her home sick. She wished to be home, where she can sleep peacefully in her bed and worry about pre teen stuff on her own.

She wished for this to be done and over with.

A/N: We have now introduced a few more major characters in the story. I decided to use a good amount of the gender bent characters. Well truth be told they were good enough to use as extra characters. Well at least in my head. Originally when i started writing this story i was going to switch up some of the sisters to be boys, but i scrapped that idea. So instead of wasting potential growing characters i brought them back into the story as different people. So far I'm loving all of this free time i'm having. It gives me an opportunity to update more often. I'll see you on the next chapter. FrostbiteFear Out.