Who you are in the world is pretty terrifying because what if the world doesn't like you?
-Simon Spier; from Love, Simon (2018)
Fear is a strong emotion. It can override a person's basic thought process, drown out their emotions and any logic they may possess. Fear can make people do stupid things, which can either result in fatal or harmful consequences. And when it comes to a hospital invasion, fear can make people do extremely dangerous things.
Determination, on the other hand, is just as strong as fear. It gives people a main focus, something to look forward to. It allows someone to use whatever critical thinking they have to make life-or-death decisions. It gives people the opportunity to try and get themselves out of certain situations.
Emma was feeling a combination of both. Her fear was battling with her determination. She felt the drive to get herself and her son out of the hospital, but she also found herself drowning in a feeling of panic and fear. She was trying to be logical, but her emotions were trying to override her thinking. She had to keep Dominick's safety in mind, but that gunshot from the oncoming woman sent her over the edge. Emma felt her mind breaking off into all kinds of directions, which made her wonder if what she was doing was going to be effective or not. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her breathing was incredibly labored. Her body was hurting from the labor and from being forced to run. Dominick was crying louder than before and everything was falling apart and nothing was making sense and. . .
"Stop!" A woman's voice. Different from the one who was supposed to be chasing her. The voice sounded far too close for Emma's comfort. The young mother skidded to a halt, holding her infant tightly against her chest. Turning her head slightly, Emma saw an older woman, dressed in a security uniform, standing in one of the hospital rooms. She had her gun drawn, and there was a wild look on her face. She looked pale and terrified, and that made Emma's fear intensify.
"I'm just trying to leave," Emma said, her voice trembling. "My son and I are in danger, okay? We just want to leave."
"How do I know you're not one of them?" The woman's voice was cracking, probably from overuse. Emma tried to peer behind the woman, but she couldn't see much. Whatever happened obviously left the guard in shambles.
"I don't even know who they are!" Emma snapped, tears forming in her eyes. "I just want to leave. Do you understand me? That's all I want."
The guard studied Emma for a long moment before lowering her gun. She swallowed thickly and let out a shaky breath. "Fine," she said, trying to keep her voice firm. "If you're looking for an exit, keep going down the hall and take a right."
Nodding, Emma adjusted Dominick in her arms, the infant having finally stopped crying. When she was about to turn and leave, another gunshot fired off. This time, it was dangerously close by.
"What was that?" the guard snapped.
"Someone's after me," Emma responded, hurrying down the hall.
As the guard watched the young mother hurry off, she let out a silent curse before following. She'd seen enough madness to know she had enough. Running after Emma, she eventually caught up, keeping her gun ready to fire if need be.
"What the hell are you doing?" Emma barked.
"I'll keep you safe until you get out. I honestly don't think you'll make it out alive unarmed."
Looking at the guard for a moment, the young mother felt something come over her. Someone was willing to help her out. Emma honestly thought she'd be on her own in her escape. But the guard, a woman who initially thought Emma was an enemy, was risking her life to keep mother and son safe. There was a determination in the guard's eyes, one that drowned out the original madness and fear from before. Maybe Emma was starting to feel a little more reassured, a little more safe, knowing she had an armed individual keeping her safe. But she wasn't going to look too deeply into it just yet.
Another shot rang out, the bullet hitting the light above their heads. Dominick's crying resumed, and the sound of another pair of feet hit the ears of the two women.
"I've found 'em!" the other woman cried. "They're over here!"
"Damn it," the guard muttered. Quickly turning, she aimed her gun at the attacker and shot twice, one of the bullets missing, the other hitting the attacker's shoulder. A pained cry came out of the other woman's mouth, her free hand immediately going to the wound as her pace slowed. The guard let out a sharp breath before shooting one more time. The bullet hit the woman in the chest, the force of the impact causing her to stumble and fall backwards. "We need to hurry," the guard stated. "Her friends are probably right on our trail now."
No shit, Emma thought.
It took both women a bit to reach the end of the hallway, but when they did, the guard motioned for Emma to the right.
"There." Pointing to one of the doors, Emma let out a relieved laugh when she saw the "exit" sign.
"Thank you so much," Emma said, looking at the guard.
"Don't mention it." She smiled, trying to catch her breath. "I'm sorry for aiming my gun at you."
Waving it off, the young mother took a deep breath before letting it out. Emma gently rocked Dominick in her arms, hoping to calm him down. He was still crying, still visibly shaken by the whole ordeal. He'd calm down, naturally, but it was going to take some time.
"What's going on in here?" Emma asked, making her way to the exit. The guard followed, keeping a close eye out.
"They're looters," she stated, "from the newer wave of rioters."
Worry came across Emma's features. "More riots?" she murmured.
"Communications dropped just a couple hours ago," the guard said. "There's no way of getting in contact with anyone anymore. Everyone's freaking out."
Any bit of the fear that remained in Emma only intensified at that announcement. Communications dropped. No one can get in contact with anyone.* Emma felt as though her heart had gone straight to her throat. She could only think of all the families and friends, separated from having to evacuate their homes, trying to think up ways to get in contact with them. It was absolutely horrendous, thinking that way.
"What happens now?" The young mother stopped in front of the exit, looking back at the guard.
"We keep going. That's all we really can do."
Nodding, Emma adjusted Dominick so that she had one hand free. Pressing her hand on the door, she turned back to look at the guard. "Are you coming, too?" she asked. "We could go together, if you want."
With a small smile, the guard shrugged. "I've had enough of this bullshit," she stated. "People are losing their minds, some for good reasons. But I'll go with you, see where everything goes from here."
"I'm Emma, by the way."
"Hilary."
-0-0-0-0-
The world outside the hospital was utter chaos. The women couldn't believe their eyes. In the parking lot in front of them, vehicles were either overturned, broken into, or destroyed. Garbage had been thrown everywhere, neighboring buildings had their doors and windows broken into and graffiti scribbled all over it. To think, in the span of a couple hours, people could do such devastating damage to their environment. Emma and Hilary were being as cautious as they could be, hoping they didn't run into any looters or rioters. They were hoping they didn't have to deal with the same kind of madness they experienced in the hospital.
Hilary kept her gun cocked, her eyes darting around and her body tense.
Emma's body was equally as tense, but she kept her grip on her child, hoping to shield him from any dangers they faced.
For the most part, the two women didn't hear a whole lot of commotion. It seemed the section of the city they were in had already experienced the worst of the rioting. Only a few unlucky looters remained, if that.
"We'll have to find a place to lay low for a little while," Hilary said. "We'll have to get prepared for whatever follows."
"Any ideas on what that'll be?" Emma asked.
"Looters are dangerous," Hilary claimed, "but I'm guessing there are people out here looking for more than just our things."
That sent a chill up the young mother's spine. Thieves only had one goal in mind, but if there were people who had their sights set on other things, then. . .Emma shook her head, hoping to get those thoughts out of her mind. She'd figure everything out later; in the meantime, she'll keep her head clear and her eyes sharp. Hilary couldn't do all the work.
"You have any idea on where you're going?" Hilary asked. "Any destination in mind?"
The two women, having exited through the side of the hospital, were trying to maneuver around the damaged cars, trying to be as quiet as possible.
"Not entirely," Emma said. "I was just trying to get out."
Nodding, the older woman pursed her lips. "I know a place not that far from here," she said. "It should keep us safe in the meantime."
Emma nodded, hoping Hilary knew — and was certain — of what she was talking about.
-0-0-0-0-
The two women made it through the parking lot with no issues. They made it to a sidewalk, where they could truly take in the damage. Glass was scattered everywhere, some in big shards, others in little pieces. Some cars were in flames, the insides of some buildings were in flames. All kinds of trash littered the ground, even pieces of clothes.
The creepiest thing, however, was the quietness. No sounds at all. No engines running, no sounds of any people — it was incredibly empty.
"This is so weird," Emma murmured, looking around. "I've never seen this place this empty before."
"Cities and towns had to be evacuated," Hilary sighed. "Safe-zones were being put in place to keep everyone safe."
Emma hummed in response. "You think they'll last?" she asked. "The safe-zones?"
"No."
"At least you're honest."
Hilary snorted in response. "The safe-zones are bound to fail," she responded. "Last I heard, the military was sent out to gather the healthy and put them in very secure areas."
"How do you know that?"
"I've got a friend in there. He's been giving me little bits of info since this whole mess started."
"Do you know where he is now?" Emma looked at Hilary curiously.
"Virginia, I think," Hilary said. She sounded almost unsure, though. "He was stationed somewhere in Virginia."
"Maybe you'll see him again."
"Maybe."
(A/N):
Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter. I know it's not the best, but it's something, I suppose. If you've got any constructive criticism, don't hesitate to let me know, okay? I'd love to hear some feedback on how I can improve and what I'm doing well in.
Do I own anything in TWD? No. No I don't. All I own are my OCs, my subplots, and the bed I sleep on. If you've got ideas for OCs or subplots, be sure to PM me or leave a review. I'll add them in as soon as possible.
So, within the last day or two, the Captain Marvel trailer has been released. From my own personal opinion, it looks okay. I guess I was kind of expecting something more, but my excitement for the movie as a whole is still there. So I'll just wait and see how it all turns out. But, since the Captain Marvel trailer has been released, then the Avengers 4 trailer should be coming out this Wednesday. Except it's been speculated that the trailer will be released on Friday, the 7th, instead. Since George H. W. Bush's funeral is this Wednesday, it seems as though that plays as the main factor behind the trailer's setback. Regardless of its release, what are your thoughts?
If you've got any random facts you'd like to share, you can leave them in the reviews. It can be on something old or on something new. It's up to you guys.
Thank you guys so, so much!
Finley Braxton