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Description
Chapter 1

Every year my parents made sure I got my influenza vaccine, and even though in the beginning I was scared, it got better. The vaccination from eight months ago, for some reason, had me feel like I would burst into tears the moment I saw it. It was at an early month, and I usually got the vaccination in October. It was only a 30 day difference, and my mom said I was getting myself worked up over nothing.
I sat at in the chair next to the table, my arm outstretched. The woman wiped the alcohol pad upon my upper arm, and I felt a rush of fear get thrown onto me. She pushed the needle in, and I did the regular count. One, two, three, four, five, done.
Later on I waited for the normal effects. Small aches, perhaps a little change in my body temperature, but nothing happened. I then began to worry, I knew something was wrong. No one I knew had effects either. People started to become worried as well, and the media said scientists were looking into it. Six weeks later, while my parents and I were watching the news, the channel cut from the local reporter to the president of the United states. “My fellow Americans,” he said in the commanding and high-class tone that everyone knew, “Recently an influenza vaccine has been distributed across america to our nation's hospitals. This vaccine has been tampered with by a secret organization that the FBI has been searching for. These vaccines contain a tracking device that will go off at the given time the organization has programed it to be. As it goes off, they will know where your location is. We warn everyone to stay inside their homes, only leave your home if you need to, and be safe until we can capture the people who are putting America’s citizens in danger.”, the television shut off.
At that moment, everything fell apart. My mom broke down to tears, my father threw the remote he had in his hand across the room; making it hit the wall with a loud crash. I ran to my room and shut the door, locking it and running to my bed. I cried and screamed, scared for my family and everything dear to me. What did they want with me? Where they trying to make some brainwashed army? Did they want to kill us all? Was I going to die? These thoughts raced through my mind. I started to feel nauseous. I got up but fell instantly, I could feel shock start to go through me. I crawled to the bathroom but couldn’t make it to the bath. I threw up on the carpet, the smell of biol staining the air.My mom came upstairs, picked me up, and cradled me in her arms. I threw up again, this time all over my mother’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, everything will be alright. Mothers here.”, she tried to say in the most reassuring voice she could. I could tell she was trying not to break down just like I was.
“I’ll protect you. Mom and I both will. Nothing will happen to you. Ever.” My dad said, now calming down from his fit.
No matter what anyone said, I didn’t feel safe. That went on for weeks.I couldn’t be alone in any room, I couldn’t shower with the curtain closed, and I couldn’t sleep unless I could heard people talking. I had a pain in my stomach for months, and I could barely eat. Stress was taking over and the effects were showing on my now thirty year old looking body. I looked as if I was stricken with anorexia. My ribcage showed through my body like a silhouette behind a thin curtain. My lips were now dry, and you could see the flakes of skin that had started to peel off. I looked like a mess.
One day it became too much. I stood from my bed, which now was a rare occasion, and I threw my fist into the window. To me, the shattering of the glass sounded like my freedom. I could feel happiness overcome me, and I smiled in such a horrific way. “Am I finally insane?” I asked myself repeatedly until I laughed. “I don’t even care anymore!! We’re all due to die when they find it appropriate!” I gripped a piece of the glass and aimed it towards my heart. “Goodbye...”, and at that second. That long, unbearable second...I had plunged the glass into my chest.
I waited for it to happen, I waited for the feeling of joy to overwhelm me as I drifted off into my freedom. It did not happen. I felt only pain, more pain than I had ever before. I could feel it pressing against my heart, but the glass not being sharp enough to puncture it. I screamed and flailed. I tried my hardest for it to go deeper but I couldn’t. The pain was too much, even for the insane human being that I had become. I choked on the blood that felt like boiling water in my throat. I screamed for help but no one was home. Why? What happened to my mother and father?
I could hear loud footsteps climbing up the staircase. I couldn’t help but feel happy. My pain was soon going to be over. Mommy was here, and mommy will help me. May eyes closed as I waited, the pain now starting to slightly go away.
I heard someone scream my name. Mom? No....No it’s not mom.... I thought. The voice was like a man’s. A young man’s. I opened my eyes, my frail body shaking. It was Akihito. I could feel the warmth of his skinny legs underneath my head, and the rocking of that old car that his father gave him. Under my feet I could feel someone else too. I looked to see it was someone who was familiar to me. At the moment I couldn’t make out who it was. I wish I could remember their face, because I would find them and thank them in the best way I could. I tried to speak, but my words came out as an odd gurgling. Like an undersea creature that was taken out of the water. Akihito looked down and smiled. He tried to look happy, even though I knew something was wrong....But what?
“Hey you.” He said in a soft tone. “We’re heading to the hospital to help you with that little cut you got there on your chest. I don’t blame you for it, I was close to doing the same thing to myself.”
I tried to say mother and father, the strong metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. but apparently there was too much blood....Blood. Why was there so much blood in my mouth? What had happened? Everything happened so quickly it didn’t seem real. I didn’t really try to kill myself....did I? I tried to figure it out. Then I blacked out again.
I woke up , but this time I wasn’t shaking. The other side of my elbow felt weird. Like something was inside it. I looked to my right. I saw the tube of an IV drip bag. I was in the hospital. I couldn’t see or hear anyone. I started to become scared. Thoughts of terrible people, wishing to hurt me, were going through me. I looked from side to side, asking for someone to respond. Then a doctor entered. That made me feel worse. Imagining the worst, I leaped out of the bed but instantly fell. I saw the feet of multiple doctors rushing to my side, picking me up. I screamed, coughing up blood again. Finally I saw someone I could trust.
“It’s fine Aiko! They’re trying to help you! Please calm down!” Akihito pleaded, his hands clasped onto my shoulders. I stared at him blankly. When did he get here? He mentioned something about doctors....A hospital.
“Why am....I...Here?” I asked.
“You tried to kill yourself, Miss Amarante. You have suffered massive bleeding and you have a broken ankle, probably from flailing around while trying to get the glass out. Your parents are in another room. You’re friend Akihito here saved your life.” One of the four doctors said to me.
Trying to understand any of this must have been too much for my mind, because I had been silent for over 5 minutes. I glanced at Akihito and he seemed scared of me.
“Aya....Don’t....Don’t lose yourself.” He said calmly, but I could hear the slightest shake in his voice. He was on the verge of tears.
The doctors had me lay on the bed again. Everyone left except Akihito. I guess it was time for visitors to talk privately with the patients. I looked at him and smiled.
“You’re the only one I can trust now..Our parents are at risk because of us...We need to find a way to keep everyone safe.” I said
“ I know,” He responded. “But don’t worry about it now. Just sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us. Rest on a bed while you can.”
I started to drift off but I couldn’t get to sleep. I was too afraid to close my eyes and leave myself vulnerable until I felt Akihito’s soft touch on my forehead. He started slowly petting my head, singing a song. A song that helped me sleep. I remembered that song for the rest of my life.

You can sleep now
No need to be strong
You can be happy
where everything’s wrong
I can protect you
I will be here
So sleep now
dear girl
for when you wake
you’ll be a warrior

later on he had told me that he made that song on the spot. I didn’t care though, that song still helped me sleep. That song fit the situation completely. When I had finally fallen asleep, I could still feel Akihito’s hand on my head.
I woke up at twelve in the morning, my chest hurting, my ankle throbbing with pain. I looked over and Akihito’s hand had drifted onto my shoulder and he was fast asleep. I tried to manage a smile even though I felt like crying. I knew after this we would be completely homeless. Wandering the streets and wondering where our next meal would come from. I sat up even though it hurt, and I looked at Akihito.
“Akihito..Akihito....Wake up.”
His head lifted and he glanced over at me. “Hey warrior.” he said smiling.
I felt like falling apart. I have to protect everyone I know. I lifted my arms so they were outstretched towards Akihito. He knew what that meant. He got up and walked over, wrapping his arms around me. I could feel warm tears streaming down my face. I’m only fifteen, I can’t do this. I can’t protect everyone I love. People will die, people will disappear and it will be all my fault.
“I can’t do this!” I screamed, holding Akihito tighter.
“You won’t have to do it alone.” He said softly. “I’m here, I’ll help you.” As he said that he squeezed me tighter, and even though it started to hurt, I didn’t want him to let go. I didn’t want to get close to my mom and dad. Perhaps those monsters may know my location already. So the only way I could feel perfectly safe would be if someone close to me could hold me. I had the opportunity to feel secure at that very moment, and I took that opportunity. Every second felt great, for I could feel the same way I did just a few months ago.
“Thank you Akihito.” I whispered softly. I closed my eyes and held onto him. I knew this was the last moment that I could depend on someone else.
...
I stayed in the hospital for 5 months, and every month made me more and more frustrated. I was too close to my parents, I was a danger. Finally I was released, and right then Akihito and I got to our houses and packed everything we could. clothes,brushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and all the food we could fit in the duffle bags that soon became torn and dirty. We met at the front yard between our lots, and we started walking. We couldn’t look back, because we knew that if we did it would be too hard to let it all go.
Throughout the span of a week we had met people doing the same as us. Running, hiding, wishing for it all to end. We had thought that something like this would never happen again in the history of humans. Everyone thought we had all learned our lesson after things such as world war two and other events that had affected the world and all its residents, but no. Apparently there were some that had never gotten the message.

Description
Chapter 1

Every year my parents made sure I got my influenza vaccine, and even though in the beginning I was scared, it got better. The vaccination from eight months ago, for some reason, had me feel like I would burst into tears the moment I saw it. It was at an early month, and I usually got the vaccination in October. It was only a 30 day difference, and my mom said I was getting myself worked up over nothing.
I sat at in the chair next to the table, my arm outstretched. The woman wiped the alcohol pad upon my upper arm, and I felt a rush of fear get thrown onto me. She pushed the needle in, and I did the regular count. One, two, three, four, five, done.
Later on I waited for the normal effects. Small aches, perhaps a little change in my body temperature, but nothing happened. I then began to worry, I knew something was wrong. No one I knew had effects either. People started to become worried as well, and the media said scientists were looking into it. Six weeks later, while my parents and I were watching the news, the channel cut from the local reporter to the president of the United states. “My fellow Americans,” he said in the commanding and high-class tone that everyone knew, “Recently an influenza vaccine has been distributed across america to our nation's hospitals. This vaccine has been tampered with by a secret organization that the FBI has been searching for. These vaccines contain a tracking device that will go off at the given time the organization has programed it to be. As it goes off, they will know where your location is. We warn everyone to stay inside their homes, only leave your home if you need to, and be safe until we can capture the people who are putting America’s citizens in danger.”, the television shut off.
At that moment, everything fell apart. My mom broke down to tears, my father threw the remote he had in his hand across the room; making it hit the wall with a loud crash. I ran to my room and shut the door, locking it and running to my bed. I cried and screamed, scared for my family and everything dear to me. What did they want with me? Where they trying to make some brainwashed army? Did they want to kill us all? Was I going to die? These thoughts raced through my mind. I started to feel nauseous. I got up but fell instantly, I could feel shock start to go through me. I crawled to the bathroom but couldn’t make it to the bath. I threw up on the carpet, the smell of biol staining the air.My mom came upstairs, picked me up, and cradled me in her arms. I threw up again, this time all over my mother’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, everything will be alright. Mothers here.”, she tried to say in the most reassuring voice she could. I could tell she was trying not to break down just like I was.
“I’ll protect you. Mom and I both will. Nothing will happen to you. Ever.” My dad said, now calming down from his fit.
No matter what anyone said, I didn’t feel safe. That went on for weeks.I couldn’t be alone in any room, I couldn’t shower with the curtain closed, and I couldn’t sleep unless I could heard people talking. I had a pain in my stomach for months, and I could barely eat. Stress was taking over and the effects were showing on my now thirty year old looking body. I looked as if I was stricken with anorexia. My ribcage showed through my body like a silhouette behind a thin curtain. My lips were now dry, and you could see the flakes of skin that had started to peel off. I looked like a mess.
One day it became too much. I stood from my bed, which now was a rare occasion, and I threw my fist into the window. To me, the shattering of the glass sounded like my freedom. I could feel happiness overcome me, and I smiled in such a horrific way. “Am I finally insane?” I asked myself repeatedly until I laughed. “I don’t even care anymore!! We’re all due to die when they find it appropriate!” I gripped a piece of the glass and aimed it towards my heart. “Goodbye...”, and at that second. That long, unbearable second...I had plunged the glass into my chest.
I waited for it to happen, I waited for the feeling of joy to overwhelm me as I drifted off into my freedom. It did not happen. I felt only pain, more pain than I had ever before. I could feel it pressing against my heart, but the glass not being sharp enough to puncture it. I screamed and flailed. I tried my hardest for it to go deeper but I couldn’t. The pain was too much, even for the insane human being that I had become. I choked on the blood that felt like boiling water in my throat. I screamed for help but no one was home. Why? What happened to my mother and father?
I could hear loud footsteps climbing up the staircase. I couldn’t help but feel happy. My pain was soon going to be over. Mommy was here, and mommy will help me. May eyes closed as I waited, the pain now starting to slightly go away.
I heard someone scream my name. Mom? No....No it’s not mom.... I thought. The voice was like a man’s. A young man’s. I opened my eyes, my frail body shaking. It was Akihito. I could feel the warmth of his skinny legs underneath my head, and the rocking of that old car that his father gave him. Under my feet I could feel someone else too. I looked to see it was someone who was familiar to me. At the moment I couldn’t make out who it was. I wish I could remember their face, because I would find them and thank them in the best way I could. I tried to speak, but my words came out as an odd gurgling. Like an undersea creature that was taken out of the water. Akihito looked down and smiled. He tried to look happy, even though I knew something was wrong....But what?
“Hey you.” He said in a soft tone. “We’re heading to the hospital to help you with that little cut you got there on your chest. I don’t blame you for it, I was close to doing the same thing to myself.”
I tried to say mother and father, the strong metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. but apparently there was too much blood....Blood. Why was there so much blood in my mouth? What had happened? Everything happened so quickly it didn’t seem real. I didn’t really try to kill myself....did I? I tried to figure it out. Then I blacked out again.
I woke up , but this time I wasn’t shaking. The other side of my elbow felt weird. Like something was inside it. I looked to my right. I saw the tube of an IV drip bag. I was in the hospital. I couldn’t see or hear anyone. I started to become scared. Thoughts of terrible people, wishing to hurt me, were going through me. I looked from side to side, asking for someone to respond. Then a doctor entered. That made me feel worse. Imagining the worst, I leaped out of the bed but instantly fell. I saw the feet of multiple doctors rushing to my side, picking me up. I screamed, coughing up blood again. Finally I saw someone I could trust.
“It’s fine Aiko! They’re trying to help you! Please calm down!” Akihito pleaded, his hands clasped onto my shoulders. I stared at him blankly. When did he get here? He mentioned something about doctors....A hospital.
“Why am....I...Here?” I asked.
“You tried to kill yourself, Miss Amarante. You have suffered massive bleeding and you have a broken ankle, probably from flailing around while trying to get the glass out. Your parents are in another room. You’re friend Akihito here saved your life.” One of the four doctors said to me.
Trying to understand any of this must have been too much for my mind, because I had been silent for over 5 minutes. I glanced at Akihito and he seemed scared of me.
“Aya....Don’t....Don’t lose yourself.” He said calmly, but I could hear the slightest shake in his voice. He was on the verge of tears.
The doctors had me lay on the bed again. Everyone left except Akihito. I guess it was time for visitors to talk privately with the patients. I looked at him and smiled.
“You’re the only one I can trust now..Our parents are at risk because of us...We need to find a way to keep everyone safe.” I said
“ I know,” He responded. “But don’t worry about it now. Just sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us. Rest on a bed while you can.”
I started to drift off but I couldn’t get to sleep. I was too afraid to close my eyes and leave myself vulnerable until I felt Akihito’s soft touch on my forehead. He started slowly petting my head, singing a song. A song that helped me sleep. I remembered that song for the rest of my life.

You can sleep now
No need to be strong
You can be happy
where everything’s wrong
I can protect you
I will be here
So sleep now
dear girl
for when you wake
you’ll be a warrior

later on he had told me that he made that song on the spot. I didn’t care though, that song still helped me sleep. That song fit the situation completely. When I had finally fallen asleep, I could still feel Akihito’s hand on my head.
I woke up at twelve in the morning, my chest hurting, my ankle throbbing with pain. I looked over and Akihito’s hand had drifted onto my shoulder and he was fast asleep. I tried to manage a smile even though I felt like crying. I knew after this we would be completely homeless. Wandering the streets and wondering where our next meal would come from. I sat up even though it hurt, and I looked at Akihito.
“Akihito..Akihito....Wake up.”
His head lifted and he glanced over at me. “Hey warrior.” he said smiling.
I felt like falling apart. I have to protect everyone I know. I lifted my arms so they were outstretched towards Akihito. He knew what that meant. He got up and walked over, wrapping his arms around me. I could feel warm tears streaming down my face. I’m only fifteen, I can’t do this. I can’t protect everyone I love. People will die, people will disappear and it will be all my fault.
“I can’t do this!” I screamed, holding Akihito tighter.
“You won’t have to do it alone.” He said softly. “I’m here, I’ll help you.” As he said that he squeezed me tighter, and even though it started to hurt, I didn’t want him to let go. I didn’t want to get close to my mom and dad. Perhaps those monsters may know my location already. So the only way I could feel perfectly safe would be if someone close to me could hold me. I had the opportunity to feel secure at that very moment, and I took that opportunity. Every second felt great, for I could feel the same way I did just a few months ago.
“Thank you Akihito.” I whispered softly. I closed my eyes and held onto him. I knew this was the last moment that I could depend on someone else.
...
I stayed in the hospital for 5 months, and every month made me more and more frustrated. I was too close to my parents, I was a danger. Finally I was released, and right then Akihito and I got to our houses and packed everything we could. clothes,brushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and all the food we could fit in the duffle bags that soon became torn and dirty. We met at the front yard between our lots, and we started walking. We couldn’t look back, because we knew that if we did it would be too hard to let it all go.
Throughout the span of a week we had met people doing the same as us. Running, hiding, wishing for it all to end. We had thought that something like this would never happen again in the history of humans. Everyone thought we had all learned our lesson after things such as world war two and other events that had affected the world and all its residents, but no. Apparently there were some that had never gotten the message.