Epilouge Part 1

     Well that was interesting. For my bachelor party the president brought me Raito, Bruce, and three of the guys from the lab to a large arena. He signaled to the technician up in a room looking over the arena, and the lights turned of, black lights turned on, and, like ninjas, there were secret service officers standing next to each of us. They were wear, as well as holding helmets, vest and gun. They handed us the equipment while the president put his on. He said, "It is you all versus me. We're gonna play a summer camp classic assassinate the president. I wish good luck to you all..." He then slipped into the darkness with some final words, "You're gonna need it." We all stood there looking at each other when i noticed the Secret Service guys had disappeared as quietly and suddenly as they appeared. One of the lab technicians said, "well what are we waiting for! LET'S GET HIM!"

     He ran into the darkness, and with sound of compressed air and his girl screams he fell back into our view. He was covered in bright green splatter marks, that glowed under the black lights. Raito said, "Obviously, we're gonna need some more planning." So we huddled around an ammo table. On it were pistols, grenades, and paint knives (Foam knives with a grove along the blade to wick paint across it.). And we laid out a plan, and armed ourselves with the additional weaponry. We actually decided against using the riffles we weren't going into a battle with in numerous enemies. Hand guns would work just fine, and allow us more maneuverability. Bruce was actually able to attach one on the paint knives. using a special all purpose clamp attachment he had made for his prosthetic hand. Raito only grabbed two knives, and a gun. He always preferred little and controlled over quantity and spread. As for me, I went all Rambo on this. I grabbed two guns, and put them in hip holsters, two on my chest, and one on my lower back. a knife on each calf, and one on my chest. Finally a grabbed two more pistols which I would carry.

     The lab techs suited up like me but rather then loading up on guns the just brought clips. I warned them it would be faster to just switch to new guns, but they scoff, and one of them said. I'm also taking my assault riffle. I figured it was futile to argue so I just said, "It's your funeral." As we approached the war-zone, I noticed my eyes had now adjusted to the darkness. I could now see about fort feet in front of me. We slowly crept along staying in cover as best we could. Suddenly a noise to our right spooked the lab tech with the M-16, and he released a flurry of fire into the empty air. I signaled to have Bruce and Raito to scout on the left. Suddenly we were rained down upon with heavy fire. we all took cover, but one of the lab techs began firing blindly. We heard a loud thud, and yelp of pain, and the fire stopped. The lab tech ran saying "I got him I got him!" But when he got to his target it was Raito. He had shot one of his own men. I slowly approached and saw his mistake. I was fuming and said, "You moron short controlled bursts. You just downed one of you own guys. Sorry Rait." He had been hit in thos throat so a painfully squeezed out a "It's OK. I'm gonna throw up now." He stood up and walked off the arena floor where he was met by a nurse who made sure he was alright.

      Suddenly another flurry of paint came down. I rolled out of the way, and was only nicked on the shoulder. We looked back and saw the lab tech curled up in the fetal position, being pelted by shots. He said "Ow" every time he got hit. I notice it was because his M-16 strap had been caught on a loose nail and it prevented him from rolling properly. I yelled out to him, "Told ya." He stood up, dropped his gun, and ran away, but the shot kept hitting him until he was off the field. Just s he reached the safe zone he was just out of range of the shots. He then stuck his tongue out and said, "Ha can't reach me now can ya?" Just then a shot hit him right in the forehead. I crumpled in pain. That's when I realized. the president wasn't working alone. That shot came a downward facing angle. the other came from straight on. plus the paint color was different. I told the others that there were at least two more enemies. I figured there were at probably the same number of men as there were us. however, we were three men down.

         I rallied every one to me I examined the ceiling. It was about twenty feet high and had a turret towards the middle of the room about 3O feet away. That was the only place the guy, who shot the lab tech in the head, could be. I also figured the rest must be on the ground. I told them we were going to all walk about ten feet from each other and slowly sweep the arena. So with the plan set I rolled grabbed the and fired into the turret. I heard someone yell, "I'm hit", and the presidents voice came over the intercom."Congratulations you figured it out. I never go anywhere without my secret service." The intercom cut out an we began our sweep. Bruce was the first to take one out. He shot one of the guys, and then sliced him with the knife leaving a blue glowing line across the guys chest. I got the next guy I saw the white insignia on his arm glow, and I waited on the other side of the obstacle he was hiding behind.  I dropped a bullet to draw him out. He came out fired a barrage of paint and notice the cold metal of my muzzle against his temple. I said, "Bang" and pulled the trigger. Don't worry I know even with paint guns it's dangerous to shoot peoples heads so I lowered my aim first. Just then I heard the lab tech say, "I got one!" He dropped his clip and began reloading, but before he could finish another guy showed up and sliced him. Luckily this put him right in my sight so I took him down.

        Just then a saw Bruce grappling with one of the guys so I through my second knife at him and got him off Bruce. Bruce said, "I owe ya one." Just then Bruce aimed his gun at me and fired. I flinched but notice I had no Paint on me. I turned around and saw a secret service guy behind me he said, "ah dang it paint got in my eye, that gonna be a pain to wash out." He sulked and walked away. Bruce said, "debt repaid." we both ran together, and took out a few more guys on the way. finally we found a door. We knew the president had to be behind it. Bruce went to open the door when it swung open and a huge splatter of paint covered him. I kicked the guy gun fro m his hand and shot him. Leaving the door way wide open. I peered in and saw waht appeared to be a technicolor oval office. And sitting alone at the desk was the president. His white election winning smile shone under the black light. He said, " I promise we are alone. Come win the game." So I entered and asked, "Why do you have an oval office that glows in black light?" I got closer keeping my gun trained on him, and he said, " Oh it was a fun little project we used to entertain ourselves. I actually did a lot of the work myself. It helped us all get our minds of the whole end of human society thing." By this time i was just on the other side of his desk. "It's actually almost a perfect replica. There are just a few differences." I reached for something in my pocket and asked "like what?" He responded, "oh, stuff like... this!" Suddenly I heard the compressed air release, and felt the sting in my gut. I looked down and saw the muzzle of the hidden gun in his desk. Like I mentioned earlier I was reaching behind my back. I did this because I had a feeling he had something up his sleeve. While we spoke I was pulling the pin on the grenade. As I knelt in my final moments. He came from around his desk, and knelt next to me. He said, I can see why you've survived this plague, you have some smarts, but so do I. I mean I got millions of people to vote for me...twice. Wanting my last words to be memorable. So, I lunged at him released the grenades fuze and said, "I didn't vote for ya!" Just then paint splattered all over the room. We both glowed in bright green. The everyone walked into the room. The president said, "you didn't vote for me?"Everyone was silent until Bruce said, "Awkward." and everyone began laughing. This was one so awesome, and I'm looking forward to my wedding.

Bright Future Ahead

        Today we figured it would be best to not to kill Oliver. Even though he carried out the orders of a mad man, we let him live. We did however strand him ten mile out side of the city with a machete, and enough provision for a week or so, but gosh darn it I think I accidentally left my brand new megaphone alarm clock in his bag. Raito made it for me, and I hope it doesn't cause him any trouble. I had set it for 5 o'clock, right when the slack jaws start gettin' feisty, and that thing can be heard for up to a mile. I'm sure he'll be fine.

          Anyway, we've been making plans for the big trip. We'll be leaving Friday morning. Our first stop will be the hospital I left my father in charge of. We want to get him the cure and the vaccine so he start giving it to everyone that shows up. I wonder how many people have been added since we left. I really hope everything has gone smoothly. For some more great news the researchers here have found a way to weaponize the cure against the slack jaws. The best part is any gun can fire them. We'll be leaving the equipment needed to convert the ammunition. It's as simple as replacing the lead bullets with these special plastic ones which survive the firing, but break on impact, and releases a fast acting form of the cure into the slack jaw, and kills the fungus holding them together. They also made special smoke grenades which permeate the slack jaws systems. These new gadgets destroys them in seconds. We're calling them Anti-Slack Jaw (ASJ) weapons

        Finally one last bit of news. On Friday the president will be flying with us to Concord, as well as a army Chaplin. We will be having a small wedding ceremony at the hospital. The president has ordered a tux and a wedding dress be made for us. I can't wait to tie the knot, and I glad all my surviving friend and my father will see it. I'm just sad that my mother couldn't be there to ball her eyes out, but I know she'll be watching from heaven... wow that sounded cheesy in my head, but in it's even worse in text. Well, I gotta get going I have a bachelor party to go to. The president said something about the military training facility and paintball guns.

          All in all I feel as though the night mare is over. The clouds are lifting and we can see the future ahead. It has been a long hard road, but that is behind us. Now armed with knowledge, science, and good friends I can't see any major obstacles ahead. Sure, life won't be peaches and cream anymore, but it never really was. Life will always have it's trials, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Trial grow as people, make us stronger, and draw us closer to those we care about. I will never forget the friends, and family I've lost, nor the lesson they and God have taught me through this time. Tomorrow begins the first day of the rest of our lives.

Blood on My Hands

         I have done, what I have feared doing, and yet what I have wanted to do since the Ucen. the night after I found out Evelyn and the president had been kidnapped I didn't sleep. I spent the night preparing for and executing a rescue attempt. Me and Raito built some weapon from chemical and gear we could find around the common areas. We made smoke bombs from some emergency flairs, and used the springs in our beds to make cross bows. You may be wondering why we didn't just let the secret service take care of it, well they were moving to slow. They wanted to wait till morning and negotiate, but I know Quentin. he doesn't negotiate. once he's decided he's gonna kill you, he will stop at nothing until you're dead. As we ran for the other side of the complex. We heard Oliver and Grace walking. We hid in some lockers and peered out the slits on the door. I could see them walk a couple doors down from me they were out of site but I heard Grace say, "Oliver why do we follow this guy?" "Because he' a good leader." said Oliver. Grace Continued," I don't know, I've been thinking, sure we've had ultimate freedom with Quentin, but lately it's felt more like cage. For the first time I'm thinking back on the things I've done and I am sickened. My actions are coming back to haunt me, and it's crushing my heart. I regret the things I've done, and I want to apologize to all those I've hurt, but they've all been killed and it's to late."
       Oliver responded, "Sis, quite talkin' forgiveness, what's done is done, live in the now, forget the past, and don't care about the future. All this forgiveness talk and you're sounding like mom." Grace sigh and said," Mom... I miss her Oliver." Oliver got angry and yelled, "you miss that bible thumping, holy roller. She never approved of us. We were never good enough for her. I'm glad she got turned, so I don't have to ever hear her chastisements again." Grace slapped Oliver across the face. "Don't you dare say that about her. She was still our mother, and now that I think about it she was right to rebuke us. Look at what we've become. We've killed dozens of people because some psychopath told us to. I realize now she was hard on us because she saw where we were headed and she loved us enough to try and pull us from that. Quentin only keeps us around because we help him gain power, the moment one of us no longer becomes useful he'll kill us. The only reason he let me live, after getting bitten, was because of his sick attachment to me, being the only girl." Oliver pause and said. "You know what you better stay out here for a while and cool off. I don't want you pissin' Quentin off, and where is that moron with the meat sacks." Just as Oliver said that I heard the loud thumps of the feet of Quentin's muscleman, Dolph. I also heard the shuffle of feet with him. Maybe it was the hostages.
       Slowly Dolph approached I heard Oliver yell, "hurry up you infinite mass." Dolph passed us and I could see chains, but it was difficult to see through such narrow slits. two silhouettes with bags tied down over their heads shambled into view. I hoped that it was the president and Evelyn, but I quickly began praying that it wasn't. Because one of the masked figures lunged at the lockers and began gnawing through the bag and at the locker to my left. I couldn't remember was Raito to my left or right. I heard Dolph smack the slack-jaw, and open the locker. he said "what have we hear?" I feared that we were discovered. Until I heard the rustle of a paper bag. Apparently they was a bag lunch in the locker next to me and the slack-jaw smelled the rotting tune sandwich. he threw the sandwich at the slack-jaw and said, "Hungry? knock yourself out." the slack-jaw smashed the sandwich against it's bag but couldn't get it through. They continued on into a room down the hall.
      Raito jumped right out of his locker but I had problems with mine. Raito had to let me out. I asked, " how did you get out so easily?" he responded, "it was easy I had a lot of practice getting out of lockers in middle school."  we headed down the hall to the door they went in. It was unlocked Raito peeked in and saw that it was empty. We crept in and went to the door across from us, this time we heard voices on the other side. There was vent connecting the two room Raito got on a table and looked through. He could see Quentin, and his gang all talking. The hostages were tied up in the middle of the room, and the slack-jaws were chained to a pipe on the far end. We had to be delicate.
       We waited for a little bit to see if an opportunity would arise, and it did. Raito accidentally knock over a box and the noise caused Quentin to send Oliver in to check out the noise. Me and Raito hid as best we could. Luckily a rat scurried across the floor and Oliver said, "It was just rat." Luckily this didn't satisfy Quentin. He said, "Go check the hall way, just in case." Oliver turned and closed the door behind him, and we took our chance. as soon as the door closed, we jumped from cover. Raito got a rope around Oliver's neck and I hit him over the head with a nearby Pipe. We had to catch him before he hit the ground so he wouldn't make to much noise. However, Quentin still got suspicious. "What's goin' on in there?" We had to think fast so I did my best impersonation of weasel and said, "I'm fine, I just tripped." We then picked up Oliver's unconscious body, carried him out the other door, and tied him up. By the time we got back to the outer room, I heard Quentin say, "That moron is taking to long. Dolph go check on him." This time we had a little more trouble. When Raito jumped him he just grabbed him and threw him across the room. I tired to fight him but he was just to big. I stabbed him in the shoulder and he didn't even slow down, He Sparta kicked and i landed ten feet away from him. This gave me just enough time to load a round in my crossbow. Just as he wrapped his massive hands around my I got the cross bow under his chin, and fired. The blood splashed on my face, I got sick I almost passed out from the shock. Dolph stumbled back removing his hands from my throat to clench his own. He pulled out the makeshift arrow, and feel backwards with a large thud and a small gurgle I watched the life leave his eyes. I had just taken the life of a human a fellow human being, not a lifeless shambling corpse, a living breathing man.
          Although I didn't have time to dwell on this, because as soon as Quentin called out to Dolph, and he didn't respond. Raito and I were showered in a flurry of lead. We took cover, but no before a bullet grazed my cheek taken a significant chunk out. Then I heard it that miraculous sound. It was the sound of the firing mechanism jamming in Quentin's gun. I heard him trow down his gun, and pull out his pistol. I heard him pull the hammer back, and say,"walk away, or I put a bullet in your girlfriends stomach, and throw her to the meat bags." I froze in my steps, and remembered what Grace had said earlier. I called out to her, "Grace, I heard what you said in the hallway. You don't have to follow him."  As I spoke I looked through the vent. I saw Quentin with his gun pointed at Evelyn. It was a revolver six shooter. I didn't know if my word were landing with Grace, but they sure were pissing Quentin off. "He is no great leader, he's a coward." Quentin Heard me say this from the vent and fired three rounds into the vent. I dived out just in time. That's when it hit me. He only has three shots left.
           So I picked up the pipe I used to knock Oliver out, and I said, "He has time and time again made you kill. You murder two people back in UCSB because he told you to." as I said this I taped the wall a couple feet from me and just as I hoped he shot a round right where I made the noise. I continued pissing him off, "You know he is evil, he has made you lose your humanity. Retake it from him, help us." Quentin let off another round, this one barely missed me. "Please Grace, do it for your parents!" That's when I heard a gunshot inside the other room but no bullet came through the wall. I yelled for Evelyn and she responded, I heard the president say, "We're fine too, thanks for asking." So I knew Quentin was of ammo, so I decided to make an entrance. I loaded a crossbow, set off two smoke bomb in the room, and kicked down the door. I looked at Quentin, and I saw where to bullet had gone. He had shot Grace who was still alive but clutching her stomach. Quentin scramble for another gun but put crossbow to head and told him to put his hands on his head. Which he did. Raito tied up his hands and held on to him I went and untied Evelyn and the other hostages. I told them to head to the medical center, get checked out, and send someone here to help Grace. I went over to Grace, she had lost a lot of blood. She was dying the doctor wouldn't be able to make it. I held her hand as she began to cry. She asked,"Jake, is it to late for forgiveness am I damned?" I looked her int he eyes, and told her, "No, your past means nothing, Christ will forgive you, even if humans won't. All you need do is ask." She smiled, and said then I guess I'll see you again someday, and with those words she breathed her last. Tears began to stream down my face, I closed her eyes and folded her hand over the wound.
         I heard Quentin scoff behind me. "Ha, she was weak, she deserved to suffer more. Just like all of you. That's why I keep living." The anger boiled within my heart, and I said, "NO! You live because I let you. I could have put an arrow through your face and know one would think less of me for it. Heck I probably could still do it and no one would care. You're the weak one. You take the easy way out kill your problems and they go away. It takes strength to deal with them and learn to live with it. You think I'm weak, well who's the one tied up right now? " Quentin gave a dark smirk and said, "Not me." He had a knife in his back pocket which he used to cut the rope. He punched Raito, knocking him out, and lunged at me. I shot him with the cross bow. but it hit him in the side of the gut. I didn't have enough time to aim. I used the crossbow to knock the knife out of his hand. I then ducked when he took a swing at me. While ducking I punched the arrow which stuck out of his side. He screamed in pain, I grabbed his throat, and slammed him up against the wall. He Said, "You won't kill me, you don't have the guts." I said, "Correction I won't kill you because I have a heart, but that doesn't mean a won't put you with your kind."

         "My kind?", he said. I simply looked at the slack-jaws on the other side of the room. He looked back at me and said, "No, no please!" His pleading fell on death ears, as I walked him across the room, he kicked and fought but the arrow in his torso made him weak. The slack-jaw had gotten excited with all the blood in the air. They were pulling at their chains. I brought him just out of reach. The slack jaws' nail were rubbing against him he kept pleading and pleading, and I was ready to throw him at the, but that still small voice returned and told me, "No, let him one last chance." So I threw him to the ground out of the reach of the slack-jaws. I began to walk away, "I'll be locking you in here, and the authorities will do with you what they see fit." When I turned my back he grabbed his knife from the ground and ran at me yelling, "I'll teach you to turn your back to me." As he moved forward I spun around and kicked him. He flew 15 feet, and hit a wall. As he stood up his arm got tangled in a chain, and he looked to see the chain was attached on on end to a pipe, and the other end to a slack-jaw. He screamed as they dug into his flesh and began to devour him. I then picked Raito up, closed the doors behind me, picked Oliver up in the hall, and brought them both to hospital. For the next few days I stayed in my room. I wept, prayed, and came to term with what had just happened. I now present this to you. I hope this was the last major obsticle in our way as we begin distributing the cure.

Stand Off

      I don't have the strength to say much today. Quentin has escaped custody killed four people, and taken the president, Evelyn, and other staff hostage. He said he's gonna get some slack jaws turn them and send them into the compound. We don't have long. We have to get in their and end him once and for all.

Bruised

     A couple days ago I was checking on Grace, because they were finally gonna get grace out of sedation. Problem is when she woke up she was delirious, this would usually come with grogginess, but she physically snapped right out of sedation, and started attacking the physicians  Quentin was in the room but just sat back and watched with a smirk on his face. Grace threw one of the guys through the two way mirror. Everything happened in slow motion. I looked at her. She was practically foaming at the mouth. Then I looked at Quentin, who stood up with a look of pleasant surprise. he cracked his knuckles, and started walking towards me. Once they started approaching me it was like time was trying to catch up because everything happened so fast. I managed to knock Grace unconscious  but Quentin over powered me. We were alone in the observation room. His hands were tightly around my neck. I felt a pressure of the blood collecting in my face.

     He began laughing, and said, "well, well, well, look who it is, Mr. Goody-two-shoes. I told you this wasn't over. Now I'm gonna squeeze the life outta ya." All I could do is gasp and look into his evil eyes. Eyes truly are the windows to the , and even with their bright blue color, Quentin's were as dead and filled with darkness as Hell itself. This man is an embodiment of evil. I tried saying "you won't get away with this", but all I could do was choke out the cadence. Quentin said, "I'm sure I will get away with killing you", I don't know if it was just a coincidence he said that, or if he had throttled so many people, that he had gained an ear for choked speech. He continued, "I'll just say I woke up and saw you all fighting with Grace, and I jumped to her defense. I'm sure they'll kick us out, but they won't kill me. Plus, it's worth it to kill you after how you humiliated me in front of all those people." After He finished his little speech his gripped tightened I felt blood vessel in my eyes pop, it all started get dark, the last thing I saw was two prongs hit Quentin in the shoulder and neck as he began convulsing.

      The next thing I know I'm waking up two days later in a hospital bed. I sat up with much difficulty and saw that Evelyn was asleep at the foot of my bed. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She slowly opened her eyes, and when she saw I was awake she threw her arm around my neck and kissed me. This of course made me scream in pain, and made her recoil back. She apologized and I tried to speak but all that came out was garbled speech. The doctor said they had to reconstruct my larynx, and that I wouldn't be able to talk for a couple days while it healed. I spent the rest of the day getting visits from everyone. at the end of the day the doctor let me leave, so Evelyn and I went to the rec room to watch princess bride. While we watched the president walked in saying, Hey I saw you two in here so I thought I'd come and check in on you. I brought popcorn. Are you watching Princess Bride? I haven't seen this in so long. Mind if I join you?" I really wanted to be alone with Evelyn, but how could I say no to the president. He sat down next to me, and started munching away on popcorn. I am still amazed that this is the leader of our nation. Even with the space invader. I had a nice time. Evelyn fell asleep on my shoulder which was adorable. Then Obama did to. Which was a little weird, but you know what Quentin is locked away, I'm engaged, and we have the cure. I think I can handle a little executive saliva on my shoulder.

Never the Two Shall Part

     I went and checked on Grace today, she was still under sedation. Quentin was in the room so I went to side observation room. It's a room with all her vital and info right next to her room, and I can see her from the two way mirror. I decided to head back to my room and relax a little. I've been very stressed the past few days. As I waked down the hall I noticed Evelyn's door was open so a quietly snuck up to her room and peeked in. She was in a chair with her back to the door. So, I quietly tip toed up behind her and grabbed her and bit her on the shoulder, to you know be cute or whatever. It ended up being a bad idea because she grabbed me by the neck and flipped my to ground.

       Luckily before she bashed my head with a lamp in she noticed it was me. As I lied there with her knee in my neck. I looked into her eyes and we both began laughing. She Got of my throat and she sat next to me, and dropped the lamp. She looked down at me and bopped my nose saying, "you're crazy". I said "an crazy for you". I sat up, and out my arm around her. She smiled at me and put her head on my shoulder closed her eyes. I looked down at her put my hand under her chin and raised her face until I was looking into her beautiful green eyes. I said "I love you", and for the first time I kissed her. Not a peck on the cheek or forehead, an actual kiss. She put her arms around my neck, and said "I love you too". We sat there sitting on her floor staring at each other. I put my hand into her cheek, and suddenly a sentence came out of my mouth that I never expected. I said, "will you marry me?" She recoiled back, and said, "What!?" I realized what I had just said and I just stood up in and just walked to my room.

    After about thirty seconds she made it to my door, and I was searching through a box my father had given me when I had left the hospital. In it were things to remind me of my parents. I pulled out a modest little ring, with a one small diamond and two tiny diamonds embedded in it. It was old and unpolished. It was given to my great grandmother and was passed down to each eldest son. With each generation a tiny diamond was added to the ring. I turned back to her and got down on one knee, and asked her again, "Evelyn will you marry me?". She jut starred at me with a shocked look on her face. Suddenly a voice, rose from behind her and said, "It's so romantic". We both looked and it was the president. He was starting to tear up. I asked him, " With all due respect sir, do you just chill by my door all day?" He b wiped his eye, and said, "Yes, and can you blame me you two are entertaining. Anyway, I believe he asked you a question." Evelyn looked back at me, and stumbled on her words. The president, not-so-subtly, coughed, "say yes". Evelyn knelt down next to me grabbed my face with both hands, said "yes", and planted a kiss on me. I slid the ring on her finger, and we ran to tell everyone. We're planning on getting married right before we leave for the tour.

Production Value

    Today I was ushered into a bright room, when my eyes adjusted I saw several cameras set up ready to capture my every move and action. I fixed my lab coat, and walked over to Grace, last time I saw this girl, she was laughing as Slack jaws surround me in Quentin's colosseum of sadistic punishment. The time before that she was slitting the necks of two infected, however not yet turned, people. Hatred began boiling in my heart. I looked next to the bed she was strapped to and saw an assortment of medical implements. I ran my finger along the cold steel scalpel. It would be so easy, to kill her right now, after all she's done. All the lives she's taken. I could make it look like an accident, a small slip of the wrist, or a mixed up vial, and justice would be done.

     But in that moment a still small voice said, "No, it is not your place". It was right. Killing her would make me no better, while her motivation in life was to take life, mine was save it. I stood there in silence, when I heard the voice of the director say, "Anytime you are ready to begin we can start filming". I said, "I'm Ready". I began to demonstrate how to properly take care of an infected individual. I could feel the eyes of all the people who would watch this, doctor scrambling to save the infected, interns learning how to deal with the rare condition that appear from time to time, and the students researching ancient diseases long since eradicated. Only months ago I was a junior Bio student at a university, now I am the leading researcher of the most important medical event since bubonic. I displayed how to properly clean a bite wound, how to medicate the victim, and explained the plague itself. Everything went according to plan. I administered the cure and wrapped up the demonstration  Afterwards I washed my hands and left the room down the hall I ran into the president who congratulated me on my success, and continued on his way. NOw that i've done my update I'm gonna go pass out now.

Test subject

       Today the Quentin and his gang were allowed out of their iso rooms. They are are being kept on the other side of the compound. I've been promised they will not be made aware, of our presence here. Their food will be delivered to a conference room instead of having them go to the cafeteria. I feel pretty safe, except for one thing. Grace, the female twin in Quentin's group, has been bitten. this means she'll be given the cure, and the president wants me to use her to make a instructional video that we can give to each facility when we arrive. The president said she will be sedated and unconscious for the entire operation. She's on the anti-biotics, and immuno-suppressants. We'll film the video tomorrow.

This is Why We Can't Have Nice things

      So I woke up this morning got dressed, and then there was a knock at my door. I opened it and there was Evelyn. Her green eyes, usually bright and happy, were fogged over with groggy bitterness. She said, "you know I'm glad I didn't vote for this guy. Making us get up at 6am on a Saturday." I responded, "what are you talking about we used to have to be up before sunrise, for early morning checks. Not to mention all the sleepless nights run for our lives. I think our short couple weeks here has made you soft." and with that statement her in the stomach. She laughed and then poked me in the rib. This began what I refer to as the great poke war of May. We went on poking each other for about ten minutes. Somehow I end on my knees and she was standing on my desk chair, she yelled "super poke of death!" She then jumped off the chair digging a finger into both of my sides, and ended up sitting on my back with me face down in the carpet. That's when we both noticed the President standing in the door way.

      "This is the generation that will rebuild our nation?" said the president with a smirk on his face. We both smiled and got up trying to straighten our selves. "Come on you to we're gonna be late." We both red faced followed the leader of our nation down the hall to the meeting room. We all sat down around a large table, and I began nervously twirling a pen. The president greeted us all, and told us that the shipping the cure would begin in a week, and that Me and my team would lead the American shipments. We are to go and teach each base to make the formula as well as the vaccine. We will then move on to the next base.

     As we finished our briefing a message came over the intercom. "Mr. President we have four new arrivals. They resisted us when we tried to take away their firearms, but we managed to get them into separate cells. Here are the feeds from their isolation rooms." When the image came up I was filled with utter shock and anger. It was Quintin and his Psychos. The president noticed my expression of rage. "Why are you vibrating with such malice, son? Do you know them?" "Yes I do they are a bunch of murderous fiends and they keep popping up where ever I go. They've killed people, people I cared about, and we shouldn't house them send back into the world let them get eaten.

       Evelyn whispered my name with concern. She knew they were horrible people, but she had no idea what had happened at UCSB after she left. She grabbed my arm and got my attention. I looked down and noticed I had broken the pen a was twirling, and it had stabbed my hand. Now blood and ink were dripping from between my fingers. she unclenched my hand and asked for a first aid kit. One of the secret service guys brought it to her. and she began taking care of my hand. I sat back down my chair, and the president said, "In this time of need we can't just throw people away like that. Times like this change people." I glared at the president and with a tone much too disrespectful for address my commander and chief said, "No they don't sir. All they do is bring out who you truly are inside. For people like Evelyn her strength and kindness came out. She was always strong and kind, but extreme situations create extreme people. Quintin has always been a cruel man. You can ask Luna that yourself, she grew up with him. In this world he only became truer to himself, he is just as much a monster as any of those slack jaws that are moaning outside our walls. I will not stand for this man living in the same building as decent humans.

     The president leaned back, and eyed me. I'm sorry you feel that way, but I can not  abandon these people. I will however keep them separated from the rest of us. We'll find something to do with them. I wasn't content with this answer so a stormed out, with one final warning "If you let that man live here, you've doomed us all. I left, and went down to my room. I slammed the door behind me. I slammed it so hard the mirror hang on the back of it fell and shattered as a tried to catch it. Now my hand was really messed up. as I sat on the floor next to my bed pulling glass out of my hand I heard a gentle voice say my name. I looked over and Evelyn stood in my doorway holding the first aid kit in her hand. She said "It's just not your today. First I kick your butt, then the Psychos show up, now the pen and this."  I just growled quietly and she sat on the floor next to me and grabbed my hand. She gently removed the glass, and cleaned the cuts. I said "I'm sorry, for yelling. I hate those people so much. They murdered two people in there sleep, and abused all those people at the hospital. I can't stand the sight of them."

     "Jake you can't let them affect you so much. once that happens they win. what doe Matthew 5:44 say?" I hesitated to answer but I couldn't deny it. So, I said "Love your enemy, but come on You can't really expect me to actually show kindness to this man." She looked at me, and said "You  don't have to roll out the red carpet, but until he gives you a reason, don't attack him. You were right in saying extreme circumstance make extreme people, but they can all still change, and as long as you show them the love Christ has shown you, you can't be in the wrong." I knew there was a reason I loved this girl. She finished wrapping my arm, and I kissed her on the forehead. I looked at her freckled nose and then up to her eyes and said "Thank you. You're right I need to give them a chance to change, but if he tries anything he's taking dirt nap." She smiled and wrapped her arms around me and we just sat there for a while. I couldn't stop thinking that in a couple days Quintin would let into the complex. This scared me more then the first time I had to Fight my way through the hoard back at the Ucen at UCSB.

Getting Closer

      Today was my scheduled day off. We've been working a whole week now, and we've finally begun production on the cure, and the vaccine will soon be ready. I got to spend my day with Evelyn. She had the day off too. We went and played pool, and then went to the theater and watched all three of the original Star Wars films. She had never seen them. She loved them, and I loved her response when she found out about Luke's father. After Star Wars we went to dinner in the cafeteria. While sitting there the presidents secretary walked up to me and asked me to follow her. I told her only if Evelyn could come with. She agreed, and informed me that nothing is confidential in a time like this. We followed her down a hallway to a room titled strategy. Inside we found the president reading the reports on our research.

     The President stood up and addressed me "You've been doing good work here. Thanks to your little crew we should be able defeat this menace. You have made America a very popular country. China has decided to forgive our debts, as a gratitude for sharing the formula with them. This plague has wiped the slate clean. every country will be starting over. Sure there might be wars, do to weakened borders, but it's all looking up from here. I on behalf of this broken country thank, and those in your circle." I responded, "Thank you sir it's a great honor." the president sat on his desk and motioned for us to come closer "Yes, also you and all your partners will be rewarded handsomely. You will be showered with awards and medals. Is there anything you'd like I'm sure the government would be very pleased to supply it."

     I thought for a moment, and spoke. "I want Colorado." There was a dead silence and we began laughing. " but seriously all I want is a rest I want a home were I can settle down" and I looked at Evelyn, "and start a family". quickly looking away from her, I locked eyes with the most powerful man in the world. "and I want a memorial for my mother in Washington DC. It would be statue of her comforting a crying child, and underneath on the pedestal would be the names of all the millions lost in this crisis." I was nervous. Had I asked too much. He stood looking at each other. He put his hand to his face, and sighed. "Is that all? I really feel we could do more for you." I quipped "You could still give me Colorado haha." The president chuckled and said "OK, well just remember we will always be in your debt." We said our goodbyes and left.

     Evelyn looked at me and said "That was really sweet. Your mother meant a lot to you didn't she?" I responded "Yeah she was always there for me when I was sick And I feel horrible that I wasn't there for her." "Well I'm sure She'd be very proud of you." She grabbed my hand leaned in close and kissed me on the cheek. I stopped and looked at her, and she said "As for the house and the kids buddy I better get a proper wedding with adorable flower girls and a big white dress." I jumped back (hitting a wall), and said "What?! How'd you know I was thinking of you when I said that?" She got close, and said. "you're not the only one with a computer anymore. I really liked how you described me when I ran into you with my bike. Do I really have the most beautiful eyes you've ever seen." I could tell by the way she tilted her head and batted her eyelashes she was teasing me. She continued "but honestly, I'm glad you feel this way, and I feel lucky to have found such an awesome guy." That time she was serious she really does feel the same way about me. She grabbed my arm and we walked down the hall to the movie room, and watched a New Hope again, this time it felt more appropriate.

Update

    These past few days have been pretty chill. Long hours, but lots to do on the off hours. This is the best life has been since the hospital, and to be honest, it the best it's been since the outbreak. TV's, Fresh food (grown in giant underground hydroponic tanks), and a full gym with various sporting courts. I feel a little guilty that I can't share this with all those I left back in the bay area, but soon we'll be back with the cavalry.