The Only

Chapter 1

It has been six months since a virus broke out... Everyone is panicking, and the government has been having trouble keeping order within the country. So, they made a live broadcast declaring, "If anyone is 'ill'... you MUST quarantine yourself." Rumor has it that if you don't follow procedure and quarantine when sick, you get sent to a disease camp or, worse... sent to the firing squad.

While walking up the sidewalk to my school, I noticed my friend waiting at the side of the gate. He waved me over, "Hey Aaron, you came late again. I was starting to think you got in trouble."

"How kind of you to worry about me, considering I am only one minute late, Liam." I rolled my eyes.

We chuckled and started walking towards the school doors."Have you heard the news?" said Liam, slowing down. He shoved his hands into his pants pockets and stared at the ground.

Aaron glanced over his shoulder to speak to Liam. "About the cop that fired at the civilian?" he said in a dark tone.

Liam nodded and replied, "Yeah, that's one. It turns out the civilian was becoming deranged, screaming in agony...trying to grab the officer and sink his teeth in. So the outcome was open fire."

"Common man, that's probably just a rumor people make to keep us enclosed at night; there is no evidence," Aaron said bitterly.

The school had been at least thirty years old; a deep cleaning and safety inspection were well overdue. The lockers always got jammed, there was dust in the air, and the drinking fountain water is rusty brown. Despite the ragged appearance, it was one of the only well-rounded academic schools in the area.

The pair walked through the main hallway, changing the conversation subject to last night's homework load and dodging the incoming flow of students and faculty preparing for the long day ahead and going upstairs to where their lockers and classrooms were.

Aaron opened his locker, shoved his backpack in, took out his materials for the day, then slammed it shut. He was patiently waiting beside Liam, who was grabbing his things. Aaron began to think about the situation and its effects on his community; the uncomfortable feelings started to settle in. Trying not to let the dark thoughts overtake him, he looked for something around the hall to distract his anxious brain. But the method proved useless, as he noticed most of the other students glued to their phones.... they were watching the surveillance footage of the incident.

The bell rang, signifying that class was starting. The boys did their handshake and separated, going into different courses. Aaron wandered past his classmates, huddled together watching the video, and over to his assigned desk in the front row.

While the teacher was taking attendance, one student entered the door. They seemed frail, with a swollen face, dark under-eye circles, and heavy coughing. The teacher went over to this student, leading them toward the hall. "Are you okay?" the homeroom instructor asked.

"Y-yeah, I am fine. It is just a little cold, that's all." said the student with a congested voice.

"You should not be here.. please hurry to the nurse's office. I hope it is just a cold and nothing more." the teacher said, frightened.

The student nodded 'yes' before turning and slowly descending the hallway.

A few hours pass, and the school day ends only a few minutes away. Aaron is sitting in History class, taking notes. Finally, the bell rings.

"Alright, everyone's class is dismissed. Please read chapter five of the book as homework, and remember to start your evaluation essays. They are worth fifteen percent of your grade."