The Dawn of Knight

Chapter Eleven

The small break room at St. Francis Hospital was filled with anxious murmurs and worried glances as a group of doctors and nurses crowded around the old television set. The news anchor's voice echoed through the cramped space, delivering updates on the devastating H6D7 virus, also known as the Twilight Plague. On the screen, footage of chaos and destruction played on a loop, igniting gasps and sobs from the traumatized staff. As they watched in horror, their safe haven at the hospital began to feel like ground zero for an unstoppable disaster.

"Governments are crumbling beneath the weight of this unstoppable contagion, unable to contain its merciless spread," the anchor bellowed, flashing images of chaos and destruction behind him. Maria's heart pounded in her chest as she gripped the edge of the table, her nails digging into the wood with such force that they began to splinter and break. Fear consumed her as she watched the world around her spiral into chaos and violence, feeling utterly helpless against the looming threat.

The television screen glows with eerie lights as it displays a chaotic scene of destruction. Cars are engulfed in flames while people swarm the streets, their voices rising in angry chants against the government. The anchor's voice quivers with fear as he warns, "This is a state of emergency. The riots have reached a critical point and we advise all citizens to stay inside for their own safety."

Maria's breath catches in her throat as she watches the chaos unfold before her. "They're setting things on fire! What if they come here?" Her voice trembles with panic.

Dr. Tremblay's eyes dart around the room, searching for a solution. "We need to secure this building. If the violence spills over into the hospital, we won't stand a chance." The gravity of the situation weighs heavily on his mind.

Nurse Anne wastes no time in springing into action. She briskly walks towards the door, determination etched onto her features. "I'll check on the other floors and make sure everyone knows what's happening."

Carol remains rooted to her spot, transfixed by the chaos unfolding on the screen. "What if things spiral out of control? What if-" Her words are cut off by Dr. Tremblay's firm grip on her shoulder.

"Stay focused, Carol," he commands, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We can't let fear paralyze us. Our patients are relying on us." His words serve as a reminder to keep calm and focused amidst the storm raging outside.

The anchor's once confident facade crumbled, his face contorted with pure terror. He struggled to speak over the deafening shouts and screams that erupted from the studio, desperately trying to deliver his urgent message. "Ladies and Gentlemen, it appears that the riots have breached our broadcast center. Armed protesters are storming in. Dear God...we are under attack," he cried out, his voice trembling with fear.

A wave of panic washed over the hospital staff as they exchanged frantic glances, their minds racing with horrifying possibilities of what could happen next.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the airwaves, sending them all jumping in shock. The screen flickered and then went black, leaving a heavy silence in the break room. The news of riots, looting, and chaos consumed them, a grim reminder of the brutal reality just outside their doors. The fear was palpable, thick and suffocating, as they waited for any sign of hope amidst the chaos that threatened to consume them all.

Dr. Tremblay's voice was tense with urgency as he turned to the group. "We need to move quickly. We have to check on the patients and make sure they're safe." The weight of their dire situation bore down on him, a suffocating burden that seemed to crush his every step. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were teetering on the edge of a catastrophe.

"Why are they doing this?" Maria's words were strained, barely above a whisper, as they passed through an empty waiting area where chairs stood like eerie sentinels. "Don't they realize they're only making things worse?"