When the World Turned Young

Chapter 1: The Disaster

Tracy Porton hopped on the bus for her first day of sixth grade. Her switch to Franklin Middle School, and New York City, was going to be great, especially since Melissa, her best friend, was moving in from Albany. It was only a short drive in the moving truck to New York City, but it felt like forever waiting for her arrival. Melissa was late, as always, and Tracy wasn't worried in the slightest. What did worry her was that Melissa wasn't late, she was gone.

Tracy's first class with Melissa was supposed to be science in third period, and she sat in the front, excited. When the bell rang, she swung her head around and scanned the room. It did not take Tracy long to realize that she wasn't there. Melissa's curly auburn hair and deep blue eyes can be spotted anywhere. "She'll only be a little late," she suggested helpfully when Melissa's name was called. "She always is."

Tracy's teacher, Mr. Tanes, was in the middle of explaining their first unit when the secretary barged in quite noticeably, even to those who had fallen asleep, including Tracy. Mrs. Orvolo's thick accent carried itself throughout the room. "I was sent here about the attendance of Folley, Melissa," she stated loudly. This caught Tracy's attention. "She has gone to Russia to see her grandparents. They are not doing too well. Anyway, Melissa will arrive to school for classes-"
"What is it?" Tracy interrupted.
"I'm sorry, what?" retorted Mrs. Orvolo.

"What happened to her grandparents?"
"Oh, nothing to worry about. It's just that their food is running low. I'm sure it's-"
"WHAT?" This was not good news.
"Oh, yes, it was on the news," Mr. Tanes butted in. "All over it, actually. It's been growing in Asia slowly, and it's starting in Africa. Most scientists say it will spread worldwide by November. This actually relates to our unit..." He kept talking, but no one cared. Global food shortages?
Mrs. Orvolo cleared her throat. "Well, that is all. I'll be on my way now."

It started as murmurs in Mr. Tanes's class, but by period five, everyone knew what was happening. In Tracy's English class, they were doing an ice breaker activity when Ms. Gram checked her computer. Everyone was working quietly, with only one topic of discussion, and it wasn't their project. Out of nowhere, Ms. Gram gasped, and then fainted. Most people went to get help or tried to support her teacher, but Tracy checked the computer. What she saw made her scream. The only open window was a map of the world in varying shades of red to show the food shortage's growth. The caption read that it was getting so bad in Africa, nearly every country was sending adults to farms there to help. The USA's first city to begin sending help: New York.

The principal came on the loud speaker, the panic in his voice not at all hidden. "Attention teachers and students: the school day is over. Please head to your buses or go home immediately. You must get home, because the shortage is getting to America. It's spreading thrice as fast as scientists predicted! It'll reach us before-"

Tracy did not hear the rest. The wind was rushing past her ears as she weaved between students and burst through the door.