Us against the world

Safe :Lydia

It's bright when I wake up. Ross is on her iPod, munching off the free wifi from the rest area. Elliot has his arms folded a crossed his stomach, his mouth is slightly open as he snores.
"Good morning, gorgeous." Ross chips.
"Morning." I stretch my neck an audible pop follows.
"I walked to a McDonald's." Ross hands me a bag. "I got you a sausage muffin."
I open the greasy wrapping, I never liked McDonalds. But I say thank you anyway and eat slowly.
Elliot wakes up around 9, he mumbles to us before heading off to use the bathroom. He comes back with wet hair and slides back into the passenger seat, "Any more ideas on where to go?" He asks as he starts the engine.
Neither Ross or I answer him.
Elliot shrugs and begins to pull out of the parking lot.
----
The roads are flowing easily today, not many people are using them.
Ross turns on the radio, static comes on.
Elliot turns it off, "Nothing is going to play." He says gently.
"I can hope." Ross smiles and turns it back on.
Suddenly, I feel like banging my head on the window.
"We interrupt your scheduled broadcast to alert you of the situation in New York."
Ross turns up the volume.
"Approximately 2,476 people have been infected, gone missing and killed.
We advise any listeners in these following areas to evacuate to a safer location: Rochester, Albany, New York City, and Queens.
At 12 pm today, a special broadcast will come on alerting citizens of the U.S of shelters." The voice clicks off and static comes back on.
"What was that, Elliot?" Ross mocks.
"I meant music not people." He says.
"We should wait and see if they tell us how close a shelter is to us."
"That's in two hours." Ross whines. "and I'm hungry."
Elliot taps his pointer fingers on the steering wheel, "Lets go see if a McDonalds is open."
We turn off on the next exit and find a McDonald's. It's open, so we go inside.
A small Mexican girl stands behind the counter in a red collared shirt, "Hi, how can I help you?" Her eyes are blood shot and she slurred.
Ross steps up and orders first. A large Dr. Pepper and a stack of pancakes, with extra syrup.
Elliot goes next, he focused on the counter, and mumbles, "Cappuccino with extra whipped cream." Then steps back.
I stuff my hands in my pockets, "Egg and cheese biscuit with a medium coke." The girl slowly punches away at her register and gives us a total.
Ross pays, while Elliot's and I gather our food and find a booth.
Besides us, a man with a bushy white beard sits at the back, reading a newspaper.
We eat quietly for an hour, refilling drinks and ordering extra fries.
Mom and dad never let us eat out. Always home cooked meals, or food prepared by fellow marines.
No greasy burgers, sugary sodas, or salty French fries.
"We should go. The broadcast will be on in half an hour." Elliot says.
Ross goes to the bathroom after two Dr. Peppers, and I throw away my trash.
Ross comes out and we all head to the car. Elliot turns on the heat and blows on his palms, "Ten minutes." He reminds us.
Ross re-braids her hair, splitting her hair into three sections, "Watch it been in Illinois or somewhere far." She laugh
"Don't jinx it!" Elliot smiles.
Ross smiles back at him, "Whateve."
Elliot turns the radio on, like usual static greets us.
"Five minutes." He says.
I stare at the digital clock, five minutes. In five minutes I'll have a shelter. Someplace to call him for now. Similar to contact mom and Dad, I try not to think about how they're doing or what they're doing. I'm doing fine I know that, dad strong and is looking out for Mom, Mom supporting done whatever reckless decision he's making.
"Citizens of the United States, we are broadcasting this to alert you of possible shelters and bases near you."
A females voice says. It's warm and hopeful, very feminine. She begins to list of areas of shelters in the states.
"Come on come on get to Wisconsin!"
Ross yells.
Elliot shushes her.
"Wisconsin: Appleton, Kenosha, Madison. These three cities hold shelter, for survivors, children, and any living non-infected persons. Robert Dan middle school. Address 432 S. Maryland, Appleton, Wisconsin.
Daxton Life Center, address, 1534 Monte Way, Kenosha, WI. 5760.
Saint Bethany hospital, address, 710 Congdon Ave. Madison, Wisconsin 5764.
Marilee Dane High school, Address, 316 Hodge Dr. Madison, Wisconsin 5764."
Ross scribbles on a napkin, "We are closest to the high school."
"Then lets go there and look at it. If it doesn't suit us we have three other places to try." I say.
I look at Elliot, and he nods, "Marilee Dane high school it is."