Don't Let Me Go

Nationwide Alert

Jack gets off the plane, finally happy to be in the LA airport after waiting for so long. He drags his luggage along behind him, a huge grin stuck on his face as he looks around for familiar faces. He's suddenly tackled to the ground, causing him to shriek in the most manliest of ways. The Irishman's shriek quickly turns into loud laughter, which is joined with that of his attacker. Jack shoves Felix off him, still laughing. Mark seems to come out of nowhere and pulls Jack to his feet, grinning, "About time, Jackaboy!"

Jack hugs Mark, "Tell me about it!"

Felix stands, picking up Jack's luggage, "Let's get out of here."

Mark puts his arm around Jack as he walks his friend out, Felix following behind, carrying Jack's luggage. They get in Mark's car and start the drive back to Mark's home. Felix sits in back with the luggage, letting Jack sit up front with Mark. Felix leans forward, putting a hand on the back of Jack's seat, "Anyone else hungry?"

Jack snickers, "You're always hungry."

Mark chuckles, "There's food at home you can eat."

Felix grins, "Great! Fridge raiding is my favorite pass time!"

"I thought playing games was your favorite pass time." Jack smirks.

Felix gasps, putting a hand to his chest, "It is my third love!"

"What's the second?" Mark asks.

"Marzia, of course!" Felix throws his head back, putting his other hand to his forehead like a bad soap opera.

"Wait," Jack tries not to laugh, "You're saying you love food more than Marzia?!"

Felix leans in close to Jack, glaring. He speaks softly, trying to be menacing, "You ever utter those words in front of the fair Lady Marzia, and you will be sleeping with the fishes, good sir!"

The three men all burst into hysterical laughing fits. The laughing continues until the car is parked in front of Mark and Amy's and they go inside. Everyone exchanges hugs and high-fives with Jack while Felix drops Jack's luggage in the floor next to his and Marzia's. After everyone settles down and takes their seats, Mark takes a count of all the friends he has over; Felix, Marzia, Bob, Wade, Nate, Tyler, Ethan, Matt, and Stephanie. Counting himself and Amy, there are eleven people he has to feed tonight and more nights depending on if everyone intends to stay the night. His birthday is two days away, and his friends, except for Marzia, Felix, and Jack, will be parting ways again the day after. He offered to let his overseas friends stay with him and Amy for the few weeks they intend to stay in the US.

Looks like it's pizza for dinner. Felix will eat me out of house and home otherwise. He pulls his phone from his pocket, "Pizza for dinner okay with everyone?"

They all agree, shouting out different types of pizza. Mark chuckles, "I'm not getting twelve different pizzas! I'll get four, so agree on some flavors!"

He stands there, waiting for his friends to agree on pizza topping they want. After a few minutes of arguing, the large group of friends agree on pineapple, pepperoni and mushroom, pepperoni, and hamburger. Mark orders the pizzas then sits with his friends, "Food should be ready in about thirty minutes."

They settle to watch some TV while they wait and then Mark and Jack leave to get the friends' dinner. Mark takes his car keys from his pocket and heads for the door. The two friends leave the house as the sky turns pink and purple, signifying nightfall. Mark is a little surprised to find the traffic isn't bad, especially on a Friday night. They get to the pizza place and go in to retrieve the dinner they ordered. The pizzeria is almost empty. Mark frowns, walking up to the counter. A peppy girl smiles at him, "Hi! How can I help you?"

He smiles back, "We're here for a to go order, should be under Mark Fischbach."

"Okay," she types at her register, "That'll be $39.95."

Mark pays her and then get the pizza boxes. He tilts his head, "Slow night, huh?"

The girl nods, looking around as she coughs on her shirt sleeve, "Yeah, it's weird. Been like this all week."

Marl smiles, "Well thanks, have a nice night."

She waves as they leave, "You, too!"

They get back in their car and drive back. Jack fiddles with the radio knobs, but no music is playing, just garbled static and a male's voice saying words they can't make out. Mark frowns, "The radio was fine earlier."

Jack leans back in his seat, "This doesn't feel right."

Mark says nothing as they continue back home. Jack frowns, sensing the uneasiness they're both feeling. They finally get home and get inside with their dinner, but the uneasiness only grows. As soon as they get inside they're greeted by the nationwide alert blaring through the TV and then a man's voice speaks, "I repeat, this is not a test. Citizens of the United States of America are urged to stay indoors and do not have contact with anyone effective immediately. There is an airborne, severe illness outbreak. Symptoms are as follows; dizziness, loss of appetite, eye discoloration, coughing blood, blood spilling from the eyes, nose, and ears, vein discoloration, loss of voice, loss of motor functions, sudden aggression, the intense craving for raw meat, and seizures. If any of these symptoms arise, call this hotline number immediately and the infected will be quarantined. Under no circumstances is anyone not working the quarantine to have contact with the infected. If someone in your home becomes infected, isolate them immediately and call the hotline. I repeat, do not have contact with any of the infected. We also urge animals to be put down immediately, they may carry the disease as well."

The message starts over again, seeming to be playing on a loop. Everyone in the room looks uneasy. No one really knows what to think of the message they all just heard. Mark frowns, This better be some kind of a joke. There's no way in hell I'm putting Chica down. Wait, where is Chica? I haven't seen her since this morning. Mark notices everyone's eyes are on him and he clears his throat, putting on a big smile as he holds up the pizza boxes he's carrying, "I got dinner."