Virus 16

Where to begin?

For centuries it was buried beneath the blood and bones of our ancestors. They fought for years to destroy it, but failed.

Years later, a new mad man seeked to find it. Prince Cassius. His people was being killed and in order to protect them, he needed to ameliorate them.
And so he did, with Virus Praedo, meaning destroyer.

Now, Praedo still exists in my town, called Riveria. We're surrounded with 26 feet walls. Gaurds patrolling the streets 24/7.

Everyone in town is under the control of the overseer. She is the headmistress at the school aswell, to keep an close eye on the kids. Miss Gwen Crawford. Rumors has it she is the decendant of Prince Cassius and her one red eye and scar on her face is because she used the Virus once, but did not succeed.

The most important law in this town is the fear of every child. Once you turn 16 you come face to face with miss Gwen's trusted friend. Doctor Radlee Michaelson. He is the one that injects you with Virus Praedo and keep analysing you.

That is where me and my twin brother, Maddox will be in 3 days.

"Maddox Ember Sinclair! Get your ass down here right now!" My mother sounds furious. I told him not to fill her hairdrayer with powder.

"Vernena please. Help me." He leans closer with fear in his eyes.

"No way brother. You are on your own with this one." a grin started to slide on my face.

He walks down stairs, fear over his body. His shoulders bend forward and his head tilled down. His legs shaking in that tight grey jean. The last time I saw him this scared, was when he had put itching powder in my fathers towel.

I tip toe behind him to see the action. The old wood floor creeks as drags his feet towards the scary old lady. Kadniss peek through her door and my father set the tv volume to high.

In the bathroom door stood a tall woman with a face as white as snow and red hair hanging like wet gras across her face. Anger bursting through her blue, soon to be red, eyes. You can see the flames in her eyes rising until the iris is filled. Her fists as red as blood with flames of madness surrounding them. My mother is about to burn my brother alive.

My sister went with speed back into her room.

She rises her fists, pressing them together, pointing towards Maddox. I rush down the stairs, trying to push him away, but I was to late.

I lay there on the ground next to him. I can feel my heart stop beating. Tears rising to surface. My vision gets blurry and a sob is released.

A breath of relief escapes his mouth. His blond hair covers his sweaty face. His chest bouncing up and down. I scurry to him, lifting him in a hug.

My eyes widen as I saw a big, flat rock in the dinning room. My father stands at the end of the room staring at my mother. Disappointment in his eyes. He did that. He putted the rock there to stop the fireball from hitting Maddox. My father saved him.

My father kneels as he looses his breath. The cancer is spreading and fast to. He doesn't have the energy to control his power.

We hurry him to the couch. He is fine, for now, just out of breath. He continued watching his cricket match as if nothing happend. As if it happend before.

My mother, realising what she almost done, slam the bathroom door behind her. You could hear her sobbing trough the walls. She stayed in her room all day. She was devastated.

Another day gone by, where she hasn't left her room. I told my brother to get his shit together and go apologize and so he did. It took him couple of hours, but he got the balls to knock on her door.

"Mom? Please let me in. We need to talk about this. I'm sorry." He bowed his head against the door. "I just wanted to do something fun before I go to the..." Fear rushes to his brain. He is scared. "Praedo Academy."

The door swing open. My mothers eyes is swollen because of the crying. She pulls him closer in a tight hug. They sit in the room and talked for hours.

Maddox eyes is as red and swollen as my mothers. He falls on his king sized bed, ruffles the blue duvet, slams his head on the pillow and just stare blankly at the grey wall. I lean in the door, crossing my arms.

"Are you crying? You know a Sinclair doesn't cry." I tease him a little. Trying to cheer him up.

"Shut up Verena!" His voice softens. "Don't tell anyone. Especially not Katrina." He turns on his other side, turning his back on me.

"Alright M. Just don't be a pussy." I turn on my heel and walk away.

I lay in bed, worrying and thinking about tomorrow. I turn to see the black clock. 23:47. My mind is running with ideas. I can't put my brother through this. We can't do this. I can't do this. I'm scared. What if we dont make it. What if we end up like the Walkers? We need to escape.