The Sickness

Chapter 1

They had said that they couldn't contain it. It spread fast, and it consumed every bit of life. Families were killed, friends, and everybody in between. For a while, the government survived and created these specific "stations" in various states. These stations had the necessities - food, water, shelter, and comfort. When you were at a station, the Sickness couldn't harm you. You were safe, and even happy. Families were able to heal from their losses. Friends were able to reconnect, and all was good again. For a while, I had even thought that the Sickness was gone. I didn't want to believe that the world could go through that again. I don't think anybody wanted to believe that it even happened. Most of them lived carelessly and went back to their everyday lives. Well, as close as they could to getting back to their normal routine.

For a little while, I tried to get myself in a clear mindset. I was among the many who had lost everything. The men and women running Station 0 tried to help me. They had me try all of the newly created professions they had available at that station, but nothing worked. There didn't seem to be anything that fit me. The only good thing that came out of trying everything was what I found in myself. I had hidden talents that came forward in every profession. In Protection Services, I found that my fighting skills were extraordinary. My aim with a gun also was profound. In Security in Computers, I was able to hack into anything and alter the cameras. Of course, they didn't know that.

After that little while of peace and comfort, a little girl fell ill. She had a fever of 109° and was delusional. This was the Sickness, and it killed the nine-year-old little girl. It only took days. It only took days for panic to disperse itself among the well-deserted country. The doctors couldn't do anything about the fever, or prevent the death. More people fell ill with the Sickness and more people died.

I lost my brother, Ayden, to the Sickness. One morning, he was in perfect health and performing Drills for Protection Services. The next morning, he became so sick. I couldn't bear to be around him. He wasn't himself, and he looked liked he was already dead. I decided to stay away from him, and I refused to go to his funeral. There was no point in looking at a casket that held my last family member, dead.

A tall boy with bright blue eyes and military cut hair stands beside me, his arm almost brushing mine. I've known him for a year, and he's the only person I really confide in. "Thomas Wooding." His name is spoken over the intercom. Thomas glances at me before standing and walking through a steel gray door. Today is the day where most people my age were placed in one profession for the rest of their lives. I have no idea where I'm going to be placed.

My knee bounces on its own accord. My mind is racing with the chances of being stuck behind computers for the rest of my life. Holding a gun in my hands and pacing across the grounds doesn't sound fitting either, but I would rather that than typing on a computer. The girl beside me is a ditsy-looking blonde with a rather small frame. She looks just as nervous as me, even scared. Who wouldn't be afraid of what a few tests will say about who you are?

"Theresa Dawning."

I stand up immediately and quickly make my way to the steel door. I told myself before leaving my dorm that I wouldn't hesitate. I wanted to look as cool and collected as I could, but I find myself hesitating before pushing the door open. My hand is on the cold steel. It's still cold, as if there hasn't been many hands pushing it open for hours. Finally, I push through it.

I walk down a long, cold, and dark hallway. There are few doors, but all of them are made of steel. What is it with steel? I think. A woman smaller than the blonde I was sitting next to is standing outside of a room. She nods, the gesture curt and uniform. Like she's been doing it for years. I walk into the large room without hesitation. The woman closes the door and locks it. When she speaks, her voice is strong and demanding. "You will be undergoing exams of the three professions the government has chosen best for you. Do your very best, but don't hurt yourself." I glance a look at her. That's definitely a reassuring thought that my exams will involve dangers.