A Kennedy Promise

Ivy University

Ivy University, Tall Oakes, June 29, 2013

Security was tight that Saturday evening. Juliet was already on-site at the university in her usual white collared shirt, tight black skirt and high heels. She couldn't help but pace back and forth as she awaited her team to arrive. Following the huge banquet, President Adam Benford would make a big announcement regarding the truth behind the first bioterror attack. Juliet had never been able to sleep right or forget about that incident. A shiver ran through her spine as she remembered how she barely escaped Raccoon City. When she released her first huge scoop regarding Umbrella's front and Chief Irons' corruption, there was a huge uproar and unrest among the citizens. Raccoon City was soon wiped out clean of the infection as if it never existed in the first place. But that was a long time ago. She wondered what the president wanted to reveal more about the devastating attacks.

She heard a van pulling up behind her. Her cameraman and intern climbed out of their seats and approached her. The enthusiastic intern reminded her of her old self as he reported for duty. He was training to be a reporter, and he had been assigned under her to learn the ropes on the field. The kid, Brendan, was no older than 18. Juliet couldn't help but smile a little at him. She gave him a brief rundown of the event later before issuing him his official pass. She gave one to her cameraman as well. He nodded at her in appreciation before dragging Brendan away to teach him some tips. As soon as they left, she heard somebody whistling at her. She spun around, facing the handsome policeman in blue walking towards her. He gave her a pearly white smile as he finally came to a stop right beside her.

"Hey there, sweetheart. Feeling a little cold?"

"Well, now that you've mentioned it, yeah. The wind's making me shiver."

"I can go get my jacket-"

She held her hand up, stopping him. She casually walked over to her car beside the van and took out an old leather jacket, which had the faintest smell of gasoline, cigarette smoke and whiskey all in one. The jacket was at least three sizes bigger, and he wondered who it could've belonged to. The man shrugged, obviously disappointed but he didn't show it.

"Can't say I didn't try," he mumbled, trying to look nonchalant.

Juliet looked past him to his police car where his other colleagues were waiting around for the reception to begin. Everyone else on the parking lot was engaged in their own conversations. Meanwhile, he had lit up a cigarette. She looked at him expectantly. He quietly put out his cigarette and apologised.

"I know you hate me smoking, but if that's the only reason why you don't want to get with me, you don't have to worry. I've been cutting down. I'll stop, I swear. Just give me some time, Juliet," he said, holding onto her hands.

Juliet sighed, pulling away from him. "It's not that, Joseph," she mumbled, forcing herself to look away from him so he couldn't read her facial expression.

"How's a pretty girl like you not want a boyfriend?" Joseph asked. "Or do you already have one?"

Juliet didn't feel like continuing the conversation. Every time this topic came out, she and Joseph would always end up arguing. It's not like she didn't like Joseph, she really did enjoy his company. Being in her line of work always required her to work closely with the local police force. She was captivated by him the moment she first met him. He had taken a serious liking to her too, but she'd always turn him down and he'd never understood why. He had never given up, and he vowed to get her in his arms one day. She told herself to give it a chance with Joseph, but she knew deep down that she had already given her heart to another long ago.

A sudden explosion caused chaos. Everyone was screaming and running in different directions as smoke came out from inside the university. Joseph pulled her back protectively and told her to get herself and her team out of this place. One of his colleagues came rushing towards him, and he nodded at him to gather the team into the building. He radioed in for backup while instructing the others to prepare for evacuation. Just before Joseph left, Juliet pulled him back and gave him a chaste peck on the cheek.

"Be careful," she whispered, afraid of what was happening.

He seemed to be in a daze for a moment before smirking. "I'll be all right, sweetheart. Go, now."

He didn't want to part with her, but he knew he had no time to waste. He ran to join the others while Juliet tried to find them. Her cameraman shouldn't be too hard to spot. He was a huge guy, nearly twice the size of Joseph. She soon spotted him at the other side of the parking lot, where he seemed to be searching for something.

"Michael!" she shouted over the noise, hoping to get his attention. "Michael!"

He finally turned to face her. He explained that he had lost sight of Brendan when he went to the loo. Juliet hurriedly told him to start the van while she searched for him. If they stayed, it would make a great scoop for them, but something didn't feel right, and Juliet didn't want to risk Brendan's safety. Michael nodded and headed back while Juliet trudged forward in the crowd, calling out to Brendan. However, there was no sight of the intern at all. She figured that Brendan would've returned to the van and they were waiting for her. Before she could make her way back to their van, she was faced with the horrific sight of a woman getting mangled to death. She gasped, unable to comprehend the fact that the tragedy was repeating itself. She ran in the opposite direction as she avoided the incoming horde of dead men walking. Unfortunately, she was cornered and had to run inside the university's underground parking lot. She hurriedly pulled down the shutters, just in time before the horde caught up with her. She backed away slowly, making sure the shutters were keeping them away from her. She ran towards the lift, pressing the 'Up' button impatiently. The button refused to light up and she cursed. Electricity had been cut off.

The honking of cars startled her. The undead was crawling out of their vehicles and heading right towards her. She realised that she may have trapped herself underground with no way out. She decided to bolt towards the door at the corner of the parking lot. One of them managed to grab her arm, but she yanked back hard and shoved it away. She dashed into the room and immediately closed the door. She didn't turn back as she continued running into the university, hoping to find an exit soon or someplace to lay low for a while until the horde passed. She regretted not locking the door, but there was no time to spare back there. She met a group of survivors fending off against another horde. They were blocking the corridors with furniture from the lecture halls. She immediately helped them by pushing potted plants to the empty spaces. A survivor from the group, a college girl by the name of Liz, told her and the others of a possible escape route. They headed off in the direction.