Chapter 1: The Warning The sound of a blaring siren echoed through the empty streets of the city as people scrambled to take cover in their homes. Panic had set in when the news broke that a deadly virus had been released into the air. Those who had come in contact with it were already dead, and those who were exposed were likely not far behind. In the midst of the chaos, a group of four friends found themselves running for their lives. Eric, Natalie, Jake, and Olivia had all been out enjoying the last bits of summer when the warning went out. They knew they needed to make it back to their apartment before it was too late. As they ran, they could feel the effects of the virus starting to take hold. The air was thick and heavy, making it hard to breathe. Their hearts were pounding, and each step felt like they were wading through quicksand. They knew they had to keep moving if they wanted any chance of survival. “Don't stop or you will die,” Jake gasped out between breaths. It had become their mantra, the only thing keeping them going. They managed to make it back to their apartment building, but the virus was spreading fast now. The elevators weren't working, so they had to climb up the stairs to the 18th floor. By the time they reached their apartment, they were all struggling to keep going. As they stumbled into their living room, they looked at each other with a mix of fear and determination. They knew they only had one option left: barricade themselves inside and wait it out. But as they huddled together, they couldn't help but wonder what they were waiting for.