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                “When he neutralizes the threats, we launch green flares and we wait for the cavalry.”

                                Commander Anderson, The Rock

                I sit on the bed, staring down at the tiny cell phone in my hand. I glance back at the bedside table where it once rested, charging sleepily. I keep it turned so the display faces down. The color display seems bright to me, but that might have something to do with not having seen much light in the last few . . . I don’t even know how long I’ve been in here.

                I dial eight numbers at random.

                “We’re sorry.” Comes the polite female voice over the phone. “The network is down right now. Please try your call again later. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

                Normally, I would hang up at ‘We’re’, but desperate to hear another person’s voice, I keep listening. And I’m glad I did.

                “The Ever-After Project is experiencing difficulties due to a containment leak at one of the local research facility. Please, remain indoors until you receive further directions from Ever-After officials.”

                I sit.

                I think.

                “The blood got free of containment.” I say. “It spread as a virus or an infection or whatever. The monsters, the people got out of the research facility and exposed the populace. But some of the populace got out, or at least was in the process.” I look away from the phone. “Is anyone still alive?”

                Red

                I have never been so still in my entire life.

                I don’t move.

                I don’t breathe.

                I don’t even think.

                In the dark room, all that moves are my eyes. I just stare up at the wall before me, staring at the soft white hue from the still-working street light outside.

                Red

                I whip around, my machete up and drawn.

                All I saw was a red flash against the white wall. I turn around and stand up slowly.

                Red

                I stand up and move towards the window. I keep to the side of the wall, watching in the direction of the flash.

                Red

                I try to tilt my head, to see what the flash it, but all I see is a red glare.

                Red

                The flash is coming from somewhere just beyond the trees. I can’t tell what’s making the light though. It looks like a mix between a tower light and a flash light but I can’t make it out.

                Red

                Red

                Red

                That seemed fast.

                More importantly, it had a rhythm.

                I wait.

                Red

                I wait

                Red

                The rhythm changed.

                Red

                Red

                Red

                My heart falls as my jaw does. For a moment, I just stand in stunned belief.

                It’s Morse code.

                Someone’s alive.

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