The Last Dawn
Chapter 15. Full Circle

Back in Chicago, Logan and Sarah stood in the silent living room of Sarah’s mother’s house, the stillness around them amplifying their worry. The note Sarah had found from her mother provided some relief, but it also left many questions unanswered.

The house, once filled with warmth and family memories, now felt hollow and abandoned. Sarah walked through the rooms, each familiar space evoking memories of her childhood and time spent with her mother. The stark contrast between those happy memories and the current reality was jarring.

“I really need to replace her.” Sarah said looking at Logan.

Logan, standing in the doorway, watched Sarah as she moved through the house. He could see the mixture of nostalgia and distress in her eyes. “We’ll replace her, Sarah. She’s at the safe zone, waiting for us.” He said trying to reassure her.

The quiet of the house seemed to grow heavier with their worry and unanswered questions. The note had given them a direction, but the path forward was still unclear.

After thoroughly searching her mother’s house without replaceing any additional clues about the location of the safe zone, Sarah and Logan reconvened in the living room, the weight of their next decision pressing on them.

As Sarah and Logan made their way back towards the heart of Chicago, navigating through the deserted suburban streets, their progress was abruptly halted by an unexpected development. A military convoy, comprising several armored vehicles and troop carriers, appeared seemingly out of nowhere, rapidly approaching their position.

The convoy came to a stop, and military personnel quickly disembarked, establishing a secure perimeter. The soldiers, clad in tactical gear, moved with precision and authority, their presence bringing an immediate sense of tension.

“Stay close.” Logan whispered.

Sarah, peering through the car window, observed the soldiers setting up what appeared to be a checkpoint. “Do you think they’re here because of the safe zone Mom mentioned in her note?”

The soldiers began to direct the few civilian vehicles on the road, signaling them to approach the checkpoint. Logan complied, slowly driving towards the designated area. Both he and Sarah were acutely aware of the uncertainty of the situation.

As they neared the checkpoint, a soldier gestured for them to stop and roll down their window. Logan obliged, and the soldier, maintaining a professional demeanor, addressed them.

“We are moving all civilians to the compound.” Soldier demanded.

“What compound?” Logan asked suspiciously.

“All information regarding the compound will be discussed upon arrival.” Soldier responded.

The interaction was brief but informative. The soldiers’ presence in the area indicated a level of organization in response to the crisis, offering a glimmer of hope that they might replace more concrete information about Sarah’s mother.

“Step out of the vehicle.” Soldier demanded.

“Can we grab our things?”

“Hurry.”

Escorted by the military officer, Sarah and Logan arrived at the central command post. The area was bustling with activity, a hub for the military’s operations in the city. Before they could proceed further, they were directed to a medical tent for a mandatory health screening.

A medical officer greeted them, explaining the necessity of the examination. “We’re conducting quick health checks on everyone for signs of infection. It’s a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all individuals in this zone.”

Sarah and Logan underwent the examination, which included temperature checks, a brief questionnaire about their recent health history, and a visual inspection for any symptoms associated with the infection.

The officer led them to a waiting area, where several other civilians were already seated. “Someone will be with you shortly to assist with your inquiry. Please wait here.”

While Sarah and Logan waited in the designated area of the command post, an urgent commotion caught their attention. A group of civilians was being firmly instructed by soldiers to board a large military truck parked nearby. The insistence of the soldiers was clear, and the civilians, though hesitant, were complying.

Observing the scene, Sarah whispered to Logan, “What’s going on? Why are they being told to board the truck?”

Before Logan could respond, the military officer who had escorted them earlier approached. “There’s been a development. For your safety, we’re relocating civilians to another secure area. You’ll need to board the truck.”

Logan, seeking clarity, asked, “Can you tell us where this truck is headed? We came here looking for information about a family member.”

The officer, while sympathetic, maintained her professional demeanor. “I understand your concern, but I’m not at liberty to disclose the destination. It’s a precautionary measure. Please, it’s important that you follow these instructions.”

The insistence of the officer, coupled with the uncertainty of the situation, put Sarah and Logan in a difficult position. They needed information about Sarah’s mother, but they also couldn’t risk outright defiance of the military’s orders.

With a sense of unease, they gathered their belongings and joined the group of civilians boarding the truck. The truck was spacious, with several rows of seats and other civilians who looked just as uncertain about their situation.

As the truck started and began to move out of the command post, Logan and Sarah exchanged a look of mutual concern. This unexpected turn of events was taking them further from their goal, yet they hoped it might somehow lead them closer to replaceing Sarah’s mother.

The truck’s windows provided a limited view of the passing scenery, offering little insight into where they were being taken. The cityscape gradually gave way to more suburban and then rural areas, indicating they were moving away from the heart of Chicago.

“Something doesn’t feel right.” Logan whispered.

Sarah nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of worry and determination. “I know. But let’s stay alert. We might overhear something useful, or there might be another way to get information once we stop.”

The other civilians in the truck were a diverse group, families, individuals, elderly people, all sharing a common thread of concern and confusion about their situation. Hushed conversations filled the space, with people speculating about the safe zone and what awaited them there.

Sarah leaned over at another passenger, “Do you know where we are going?”

The passenger, a middle-aged woman, shook her head. “No idea. They just told us it’s for our safety. But everything is so secretive.”

As the journey continued, the truck occasionally passed through military checkpoints, each time heightening the tension inside. The soldiers at these checkpoints were efficient but offered no additional information, further adding to the air of mystery.

After what seemed like hours, the military truck finally slowed to a halt. Sarah and Logan, along with the other civilians, peered through the windows, trying to discern their new location. The truck had entered a large, fortified military compound, surrounded by high walls and barbed wire.

As the doors opened, soldiers directed the civilians to disembark. The compound was vast, with several large buildings, tents, and areas sectioned off for different purposes. It had the appearance of a well-organized, temporary settlement, designed to accommodate a large number of people.

“Please follow the marked path to the registration area. You’ll receive further instructions there.” Soldier demanded.

Sarah and Logan followed the crowd along a designated walkway, lined by soldiers. The atmosphere was orderly but strict, with the military personnel maintaining a close watch on the new arrivals.

As they walked, Sarah looked around, trying to gauge the nature of the compound. “It looks like they’re prepared to house people for a long time. But why bring us all the way out here?”

Logan kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, mentally noting potential points of interest. “Maybe it’s a precaution, to keep people safe from any outbreaks in the city. But it’s strange that they wouldn’t tell us more.”

“And how did they build this facility in just a few days?” Sarah asked.

“I don’t think they did, I think it was already here.”

The registration area was a flurry of activity. Civilians were being checked in, receiving identification tags, and being given basic supplies. The process was efficient but impersonal, adding to the sense of displacement among the civilians.

After registering, Sarah and Logan were directed to a residential area within the compound. The living quarters were simple but functional, rows of prefabricated units, each capable of housing several people.

As they settled into their assigned unit, the reality of their situation began to sink in. The compound, while safe, was a far cry from the freedom of their previous life. It represented a new, uncertain chapter in their journey, one that seemed to take them further away from replaceing Sarah’s mother.

Once inside the military compound, Sarah and Logan, along with the other civilians, were led through a series of processing steps that felt increasingly impersonal and dehumanizing. The first stage involved them being herded into a large tent, where they were instructed to wait in line for documentation.

Inside the tent, officials were briskly handling the influx of people. Civilians were given identification numbers and tags, and their personal details were logged into a computer system. The efficiency of the process, while necessary from a logistical standpoint, stripped away the personal aspect of their situation.

The next step involved being escorted to another area for a basic health assessment. The medical staff, though professional, had little time for individual concerns, focusing instead on quickly assessing each person’s physical condition.

Their answers led to a brief check-up, after which they were cleared and moved along to the next stage. The lack of personal interaction and the clinical nature of the questions added to the feeling of being just another part of a process, rather than individuals with their own stories and concerns.

The final step in the processing was being assigned to their living quarters within the compound. They were given a map and directions to a row of identical-looking prefabricated units. The living space was sparse and utilitarian, further emphasizing the temporary and impersonal nature of their stay.

In the chilled environment of their assigned living unit within the military compound, Sarah and Logan were trying to come to terms with their new reality when an unexpected reunion occurred. While exploring the compound to familiarize themselves with the surroundings, they unexpectedly came across Cody, Ty, and Daniel.

The reunion was a mix of surprise, relief, and joy. Emotions ran high as they exchanged stories and updates since their separation. The group was momentarily uplifted by the comfort of familiar faces in the midst of the unfamiliar and intimidating environment of the compound.

“I can’t believe you’re her.” Cody said.

“Yeah I can’t believe we’re here either. We are like cattle right now.” Logan responded.

As they shared their experiences, the conversation turned to why they were all brought to this compound. It was during this discussion that a shocking discovery was made.

Daniel, who had been speaking with some other residents earlier, shared what he had learned. “There’s a rumor going around here. They say this compound... it’s not just for protection. They’re using it to conduct research on the infection.”

The revelation sent a chill through the group. The possibility that they were in a research facility rather than a mere safe zone brought a new level of concern and uncertainty.

“Research? What kind of research? Are we being exposed to something?” Sarah asked in fear.

Ty, always the more practical one, cautioned against jumping to conclusions. “We don’t know if that’s true. It’s just a rumor. We need more information before we start panicking.”

Logan, concerned about the safety and well-being of the group, decided that they needed to investigate further. “We should look into this. If there’s any truth to it, we need to know what we’re dealing with.”

As the night descended on the military compound, Sarah, Logan, Cody, Ty, and Daniel huddled together in their living unit, formulating a plan to uncover the truth behind the alarming rumor. Their conversation was hushed but intense, a reflection of the gravity of the situation.

“Attention please, all civilians gather to the common area.” Intercom Speaker.

Logan and the group stood up and followed the other civilians to the common area.

“What’s going on?” Sarah asked grabbing Logans hand.

“I’m not sure.” Logan responded.

Just as the official was about to speak, Logan’s gaze drifted to the side of the stage where some equipment was being set up. His eyes narrowed in recognition. The equipment bore the unmistakable logo of BioCorp, the same company where he had interned, and the same company that started all of this.

Logan, grabbing Sarah’s arm. “Look over there, that’s BioCorp equipment. What is BioCorp doing in a military compound?”

The revelation sent a shockwave through the group. The presence of BioCorp in a military-controlled safe zone raised a multitude of alarming questions. Their conversation was cut short as the official began to speak, but their attention was diverted by another startling sight.

At a distance, beyond the crowd and partially obscured by soldiers, stood a figure that Logan recognized immediately, Dr. Harken Grey, the CEO of BioCorp. The sight of him in the compound sent chills down Logans spine. Logan knew that all of this was Dr. Grey’s fault. He created the virus. This was their plan all along… Logan said to himself realizing that BioCorp didn’t just create a virus as a weapon, but as population control.

Logan looked at Sarah, Cody, Daniel and Ty with anger and rage in his eyes. “We are going to burn this place to the ground.”