My phone began to chime incessantly at 5 in the morning. At first, I thought it was my alarms but after squinting against the bright screen, I saw it was from my news app. Right before I clicked on the notification, the text from my school came through: School canceled for district 60.

"Nice!" I said. I rolled out of bed and looked out the window. It must've snowed a lot to get school canceled here. We never get out of school. One time at school, it snowed so much we had to wait for people with snowmobiles to take students home. Definitely my favorite memory from school. But looking out the window, there was no more snow than there was yesterday. It even looked like it was melting!

I fell back onto my bed and looked at phone.My heart hiccuped when I saw what the news article was titled: New York City Under Quarantine.

Within two seconds, I got texts from Max, Levi and several of my friends.

I ignored all of them except Levi's.

Levi: NYC is in quarantine. Don't tell Mom.

Me: I think she got the text from the news

Levi: Crap, you're probably right. Take her phone. Clear the notification.

I grabbed my crutches and limped out of the room and down the hall. Of course, my room was the farthest from my parents' room. The crutches squeaked on the tile so I ditched them against the table. I crawled as fast as I could to the room.

The phones hadn't woken up my sleeping parents. Getting my mom's phone was easy. I army crawled to her side table and grabbed the phone, nearly knocking over a glass of water. I cleared all her notifications, except for the one from the school. I erased her News App, just for good measure. I crawled over to the other side of the room. I grabbed my dad's phone. It chimed with a text from one of his employees. I nearly threw the phone. Dad snorted awake and then jumped when he saw his daughter crouched on the floor.

"Jen, what are you doing?" he whispered, eyes wide in the darkness.

I held up his phone. I had quickly cleared his notification before and the only thing on his screen was the text from his employee and the school district. "I heard that there was no school so I just checking," I said.

"There's no school?"

"Nope! I'll go sleep in now. And by the way, your worker Andy, his wife just had a baby. Sent you a text. Night night!" I crawled out of the room, letting my foot drag behind me. I looked back and saw my dad's curious gaze. I waved and then hobbled back to my room, snatching my crutches, to figure out what the heck I had just protected my parents from.

Me: Mom's going to find out soon

Levi: They will. They have to.

Me: What's going on there?

Levi: It's the drug. That one guy attacked several nurses and escaped. The nurses went mad a few hours later and escaped. And they attacked people and they got infected. It's turned into an epidemic in a day and a half. We're holed up in the apartment but Warren's missing.

Me: what?! Is this from the Hiipe? What about everyone else taking it there?

Levi: They must have dispersed around the country and the world. Remember all the languages we were hearing?

Me: Have any other countries said anything?

Levi: I don't know. We don't have any information.

Levi: Power just went out.

Me: can you come home?

Levi: flights are grounded there's something at the door

Me: what? Levi?

Levi: it's just Warren. Oh my gosh he went on vegetable run. I guess we'll have food now.

Me: We have to tell Mom and Dad.

Levi: NO

Me: They canceled school

Levi: Crap, they must think it's terrorism or something.

I texted Levi for an hour until he said he had to board up and block the door. Something in the back of my head was saying that Levi was telling a stupid joke. But all of the texts from my own friends were pointing to it being real. I checked the news several times and stories trickled in and, from America to South Africa, cases were cropping up.

There was a knocking on my door. My head shot up as the door opened. Mom poked her head in.

"Guess what?" she said with a smile.

"What?"

"No school today! Now you can help me clean the house." She smirked.

"Haha. I think the cripple is gonna sleep in."

"Oh, fine. Then you'll help me clean." She smiled and went to leave my room, but a tone from her phone stopped her. Oh no.

Her smile curved into a look of confusion. "What is your grandpa talking about?" She looked up. "Do you know about the stuff going on in New York?" she said.

"Umm..." She didn't listen for an answer and looked down at her phone. I sat awkwardly.

Mom gasped and ran back to her bedroom. Dang it. It lasted an hour.

I texted Levi, warning him then followed my mom back to her room. I sat outside the door, listening for a safe time to go in.

"I got a text from my dad, asking how Levi was holding up. I didn't even know!" I followed my mom's voice and stopped outside their door, leaning against the wall so they wouldn't see me.

"How pathetic am I? Not knowing about the quarantine in New York."

Dad tried to reassure her but he couldn't get a word in.

"My News app was deleted and I didn't get any messages. Should we fly Levi in?"

"Hey, what's even going on?" my dad was finally able to say.

"A quarantine. In New York. Should we fly him in?"

"New York's a big state. He'll be fine. What are they quarantining anyway?"

"Look at your phone and tell me he'll be fine!"

I stepped into the room, not looking at my parents. I sat in the edge of the bed and finally looked at my mom and dad. It was a safe time to do so, thank goodness; they were all staring at their phones, scrolling like mad.

"Oh my gosh," my mom breathed. She clicked on something on her phone and showed it to my dad. He paled and then nodded. "Fly him in."

He threw off his blankets dashed into the closet to pull some clothes on. "I'll have to go to the airport and talk to someone," he called.

"What if they don't have a plane heading out?" Mom asked, voice trembling.

"Then we'll charter a private plane.

Mom nodded and lowered herself into the rocking chair and kept looking at her phone. I stepped behind her to see what it was that was scaring my parents. It caused my breath to hitch in my throat. It was a map of the eastern United States, red highlighting the cases of outbreak. New York City seemed to be on fire with a deep crimson. Where Levi was.

"I'm going with you," I said, grabbing my crutch and running best as I could to my room. I wasn't going to be left home again.

I got ready in lightning record. I grabbed both of my crutches, for maximum speed and 'ran' to my parents' room. Mom was staring at her phone and Dad was knelt at his nightstand. I knew he was opening the hidden compartment he had installed years ago. It contained a handgun, several types of medication and, what I knew he was looking for, a pile of cash.

Dad stood up, holding the rubber banded wad.

"What's that for?" Mom asked.

"To pay for the plane ticket or a plane."

"What about using a credit or debit card? We have a good balance in the bank."

Dad stuffed the money in his pocket. "Bribes." He grabbed his wallet and headed out the door. "I'm coming!" I called.

"You can't, your foot's broken," he answered, grabbing the garage door knob. He walked out and I followed. He climbed into his truck and started it. Before he could back out, I had thrown my crutches in and pulled myself in.

"Get out, Jo," Dad said, shooting daggers.

"No."

My dad's jaw clenched as he stared at me. I stared right back. I was not budging.

"You'll slow me down at the airport," he said.

"You're the one being slow right now," I shot back. "Let's go."

Dad shook his head but put the truck in reverse. We began our hasty drive to the airport. Halfway there, Dad gave me half the cash to hold onto, in case we were mugged or something. But you don't get mugged in Idaho.

Dad parked the truck in the parking lot and we both ejected ourselves out, Dad running and I going as fast as I possibly could. I followed behind him, dodging cars and skidding on ice. We burst through the doors and saw a mass of people swirling around. This wasn't a large airport and I couldn't help wondering where all these people came from.

"Excuse me, move, sorry ma'am," Dad chanted as we pushed our way to the first desk we found.

"Hello, sir, how can I help you?" a younger man asked us from behind the desk.

"We need to fly out someone from New York City."

The man snorted. "Yeah, you and everyone else in the state. Sorry, flights are grounded. We've had two overtaken in the last three hours. No more flights out to major cities."

"But he could fly out from another place?" Dad asked. "Could he drive to another, smaller airport, and fly out there?"

"Sorry, all flights on the east coast are grounded," the man said. "Who is the person?"

"My son, so can you help me?" Dad asked. I thought he was going to fall onto his hands and knees and beg. I didn't want to see that. I pulled his sleeve. "Come here," I muttered. He backed away a little and I turned him around. "Go find another person to talk to and I'll work on him for a bit," I whispered. "Go."

"That won't work," he said. But, to my surprise, he did as I said. This worried me. How scared were my parents? Was I not understanding something?

I limped back to the man. "Could you help us?" I asked. "Please?"

"I really do apologize for the inconvenience," he said. He studied my face. I wondered if my mascara from yesterday was smeared around my eyes like a raccoon. And my hair... I didn't want to think about it. 

"I would love to help but..."

"Levi's my best friend," I said. "Help me."

The man blinked, curiosity falling in his eyes. "Levi? As in Gray? Are you Jo?"

"What?" I was taken aback. I looked around on my clothes to see if my name was somewhere. I looked back up.

"You know him?" I asked.

"You are Jo?"

"Maybe. Okay, yes."

The man smiled. "Don't you recognize me? I'm Isaac! Levi's friend from like, 10th grade!"

I cocked my head, trying to remember. I couldn't but I think 'remembering' would work to my advantage.

"Isaac," I said slowly. "I think I do. Can't be totally sure. Did you go bowling with us?"

"Yes! He always talked about you. Why is he in New York?"

"School. Can you help us?"

Isaac pursed his lips. He seemed to be thinking about something very carefully. He pulled out his phone. "My uncle has a plane," he finally said. "I don't know if he'd agree. Maybe for the right price."

I pulled out half the cash I had been entrusted with. "How about $500?"

Isaac sighed. "I don't know. Let me make a call." He stepped away, causing people behind me to protest. He ignored them and walked through a door. I leaned against the counter to rest my leg and looked around for Dad. I couldn't find him in the sea of humanity.

Me: Any luck?

Dad: I've been to three people. I think this last one might help. She just booked a private flight for a family to get their grandparents out.

Me: really? That's perfect!

I debated telling him about what was going on with Isaac but held back. No use getting his hopes up.

Me: I'll keep looking for a back up. Just in case.

Isaac came back out, smiling. "Uncle Brett would love to," he said. "Follow me." He opened the counter so I could walk back. I guess life is really who you know, not what you know.

"Hey, what about us?!" a woman cried. Several other people groaned and mumbled about favoritism. Isaac ignored them. I followed him into an employee break room. "Sit here and wait," he said. "I'll be right back." He disappeared out another door. I sat in a chair and pulled my crutches up beside me and looked around me. It was a very plain room, with a few blue chairs and a refrigerator.

My phone buzzed. I bit my lip and checked who it was from. My breath let out in a whoosh. It wasn't Dad, just Max.

Max: Holy crap thank goodness we live in the Rocky Mountains

Me: Umm we don't. Just near them.

Max: But your family has a cabin up in them, right?

Me: yeah but why does it matter?

Max: I've done some research and if there was a zombie apocalypse, New York City would all be taken in about 24 hours. The Rocky Mountains would most likely never even see a zombie.

Me: it's not the apocalypse nerd. Just a sickness.

Max: you really don't read the news.

Me: and you read too much.

Max: how's Levi doing?

Me: Idk I'm going to get him

Max: you and your family?

Me: ...no. Don't tell anyone or I'll set one of your supposed zombies in you.

Max: holy cow Jen. By yourself?

Me: yep. Gotta go

Isaac came in and I slipped my phone in my pocket. "You got it?" I asked.

"Got it," he said, grinning. "Brett is totally cool with it. He'll be here in a few minutes. Are your parents cool with this?"

"Could... my dad come?"

Isaac shook his head. "Brett's plane can only hold one other person. It won't even hold luggage so I hope you didn't bring any."

"Nope, just my crutches."

"Have you actually thought this through?"

I snorted. "No. But that makes the best kind of plans."

Isaac rolled his eyes. "You act just like Levi." He looked at his phone and nodded. "Brett's here. He'll be down at the runway."

I hobbled after him, praying I wasn't being too hasty. But I needed to get Levi out of there.

"How much will this cost?" I asked as Isaac opened the door outside.

"I don't know, honestly," he said. "Don't plan on it being cheap."

"You did tell him I'm not exactly rolling in dough?" I had to tell of the drone and scream of engines.

"He knows you're trying to get your brother," he said. "I think he'll be lenient. I hope," Isaac added after a moment. I looked up at him through narrowed eyes. He avoided my gaze.

A small plane was parked near the end of the runway. A man in a Utah Jazz cap was standing there, eyes glued to his phone. I could only assume he was reading the news. As we came closer, he looked up, putting his phone in his pocket.

"You Jo?" he called. I nodded. "How much do I owe you?" I asked.

He waved it away. "We'll talk about it in the air."

"I gotta get back to the front," Isaac said. "Thanks, Uncle Brett!" He waved and jogged back to the building, where I'm sure people weren't going to be happy he had left.

"Do your parents know about this?" Brett asked.

"Yeah, they can't leave the area so I'm going for them," I said, lying through my teeth. "Dad throws up every time he's in the air."

Brett winced. "This is a new plane. Thanks for not bringing him. Isaac tell you there's no room for bags?"

"Yep. And I told him I've only got crutches. That's okay?"

"We can squeeze them in." He opened the top and pulled out a large, flat pack.

"Here's your parachute. You have to wear it for the seat belt to go on." Brett showed me how to put it on and how to deploy it if needs be. Because of my foot, he lifted me into the plane and then stuck my crutches beside me. "Here's your headset. This is how we'll talk. I'll even let you fly the plane for a bit if you want?"

"Maybe," I said. "Is this an acrobatic plane?" It looked different than my neighbor's and seemed more compact.

"Yep. But we won't do anything crazy. At least until the end of the flight. It can mess some people up."

"Okay. Thanks for that."

I was a little apprehensive, getting into a strangers vehicle and all. I didn't even know Isaac but he knew me. The longer I sat in the plane, the more I started to realize that this was a stupid idea. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to both of my parents.

Me: Found a plane. Can only hold one passenger. See you soon.

I suddenly realized something: How was I supposed to get Levi home?

"Um, Brett, sir?" I called nervously.

He was about to climb into the plane. "Yeah?"

After I find my brother, what do I do?"

"I've got another plane. I'll come to get you two. When we get to New York, we'll scope out the situation and set the day I'll come get you, the where and the when. That good?"

"Yeah, I think."

"Hey don't worry," he said, putting on his own headset. "Everything will be fine."

He jumped in and closed the glass top. My heart thudded around in my chest. I was nervous on several different levels and different reasons. I knew I was going to see Levi but I knew my parents were going to kill me. What had I gotten myself into? It was like was some protagonist in a story and I had to make a series of bad decisions to create an entertaining climax. Whoever was writing this story, some struggling author if they were writing a story about me, I wasn't particularly pleased with them. Couldn't they pick on someone else? I guess everyone's story needs to be told, no matter how boring it is.

The plane started up as I got another text from my parents, expressing their disappointment with me. Okay, it was a little more than just disappointment. I sent them one last text, saying I couldn't text anymore and that I loved them. I slipped my phone away as Brett began to turn the plane around to get us up to speed.

"Here we go!" Brett cried as the nose of the plane tipped up. My stomach was left on the asphalt and we were up.

"Hey, if you have a bigger plane, why didn't you have it here?" I asked.

"It's not mine. I have to get it from my dad and make sure it's even airworthy. It's been in a shop for nearly ten years."

"So you might not even be able to fly Levi and me out?" Yep, this was a terrible plan.

"Nah. I'll figure out something. I've got friends in high places too. I'll figure something out."

I was quiet for a second before asking the question that was niggling at my brain. "How much do I owe you? I don't have a lot. Did Isaac tell you that?"

I could the reflection of Brett shaking head behind me. "People have to do things for money, you know. But to pay for so,e of the fuel, I'll accept $200."

I blinked and turned my head back to try and see him. "You're kidding, right?"

His voice crackled through on my headset. "Why would I be? I know that there's going to be a lot of people needing to get to and from New York City and other places so I figured, I could be a good Samaritan. You complaining?"

"No! Just... surprised. I really appreciate it."

"I'll give some poor soul a ride back to where they need to go when I drop you off."

"How many fuel stops do we need to make?"

"A couple. And we need to stop to fuel ourselves up and... unfuel."

I laughed. "Ok, right. How long do you think it'll take?"

"12 hours."

I nearly gasped but didn't want Brett to hear. 12 hours?!

"That's with stops. If we just went straight, it could only take 4-6 hours. I promise, we really do not want to do that."

"Got it. Thanks for doing this. I'll vouch for you in heaven."

Brett laughed, the noise ringing through my headset. "Thanks, Jo. And because you're doing so much for your brother, I'll vouch for you. Now get comfortable. We'll be flying for a while."