The fireworks were just beginning when the wind arrived.
Mayor Sandra stood on the main stage in Pine Ridge Town Square, her hand raised to light the ceremonial sparkler that would officially usher in the new year. Around her, three thousand people, nearly the entire population of their small mountain town, waited in anticipation, bundled in winter coats, their breath forming clouds in the cold January air.
Jessica sat in her cubicle at FinTech Solutions, staring at the Slack message on her screen.
IT Security: “Jessica, we need to talk. Can you come to Conference Room B immediately?”
Her stomach dropped. She knew exactly what this was about.
The checkpoint guard barely looked at Ellie’s papers before waving her through.
“Welcome back to Seattle, ma’am. Quarantine Zone 7 is two miles north. You’ll need to register within twenty-four hours.”
Ellie nodded, throat too tight to speak. She shouldered her pack and walked past the barricade, into the city she’d sworn she’d never see again.