Well onward and upward, I have begun my newest book Survival of the Fittest. Survival is an apocalyptic novel set just before, and during, a world ending flu epidemic. In this first sneak peek, you get to read a very poignant presidential address to the nation. As I am not a White House speech writer, I would appreciate any thoughts on how to improve it. I hope you enjoy this first look at Survival as much as I have had writing it. :)
Write well,
Em
From Survival of the Fittest
by: Emily Fleming
Sean tossed me the
remote as he sat down on the couch. I
sat down next to him as he rested his head on my shoulder. We were quiet as a color coded map of the
United States came onto the screen.
Three states on the map were shaded green indicating that they had
confirmed cases of HI-38. My stomach
dropped as I saw only Alabama stood between us and the sickly shade of green.
“My fellow Americans,” the President began, “we are
entering an unprecedented time in American history. The emersion on the HI-38, human influenza
38, virus has caused us to make some difficult decisions. I have no doubt that you have seen the
effects this disease has had on our brothers and sister to the south. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Central
and Southern American countries that have seen much loss of life. Here in our county, we have only just seen
the beginning of what we fear could be similar casualties. If not contained, the CDC believes that half,
if not more, of our population could be lost.
It is with great sadness, and concern for you, our citizens, that I am
mandating the closure of all state borders effective midnight tomorrow
morning.”
The President paused only a second to take a breath, when
the press core ignited into action shouting questions and yelling for
clarification.
“I have no further comment at this time. Any questions that you have regarding
quarantine and vaccination processes can be directed to the CDC. Thank you for your time and God bless
America,” the President concluded his address and walked stiffly off the stage
followed quickly by the Director of the CDC.
I held the remote in my hand frozen. I could not believe what I had just heard,
the state boarders would be closed effective almost immediately. I looked at the clock and did the math…5
hours and 45 minutes. The President had
done the unthinkable.
The TV switched back over the stunned anchor. There was a moment of silence before he began
to speak again. Obviously in shock, he
started to stutter on about state’s rights and federal authority, but none of
it really made much sense. I didn’t know
if that was because he wasn’t speaking coherently or if I wasn’t registering
what he was saying. I was in utter
disbelief.
“Dani?” Sean’s
voice was trying to fight through the fog that was inhabiting my brain. “Dani? What does it mean? Are we going to be okay? Is Dad coming to get us?
I didn’t know how to answer, so I just took a deep breath and switched on the TV hoping that some
comforting words would come to mind. They did not so I just said, “We’re safe Buddy.” That was
all I could muster.
I didn’t know how to answer, so I just took a deep breath and switched on the TV hoping that some
comforting words would come to mind. They did not so I just said, “We’re safe Buddy.” That was
all I could muster.
