I didn't really have a plan.

However, it wasn't like anyone else did either.

Jacob and I were riding the same wavelength. We had the beginning. We just needed to figure out what it led to.

Jacob and I had applied for soldier positions, which would, hopefully, allow us to be able to have more freedom than other Baltia citizens, or at least, that's what I had noticed.

As soldiers we could scout out the grounds, find weak spots, gain their trust, and... Well we hadn't got that far. It was all speculation. Speculation that could lead to a plan, which would lead to hope, which would, of course, lead me not to murdering bastards in a fit of rage.

I digress.

Near the edge of town, but closer to the middle than we had traveled yet, there was a few towering buildings Baltia had turned into living areas for its citizens. There were a few scattered houses, here and there, many of which were being used for other programs, but a few of them were actually lived in.

We'd been directed towards one of the towering buildings, a hideous hotel, higher than the rest.

It wasn't like it was poorly designed or anything. It was not that sort of unappealing. The structure, the architecture, was quite lovely, but it's location made me want to gag. The hotel and the rest of Baltia screamed prison.

The inside was a bit more comfortable. The lobby was filled with soft reds and sleek browns, contrasting Baltia's strict, bland exterior. Still I could not trust it.

"A messenger will by shortly to alert you to your schedule." The woman behind the front desk told us, seeing that we were new. She then directed us to our rooms.

The best part of my room was the queen sized bed. I have to stretch out when I sleep. I was lucky enough to find a phone charger left inside a drawer. I plugged in my phone for the first time in weeks.

Sixty missed calls.

Yikes.

I went into my voicemail.

"Erica, it's Jakey Jay. I'm sorry I hung up. Let me know you're okay."

"Eri, it's Annie. I'm scared. We're trapped and I don't know what to do. Please tell me you're okay."

"Erica, it's Uncle Freddy. Your old man isn't answering either. Are you two just going to scare the crap out of us or what?"

"Please, be alive."

"Erica, please call me back. I need to hear your voice. I need to know you're okay. I can't lose you."

"ERICA ZITA WHEELER, PICK UP YOUR DANG PHONE. DAD ISN'T ANSWERING AND I NEED TO KNOW YOU GUYS ARE OKAY! Call me back."

Most of them were from Jake. A few were from my uncles, and fewer still were from Annie.

Jake's most recent one was from the day before. Freddy had last tried to call a couple days back. Annie hadn't said anything since the first week of the outbreak.

I scrolled to the bottom of my voicemail, just to listen. I didn't look at the date.

"Hey, pumpkin, it's your dad. When you get back from Annie's I was thinking we could take the car out and really put that permit to good use. By the time Jake gets home you'll be able to pick him up from the airport without me. Daddy/daughter day, what do you say? Call me back."

I hadn't deleted it. I couldn't now. I'd never hear his voice again.

I covered my mouth with my hand as I stifled sobs. I sunk into the bed.

Jake was waiting for me. At least Jake was comfortably waiting for me in Montana.

Hope had been gained.

I hit call. Out of minutes. I'd forgotten. I had ran out of them, trying to check in with Annie and Jake. I hadn't even been successful.

The day's weight hit me like a pound of bricks. I curled up on my bed, away from my traveling companions. They had their own rooms, which was fortunate, as this way they wouldn't hear me cry.

Just... A quick... nap.

I fell asleep clutching a tear stained pillow.

I felt a tad uninspired for this chapter. My apologies but I have bigger ideas for the next one! It'll be great! Vote, comment, share! Thanks for reading.