Three days later and we were right.

    Mia spoke to some people she knew across the country, asked them if they knew anything about the president and his son - they said no. It was only almost two days later when the word of it finally spread. They were confused, but it was obvious that this was no accident. Over 10 different states including Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon, Florida, and so many others, had no idea of the events that were currently unfolding. What do all these places have in common? Booming economic activity, health, and potential. At least that is how Mia described it to me. What the hell does that mean?

    It wasn't long before others in New York found out. People were furious, wondering why the government thought to lose the lives of people in our state was less of a loss than the others. It took even more of a hit when something had finally happened. Something that I didn't think would actually happen. We had our first volunteer.

    It was a man by the name of Herald G Coleman. He was 65 years old with two children, and four very young grandchildren. He was a widower and lived alone. I was told that he claimed, "I have nothing to lose except my life, but them? They have everything. "

    Instructions were given to us the day after the broadcast on our television screens, explaining how we could volunteer ourselves and what the rules were. They read as follows:

    Anyone who wants to volunteer to join the epidemic list must report to their local Acosta center where they may be informed of the decision they're making, who it will save, and given the proper paperwork to sign. Anyone who is to try and prevent a volunteer from signing up will be reprimanded as it is of their own free will and right to do so.

    Seemed pretty strange and off. Do they anticipate resistance? If so, are they prepared for it?

    Only shortly after hearing about Herald, Eli, Mia and I went to buy some food and hopefully find some capsules along the way. I never opened the one I found the day my mother died, but when I do, I want it to be the last one. 

    As we were getting closer to Town Square, we noticed a gigantic crowd that got louder and louder the further we moved inward. They were shouting at the top of their lungs, "Free Herald G, they're after you and me!" over and over again. Eli seemed to have a pained look on his face and tried to gesture us away from the crowd, but Mia and I were persistent.

    "Hey, what's going on?" I asked a random man who was shouting with the crowd.

    He turned over to me and shouted, almost as if he could no longer control the loud volume of his voice, "We are protesting the murder of Herald G!"

    "Murder? But he volunteered" Eli responded, despite his initial resistance towards the crowd. I didn't question it because I was curious too, and not at all sure what he meant by that.

    "We knew Herald" he continues with a somber look on his face, "He is troubled and has been for some time. He can't exactly afford the medication and mental help that he needs. It's obvious that he is doing this to rid his family of their troubles with trying to provide for him. We don't want him to do that. Letting someone choose to die while being in that mental state is practically murder"

    I was taken aback by his words. I didn't know that, but then again, how would I? I felt sorry for him, and I knew this was only another example of the government trapping someone in a tough space and then killing them slowly.

    I felt unity in this crowd. I wanted to help - I knew this wasn't right and the more I stood there and listened to their chanting the more I felt...whole. It's as if some kind of missing piece inside of me was filling. Although, this came with a mix of sadness. I wanted unity, but not like this...not for this reason.

    It reminded me of my mother and I. When I was just a child, my father had abandoned us. He didn't give much reason why, but from what I have gathered, he couldn't afford to take care of all three of us. It was too much. He was getting older, technology was only advancing, and he just couldn't keep up. Before he knew it he was out of a job and left with little pride. I don't forgive what he did, although I can understand his fear. I'd like to think that for the time he was in my life he was trying to teach me a lesson, one I'm not sure of at the moment.

    I remember the first ever epidemic broadcasted on television and how he looked at me when I tried to look away. I couldn't tell if it was anger or frustration...or maybe even fear? But for who? Maybe he was worried I'd turn out to be too soft and squeamish. I don't know, however, I'll always remember that face.

    This separation only brought us closer together though, my mother and I. For the first couple of years she would just make up stories on where my father was and when he'd come back. He never did, and it only took me till about the age of 11 to figure that out. I guess I sort of had a similar face to my father because the last time she tried to lie to me I just stared at her. She didn't even finish the lie before she gave in and just never brought it up again. Of course, a close relationship isn't exactly built on lies, but that's how she protected me. That's the only way she knew how.

    "Aren't you guys scared of the....repercussions?" Mia asked the man, jumping into reporter mode, scribbling down notes on a piece of paper.

    "They can't kill all of us," he says, and continues his march with the others, chanting again at the top of his lungs.

    "Let's keep looking for capsules, yeah?" Eli suggests, and we commit to our previous plans of getting food and watching history.

    We only found two and watched them in a sort of "cave", but there was nothing prehistoric about it. It was a very high tech spot, tucked away behind an abandoned house. It was almost a shelter, with everything you could ever need, plus the convenience of being secluded. Eli's father built it for us before he got sick. It was a gift in away. He used to visit us there often, but not anymore.

    "Do you think he's already dead?" Mia asks, taking the biggest bite out of her sandwich as if she wouldn't have to respond to my answer.

    "I'm not sure...I hope not" I answered, "How about you Eli - what do you think?"

    Before I could really finish the question he excused himself outside. He didn't explain why or what he was doing. I pushed the strange thought away as him just trying to get some air. It was fairly hot in there and we had been down there for a little while. However, I was still very curious.

    So, I followed him.

     I told Mia I'd be back as I would go check on Eli and she just shook her head yes and continued to eat her food.

    It was very dark out by this point and I had only imagined Eli was going to be standing outside, trying to relax. Instead, he was moving and pretty fast. I tried to be quiet behind him but still maintaining his speed. Where was he going?

    We dipped around corners and made our way down a few blocks away from the hideaway, then finally we had arrived.

    I wasn't exactly sure where I was, but the thought of that wasn't my biggest concern. Eli started to slow up at the end of a block. I tried to keep a healthy distance between the two of us so I could see what he was doing, but still remain concealed.

    Suddenly, a person showed up. At first, I could hardly make out who it was, but after a few seconds, it clicked. This wasn't a person I'd expect Eli to be talking to and maybe they just so happened to run into each other on accident, not really intending to meet.

    It was a guard, but not just any guard - the guard. The one that gripped Eli up by the shirt only a few days ago. They were talking like they were friends but in hushed tones. I didn't understand what was going on, but I needed answers. I knew I couldn't confront them because at that point I didn't know what Eli was up to.

    I watched suspiciously as they continued to talk. I tried harder to hear what they were saying, moving just a little closer towards them without being noticed.

    I'll never forget what I heard Eli say to him

    "If it means saving my father ... I'll do it. I'll get rid of them"