Chapter 36 – Locked In
Morning came quietly inside the bunker.
The television had already been running for hours, cycling through the same urgent updates about the virus spreading across different countries. Hospitals were filling faster than governments could respond. Entire districts were beginning to shut down.
Mia watched the screen with narrowed eyes.
The situation was escalating faster than she remembered.
Or maybe she simply hadn't known everything that had happened before.
Beside her, Luis sat in the control room reviewing reports on his laptop.
As the president of Aetherion Land & Holdings, he had spent most of the morning discussing decisions with his management team through encrypted communication.
Across the room, Mia's father, Michael Alps, was also on a call.
As chairman of Alps Builders, he had been receiving messages from executives and department heads asking when employees would return to work.
Michael leaned back in his chair and sighed.
"This situation isn't improving."
Luis nodded.
"Not even close."
Another report flashed on the television screen.
More infected cases overseas.
Cities starting emergency lockdowns.
Luis closed his laptop.
"We shouldn't send employees back to work yet."
Michael nodded slowly.
"I agree."
Both men had already taken a precaution earlier in the week when they announced an unexpected paid vacation for their employees.
At the time, some people thought it was overly cautious.
Now it looked like the smartest decision they could have made.
Luis opened a communication channel with his company management.
"We'll release a new announcement."
Michael did the same.
Within minutes, both companies sent official notices.
Employees of Aetherion Land & Holdings and Alps Builders received the same message.
Do not return to work until further notice.
Stay home and remain with your families.
Your safety is the company's priority.
Inside the bunker, Helen read the announcement on her tablet.
"That's a good decision."
Michael nodded.
"People should stay with their loved ones right now."
Luis leaned back in his chair.
"Hopefully this ends before things get worse."
Olivia sighed quietly from the couch nearby.
"I really hope so."
The room fell silent.
Everyone wanted the same thing.
For this nightmare to end quickly.
But none of them truly believed it would.
---
Later that afternoon, Mia sat alone in the control room monitoring the surveillance systems.
Several screens displayed camera feeds.
Some watched the forest surrounding the bunker.
Others showed satellite feeds and city monitoring systems.
One particular camera feed caught her attention.
The lobby of the headquarters building of Alps Builders.
She had been quietly monitoring the building since the previous day.
And she already knew something interesting.
Kevin and Chelsea.
They had entered the building yesterday.
And they never left.
Mia leaned back in her chair.
"They decided to stay there."
She wasn't surprised.
Kevin was opportunistic.
And Chelsea followed him like a shadow.
The building had food.
Strong security systems.
It was exactly the kind of place Kevin would take advantage of.
Mia crossed her arms.
"Fine."
If they wanted to hide there, she wasn't going to stop them.
They were no longer her responsibility.
Still, she turned toward the hallway.
"Dad?"
Michael entered the control room.
"Yes?"
Mia pointed toward the surveillance screen.
"The headquarters still has one security guard on duty."
Michael looked at the screen.
"You're right."
Mia spoke calmly.
"We should let him go home."
Michael frowned slightly.
"Go home?"
"He probably has a family."
She paused.
"If the city becomes dangerous, he should be with them."
Michael considered it for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
He picked up his phone and called his secretary.
After a few rings, a voice answered.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Alps."
"Julian," Michael said. "Contact security management."
"Yes, sir."
"Tell the guards stationed at headquarters they can go home."
Julian hesitated slightly.
"And the building, sir?"
"Lock it down."
Michael glanced at Mia before continuing.
"Activate the full external security system around the building."
"Understood, sir."
Michael ended the call.
The headquarters would be locked and secured automatically.
Inside the bunker, Helen sighed softly.
"I hope this ends soon."
Olivia nodded beside her.
"Yes… I hope so too."
---
That evening inside the headquarters of Alps Builders, Kevin and Chelsea were sitting in the employee pantry watching television.
News coverage continued nonstop.
Cities reporting new infections.
Governments struggling to contain the virus.
Chelsea looked uneasy.
"This keeps getting worse."
Kevin leaned back lazily in his chair.
"It's temporary."
Chelsea didn't look convinced.
Suddenly, footsteps approached the pantry entrance.
The security guard appeared in the doorway.
"Mr. Blackwood?"
Kevin glanced at him.
"What?"
The guard shifted nervously.
"I received instructions from management."
Kevin frowned.
"What instructions?"
"The company ordered all security staff to go home."
Chelsea looked surprised.
"Go home?"
The guard nodded.
"Yes, miss."
Kevin sat up straight.
"So the building will be empty?"
"Yes."
The guard held a set of keys in his hand.
"We were also instructed to lock the building's security system."
Kevin stood and walked toward him.
"Give me the keys."
The guard blinked.
"Sir?"
"The keys."
Kevin's voice turned sharp and impatient.
"If you're leaving, someone needs to manage the building."
The guard hesitated.
Technically, Kevin was one of the senior staff members.
And he looked like he expected the keys.
But something about the situation felt uncomfortable.
Kevin's tone grew colder.
"Look, I'm not repeating myself."
Chelsea crossed her arms behind him, watching silently.
The guard looked toward the clock.
His family was waiting for him.
The city was becoming more dangerous.
He didn't want to waste time arguing.
Reluctantly, he handed the keys to Kevin.
"These open the main access systems."
Kevin grabbed them immediately.
"Good."
The guard gave a small nod.
"I should go now."
Kevin didn't even thank him.
He simply waved dismissively.
"Yeah, whatever."
The guard left quickly.
Chelsea watched the door close.
"You're unbelievable."
Kevin spun the keys around his finger.
"Relax."
Chelsea tilted her head.
"What now?"
Kevin tossed the keys onto the table.
"Now you go to my condo."
Chelsea frowned.
"Why?"
"Get my clothes."
He pointed toward her.
"And your stuff too."
Chelsea raised an eyebrow.
"You're serious?"
Kevin nodded.
"We're staying here for a while."
Chelsea glanced around the pantry again.
The stocked shelves.
The refrigerators.
The secure building.
Then she smirked.
"Not a bad plan."
Kevin grabbed another snack from the shelf.
"This place has food."
He pointed toward the windows overlooking Viremont City.
"And security."
Chelsea grabbed her purse.
"All right."
She paused at the door.
"You know Mia might come back here."
Kevin laughed.
"She will eventually."
Chelsea rolled her eyes.
"You're such a jerk."
Kevin didn't care.
He leaned back in his chair and turned the television volume louder.
In his mind, he had just secured the safest place in the city.
What he didn't realize was that the world outside was already beginning to collapse.