The streets of Washington DC were quiet and still. No one could be seen or heard. Flags hung limply on their poles and leaves sat patiently on their branches. Traffic lights changed their colours, but no one saw them, and the sound of fountains echoed lightly. The once bustling Capital appeared to be abandoned, but in fact every resident was there, in their houses, all of them listening to the same broadcast on their televisions and radios.

   “The outbreak of a deadly virus in Mexico has now reached America and parts of Australia and Europe. What scientists hoped to be just another strain of the flu virus has now infected two-hundred-million people worldwide in just three days and there is still no cure or prevention. The symptoms of the virus include; tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, headaches, fever, coughing blood, tinnitus, and loss of memory. If you or anybody you are with shows any signs of these symptoms you must… dispose of them immediately. Medical experts urge you to stay inside and keep your faces covered. Do not, we repeat, do not attempt to leave your towns and cities, it is believed you are more likely to contract the virus if you enter densely populated locations.”

   Moments after the broadcast had finished, the streets of Washington were bustling with people trying to leave their homes. Babies screamed, men shouted at anybody in their way, and horns of vehicles echoed for miles. Panic had struck every individual who were now pouring out into the streets with their families. The uncontrolled chaos quickly turned to violence and nearby stores were being looted by those desperate to get supplies for their families. Fighting broke out in the streets, windows were smashed, and heavy items were thrown at cars. Everyone was desperate and scared, everyone wanted to simply survive, but with fear and confusion, survival seemed to be something more precious than gold or diamonds.

 

   Days passed and cars now blocked every road in the great capital for miles. Many people had abandoned their cars and fled on foot, while others went back into their homes and barricaded their doors and windows. The streets were once again deserted, but panic had struck every City and every State in the Country. Violence, murder, and uncontrollable chaos spread throughout America. Televised reports showed scenes from the devastation that was also taking over Europe. The news of a deadly virus spreading throughout the world had spread panic throughout the globe. Every man, woman, and child were vulnerable and there was no cure to save them.

   In the centre of Washington D.C, seven miles below the chaos, four of the greatest scientists in the world, worked in their laboratory. They were the four who discovered the virus in Mexico and were determined to find a cure. Their laboratory had been built in preparation for an outbreak; water and oxygen was filtered before it entered the chambers and nobody was allowed to enter unless they had a natural immunity to the virus. The scientists had discovered that a small percentage of the population would have a natural defence system to the airborne virus, but every person on the planet could be infected in other ways. Reports of people being bitten or spat on became more frequent. Members of the public were being infected by cross contamination and it was reported that those people were showing more advanced symptoms of the virus.

 

   As the months went on, cities that were being overrun were evacuated, their electricity, water and gas were all cut by the power boards to encourage people to leave their homes. Those who worked at the power companies were forced to live in their workplace, their factories fitted with clean rooms, water filters and any other equipment they needed to keep healthy so that the Country could continue to receive the power it needed to survive. TV shows were cancelled across every station, the only program that was available was the news and charts showed that more and more people were turning their televisions off as they were scared to hear the truth of what was happening around them.

   For days on end, the four scientists worked tirelessly on trying to find the cure to end the suffering that was quickly spreading throughout the world, but nothing ever worked. While they conducted experiments, they also made plans to expand their laboratory chambers in hopeful preparation for more people joining them. Until a cure was found, those who had a superior immune system would live in the clean chambers, surviving and waiting. Soon, the chambers began to expand, materials were brought in from the outside, disinfected five times over and then put to good use. Bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms were created with white corridors connecting them to one another. Underground farms were built with soil that had undergone numerous tests before being allowed to enter the new facility. Vegetables and fruit began to grow with the aid of timed sprinklers and sunlight that trickled in through a carefully constructed skylight. Large rooms with desks, and chairs were built in the anticipation of young children either coming into the facility, or being born there. Medical facilities were then constructed with equipment being brought in from nearby hospitals that had been abandoned. Blood bags of all varieties were put in a specially built freezer and medication was stacked in a large cool room. Soon the simple lab turned into a complex, clean, underground town that was ready for anybody and any problem they brought with them.

   As the four predicted, they soon found more people to bring into their chambers, and as time went by the empty chambers turned into a small bustling town that was now full of life and hope, populated by those who could breathe the infected air and be safe. Scientists, doctors, builders, technicians, and teachers were all living seven miles underground, conversing, farming and helping each other day after day. Children began to attend lessons that were led by all the professionals that lived there. Every child learnt about science, medicine, technology and the importance of building a strong foundation. Schedules were drawn up by the four who had created the small town, when the adults were not teaching, they would be farming or conducting experiments in their field on how to improve their life underground. The builders would draw plans of future extensions, technicians would work on how to improve the technology that was being used and the doctors would discuss how to cure any illnesses by using as little medicine as possible.

   When word reached them that the Government had fallen, that anarchy had spread across the world, the four realised that they were the only ones that could sustain life safely. When they realised that this short term way of living now looked like it was turning into long term, they began to plan a breeding program and a new, improved education system for the residents of the underground complex. New rules were written and a Government of their own was put into force. The World as they knew it had fallen. They had to build a new world, a safe world. A world where children could live, learn and laugh without the danger of their lives being cut short. Finding a cure was now a dream, creating a safe haven for future generations  was a reality.