Ten years ago, the United States of America, in an attempt to take over the world, had destroyed it.
Nuclear bombings had destroyed all major cities, with New York being the first to go. Diseases began evolving at an alarming rate until no modern medicine could control them.
A sickness that had been known as simply strep throat before, evolved out of control. Instead of staying in the throat as it had originally, it now moves down to the lungs letting moisture build up there. It also makes breathing and and eating nearly impossible, until the infected slowly died. It was killing humans by the thousands.
The gases from the bombs are starting to dry up all bodies of water. And water that hasn't dried up, was either contaminated, or being sold in very small rations by the government. At a very high price of course.
"Oh no." Charis maneuvered the small helicopter towards a tiny village in the mountains.
"Diseased?" Robyn asked from the back of the cockpit.
"It would appear so."
"I'll get the matches." It was now a routine with them. Land, scan, burn the bodies.
But just as they landed, a huge horde of people came out from the small stores in what looked to be the centre of the village. They were trying to get into the helicopter where Charis and Robyn were.
"Water! Medicine! Kill those girls if you have to!" A sickly-looking man yelled. He was odviously dying, but trying to find a way to save himself.
"Damn." Charis murmured as the crowd began rocking the helicopter in an attempt to tip it.
"Charis! Get us out of here!" Robyn yelled frantically.
"We can't. I turn on the blades and all these people will be lacking their heads."
"So?"
"I'll just wait a bit longer to see if they'll calm down on their own. If not, well, we'll do what we have to." She leaned back in her chair and began waiting.
Charis Milna got caught in the crossfire at her family home in London, England.
When London had been bombed in 2007, Charis and her older sister, Byrd, had managed to survive the blast and escape to Ireland.
In the months that followed, Byrd caught the strep throat epidemic, and died a few months later. Charis also caught it, but managed to overcome it with no permanent damage. As a result, she became immune to it.
When she recovered, she set out to Germany with a self-appointed guardian, Flynn. At the time, she was seven years old.
Robyn stared miserably out at the mob. They had been waiting for almost an hour.
"Robs? Can you put Charis on?" Robyn's earphones came alive with Flynn's voice.
"Okie dokie, coachie." She replied. "Charis? He wants to say he loves you..."
"Knock it off." Charis took the proffered earphones and put them on.
"Flynn?"
"Yep, and I don't love you, so don't worry." He teased lightly.
"Good. What news?"
"Get out of there. If they haven't calmed down yet, they aren't likely to." Flynn didn't believe in subtelty.
"Okay, but I'll use the bullhorn to warn them first."
"Do what you want, but get your butt here as soon as you can, alright?"
"Alright. Ciao." Charis cut the connection and motioned for Robyn to pass her the bullhorn controller.
"Town of Keir. Listen to me. My friend and I are going to turn the helicopter on. If you are still surrounding us, you will get hurt." Charis's voice came out of the speakers, and only seemed to make the crowd more frenzied.
Charis sighed and flipped the key.
Once in Germany, they headed straight for the ruins of Berlin. There, Flynn managed to find a small jet, fuel and tons of computer equipement. Everyone was dead there. Flynn burned as many bodies as possible to help stem the spread of disease.
As soon as they had collected enough fuel, they flew to the outer regions of Australia.
Near the deserted city of Darwin, they settled in a warehouse that was still intact.
Robyn stumbled across Charis a few weeks later. Literally stumbled. Charis had been sitting outside the warehouse, when Robyn suddenly ran around the corner and tripped over her.
