Vaulx-en-Velin, April 9, 2030 - 6:38 PM
Lyris and his mother were seated at the table, enjoying a hearty meal. The peaceful atmosphere was broken by an unexpected announcement on the television. All programs were interrupted for a solemn government message.
"Ladies and gentlemen, French citizens, due to the health and security situation that is affecting our nation, the Prime Minister, in agreement with the Minister of Armed Forces and the Minister of Health, has decided to declare martial law across the entire territory. The borders will be closed, and strict controls will be put in place to identify anyone suspected of being infected. Evacuation centers run by the military will be established. If you encounter someone showing signs of delirium, white eyes, or a persistent cough, immediately contact the authorities. I repeat, this is not an exercise, all French citizens must calmly proceed to the evacuation centers as soon as possible. I repeat..."
Lyris's face turned pale with dread. He exchanged a heavy glance with his mother. The dreaded moment had arrived, just as the media and social media had predicted: scenes of chaos unfolding on a global scale.
Vaulx-en-Velin, April 9, 2030 - 7:00 PM
The streets were in a frenzy. Panicked residents were leaving their buildings, taking only the essentials. Lyris and his mother, with backpacks on, joined the disordered crowd, heading toward the announced gathering points.
"Let us through, damn it!" shouted a man a few meters away, trapped in the dense crowd.
"There are children here, let them through!" cried a desperate woman, holding her 2-year-old child tightly against her.
The situation was deteriorating quickly. The police, lined up in formation, tried to contain the crowd. CRS (riot police) units were stationed at the main entrances to organize the evacuation.
"How much longer are we going to wait?!" yelled a man, his face etched with exhaustion, stepping out of his car. He approached the CRS commander, his fists clenched.
The commander, calm but firm, replied:
"Sir, please remain calm. We are doing our best to evacuate everyone safely. Follow the orders and everything will be fine."
But the tension was palpable. Lyris's mother, sensing the danger, grabbed him by the arm. Lyris, overwhelmed by the situation, allowed himself to succumb to panic and growing fear. His legs were shaking, trembling in the face of this incomprehensible scene.
"Lyris, we need to get away from here, now," she murmured, anxiety breaking through her voice.
At that moment, a horde of young people, dressed in black, appeared on the scene. In a matter of seconds, Molotov cocktails were thrown at the police vehicles. The explosion ignited the air, and the crowd went into a frenzy.
"SHIELDS UP!" yelled an officer.
The CRS responded with tear gas grenades, plunging the square into thick smoke. People were running in all directions, sometimes trampling those who stumbled. The overwhelmed law enforcement used violence to disperse the crowd, striking indiscriminately at women, children, and the elderly.
Vaulx-en-Velin - 7:30 PM
Lyris ran relentlessly with his mother, in a chaotic and uncivilized landscape. He looked up at the sky, watching helicopters fly overhead. Lyris shed a few tears as his beloved, tender mother continued to overprotect him. He gave a faint, nostalgic smile, a mix of sadness and joy as he looked at her.
Lyon 7th Arrondissement - 7:55 PM
Having walked for a long time, his mother paused from her long march. Lyris helped her walk despite her frail frame.
"Mom... PLEASE HELP ME!" Lyris walked on, left to fend for himself.
But alas, the few people they passed had sad, fearful, terrified faces, all following the same path with uncertain expressions.
Lyon City Hall - 10:45 PM
Lyris was sweating all over. A frail body that betrayed him, close to collapsing, with his mother exhausted from the long walk and her health issues.
"Please... Help us..."
Lyris approached a medic distributing water, his clothes dirty and his face tired, his mother unable to continue the physical effort. The man offered a compassionate smile, and his mother was immediately taken care of on a stretcher.
"Rest for a while, you've walked a lot," said a young medic who gave Lyris some water while taking his pulse. Lying next to his mother, he could feel her exhaustion.
Lyon Center - April 9, 8:20 PM
Lyris stood up to explore the surroundings. The cries of children, crying, complaining, grimacing, coupled with the broken individuals, empty from these terrible events, created an anxiety-inducing atmosphere.
"Lorane?"
In the midst of the continuous noise, Lyris distinguished his crush, Lorane, among the crowd.
"Lorane...?"
At first, he was happy to see her, but his enthusiastic smile faded when he saw the tormented look in Lorane's eyes, filled with tears.
"Lyris... I told you to remember my name... Luckily, you did," she said with a hint of irony, but her voice lacked life. She turned her head toward Lyris, a faint smile on her face.
"Lorane... What happened?"
Lyris, hypersensitive as he was, could feel the pain of his crush, tears in his own eyes. She simply managed a smile, then replied through her tears.
"My father was supposed to go on a mission in the North... And they just told me... that he was... d-devoured alive..."
Lorane couldn't contain her tears, and Lyris noticed a photo of her with her father, dressed in a doctor's jacket. Lorane was alone and vulnerable.
"We'll make it through, Lorane... I promise you, we'll make it through."
Lyris sat beside her, feeling just as helpless. Lorane didn't respond immediately. She remained silent, then turned slightly toward him, letting a tear roll down her cheek.
"I'm not sure of anything anymore..." she finally said. Her deep depression was visible in her eyes, a suicidal and lost look.