Claire Sinclair sat at her computer, unsure of what to do. Teacher Hartwell hadn’t given her a new assignnt, so she picked up a magazine and started to read.
Suddenly, a surprised cry ca from behind her. "Ah, my computer screen went black!"
"Mine too! Did the power go out?"
"The power’s not out. The lights are still on, it’s just the computer screens that went black."
At almost the exact sa mont, every computer connected to the network went black, including the one in front of Claire Sinclair.
Claire Sinclair frowned. ’So they’ve finally made their move.’
Just as her mind was wandering, another colleague exclaid, "Holy crap, it’s not just our office computers! My friend just ssaged that the computers at their company are down too!"
"Sa with my friend! She’s a teacher at a university, and all the computers in her office went black!"
"Is it a network issue? Why would computers in so many different places suddenly go black?"
"Could this be a hacker attack?"
The mont soone ntioned hackers, a line of text appeared on everyone’s computer screen—red letters in a terrifying font:
The Prankster Alliance’s carnival has officially begun! Here’s to your overflowing wickedness—go on and enjoy humanity’s panic!
’It really is them!’
Claire Sinclair was about to take out Little White when Henry Hartwell suddenly strode out of his office. His expression was grave as he shouted:
"Unplug your computers imdiately! Turn off the network connections on your phones! Don’t leave the office. Use the landlines to contact your family and friends and tell them to shut down all networked devices. Hackers have invaded our city, and we could be facing a terrorist event. Everyone, move now."
His words stunned everyone for a mont before they finally reacted.
So people tried to shut down their computers, but it was no use; they had no choice but to unplug them.
"This is terrifying! The computers are completely frozen. The only thing to do is unplug them."
"What do these hackers want? We can’t use our computers. How are we supposed to get any work done?"
"My son’s preschool class has a field trip to the park today... The hackers wouldn’t attack a park, would they?"
"Ah! I have to go check on my daughter at her preschool! Hanson, can I please go out for a minute?"
Henry Hartwell was about to answer when his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up.
"Hello?... I see. Thanks for the heads-up."
After hanging up, Henry Hartwell replied, "You can’t go. The Departnt of Transportation has been hacked. All the intersections outside are down, and no traffic is moving."
"What? How can that be? What about my daughter?"
"I’m so worried about my son, too!"
Just then, a plu of thick smoke billowed up outside the window, and an acrid sll drifted in.
Claire Sinclair was the first to spot the smoke. "We can’t stay in here!" she yelled urgently. "Everyone, get out! I think the building next door is on fire!"
Stunned, everyone turned to look out the window.
Henry Hartwell was the first to react. "Grab your things and evacuate the building through the ergency stairwell! Now!"
As disaster struck, an unprecedented panic seized everyone. Fortunately, Henry Hartwell was there. The man remained remarkably calm, directing everyone on their floor to evacuate.
Claire Sinclair only grabbed her ’Little White’ before following the crowd into the ergency stairwell.
Her legs, however, wouldn’t cooperate. As they walked, she quickly fell behind the group.
Watching the main group get farther and farther away, Claire Sinclair grew increasingly panicked. They were on the eighteenth floor; she had no idea how much longer she’d have to walk to get out.
Just as she felt a wave of helplessness, her legs suddenly gave out, and she couldn’t move another step.
’Of all the tis for this to happen!’
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