She Liked The Word 'Vitals' Because It Made Her Think Of Medieval Europe.

The taps in the office were polished, but angled enough not to reflect a face. On the wall across from her, sad cartoons coughed and bent over.

When an infectious waste container caught her eye -- ' Do Not Open' on the side, a logic puzzle -- something hit the roof, something hard.

The problem, of course, was that she was locked in here.

Loud talk and lots of footsteps came from under the door, and she could make out that people were being evacuated.

Whatever it was, it was here for her.

This never would've happened in Europe.