As soon as I am inside my janitors closet I close the door and lock it. I doubt a lock will protect me if something really wants to get in, but it will give me a sense of security and give me a little time if something tries to break in.

++Containment has faiiiilll++

The intercom announces, the last word trailing off. I tense up.

Suddenly all of the lights outside turn off, a moment later the backup generator boots up and bathes the outside hall with red light. The only source of illumination in the closet is the small amount of red light the pools in from under the door. A cacophony of sounds assaults my ears. Screams, cries, shouts, roars, hisses, gunshots, all blend together.

I just sit as still as possible and be as quiet as possible, and try and take my mind off of what is happening outside. One thing I do when I am under pressure is analyse my situation.

‘First thing, what do I know about the situation?’

*bang, bang, bang*

*ahhhhhh*

I know for a fact that once containment is breached at least half of the aliens will die almost instantly.

*Raaaaaaaaa*

Containment serves two main purposes. The first and most important is to keep the aliens, monsters, and mutants, inside the cells. The second is to keep the inmates in the proper environment.

Most aliens can’t survive in Earth's atmosphere. Just like humans drown in water, aliens suffocate in air.

*Crack*

I also know that the guards will have a decent fighting chance, all the aliens should be unarmed.

*tatatatatatatatatatatatatata*

If the guards kill all the aliens then I am safe, if they don’t, then they will at least thin out the horde. The mutants and monsters are also prone to killing each other.

*Grr*

*zaaaap*

*whimper*

‘Now, what are my assets?’

I look around my darkened hiding space. The dim red glow cast just enough light that I can see my surroundings.

*Bang, Bang, Bang*

There are not many notable things in the room. A few generically labeled cleaning products, a broom, a couple “caution wet floor” signs. Nothing you wouldn’t find in any other janitorial closet. Well except for the environmental hazard suit tucked away in the corner.

If I were an action hero I would be able to synthesize some sort bomb or acid spray out of the cleaning chemicals, unfortunately I am not and the chemicals are completely useless.

Similarly the “caution wet floor” signs are useless.

I will not take the environmental hazard suit, even though it offers protection from radiation, and chemicals, it is heavy and would slow me down.

I do take the handheld environmental hazard sensor from the hazard suit, it may come in handy.

My eyes then rest upon the broom, perhaps I can use it as a weapon?

I unscrew the head and am left with a hollow metal shaft, a little over four and a half feet in length. I doubt it will remain intact in a fight but it’s better than fighting some sort of mutant with my fists.

‘What is my plan?’

I can’t stay in this closet forever, I will starve to death. That is if something doesn’t kill me first.

I should prioritize rendezvous with other survivors, safety in numbers. Then we should get to a defendable location and wait until the cavalry comes. I can forget about escaping, even if I could make it to floor forty-one, floor fourth is probably locked down and impassible.

In basic training, before I was picked to become a janitor, they taught us that in the event of a disaster like this one, the military wouldn’t let anything in or out of the base until the crisis is resolved.

‘Wait a minute.’

I strain my ears to listen for any sound.

I hadn’t realized it but the sounds of gunfire, and screams ceased.

Outside the door is pure silence.