The Virus: A Narrative Fiction

Ever since the virus got out, our town has be quarantined for months. The virus is deadly; If you catch it you won't notice it at first, but you'll slowly start to catch a fever. Your skin will be hot as fire. Welts will begin to form all over your body and you'll begin to bleed from every pore. It's sickening to watch and it's a sight you'll never forget for as long as you live; however long that may be. My mother and sister have contracted it. I can tell from their high fever and even though they're just in the beginning phase I refuse to to just stand by and watch them die.
I poured my mother the hot stew that had be hovering over the fire. Carefully approaching her I knelt by her side and brought the spoon to her lips. She took a sip.
“Thank you Richard.” She croaked.
“Don’t speak mom, you'll need your rest.” I said as I sat down the bowl, “Listen i’m going to leave for a couple of days. I’m going to make you and Rose better. There's plenty of water to keep you guys hydrated and the stew should last for a couple of days. Just put it over the fire if it manages to get cold again.” I walked over to Rose and hugged her.
“Bye Richard” She whispered.
“Bye” I replied, “Make sure you watch over mom.” I grabbed my backpack from the floor and headed out. “I love you guys!” I yelled as I closed the door behind me.
It was extremely hot outside. I felt as if the sweat weeping from my body was quickly being evaporated by the sun. I came to the conclusion that it would be best for me to walk in the shade. The walk to the edge of town wasn't exactly long, but it was certainly dangerous. Ever since our town was locked up, tons of people have been trying to escape and in the process many have lost their lives. It is extremely difficult to get past the guards. They’ll shoot anyone that comes within a five mile radius. I began to think to myself, Is this a risk really worth taking? My walking came to a stop. Do I really want to continue this mission only to die and not be able to save my family? I took a deep breath and gave my home in the distance once last glance.
“I would rather die trying than just sit there and watch them faint away” I said and that alone was enough motivation to get me moving again.
About thirty minutes into my walk i decided to take a lunch break. I wasn’t a big fan of walking on an empty stomach, plus it would give me a chance to rest my legs. Reaching into my backpack, I grabbed a bottled water and a bag of peanuts and began to chop away.
“Hey!” Someone shouted. It sounded as if it was coming from behind me. I turned my head into the direction of which the voice came. I saw nothing, but I did hear the crunching of leaves. I stood up and took my guard as the stranger finally ran into view. It was a girl who looked somewhere around my age.
“Can I help you?” I asked, still standing my guard.
“Yeah, I don’t know if you knew this or not, but we’re not allowed to leave this area. We’re quarantined.. you’ll end up getting yourself killed” She gasped. She tooked a seat on a rock inches by in order to catch her breath.
“Why are you so far away from town? I’m Allison by the way” She said as she help out a hand.
I shook it firmly, “I’m Richard.
I know the dangers of coming up this far, but I have to. My mother and sister are sick. They're keeping medicine from us. Medicine that can cure everyone and if they won't bring it to us then i’ll go to them.” I said. She gave me a puzzled look and then quickly stood to her feet.
“Let me come with you. Please, my family and I could use some of the medicine ourselves.” She frowned.
“Then we better get going” I replied as I started to walk off.
We finally started to approach the edge of town and guards could easily be heard. Allison grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me into the bushes.
“We’ll make it much farther if we can avoid being seen” She whispered, “We can go through the woods just remember to stay low. I nodded in response and we made our way through the woods. Carefully avoiding any guards lurking by. As we made our way near the fence I felt a sharp pain in my leg. I winced as I turned my head to find a guard hovering over me with her hand on her gun and her boot on my leg.
“What the heck do you kids think you're doing?” She growled. I shut my eyes and got ready for the bullet she was about to put into my head. There was nothing. “What’s wrong with you kids, can't you hear?” She asked.
“Aren’t you going to kill us?” Allison
said.
“Well yes, I plan to. But not without a good explanation.” The lady replied blankly .
“Listen lady, our families are sick and you people aren't doing anything to help us. So we planned to take matters into our own hands, Now if you're going to shoot us then shoot us, but just know that you're the reason why nothing is getting better.” I yelled. I stared up at her with not a hint of fear in my eyes. I began to feel the weight of her boot lift up from her leg and she sighed.
“You’re right. We aren’t doing anything to help anyone around here. The amount of people we killed just isn't right and i’m done with it.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a card. “ Here. You’ll need this if you're going to try and get passed the gate. Just swipe it and it should let you right though. Just watch out for the other guards. They won’t be as understanding as I am and they’ll shoot you on the spot. Once you get passed the creek up north you should be fine.” She said. My mouth was completely open in awe as I quickly got to my feet. Allison I grabbed the card, I muttered a quick thank you and turned on my heels, running with allison not far behind.
“Her name was Jacklyn.” Allison said as we slowed down out pace.
“How do you know?” I asked.
“The names on card.” She answered.
We reached the gate and allison swiped the card. There was a light buzz and a click. The door opened with ease just like Jacklyn said it would and we proceeded on inside. Taking one step closer towards our prize.
Allison gives me a smiles as we begin to approach the creek.
Like Jacklyn said, once you pass the creek you're safe. We reached the building where they hold the medicine. Quietly making our way to the back door and using the keycard to get inside. There were directions on the wall. One sign said ‘Lab’, so we figured our best chance would be to go in that direction. We finally made it to a big glass door and inside were all kinds of materials that one might find in any other science lab. Allison swiped the card once more and rushed inside; I followed behind.
“I finally made it!” Allison shouted. She rushed to the fridge and carelessly fumbled through it. Not caring if she broke anything or not. I started to find her behavior unusual, but I figured she was just overjoyed and couldn’t wait to save me family.
“Save some for me” I joked. She got quiet and cleared her throat.
“Sorry Richard..really I am, but there's only enough for me and my family.” She muttered. I watched her put the 3 medicine bottles in her pockets and grab a couple of syringes.
“So basically you used me?” I yelled. My fist began to form into a tight ball. She ignored my question and tried making her way to the door. My anger took over and I pushed her back.
“Get out of my way!” She hollered, picking up a metal tray and throwing it towards my head. I ducked and lunged for
her.
“I’m not letting you take that! It was a mistake bringing you along!” I yelled as our brawl begun.
During our tussle she hit her head against the table and was out cold. I grabbed the medicine, syringes, and Jaclyn's keycard from her and put them in my backpack.
“I’m sorry it had end this way.” I said murmured. I laid a bottle by her side so that she could at least heal herself. I felt back that she wouldn't be able to save the rest of her family, but she deserved it in a way. She was willing to leave me with absolutely nothing.
The road back home was just as tough as it was on our way the the lab. Only it was filled with silence. I returned to my mother and sister where we greeted each other with hugs and kisses. I gave them their shots and in no time they got better. Our town is still quarantined and I definitely plan on going back to get more medicine for the others. But as of now i’m just happy my mother and sister are okay.