Chapter 3: Approaching the Darkness

     

     Jenni sits blankly on the couch with a glass of wine, the TV is muted, and the silence is deafening. The town has just been put on alert that there is a possible infection at the hospital…and it wasn’t a stranger from another city. It was none other than the mayor, Kenneth, who went to the ER complaining of chest pains. The word spread quickly across the town that he developed a high fever within a few hours and was now unresponsive. He has been quarantined along with the nurses and doctor that assisted him.

     Tony plops down next to Jenni, touching her gently on the arm which startles her.

     “Everything is gonna be okay, Jenn.” She shakes her head.

     “No…it’s not. It’s here, and it’s gonna spread” she whispers.

     “How? We’ve been in quarantine for almost a month now. No one’s had contact with Kenneth!”

    “No one? What about city council meetings, police updates?”

    “Wasn’t that all virtual?”

     “Not at first!”

     “Look, calm down, okay? We’ll get through this. I promise you.” Jenni looks at him with tears in her eyes.

     “What about the kids?”

     “The kids will be fine. We have everything we need here, Love…what if…what if he just has the flu?”

     “Come on, Tony! We can’t be in denial now! And…we sent those kids to the city…my God!”

     “We will figure this out.”

      “How?” Tony sighs. Hell, he didn’t know the answer, he was just trying to keep his wife from freaking out. She was right about one thing…maybe it was a mistake to send the kids to the city. He knew they wanted to find their parents, but was it really worth it? To compromise their lives? Hell, at this point they may never see those kids again.

     “We just have to trust that this quarantine will get us through this. We know now that we can’t escape it. No more going out on Fridays. We have enough food to last us a month. We will just have to hunker down until then” he responds.

     “Okay.” Jenni didn’t know what else to say. This was an entirely new situation for everyone. She could only hope that a month was long enough to get this thing under control. Suddenly, she begins to worry frantically about her friend Deidre. Was she working at the hospital? Did she have to be quarantined too? Jenni immediately takes out her phone and dials Deidre’s number. It goes straight to voicemail.

    “Tony, what about Deidre?” She whispers.

     “Did she have to work tonight?” He asks. She shakes her head in uncertainty.

     “I don’t know. I’m worried. She usually answers her phone.”

     “Well, maybe Mark has her occupied. In all this they’re still newlyweds.” Jenni smiles for the first time since she heard the virus might be in town.

     “You remember when we were first married?” Tony looks over at his wife. She had driven him crazy, playing hard to get. He enjoyed the chase tremendously though. That was twelve years ago, and he was still just as crazy about her as he was then.

     “Yes, you. I remember.”

      “Couple of wild nights we had, no?” She laughs.

      “A couple? My attendance at work was horrible because of you.”

       “You survived…” he teases. She shakes her head, noticing her wine glass is empty.

       “Time for a refill.” She stands up and Tony slaps her behind in a mischievous manner.

        “Don’t start!” She warns with a laugh.

          As Jenni preoccupies herself with the wine in the kitchen, Tony decides to try calling Mark. Now that Jenni had mentioned it, he was a little worried about Deidre himself. He knew that Mark was tireless in his efforts to make her take an extended leave, but she didn’t want to abandon the expectant mothers she had worked with in the hospital. Babies didn’t wait for a pandemic to be over to be born.

     “Yo…” Mark answers after one ring.

      “We’re just checking on you guys. How’s it going over there?” Tony inquires. Mark sighs heavily which isn’t a good sign.

      “Deidre had just clocked in when that bastard came in talkin about chest pains. Now she has to be quarantined in a room by herself for 48 hours.”

       “48 hours?”

       “That’s supposedly how long it takes for people to get the symptoms of this virus. Look man, this thing is gonna hit us like the freaking nuclear bomb. You got anyplace you can go?”

       “We were just going to stay here.”

        “I should have never let her go to work in the first place, damn!” Mark huffs.

        “Look, maybe she’s fine. Maybe we’ll all be fine. We just have to stay the hell away from that hospital.”

        “Maybe you’re right. Look, I’ll keep you posted, okay? I need to figure some shit out.”

        “Sure, man.” Tony hangs up, wondering how in the hell he’s going to tell his wife that her friend was being quarantined at the hospital.  She was already paranoid about this virus, he didn’t need her to be on a thousand percent.

     As Jenni comes back from the kitchen, her wine glass filled to the brim, he prepares to tell her that the situation might be a little more dire than they think and wonders how she’s going to react. He starts to realize that this might be a whole lot bigger than any of them previously thought.

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    Holly hurriedly packs up her truck, eager to get on the road before the patrol came back on duty. Once she heard of Kenneth’s misfortune, she knew that it was over and did not want to stick around for the aftermath. She leaves a voicemail on her phone to tell her callers that she would no longer be reachable and that she would contact them as soon as she got to her destination. She didn’t want Deidre or Jenni to worry about where she was. She knew Chase would probably be too busy to care at this point.

     In the still of the night, she cranks up her truck, riding into the darkness. The winding roads of the mountain make her dizzy, but she drives on, determined to get her cabin before daylight. She drives for two hours, her eyelids growing heavy as she zooms through the abyss. Finally, she sees the turn for the dirt road, breathing a heavy sigh of relief. She slowly navigates her pickup up the steep, rough terrain.

    The cabin appears before her eyes and she leans her head back in reprieve. It was much larger than she expected as she had only seen the pictures online. It was two stories high and had large glass windows. The lake was right in front of her. Well, if she had to run away, at least she had a beautiful view. She takes the necessities out of her truck, vowing to retrieve all of her stuff when she’s had some rest.

   She types in the key code on the lock box to retrieve her key and unlocks the door, dropping her stuff on the floor in awe. On the table by the door, there is a note from the owners:

Welcome Holly!

You have cable, internet and electricity here. We hope that you will remain safe during this trying time. Everything has been sanitized as requested. Enjoy your stay!

Blake and Jackie Williams

Holly smiles at the kindness of the owners and decides to explore the cabin before settling down. The living room is spacious with a flat screen TV mounted above the fireplace. The furniture is modern black leather and all of the floors are covered in shiny, oaky hardwood.

As she inspects the rooms upstairs, she begins to feel a little guilty about leaving her friends behind. There was plenty of space for her friends. If she had known just how huge this place was, she would have definitely offered. However, she was here now and had a beautiful place to herself to live out this virus.

After putting a few of her things away, she pops a bag of popcorn and pours a tall glass of whiskey, settling down in front of the TV. She’s sleepy but knew that some food and a nice drink would help her sleep well in a new place.

Suddenly, she is surprised by a phone call. She didn’t think she would even have a signal in this area. She answers it without looking at the caller ID.

“Hello?”

“What the hell were you thinking, running off like that?” Chase’s voice rings out.

“I had to go, Chase. You know that this virus is inevitable.”

“You could have at least told me.”

“I didn’t tell anyone.”

“Well…I’m glad you got out.” He sighs.

“Why is that?”

“The nurse and staff who dealt with Kenneth have already contracted the virus. Almost all of my night shift staff is in quarantine.” She immediately thinks of her friend Deidre but knows well enough not to ask. Deidre worked her shifts faithfully, and Holly knew that she was among the quarantined.

“Why aren’t you?”

“Luckily, I didn’t come into contact with him until I was in protective gear.”   

“Well, what are you gonna do?”

“I can’t do anything but try to use the treatments other doctors have tried. Can I at least call you? I wasn’t expecting you to leave.” Holly sighs, wondering if he’s serious or just needed a woman to validate his existence.  

“Of course you can. I just didn’t think I would have a signal up here.”

“Look, one thing I’m gonna tell you is to stay put. Don’t come back here until we’re in the clear.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

“I’ll be in touch…hey, Holly?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” Holly doesn’t know what to say. Does she love him? She didn’t know and trying to survive in uncertain times was certainly not the place to start a romance.

“Chase…take care of yourself.” She knew it wasn’t a direct reciprocation, but she hoped it would buy her time so that she could determine how she felt about him.

“I’ll talk to you soon…” He responds, seeming to understand her internal confusion. She was relieved that he wasn’t offended but knew that she wouldn’t be able to stall him for too long…especially if he survived the outbreak at the hospital.   

After hanging up, Holly decides to take her drink and sit on the front porch. The soothing sounds of the lake and nocturnal wildlife were comforting. This was exactly what she wanted: a peaceful, quiet place to ease her anxiety about this virus. She hadn’t even bothered to bring her laptop. She vowed to be disconnected, take time to find herself. For her, this was the perfect opportunity to really be Holly.

As the clock strikes 3 AM, Holly slides into the cool sheets of the King bed in the master bedroom, wondering what is going on in the town. She silently prays for those still there, hoping that the ones she came to know and love are safe. As her eyes close from her exhaustion, she takes in the relaxing silence of the night, feeling safer than she ever has.

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Deidre sighs as she sits behind the glass paned hospital room. How in the hell did she end up quarantined in the middle of all this? She didn’t come in close contact with Kenneth. She’d only clocked in through the ER when they put the entire ward on lockdown. Suddenly, her thoughts are interrupted by one of her co-workers in full protective gear knocking on the glass.

“Can I come in?” she says. Deidre nods as her co-worker Mary Lynn timidly walks in with a tray of food.

“Thanks…” Deidre responds as Mary Lynn sets it down on the table next to the bed.

“I brought your phone, too. I’m sure Mark is worried about you.” Mary Lynn hands Deidre a plastic bag with her belongings in it.

“I didn’t come into contact with him…” Deidre argues.

“I know, but Dr. McFarland says we can’t take any chances. You’ll be out of here soon. It’s only 48 hours.”

“Only?” Deidre scoffs.

“The ER staff has already contracted the virus.” Deidre looks up in surprise.

“The whole staff?”

“Yes. We are trying to slow the spread as much as possible. I’ll take care of you until you can leave.”

“Do you think we’ll be able to leave? What if they decide to put the entire hospital on lockdown?”

“We already are, but if you are cleared in 48 hours, you can leave. You’ll just have to wear protective gear until you get out of here.” Deidre nods with understanding.

“Take care of yourself out there, Mary Lynn.” Mary Lynn smiles and disappears as quickly as she appeared at the door.

Deidre sighs again, dialing on her phone. She needed to speak with her husband. She needed something normal, and she knew Mark would do that for her.

“Deidre?” He answers, almost relieved to know she was calling.

“Hey…”

“How are you holding up, Babe?”

“Not good…it’s scary and lonely here.”

“It’s only two days. I’m sure everything is fine.”

“What if it’s not, Mark?” He takes a deep breath.

“Then I’ll come get you.”

“Are you crazy? You’ll get the virus!”

“If I have to come save my wife, that is exactly what the hell I’m gonna do.”

“Mark…you can’t sacrifice yourself for me.”

“Look, you’re all that matters to me. If I have to go in that hospital, then I’ll just have to. We’re in this together.”

“Then what?” She asks, knowing that if it did come to that, they would be stuck in the town with this deadly virus.

“Then we go to my parents’ cabin. We won’t spread anything there. I’ll start packing everything…either way, we will go like you wanted.”

“Okay…” she agrees with hesitation. She really didn’t want Mark to risk his life for her but also knew there was no stopping him when he had an idea in his head. This was why she married him.

“I love you, Deidre…with all my heart” he says.

“I love you too, Mark. Whatever happens…I always will.”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Get some rest while I plan to get us the hell outta here.”

“I’ll try. Goodnight.” She hangs up, her anxiety overcoming her. Would she get the virus? Would she ever see Mark again? Her friends? Everything was so out of whack that she didn’t know how to contain the swirling thoughts in her head.

Through the night, Deidre hears the cries of agony coming from some of her fellow staff members in the other quarantined rooms. The rushing of feet, the yelling of treatment orders and flatline beeps haunt her as she tries to sleep through her ordeal. Was she next?

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The four teens approach the pharmaceutical company with caution. The air is dead with silence as Jake pulls into the parking deck.

“Put on your masks, guys…” Dustin says as he hands them all masks and a pair of gloves. Each of them places the masks over their faces.

“Wait until we get into the building to put on your gloves” Leslie suggests as they hop out of the car and approach the stairs. It was way too dangerous to take the elevator.

Dustin kicks open the glass doors with his foot, letting everyone in. The lobby is eerily quiet, and no one sits at the front desk.

“What floor is your mom’s office?” Asks Leslie.

“The 10^th” Dustin answers in a whisper.

“Well, let’s get a move on…” Cami points to the entrance to the stairs.

The four teens begin the dreaded ascent up ten floors of stairs. As they pass each floor, Dustin’s anxiety heightens. He didn’t know what they were going to find when they got there. Would their mom even be there? What if she had to go to the hospital?

Finally, huffing and puffing from the most exertion they’d had in weeks, they reach the tenth floor. Jake all but runs through the door, seeking out his mother’s office. Everyone follows him to an office enclosed in glass. He tries to push through the door.

“Mom? Mom!” He yells through the glass.

“Maybe she’s not here, Jake…” Dustin begins before seeing a hand reach out from behind the enormous desk. She stands up, running towards the glass.

“Mom!” Jake exclaims, seeing her face against the pane.

“Let us in, Mom!” Dustin demands. She looks at them through her bloodshot eyes.

“I can’t, babies. I can’t let you in” she whispers.

“Why not?” Jake cries.

“I’m…sick.” Her voice is heavy with breathlessness.

“I don’t care! I want to be with you!” Jake screams.

“No, no. I’m not gonna risk your lives.”

“Mom…” Dustin sobs.

“It’ll be okay. You two are…going to be just fine.” She slides down the glass, sitting on the floor as she stares at the two boys she brought home after their birth mother had overdosed on heroin.

“No, I won’t, Mom…I won’t be okay without you!” Jake sniffles, putting his hand against the glass. She puts her hand up to match his touch.

“Yes, you will. You have to take care of each other now, okay? We don’t know…how long this will go on. You need to be there for your brother, Jake…” She wheezes heavily.

“It’s okay, Mommy, you don’t have to talk…” Dustin says, taking his place by his brother. Leslie and Cami look on in shock, tears streaming down both their faces as they realize the harsh reality of this virus.

“Stay with me?” She asks in a small voice.

“We’ll be here…until the end” Jake whispers. In a breathless voice, she tells them where they can find her insurance papers and bank account information.

“Mommy, no…” Dustin sobs as she begins to cough violently, seizing on the floor.

“Mom!” Jake hollers, crying uncontrollably. Suddenly, the door bursts open and their mom’s secretary, Shia comes in, wearing protective gear. She tosses two gowns and face shields to the boys along with the key to the office.

“Go hug your mom…” She says, tearfully. The boys quickly throw on the gear.

“Leslie, Cami…go…go find your parents.” Jake tosses them the keys.

“But…” Cami starts.

“Go!” He says before forcefully thrusting the key into the lock, unlocking the door. Cami grabs a shocked Leslie, leading her out of the office.

Jake and Dustin hold their mom as she heaves and coughs violently, whispering words of comfort to her.

“I love you…I love both of you…so much…” she says between gasping breaths.

“We love you…” Jake says, holding her tightly as she seizes once again.

Ten minutes later, the room is silent with the exception of the two boys’ quiet sobbing as the hold their lifeless mother in their arms.

“We have to go back!” Leslie yells at Cami as she is jerked towards the car in the parking deck.

“Later! They have protective gear, we have to find our parents, Les. What if they’re sick too?” Leslie begins to cry.

“Come on, your parents’ office is a few blocks down. We have to go!” Leslie grapples with the idea of seeing her parents in the same state as Jake and Dustin’s mom. Could she handle it? She didn’t know.

“Okay…” she whispers as she slowly gets into the front seat of the car, sadly securing her seatbelt. She felt so bad for Jake and Dustin. They were the ones who wanted to come here, find their mom. Now, she was dying. What if this was the same fate for all of their parents? Leslie looks over at Cami who frantically turns on the engine, zooming the car out of the parking deck towards her parents’ law office. What were they going to find once they got there?

“Everything is going to be okay…” Cami says out loud, but Leslie knew that she was trying to assure and comfort herself. The hospital would be a dangerous monster to conquer once they got there, and Cami’s dad was right in the heart of the battle. Leslie could only hope that her parents were safe.