“Yeah, me too.”
As we stood facing each other, my stomach rumbled. It suddenly occurred to me that none of us had eaten since breakfast.
“Look, how about you go and make something for dinner. I’ll take care of Dad. Okay?” I softened my voice, but that fear stayed in her eyes.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll make supper.” She turned on stiff legs and walked to the kitchen. Lars and Elliot watched her pass by in the living room. They’d been fighting most of the afternoon too.
“Where’s Aurora?” I asked as another moan from Dad’s room filled the hallway. I knew I needed to go to him, but I hadn’t seen my little sister in a while.
Elliot wrung his hands. “She just went outside.”
“What? When?”
“Just now.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugged helplessly. “I dunno . . . I would have said something but you and Mina were fighting so—”
I flew outside before he could finish. The ancient screen door banged behind me. I stopped abruptly in the drive, my gaze sweeping across the brown yard.
Since it was dusk, the sun glowed on the horizon. In the distance, hazy lights streamed upward from the makeshift quarantine tents. They were miles away, but fear still clawed at my belly that the Makanza Research and Response Agency would see us. All it would take was one military truck passing by on the highway, and we would be caught.
They’ll arrest us if they know. Then we’ll be put in their quarantine. We’ll all be split up. I can’t let that happen.
There was no sign of my sister. The twilight made everything dip into shadows. When I didn’t see her, I raced to the side of the house.
“Aurora! Bug, where are you?”
A small head bobbed up from the prairie grass.
I breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn’t gone far. She was sitting down, hidden by the tall stalks. Trying to calm my pounding heart, I approached her slowly.
Cool evening wind washed across my cheeks as crickets chirped. It was the first time I’d been outside in weeks. But that simple pleasure didn’t faze me.
Aurora was outside. We’d broken quarantine. There could be hell to pay.
She didn’t seem to know when I stood right beside her. Crouching down, I instinctively lifted a finger to push a lock of hair behind her ear but stopped at the last minute. No touching.
As if sensing my heavy thoughts, she turned her head slowly, her gaze meeting mine. Large tears filled her eyes.
My heart broke.
“I’m scared, Davin. I’m so scared!”
She flew into my arms, and I caught her in a tight embrace, the MRI’s rules be damned. Tears poured down her cheeks as sobs wracked her small shoulders.
I fell back on my butt and held her. The crickets continued to chirp around us, and fresh air carried in the breeze. Thankfully the tall prairie grass hid us from any passersby on the highway.
“Dad’s going to die, isn’t he?” Her sobs continued.
I ran a hand down her long hair and pulled her closer. A part of me wanted to lie, to tell her that it would all be fine, to say anything that would make her fear and tears go away. But I couldn’t do that. I’d always treated her as an equal even though she was eight years younger than me.
I couldn’t start lying now, not when she trusted me to be honest.
“Yeah, he’s going to die.”
Another choked sob escaped her before she lifted her head. Her smooth cheeks were wet with tears. In the dusky sky, she looked so young, much too young to deal with this.
“Are we going to die too?”
My breath caught in my throat. I fingered a lock of hair behind her ear. It was the first time I’d hugged her in days. Usually, she was constantly throwing her thin arms around my waist or burying her head in my stomach. She’d always been like that. Affection to Aurora was like breathing. She was similar to Mom in that way.
I softened my gaze. “I wish I could say that we won’t, but we might.”
She nodded stiffly as fresh tears came. Burrowing into my chest again, she tightened her grip. “I’m glad I’ll be with you when it happens.”
My chest constricted so tightly that I didn’t dare speak. I feared I would break down right then and there, and I needed to be strong. I needed to be strong for her, for all of my brothers and sisters, and for my mom.
They were all counting on me.
“I promise to be with you if it happens.” More than anything, I hoped I could keep that promise. If I died before her . . .
No, don’t think that. None of us are going to die. We survived the outbreak four years ago. We’ll survive this one too.
I bit my lip. But we never lived with someone infected four years ago. I knew that made our chances of dying significantly higher.
The promise I’d made to myself when this nightmare began filled my mind. Stay calm. Keep them safe. Stay inside. Don’t get infected.
Already, I’d failed.
Nobody was calm. Nobody was safe. My little sister and I were sitting outside, and we were probably all infected but didn’t know it yet.
I pushed to a stand, lifting her with me. Then I gently set her down on her feet, pulled her to my side, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We really need to go back inside. If they catch us out here, they’ll take us and split us up.”
She nodded solemnly. “I’m sorry. I knew I shouldn’t have come out here, but hearing you and Mina fighting after Lars and Elliot have been fighting all day, and then Dad’s wailing—”
I nudged her. “I get it. It’s not easy for me either, but we have to stay inside. Okay? You can’t come out here again, and we both need to wash our hands. We’re not supposed to touch.”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry.”
I hurried us back to the house. The screen door banged closed behind us. Elliot straightened from the couch but then relaxed when he saw Aurora behind me.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I knew it would be Mom. It was the third call I’d ignored from her today.
Guilt flooded me because I was pushing that conversation off yet again, but I didn’t know how to tell her that Dad was sick. I tapped the ignore button. I’ll call her back later. First, Aurora and I need to wash our hands, and then I need to deal with Dad.
Another moan pierced the house from the back bedroom. Sounds of something sizzling on the stove came from the kitchen. At least, Mina was upholding her end of the bargain.
I shoved a DVD into the old player and turned it on. Facing Lars and Elliot, I put my hands on my hips. “Will you guys stay here on opposite sides of the room and watch this movie until supper? And no fighting. I need to help Dad.”
Lars nodded while Elliot just stared at me, fear coating his gaze. That clawing feeling in my belly grew. Clenching my jaw, I told Aurora to go wash her hands in the kitchen while I washed mine in the bathroom. Finally, I retreated to the back bedroom.
Another loud moan filled the hallway. I pulled on a pair of gloves and a mask from the stash I’d left on the floor. We were almost out. I pushed the door open and approached my dad.
He still lay on his bed, exactly as he’d been before. The room was dark. When I reached his side, I flicked the bedside lamp on. Sweat covered his brow, and his eyes were tightly closed.
I crouched at his side. “Dad? Are you okay?”
It was a stupid question. Of course he wasn’t okay. He was anything but okay.
I grabbed the glass of water on the bedside table. Cradling his head in my hand, I forced him to sit upright. Another moan came from his mouth.
“You need to drink this. Dad, open your eyes.”
But it was like he didn’t know I was there. He continued moaning and shivering. I brought the glass to his lips.
Once the water touched his tongue, he slurped down several greedy gulps. Water ran down his chin and onto his chest. Since his shirt was already soaked with sweat, it didn’t matter. He was completely drenched.
&
nbsp; I should wash him. I should carry him to the shower, clean him, and put fresh clothes on him.
But I didn’t know if I was strong enough to lift him on my own. Then you’ll need to wash him in here.
“Lars!” I yelled over my shoulder for my younger brother.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, then Lars’s lanky form appeared in the doorframe. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?”
“He’s about the same, but he really needs to get cleaned up. Will you get a pan from the kitchen and fill it with hot, soapy water?”
Trepidation filled my brother’s face.
I sighed as fatigue rolled through me. “Please. Just go get it.”
He retreated and returned a few minutes later with the water and a washcloth.
When I pushed my dad to the side, the stink of urine and poop filled my nose. Bile rose in my throat when I saw the soiled bedsheets.
Dammit all to hell. How long has he been lying in that?
“I need clean sheets.”
Lars shuffled his feet in the hallway. “Um . . . I don’t think we have any.”
The smell grew stronger when I moved my dad’s legs. “Then get towels or something.”
Lars kicked into action and returned with three large bath towels. He threw them to me. At least I didn’t have to worry about Lars coming too close. He helped me remind the others about the rules when needed.
The next twenty minutes were not something I wanted to remember. Seeing my father’s sick body covered with sweat—a body that had been ravaged by years of alcoholism—was not a pretty sight. It didn’t help that his pants were so filthy I had to throw them away. I knew clothes were precious, but they seemed beyond repair.
“Get some fresh shorts and a shirt.” Sweat covered my brow. Grunting, I did my best to move my dad more upright while avoiding direct contact.
Lars disappeared again to scrounge up whatever he could find.
My dad was heavy and deadweight in my arms. He didn’t even know that I was pulling the sheets out from under him, cleaning him, and redressing him. It was like taking care of a giant toddler.
Elliot appeared in the bedroom doorway. His expression went blank as he took in the scene before him. Swallowing tightly, he turned and raced back to the living room.
Good. He’s too young to be dealing with this.
“Supper’s ready!” Mina’s cheerful voice called from the kitchen. That happy tone sounded completely off given our circumstances.
The patter of footsteps followed, which I could only assume meant Aurora and Elliot were heeding her call. At least they’ll get some food in their bellies.
Everybody was looking too thin.
I forced that thought down and made myself finish the task at hand. Once Lars returned with fresh clothes, I redressed our father and laid him back on the mattress. Since there weren’t clean sheets, he lay on a bed of worn towels.
It would have to do.
Lars was breathing heavily in the hallway, and his cheeks were flushed. “Should we put something underneath him? You know . . . in case he has a, um, accident again?”
I nodded. “Good idea. Get a trash bag or something that won’t let piss soak into the mattress.”
By the time I finished, our dad still hadn’t shown awareness of what was happening. My brow furrowed at how quickly he’d become sick. I didn’t know how much his withdrawals were affecting the virus. Maybe he’s this sick because he’s also dealing with withdrawals.
I barely stopped myself from punching the wall again. If only the damned MRI would tell us something about the virus! At least then I would know what to expect.
But since they refused to divulge their secrets, I was flying blind. The only thing I knew for sure was that if a month passed after being exposed we would still be alive. At least, that was what had happened when the virus had first struck.
“Davin?” Mina’s voice carried from the hallway. “Are you going to eat something?”
Her earlier cheerfulness only moments ago had melted away. Fatigue and despair lined her words. She was like a freaking roller coaster. Up one minute, down the next.
“Yeah, coming.”
I nodded at Lars to go first before following him down the hall. My hands were a sweaty mess when I peeled the gloves off. Sweat coated my upper lip under the mask. After washing my hands and face, I retreated to the kitchen. My dad’s moans carried down the hallway, following me around every turn.
A buzz filled my back pocket. A text from Nick appeared when I pulled my phone out. We’d spoken every day, but it seemed that our texts grew shorter and less frequent each day.
Is it bad for you guys? It’s a shit show over here.
My dad’s sick.
Seriously? Oh man. I think my sister’s sick too. She keeps saying she’s fine but I don’t think she is.
I raked a hand through my hair. I started to type in a reply to ask about his sister when a moan came from my dad.
I gotta go. A lot going on. Talk later?
Yeah. Stay safe bro.
I shoved my phone back in my pocket. If only it were that easy.
6 – SYMPTOMS
I tapped in the number to call our mom after supper. My empty stomach growled in protest since I’d given Aurora my entire dinner ration. But Aurora was finally full and smiling pleasantly for the first time in weeks.
That alone made it worth it.
All of my siblings were currently in the living room, while Dad still lay in his bedroom.
Mom was probably expecting the worst since I hadn’t spoken with her today. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she ignored federal law and drove up to the reservation that afternoon. She could very well be sitting outside the quarantine perimeter demanding admittance.
A wry smile lifted my lips at the thought.
She answered on the first ring, her voice breathless. “Davin? Is that really you?”
My smile disappeared. “Yeah, it’s me. Sorry I didn’t answer earlier.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “No, that’s fine. I’m just so glad to hear from you. I’ve been worried sick.”
I sat down on a kitchen chair. Dirty dishes lined the counters. The sounds of another movie carried in from the living room. It seemed we would be dying with Disney theme songs playing in the background.
“So how’s everything going? Is everyone okay?” she asked, an edge to her tone.
I raked my fingers through my hair.
“Davin?”
Another long moment passed before I finally spoke. “Dad’s sick.”
“With withdrawals?” The hope filling her words made my stomach sink.
“No, he’s sick with the virus, Mom.” My words were so quiet, I barely heard them.
A sob came from her end, then another. “No. No, no, no! Please tell me I’m hearing things. Please tell me he’s not sick!”
Tears filled my eyes. “I’m sorry, Mom, but it’s true. Dad’s sick, but we’re all keeping our distance. I haven’t let any of the kids in the back bedroom, and I wear a mask and gloves whenever I go near him. Maybe we won’t get it.”
The words tasted bitter on my tongue. Both of us knew they were a lie.
“Oh God!” Her wail pierced my ear.
“Mom. It’s okay. Really, it is. We all feel fine.”
“But for how long?”
My stomach sank more. Since I had no idea how to make her feel better, I simply said, “I’m sorry.”
“No!” Another sob came from her, but I could tell she was trying to stifle it. “Don’t you dare be sorry or blame yourself! You didn’t do anything wrong. You’ve done more than should have been asked of you. I’m so proud of you. Your father would be too if he wasn’t so sick. So, please, sweetie, don’t for a moment think you’re to blame. It’s the damned virus that’s at fault.” She sniffed again. “How are your brothers and sisters? Can I talk to them?”
“Yeah. I’ll get them.”
I called everyone into the kitchen and put Mom on s
peakerphone. Each of us stood away from one another as best we could.
I lost track of time as my mother spoke with us. Tears formed in all of our eyes. Our mother loved us so fiercely. She always had. And that love poured into each and every one of our souls.
Mina was the last to speak with her. My sister’s hand shook when she tapped the button to hang up the phone. Large tears rolled down her cheeks. “We’re never going to see her again, are we?”
I frowned. “You don’t know that. It’s possible we may.”
A sob shook Mina’s chest, then another. The five of us stood in a circle in the kitchen looking at one another. The old flickering kitchen light hummed above us. Despair lined everyone’s faces. Aurora shuffled closer to my side. I could tell she wanted to wrap her arms around me.
I swallowed down the thick feeling in my throat. I needed to be strong for them, but knowing that didn’t stop my trembling hands.
THE NEXT MORNING, a sharp knock sounded on the door. I knew who it was before answering. The MRRA had been by twice to provide us with fresh food during the previous weeks. On their last visit, they’d learned our dad was having withdrawals, but they didn’t know he had the virus.
Regardless, it was a relief they hadn’t forgotten us. We were almost out of food.
The sun shone brightly when I opened the ancient screen door. Fresh spring scents from outside wafted in. Rolling prairie grass stretched behind the MRRA soldiers covered in their white biohazard suits.
The idyllic scene that nature depicted was a complete contradiction to the horror of what was happening on this small portion of land.
“Chayton Kinder?” The soldier on the left spoke first.
My jaw tightened that they still didn’t know who I was. I had answered the door every time they’d come around. “No. That’s my dad. I’m Davin Kinder.”
The one on the right dropped a box at the front door. “These are your provisions for the next week.” He pulled an electric tablet from his pocket. “Our records show there are four children and two adults in this house. Is that correct?”
I nodded stiffly.
The Complete Makanza Series: Books 0-4 Page 4
