Pandemic

Chapter 14 : Sicker

Chapter 14

Later...  

Riker POV

"Riker, wake up."

I opened my eyes, but everything was blurry. My glasses were pushed onto my face and I saw Ross sitting up beside me.

"So um... Rocky kept throwing up and dad was scared he was getting dehydrated, so he took Rocky to the emergency room and... You need to promise me you won't freak out if I tell you this."

"Tell me what? What time is it?"

"It's 2:30 in the morning."

"Am I dreaming?"

"No. Dad called and um... Well he and Rocky have the virus."

"How!? Dad tested negative!"

"Yeah well the doctors think it was a false negative. So we're guessing that Ryland, mom, and Rydel have the virus too."

"Oh my god..."

I sat up and felt my chest getting tight.

"Riker, just breathe. They're all the way upstairs, and we're all the way down here. We'll be fine. And dad and Rocky are at the hospital. They'll be fine there."

"Ross, if I catch it, I'm going to die."

"No, there's a chance you could die. It's not a definite thing."

"Ok, whatever! I'm scared, Ross!"

"Ok, well you need to pull yourself together because we're the only ones that don't have it, and you're the oldest."

I bit my lip.

"Breathe. You can't freak out."

Ross pulled me into a hug. I clung onto him tightly. I know I'm the oldest, but I'm scared.

"Come on. Let's go back to bed. Are you going to be able to fall asleep again or are you too anxious?"

"I don't know. My mind is racing."

"Ok. Then let's play some rounds of Go Fish to get you tired out again, ok?"

"Ok."

Later...

Ross POV

I was so tired. Riker kept me up most of the night because he was so anxious and couldn't fall asleep. So we played a ton of Go Fish.

He was fast asleep now, so I was just letting him sleep. But it's breakfast time. And I could hear my family coming downstairs to get breakfast. So I'm guessing Riker would hate me if I went to get breakfast too.

But I'm hungry.

"Riker?"

I shook his shoulder.

"What?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Can you drive us somewhere to get breakfast?"

"Why?"

"Because everyone got breakfast in the kitchen and I don't think you want us going up there to get breakfast."

"Oh... Yeah, I guess," he said, sitting up.

"Sorry I woke you up. But I'm hungry."

"No, it's fine. I'm just glad you didn't go up there."

"I thought you might have a panic attack if I did."

"Wait. We don't have a car. Dad took the van to take Rocky to the hospital."

"Oh yeah... We could walk to the gas station and then sanitize whatever we get."

"I guess that's what we'll have to do."

We got on our boots and coats and went outside. There was like a foot of snow on the ground from the snowstorm though.

"This is obnoxious," Riker said, walking through the snow.

I walked behind him, stepping in his footprints.

"When we get back and after we eat, we could shovel the driveway. I know you probably want to get out of the cabin as much as possible, and dad would probably appreciate the driveway being shoveled for when he gets back," I said.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Maybe we could shovel some of the lake too and play some hockey, just you and me."

"Yeah! See? I think you're doing better when you're distracted."

"Yeah, I think so too."

When we got to the road, it was plowed, so we weren't walking through a foot of snow anymore. I walked beside Riker.

"You brought money, right?" I asked.

"Yeah. I have my credit card that mom and dad gave me for emergencies. I think this counts."

"I agree."

"We'll get enough food for breakfast and lunch. And then we'll see what's going on. But we might have to walk to the gas station for our meals for 2 weeks."

"That's ok. If it keeps you safe from the virus, then that's what we'll have to do."

"Ok. Thanks."

We got to the gas station. I just followed Riker. He got milk, cereal, and some prepackaged lunches. He paid, and then we started walking back home.

"I just have one question," I said.

"What?"

"You bought milk. We don't have a fridge downstairs."

"We'll put it outside. It's plenty cold outside."

"Oh. Good idea."

When we got back to the cabin, Riker sanitized our food. We made ourselves bowls of cereal and sat down on the couch beside each other to eat.

"Are you glad I didn't get sick too? Like are you happy you're not stuck down here alone?" I asked.

"Of course I am. I would be lonely and probably be freaking out more than I am right now."

"Ok. I'm trying to help you not be so anxious."

"I know. It's helping a little."

"Good."

"Are you ready to shovel some snow so we can play hockey?"

"Yeah! Let's go!"