Forgetting the Apocalypse

37. Worst Place To Be

*Almost two years ago*

"Ok class, looks like Principal Burgs is cutting today short. Please make sure to gather all your textbooks, papers and anything else you will need. Calls will be made to your parents informing them when classes will start up again. Be safe, look out for each other and please for the love of god, listen to the news and adults.."

As soon as Ms. Jenny gave us the all clear I packed up everything on my desk and into my backpack. I just hope my sister doesn't take her sweet time picking me up of all times today. I mean I know she's busy beginning her new college classes, that's completely understandable. She took a year off before enrolling so that we can hang out a little bit more before she had to get her head in the books so I can't really be too upset with her.

"Hey Bo, so I talked to my parents. They said that even though the whole party is canceled because of whatever bug is going you and your family are still invited so it'll be a small get together. What do ya say?" my best friend asked.

On the outside I was cool as a cucumber, but on the inside I was doing a really huge happy dance. It would have really sucked if my homie had his party canceled and I couldn't give him his bomb ass present that I got him. I spent my entire piggy bank buying him this fully functional, movie grade lightsaber. But not just any lightsaber either. It is none other than Darth Maul's, the double ended one. He is gonna lose his shit when he sees it.

"I'm totally in. Sis might be late or leave early, one of the two. You know how stressed she is this week, but my parents would be relieved that it's a smaller gathering no offense. Anyways, anything you need us to bring?" I ask him.

He shook his head, "Nah, my ma has it all covered."

I was excited. So much so that I didn't even see my sister parked outside until I was already opening the door. I immediately jumped in and pulled her in for a hug.

"Easy there little bro, you're gonna hurt yourself. Buckle up so we can get home. How was school?"

Gosh that's such an adult thing to ask...

I tried to push through it. It hurt like a motherfucker and I was starting to feel a little faint because it was getting hard to breathe but nothing was going to stop me from seeing the look on his face. Just channel your inner gimli, "just breath, that's the key.."

Nope.

When I woke up, I was hooked up to an IV and in the hospital. Well shit. I tried to sit up and get my bearings before my family started scolding me for not taking care of myself. They were asleep right now on the couch and chairs they had in the room but any second they'll wake.

Hearing the door open, I was expecting to see the doctor but I smiled when I saw my homie. He rushed to my side and hugged me. The moment was halted when my monitor started beeping loudly indicating that my heart rate was spiking again. Stupid machine.

Mom was the first one up. Tim knew right away to make room before mama bear came swinging. I was pulled into a hug tighter than the ones I give.

"Oh my baby, god if I could smack you upside the head right now I'd give you a concussion. What were you thinking?" her voice getting higher and higher.

That alerted dad and sis.

Both of them shaking the sleepiness from their heads. I could tell sis really wanted to come and hug me as well but she was not about to get in the way of our mother. Dad was happy and smiling to see me awake even though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. I knew it must've be really bad then.

Sure enough, when the doctor came he didn't sugar coat it.

My heart was giving out. Due to tachyarrhythmias, my heart was beating too quickly. So not enough oxygenated blood was circulating to my brain and that is what caused my fainting episodes. If this kept up, I would go into cardiac arrest or get brain damage. Or even both. Given the amount I've fainted and had the pains before it happened, it could happen sooner than many would think.

They recommended I stay in the hospital for more observations and to see what treatments could work for me.

It's not that I never believed the stuff that the doctors would tell me. Nor was it that I was in denial of my health. Truthfully, if it had been any other time then I would have immediately told someone how I was feeling. But hearing him say that I would need some surgery in order to help my heart with the strain that it goes under. Most likely, a pacemaker.

As it turns out, that was the least of my problems.

I had left the hospital three days ago. I was cleared to leave but the only reason I had to come back was so that I could meet the doctor who would be handling my case/surgery or whatever. They were going to let me know all the risks, procedures, time frame, all the works for what I would go through.

In all honesty, I would've happily gone to the follow up without hesitation. I mean it was only my heart and life that were on the line. But things in the news were getting worst. More and more of those people attacking others were happening closer to where we lived. Just last week one of those twenty four hour emergency clinics was attacked by a small mob of those crazies.

Reasoning with my mother was out of the question. Reasoning with any of my family was out of the question. I have no doubt that my mother would be worrying even if this stuff with my was cured. Dad is a sucker for ma, so he does anything she says and wants it's romantically pathetic. And sis, well sis is older so she is always going to be busting my ass one way or another.

She went on a head to the car while I was in the bathroom. Hearing that I was on a waiting list for a heart transplant and that until then, I couldn't put any strain on it was a tough pill to swallow and for some reason that made me take ten minutes simply washing my hands. Like somehow that was going to make me feel better.

I hadn't finished turning off the water when I heard the first scream.

I sure as hell didn't want to open the door, but I know from every horror movie ever that hiding in the bathroom is a sure way to get you killed.

Opening the door I saw a real life reenactment of that creepy scene from the movie Quarantine when they go into that old lady's apartment and the cleaning lady comes running and crashing into things all bloody. Only this was a nurse. She was trying to scream but all that came out was this gurgling, choking sound as she was clutching the side of her neck with both hands.

Before I could make the decision to go and help her, one of those crazies came barreling around the same corner. Tackling her and ripping into her shoulder.

"Fuck!" was all that I could scream.

It was all that scream for a second time when two more came running, just as crazy as the first and dove right on top of her and began biting and tearing into her.

Turning around and running as fast as I could to my sister's car, not bothering on looking back or to those around me. As soon as I saw her I jumped in the passenger seat and shouted at her to drive.

"Bo, calm down! The doctor just told us.."

"Fuck the doctors! It's here!! Those fucking crazy people from the news are here in the hospital, they just attacked one of the nurses!" I screamed at her. Ignorning the pain I was starting to feel in my chest.

She was going to argue with me again but the screaming crowd running from out the doors stopped her. We saw more of them chasing down those that were trying to get away. I even saw her. The nurse who was attacked in the hall. She came sprinting and snarling towards our car. It's what finally pulled my sis from her shock and hit the gas.