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The Inspector's Discovery

Everything remains quiet in the neighbourhood. No one around the streets. Everyone remaining in their homes, following the rules. They can come out once it reaches 8am in the morning. It's almost that time. Just by 15 minutes. However, just before everyone in the neighbourhood can come out of their houses, the house inspectors must do their inspections first before anyone can come out. One to check the hygiene of the houses, second to do covid tests on each resident.

"Just a bit more." The inspector, the same one that came to Mary's house to do the inspection, doing a COVID swab on a little girl. The little girl isn't finding it comfortable but the inspector's kind, nice charms made the little girl feel comforted over the procedure.

"And we're done." Taking the swab off the little girl's nostrils. Putting them into the tube filled with some liquid.

Taking a few drips into the covid thermometer. Two lines means it's positive, one line means it's negative. If children have a positive result, they would have to be taken into the quarantine zones, however, they'll be given a different quarantine treatment. More better than the adults.

"Is that it?" The little girl asks. The mother comforts her, telling her it's done. The inspector responds back to her in the same manner with a smile.

It would only take fifteen minutes till the covid test results come out. The little girl becomes more curious about the inspector.

"How long have you been an inspector?" He kindly smiles at her.

"Not long actually. Why... was the previous inspector naughty?" Making a face to resemble the previous inspector. He doesn't know what the previous inspector looked like, he just hopes he doesn't become like him. Hoping to become better than him. The little girl laughs over his expression of the previous inspector.

"Extremely, he was the worst." He laughs.

"Well sweetheart I must say this, I'm not like him. In fact, I will never be like him. By the way, I have something in my bag." He grabs something from his bag. A Kirby plushie. Really cute. The little girl immediately hugs it, loving it. Kirby is one of her favourite characters. A coincidence for him, the moment he has seen a Nintendo switch displayed along with her tv.

"Thank you Thank you!" She happily exclaims. Wishing to hug towards him. Unfortunately, she cannot do that, not wanting to risk a COVID infection for her.

The mother stops her, not wishing for her daughter to break the rules. The inspector understands, he knows he cannot let the little girl hug her back. Until a single thought in his mind, thinking about it, knowing how happy the little girl was, lets her off. He won't tell anyone about it.

"Are you sure?" She asks. Worried her daughter will be facing consequences for going ahead with it. Along with the fact that the inspector could also face the consequences of allowing it.

"Yeah, don't worry sweetheart, no one will know." Winking at her. Smiling, she hugs him. Finally. So comforting for him. That's what he wants to see. No one getting upset, hurt or suffering, just people feeling happy. Even during the worst times of their lives.

"Alright, time to let go of me sweetheart. I need to see if you're good to go." The little girl obeys. She lets go of him and runs back to her mother. The mother holds her, not letting her go.

Grabbing the COVID thermometer, wishing to check where the results have led the mother and daughter. Happy news, both of their results are negative. He explains the results. The mother is relieved to hear that, they can still remain in their homes. The little girl becomes confused but joins her mother who is happy to learn how they are.

"Inspector, what happens if a person gets a positive result?" Out of curiosity. The mother wishes to change the subject. The inspector, not wanting to give her the worst details about the consequences, including the quarantine zones.