Shadows

Part One; Shadows; Shadows of Hope

Chapter 1: A Troubling Arrival

Mel wiped the sweat from his forehead as he glanced at the screen, where reports of a new mutation of the virus dominated the news. His work as a researcher had always been demanding, but this-this was different. COVID-19 had resurfaced in a more aggressive form, and Mel was at the center of the battle to understand and stop it.

His phone buzzed. It was Ryan.

"Hey, Mel. Ash just landed. You think it's safe for her to come home?"

Mel leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "Ryan, you know the drill. The airport's under lockdown. How'd she even land?"

Ryan sighed. "She's waiting at the terminal, but it's a mess there. People are panicking. Can you do something? Anything?"

Mel's heart sank. He knew how serious this was. The virus had taken too many lives already, and now, even his closest friends were at risk. "Let me see what I can do, but Ryan-tell Ash to stay put. This isn't the time to take chances."

Chapter 2: The Stranger

Ash shifted uncomfortably in her seat, watching as people scrambled through the terminal. The air was thick with tension. She'd been waiting for hours, and the lockdown announcement had only made things worse.

A man sat across from her, coughing violently. His face was pale, and his eyes looked bloodshot. Instinctively, Ash pulled her mask tighter. She needed to get out of here, but it seemed impossible with the security lockdown. She was about to give up when the man dropped his keys, his coughing fit worsening. She hesitated for a moment, then bent down to pick them up.

"Thank you," he rasped, barely able to speak.

Ash forced a smile, trying to keep her distance. "No problem."

But as she handed the keys back, a chill ran down her spine. Something about the man wasn't right. She needed to leave. Now.

Chapter 3: Breaking Protocol

Mel paced his office. The situation at the airport had gotten worse. The Ministry of Health had confirmed multiple positive cases there, but it was the nature of the virus that disturbed him the most. Reports from his colleagues suggested that this mutation was causing extreme neurological damage, and in some cases, unpredictable behavior.

Ryan's message came through. Ash is coming home. They cleared her.

Mel's eyes widened. How could they clear her in the middle of a lockdown? He grabbed his phone and dialed Ryan's number.

"Ryan, what the hell is going on?"

"They released her. Said her test was clear. She's on her way back with Aryan."

"Ryan, you need to listen to me. I don't care what they say. She needs to be isolated. This thing is spreading too fast, and the tests aren't accurate."

Ryan's voice shook. "But she's fine, Mel. You're overreacting."

Mel slammed his fist against the desk. "No, I'm not. Do you trust me or not? Keep her away from Aryan until we know for sure. I'll come by as soon as I can."

Chapter 4: The First Symptom

Ash felt the first wave of dizziness as she walked through the front door. Ryan greeted her with relief, holding Aryan close. "I'm so glad you're home."

She smiled weakly, pulling off her mask and running a hand through her hair. "It was chaos at the airport. I just want to rest."

Ryan noticed the exhaustion in her eyes but said nothing. He kissed her forehead and led her inside. Aryan ran up to her, wrapping her small arms around Ash's legs. For a moment, everything felt normal.