Strain 7

Chapter Four

Janie’s POV

          I looked back over at Nicole in horror. It couldn’t be…could it? “Nicole, what exactly is wrong?” I asked her.

          “Ugh…I started coughing a lot this morning…and I have a fever. Like, I feel cold but my body is burning up. When I got home, I started coughing up blood. I want to go to the doctor but it’s like my body is too tired though. I can’t really get up. I’m just…weak” She explained. She looked up to me for the first time and I could see in her eyes how scared she was.

          “Nicole…have you been watching-

          “Yeah. I know what it is Janie. Sucks huh?” She tried to shrug it off but I could see the pain in her eyes. She’s so young. She doesn’t deserve this!

          “I’m calling an ambulance” I stated. I pulled out my phone. “Want some water?” I asked her. She nodded and I walked downstairs and to her kitchen as I dialed 911.

          “911, what’s your emergency?” A lady asked.

          “Hi, my friend is really sick but she can’t move. She’s too weak! Can you get an ambulance here?” I asked.

          “Has she been coughing up blood? Is she running a fever?” the lady asked me.

          “Well…yeah” I answered.

          “I’m sorry, it seems like your friend has this illness and we cannot help you with that. Good luck”

          “Wait no!” but she had already hung up. I sighed and got her a glass of water with ice and a straw. As I was walking back up the stairs, I heard horrible coughing. I paused for a second before running up there as fast as possible.

          I rushed into her room to see her in a fit of coughs. I gave her the water and she gulped down half the glass in ten seconds. She sighed before coughing again and handing me the glass.

          “You have to get out of here. I don’t want you to catch this” She choked.

          “No, it’s ok. I’m going to stay and help you” I reassured her, “you’re going to be fine.”

          “Janie, we both know I’m not. And you won’t be fine if you stick around. No use in getting both of us sick” She coughed again. She just couldn’t stop coughing.

          “Nicole”

          “No! Just go. I’d rather you not be here anyway” She said. I sighed and gave in. What was I supposed to do? I just nodded my head and gave her a hug. “I love you girl. Get better” I whispered. She laughed. It’s like she didn’t believe in miracles.

          I gave her a smile that she returned before leaving. I walked outside and put my sunglasses on. If you looked close enough, you could see a tear falling down my face.

~*~

          I got over to Nick’s house as soon as possible. I was crying like crazy. It’s not real. It’s all a joke. Or, it is an exaggeration. It’s not seriously that bad. Nicole isn’t going to die.

          I just couldn’t believe something that bad could happen. It’s like the Jews. When they were brought to the concentration camps, they didn’t believe it was going to be as bad as they were told. They believed it was all a nightmare. That is, until they were put to work. And running. All the running.

          I just didn’t believe it.

          I burst into his house, crying. He was watching TV in the living room, alone, thank God. He quickly ran over to me. “Babe! What’s wrong?” He asked.

          “It’s Nicole…she has the virus” I choked out. He just looked at me for a second as it registered.

          “Oh babe I’m so sorry” He whispered as he pulled me close. I was soaking his shirt but he didn’t seem to mind.

          I calmed down about five minutes later. Soon, the tears weren’t running. “How is she?” He asked quietly.

          “She’s coughing up blood, and she can’t get out of bed. She’s too weak.” I whispered. I was just staring straight ahead. Not showing any emotion now.

          “Yo Yo Yo! Look who’s here!” I heard someone yell. It snapped me out of my thoughts. I smiled as I turned to face my favorite senior, Chandler. I got up and he gave me a huge hug.

          “Ronnie!!” I screamed as I saw her behind Chandler. She smiled and we ran to each other, giving each other a huge hug. We laughed and started talking as Chandler and Nick started talking. We were basically catching up since we hadn’t seen each other in like two days. I was absent yesterday; she was absent the day before. Also, we didn’t have any classes together today.

          “Oh my god! Have you heard about that virus?” She exclaimed. My smile fell.

          “Yeah” I whispered.

          “What’s wrong?” She asked me.

          “It’s Nicole…she got the virus.” I whispered, looking down at the couch.

          “WHAT!?” She screamed. Nicole is one of Ronnie’s good friends.

          “Yeah” A tear fell down my face. I couldn’t even look at Ronnie. I could hear her crying though. I looked up to see her face buried in Chandler’s chest, just like I was with Nick earlier. Chandler was facing me, his eyes sad. I guess Nick had told him. I looked over at Nick to see him talking to Nathan and Brittany. Also good friends of mine. The both looked really sad. I guess Nick was filling everyone in.

          We all sat down on the couch and in the chairs once everything had calmed down. We turned the TV back on and started watching a movie.

~*~

          The TV was muted as my phone started ringing. I looked at caller ID to see Nicole’s name. Is she ok? Maybe she doesn’t have it after all!

          “Hello” I answered. I heard crying on the other end.

          “Janie? This is Nicole’s mom” She sniffed. She didn’t have to say anymore. I looked at everyone as the tears started falling from our faces.

~*~

This was the beginning for all of us. The beginning of what was for most people…the end. It was the scariest time of my life. I will never…ever…forget it. I will never…ever stop having nightmares. This…is where it begins.