Holding On

The News

They huddled us in the gym, letting no one in or out. I could hear the rampaging parents trying to get to their children, but the school administrator was told—by the government—that we were under a strict quarantine since we had been exposed to that girl. No one knew what to call her/it. I hadn't known the girl, but I'd had her in a few classes. She was shy and very smart.
I sat with my best friend, Felix and her boyfriend, Gray. They had been dating for six months now but they always got into fights. It'd only be a little while before they tear apart.
"They can't just keep us in here, it's got to be illegal," Felix complains, looking around for reassurance. Gray shrugs and Felix looks at me.
"Well, it was the government who told them to quarantine us, anyways," I point out.
Gray clears his throat. He's pretty shy and used to not say a word to me but he's warmed up and will say a few words now and then. "I wonder what they'll do if one of us turns," he says quietly.
Felix gasps, earning a few irritated looks. "Oh my—"
"We won't," I hiss, shooting Gray a mean look. He cowers into his seat.
We sit in silence, watching as the teachers crowd against the entry doors, being pushed on by the parents. The school administrator—Mr. Peterson—makes his way to the middle of the court. A microphone is set in front of him and he taps it for a mic-check.
"Excuse me everyone," he says, his deep voice echoing across the gym. Everyone quiets down and directs their attention to the man. "As you all know, we must quarantine all of you since you were exposed to Lica Riptide. She has gotten the infection the government has told us is called, Delft. We are calling these people who have turned, Specks. We don't have much information on the subject matter. This is pretty much all we know. We must keep you all contained for at least a week, two at most. We will distribute supplies later and will answer your questions as best we can. Thank you."
I feel like we should clap, but everyone is so stunned, they sit there in disbelief, trying not to cry or get overwhelmed. I look at Felix who has a hand covering her mouth, Gray hugging her into his side.
"This is gonna be a long week," Gray whispers.