Surviving Bedlam

Chapter 3

Each time I called back the number on the caller id it went straight to voicemail.

"Hi! It's Jenny. I'm busy so call me back later, k?" a female voice said.

I hung up before the beep noise. Jenny? I think Mick mentioned her once. No one I'd ever met.

Mick said that Todd passed on my message and that is why he was calling. Maybe I could catch Todd and see if he knew of another way to get ahold of my brother. I tried the dorm room one more time.

The line rang four times when finally a familiar voice answered. It was a relief.

"Hello," Todd said.

"Todd! It's Ada."

"Oh...hi Ada. I just let Mick know a few minutes ago about your message you left. He should be calling you back soon."

"I know. I just talked to him. So he's not back? I was in the middle of talking to him, and something happened, the line cut off. I tried to call him back at the number that he called me on, but...nothing, just voicemail."

"Nope, he's not here. I bet he lost reception. He's out shopping with Jenny. That's how I got a hold of him. Reception can be pretty iffy outside of the city. Want me to tell him to call you if I see him soon?"

"Yeah, I am worried, though. He sounded really bad. I need to know he is okay."

Todd laughed. "No need to worry Ada. We partied it up pretty hard last night. He stayed at Jenny's. I am sure he is fine."

"Todd, don't you guys ever watch the news or anything? There is a deadly virus expanding through the area. They want people to stay indoors which includes both here and there."

"Oh man...Dude, a virus? Nah we don't really watch the news. You know...busy doing school stuff...and partying. So...that's not cool. Deadly huh? That doesn't sound good. "

I rolled my eyes. "No it's not...deadly is bad Todd."

If he and my brother really studied like they claimed then neither of them would have to take classes during the summer.

"Both my parents are in bed, unable to function. I am worried about Mick. You should be worried too. You aren't feeling sick at all?" I asked.

"Eh, I figure it's just a killer hangover from last night." He chuckled.

"Alright...well when Mick gets in just have him give me a call, okay?"

"Will do! Later gator."

"Yeah...bye."

I clicked the phone off and threw it on the counter.

Talking to Todd was like trying to talk to a half-brained squirrel. He made my average intelligence of an older brother seem like Einstein. It was incredible that Mick was able to tolerate him all these years. They have been inseparable since they met in 6th grade.

I tried Jenny's cell phone number a few more times but it still was going to voicemail right away. I guess the battery died or something. Mick was fine like Todd said and I was just getting worried over nothing.

I sat back down with Ellie to try to finish the game. It was almost impossible to focus. She noticed right away my lack of motivation to carry on.

"Is Mick going to be okay? Is he going to die?" Ellie worried.

"No. I told you, no one is going to die." I snapped.

"Okay." She whimpered.

"I'm sorry Ell. I didn't mean to..."