Shut In

SUCK IT LOSERS!!!! Part 1

"Okay..." I turn on the computer under the glass on my island counter. I've programmed it to know lots of recipes and hot keyed each ingredient so the computer can sort out what I can make from what I can't, "Green onion, carrot..."I begin listing off all I have.

I notice over a thousand recipes, so to further sort it, "Show the matches made in computer folder 'Joshua's Tastes'."

Now the seventy something recipes he really liked has been sorted to show the percentages of ingredients I have, "Computer, remove all that have a cooking time over one hour."

Huh... only ten recipes... all snacks... I eye them. I can do chicken wings, I'm doing onigiri, I can do cookies, I can do fried shrimp... I wonder if they'd let me heat up some stuff.

"Computer, text Joshua," I wait for the beep, "Can I heat things up at your work. Question mark."

Then I go back to cutting up some veggies for Joshuia's bento. The time goes by quickly until I eventually have to leave to walk to Joshua's work... or take my old bike like Grandpa suggested... it could work..

"Yoshida... Marabel..." my voice quivers as I walk over to them, "Can you two co-co-co-come with me to the garage?"

Marabel nods, "Let's go~!"

Yoshida looks hesistant when I continue to pale... I tremble, "I'mma go get ready as well..." Yoshida notices how I slump a bit before regaining composure, "Than-thank you."

Yoshida, "Dameon, need a shot?"

I pinch the bridge of my nose and nod, "Yes..." Then I start to hold back nervous tears, "Yoshida, this is why... no... I'm an example of why you shouldn't become an indoor-only person..." I sit down.

Marabel smiles, "Me and Mark get bike?"

I nod and go to get up as Yoshida has me sit again, "Take a shot and calm the hell down."

Once again, I nod, "Okay." I take the shot quickly and sigh. Then, Yoshida helps me stand, "Yoshida, don't become like me..."

"I won't," Yoshida's voice told me that he had a new resolution... was being with me for three days enough? "Come on, Dameon, go get whatever you need. Mask or something?"

I nod and walk to the bathroom, where I put on a surgeon mask and scarf around that. Then I put on gloves and sunglasses and a hat. I take a pill that causes the microbots in my blood to keep me cold. Now I won't get over heated at all. I walk back to the kitchen with a stagger.

Yoshida left two shots out. I'm glad... they help me calm down more and I walk over to the front door. My backpack with cooling packs and food is waiting there for me. Carefully, I put it on and close my eyes as I walk out the front door. Yoshida helps me to the bike and I smile, "Thanks."

"Uncle Joshua is waiting," Marabel smiles.

"Yeah, Dameon," Yoshida smiles, "Just wait a minute and think of Joshua."

I smile, "Thank you Marabel, Yoshida." I blink, "I forgot my wallet... Yoshida, it's on the counter of the kitchen... near the coffee pot."

Yoshida waddles away and Marabel holds my hand, "It's okay. Promise."

I smile, "I-If-f-f this goes well. L-l-let's all go, Okay?" Marabel smiles and nods as Yoshida returns back outside.

"Dameon, can I take Marabel to one of the parks?" Yoshida inquires.

"Of course," I smile widely.

"Have fun," Marabel smiles as I slip my wallet in my pocket and get on the bike.

"Be safe, report to one of the robots if you need anything," I nod and feel my heart race.

'Yoshida must know where a park is....' I begin mentally calming myself. 'Joshua... Joshua...'

I start pedalling, "Joshua..."

Eventually I reach the mall, but I feel sick and can barely breathe. I put my bike on the rack with shaking legs. I look at everyone staring at me... I must be a freak... I take a deep breath and walk as calmly as I can to the doors for Best Buy.