Biohazard

Prologue

     "Alex! Wake up, it's time for breakfast!" a voice called. A low groan followed by uncomfortable shifting finally woke the young student. Her body ached from the constant physical work of being an intern. She rather enjoyed the work as it is her dream, but waking up early and getting what feels like barely any sleep is tiring. Finally gathering up the strength to get up and out of bed; fitting herself with clothes for the day. Taking a look in the mirror as she put her hair up in a tight knot. Her hair short in general but prefers to keep her hair out of her work. 

     Rushing down the stairs, her mom who had come back from her night shift waited with a fresh plate of food. Her mother looked tired, the only thing keeping her awake are the double shot expressos and energy drinks. Alex looked at the plate of food, consisting of eggs, toast, and coffee. Her mouth watered the smell and sight of food, she thought of her work as she ate. Strange things have happened with no explanation. Patients becoming even sicker than their initial visit with barely any correlation with each other. One could have come in with almost nothing wrong and minutes later have the flu. 

       Alex thought of the possibilities of what could be happening. The wheels in her head turning as she tried to crack the mystery. The only things that are certain are the fact that it is only her office that the mystery seems to be coming from. Something clicked in her head as she thought about it, she needed to act fast if her hunch was right. She lept out of the chair and put on her coat, almost forgetting her bag that hung by the door. If she was right, then someone is purposely making the patients sick for more money. 

         Making it to the bus just on time before it departed, Alex almost forgot to use her card whilst boarding. The driver having to snap her out of the deep trans and get her attention. It was a while before the stop. Taking out her book she noticed her hand was becoming darker. small dark patches marked her skin, the only problem was that it didn't hurt and there were no other symptoms because of it. She ignored the marks and focused on her book, her focus was always cut off. The thought of a hospital mystery crept into her mind, she had always loved mystery novels; not in a million years would she had thought she would be in one. She was moments before jumping with glee, the bus finally stopped and the announcer calling for last stop. 

         Making it off the bus and making her way to the train: she looked at her hand. The splotches becoming larger and darkening her pale complexion. Making it on the train and taking off her hood, other passengers looked at her with disgust. A woman removing her kid from sight, other passengers trying to inch away. She looked at them with a puzzled face and shrugged it off. She never did care much for other people, never having a huge group of friends in school made it possible. She always liked being alone with the occasional adventure. But still, the reactions bothered her slightly; she knew she wasn't wearing makeup but still, she knew she was at least fairly attractive without it. She touched her face, trying to see if anything was wrong with touch. 

         Her inspection was cut short as her stop was called, getting off and rushing to the restroom. Upon closer inspection, her face looked like it was decaying. There was no logical way this would be happening. She had never been out of the country, nothing in the states would cause this. Nothing in the world would be causing this in general. Alex put on her hood and booked it to the hospital, something was wrong and she had to get to the bottom of it. 

        Entering the ER she met with a nurse, "Um, I don't know what's happening to me. I'm an intern in the hospital and I don't feel sick, but something is definitely wrong." Alex's voice was shaky as she spoke. The nurse looked at her with confusion and proceeded to question, "Okay, so what do you think is wrong? you don't feel sick? Let me see your face." Alex upon hearing the last question, took off her hood, the nurse gasping in disbelief and proceeded to call for some help. Alex started to panic, she had never been in the ER or had this bad of a medical scare. Another nurse came into view, "Miss, could you please come with me." she spoke, her voice was calm and collected as she directed Alex to a room. 

       Alex sat in the room patiently, it felt like hours before a nurse entered the room and took her vitals. Alex's heart was pounding, she knew her blood pressure was probably low due to it. The nurse looked at her, "Your vitals are pretty much normal, blood pressure just a bit low. Are you nervous at all?" her voice was a breath of relief. "Yeah, I just don't know what's going on, I'm late for work, I'm an intern here. Is there any way for you to get in contact with anyone and just tell them I'm here?" Alex's voice shook as she spoke. The nurse handing her a piece of paper and pen and told her to write down the information to her work. The nurse nodded and left the room with the paper, Alex sighed in relief and laid down. 

         She was moments before drifting off to sleep before a doctor finally entered the room, taking one look at Alex with a puzzled look on his face. "Nothing seems to be wrong, are you sure you're not feeling even a bit off?" She looked at him confusingly "I feel fine, can you take some blood to test and be sure?" He nodded and left the room, returning five minutes later with the equipment. Alex had taken off her coat to reveal her arms also looked like they were decaying. The doctor was trying to keep his cool as he cleaned off an area to take blood. 

         Her blood looked normal coming out, the doctor found a good vein and everything. It wasn't long before another doctor came in and had her rushed into another room, she became even more frightened than before. She knew the area, knowing that she was just admitted to the hospital under strict surveillance. The doctor looked at her with a serious expression that made her slightly uncomfortable. "When did this all start?" He started to question, "T-this morning, on the train I believe. Most likely earlier." Alex answered. That was just the beginning of many questions to come, her voice felt like it was going to give, her eyes barely open. Hours pass before a doctor came, they both left. 

          She fell asleep before she knew it. A nurse had come in to make sure everything was okay. She closing the door behind her, making her way towards Alex with a glass of water. Alex making slight contact with the nurse's hand, drinking the water and throwing away the cup. "Thank you," Alex mentioned before the nurse left. A few minutes later she heard a thud followed by a scream. Alex opened the door to see the nurse that she just saw, was now on the ground. She looked as if she got a sudden fever, vomit on the floor as she convulsed. Alex looked on in horror, a nurse shoving her back into the room. Alex knew then, that she needed to get out of the hospital.