Pulse

Chapter 4: Weaponized

Adam had fallen asleep, snoring and so had Griet in the backseat covered nicely in a blanket. It doesn't bother me much but I have to admit that it's slightly strange to have two complete strangers sleeping in my car. I don't know why, but I just feel like it's a bit odd. An hour has passes while driving through the high-way and throughout the drive I never even once turned on the radio in the car. I know I should, it'd be the best thing to do in a mildly chaotic situation like this. But I didn't, and that might be a bit concerning considering that I have no idea what's going on and turning on the radio might just be a great way to find out what is happening. I don't want to admit that it is denial, but it really is. I'm trying to be optimistic about the situation.

I glance over at Adam, his mouth is open and almost drooling and then I glance over at the radio that's waiting for me to turn it on and listen to the news. I can't be in denial forever. I sigh, and decide to turn it on anyways. At first, there is only a static sound buzzing through the speakers but then I can hear voices clearly. They're talking about a pandemic disease related to drugs. Adam wakes up from sound of the radio, Great however is still asleep. He looks out the window, the sun is rising slowly. He then glances at the radio and me, and says nothing. Just listening to the voices. And just like they did on the news when I watched TV, the radio hosts are advising everyone to stay inside their homes. They're naming cities that are invaded by this pandemic, some of them whom I recognize from last night. But it gets more terrifying when I hear that they're adding more cities in different countries under the "hostile area"-category. Adam looks at me with wide eyes.

"They mentioned Copenhagen." He breathes. "That's where you're heading, isn't it?"

"I know." I say, concentrated on the road in front of me.

"Are you seriously considering on still going there?"

I'm silent. It's a disease connected to a drug, right? I don't take drugs. No one in my family does. I'll be fine and so will they be. It's simple reasoning. What I saw last night, they were people with a disease connected to drugs. It has to be. It makes sense to me.

"Please don't go there." He pleads.

I say nothing. I notice that the fuel gauge is almost empty. I look Adam in the eyes.

"They're my family and they're alive."

"How do you know?"

"I spoke to my mom on the phone a few hours ago."

He's silent, looking at his sister in the backseat and then glances back and looks at me.

"I can't force you not to go, but I wouldn't if I were you. Not if it means risking your own life." Adam says, his voice cracking at the end.

"We're almost out of fuel." I change the topic quickly. "We'll stop at the next gas station we find."

* * * * *

After an hour and a half long of a terribly long drive we manage to find a gas station. I park the car stealthily near one of the gas tanks and look after my wallet to find some money. The gas station seems intact in the front, as if the chaos hadn't reached it yet. It looks like any other regular gas station you'd find in the middle of a high way. There are even two other cars parked nearby. I wouldn't be surprised if there's people here. I manage to grab my wallet from the backseat and look for some money. Adam gets out the car and tells Griet to stay there and wait for us to get back. Griet nods silently and does nothing more except for snuggling up in her blanket trying to fall asleep again. Last night must have exhausted her immensely. I can feel the exhaustion also reach me. All this stress has made me feel more feeble than before and I could honestly indulge myself with a good night's sleep. I get out the car as well and start filling the car with fuel. Adam leans against the car while looking at me.