The Iris Epidemic

Quarantine 1

From dusk to dawn, creeping through the ditches and deep forests. Everything is dark, no colour, alone. Walking,glancing around looking for special things. Were they herbs? Where they people? How could you tell?

Swiftly bending towards the ground. In silence, gracing long black claws in the forests floor. What is the marking i see? The claws and tail i see...

Standing back up, looking away, turning around again where i realize

i just woke up again.

I rubbed my eyes and looked around the room.

"Weird dreams again." I thought to myself while releasing a quiet sigh. They have been happening more than i've been wanting them to lately. A Lot being in a forest. Having a shack with absolutely anything you can think of being made out of wood except for things i must of placed there. Always being dark. I just didn't understand and i use to always shrug it off in the mornings when i would wake up from it, and just go on with my day.
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Looking back to after Tommy passed away and i met Robin, it was a couple of months before i got a notice at my family's front step.

" This must be the Iris' property?" the woman spoke standing just by the shed were i was grabbing a shovel from.

"Huh?" i replied look over my shoulder then wondering over to peak out around the shed door.

"Oh hello miss! I did not see you there." i say as i walked out of the shed and stood there with the shovel slightly dug into the ground as i lean on it.

"What brings you here this morning?"

" i give you new and good news to you and your family!" she spoke with enthusiasm.

" As a fellow doctor of our town, we recognize how much risk you are under for helping others through the plague. So we started not long ago a mandatory Quarantine period for all doctors and their families. " she smiled as she talked.

At the time it seemed intriguing. Would we have to sit in isolated rooms? Was it half a day examination of new technology that might give us a chance to fight this horrorid Illness? A Lot of questions slammed into my head at once.

" You and your family are required to relocate for a little while. To get out of the town as the new rotation of doctors shall work for several months. When they are ready to go back into quarantine, you and your wife and child will be able to come back and you will resume your craft Mr. Iris." she continued to explain.

"I see." i replied back while i took a glance back to look at my Wife working away in the fields.

"Such short notice. I must talk with the wife. When do you think we should go?" I thought nothing of refusing to go. The last thing i wanted was my family to catch the illness... i wouldn't know what todo if that happened. Besides that, getting into the swing of things i was quite busy and a rest from day to day work would of felt great.

"As soon as you can sir. If you can, tomorrow evening at best. The other doctors will be traveling back tomorrow as well"

"Alright, i will speak with my darling."

"That's splendid! Come by the shop on the east end of town tomorrow evening. The other doctors you have come to know will be there as well" she smiles before adjusting to leave.

I straighten up and move the shovel up and over on to my shoulder to have it casually sit there.

"Very well. Now thank you. Have a good night Miss"

Before leaving she quickly replies
"You too, Mr. Iris." and away she went.

This was the first of many returns to Quarantine, i don't really know if it actually did much for us since nothing never really changed for the better. But i suppose it is worth the effort to try. We spent the evening cooking up a good dinner to enjoy and spent time as a family together before we got ready that evening for the big travel the next day.

"Where is your teddy and blanket little man? You never wanna forget about them. Teddy loves to explore. " I remember sitting on Jeffery's bed and glancing over as he excitedly went over to get his favorite teddy, The stuffy that Elisabeth made on her own while she was pregnant.

" I would never forget teddy!" Jeffery exclaimed as he trotted back over with them both.

" I think Teddy would be very mad at me. Maybe even cry too."

I chuckled lightly and smiled.

"I'm sure if you did, he would know you didnt mean to. But just to make sure.."
gently taking mr teddy and the blanket.

" let's put them nice and snug in the corner of your bag." i said softly as i placed the blanket as a cushion and then the bear on top. I got a good grin out of my boy when i looked up and then a big hug right after.

After a good bear hug i looked back down at him got him back to packing the rest of his stuff, and then got him tucked in bed at last.

"Dad."

"Yes?. "

"Are you sure we will be ok?" he said softly.

" Of course my son. If we all stay close we can get through anything."
"Anything?"

"Anything." i smile in reassurance.
" Think of this as your first adventure. You never know, you may be the youngest to ever go into this new town"

" That would be so cool!" he exclaimed.

"Will. My son. It will be fun... now now, it's best to get some sleep now." I said as i gave him a kiss on the forehead sliding his hair back out of his face and started to get up.

"Sleep well.."

"You too dad."

After this is gave a small smile and close the door behind as i made my way back out to our kitchen where Elizabeth stood, fixing up what food we could bring for the trip.

" They must have several rooms for us since they are deciding to take even families with them." I remember hearing her speak up as i entered the room.

" It would only make sense that this would be so. Im sure it is rather a bigger place then our small tower Paris." I replied as i went up behind and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.

"First time out of town for all of us. It will be good for us."

" I'm still not too sure Renan hun. This makes me nervous. What if people are sick just as well as we are here..?"

"My darlin. They must of check everyone there before making such a gesture to take us doctors and our families in. I believe we will be okay." I calmly try to explain as she turns around to look at me. Gently raising my hand i cup the side of her face, holding holding her in an embrace, I spoke once again.

"Trust me my dear. I am just as nervous but we must keep up our heads."

"I know.." she said softly as she gently put her head on my shoulder and placed her hands on my chest, quietly giving us a moment to relax abit in comfort.