Virus

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

295 Days

22nd September 2021

We were driving somewhere between Saskatchewan, Canada and the North Dakota border but we had to stop in a motel because Lisa's final set of symptoms have set in: anxiety and extreme paranoia but she also got sick, and I mean really sick, which also lead to an unexpected surprise.

Let me start at the beginning, this morning after our breakfast stop, we began to drive towards North Dakota when we were stopped by a police officer for speeding because of a stupid bet between Alex and Xavier. The stress sent Lisa into a frenzy of paranoia and hyperventilation. The officer became suspicious of her jittery behaviour and even after we showed him our tattoo free wrists, he still wasn't convinced. However thanks to quick thinking Xavier we were able to clear things up. He stepped out of the car and I rolled down my window so I could listen to the conversation.

"Officer, that’s my girlfriend Ashley. She's not a virus runaway sir, she has schizophrenia and we are trying to take her to a clinical trial in Washington." He said lying smoothly, but I saw his clenched fists to try and conceal the twitches that had started yesterday. The officer was very understanding and wished us luck, but as we left Lisa was still agitated.

"Did he believe you? I don't think he did. Is he following us? Oh my God he's following us isn't he?" Her false indigo eyes wide and full of terror, I took hold of her shaking hands.

"Lis, we're okay. No one is following us." She studied my face for a minute then nodded but carried on fidgeting with her fingers until Xavier held her hands and gave it a light squeeze. 

"I took care of it love, don't worry." His words seemed to calm her down as a small smile formed on her face. I never thought I would say this but maybe Xavier Slade was good for her.

However things took a turn for the worst when Lisa began feeling queasy. At first we thought it was her paranoia kicking in again but we checked into the nearest motel when her face became ashen white and then a sick shade of green. Xavier had to carry her to the room, as her legs were failing to support her weight. I helped sit her down on the bed while both Alex and Xavier switched into doctor mode and began examining her but she bolted up and ran for the toilet, I ran after her to hold her hair away from her face while she threw up and listened to the boys debate in the next room.

"Maybe it's food poisoning?" Alex speculated.

"No it can't be, I ate the same thing as her and I'm not sick." Xavier said while checking Lisa’s glands after I helped her back to the bed. 

"So this isn't normal?" I asked sitting next to Lisa and accidentally elbowing her in the chest in process. 

"OUCH!" She squealed rubbing the spot I'd poked. 

"Geez Lis, what are you pregnant?" I joked. Xavier's eyes widened and he seemed to go into a state of shock. Alex reacted quickly and asked Lisa to lie down while he probed her abdomen.

"When was the last time you menstruated?" He asked as Lisa began counting on her fingers.

"No! That can't be right!" She moaned and hobbled out the door with the three of us trailing behind her; well, two of us, I had to drag Xavier.

Alex drove us to the first drug store we could find and followed after a very frantic Lisa snatching three different pregnancy tests off the shelf and a two-litre bottle of water and after paying began to chug the whole bottle down. At some point between the chugging and the waiting Xavier came out of his vegetated state and began to pace with Lisa in the dingy, drug store bathroom. The waiting was the worst part, all four of us crowded around the three little pee sticks in a foal bathroom in the middle of God knows where; and almost simultaneously a little pink plus appeared on all the sticks.

That's when the hysteria started. First she started laughing, then it turned into crying and then she began laughing again. "Oh this poor kid!" She managed to get out between hoots of laughter. "Xavier! You're going to be a dad!" She laughed and collapsed on the ground and the tears began to fall again. "I can't even look after myself let alone a baby!" Xavier helped her up and looked her in the eye.

"We will be bloody brilliant parents. I bet no other parent will have a better 'how we met' story than us." The signature smirk had returned to his face. He kissed her forehead gently and held her tightly against his chest. "We're going to be okay." He whispered to her over and over again like a lullaby until she had finally calmed down. We all walked back to the car and drove back to the motel in complete silence, might as well spend the night there now and today's events had worn us all out.

When the boys had gone to sleep, a quiet voice jolted me out of dream state.

"Nat? You awake?" She whispered. I groaned and rubbed my eyes.

"I am now. What's up?" She crawled out of her bed and sat down on mine, her bright eyes filled with worry. "Lisa you will be a great mum." I mumbled still half asleep. "You will have the world best dressed baby and Xavier isn't upset, he actually seems pretty happy about it and he’s completely smitten with you. I really don't know what-" I rambled on but Lisa cut me off.

"I'm not worried about that. What- What if I die?" That had me bolt straight up. 

"Don't say that." I said firmly, "You are not going to die Lisa."

"I might. I only have a month and we're not even in the USA yet. Who knows if this cure even works? If it even exists!" She said, the hysteria creeping into her voice, "I don't want to die Nat. I want to live, I'm only eighteen! I don't want to die." She cried as tears streamed from her face.

I held her while she sobbed until she fell asleep. A little part of me died seeing the usual Lisa, strong, always teasing and full of confidence who would protect me from the bullies; turn into a small, fragile girl full of anxiety and I hoped to God that we will find the cure soon because I don't think I can stand seeing her like this any longer.