Virus

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

287 days

30th September 2021

My body is slowly withering away from lack of eating, but food just isn't worth eating without being able to taste it.

We were driving through Minneapolis in Minnesota and let me tell you it’s absolutely freezing. We haven’t been making much progress lately because the second the car start moving Lisa turns green; Alex says her body is too stressed and she isn’t reacting very well to the combination of pregnancy and being infected with the virus, so unfortunately Lisa doesn't get the pregnancy glow she was hoping for.

Today we stopped at a little diner for brunch, which I think, was completely pointless because Alex and I can’t taste squat and Lisa can’t keep anything down. But even so we all sat in a little booth, I chewed on a waffle that tasted like cardboard and Lisa turning an unattractive shade of green when Xavier tried to get her to have some toast. A plump motherly waitress came to check on our table and her round pink face filled with concern when she saw Lisa.

“Oh my! Are you alright dear?” She asked.

“Yes she has morning sickness.” Xavier replied for her as she struggled to keep her stomach contents. “We’re having a baby!” He said putting his arms around her and smiling proudly. Huh, who would have thought? Xavier wanted to be a dad. The waitress ran around the kitchen making a collection of food that Lisa could try and keep down.

“Here you go dear, drink some Ginerale it always worked for me when I was having my little ones.” She gushed, but the small TV in the corner was occupying my attention.

It was showing the news, Lisa, Alex and my picture were being displayed for all to see. Then my sisters tear stained face appeared and my heart shattered into millions of pieces.

“Please Nat come home.” She said her voice trembling and then my dad appeared on the screen but he looked like he’d aged a millennia.

“Natalie this isn’t the right thing to do, please come home and spend what time you have left with the people who love you.” The waitress followed my gaze to TV and I had to hide my face in my half eaten waffle to hid the distress on my face.

“You know what? I say good for them.” The waitress said with her hands on her hips, which had me look up at her in surprise. “If I was told that I had one year to live, I’m not going to spend it cooped up in a hospital.” She huffed and walked away. Alex wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I felt Lisa’s cold hand squeeze mine under the table. Xavier placed a generous tip on the table and quickly got us out of the diner.

When we reached the car all my walls crumbled to the ground and I began to sob uncontrollably.

“Why would he do that?” I cried, “After all the times he’s ignored me. He always made it clear he didn't want me there. Why would he ask me to come back now?” Lisa hugged me tightly and let me cry. A few minutes later I felt a strong hand on my shoulder, I turned expecting them to be Alex’s but I was surprised to see Xavier’s sincere silver eyes looking back at me. I tried to look away, but he grabbed my chin between his fingers and forced my face to look at him.

“Hey, look at me. They don’t mean a word of it.” I looked at him confused. “Who knows what the government is making them say and do, they just want to get you locked up in a hospital. Your father is probably relieved that you got away and praying that they never find you and your little sister is thanking God that you’re not locked up anymore.” A small but hopeful smile formed on my lips. “See? All better. Come on Blondie we need to get Lisa to a hotel before she hurls again.”