Nature's Cure

Reunited

As normal, the door was unlocked and they walked straight in. Downstairs, blinds were still closed "Yup yup!"  Zion came bopping down the stairs with heavy foot steps "Yup yup honey, what's playing?" his reply was so jolly compared to Sam's greeting. when he got to the bottom step he froze. something was wrong but what was it? Kalo was skitty, normal after a robbery. Sam, walked and stood behind Kalo not looking at Zion. Not so normal but maybe his ignoring of her phone calls annoyed her. Elliot, puffy eyes, still glossy. Everything was wrong. He lunged forward and grabbed her "Are you okay? what happened?" Kalo lunged backwards hoping he would not reach out for them
"Oh yes, what has happened to my rewards?" Tray was standing at the top of the steps looking down on them with a blank expression "Tray, everyone went crazy I drove and almost died and-" he cut her off with a raise of his hand "I heard on the radio. I listened out for you hoping you wouldn't get hurt. But I ask again, where are my rewards?" Kalo tutted at his persistence for the answer, he already knew they didn't have them "We almost died, do you really think we were worried about some stupid chunks of rock?" Kalo said, gritting their teeth, trying their hardest not to let their voice break into a whisper. Tray smiled "You didn't almost die though, I heard the military turned up soon after two o'clock..." Kalo looked back at Sam in shock "But! Never mind, never mind about that, there's always next month." The group never saw themselves as a hierarchy, yet at times like these Tray always seemed to be the one bossing everyone around. They knew it was only because he cared about them, if he wasn't strict they would never do their business and would have nothing. Tray walked backwards towards his room again while Elliot and Zion went into the living room to chat.
Once in his room again Tray closed the door, kicking the pile of dirty clothes in front of it so no one else could enter. He sat against the wall on the floor. The room was small and the only furniture that could fit was a single bed and draws. His window barely let in enough light to fill the room. The floor was carpet and crumbs seemed to coat it well. He ran his fingers over a few of them while he sat there. Then went back to his job, a few taps on his phone and he found the news channel app. More horror stories were being told, their warnings more serious this time. Phrases like "threat to human life" were being tossed around in conversation. Still no explanation for the sickness, just speculation.
Kalo had taken Sam's hand and walked her into the kitchen. Sitting at the window they opened it wide, the air was warm and the quiet chirp of birds singing in the sky had a calming effect to it "Why would they deploy the military for the shopping centre? Like, why? Shouldn't they be going to important places, not trying to contain some ill people" Sam asked clinging onto her hair with her hand "I suppose not. But then again why does it matter? I met a man who had been bitten by the sick people. He wasn't right in the head but he wasn't dangerous, I think people are faking it, you know? They get ill but they fake it because they've seen it on TV. Don't you think? It's all fake. It has to be fake." Sam clung-onto their hand as she felt their fear of the disease. What if it was air born? What if they didn't come up with a vaccine? What if.
An hour past, settled in finally the four waited for Tray to come down into the living room. Creeking floor boards over head then feet landing on the stairs, they knew he was coming. He didn't go into the living room. A click as the kitchen light went on. Clinking of bottles then the living room door swung open "Let's celebrate!" Zion looked up at his friend confused. What was there to celebrate "Celebrate life my loves! The life I love and the loves in my life I wish to celebrate before today is over and I am no longer this age. Will you drink with me now?" From between his fingers he placed four glasses on the table. A healthy shot of rum in each and the bottle for himself "Take take!" In synchrony they reached forward for their own glass. Drink.
Three hours and a lot of drinks later, the bottle was down to dregs. Zion had recovered a bottle of vanilla Vodka from his room and shared it around their circle which had formed on the floor. Kalo remained on the sofa led on their front, face resting on Zion's head. "The room is spinning" Elliot said laughing at Tray's attempts to balance a playing card on his nose. Zion cheered for Elliot and her drunken state "I do love the feeling of being dizzy" Kalo said, trying to sit up so their comment would be heard properly "Haha, yes we know" Elliot said grinning at the ground. Not daring to raise her head and have the room spin again. Kalo got off the sofa and sat beside Tray. A moment of silent staring between the two "You drunk?" They asked "Not as drunk as him" he said nodding towards Zion. "Go to bed brother" Zion groaned in agreement and led down on the ground, Sam scrambled over to him and led behind him making sure he felt her hug "I'm taking Elliot upstairs" once they'd left the room it became so boring. No sound. Kalo fell asleep. But then, awake.