Doom Days

chapter one

I set my keys down on the faux wooden counter top, closing the front door behind me. The fluorescent-white hallway light burns my eyes, forcing them to water at the ducts. I close them slowly and rub my temples in a circular motion, trying to soothe the sharp ache that's pounding in my head. And yet, despite all of this, for the first time today, I feel like I can finally breathe.

I make my way through my narrow hallway, using the walls as support to keep my balance steady. The clock in the living room reads 10:47 PM. I shake my head in tired frustration, as I was only just arriving home from work. The worst part is, this wasn't even my longest day this week.

Amelia is stretched out on the couch, with a mug of milky-brown liquid clutched in one hand, and her phone sat in the other. She's scrolling through her news feed, which is something she rarely ever does. I almost laugh aloud at the thought of it. She looks up and smiles welcomingly when she sees me stood in the doorway, watching her in silent amusement.

"What are you doing?"

I ask her, curious as to why she has a sudden interest in current affairs. She looks back at her phone and shrugs, scrolling through a few more articles.

"Catching up on the news"

She says simply, not bothering to elaborate as to why.

"How come? You literally never read the news"

I scoff, walking into the kitchen to make myself a drink. I grab a clean mug from the cupboard, and pour the rest of the lukewarm kettle water down the drain before refilling it. I flip the switch, making my way back into the living room as I wait for it to boil.

"Yes I do!"

She protests childishly. I give her a look that reads 'yeah, sure', which she scowls at in defeated annoyance. I take a seat next to her on the couch, holding a spare pillow in my lap.

"Hectic day at work. We literally sold out all of our stock! People were freaking out about some infection, or something like that, just thought I'd see what the fuss was about"

She explains finally, putting down her phone. I wonder how long she had been reading for, and what she had uncovered whilst doing so.

"Oh right, that uh, that 'zombie virus'"

I can't help but smile, poking her ribs. She brushes me off playfully, nodding her head.

"Not exactly a virus, but yeah, that thing.. how was your day at work?"

The kettle lets out an echoing 'ding', letting me know it was time to make my cup of tea. I sigh aloud, walking into the kitchen once more.

"Chaos, too"

I yell at her, in response, through the thin walls. I put a tea bag into the mug, and pour in the steaming water. The warmth is making me feel sleepier than I already am.

"Oh no, was mister dreamy CEO bitten by a *gasp* zombie?"

She jokes, laughing at herself. I roll my eyes dramatically, even though she couldn't see me, and add the rest of the milk to my tea. I recycle the now empty bottle; I'd have to remember to buy more in the morning before heading off to work.

"James is fine, just a lot going on right now"

I reply, emphasising his name in a stern voice. I sit back down in my previous space on the couch, avoiding eye contact with Amelia, who is grinning widely from cheek to cheek.

"You definitely have a crush on your boss!"

She exclaims, tackling me with a pillow. I can't help but laugh, as I shove the pillow back into her lap.

"Wouldn't you? He's every woman's fantasy! He's young, well off, totally gorgeous, and he's liberal!"

I defend, taking a long sip from my cup. The laughter quietens down, leaving us sat together in a silence that's far from awkward. It was something I treasured about living with my sister, nothing was ever awkward or uncomfortable, everything just kind of worked.

"How's raj?"

I ask her in a lower tone, referring to her boss at the pharmacy. Her shoulders drop, and I could tell that was a pretty bad sign. Amelia had been working at that pharmacy since she started her three year university course, and she finished last year. Raj was one of her closest friends, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet.

"He's... he's been quiet"

She replies slowly, as if every word she spoke clawed at her throat. I reach over and rub her hand gently, unable to comprehend the pain she was feeling. I've never really lost anyone that close to me, or watched as they deteriorated in front of my eyes; but it did hurt to see it happen to my own sister, knowing there was nothing I was able to do to make it better.

"He'll get better Ams"

I try and reassure her, praying silently that I'm right. Raj doesn't deserve the suffering he's going through, and I hope everyday that he recovers soon enough.

"I hope so"

She forces a weak smile, blinking back a flood of tears. I glance over at the clock once more; 11:09 PM. I decide that it'd be a good time to head to my room, since I had to wake up at 7 AM tomorrow morning. I give Amelia's hand one last squeeze before announcing my leave.

"I'm going to head to bed now, it's been a long day for both of us, so make sure you get some rest okay?"

I say softly, watching her shift to face me. She gives me one last, forced smile, and nods in acknowledgment.

"I will, good night Nat"

"Goodnight Amie"