Citizen Z

Chapter 17

488 days since the virus spread

We've stayed in the apartment for two days already. We couldn't leave.

Ray got very sick overnight, I don't know what's wrong with him. He has a terrible fever, incredibly painful stomach pain, headaches, body pain, burning sensation on all of his nerves and breathing problems. He hasn't been able to eat or drink at all, because he throws it all up. I've been struggling to keep him hydrated, but lucky enough I had a few more IV-bags left from the clinic.

I thought it was just a bug he picked up, but it turns out to be much, much worse than I thought. I'm sick of worrying. I don't know how to treat him, I've tried everything but nothing worked. There has been no improvement at all, it just got worse.

Mikey has become sick too, same symptoms as Ray, but not as half bad. He is seeming to recover, which I'm glad about. He can walk around and talk like he normally would, but he is still a little pale. Frank entitled himself to keep Mikey in bed and resting. I love how much Frank cares about them.

Luckily, Frank and I seem to be okay, even though Frank does have a little cough, which is worrying me, but I think his cough has nothing to do with what the others have. His seem more flu like.

I guess I'm just a little over sensitive with Ray being this sick. If something happens to him, what will happen to the rest of us? He's the leader of our group and without him...well, I don't know. Leaderless is the least of our problems.

I can just hope and pray that the others don't get as sick as Ray is. If someone else had to get this sick, I don't know what I'd do.

I've been treating Ray and Mikey for flu, but none of the treatments I have is working, for Ray. Mikey seemed to get better in no time.

I guess it has to be influenza or something much worse or more developed than Mikey, it has to be cure able. If not, I don't know what to do. I've tried every trick in the book, but nothing helps, he just gets worse.

I'm running out of options.

It's just after sunset now. The apartment is dark and quiet, all of the others are resting. I can't sleep, knowing that something is wrong with Ray.

I watch over Ray as he sleeps. Looking at him, his gun on the counter next to him, almost glows in the dark. This man never goes anywhere without his gun.

I sigh and look at his resting face.

He looks so pale, it's almost unreal. It is as if he is glowing in the dark.

What am I going to do?

"How is he?" Mikey says, suddenly standing next to me, making me jump out of my skin, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He says, putting his hand on my shoulder.

He wrapped himself in a blanket and rests his head on my shoulder. I kiss the side of his head and put my arm around him.

"I don't know what's wrong with him... I've tried everything but I don't get results." I sigh and cross my arms.

"You have to help him, he can't just, he can't just..."

Mikey sobs loudly and then cries on my shoulder. I put my arm around his shoulder, comforting him. Mikey cries loudly on my chest and holds tightly onto my shirt. I put my arms around him, I can feel my arms moving as Mikey sobs loudly.