One Step Outside [Book 1]

Chapter 15 Ailionvirus

"Is this a good idea?" Bianca asks Doctor Swallow outside of Heather's door.

"Yes, with her, this may be the only way to get a better look at her arm. Very feisty. Once she's asleep, we'll sneak in and get a closer look."

Bianca laughs and shakes her head, "That won't work."

"Why?"

"Well, she'll just wake up and make another bad joke about your name, Swallow." The doctor sighs.

"Not much of an optimist, are we?"

"Just try it." Bianca goads. Swallow steps into Heather room and the door shuts silently. Bianca puts her ear up to the door.

"Get out! Go stalk someone who's asleep!" The door opens and Swallow steps out.

"At least no puns." She heaves a deep sigh. "We need a closer look! Without it, she may die."

"You say that like it happens every day here..."

"Well, go take a closer look, Miss Tyler." Bianca scowls and pushes her way into Heather's room. She almost immediately sits up in her bed.

"I said get-!" She pauses, scanning Bianca's face. "Bianca?"

"Yes?"

"You're here to check my arm, aren't you?"

"Yep."

"Fine, just hurry up." She yawns as she holds up her arm. Bianca leans in and inspects her arm closely. It's gotten worse. Her arm looks like a green toothpick.

"Hm. Looks better to me." Bianca lies.

"Don't lie to me."

"Fine, it looks really bad."
"Where's Evelynn? Kodi? Evan?"

"They had to get home."
"You snuck away?"

"No, Evan let me stay. With you."

"I'm fine really." Heather argues.

"Now don't lie to me." Bianca observes, "You need sleep."

"I'm not tired! Just go home Bianca. Your eyes look like they're about to fall out."

"Don't exaggerate."

"I'm not. Go home, Bianca. Or... I'll jump off a building."

"Grr. Fine, I'll be here at six a.m. sharp."

"Be my guest." Bianca sighs and gives Heather a quick hug before she leaves. She told Swallow what she had seen and heads out the door. Walking home, Bianca finds herself crying. She was afraid for what Heather was going through. She was genuinely scared to lose another person in her life. She starts to speed up and pulls her hood from her hoodie up. Bianca throws herself through the door to the house and scrambles upstairs. The house was silent. No talking, no joking. The TV was off, the radio was off. Not a single word was spoken. Bianca sits on her bed and scrolls through her phone. She finds pictures of Heather and her and immediately turns her phone off.

Bianca stands up, takes her black hoodie off, and throws it to the foot of her bed. As she was about to rest. A loud scream sounded from downstairs. It was a happy scream, not painful? Bianca turns her light back on and cautiously slips downstars. Grant, Evan, Kodi, Evelynn, and Taylor were standing around the island in the middle of the kitchen. Kodi turns around to face Bianca as she walks closer.

"Bianca! I thought you were asleep."

"I was about to rest, but someone's piercing scream..."
"Oh, sorry, that was me."