The Lockdown

The Lockdown (part 1)

The only thing I heard were my own footsteps, my breathing and birds chirping cheerfully, like nothing has happened. But it did. The virus did happen. And the plundering too. And the lockdown. And the people, killing themselves because they had gone insane. It was a strange world, but the blame was on us. We kind of laughed it off, when the virus started. No need to worry about just another flu, right? It will go away when the summer starts, they said. Well, I can assure you one thing; the virus didn't give a damn about weather change.

Because I was a nurse at the hospital, I was allowed to go outside. The only human beings I came across where soldiers or cops, keeping everyone inside, some lunatics, having a mental breakdown and sometimes someone hanging out their window, getting a glimpse of the sun. But when they see me walking across, they often close the window as quick as possible.

"Your ID?" a dark manly voice asks. Two soldiers were guarding the pathway to the hospital. They were wearing big black masks through which you couldn't see their face. I showed my hospital ID and after a slow nod of the man, they let me through.

"Stay save." he said.

I opened the hospital door with the same ID and walked into the entrance-hall, where I had to take some of my clothes of and clean myself first. After that I put on a special suit, a facemask and gloves. I lost a couple of pounds already because it was so hot in that damned suit, but I guess it was better than being sick. Or staying at home, doing nothing all day. I felt very lonely at home so the hospital was actually a pleasant place to be right now. I could have a normal conversations with my colleagues, I could try to make my patients life a bit better, even if it's just for one second, and-

"Good morning doctor Miller." Yeah, doctor Olivia Miller. She made it all bearable, for everyone. She was always kind and loving and she had the greatest smile, although it was hidden behind her mouth cap.

"Good morning Ava." she smiled –I knew she smiled-, while walking across.

I didn't know if I wanted to be her or if I was in love with her, but she sure as hell was an inspiration.

I walked up to the room of my first patient. Sarah, a teenage girl, who was lying in a small room with seven others, all of the age of above thirty-five. I drew the curtain closed.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" I asked her friendly, while checking her vital signs.

"Same as- yesterday." She was gasping for air. "So tired." I washed her with a wash glove. Just a bit, because it was exhausting for her and I wanted to spare her strength.

"How's life- outside?" she asked.

"Oh, you know," I smiled. "like a young-adult dystopian future book." She giggled.

"Nice." she said. "Did you already- take out- some bad guys- yet?"

"Nah, I don't think I'm the main character, pumpkin. I think you are." I sat down next to her bed. "Maybe I'm your sidekick, or like... your mentor or something like that."

"You can be- my sidekick," she smiled. "but I'm- the antagonist."

"Oo, so you're the evil one. I like that." I laid my hand on her arm. "What would be your villain-name?"

"Don't know," she closed her eyes. "I kinda like- 'Medusa', that woman with the- snakes."

"Same girl. But you know Medusa wasn't a villain, right?" She looked at me, with asking eyes, but my pager went off. "I'm sorry Sarah, I need to go now."

"Tell me about Medusa- tomorrow?"

"I will."