Kats

November 13, B 980 0400

  Outside, it was cold, dark, still, and dead. The large city was waiting, tense, as though all its inhabitants were holding their breath as one. Death was all around, and those who were not mourning were kin to one who was. Time was slow, sluggish, emphasizing grief and pain for some, while it passed too quickly for many others, snatching away their lives before a way could be found to help them. A black fog settled over everything.

The time paradox was in motion indoors as well as out. One building in particular was far more rushed and busy inside than it was out.

Doctors rushed around the clinic, calling, reporting, searching, and trying not to show their panic and fear so the loved ones in the waiting room wouldn't worry so much. The staff knew there was no hope. But for the sake of the waiting families just outside, they had to try.

Irma Porter was looking for somebody. Her smooth brown hair was falling out of her previously neat bun in chunks, emphasizing her look of distress as she sprinted around corners and down halls at high speed. She ducked around doctors in white coats similar to hers, doctors who stopped and greeted her as she passed. Though she usually would, Irma didn't stop and return the greeting.

Joseph Lee was just ahead - the person she was looking for.

 "Sir - sir!" When Irma reached him she tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. He turned, looking mildly surprised at her calling him "sir."     

"Irma." He took in her look of panic seriously and lifted his clipboard. "Tell me what the problem is."

She took a few breaths to calm herself before trying to speak. "I - uh," she started, but looked away, unwilling to tell him what she knew.

 "Irma," he said her name gently but firmly. "What's the problem?"

 "I don't know," she whispered, staring at the floor. Joseph could barely hear her over the comings and goings of others around them in the white hallway of the veterinarian clinic.

 "What do you mean, you don't know?" He realized the meaning behind her words and spoke sharper than he intended. She flinched and he put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said wearily. "It's just been one hell of a long night and I was hoping you'd find something."

Irma nodded, shamed. "I did," she answered, putting her hand over his. "It's just not what we want to hear."

 "What did you find out?" Joseph pressed, tucking his clipboard under his other arm.

 "We can't do anything." She bit her lip and looked up at her fiancé.

 "What do you mean, we can't do anything?" His brows furrowed as though he didn't understand. "Details, Irma?"

He set off again at a fast pace, leaving her to keep up.

 "Well, Joseph..." She tried to find the right words to explain without giving away her sense of hopelessness. Like all the others in the clinic, Irma had to try to maintain her sense of determination. "I can't quite explain it, but... you know all our recent patients are dying before we can properly examine them."

 "I know." Joseph thought about her words. "So it's some sort of epidemic?"

 "A species-specific pandemic," she clarified. "We've gotten calls from across the country, all reporting to us with the same information. Even the zoos have asked for help. The feline species-"

 "I asked you," Joe interrupted, pronouncing each word with careful control, "as the leading veterinarian of this clinic, to research a way to help these poor creatures. Did you not do as I asked?"