The End

Abigail

Beep, beep, beep!

Abigail mumbled in her sleep trying to ignore the obnoxious noise her alarm clock was emitting.
Beep, beep, beep, beep!

She tossed and turned until finally, she could no longer ignore the beeping. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times to clear away the blurriness of sleep Abigail stretched her arms high above her head as if she was trying to reach for the sun. She was finally starting to awake. She leaned over her bed to shut off the alarm and opened her curtains to let in the warm rays of sunlight. She got up off her bed and headed into the bathroom that she shared with her older brother, Tyler. Abigail yawned as she turned on the water for the shower. She then walked over to her closet and chose a casual worn-out t-shirt with a pair of ripped skinny jeans. She grabbed a new pair of underwear and a matching bra as well. Although she never did understand why you had to match your undergarments if no one was supposed to actually see them. The water was now warm and so she quickly undressed and got into the shower. Abigail studied the light pink tiles that decorated the walls of her family's shower. They were faded from the years of use and some were stained and scraped. She washed her short black hair slowly in an effort to delay her departure for school. Don't get her wrong. Abigail loved school. She enjoyed the various subjects and especially found the sciences to be quite fun but she was not a morning person. The water began to turn cold and so she had to retire from her peaceful shower. She turned off the water and then wrapped a fuzzy gray towel around her chest. She could hear the water from her wet hair dripping onto the bathroom floor. The room was like a sauna. The mirror was covered in the condensation her warm shower had created. Abigail used her arm to wipe away the excess water that clung to the glass. She then used her towel to dry her hair rubbing the material over her hair. Her hair was effectively dried and only held a little dampness. She looked herself over in the mirror. Abigail liked the way she looked unlike most girls in her class who always found some features to complain about. With her kinky short brown hair, mocha-colored skin, large brown eyes, and full lips she thought she looked pretty. However, that didn't mean the other girls did. She was often teased for her large hair and short stature. Abigail sighed and began to brush her hair with a sturdy comb. She then brushed her teeth and quickly dressed in the clothes she picked for today. Abigail heard loud banging against the door warning her of her brother's presence.

"Abby! Hurry up or you will be late for school!" he yelled.

"I'll be out in a second!" she replied.

She then looked around the bathroom to gather her things and quickly left the bathroom. She walked out of her room and down the hallway which led into the living room. She heard the television being turned on as she headed past her father and into the kitchen. She made herself some breakfast as she listened to the reporter.

"Twenty deaths have so far been recorded due to this strange new virus that health officials can't seem to figure out. There have been a large number of cases known in larger urban areas in California."

Abigail grabbed a glass and opened the fridge.

"The virus seems to be hitting the elderly population the hardest with over a hundred new infections that have been caught just this morning in three different retirement centers."

She grabbed the orange juice and filled her glass.

"The virus seems to present itself as a cold with your typical stuffy nose and scratchy throat. However, once caught the infection turns deadly."

Abigail takes a few drinks before putting her cup into the sink.

"The first stage comes with insomnia then your body begins to ache. Stage two then attacks the immune system. You develop a fever and you become more susceptible to other illnesses. Some patients have had bloody noses. The final stage is complete organ failure. The body shuts down and can no longer operate on its own."

Sheila then walks over to the couch to pick up the remote. She turns off the television.

"Mom, why'd you turn it off?" Abigail groaned.

"We don't need to subject ourselves to such sad news in the morning" her mother chirped back.

"What if it's important? Shouldn't we know what's going on?"

"I doubt it will be a problem, sweetheart. Don't worry," Sheila said softly while kissing my forehead, "Now grab your stuff! You're going to be late for school!"