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I look out the window, placing a hand on the cool glass. The rain pours down outside, as if even the earth cries with the news. Screams and ritualistic sacrifice noises have become a familiar noise, as well as the booming news broadcasts told by brave people in hazmat suits.
“The Bronze death is an airborne spread, 100% fatal disease, If you believe a friend or family member has been infected, please kill them immediately, then dispose of the carcass as far away as possible, preferably in a hole far away. Do not leave your house without your SpaceX™ Hazmax Suit and SpaceX™ Protective boots.”
I turn down the blaring radio slightly, deciding to go into the kitchen and check on my mother, last I saw she was crying her eyes out and frantically preparing.
“Mom?” I call out, stepping into the kitchen. When she turns around my heart drops like a bag of cement. The dim candlelight illuminates her wild grin, brown curly hair caked in blood, and a thin stream of bronze goo spilling out of her nose. Her bloodshot irises lock onto me, her grin widening.
“Hello, Finley darling!” She calls to me in a singsongy tone, stepping closer. Even her voice sounds wrong, too raspy, too high pitched, too everything. I step back, pulling my sweater up to cover my nose and mouth. Tears fill my eyes as I hear the radio man remind everyone what they must do with the infected. I can’t do it. I can’t kill her. I sprint for the door, ignoring her outstretched arms reaching for a hug. I stumble on a loose floorboard right into the door, smashing my face into it before throwing it open and sprinting outside.
I duck and weave through the trees, almost smacking into them many times. After a while, I realize I forgot to grab shoes, or a jacket for that matter. It’s warm for October, but the hoodie I’m wearing isn’t particularly warm, and the bottoms of my pajama pants are sopping wet and cold as ice against my ankles.
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