"Thanks for picking me up" I said to Dad as I got into the car.
"No problem, sweetie. How was the dance?" He asked.
I told him about the fun we had and how nice it was to spend time with the girls last night.
"Did you get the pictures that we took?" I asked and he nodded.
"I did. They were awesome. Thanks! What are you planning on doing for the rest of the day?" Dad asked.
"I have homework and then sleep. I'm exhausted" I replied and Dad nodded.
I got right to work when we got home as Dad worked around the house. I finally finished a couple hours later, right as Dad walked back in from mowing the lawn.
"Do you want some lunch?" Dad offered and I nodded.
We made some sandwiches and went into the living room to eat. Dad turned on the news. It was in the middle of a strange story.
"We aren't sure what is causing the rash of illnesses but reports are coming in that hospitals are filling up in all major cities. To recap, a strange sickness is quickly spreading throughout the country. We don't know much about it except that it is fast moving and the first symptoms are extreme exhaustion quickly followed by a dry cough. We are being told that this illness is deadly and anyone with symptoms should be quarantined or brought to the hospital immediately." The newscaster said.
I looked at Dad nervously. He smiled and shook his head.
"Don't worry. They have something like this almost every year. It's usually just some new strain of the flu. It's normally only dangerous if someone is very young or old or already weakened. It will be fine. Now finish your lunch. Did you get all your homework done?" He explained.
"Yep" I answered.
"Good. You can help me clean then" Dad said with a grin.
I groaned. After eating, we spent the rest of the day cleaning then, we worked together on dinner. As we sat down, my phone dinged to let me know that I had a new text message.
"You know the rule. No phones at the table" Dad said when I looked at my phone.
"Sorry, Dad. It's Sammy. She says that school is canceled for tomorrow. Too many teachers are calling in sick." I explained.
Dad frowned and shrugged.
"This flu is getting everyone" he said and I nodded.
We washed the dinner dishes and I took a bath and got ready for bed. I hadn't gotten much sleep at Sammy's house the night before and I was tired.
"I'm going to head to bed, Dad" I told Dad as he was sitting in his chair, watching T.V.
"Okay, honey. I have work early in the morning so I won't be here when you get up. Enjoy your extra day off and get some rest" Dad replied and I kissed him good night.
"I will. Have a good day tomorrow." I called as I walked to my room.
I settled into my bed and looked at my phone. I had messages from Sammy and Craig. I opened and responded to Sammy's first.
Sammy: I can't believe that they actually cancelled school. They never do that.
Kitty: I know. I'm worried.
Sammy: Don't worry. It's just the flu.
Kitty: I hope so. Night!
Sammy: Good night
Then I took a deep breath and looked at Craig's.
Craig: I'm so sorry about the party. I'm an idiot.
Kitty: Yeah you are
Craig: I don't know what I was thinking.
Kitty: What were you thinking?
Craig: I was trying to fit in I guess
Kitty: By drinking?
Craig: I know. It was dumb. Forgive me?
Kitty: Okay but you owe me.
Craig: Anything.
I smiled and wished him good night before plugging in my phone and settling in to sleep.
Monday
When I got up late the next morning, the house was empty. I made myself a bowl of cereal and was eating it on the couch while watching reruns of Teen Wolf when Dad walked in and surprised me.
"What are you doing home?" I asked.
"They shut down the plant. Everyone is too sick" Dad explained.
We both looked at each other with concern.
"How are you feeling?" We both asked at the same time and laughed.
"I'm fine, you?" I replied.
"I feel great. I have a feeling that we should run to the grocery store and stock up. Just in case" Dad suggested and I nodded.
I quickly got dressed and we left in his car.
"I should get gas too" Dad added.
We pulled into the nearest station. It was packed and everyone had a look of panic. We had to wait for a pump but were finally able to fill our tank. Then we went to the store. It was a madhouse!
"Let's split up and meet at the check out. You get the can goods, paper goods, snacks and soda. I'll get everything else." Dad stated as he wheeled a cart to me.
We each took a cart and plunged in. The can good aisle was pure chaos. I grabbed what we usually bought for our weekly trip along with a few more cans of soup. I picked up some toilet paper and paper towel along with some laundry detergent and dish soap. I grabbed extra snacks and trail mixes and a large amount of bottled water along with Dad's favorite soda. I thought for a second and then went to collect some shampoo and conditioner along with soap. I even got some toothpaste and deodorant. I headed to check out and waited for a few minutes for Dad. He eventually came with a cart full of goods.
"Ready?" Dad asked and I nodded.
We waited in the long line to check out but finally got through. We loaded our groceries into the car and took off as many more cars pulled into the parking lot.
"I'm glad that we got there when we did. They were starting to run out of everything" Dad said and I nodded.
We unloaded and unpacked when we got home.
"There. We should be set for at least a few weeks now. Hopefully this illness will be winding down by next week." Dad said.
If we only knew what winding down would truly mean.
"I should text everyone and let them know to get to the store soon" I said and Dad nodded.
I quickly sent out a group message.
Kitty: FYI get to the store soon. They are running out of everything
Sammy: We already went
Craig: Mom is there right now
April: Shit. I'll tell Mom
Olive: We are on our way
Lance: Dad went last night. We should be good.
Sammy: How's everyone feeling?
Kitty: Dad and I are fine
Craig: We are all good here. Dad is worried
Lance: Mom is sleeping now. She's so tired
Olive: This place is madness. You weren't kidding
April: I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Night.
Kitty: Feel better April. Everyone take care.
I plugged in my phone in my room and went out to watch T.V. with Dad for the rest of the day. After dinner, Dad got a call from my school and his work. Both were closed down for at least the next few days.
"Well, I guess that we will get to have lots of bonding time" Dad said and I smiled.
Dad and I got along great. We loved spending time together. I just wished that I could get rid of the nagging feeling of worry in the pit of my stomach.
Tuesday
Dad and I spent the next morning just hanging out and watching movies. We had a blast but after we finished lunch, I was beginning to get a bit of cabin fever.
"Do you want to got take a walk in the woods?" I asked Dad.
I loved the woods more than any other place. It was the only place I felt truly relaxed. None of my friends understood it. I could spend days out there happily.
Dad shook his head and replied, "No thanks. I'm kinda tired. You go though."
I looked at him with concern. Could he be getting sick?
"Don't worry. I just didn't sleep well last night." Dad explained before I could ask.
I nodded and hugged him.
"Alright. I'll be back in a few hours" I said
"Sounds good" he replied.
I left my phone in my room. I just wanted to be truly alone in the forest. As I walked out, I took a big breath and smiled. This is exactly what I was looking for. I listened to the birds and the rustling of rabbits and squirrels around me. I felt like the plants and trees were watching over me, protecting me, making me feel safe. I walked deep into the forest and found one of my old campsites. I cleaned it up and reminded myself to camp here the next time I could. I haven't been camping in a couple months and I needed to get back to it. When I was in middle school and even in the later years of elementary, I used to camp almost every weekend. Usually by myself. Looking back, I'm surprised that Dad let me. I've always been good in the woods though. Dad said that even when we first moved here, I could always find my way in the forest. He said that my Mom was the same way. She used to love the trees and would make him camp with her all the time. He said that she would camp by herself a lot too. Maybe that's why I love it so much. It makes me feel close to her.
Dad said that Mom would know what herbs, plants, berries and mushrooms were safe just like I do. I didn't trust myself at first and bought a few books to double check but now I know that I could live off the land for at least a spring, summer and fall season. The winters here are too harsh though. After cleaning up the camp, I had the impulse to find a few of my other sites and fix them up too. I had a makeshift shelter at each of them but they all needed to be fixed back up. After spending a few hours fixing them all, I headed back to the house to find Dad making dinner.
After we ate, we watched the news. It scared me to death. Every story was about this sickness and how many people were dying from it. The death toll was already over a couple thousand. I looked at Dad and we exchanged worried looks. The news anchor went on to say that over a million people are now confirmed infected.
"Dad, I'm scared" I said and he came over and hugged me.
"It's okay. We will just stay here until everything shakes out. We can't get sick if we aren't around anyone who's sick" Dad said. I nodded.
"I'm going to head up to bed" I said and kissed his cheek.
I got ready for bed and texted everyone.
Kitty: How's everyone?
Lance: Mom's really sick but we called the hospital and they said that they don't have any room for her
Sammy: Shit. I'm sorry
Craig: Me too. Can we do anything?
Lance: not really. Thanks tho
Kitty: Olive? April?
Sammy: Has anyone heard from them today?
Lance: no
Craig: Nope
Kitty: Crap. I'll try to call them
I called both April and Olive. Olive's phone just rang and eventually went to voicemail and April's went right to voice mail.
Kitty: I just left both of them voicemails. I'm worried. Should we go check on them?
Sammy: I don't think that's a good idea.
Craig: I think that Sammy is right.
Kitty: Okay. I'll talk to you all tomorrow.
Sammy: Night
Craig: night
I got into bed but stayed awake for a long time, worrying.
WednesdayI got up late and went to the kitchen after making a trip to the bathroom. I was surprised to see that Dad wasn't up yet. I made a bowl of cereal and went to watch the news. The reports were terrifying. This illness was now being dubbed The Nightmare since it made you sleep more and more until you just didn't wake up. The Nightmare was being reported in every country in the world and every state in the US."It's impossible to determine the death toll or how many are infected at this time. Officials are now advising to stay home if possible. The hospitals are overrun as are all clinics and doctor offices. Stay home. Stay safe" the anchor said as my Dad finally walked in. I quickly turned off the tv."How are you?" I asked with concern. Dad grinned at me."I'm fine. I just stayed up too late" He replied and I nodded."Lets watch some movie
WednesdayI got up early and ate my berries while I made a list of things to pack. The house was too dangerous to stay in if the radio was right. I was going to have to start moving food and provisions to my various campsites to be safe. On top of that, I made a pack that I would need to keep with me at all times. That's the list I was working on.RadioFlashlightFire starterStakeKnifeFlaresSomething ironSomething silverBow and arrowsFood and water for one dayI looked at my list and hoped that I was remembering everything. I wasn't very good with the bow, Dad bought it for me after I read Hunger Games and begged him for one. I tried to shoot with it a few times but got bored. I was going to have to remedy that. I grabbed my strongest book bag and filled it with the items, adding a picture of Mom and Dad and one of all my friends in a bi
I drifted in and out of consciousness as I tried to stay awake to figure a way out of this mess."Dammit, Clay! I told you not to follow me!" I heard a voice yell. Clay? and that voice... I knew it."I'm glad that I did. You know that one of us should just bite her now. The pack is going to lose their minds over her. You or I will have to claim her and look at her! We will have to fight every wolf around" another voice said. I recognized the voices. Both of them. And what were they talking about? Pack? Wolf? I felt myself being lifted up."She's so sick. We can't just leave her. Mom will know what to do. Grab her pack and bow." the first voice said. I fluttered my eyes open and saw one of my oldest and most trusted friends."Craig? Am I dead?" I asked, confused. He smiled down at me as he carried me through the forest."No. You'
I looked toward Craig's family and smiled."I would like to thank you for all your hospitality. I would hate to overstay my welcome so I can leave if I'm causing difficulties" I began. Craig's dad stepped forward and hugged me."Of course not! You are like family. We can't let you live alone in the woods" he said as he let me go."Thanks, Mr. O'Brien" I replied."Call me Johnny" he said as he led me over to the couch.I hugged Maria and then Clay."Hey, Kitty" Clay said but he wouldn't look in my eyes.I looked at him closely. I remembered what he said l
"Have you decided about joining the pack?" Colton asked after a moment."Can I sleep on it?" I asked.I wanted to talk it over with Craig but I was pretty sure that I was going to join."Sure." Colton agreed."I made us lunch, lets all go into the dinning room" Maria suggested and we followed her.Craig held my hand and sat next to me at the table."Do you need help?" I asked Maria."Sure! Thanks! Can you help me bring everything out?" Maria asked and I stood up.Craig followed me. We both took out dishes and Craig g
I looked at Clay first. He wouldn't look at me at first but he finally looked into my eyes. I saw a fire there but I didn't know what caused it. Anger or lust? I wondered.{He's mad that Craig is going to be Alpha. He's also mad that Craig and you are close. He wants you. Be careful. His anger can change to something very dark} the voice in my head explained."Clay, I heard you last night. In the woods? You wanted to bite me. To change me. Without my consent." I said softly to him. His face went from confusion to shocked to embarrassed."I just wanted to protect you. From guys like Neil. And so you would be able to join the pack. I was afraid that you were going to die." Clay stammered.
POV KittyI woke up the next morning in Craig's bed, in his arms. I was startled for a second but then everything came rushing back. He opened his eyes and looked at me."How'd you sleep, darlin'?" He asked. I looked at him and smiled."Good. I haven't slept that way in months" I confessed and he grinned at me.I stood up and ran to the bathroom. Craig went after I came back."What's the plan for today?" I asked when he came back.He shrugged."The meeting isn't until tonight and I'm off today, so we're free" he told me.
POV Craig"Mom! We're home!" I called out."I'm in the kitchen. Come have lunch" Mom called.I smiled, knowing that both Kitty and I were starving. My mom was the best.Kitty took off her bow and arrows and we both took off our coats and hung them before walking to the kitchen. Mom and Clay were sitting at the table, eating sandwiches. Clay smiled at Kitty but sent a glare at me which I was happy to return."All the sandwich stuff is out over there. Help yourself. Abby should be here in a couple of hours." Mom told us.Kitty made a cheese and veggie sandwich while I stacked up meat on mine. We sat next to each other