The Sleepers: Quarantined New York

It was a room. The curtains were tightly drawn, as if to block out the outside world. A faint city hum came from outside, but it was far from the usual, a faint sound as if the city was holding its breath. Jack Griff opens his eyes. For a while, we just stare at the ceiling. A heavy emptiness fills the room. Aleksa is sleeping there; her face calm, oblivious to everything happening in the world. Jack sits up. He gets out of bed, being extremely careful not to wake her. His feet flinch slightly as they touch the cold floor. He pauses for a moment, looking at the woman sleeping behind him. Aleksa is still in a deep sleep. The kitchen is simple, and the first rays of morning light stream in through the window. Jack presents the refrigerator; its whiteness brightens the day's color. He stares at the shelves for a while, as if he's forgotten what he was going to take, lost in thought. Then he takes everything. He opens the lid and takes it directly from the bottle, without needing to pour it into a glass. Only the sound of swallowing echoes in the kitchen. He closes the refrigerator. He collapses onto the sofa, which is inaccessible from the living room. He picks up the remote and turns on the television. The screen crackles for a moment, then a news channel appears. The reporter's voice, which delays the silence, says: "—The quarantine in New York has entered its 28th day today." Jack's face turns serious. Screen flashes: Soldiers, shadowy security, a ghost city, and deserted streets... The reporter continues: "The city is completely shut down." A short, in-depth video appears on the screen; he notices someone falling to the ground and then beginning to move in a strange, unnatural way... Jack frowns. The reporter says, "According to official statements, these events are described as 'places of origin of violent sources'," and Jack nods slightly. Jack presses the remote to create a little more silence. The reporter says, "Some sources say this situation may be more serious than expected." After a short silence, the reporter adds in a more serious tone: "Citizens are strongly urged to remain calm and not to give credence to detailed information from official statements." Jack looks at the television, then glances at his features, towards the bed. Aleksa was alive. For the first time, a clear feeling arises in Jack: worry. While the sound continues on the television, a text is displayed that reads: "State of emergency may be extended around New York." Jack's hand freezes on the remote control when he notices this. He slowly lowers the volume. Just then, a distant but sharp siren sounds from outside. Jack looks at the window but doesn't move. He just listens. As the muffled sound from the television continues to echo in the room, Aleksa appears in the doorway. Her hair is disheveled, her eyes filled with the drowsiness of just waking up. She stares at Jack for a while. Tired, but with an undeniable unease, she asks: "...The same things again?" Jack doesn't take his eyes off the screen. His voice is flat: "Worse." Aleksa moves closer and looks at the television. The soldiers on the screen, those stern faces, their expressions tense. "This isn't normal, Jack... They're saying the same things in a study." Jack turns off the television. A sudden silence falls over the room. For a moment, they just look at each other without saying anything. Jack picks up his coat and begins to put it on. Aleksa follows closely behind him. "Do you have to go?" Jack doesn't stop, responding with a methodical, focused demeanor: "Bob is called." After a brief pause, he adds: "Commander." Aleksa takes a deep breath, her expression clearly showing she doesn't want him to leave. "Can't you stay today?" Jack zips up his jacket. His voice is soft but uncompromising: "No." They head towards the door. Just before opening it, he stops and turns. He looks at Aleksa. For a brief moment, the expressions in their eyes. Then he leans down and kisses her. It's a long kiss, carrying the weight of a farewell, but not within it. Jack whispers: "Lock the door." Aleksa simply nods. The door closes. Outside, it's chillingly silent. No car horns, no familiar sounds... The street is deserted. A military vehicle passes slowly in the distance. Jack climbs the stairs inside. We look around suspiciously. Two soldiers are patrolling at the end of the street; their hands and faces have a stern, alert expression. Jack's performance begins to wane. Only his footsteps echo in the empty street. He slowly walks past a house. The curtains are closed, but through a gap that isn't completely closed, the inside is visible. Jack involuntarily glances inside. There's a family inside; a mother, father, and two children. But no one speaks. They are all slumped where they are, tense and waiting. It's as if everything will explode if one of them breathes. Jack looks at them for a few seconds. They don't make eye contact, but he senses a deep fear in that house. He continues on his way. A little further on, a sound comes from another house. This sound is so... It is hot and, naturally, colder than the outside world.