The End Foreseen

chapter seven

“That was the hospital. They want me to come in for blood work because of the incident yesterday. Something about the high risk of exposure,” she explains.

"O.k. Well, let's get you checked out then. Want me to come with you? For moral support?", I ask her.

"Yeah, you can come." " she says, managing a small smile.

“I’ll drive,” Jerome offers. “It’ll be like a little family outing.” He chuckles lightly.

"O.k. Let me get dressed and then we can head out.", Ana says, going back to her room to change out of her pajamas.

We hear her shut the door as she goes into the bathroom. When she comes back, her makeup is done. She's wearing a black crop top with roses, tight jeans, and her hair pulled into a messy bun.

"Alrighty then, let's go." " she says with a sigh, heading to the door. Ana and I slip on our shoes while Jerome starts the truck.

We climb into the old F-150, Ana sitting in the middle of the bench seat. I slide in next to her. Jerome shifts into reverse and we pull out of the driveway.

On the drive to the hospital, I notice an unsettling number of military vehicles and soldiers scattered across the city. Some of them erecting fencing around various areas, their movements methodical and urgent.

"What do you think they're doing?", Ana asks, her voice tinged with unease.

"I have no idea.” I reply, “They weren't doing this yesterday were they?"

" I didn't notice anything." " she says softly.

Jerome pulls into the emergency room driveway, "You guys go ahead. I'll park the truck and meet you in a minute."

"OK", I say, pushing open the passenger door and hopping out. Ana follows, closing the door behind her. She looks in the open window at Jerome and says," I'll see you soon. I love you."

"I love you too,” Jerome replies with a reassuring smile.

Ana and I walk toward the ER entrance, but before we can step inside, a woman in scrubs and a face mask stops us. She's stationed at a fold-out table with a security guard seated beside her.

"Sorry, but you have to check in here first," the woman says politely but firmly.

"Oh, ok. Well, what do you need from me?" Ana asks, stepping forward.

I drift into my thoughts while Ana checks in. A few minutes later, I see Jerome walking towards us. I glance over at Ana, who appears to be finishing up with the nurse.

I tune into their conversation as the nurse takes a quick look over at me and I hear the nurse explain, "So, only patients are allowed inside right now," as she hands Ana her ID back." but they can wait outside for you or come back when you're discharged.”

Ana nods her head in understanding and steps away. We walk over to Jerome, who's now waiting for us on the curb. A sinking feeling churns in my stomach, though I can’t pinpoint why. Maybe it’s just the hospital—places like this always make me uneasy.

"They said I can either wait here or in the truck until they call me," Ana says, holding up her phone.

"Okay, let's go sit in the truck then. We can listen to music while we wait.", Jerome suggests, taking her hand. We climb in and he turns on the radio.

Back in the truck, Jerome turns on the radio, and old-school hip-hop fills the cab. The music helps us relax, if only slightly. But when the first song ends, the radio host begins discussing the news, and my unease returns.

The host mentions riots breaking out in Washington, D.C., following the president's announcement of stricter mass quarantines. They also discuss the potential implementation of martial law to control the virus. place until the virus is under control.

As we absorb this alarming news, Ana’s phone rings. She answers it and heads inside to get her blood drawn.

Out of nowhere I'm suddenly hit with the mother of all raging headaches. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, and I double over, gripping my head. Flashes of chaotic scenes flood my mind like a waking nightmare.

I see military convoys swarming cities, barbed-wire fences enclosing neighborhoods, and checkpoints where people are forced to show IDs. Images of FEMA camps flash next, with people undergoing brutal testing and experiments. Then I see soldiers storming homes, tearing families apart. Finally, I see us. Soldiers grab Ana, dragging her away while I fight desperately to break free, screaming for them to let her go. My cries fall on deaf ears.

The vision ends abruptly, leaving me gasping for air and clutching my pounding head. Tears streaking down my face.

"IZZY—Azraela!" Jerome shouts, shaking my shoulder. "Hey, look at me!"

I blink and meet his panicked gaze. He looks genuinely freaked out.

"Do you need to get checked out?" he asks urgently.

I sit up slowly, still dazed. "No, I’m fine," I manage to say. "I just get these horrible headaches sometimes. It’s nothing to worry about.” My head is pounding still but it's bearable.

My eyes drift toward the hospital. I wish Ana would hurry back. The vision of her being taken feels too real, too raw to shake off.

"Hey.", I say to Jerome, my voice trembling," do you think we could stay with you for while? I have a horrible feeling something bad is going to happen if we stay in the city." I look at him, my anxiety building with every second.

Jerome doesn’t hesitate. "You guys are always welcome," he says firmly.

I realized that I was rapidly shaking my leg and it was causing the whole truck to move.

He glances past me, and I turn to see Ana walking out of the hospital, her arms wrapped in bandages. Relief washes over me as I jump out of the truck to make room for her.

"Thank goodness. Just being here was making me feel crazy.", I say while she gets in the truck.

"So how'd it go?", Jerome asks her while she settles into her seat.

"They had trouble finding a vein, so they had to switch sides," Ana says, sounding tired. "Other than that, it wasn’t too bad. They’ll call me with the results, but they told me to stay home and avoid public places in the meantime."

"Jerome and I were talking," I say, "and I thought maybe we could stay at his cabin for a while."

Ana shrugs. "That’s not a public place, so I don’t see why not. But if we’re doing that, we should grab some stuff from the house first."

We head home and quickly pack. I tell Jerome to wait in the truck so we can get back on the road as soon as possible. Ana must sense my urgency because she rushes through packing, which is unlike her.

Once we’re ready, we toss our bags into the truck bed and take off. As we drive, I spot a military vehicle heading in the opposite direction. My stomach drops when I make eye contact with one of the soldiers. It’s the same man from my vision—the one who dragged Ana away.

"Holy shit.", I say under my breath.

Ana notices my reaction. "What is it?"

"Those soldiers we just passed… I’m pretty sure they’re here for you, Ana. We need to get as far away as possible," I say, my voice barely steady.

The rest of the drive is silent, heavy with tension. As the city fades into forest, I pray we’ve left the danger behind.