Preface
I was only 15 when the pandemic hit, I remember mother turning on the news I remember the stunned silence. How it seemed to go on forever, I remember we all looked at each other eyes wide in shock grasping to understand what we saw.
The pandemic has hit more than one million people are dead, state wide lock down are in action, people are urged to stay inside lock doors and windows. Countless reports of the virus is air born and symptoms include fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell. If you see any serious symptoms these are difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, loss of movement or confusion, or chest pain be sure to stay right away and call triple ooo. Please do not go near the infected they are seriously contaminated.
The news headings flashed through my eyes, a blur of sound and more footage. More footage of the streets were shown, people scrambling away, from coughing old grannies, makeshift tents in the streets and lines of infected waiting to be seen.
“Zombies, maybe it will be an apocalypse?, whispered my brother Maley stating slack-jawed and excited on the screen.
I scoffed though my mouth was thin tight in a line.
“I’m sure it’s not its probably another cold crisis, i said putting my hands on my hips.
“The media is over dramatic I doubt it’s too bad”.
“You haven’t seen our next door neighbour”, Maley replied.
“Stop it you too”, Mother said, her eyes are tight and wary and she has dark shadows underneath them. I feel worried mum should rest and not be out here.
“Mum go back to bed it’s okay we’re just watching tv”.
Mum sighed brushing her dark hair back, she’s dressed in a pink nightgown and white flannel rabbit slippers. She has an stench of sickness around her and heat emits from her body.
“Well I can’t sleep with you two arguing like a bunch of little kids behave turn that bloody nonsense off”.
Me and my brother sighed and moaned, I turned to turn the tv off and Maley helped mum back into bed with her grumbling away.
“I don’t need help”, her annoyed mutters as she walks slowly back to her bedroom.
My stomach turned as I remembered the news. I said it was rubbish to Maley, I didn’t want to worry him. Yet I knew something wasn’t right.
