Contagious

by Druga, Jacqueline

  Randall shook his head. “Nothing. No more. No less. In fact, I don’t even think they received the anti-viral treatment. After Paris and London, we realized they didn’t work. But we’re still running tests.”

  “Oh, this is good news. This is so hopeful,” Amita said. “I needed to hear that. Thank you. I hate this virus, Randall. I hate it. It’s like a bully. I think of this old science fiction movie called 'Fantastic Voyage.’ Ever hear of it?”

  “No.”

  “It was a movie about how they shrunk doctors to go into the human body and destroy a tumor on a man’s brain. Well, I want to be shrunk, go in and kick the virus’ ass.”

  “You just swore. You never swear.”

  “I hate it. Like I said I just want …” Amita’s eyes widened.

  “What? Something hit you?”

  “Beat it.”

  “We’re trying.”

  “Yeah, but we’re not thinking correctly. We’re thinking in a conventional mode,” Amita said. “How do you stop a bully?”

  “Give him a dose of his own medicine perhaps.”

  Amita nodded. “Exactly.”

  “Hit this virus with another virus?”

  “Yep.”

  “It would have to be something more virile,” Randall said.

  “It would be. It’s not been done.”

  “There’s a reason for it. It’s kind of insane. It could mutate and make things even worse.”

  “Infect the patient with something not airborne. Let it take hold, defeat BV-2, and then we defeat the defending virus.”

  “So it would have to be something that has a treatment.”

  “It’s a long shot. But it’s worth a shot.”

  Randall stared at Amita, running his finger back and forth over his top lip. “We would need to test it first in the lab, then on a select group of patients, and at the infection rate of BV, it may already be too late.”

  “If it doesn’t work, what’s the worst that will happen?”

  “The patient dies.”

  “The patient is more than likely going to die anyhow. Let’s give them a fighting chance.”

  Randall exhaled. “What are you thinking? And it would have to be a killer.”

  “Oh it is. Hundred percent fatality rate if left untreated. And the treatment is perfect. It’s three doses. Which gives it time to beat BV.”

  Randall tossed out his hands. “At one time, I considered myself a brilliant scientist and virologist. But I’m drawing a blank here.”

  “Really, Randall. Really? Come on think,” Amita said. “Rabies.”

  “Rabies? You want to give the BV victims rabies?”

  Amita nodded.

  Randall whistled. “That’s so insane. It just might work.”

  <><><><>

  Ambassador Suites

  The smoke billowed high up into night sky over the city of New Delhi. It looked like a war zone. Illuminating the night sky were flashes of lights from fires that danced about the black.

  Walter stood with his arms crossed, feet slightly parted, staring and watching the television in the lounge.

  Joel walked in, simply, announcing, “I need a break” and headed immediately behind the bar. “I’m so glad we locked up all the booze. I think I’ll save it for myself.” He poured a drink, took a sip, then reached into his pocket for his tube of Ben Gay. He squeezed a little on his fingers and put it on his temple.

  “Another headache?” Walter asked, eyes only dancing briefly away from the television.

  “Yeah, I feel one coming on.”

  “Don’t tell anyone, they’ll think you have the virus.”

  “When I feel like I have a hangover, then I’ll worry.” He downed the drink and poured another.

  “Keep drinking like that and you will.”

  “I’m fine. I got a good chuckle out of the ETN broadcast.”

  “Entertainment Today News covering the virus is blasphemy.”

  Joel laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, but it was a diversion. It cracks me up to see what the hell they think is important in a time of crisis. Deadly Rendezvous.” Joel released a high squeal of a laugh and shook his head again. “And like, we don’t know that our honeymooners sent those in. Why would they do that? Because they're idiots. They have got nothing better to do than to take pictures of JJ Wylde.”

  “He has a reputation for hunting cougars.”

  “You got that wrong. Cougars hunt cubs. In any case. I wanna know how they uploaded them. Probably hid a phone in their pants like JJ. My wife is loving the fact that she was on the news even if it was a bad picture.”

  “That’s not news. This is.” Walter pointed to the screen.

  “You’re watching the news? I don’t hear it.”

  “Don’t need to.”

  Joel walked around the bar and stood next to Walter. “What the hell?”

  “They say it’s civil unrest. I think the government is trying to burn out the virus … literally. This isn’t the only place, Joel. London, Paris. Next will be New York... bet me. They have it there and everyday more people are coming down with it.”

  “This is frightening.”

  “This is nothing. Want to see something frightening?”

  “Sure.”

  “Refresh your glass and follow me.” Walter waited until Joel splashed liquor into his glass and then he led Joel out of the lounge.

  “Where are we going?” Joel asked.

  “Ballroom.”

  “We’re not allowed down there.”

  “Yeah, well, no one’s there.”

  Joel stopped walking. “No one is there? What happened to our soldiers?”

  “Outside.”

  “That’s odd.”

  “No, this is.” Walter reached for the ballroom doors.

  “I thought you said it was frightening.”

  “It’s both.” Walter opened the door. “I came down here an hour ago.”

  The drink nearly toppled from Joel’s hand when he stepped into his nearly unrecognizable ballroom. A place that was glamorous and was used to celebrate was now clinical. Tables were lined up where usually the bridal party dined. Instead of fine china, there were boxes of supplies. Where the DJ would set up his equipment were tons of intravenous poles and instead of tables, there were cots.

  Hundreds of cots lined up neatly. None of them made, but a pillow and blanket were perched on top ready to be used.

  “Dear God!” Joel exclaimed.

  “Yeah, my sentiments exactly.”

  “How many cots are there?”

  “Two hundred and thirty-five.”

  Joel blinked. “How many people are quarantined here in the hotel right now?”

  “Two hundred and eighty two according to my list.”

  “Holy shit! What are they expecting?”

  “By looking at this,” Walter said. “I’d say … the worst.”

  <><><><>

  Mobile Lab

  Amita was in a state of shock. She almost missed it. More than likely she was tired and needed to stop to sleep, even for a couple hours. The virus was so similar it started looking the same, but it wasn’t.

  “All right,” Randall came in. “I called my director. He thought the idea was ludicrous, but it was worth a shot. I told him if it works, that’s if it works, we can infect a test patient with rabies and then immediately start the HRIG. It’s a long shot, Amita. But it’s the only treatable virus we have that has the same kill rate as BV.”

  He moved across the lab. “I hate to do this. But I’m gonna have to leave. I have to go into Cleveland. They have a facility that has a sample of rabies and that’s what I have to work with. They won’t let me leave with it. I’ll have to work there, but it shouldn’t be long before I know if the rabies will work. I’ll need to take samples of the virus.”

  Finally Amita looked at him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You’ll have to take the slides I have marked in red.”

  Randall slig
htly shook his head confused. “Are they different?”

  “Oh, very much so. About forty percent of our infected samples are. The virus has mutated again, Randall. I don’t like the looks of it.”

  Randall closed eyes for a moment. “Do we have any idea what this means for them?” He pointed to the monitor.

  Amita shook her head and looked at the screen at those in quarantine that sat in the courtyard. “No, but in about two days, we’ll find out.”

  <><><><>

  Ambassador Suites

  Rayne placed on his best ‘pain’ face while shaking hands with Landon. “Wow, little guy, you are gonna be a monster one day. Ow.” Rayne pulled away his hand. In wrestling they called it ‘selling’, and Rayne sold it well as he crouched with Landon.

  “We go see you wrestle all the time,” Landon said. “Did you ever see me there?’

  “Oh my God, was that you in the second row that one time?”

  Landon nodded.

  “I saw you, but … I thought you were a wrestler and I was a little scared.” Rayne winked.

  “I wouldn’t hurt you,” Landon said.

  “I know that now.” Rayne stood and looked at Ava. She was in the hotel suite with Cassie and Calvin.

  Ava walked to him. “Glad you guys are hitting it off. Are you sure you don’t mind taking him for a few minutes?”

  “Positive. Joel said they have a lost and found box with kid clothes and there’s the gift shop. We’re gonna try to find him something besides these clinical pj’s.” He held out his hand to Landon. “Ready? We’ll even look for clothes for your sister and brother.”

  ‘Okay. I’ll be back, Mommy. Me and Rayniac are going to get clothes.”

  “You do that.”

  “Good luck,” Rayne told her.

  Ava’s voice cracked as she replied, “Thank you.”

  Rayne took Landon’s hand and they walked away.

  Ava left the door open and walked into the living room area of the suite. “We need to talk.”

  “No one needs to talk to you.” Cassie snapped. “You have us stuck here.”

  “Stop.” Calvin snapped. “What is wrong with you?”

  “What is wrong with you?” She argued. “Why are you all of the sudden being nice to her?”

  “I’m always nice to Ava.”

  “I don’t know why.”

  “Can we …” Ava held out her hand. “Stop. Please? Please. Just stop. This is important.”

  “You sent our brother out there with Rayniac.” Cassie barked. ‘Why?”

  “I thought you liked him?” Ava asked.

  “As a wrestler. But now I see ...”

  “See what?” Ava snapped before Cassie could finish the sentence. “If you could see anything I wish to God it was the severity of this situation. And right now I have something else to tell you.”

  “It’s important, isn’t it?” Calvin asked.

  “Very,” Ava said. Her heart raced with nervousness. “Please sit down.”

  Calvin did.

  “I don’t wanna sit.”

  “Sit,” Ava instructed.

  “I don’t want to sit.”

  “Why do you have to be so difficult?” Ava asked. “Huh? Why? Can’t you try? Can’t you see all I want to do is have us get along? I love you, Cassie.”

  “Stop it.”

  “No, you stop it. I have known you for a while. You need to know, I love you. I love all you kids the same.”

  “Oh my God!” Calvin gasped out. “You’re dying.”

  “Not that I know of,” Ava said. “But I was able to talk to your father for a minute. He’s trying to help us, but he told me something. He told me …” Ava paused, took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry. Your mother … Your mom has passed away from an overdose.”

  Calvin slumped back. “When?” he squeaked out his question.

  “They found her and she probably died yesterday.”

  “Our mother is dead?” Calvin asked.

  “Sweetie, I am so sorry. I liked Rosie.” Ava reached out. “I really liked her. She was a good woman who just had problems. I wish there was something I could do …”

  “Then maybe,” Cassie said cold. “You shouldn’t have killed her.”

  Breathless, Ava faced her. “What?”

  “This is your fault. All of this.”

  Calvin stood. “How is this Ava’s fault? Mom overdosed. Ava didn’t do it.”

  “The hell she didn’t.”

  “Hey!” Ava yelled.

  ‘No!” Cassie screamed. “You did this. You gave her money to buy drugs. She came to you and you gave her money.”

  “She needed money …”

  “And you knew what she needed it for!” Cassie screamed. “You gave her money to buy her fix. You might as well have just pumped the drugs into her blood and killed her.”

  “No, Cassie.” Ava reached out. “I didn’t …”

  Cassie swung out, smacking Ava’s hand out of the way and after she did, she bolted from the room. “I have to get out of here.”

  “Cassie!” Ava screamed out. But Cassie was gone.

  “I’ll get her.” Calvin raced out.

  Ava hurriedly followed stepping out into the hall and seeing Cassie disappear into the stairwell.

  Calvin called to her and just kept chasing her.

  “What’s going on?” Joel yelled up.

  Ava walked to the railing, prepared to tell him, then held up her hand, signaling she’d be right down.

  When she arrived in the courtyard, Joel walked over to her. He was with Walter and Bianca was there as well. Rayne was making his way over with Landon, they held bags as if they actually had gone shopping.

  “What’s going on?” Joel asked.

  Ava exhaled. “I had to tell them their mother passed away. When I sneaked the call to my husband, he told me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Joel said.

  “Cassie isn’t handling it well. She took off.”

  “Rosie died?” Landon asked. “I liked Rosie.”

  “Me, too,” Ava said.

  Bianca reached out and laid her hand on Ava’s shoulder. “She probably needs to calm down and cry somewhere. She’ll be fine. She can’t get far, right? We’re under quarantine.”

  Just as she said that, Calvin called out from the stairwell. “Cassie ran outside and she’s running fast. She won’t stop. What should I do?”

  “Stay here.” Joel instructed. “There are guards out there. They’ll get her to stop.”

  “What if she won’t?” Calvin asked.

  Rayne handed Ava the bags. “I’ll go get her.”

  “Rayne …” Ava said.

  “No. I’ll be back.” He took off, running to Calvin. “Just show me which way she went. Then you get back in here.”

  “We have to stop her. Where does she think she’s going?”

  “I don’t know,” Rayne said and followed him to the stairwell.

  Rayne knew sometimes people just needed to run away, and as hurt and scared as she was, Cassie ran.

  Once outside, Calvin showed him the direction Cassie had run toward the front of the building. Rayne reiterated one more time for Calvin to stay put and then he ran as fast as he could.

  The vans were still parked there, except the doors were open. He didn’t see a single guard and he took that as a good a sign.

  When he hit the top of the driveway he saw Cassie running.

  “Cassie!” Rayne yelled. “You have to stop! There are guards down there that won’t let you cross.”

  Cassie slowed down and looked over her shoulder. “I have to get out of here. I have to find my dad.”

  Rayne sighed out in relief. She had stopped running and he moved closer to her. “You can’t leave. We’re under quarantine.”

  “I don’t care.” Cassie turned and ran again.

  The distance between them wasn’t much, Rayne knew if he put his all into it, his strides were longer and he’d catch her.

  A hundred and fift
y feet ahead, then a hundred. He called for her to stop.

  Seventy-five feet from her, two soldiers turned around at the barricade. They wore protective masks.

  “Cassie, stop!” Rayne yelled.

  Then, one soldier shouted out, “Stay back. You can’t leave.”

  Rayne put all his effort into shortening the distance between them. He was getting closer and his heart pounded in his chest when he saw the soldiers raise their weapons.

  “Stop right now!” They ordered. “Stop or we’ll shoot.”

  No, Rayne thought. They had to see she was a kid. They didn’t mean it. It was a warning.

  Cassie hit the bottom of the driveway thirty feet from the barricade, there was a large group of people there. There were squad cars with lights flashing. People screamed when they saw her approach as if she were a monster.

  “Cassie, stop!” Rayne shouted his loudest as she raged away from him.

  She stopped, looked at Rayne, looked at the barricade. She was a few feet from it, and then as Rayne believed the chase was over, he stopped, caught his breath and raised his hands. “It’s okay! We’re fine.” He yelled to the guards. “Just a panic moment.”

  With a rush of screams the crowd moved back from the blockade and Rayne saw Cassie veer off to the right to an open spot at the side of the driveway.

  “No!” Rayne charged forth.

  So close, yet it all happened in slow motion. Even his legs felt as if they just wouldn’t move fast enough.

  “Stop right now! You are under quarantine.” A soldier cried out.

  Rayne didn’t know who was being warned, Cassie, him or both, but he had to get to her.

  “Stop or we’ll shoot.”

  Rayne was there, he was almost there.

  Bang.

  Chapter 13

  Ambassador Suites

  It sounded like a pop. To the uninformed ear, the long sound was more like two boards smacking together. Walter heard it and recognized it. He knew and he slowly stepped away from the small group of people in the courtyard and pivoted his body.

  “What is it?” Joel stepped to him.

  A hair below a whisper, Walter replied, “A gunshot.”