Love In Quarantine (SAMPLE)

He’s awoken to doctors surrounding him, all dressed in white, and it covers them from head to toe. They wear white gowns, headgear with face shields, gloves and booties. He looks down at his body that’s covered with tubes and wires. His skin turns black, his cough is wet as he struggles to breathe, and he feels so hot inside. It’s like a fire pit that will swallow him whole.

“P-please, please, h-help me…” Dr. Tang whispered in pain as he could barely get the words out and he struggled to breathe.

He’s in a small closed off room and he could see the word quarantined marked on the door. Just then reality hits and he remembers being in his lab. Running tests and listening to the orchestra. His job is to test diseases, to come up with fresh antidotes. The symphony fills the room; he loses himself in the music and suddenly, something goes horribly wrong. Things fell and somehow two diseases mixed. A horrible and tragic accident he created. He reaches for his mask as soon as he sees what is happening, but he knew it was too late. He’s a doctor, and he knows he’s been exposed. He knew he should’ve been following protocol properly and wearing a mask, but now it’s too late.

He pushes the red alarm as he thinks about how he will explain this, but he knows it needs to be the truth. People need to know how severe this is and just how deadly this could be. A fellow lab partner comes up to the glass as his face is full of concern, but didn’t enter the room.

Dr. Tang pushed the TALK button. “I’m contaminated.”

He told his lab partner about the mixtures and everything he could remember. He walks away to follow protocols and Dr. Tang sits and waits as he becomes lost in his thoughts. What have I done? What did I just create? How could I have been so careless? These thoughts all continue to spin throughout his mind even now as he lays in a quarantined bed, all alone and isolated.

It’s getting even more difficult to breathe, and he knows the end is coming over his body. His body is shutting down and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop it. There’s nothing these doctors can do except watch him die as they run tests to find a cure. He wants them to take away the pain and suffering, but he knows it’s impossible. He must suffer through his creation until the end.

Dr. Tang’s mind wandered, and his mother came to him. She’s dressed in radiant colors as light surrounds her. Her beautiful, caring eyes looked at him, filled with love. “M-Mom?”

He’s not sure if he’s hallucinating or if it’s a dream because Dr. Tang’s mother died many years ago, and he’s missed her since. Many thoughts wander throughout his foggy mind as he continues to see these things before his eyes, Dr. Tang’s breathing slows. Has she come to take me away from this pain? Is she here to set me free?

The doctors are talking amongst themselves just enough that he can hear. “This is deadly. People must know, and we must act fast.”

He can feel his heartbeat slowing down, his breathing slows, and his body’s black. His eyes are now closed as he fades and he sees light coming towards him. Dr. Tang’s mother is reaching for him now, as he feels himself slipping away, and the doctor’s voice is the last thing he hears. “The Fiery Death is upon us and we must stop it.”

***

My shift at Jerry’s Diner has been dragging on for what feels like forever. I grab the order of coffee’s and sodas all on a tray. I balance them as I walk towards the table that has ordered and wobble as I go with the drinks swaying. I try to focus on not spilling it all over the floor as I come closer and my foot trips.

“Shit!” I cried out as the drinks all fell and smashed on the floor. “Fuck, can anything just go my way lately?”

Besides the fallen drinks on the floor, my life has become a mess. I’m behind on rent, my vehicle is a piece of crap and my love life absolute shit. I keep attracting assholes who just want a piece of ass and nothing more. I’m sick of it and tired of feeling alone. I’m worth so much more than that and I won’t stop till I find it, but for now I want nothing to do with men. I grab the broom and mop to clean up my unwanted mess. I wish I could do the same with my life. Just throw out the bad and start fresh. I threw out the broken pieces into the trash and I hear some men behind me that break me from my thoughts. They seem to be in a deep conversation on a serious subject that made me curious as I listened in.

“Something’s going on, dad and it’s not safe anymore.” He said as he looked seriously at his dad and his young face scrunched up in concern.

“Son, you’re overthinking this because it’s just a nasty case of the flu going around and it will pass.” He said as he looked at his son, waved his hand in the air and brushed it off.

“Dad, but it’s not, and it’s bad. I heard it’s killing people and spreading. It’s not something we should take lightly. The news has been talking about it all day and I think we should get out of town. Maybe go to our cottage for a while.” He said nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Son, please calm down.” He said as he laughed at his son. “Your old man would love to go on vacation, but that’s out of the question because I still have my business to run. Besides, it’s just the flu and no need to worry.”

The son sighed heavily, but gave up as I stopped listening and continued cleaning up the mess I made. When I finished, I went back to making the drinks that were ordered and delivered them to the table. I went about my shift as normal and forgot all about the youthful man’s concern with his father.

***

Time passed, and the diner has slowed down with not a customer in sight. I wiped down the countertops and cleaned up a bit. I tried to keep busy to pass the time because I’m just waiting for my shift to end so I can get out of here. This job helps pay the bills, but that’s all it is to me. It’s just a means to an end, and I hope for so much more. I’m definitely not where I thought my life would go, but it’s what it is and there’s nothing I can do to change that. Not right now, at least.

“Hey, Hanna, how’s your day going?” A familiar wise voice called out from behind me as I turned around and I saw that Joe had walked in.

He’s sitting at the bar as I move towards him. He’s an older man in his fifties who’s always so sweet and kind. He lost his wife a couple years ago, and he’s been coming into Jerry’s Diner every day since. He’s the best tipper in this joint and I’m so grateful for his kind heart because Joe’s definitely one of a kind.

“Oh, it’s not the greatest for me, but I’m glad it’s almost over.” I sighed as I leaned against the bar.

“Oh, hang in there, sugar.” Joe chuckled as he smiled at me. “You’re young and have so much life to live. I just know you will come out shining through the other side.”

Joe gives me a supportive wink and I give Joe my brightest smile. I try to hide how much I don’t believe him because he just means well and no need hurting his feelings when he’s just trying to help. “Oh, Joe, you always know how to cheer a girl up. You’re the best!”

“That’s the spirit!” Joe exclaimed as he tapped the table with his hand and held out some cash. “I will take a Pepsi straight up with some ice, and you keep the change, sugar.”

I take the money from him and look down at my phone as it continues to vibrate in my pocket. I hate answering my phone while I’m working because I don’t need it to get back to my boss. I need this job and I don’t need any trouble.

“Are you going to get your phone?” Joe asked as he frowned and looked at my pocket. “It’s been going off and won’t stop. Must be awfully important.”

I sighed as I pulled out my phone and looked down to see the screen all lit up. My mom’s number is calling on the screen. What could she possibly be calling about? Screw it, forget the boss.

“Oh, gosh, thanks Joe! That Pepsi is coming right up and thanks for the tip!” I exclaimed as I smiled and turned away.

“Hello, mom?” I said as I answered my phone and put her on speakerphone so I could make Joe’s order. “Why are you calling? You guys are on vacation and I’m at work.”

“Honey, I know, and I’m sorry, but I needed to call because it’s serious.” May said in a frightened tone and I wondered what’s going on.

I gave Joe his drink and moved into the back room so I could have some privacy. “Mom, what’s going on?”

“We aren’t sure, but our boat has stopped at sea and they won’t tell us what’s going on.” May sighed in frustration.

Suddenly, I hear my younger sister Hailey come on the phone. “Mom, mom, give me the phone. Hello, Hanna?”

“Yes, I’m here, Hailey. What’s going on and why would they stop the ship? Mom has me worried.” I asked as I heard a lot of muffled talk, a moment of silence and Hailey’s voice came back on.

“Sorry, I wanted to get away from mom and dad because I don’t want to worry them. Something’s going on and it has got to be serious. On the news, they keep talking about something spreading, but I cannot get the entire story. They don’t just stop cruise ships, Hanna. Something is going on, and I don’t have a pleasant feeling about it.” Hailey explained as her voice shook.

Hailey’s definitely right because mom and dad shouldn’t worry, but they don’t just stop cruise ships. The conversation between the son and his father earlier entered my mind, but I don’t tell Hailey because she needs to stay calm.

“Okay, I got an idea. I will go to the local police and see what I can find out. I will be in contact as soon as I figure out what’s going on. Just keep mom and dad calm, but close.” I said.

“Well, that will not be a problem considering they have locked us in our rooms. This is just downright scary, Hanna.” Hailey breathed in fright.

“I know, Hailey, but just stay calm and I will call back once I know more. Love you all.” I said.

“We love you more and talk soon.” Hailey said.

“Bye.” I said and pressed the end call button.

Right after ending the call and not giving it a second thought, I grabbed my stuff. I headed straight for the exit of the diner and didn’t look back. I needed to get some answers and my family needed me. There’s a feeling of worry deep in the pit of my stomach, and something just isn’t right. Something strange is happening and I need to find answers. I got into my beat-up car, turned the key, and it sputtered.

“Come on... Come on... Don’t do this to me right now!” I cried out as I beat my hand against the steering wheel and turned the key repeatedly. Almost willing it to life and the engine finally started. “Yes, thank you!”

I felt relieved as I started on my way to the police station, but worried at the same time. I pressed down on the gas pedal and took off as fast as I could go. It’s time to get some answers and the police should have them. I thought to myself as I sped away and didn’t look back.