The clinic smelled like disinfectant and fear. Posters that read STAY SAFE and COVID-19 PROTOCOL peeled off the walls, curling like they had given up on holding themselves together. A boy sat on the chair, nervous and quiet, gripping the strap of his school bag as if it were the last thing tethering him to life.
"What was your name again?"
"Oh, I'm Izan…"
The nurse glanced at the papers in her hand before looking back at him.
Nurse: Izan… though you have given your signature for consent, I want to make sure you want to do this. So, Izan… do I have your consent? And you do know, right, that if you turn out to be positive, you'll be taken out?
Izan: I'm sure I want to take the test… and I accept all the consequences if I turn out to be positive.
The nurse studied his face for a moment, then nodded.
Nurse: Good luck!
She patted Izan gently and gave him a tired smile.
Nurse: Open your mouth, Izan…
Izan opened his mouth. The swab slid in, cold and uncomfortable.
Nurse: Alright, Izan. I'll let you know when the results come out.
The television in the corner continued playing.
We are trying our best to take care of the citizens who are infected with… COVID-19.
The nurse scoffed quietly.
Nurse: It's just a saying… they don't do much. It's all a delusional thing. Everyone… they want to conquer the world. And I have no hope for this world.
Izan: Wait, why are you saying that, doc?
Nurse: You kids wouldn't understand. It's the higher-ups who are ruining this world.
Izan: Well… I'm pretty intelligent. I think I'd understand if you explained it to me.
Before she could reply, a sharp beep broke the silence.
Nurse: Izan! Look… the results are here…
Izan: Oh my god, isn't that too quick?
Nurse: Yeah… that is… what I didn't expect…
A brief pause followed.
Then-
Izan: WOHOO!!! I can go to school from tomorrow! Yayyy!
Izan exclaimed with joy, his voice echoing through the nearly empty clinic.
Nurse: Finally, you're happy!
Izan: Thank you, doc! I have to go… I have to tell all my friends. Everyone…
He turned too quickly, tripped, and nearly fell.
Nurse: Careful!
Izan: I'M ALRIGHT!
Izan rushed outside, grabbed his bicycle, and rode as fast as he could, as if nothing bad could ever catch up to him.
Inside the friends' dorm, the silence felt heavier than usual.
The television switched channels.
I'm reporter Kim, and I'm going to show you the true condition of the hospitals and rehabs where patients are being kept. As you can see, the entire hospital looks like a graveyard… and the medicines.
The reporter flipped a bottle in his hand.
Just as expected, yes, they are expired.
What did the government offer us?
These medicines? These pills? Trust me, brothers and sisters, don't buy these medicines. They are not good for you, and you're just risking your life…
Camera-man: Hey… hey… I think you're doing too much—
WE NEED TO GO AFTER THE GOVERNMENT, THEY ARE—
The screen cut off.
Megan: Why did you turn that off?
Noah: It was boring.
Megan: I'm going to complain about you to Izan.
Noah: Aww, and you think I'm scared?
Mito: Noah, just stop messing around!
Noah: Alright! But I ain't afraid of that freak Izan.
Megan: Oh my god, you're such a simp.
Henry: Yeah! Who even likes simps?
Mito: Well, I do! Noah isn't a bad guy. He's a good human, and I like the ones who listen to me.
Noah: Gotcha, nerds.
Mito: Don't feel so honoured. It would be better if you shut your mouth.
Noah: Ouch.
Henry: Oh…
Mito: ?
The door suddenly swung open.
Izan: GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Mito: Izan? What are you doing here?
Izan: I'M NOT INFECTED! YAYYYY!
Henry: Woah, that's good.
Mito: We aren't breaking the ties now.
Noah: Yeah! If there's an apocalypse, we can cook and eat you.
Izan: Wha-?
Noah: Yeah, because there'd be a shortage of food and people would be starving. Eating you would help us survive a week, I guess.
Mito: Shut up, Noah.
Mito slapped Noah lightly.
Izan: Where's Megan?
Megan: Here!
Izan: Oh… hi.
Megan: Hi.
Izan: How are you?
Megan showed a thumbs up.
Izan: Hmm… and how's your family?
Megan showed a thumbs up again.
Izan: Okay, I guess.
Izan quietly stepped back.
Henry: Man, you got thumb-zoned.
Izan: Shut up, unless you don't want to see your kids in your hand.
Henry: What's that supposed to mean?
Izan turned on the TV instead of answering.
Noah: He meant that he'll cut your-
Mito: Enough.
Noah: Come on, it's man-to-man talk.
The reporter's voice filled the room once again.
TV Reporter: Citizens… I have both good and bad news. Speaking of the good… COVID-19 has successfully cleared out 89%.
Noah: Woahhhh! We can go to school now!
Henry: We can play!
Mito: We can roam outside.
Megan: Finally, I can get out of this.
Izan: It's happening… everything will be normal.
The TV hesitated.
TV Reporter: And here's the bad news...