The morning light, usually a welcome sight, crept reluctantly through Erika's window, filtered by the heavy rain clouds that still blanketed the sky. The downpour had not let up, and the world outside seemed cloaked in an almost perpetual twilight. Erika stirred from a fitful sleep, her body aching from the tension of the previous night. She glanced at Tommy, who was still curled up under his blanket, his small face peaceful and serene.
Erika's phone buzzed on the bedside table, jolting her fully awake. She grabbed it, her heart racing as she saw her boss's name on the screen. She answered the call, her voice shaky.
"Hello?"
"Erika, it's Mr. Santos," her boss's voice came through, strained and panicked. "Don't come to work today. Everyone's getting sick. It's spreading fast. Just stay home and keep safe."
Erika's stomach dropped. "What do you mean, everyone? How bad is it?"
"It's bad, Erika. Real bad. People are collapsing, vomiting blood... It's like something out of a nightmare. Just stay inside, okay? Don't let anyone in."
Before Erika could respond, the line went dead. She stared at her phone, her mind racing. The scenes from the news last night flashed in her memory, the chaos, the blood, the fear. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had to stay strong for Tommy. Just like before... the corona virus pandemic... they can survive. This is just another sickness that people can survive... Is it?
Erika got out of bed and walked to the window. The neighborhood, usually bustling with activity in the morning, was eerily silent. The streets, often filled with the sounds of vendors, children playing, and neighbors chatting, were deserted. The only sound was the relentless drumming of the rain.
She turned back to Tommy, who was beginning to stir. "Tommy, wake up," she said gently, shaking his shoulder. "We need to talk."
Tommy rubbed his eyes and sat up, looking at Erika with sleepy confusion. "What's wrong, Erika?"
"Listen, something bad is happening outside," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. "People are getting sick, and it's really dangerous. I need you to stay inside, no matter what. Do you understand?"
Tommy nodded, his eyes wide with fear. "Okay, Erika. I won't go outside."
Erika ruffled his hair and gave him a reassuring smile. "Good. I'm going to take a quick shower. You stay here and don't open the door for anyone, okay?"
"Okay," Tommy replied, his voice small.
Erika grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, the sound of the water mingling with the rain outside. She stood under the stream, letting the hot water wash away some of her tension. But the unease lingered, a persistent knot in her stomach.
As she showered, her mind raced with thoughts of what to do next. They needed supplies, food, water, anything that would help them get through this nightmare. But the thought of going outside, of facing whatever was out there, filled her with dread.
She finished her shower quickly, drying off and getting dressed. She had to stay focused, stay strong. For Tommy.
Erika stepped out of the bathroom, her heart sinking as she saw the empty living room. "Tommy?" she called, her voice echoing in the silence. There was no response.
"Tommy, where are you?" she called again, louder this time. Panic began to set in as she noticed the front door slightly ajar. She rushed to it, her heart pounding in her chest.
The door was unlocked.
Erika's mind raced. Tommy had promised not to go outside. Why would he leave? She glanced around the room, looking for any sign of him. His shoes were gone. The knot in her stomach tightened, and she felt a wave of nausea.
"Tommy!" she shouted, her voice cracking with fear. She stepped outside, the rain immediately soaking her clothes. The street was still eerily silent, the only sound the relentless rain. She looked around frantically, hoping to catch a glimpse of her brother.
"Tommy!" she called again, desperation creeping into her voice. She ran down the steps and into the street, her eyes scanning the deserted neighborhood. The usual morning chaos was replaced by an unnerving stillness. The houses, packed closely together, seemed to loom over her, their windows dark and empty.
Erika's mind raced with possibilities. Had Tommy been taken? Had he wandered off? She felt a surge of anger at herself for leaving him alone, even for a moment.
She ran to the nearest neighbor's house, banging on the door. "Mrs. Cruz! Are you there? Have you seen Tommy?" There was no answer. She tried the next house, and the next, but each door remained closed, each house silent.
Erika's fear turned to desperation. She had to find Tommy. She couldn't lose him too. She ran down the street, her eyes darting from house to house, hoping for any sign of her brother.
As she turned a corner, she saw a figure in the distance. Her heart leapt with hope. "Tommy!" she shouted, running towards the figure. But as she got closer, she realized it wasn't her brother. It was a man, staggering and clutching his stomach.
The man looked up, his eyes bloodshot and wild. He opened his mouth to speak, but instead, a torrent of blood spewed forth. Erika stopped in her tracks, horror gripping her. The man convulsed, then collapsed to the ground, twitching violently.
Erika backed away, her mind reeling. She had to find Tommy and get back to the apartment. She turned and ran back the way she came, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
As she neared her apartment, she heard a faint sound. It was coming from a nearby alley. She approached cautiously, her heart pounding. "Tommy?" she called softly.
There was a rustling sound, and then she saw him. Tommy was crouched behind a trash bin, his face pale and frightened. "Erika!" he cried, running to her.
Erika scooped him up in her arms, relief flooding through her. "Tommy, what were you doing out here? I told you to stay inside!"
"I heard a noise," Tommy said, his voice trembling. "I thought it was you, so I went to check. But then I got scared and hid."
Erika hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. "It's okay, Tommy. You're safe now. Let's get back inside."
She carried him back to the apartment, locking the door behind them. She set Tommy down and knelt in front of him, her hands on his shoulders. "Promise me you won't go outside again, no matter what. It's too dangerous."
"I promise," Tommy said, his eyes wide with fear.
Erika hugged him again, then stood up, her mind racing with thoughts of how to keep them safe. She needed to find a way to barricade the door, to make sure no one could get in. She also needed to find food and supplies. The situation outside was getting worse, and they had to be prepared.
She glanced at the window, the rain still pouring down. The world outside had become a nightmare, but she was determined to protect Tommy, no matter what. She would face whatever horrors came their way, and she would keep her brother safe.
Erika took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. The end of days had begun, and she was ready to fight for their survival.
******