Curse of the Immune Read Free

Africa. The sickness is getting bad in Europe too. They say by midnight, it’ll cover the globe.”
    “Wait, people are dying? Before I left, the news guy said the symptoms weren’t that bad.”
    “That was before they knew anything. They still don’t know what’s causing the deaths, but it’s happening on a massive scale. They can’t get reports from Asia anymore.”
    “They’re dead?”
    “Or too sick to talk.”
    I stand and wait for Roger to say, Fooled you , or, Surprise ! But that won’t happen. Roger doesn’t joke like that. Instead, he says, “I’ve got some work to do. The government has put out an advisory telling the public to batten down the hatches. Seal up the windows and doors, close the damper in the fireplace, basic winterizing stuff.”
    “That’s all it’ll take to keep us safe?”
    “I hope so, but who knows? Most of the important government officials are still in their underground safe havens. So if that’s all it would take to be safe, they’d surface, I presume.”
    Feeling deflated, I turn and slowly walk to the stairs on my way to my bedroom. Just when I feel like living for once, just when I’m actually happy something terrible happens—story of my life.
    When I get to my room, I collapse on my bed and stare at the ceiling. It’s weird how quick things seem to come together and fall apart all before dinner. I mean, this morning I was all set for the end of the world. Now that it seems it’s still gonna happen, I’m feeling destroyed. Whatever. All I can do is accept what happens.
    I feel tears forming in my eyes from my self-pity session, and I sit up and say aloud, “Screw this.” I’m not going out blubbering on my bed. I stand and go back downstairs. “Roger, what can I do to help?”
    He’s in the kitchen, closing the storm windows. “I’d appreciate it if you do what I’m doing to the windows upstairs.”
    I run up the stairs and open windows, lift the screens, lower the storm windows, close the windows again, and lock them. While finishing up, I hear the side house door open and a familiar voice. “Hey, Roger, Ellen, sis. Didn’t think I’d ever be here again.”
    I hop down the staircase, run, and throw my arms around Luke. And of course, the tears come.
    “Whoa, sis, calm down.” His hands are up as if in surrender. He hates any displays of affection, unless it comes from his girlfriend. All right, you see me. I’m okay. Now let go.”
    “I thought I’d never see you again.” I release him from my horrible touch.
    “Yeah, nice to see you too. Chloe’s dad thought I should check in with you guys.”
    “You’re not staying?”
    “I am. I think her dad’s getting sick of me being around. Before he started sealing in his family, he told me to go home and help out here.”
    Roger walks up to Luke and puts his hand on his shoulder. “It’s good to see you. Your sister and I pretty much finished all we can do. I hope it’ll be enough.”
    “Crazy day, huh?” Luke says. “One minute we think we’re goners, and then the rock blows up. Now we got this cloud to worry about. Anybody hear how long we’ll be trapped inside?”
    Roger answers, “They’re not saying anything on TV. I guess they’re waiting to see what happens first. I don’t think any of those scientists have any clue. As soon as the asteroid exploded, they started scratching their heads. They probably don’t really know if closing windows and doors will do anything. It’s all guess work.”
    Ellen walks up to Luke and squeezes his hand and says, “Anyone up for some dinner? Whatever happens, it won’t help if we face it with empty stomachs.”
    I’m not hungry anymore, and I don’t think anyone else is, but we all take our seats around the dinner table. Just all of us being together is nice.

Chapter Four
    After dinner, I go up to my room. Luke, Ellen, and Roger go into the living room to watch the news, looking for some sign of hope. I need to be alone to empty my head and