Chapter 15

The next day Amelia rushed to the lab to see the results. They weren't contrary to what she had expected. "So, my suspicions were true," she whispered to herself. The cat was infected with Hepatitis A and E. And it manifested itself in the blood tests. David reached there too. She felt his presence and without looking up notified him of the possibility, "This cat might have drunk or eaten from the source where the outbreak took place." He came closer to sneak a peek at the tests displayed on the table. He had anticipated the same thing too but waited for the results.

"I was expecting something else besides these viruses," she claimed thoughtfully. "It isn't as simple as it looks." she declared. David nodded. "Should we notify the authorities and have a look at the source to confirm where is it coming from?" He asked Amelia knowing it would be extremely difficult to locate the source but nothing was more important than the lives of people who were suffering and were posing a high risk to other individuals. "The first thing which I deem crucial is that they should be quarantined. It's spreading like wild fire." She looked at him partially terrified.

"Plus there is something else that I want to show you." She said reaching to her bag and pulled out a small envelop which was torn from the top indicating that it had been opened earlier. David looked at her with quizzical eyes. Within that envelop there was a small zip-lock plastic bag which contained a black USB device. She pulled it out and inserted in her laptop that she had already put on the table. Without wasting a second she opened one of the files and motioned at David to take a look. He stared at Amelia first and then came forward to see what she was trying to show him. He froze at the sight. He couldn't believe what he was looking at. They barely looked like humans. They were more like zombies; dead and white like powder. Blood was oozing out of every inch of their pale colored bodies. They seemed like shivering from cold and scratched their bodies to relieve the itchiness. The ones with open eyes had their whites turned into dark yellow. Some of them bit themselves perhaps to relieve their pains. It was a horrific sight. Humanity turned into zombies waiting to embrace death as a liberation.

"I don't... understand?" David was speechless. "Where is this happening?" he could only manage to ask. "I got this USB from Olivia's aunt. She is a nurse at that Community Hospital." Amelia said. "I asked her if she could aware me of the situation that would be a great help on her behalf. And she sent me this." David was dumbfounded. "Why are they not showing it in the news." he asked concernedly. "Maybe because the authorities don't want to create panic among citizens." She said suspiciously. "Then what are we supposed to do?"

"I think we should prioritize our moves." "First without creating panic we need to tell people about the severity of situation. Secondly, alarm for quarantine is necessary. I wonder why haven't they already quarantined people. It is the first thing they should've done. After that we will decide how to pursue this mission." she said decidedly. "Our first priority is to save people from getting infected." she took the tests in her hands and stared at it blankly. "Not even a cat or any other animal should leave that place." she warned firmly.

Without any second thought she held her laptop and ran out of the lab as if remembering something. She went straight to the central compound of a hostel building. The hostel was three story building constructed in a hexagonal shape with a center open for air and rain. There were alarms and mics installed on one of the walls so that in case of emergencies they are blown to warn students about the possible dangers and ensure their safety. She without thinking rushed to the wall and pushed the button with force. She was panting with fear as well as exhaustion. Hearing the siren the students immediately came out of their rooms and ran to the compound without any delay sensing that their lives were in trouble.

They were surprised to see Amelia holding a mic in her hand who seemed to tell them something. She waited for few minutes to let everyone gather and then began. "Hello everyone!" she cleared her throat before beginning as she brought the mic closer to her mouth. "I am sorry I have bothered you at this time when you all might have been awfully busy but it is important," she started with apology to counter any kind of ill feelings in them. She knew she was a junior student and at times seniors did not like them to take a lead in anything. "As you know that there is an outbreak few miles away at Stans I want you to avoid going there." she declared while looking at everyone's facial expressions. She was expecting a bully but the reality of a spreading disease made them conscious of the dangers. "It could be extremely infectious and readily fatal and..." she paused for a while to say the next word, "horrible."

"But it's just hepatitis a normal disease that could be treated conservatively." somebody from among the students said seemingly fearless. "I hope you have listened to the news," without giving a reply in medical terms she instantly reminded them of the news. "It's not just hepatitis it is something bigger than that. All I want is to ensure your safety before it's too late." She continued, "Don't go there and don't let anyone come here from there if you have any relative." Some of the faces were frowning as if it was impossible for them to avoid going there. Looking at their faces Amelia deemed it necessary to show them something. She faced at David. He rummaged through his pant's pocket and found a mini sized torch like thing. His eyes met with Amelia.

"A projector," she nodded and handed her laptop to him. An HDMI was already attached to the laptop so, he inserted the other end to the mini sized torch like projector. Suddenly a vague image of the laptop screen appeared on the wall. David opened the file and looked at Amelia. She came closer and went quickly through the pictures. Her intention was to display only one clear picture on screen to silent all the other assumptions. She displayed it and then stared at the crowd. There was a pin drop silence with no movement at all. They all gawked at the sight with utter astonishment. It was the least they had expected. Strange bodies cuddled in fetal positions with a blood oozing wounds, while others had open mouths lying on sides with dark yellow eyes their foreheads strewn with fear and pain. It was truly a horrible sight. "This is it." Amelia said as she disconnected her laptop and projector to stop the horror. There was silence but she could tell that a wave of fear had crept through them. "Let's be cautious, right now that's the need of an hour." She said when the murmurs among students started. There was no response except their planning to overcome that issue.

"And what's next?" David whispered as they moved out of the central compound and all the others went back to their rooms.