Chapter 4

The day dragged on, and while working helped Ariel forget about most of her troubles, the soreness and the confusion lingered. Most everyone under the age of twenty five was on the medication that was now not available, and a lot of them were talking about the side effects they were getting from bot having them. Some were without them longer than others and were home sick from what most people were calling withdrawals. The joke of the parents drugging their kids was rampant.

With the end of her shift, Ariel packed up her stuff and headed for the door, but she was stopped by one of her other coworkers. She was a younger girl named Sarah.

"Hey, Ariel?" Her voice stopped Ariel as she stood in the doorway.

"Did you notice anything weird about Austin the other day?" She was fiddling with her fingers, apprehensive.

"He seemed tired and distracted on Saturday. Mark said he parents called him out sick so I had to cover his shift today." Ariel replied, but her answer didn't seem to comfort Sarah at all.

"He and I normally cover shifts for one another, and I have been trying to get ahold of him, but his parents just keep saying he is too sick to talk." Her eyes shimmered as if she were holding back tears. Austin and Sarah were good friends, nearly inseparable. Ariel found it strange that Austin's parents would not let Sarah talk to him.

"Maybe you should sneak over there after they go to bed? They might be overpro because of the vitamin problem." Ariel offered, though Sarah was clearly not convinced.

"Y-Yea. I'll try that. Thanks Ariel." She scooted past Ariel and was gone before Ariel could get in another word. More and more people normally on the vitamins were acting strange. Was this because of the heavy metal poisoning they had suffered as kids? Or was it something to do with the medication itself? Ariel had so many questions.

At the diner across town, Ariel was glad to see she was not the last to arrive, but was disappointed to see that Jane was not there. Becca and Oscar were deep in conversation about the morality of eating a human body in a survival situation, but Ariel could tell that Becca was not fully into the conversation. She looked tired.

"No Jane yet?" Ariel asked as she slid into the booth beside Becca.

"She called and said she can't make it. Something about feeling faint and her parents being worried about her health." Oscar replied, his care free attitude making Ariel feel some kind of unpleasant way.

The conversation changed after that to plans for the up coming weekend and how much money the four of them might be able to pool together. They parted ways and Ariel decided to go to Jane's house. The drive over had her distracted, so she drove slower than normal. All she could think about was those feelings, her dreams, and that look on Jane's face.

She stepped up onto the porch after she arrived and lifted her hand to knock, but the door opened before she could. There before her was a short stout woman with a permanent frown and shrewd brown eyes.

"Jane is feeling sick. She will be home for a few days." The woman had a high shrill voice that always grated Ariel the wrong way, but Trish was Jane's mother, so Ariel just smiled.

"I was hoping to just ask her a question." Ariel pushed, but the woman narrowed her eyes.

"No. She needs rest." And before Ariel could say anything else the door was slammed in her face. This was the most rude she had ever been to anyone blatantly, but if she was worried it would make sense. Ariel stood there in shock for a few moments, anger boiling in her ince the surprise wore off.

She made her way back to her car and drove herself home. She was distracted more than before. Why would Trish not let her just ask a question? Even if Jane was feeling under the weather, she could have visitors, right?

Her mind drifted back to Austin, and how his parents would not let anyone talk to him either. It gave her a strange feeling and the restlessness seemed to seep into her bones. She needed to do something, but she had no idea what.

Sleep might help her clear her head.