During Part 1

"Thanks for picking me up" I said to Dad as I got into the car.

"No problem, sweetie. How was the dance?" He asked.

I told him about the fun we had and how nice it was to spend time with the girls last night.

"Did you get the pictures that we took?" I asked and he nodded.

"I did. They were awesome. Thanks! What are you planning on doing for the rest of the day?" Dad asked.

"I have homework and then sleep. I'm exhausted" I replied and Dad nodded.

I got right to work when we got home as Dad worked around the house. I finally finished a couple hours later, right as Dad walked back in from mowing the lawn.

"Do you want some lunch?" Dad offered and I nodded.

We made some sandwiches and went into the living room to eat. Dad turned on the news. It was in the middle of a strange story.

"We aren't sure what is causing the rash of illnesses but reports are coming in that hospitals are filling up in all major cities. To recap, a strange sickness is quickly spreading throughout the country. We don't know much about it except that it is fast moving and the first symptoms are extreme exhaustion quickly followed by a dry cough. We are being told that this illness is deadly and anyone with symptoms should be quarantined or brought to the hospital immediately." The newscaster said.

I looked at Dad nervously. He smiled and shook his head.

"Don't worry. They have something like this almost every year. It's usually just some new strain of the flu. It's normally only dangerous if someone is very young or old or already weakened. It will be fine. Now finish your lunch. Did you get all your homework done?" He explained.

"Yep" I answered.

"Good. You can help me clean then" Dad said with a grin.

I groaned. After eating, we spent the rest of the day cleaning then, we worked together on dinner. As we sat down, my phone dinged to let me know that I had a new text message.

"You know the rule. No phones at the table" Dad said when I looked at my phone.

"Sorry, Dad. It's Sammy. She says that school is canceled for tomorrow. Too many teachers are calling in sick." I explained.

Dad frowned and shrugged.

"This flu is getting everyone" he said and I nodded.

We washed the dinner dishes and I took a bath and got ready for bed. I hadn't gotten much sleep at Sammy's house the night before and I was tired.

"I'm going to head to bed, Dad" I told Dad as he was sitting in his chair, watching T.V.

"Okay, honey. I have work early in the morning so I won't be here when you get up. Enjoy your extra day off and get some rest" Dad replied and I kissed him good night.

"I will. Have a good day tomorrow." I called as I walked to my room.

I settled into my bed and looked at my phone. I had messages from Sammy and Craig. I opened and responded to Sammy's first.

Sammy: I can't believe that they actually cancelled school. They never do that.

Kitty: I know. I'm worried.

Sammy: Don't worry. It's just the flu.

Kitty: I hope so. Night!

Sammy: Good night

Then I took a deep breath and looked at Craig's.

Craig: I'm so sorry about the party. I'm an idiot.

Kitty: Yeah you are

Craig: I don't know what I was thinking.

Kitty: What were you thinking?

Craig: I was trying to fit in I guess

Kitty: By drinking?

Craig: I know. It was dumb. Forgive me?

Kitty: Okay but you owe me.

Craig: Anything.

I smiled and wished him good night before plugging in my phone and settling in to sleep.

Monday

When I got up late the next morning, the house was empty. I made myself a bowl of cereal and was eating it on the couch while watching reruns of Teen Wolf when Dad walked in and surprised me.

"What are you doing home?" I asked.

"They shut down the plant. Everyone is too sick" Dad explained.

We both looked at each other with concern.

"How are you feeling?" We both asked at the same time and laughed.

"I'm fine, you?" I replied.

"I feel great. I have a feeling that we should run to the grocery store and stock up. Just in case" Dad suggested and I nodded.

I quickly got dressed and we left in his car.

"I should get gas too" Dad added.

We pulled into the nearest station. It was packed and everyone had a look of panic. We had to wait for a pump but were finally able to fill our tank. Then we went to the store. It was a madhouse!

"Let's split up and meet at the check out. You get the can goods, paper goods, snacks and soda. I'll get everything else." Dad stated as he wheeled a cart to me.

We each took a cart and plunged in. The can good aisle was pure chaos. I grabbed what we usually bought for our weekly trip along with a few more cans of soup. I picked up some toilet paper and paper towel along with some laundry detergent and dish soap. I grabbed extra snacks and trail mixes and a large amount of bottled water along with Dad's favorite soda. I thought for a second and then went to collect some shampoo and conditioner along with soap. I even got some toothpaste and deodorant. I headed to check out and waited for a few minutes for Dad. He eventually came with a cart full of goods.

"Ready?" Dad asked and I nodded.

We waited in the long line to check out but finally got through. We loaded our groceries into the car and took off as many more cars pulled into the parking lot.

"I'm glad that we got there when we did. They were starting to run out of everything" Dad said and I nodded.

We unloaded and unpacked when we got home.

"There. We should be set for at least a few weeks now. Hopefully this illness will be winding down by next week." Dad said.

If we only knew what winding down would truly mean.

"I should text everyone and let them know to get to the store soon" I said and Dad nodded.

I quickly sent out a group message.

Kitty: FYI get to the store soon. They are running out of everything

Sammy: We already went

Craig: Mom is there right now

April: Shit. I'll tell Mom

Olive: We are on our way

Lance: Dad went last night. We should be good.

Sammy: How's everyone feeling?

Kitty: Dad and I are fine

Craig: We are all good here. Dad is worried

Lance: Mom is sleeping now. She's so tired

Olive: This place is madness. You weren't kidding

April: I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Night.

Kitty: Feel better April. Everyone take care.

I plugged in my phone in my room and went out to watch T.V. with Dad for the rest of the day. After dinner, Dad got a call from my school and his work. Both were closed down for at least the next few days.

"Well, I guess that we will get to have lots of bonding time" Dad said and I smiled.

Dad and I got along great. We loved spending time together. I just wished that I could get rid of the nagging feeling of worry in the pit of my stomach.

Tuesday

Dad and I spent the next morning just hanging out and watching movies. We had a blast but after we finished lunch, I was beginning to get a bit of cabin fever.

"Do you want to got take a walk in the woods?" I asked Dad.

I loved the woods more than any other place. It was the only place I felt truly relaxed. None of my friends understood it. I could spend days out there happily.

Dad shook his head and replied, "No thanks. I'm kinda tired. You go though."

I looked at him with concern. Could he be getting sick?

"Don't worry. I just didn't sleep well last night." Dad explained before I could ask.

I nodded and hugged him.

"Alright. I'll be back in a few hours" I said

"Sounds good" he replied.

I left my phone in my room. I just wanted to be truly alone in the forest. As I walked out, I took a big breath and smiled. This is exactly what I was looking for. I listened to the birds and the rustling of rabbits and squirrels around me. I felt like the plants and trees were watching over me, protecting me, making me feel safe. I walked deep into the forest and found one of my old campsites. I cleaned it up and reminded myself to camp here the next time I could. I haven't been camping in a couple months and I needed to get back to it. When I was in middle school and even in the later years of elementary, I used to camp almost every weekend. Usually by myself. Looking back, I'm surprised that Dad let me. I've always been good in the woods though. Dad said that even when we first moved here, I could always find my way in the forest. He said that my Mom was the same way. She used to love the trees and would make him camp with her all the time. He said that she would camp by herself a lot too. Maybe that's why I love it so much. It makes me feel close to her.

Dad said that Mom would know what herbs, plants, berries and mushrooms were safe just like I do. I didn't trust myself at first and bought a few books to double check but now I know that I could live off the land for at least a spring, summer and fall season. The winters here are too harsh though. After cleaning up the camp, I had the impulse to find a few of my other sites and fix them up too. I had a makeshift shelter at each of them but they all needed to be fixed back up. After spending a few hours fixing them all, I headed back to the house to find Dad making dinner.

After we ate, we watched the news. It scared me to death. Every story was about this sickness and how many people were dying from it. The death toll was already over a couple thousand. I looked at Dad and we exchanged worried looks. The news anchor went on to say that over a million people are now confirmed infected.

"Dad, I'm scared" I said and he came over and hugged me.

"It's okay. We will just stay here until everything shakes out. We can't get sick if we aren't around anyone who's sick" Dad said. I nodded.

"I'm going to head up to bed" I said and kissed his cheek.

I got ready for bed and texted everyone.

Kitty: How's everyone?

Lance: Mom's really sick but we called the hospital and they said that they don't have any room for her

Sammy: Shit. I'm sorry

Craig: Me too. Can we do anything?

Lance: not really. Thanks tho

Kitty: Olive? April?

Sammy: Has anyone heard from them today?

Lance: no

Craig: Nope

Kitty: Crap. I'll try to call them

I called both April and Olive. Olive's phone just rang and eventually went to voicemail and April's went right to voice mail.

Kitty: I just left both of them voicemails. I'm worried. Should we go check on them?

Sammy: I don't think that's a good idea.

Craig: I think that Sammy is right.

Kitty: Okay. I'll talk to you all tomorrow.

Sammy: Night

Craig: night

I got into bed but stayed awake for a long time, worrying.