OUTBREAK: ZERO is a semi post-apocalyptic pandemic roleplay set in the fictional city of Lethford, USA. Current season: Winter, 20/21.
March 2020. The world is in pandemonium as one month ago, GHNv-20 was confirmed, five months after the beginning of norovirus season. The number of the infected are in the higher hundred thousands, and the death toll is at an estimated 250,000, with about seventy percent of the rest of the population experiencing mild to moderate illnesses connected to the S. pyogenes bacteria.
The fear of the unknown has caused mass hysteria and panic.
In an attempt to provide a semblance of safety and control, military personnel patrol the streets, even here in Lethford City, and the police force is trying to keep up with the rising street violence, assault, and theft.
Welcome to OUTBREAK: zero. Will you survive?
HAYANA
SITE OWNER + HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I'm Haya. I'm pretty much your girl for everything! If you have any questions regarding our plot, membergroups, etc. don't hesitate to ask me. I'm also in charge of coding, graphics, anything skin related, and advertising/affiliates.
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ADDI
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey! I'm Addi. Hit me up if you need help with anything. I'm always for plotting so don't be shy. I like coffee, booze, and working out. I'm back from a long hiatus the dead so if you need anything, best ask the others until I get back into the groove of things!
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FINNLEY
GLOBAL MODERATOR
Hi hello! My name is Finnley, or Finn, call whichever and I'll be there for you (yes like the FRIENDS theme song). I am in charge of the claims and helping with miscellaneous things. Let me know if you have any questions!
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outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
The beer was everything he had wanted and more. He brought the bottle to his lips and took a long drink from it. He hadn’t realized how much he had needed this. A break, some fresh air, and a deviation from routine. Lately if he wasn’t at work he was at his apartment. He didn’t have a problem with being alone, but sometimes it got to be too much. Today was one of those says when the loneliness felt overwhelming. At least being able to watch people in the park gave him the sense he wasn’t so alone in the world.
Thomas was watching a young girl walking with her mother, the joy on her face as she kicked the leaves on the grass. Her mother kept a watchful eye on others, ensuring no one got too close to her unmasked daughter. There was anxiety in people’s body language as they moved through the park. Even wearing masks people skirted around each other as they moved. Thomas watched it all from his position on the bench, feeling apart of it even from a distance.
He was raising the beer bottle to his lips again when someone was suddenly sitting across the bench with him. He jumped a little, looking to the man who had joined him. Thomas looked down as the man gestured to the lanyard and his identification badge he had forgotten to take off. ”Shit,” he refed it off his neck even as the other showed him his own Prism badge. Thomas shoved his into his back pocket, the man beside him seemed so casual about it all.
Glancing down to the beer he listened to the other, Thomas shifted slightly. He knew he was doing something wrong drinking out in public like this. He knew that the company would no doubt frown upon it. The man beside him didn’t work in his department. Thomas knew everyone involved within the Sinoxyn trials, this man was not one of them. There was an ease to the man, he looked so comfortable.
He felt himself smile a little at the others words. ”I had to pay extra, Sal down the block as a stock of them for a bootleg price.” Thomas took a swig from the bottle, there was a satisfied sigh before he spoke. ”Worth it.” There was a moment of hesitation before Thomas tilted his head to the brown bag. ”Help yourself.” He settled back onto the bench, his beer getting dangerously low. His eyes went to the people in the park, the woman and her child had moved on. ”They have no idea how bad it really is. They watch the news, but they don’t know how bad it really is.” The words were more muttered to himself than to his guest. He seemed to realize that he had spoken out loud. ”Uh- what department do you work in?”
She spoke about her time over seas like it was perfectly normal. He supposed for her it was, that had been her normal the whole time she had been deployed. It seemed so different than the life he had been living. He was painfully aware that he would never understand what she and his brother had been through over there. Sleeping on the ground at cadets seemed close, but not close enough.
She went on and he listened, it was about all he could do. He didn’t understand what she was going through. The public saw her and her co workers as the enemy. He didn’t have to face the anti vaxxers that ranted and raved on social media. He couldn’t help but shake his head as she called him a squint, a smile under his mask. She admitted that none of them knew what the right thing to do was, he nodded slowly. His eyes wandering out the window, thinking to the Sinoxyn trials. The things that they were doing. The public had no idea about the trials, they were top secret. The public didn’t even know they were in the process of testing vaccinations. ”You think that justifies it? All the things we’re doing?” He asked as he looked over at her.
She complained about the coffee over seas and he suggested what she should get. He knew what she would like but she still seemed uncertain about it. Thomas missed the first look that Brooke shot him and the meaning behind it. But as they move forward to the window, he knew that he was doomed. He couldn’t help the dread that welled in him as she spoke. He felt mortified, he couldn’t protest the barista was at the window.
Thomas watched on with horror as Brooke spoke to the woman. He didn’t recognize her, but apparently, they had gone to school together. Thomas resisted the urge to sink down in the passenger seat. He could feel the heat creeping up his neck and into his cheeks, he was grateful for the mask he wore. He stayed silent as the two females chatted, there was a weird tone to it, the only kinda voice two females used when talking to each other. It sounded weird and fake. He was wishing he had just walked the rest of the way after all. Then the drinks were being passed through the window and he could see the end was in sight. Until she told Lydia to write her name on his cup. Lydia didn’t argue, she jotted it down.
He took the cup as it was offered, Brooke winked at him. As soon as the window was rolled up and they pulled away she spoke again. He let her speak, but he chimed in right after she was done. ”Im not going to call her.” Thomas went on before she could say anything else. ”We’re in the middle of a pandemic! I’m not going to hook up with some chick from high school. It would be carless to date anyone right now.” He felt like he was scolding her, the words came out before he could think better of it. He still felt red and hot, ”I have enough to worry about with work.” He added, there was a finality to his words. He didn’t need her running around trying to hook him up with people.
He knew that any relationship he entered wouldn’t be an honest one. There were things about his work that he couldn’t talk about. There were ramifications if he talked about his work to anyone. The lawyers and HR had made that very clear to him. There were things he would have to keep from people, it was the reason he had distanced himself from most of his friends. It was the reason he hadn’t been looking to date. ”Sorry, I just don’t want to date.” He swirled the contents of his coffee cup. ”I just think its better to be alone right now.” He admitted looking down at his cup.
His attention went to her as she spoke, she had noticed the exits. The statement left him with more questions than answers. Who was she that she needed to be watched? He didn’t personally know anyone with a bodyguard. It seemed like a little bit of an outdated thing. He wasn’t even sure what kind of person would need a bodyguard. If that was in fact the type of person who was watching her. ”Guess I’ve never had to be the type of person to look for them.” He admitted, more curious then before.
She echoed his concern and questions. How long with this take? How long would the raid last for? How long until someone came and found them? She questioned when the station would open, ”curfews over at six am. The trains start running about an hour before for non civilians that need to get to work.” Thomas pulled out his own phone looking to the lock screen for the time. ”We have a couple of hours till it opens.” He shoved his phone back into his pocket as she illuminated the space around them with her own phone.
He glanced to the door, as if someone was going to break it down at any second. He had no idea how long they would be in here, introducing himself seemed like a good option. His eyes were on her as she stepped forward, closer to him in the small space. She offered her name, Aelin. She set her phone down as a light source, the light caught all the angles of her face from bellow. She was young than him by a couple of years, but not much. She sat, making herself comfortable on the floor a few feet from him. He glanced at the door before he made his way to the floor as well. Sitting facing her, keeping the distance she had place between them.
The smile on her face helped to put his nerves at ease. He couldn’t help but offer a smile back when she asked him about dancing. Even though they were locked in a supply closet she seemed to be in high spirits. ”Not exactly. Always been more of a beer holding head bobber.” He went on after a slight pause. ”A friend dragged me out, he of course took off at the first sign of a pretty face. I guess I’m just questioning why I would put myself at risk over a party. I don’t know if you’ve heard but theres this virus going around.” His words were a tease as he spoke, everyone knew about the virus. It was kinda the hot topic around the world.
He drummed his fingers against his knees, feeling the nervous energy of knowing he was trapped here. He knew that it would be a long few hour’s if they didn’t talk, but he didn’t know what to talk about. The weather? That seemed boring at best. Aelin broke the silence as she popped off her heels, she wanted to know if he was from around here. ”Born and raised,” he started off knowing he couldn’t leave it at that he went on. ”Went to Lethford High School, than the university. Im guessing Im a few years older than you because I don’t recognize you. I was in Cadets for years, my dad wanted me to be a solider. I didn’t exactly live up to expectations.” He admitted, there was always the chance she wasn’t from here. ”What about you? Im guessing you ditched whoever was watching you? Please don’t tell me you are a princess or something.” He inquired after her earlier comment, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Falling into a routine had been good for him. Wake up, go for a run, head to work, stay late, go home, water his sole aloe vera plant, than try and sleep. It was simple, but it kept him focused. With the new restrictions in place there wasn’t much else to do. It was harder now that he couldn’t see anyone, he felt himself drifting from everyone. Texts went unanswered longer, he didn’t actively seek people out. He couldn’t make plans, he couldn’t see anyone. He didn’t see much of a point in trying to keep up with everyone. He knew it wasn’t the greatest way to look at it, but he couldn’t help it. He was tired of hearing about how over the virus people were, how they were tired of wearing masks. He just didn’t want to deal with it, it was the other reason he was staying off of social media. His sad attempt at mental survival.
Work was where he was happiest. He kept staying later, because being at work was better than being in his empty apartment. Besides, there was always something to do. He liked being busy, he liked not thinking.
His fingers moved across the keyboard before him. Data entry from his latest study. The keys made a satisfying clicking noise as he worked. He was absorbed in his work, he didn’t notice his boss at the door until they wrapped on it with their knuckles. Thomas looked to the door, fingers still moving across the key board. ”Hey,” he greeted simply. She seemed in phased that he continued to type as she spoke. ”Thomas, we have a new employee starting today. Show him around, get him up to speed. He will be joining us in the trials.” Thomas paused his typing, ”alright. When do I have to meet them?” He glanced to the clock as she spoke again. ”They are with HR right now signing the non-disclosure agreement for the trial. They’ll be another hour.” He nodded, ”not a problem”.
An hour later he was walking towards the section of the building that held the HR end legal departments. The non-disclosure agreement was extensive. The public had no idea about the trials, a select few did even at Prism. They were kept under lock and key, the legal ramifications were steep. But he had heard of people going missing from Prism. He didn’t really believe that, people didn’t just go missing. He had no doubt they had moved onto bigger and better things. He just tried not to dwell on it for too long.
He stopped before the open HR door, knocking before stepping in. Like everyone else at Prism he wore a mask as per the policy. ”Im here for the new hire.” He informed the two figures in the room. Than he looked at who the new hire was. ”We just finished. Good timing as always Thomas.” The HR worker spoke but Thomas wasn’t listening. ”Gray?” It came out as a question more than anything else. Confusion and happiness were the two emotions he felt at once. Gray was the last person he had expected to see here at Prism. One of his closest friends, the urge to greet the other with a hug was over whelming. ”Your the new hire?” He couldn’t help but ask even though it was apparent.
The day of the funeral was a painful blur for him. He had never been to a military funeral before, they had taken care of everything. There hadn’t been any planning on their end which had almost made it worse. There was no lead up to it, it was just suddenly there. All eyes on him and his father. There had been no caring or love between them that day. Thomas hadn’t been exactly friendly since his mother had died. His father had stepped out, unable to handle watching his wife die. His brother hadn’t been much better, their family hadn’t been the same since she died. She had been a glue holding them together. Brooke had been there with her family, he had sensed the sigh of relief both her parents had that day. It had been Charles and not Brooke.
”I still regret it.” He informed in regard to how she had treated her during and after the funeral. He had shut out everyone, his father who had turned to alcohol. Brooke who had tried to send him messages. He had focused on his work, grew a few work friends. But he had struggled alone through it, because he had wanted too. He couldn’t help but give her a side eyed look. Not believe for a second, she had never gotten him, and Charles confused. When they had been younger, they would wear each others clothes. They may have looked the same but their personalities had been what set them apart.
He pushed on, coffee and asking about where she was staying. They seemed like better topics than dead twin brothers. Plus, he wanted to know more about her and what her life was like now. It seemed important to fill in those gaps. She snorted like what he had said was amusing. He didn’t know why but he had thought they would help her to reintegrate. He had never really thought of what happened when they returned home. When his dad had come home his mother had been waiting for him with a house. He hadn’t thought what it would be like for those who didn’t have a significant other back home.
”You’re staying at the military barracks?” He couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose at that. Living with a bunch of other people didn’t seem like the greatest idea during a pandemic. But he wasn’t sure they had many options with all the manpower they needed. He had seen the riots on the news, how part of the hospital had been destroyed. Everything felt like it was held together with a hair pin trigger. There was no telling when riots would break out again. ”Really? Cause it kinda sounds horrible.” He couldn’t help but mutter. ”You just do your thing?” He wasn’t really sure what her job description was other than escort for him. ”Were you involved in stopping the riots? Or at least attempting too?”
His focus shifted as they pulled into the drive through, he pulled out his card extending it to her. She wanted to know what his order was, if it was still just black coffee. ”Double expresso on ice.” The words flowed with ease, telling how many times he had ordered it. Caffeine was what ruled his life these days with the long work hours. ”You need me to order for you? Or did your reintegration package come with a 'how too for coffee?' You might like one of the holiday drinks.” He was squinting at the menu as he spoke. "Get an Irish cream cold brew. You'll thank me." He leaned back into his seat as he spoke, holding up his card for her to use.
It had been happening for a month, every week he got the page, it was like clockwork. There was apart of him that dreaded that weekly page. It meant one more participant for the trial. It meant one more test subject. He knew he should be happy to have more participants, but it was hard to be excited when he had seen what they went through. It wasn’t a smooth process by any means, there was a laundry list of side effect. All of them resulting in death, some died quickly, but for some it was a slow agonizing death.
He hadn’t asked Puck the ‘where’ yet. He hadn’t wanted to know how the man had been luring them in. Or where he picked them up. Thomas wasn’t naïve, he knew that Prism was paying Puck to bring in health people. He knew that Puck had been placed in this position after almost getting turned over to the authorities for attempted theft. Thomas also knew that the participants weren’t told the truth about what would be done to them. They had no idea what they were walking into until it was too late. He had to play his part as well, it was a game he was getting frighteningly good at.
Stepping out of the elevator bank he made his way to the front desk. His hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans, his Prism identification badge hung on a lanyard, the plastic bouncing against his chest as he moved. His shirt was sage green, everything about him screamed average. ”Puck,” he greeted the man as he came to a stop before them. His eyes going to the young female that was with the man. She was blonde, young, no visible abnormalities to her. She was a god candidate. ”Welcome to Prism BioTech, I’m Thomas.” It was a simple greeting, one had used often the last month. He smiled under his mask, the skin around his eyes wrinkling.
His eyes went back to Puck, wondering what the man had promised her. Before he could ask, and before Puck could speak up the young pre-med spoke. Her words were rushed if not a little nervous. ”Puck said that he could get me a tour, and that while I’m here I could get my flu shot?” Thomas’s attention was on her as she spoke. He didn’t look to Puck until after she was done. It was a quick glance at the male. ”Of course, that isn’t a problem. Common, follow me.” Thomas indicated to where he had come from as he spoke, leading the way towards the elevators.
Thomas paused, swiping his pass by the box beside the elevator buttons before shoving his finger against the down arrow. The light on the box went from red to green. Thomas glanced to the female, ”I cant say this tour will be overly exciting. I can show you my lab-“ his words were cut off as she spoke. ”That would be amazing!” Thomas glanced to Puck, seeing if the younger man felt the same way he did. She was so excited to walk into her downfall. She had no idea what she was really in for.
Her hand found his in the chaos. He held onto her as tightly as she gripped him. He tried to shield her the best he could as they moved. The bodies moving against them weren’t kind. His body was thrown this way and that as they moved. He kept his attention on the exit behind the stage. People were panicked, running for the biggest opening they could. He and whoever he had picked up were the only ones not making their way to an obvious exit. This was a gamble and if it didn’t work out it would be on him. Thomas had no idea what was behind the door to the rear of the stage. It had to be better than being bottle necked in with the rest of the people at the party.
He was a biochemist, working for one of the top research companies. What would it look like if he was caught here? What would happen if he was arrested? How would it look for someone like him to be at a supposedly secret underground party? Not good. If he was caught and arrested, it wasn’t going to be a slap on his hand. He couldn’t let that happen.
They didn’t let go of each other as they moved through the door. It was dark in the hallway, he almost tripped going up the stairs. He could hear his heartbeat in his head as they ran. The end was in sight, the harsh red glow of the exit sign seemed to mock them. They were almost to the door, a few more strides and they would be through it.
Thomas came to a stop as the female did. He could hear them now, police coming toward them through the door before them. His chest worked from the effort of running. Shit. It was the only thing that rattled through his mind. He was frozen, staring at the door. Her hand was still in his, she was the one pulling him now. Back the way they had come, he wanted to protest. Going back the way they had come wouldn’t help. But it was better than facing the police head on, maybe they could go back- they could hide under the stage maybe. His mind was racing trying to figure out an option.
She opened a door, pulling him inside with her. As soon as he was inside, he heard the click of the doors lock. Her hand left his, he could hear her shuffle in the room. It was dark, he strained to see even though there was no light except for what filtered in through the crack under the door. They were in a supply closet, the smell of chemicals hit him full force as he entered. He tried to slow his breathing as he heard the police approaching. Every muscle in his body tensed as they moved past the door, one little door separated them from being caught.
He was listening to the sounds outside the door. The officers moving past and into the underground club. He wasn’t sure how long they were in silence before she spoke, pulling his attention to her in the darkness. She hadn’t moved from her position near the far wall. ”I should be thanking you, I didn’t even see this closet.” He had been so focused on getting out he hadn’t been paying attention to his surroundings.
”How long do you think we should stay here?” They could make a run for it, or they could stay and wait it out. They had no idea how many officers were here. They had no idea where they were staged or how big this operation was, how many were waiting outside for squirters? There was no telling how thoroughly they would search the space. ”Either way, my names Thomas. I’m really starting to wish I hadn’t been dragged here tonight.” The last words were almost a grumble. He would be giving Brad hell for this.
Face Claim: Open Age: 25-30 Male or female welcome Co worker at Prism BioTech OR Corrupt government official
Plot Idea - Thomas Moore is working at Prism BioTech as a Biochemist working on the Sinoxyn Trials. A secret government trial that is being lead by Prism BioTech. Prism isn't playing by the usual rules when it comes to this trial. Prism has partnered with a group of secret government offices, most of which are corrupt. The scientist at Prism are working out of the public eye. Prism isn't found of people getting cold feet when it comes to the trials. Those who wish to leave are killed or silenced.
- Your character could be a co worker at Prism or a corrupt government official. One who knows Thomas and has worked along side him. I want them to be friends. If you wanted too we could discuss them being more, or less.
- It would start off with them being 'in it together'. Them both believing in the cause, in what they are doing. But after a while Thomas starts to doubt how much good they are really doing and starts to pull back or question the trials. He or She would stay true to the trials and would keep believing they are good while Thomas starts to stray from it. It would be a conflicted sort of friend ship. He would want to trust Her or Him in what they are doing but he would have a hard time putting aside everything they are doing in the name of a cure.
*Totally open to any changes you want to add to make the character your own*
Also interested in any other Prism characters you may have in mind, feel free to hit me up on Discord!
He wasn’t sure he would have been able to get through the call that day if it had come from her. He hadn’t heard most of what the man on the other line had said anyways. It had been like hearing underwater. Even after three years he could still remember it, the emotion was still so strong. Like a deep ache in his chest. People had told him that time would heal him, but he still felt it. He had a feeling he would always feel it. ”I don’t know if I could have either.” He admitted, glad that she felt the same.
Running away. It was the reason he hadn’t talk to her at the funeral. It was the reason he had stopped answering her, because if he ran away, he wouldn’t have to deal with it. Putting it off seemed like a better solution than facing it. Her hand was on his forearm. He stopped, he hadn’t even reached his bag before she had grabbed him. He froze, he couldn’t look at her even though he could feel her eyes on him. It was amazing how she used his name, how the variations of his name meant different things. It always felt so natural coming from her.
She spoke, there was pain in her voice too. He hadn’t approached her, but he hadn’t stopped to think where that had left her. It was only him and his father left. His dad had turned into a drunk while he had stepped away. He had left her to wallow in his own grief. She let him go, like simply touching him could possibly infect either of them. She informed him that he couldn’t go, that they still needed coffee. She informed him that she had missed him, he felt an ache in his chest. He swallowed hard, glad half his face was hidden from her.
He was steeling himself enough to look at her, he took another long second before he did. Her gaze on him seemed intense with emotion, he knew it was mirrored in his own. ”I should have talked to you the day of the funeral. I wasn’t the best person, I thought that if I didn’t talk about it I wouldn’t have to accept the fact he was dead.” He shrugged, dropping his gaze from her. Lips pressed tightly for a moment before he pressed on. ”I miss him. But I thought you wouldn’t want to see me, that it would be like seeing his ghost. I was just trying to run from it. Three years later and it still sucks.” He let out a sad sort of chuckle as he glanced down at his lap.
Clearing his throat, he forced himself to look up. ”Coffee sounds great though.” He tried to push forward, trying to throw some cheer into his voice as he spoke. Clearly trying to push past all of the emotion that he was feeling. ”Where are you staying? Did they put you up somewhere?” From what he had gathered she had been in town for three weeks. She had to be settled by now, but he couldn’t help but ask. He had no idea what she had done with all of her belongings when she and his brother had shipped out. Charles had thrown a lot of his belongings at Thomas.
He could tell that she was on the fence about what was happening. He couldn’t blame her, she was in a different position than him. She had to deal with it all firsthand and enforce it. He could see where she was coming from, it wasn’t something that was easy. People were gathering against government and scientific advisement. They were putting people at risk along with themselves. He missed people, he missed all of the things he used to do before the pandemic had taken hold. He missed pubs, and organized sports. He missed Muay Thai and the dudes he used to spar with. He missed it all, but he wasn’t willing to throw a party and possibly infect them all.
He tried to glaze over the fact that he had just admitted he didn’t have that many friends. He knew people, but it didn’t mean they were his friends. They were people he knew, interacted with. They didn’t hang out very weekend, he had skipped all those meaningful connections. Focusing on work instead. He offered to have her over and he couldn’t help the half panicked look he shot her as she mentioned Netflix and chill. ”What! No. That’s not what I meant.” He felt the need to defend himself, his offer had been innocent. Charles had been the one to want in her pants, bro code had stopped him from trying. Besides, Charles had always seemed like the clear choice.
He watched her hands go to the wheel as he spoke. It was hard not to think of his brother with her. She had been a functional part of there lives. They had basically grown up together. She had been beside his brother over seas. She had been through it with his brother, he felt like he owed her something. She affirmed that Charles would have wanted him to have the dog tags. They felt heavy in his pocket, he had attached them to his keys when his brother had died. He hadn’t felt like he deserved to wear them around his neck. But he always had his keys, it felt like a good place to keep them.
He didn’t know where all of this was coming from. But he needed to say it. Maybe this was his only chance too. But he had to get it off his chest. Silence followed and he worried he had said something wrong, he was trying to figure out what to say. He had to say something to make this better. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything at all. She cleared her throat, the first noise since he had stopped talking. She pulled over the car and he felt like he had said something wrong. An apology was quick to his lips as he looked over at her. ”I’m sorry I shouldn’t-“ Her words cut off his, she wouldn’t look at him. He felt like all of the air was being squeezed out of his chest.
He didn’t know how to take in what she was saying. He could see the guilt in every word she spoke. Her eyes were anywhere but on his face. How hard was it to look at him? Was it like seeing a ghost? He had his brother had been carbon copies except for Charles build being more muscular. He didn’t know what to do with the apology she was offering. To hear her say she was sorry she couldn’t save him. Thomas dropped his eyes, feeling grief bloom in his chest for his brother. ”I don’t want you to be sorry.” Thomas focused on the dash of the car. ”No one could have stopped it, you guys were in a war zone.”
Thomas cleared his throat, struggling through the emotion that seemed to sit in it. ”I knew he was dead before they called.” He cleared his throat a second time, he brought his hand up. Scratching at his neck, the need to do something. ”They say twins can sense when the others hurt, I felt like I had been hit by a bus all that day. I haven’t felt the same since he died, I don’t know if I’ll ever feel completely like myself again.” Thomas couldn’t help but sniffle, fighting back the emotion that threatened to over take him. He tried to pass it off with a chuckle, but it didn’t sound right. ”I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I just miss him. You’re one of the few people left that knew him.” He swallowed hard, ”I can leave. It’s a couple of blocks.” He reached down to grab his brown bag and his brief case. Readying to leave.
He could tell the man was just as surprised to see him. Neither of them had been expecting visitors, or maybe he hadn’t expected Thomas to stick around. He knew countless others that would have tried to sneak away without being noticed. But the man stood between him and coffee. He wasn’t willing to back down that easily. Even if it meant conversing with the owner of the company. Joseph stepped to the side, gesturing to the pot. Thomas’s words were echoed back to him. The younger male whipped his hands against each other as he stepped forward, a nervous motion.
He was glad to have something to focus his attention on. Grabbing the pot, he went to the sink to fill it with water. Hyperaware of the mans continued presence in the room, the scrape of a chair and the older mans weight settled into it. Thomas worked as he heard the man fight to stifle a yawn, Thomas’s body instantly wanted to yawn as well as he poured the water into the coffee maker. He heard paper moving, glancing over his shoulder he watched as the man considered the words before him. Thomas couldn’t read the mans expression. He didn’t know how he would feel to be in the mans place, to have the world watching and waiting for your company to produce a cure to a deadly virus. His attention went back to the task at hand, scooping out coffee grounds into the filter basket.
Joseph’s words caught him by surprise, not the context of the question but rather how his words broke the silence. How many people worked for Prism BioTech? For all Joseph knew he could be a janitor. Thomas was more than content with being an employee identification number to the man sitting at the table. It wasn’t often he talked about his job title, much less what he did for the company. He liked to leave it vague at best. The nondisclosure agreements he had signed had made sure he always chose his words carefully. He glanced towards the small door to the break room. As if someone would come around the corner at any moment at catch them.
This was the president of company, he had to know about everything that was going on. Right? Still he spoke carefully as he kept one eye on the door. ”Uh- um. Thomas Moore I’m actually just in the process of transitioning to a new department.” Thomas hesitated, it was clear he wasn’t sure if he should be talking about it, even to someone like Joseph. ”I’ll be joining the team working on the Sinoxyn trials.” Thomas went on, as if trying to bury what he had just said, ”I’m just trying to make the transition as smooth as possible.”
”And I of course know who you are.” There was a joke to the words, his sad attempt at cutting the tension he felt. Flicking the On button he was greeted with the sounds of the coffee maker percolating. Thomas leaned his lower back against the counter, facing Joseph once again unwilling to join the man at the table.
The man hadn’t seemed to take his eyes off the paper before him, Thomas was just trying to figure out what to say next when the man broke the silence. His words were hard to read, they held a joking tone but he couldn’t help but feel a slight undertone to them. He had never met the man before, he let a nervous chuckle leave him. ”No pressure.”
Joseph flipped the page of the newspaper, the virus was on the front page everyday. Sometimes it lost focus as the media focused in on the military presence, curfew, and riots. Everything just seemed to be compounding, Thomas had to wonder how long it would be until something broke. ”Can’t be easy seeing the competition getting so much attention. People are saying that the Advotex trials are what will save them.” Thomas tilted his head indicating the paper the man was reading. He knew that at the public had mixed feelings about a vaccine. There would always be anti vaxxer’s in the world spouting lies about the vaccines and spreading fear.
”I don’t envy the position you’re in. Being a number on a spread sheet is much more my speed. Having all eyes on you cant be easy.” He paused for half a second before going on. ”Is that why you’re hiding out in the employee break room?” The words were half a tease and half curiosity as he tilted his head watching the man. Maybe he was crazy for engaging the man like this, but what better way to get a feel for things than to ask the man himself?
There was so much he wasn’t telling her. So much he wanted the tell her. The time apart had done nothing to dampen his friend ship towards her. They were older, they had both led very different lives the last few years. But it felt so comfortable with her. He hated how at ease he felt, he hated how much he wanted to tell her. What would she think of him if he told her the truth? What would she think of the lengths they were willing to go to in order to find a cure? Would she still tell him he was doing good work than? He wasn’t so sure. He believed in what he was doing, but he knew people would push back if they really knew the truth.
She spoke of home raids, how she hadn’t participated yet. He felt like he was testing the water with his next words. ”Is it really so bad? The home raids are meant for those who are breaking the rules. Those who are gathering in an unsafe manner. Don’t get me wrong it sucks that you have to enforce them. But aren’t they a good thing?” He saw people gathering for parties, and weddings. It was hard to feel sympathy for them when they were being so unsafe. They were gathering with no precautions. Was if so bad the police and military were stepping in? He took off his mask with a joke. She commented about how it had felt to take off her armour. He felt it again. How different they were now, how much they had changed over the years. She had fought in a war while he had hide behind a microscope. He felt like he owed her something, but nothing felt good enough. ”Ill keep that in mind.”
He couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose as she admitted she was the person he hated. But than she offered to drink with him the next time he felt the need to pound back a couple. He smiled under his mask, his eyes wrinkling slightly with the expression. ”Ill keep that in mind.”
He brought up coffee and he could feel the tension at the request. He knew it was a divination from the plan. But he hadn’t eaten since at least 7 am. He needed something, coffee sounded like the best option. He pressed a little harder, it didn’t take much before she caved. ”Fine drive thru it is.” He agreed quickly before she could change her mind. He knew he was adding more risk to what they were doing, but they were in an unmarked car. He wasn’t exactly high profile in the company. It all felt like minimum risk. If anything having an escort felt extreme.
She wanted to know when they would have drinks. She seemed to press that it would all be done safely. She seemed to be hyper aware of her uniform and what it looked like when she was in it. He shrugged, glancing at her. ”Pretty sure that I could extend my social circle to include you. It’s not like I have friends I interact with outside of work. Besides I think it’s fair to say that both of our jobs require a high level of cation. If anything I’m safer hanging with you than some chick off Tinder.” He couldn’t help but shake his head, clearly amused at her reminder of the past. ”Cant say I’m the same kid I used to be.” It was hard to remember the past, a past where his brother had been alive. ”If you’re going to be in my circle than I guess the least I could do is invite you over for a movie. But be warned, I will throw pillows at you if you talk during the movie.”
He paused, glancing out the window beside him. There was nothing interesting to see. The streets were bare at best. Most people were being cautious. ”I should have given you his dog tags at the funeral.” He spoke the words as he looked back to her, they both knew what he was talking about. He didn’t know where it had come from, but he had needed to say it. ”I hardly talked to him after mom died. I should have, but I didn’t.” He paused, glancing at the road a head of them. ”They always tell you that they could die in combat. But I never though it would be him. I thought he was better than it.” He had never stopped feeling the loss of his twin brother. Like someone was touching a raw nerve at all times. ”I never thought I would lose him to a gun fight.”
”Are you sure this is a good idea?” He shouted the words over the beat of the music, it didn’t matter his friend Brad was already laughing. Brad shoved a drink into his hand, he watched the other mouth the words lighten up. He wasn’t even sure how he had gotten here; a couple of drinks had led to a metro ride and now he was here. Brad was a wild child, he should have known better than to trust him to pick the nights activities. Thomas was left alone on the packed dance floor as Brad found a pretty, tipsy, blonde to dance with. Brad shot Thomas a thumbs up from his position on the dance floor, as if that would make up for him being ditched.
The music was loud, he could feel the base in his bones. Lights flickered on and off to the beat of the music. There was a wild energy that filled the space. It was hard not to get sucked into the energy of it all. His feet stuck to the floor from spilt drinks. There was at least fifty people packed together, what if one of them was infected? This was the perfect environment for a super spreader to take them all out. He shook his head, not allowing the thought to take hold.
Thomas brought the red cup to his lips, drinking back the contents. Thomas picked up another cup as it passed, tipping those contents back as well. Trying to give himself some liquid courage as he was pulled deeper into the bodies on the dance floor. He moved his body the best he could, he was an awkward dancer at best. But the thrash of bodies around him told him it didn’t matter, everyone was just trying to have a good time. Everyone was just trying to forget what their lives had turned into.
He wasn’t sure how long it had been when he heard the sirens, people began to scream. There was a chaotic energy that set in. People were running for the exits, trying to get out before the police descended on them. Thomas’s body was shoved this way and that as people rushed past him. No one cared, he could see the back of Brads head as he exited the space. It would seem it was every man for himself. Thomas was forced towards the door with the crowd, he almost tripped on the body on the floor. People were stepping over her, their goal to get out as fast as possible.
Thomas reached down, helping her to her feet even as the bodies around him shoved him. ”You okay?” He yelled the words as he got her to her feet, keeping her close as the crowd threatened to send them both to the ground. ”Common!” He shouted the word as he tried his best to help her towards the door. The music had cut out and all that could be heard was screaming and the sound of sirens. There was no comradery now to the crowd, it was every man for himself and it showed.
There were two ways out and they were both bottle necked with people, Thomas looked around in a wild motion. Trying to see another way out. The DJ and other event staff were leaving out a door behind the makeshift stage. Thomas pointed, dropping his head so that his mouth was closer to her ear so that she could hear him. ”There!” They would have to fight against the stream of people, but it was better than being stuck in the bottle neck or to run directly into the police.
He wasn’t sure it would ever be the same. That’s the part that bothered him the most. Even if they were able to find a vaccine that was effective would it be enough to allow the world to revert back to the way things were? It was clear that there world had been broken, the virus had taken root quickly because of it. Could they really go back? Could they chance it? Virus’s mutated, there was an under lying threat to it all.
He just needed a break. A second the breath. Leaving work meant going home to his small apartment, the blackouts meant he couldn’t even binge Netflix to drown out the world. What he desperately wanted was to go, sit in a pub and have a drink. He didn’t even need to have someone there with him. He just missed the feel of being in a busy space. The white noise of people around him having fun and the buzz of conversation. He missed the energy of it, the feel of it. He knew it was selfish to crave something that had used to be a luxury as the world went to shit. But he couldn’t help it.
He had no purpose as he left work, checking his watch to see the time. Curfew was in two hours. Another reminder of how much the world had changed. Thomas stood there for a moment on the sidewalk. Feeling displaced in the world around him. He had no desire to go home to his one house plant and the silence. He didn’t have a plan as he walked to the grocery store but one quickly formed as he walked through the doors. His identification badge hung from a lanyard around his neck, it bounced against his chest as he walked. He was so used to wearing it he forgot about it. He knew that what he was doing was stupid, but maybe he needed a little stupid.
Five minutes later he walked out with a brown paper bag, the clink of bottles sounded as he walked. There was a park between work and his apartment, that’s where he went. Other people were walking through the park. Most people were being socially distant while some were not. He had seen the riots, knew that the city was at a breaking point. Some people didn’t even believe in the virus, others felt there rights were being stripped. As someone who was fighting for a vaccine he couldn’t help but be a little mad at the people who thought this was all one big government conspiracy. He let out a huff of air, trying to clear the train of thought that had started. He needed a break, and he intended to take one.
Finding a bench off the path a little Thomas sat, the paper bag beside him. He reached into it and grabbed a beer, popping the cap off with the bottle opener on his key chain. He tossed his mask onto the bench and took a long drink from the bottle. The liquid felt heavenly as it went down. He hadn’t realized how much he had needed this. He leaned back, people watching as he drank his beer in the park. People shot him glances as they passed, he didn’t let it bother him. No one approached him, some even gave him a wide berth.
Finn LaSalle - if it doesn’t work let me know haha!
