Socially Distanced: A Quarantine Novella

Time doesn

’t mean much here.

Days are long though. Really, really long. In the beginning, I kept the television on, but the news started to make me feel even worse, so I have had it off for several weeks now. I used to sing to myself, but I stopped that, too. I spend more time just sitting on the edge of my bed, staring into space, or hanging out here, staring at the empty streets and getting excited about a vehicle going by.

I sigh, take a long drag off the cigarette, and blow the smoke out into the cool, heavy air.

“I don’t suppose I could convince you to give me one of those?” A feminine voice calls out from my left.

I startle slightly. I didn’t realize someone had been moved into the quarantine pod next to mine. Jake has been gone for over a month, and I only know he didn’t make it since he stopped talking to me. It has been so long since I’ve spoken to another person, I have to clear my throat before I can talk.

“What? A cigarette?”

“Yeah.”

“Not sure how I’d get it to you without getting it wet.”

“It shouldn’t get that wet,” she says. “There’s no wind. You throw it; I’ll catch it.”

I consider this for a minute. Jake and I exchanged a luxury item or two in a similar way though it was strictly forbidden to have any contact with anyone else, quarantined or otherwise.

“You’d better catch it,” I say. “If it falls, I’ll be pissed.”

“Not as much as I will be,” she says with a hollow laugh.

I pull a cigarette out of the pack and lean over the rail. A brunette with long wavy hair and dark eyes leans over as well, smiling at me.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Ready!”

I toss the cigarette carefully, trying to give it a good angle to fall on the balcony in case she misses, but she manages to catch it with both hands.

“You rock!” she says. “Thanks so much!”

“You’re welcome.”

She moves back and out of my field of vision for a moment. I stay leaning against the railing and inhaling the fresh air. Though the rain chills my skin, it’s better than being inside with the stale, recycled air that fills my small room.

“I’m Kendra,” she says, waving at me with the now lit cigarette clasped between her fingers.

“Sean.” I return the wave. “Did you just get here?”

“Yeah, they finally caught up with me.”

“Caught up?” I glare at her, understanding the implications of her words. If I had known she was a runner, I wouldn’t have given her a cigarette. I’m a little surprised she’s so forthcoming with the information. “You ran?”

“What can I say?” She shrugs one shoulder. “I’m a little claustrophobic. How long have you been here?”

“Over four months. Not exactly sure.”

“Wow. Since the beginning then?”

“Just about. I was on that subway with my family.”

“Oh shit.” Her voice drops low. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I clear my throat again. “They went fast, at least.”