Afflicted

"What's going on?" Reese asked as he entered the room and sat on the other couch.

"It's about the water, they're saying something in it was sending some people crazy." I put a finger to my lips as I tried to listen to more.

"Do you think that's what happened to the guy who attacked Devlin?" Jason asked as he joined Reese on the couch.

"That would explain-" Reese began but I shushed him until he shut up.

The news report had moved on to an interview with a doctor in a white lab coat with something that looked suspiciously like blood stains on it.

"It's hard to be one hundred percent sure at the moment, but we are hopeful that the contamination was fairly localised. A very small amount of the toxin got into the water and its effects are only felt by two percent of the population. In short, ninety eight percent of people will be absolutely fine even in the small chance that they were contaminated. We caught this quickly and it looks like we will be able to contain it easily and cure those afflicted given time."

The story moved back to the newsroom and the suited newscaster looked sternly into the camera.

"Still no confirmation on how this contamination occurred but speculation is rife about potential Anti-Pop terrorist plots. How something with such possibility for catastrophe could have made it past the Monitor is a mystery. Stay tuned while the story develops and we bring you the latest news as it happens."

"Shut it off," Reese said quietly and for once I did as he asked. The threat of terrorist plots had always hung on the outskirts of our lives but after what had happened to Devlin, this seemed a little too close to home.

We sat looking at each other in awkward silence until the doorbell made me jump half out of my skin.

I hopped up to answer it and found Lacey waiting on the doorstep. I pulled her into a hug and quickly closed the door behind her.

"I was starting to worry about you!" I said as I led her into the kitchen to get us some drinks.

"Calm down, I'm only a little late," she laughed. "Anyone would think I'd been missing for a week."

"I'm guessing you haven't seen the news about the water then?" I asked.

"No. Was I right about the terrorists?" she asked, sensing my anxiety.

"Maybe. They don't know for sure but something got into the water and its making some people go crazy and attack each other. I think that's what happened to Devlin and when you didn't show up, I was starting to worry that someone could have come after you."

"Wow, that's insane," Lacey said. "There were a lot of police cars out patrolling and I did wonder what was going on. I guess they're just keeping an eye out for the crazies!"

"Why don't you just stay here tonight?" I offered. "You shouldn't walk back on your own in the dark with all that’s going on."

"You might have a point," she agreed. "I'll call my mom and see what she says."

I grabbed us a couple of cans of soda from the fridge and put them on the table while I waited for Lacey to get off the phone.

I moved to the back door and slid the dead bolt across as a shiver ran down my spine. I tried to shake off the feeling but it wouldn't budge. Something horrible was happening in the world just outside my window and I wanted nothing more than to lock the doors and never have to face it.

"She says that's a good idea but to call her if you start acting out of character - I guess we've gotta all keep an eye on each other for a few days just in case."

I suppressed a shudder and forced an amused smile onto my face. "Noted. I'll lock the kitchen knives away."

Lacey laughed but I could tell she was faking it. We were both rattled.

"Stupid pizza guy can't find the house," Reese complained as he stomped past the kitchen and headed for the front door.

I wanted to shout for him to stay inside but suppressed the urge as he opened it and went in search of the delivery driver. I could hear the faint buzz of a moped as it drove up and down the streets outside and guessed that was our pizza.

I grabbed some napkins from the cupboard and snagged two more cans of soda from the fridge before heading into the front room again.

Jason looked up from his cellphone as we entered and greeted Lacey with a blush. I dumped the sodas and napkins onto the coffee table and waited for Reese to return with our food. My belly rumbled in anticipation and I took a long slurp of my drink.

Two male voices grew closer to the front door and I cursed as I realised he must have forgotten the money to pay the delivery guy.

I hurried out into the hall, heading for the jar of money that Mom and Dad always left us for when they had to stay in the city. Before I could make it, Reese pushed the front door wide, carrying a stack of pizza boxes. He was followed inside by a man who was a good head taller than him and broad enough to make our hallway look small.