| To those who read about it in the paper it was an isolated, unfortunate event. Those with a medical background recognized the circumstances as unique and worth attention. Most citizens, like Davis James didn’t even know what had happened. Amelia Franklin, age 4, had been brought into St. Matthias’ Community Hospital at 7:30 AM, on July 12. At approximately 7:00, Amelia’s parents reported, she ceased eating her breakfast and began to exhibit signs of illness. Without warning she started vomiting, she grew extremely weak physically and began to drift in and out of consciousness. Rightfully concerned, Amelia’s parents rushed her to St. Matthias’. The doctors were perplexed. Even if Amelia had been coherent enough to recognize the significance of being the first victim of a mystery illness, she wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the fame. The tragic death of Amelia Franklin, age 4, took place at St. Matthias’ Community Hospital at 12:16 PM, Monday, July 12. The medical community was shocked. A never before seen disease, whose first victim had displayed symptoms for a brief five hours before they died – this was not typical fare for the average physician. The public was generally unaware of the significance of this event. However, a number took notice while reading a report on the deaths of Stu Evans and Cindy Allen printed in the Tribune the following day. Evans and Allen, two nurses at St. Matthias’, had apparently died from a swift acting disease that doctors at St. Matthias’ had not yet identified. By Thursday, 127 people, including Amelia Franklin had contracted the yet unidentified illness. Four days prior the mysterious epidemic had been unheard of, now 34 people were dead, 93 more were dying and the city began to worry. At this point, everyone, including Davis James, was beginning to feel very nervous. Davis James did not expect to look out of his window on the morning of Friday, July 16 and see four lanes of traffic completely filled with unmoving cars. He understood what was happening: people were getting out of the city while they still could. On the sidewalk he found a cop attempting to direct traffic. “What’s going on?” He asked the cop. “Quarantine’s been laid down on the whole St. Matthias’ area. No one’s being allowed in or out.” The cop replied. He was sweating, looked panicked. “So what’s all this about?” asked Davis, eyeing the unending line of motorists. Closer now, he saw that the cars were full – whole families packed in with luggage, leaving town. “Everyone’s trying to get out, and fast,” the cop was talking quickly; he sounded like he was from Wisconsin. “Rumor going around town that the governor’s about to close off the whole city. Keep all the sick guys contained.” Now Davis was beginning to feel panicked as well. “And the rest of us, who aren’t sick?” “Well I guess we’re just supposed to understand that the men in suits don’t have any idea what to do and sit down and wait to die like good citizens.” He spat scornfully and swore. Just then a Buick, running a red light, slammed into a minivan. The cop turned and ran over to the accident. Leaving, Davis looked back; the driver of the Buick had gotten out, and was clinging to the cop’s collar. His arms were covered in hives, and his face was drawn, his eyes looked like they were about to fall out of his head, and his mouth, red and bloody, was drooping open. The cop looked like he was about to lose control of his bladder. Davis turned and ran as fast as he could. By Saturday morning, life in the city had effectively come to a halt. Davis had spent the rest of Friday watching the news. The chief of police announced that quarantine had indeed been placed on the St. Matthias’ district. The populous was encouraged to stay calm and to not rush to get out of the city. Meanwhile, 300 more people had been infected. |
| A Gothic Horror Story |