Amy

When we finally breathed the stale city air I was glad.  The stench of the city was masked along with our faces.  People were still shouting to get into Penn Station while others were running away wearing the same government issued facemasks. On each mask was printed: Prop. of the US gov.

As we rushed away from the train station people trying to enter the Madison Garden station shouted at us.

"What's with the masks?"

"Has there been a bio attack?"

"Is it a gas leak?"

Jo and I didn't bother to stop and answer questions. Neither of us knew the answers and we needed to find our sisters.

We noticed an elderly gentleman wearing the same mask but it had slipped under his nose. The military police in a Humvee stopped him. "Pull up your mask, old man. "

"But I have bronchitis. It's so hard to breathe." The older man wheezed as he tried to catch his breath."

The officer ordered the elderly man to be put into the back of the truck and he drove off.
Shivers ran up my spine. "Did you see that Jo?"

"Yes Amy, keep moving. Don't look at anyone. And whatever you do--don't cough!"

I objected, "If we keep running at this pace I'm gonna hack up a lung."

Jo stopped dead in her tracks. She held me squarely by the shoulders. "Listen Amy. Whatever this pandemic is--whether it's manmade or government issued, pretend or insanely real--we need to appear healthy. Do you understand? It's not a joke."

Another military vehicle drove by.  Its speakers blaring,  "Citizens are to remain 6 feet apart from one another at all times. Citizens not obeying this law will be fined and or incarcerated. Please remain indoors unless it is absolutely essential. Vehicles, other than government vehicles will be impounded. A mandatory curfew is in effect from 6PM to 6AM..."

Jo let go of my shoulders and walked six paces in front of me. "We need to stay this far apart." Then she began briskly walking to 24th street. "Quickly on Amy! We gotta find Beth."

My feet ached. "I'm never wearing heels again."

Jo clicked her tongue. "That's the smartest thing you've ever said in your life!"

As we went down a side street I complained, "Don't get fresh with me Jo March. If it's the end of the world you should be nicer to me. What would mother say?"

"Amy, you're brilliant!"

"So now I'm brilliant Jo?"

"Look, I'm sorry Amy. We just have to be careful--be sensible. How many of mom's journals do you have with you?"

While maintaining 6 feet distance I shouted, "Just one."

Jo got excited."Me too! Hopefully Meg and Beth will have at least one of each of them. Maybe we can get to the bottom of this."

"Jo, do you really think our mother could predict the future?"

"Nah..." Jo replied. "But she was close to the One who could."

As we approached the Chelsy district we spotted Jo's friend Sara sitting on the front steps.

Jo rushed to her side. "What's wrong Sarah?" Sarah tensed up.

At first Sarah didn't recognise us because of our masks.

Jo pulled down her mask briefly. "It's me Sarah. I'm Jo Marsh."

"Oh?" Sarah burst into tears and clung to Jo and sobbed."

Jo asked, "What's happened Sarah?

Sirens grew closer.

Jo helped Sarah up. "Look, we need to get indoors now. It's nearly 6PM."

I opened the front door as Jo led Sarah inside.

Sarah stopped at the stairs. "It's Allie, my roommate. She's dying. I've been to the hospital. They wouldn't let me see her. I can't even say goodbye." She held her face in her hands and wept.