"5:58am"
I looked at my watch and took a deep breath. I should have been home by now but here I am, riding my bike at dawn. Although I was exhausted, I rode as fast as I could since the road was so deserted. It wasn't a week day, so not many people got up this early then let alone drive. It was winter, so the sun wasn't fully up yet. Soon, I reached the board. 'Welcome to Town X'. "Finally.."
*Beep*
6:00am
I gave out a huge sigh and so, slowed down. I was too tired to head to the town so I stepped on the pedals and went straight home. I parked my bike and entered the house. "Liz, I'm home.."
No reply.
"Liz...?"
"Yeah.... I'm here..were you creeped out or something?", She said with a chuckle. "Uhh..not gon lie..so..yeah...a bit...but rest aside, why you on the couch? And more importantly, why you up?"
"Oh you're so adorable when you're worried. I'm fine. I just feel a bit sick", she said and not a minute after saying that, she ducked down and puked. "Ugh..gross...so.. you're fine eh?", I said with a concerned and yet annoyed face. "Really. It's nothing."
"If you say so. You want me to get you anything? The Petersons are open at this time. Probably."
She doesn't usually get that sick, so I was kind of concerned. "Wow. I never thought I'd hear that from you. Now I can die in peace."
"Hey!! You're my sister. Don't think so little of me." I said with an annoyed smile.
"Ok ok. Just get me some milk will ya'? I think the one we have now got spoiled."
"Damnit! It hasn't been that long since we got it right?", I asked. "Dunno. I think yeah."
From the looks of it, she was really sick. She was the older one and even as kids, I don't remember a day when she was completely drained and instead i was the one who got sick all the time. So I've never seen her in this state.
"Whatever. I'll go get it. Meanwhile you stay put. Don't get out of the couch 'kay?"
"Yes ma."
"Tch..bye now. Brb" and I took off. And here I am, again on my bike. How nice. I had to sleep so I tried to get there as fast as i could. It took me about 1 - 2 minutes but i got there. But it's sign said 'Closed'.
I was pretty close with the owner's kids, so I entered it as soon as I saw that they were in.
"Mr. Peterson! Hey. What's going on? Why are you closed? You guys are usually up and running at this time"
"Oh hey there kid. Well, 'apparently' some lunatic drugged some of our milk boxes with some weird shit from a lab. As soon as they heard about it, the police went bonkers and said that we had to close her for today."
"What?! Damn!! They haven't told you what it is though?", I asked.
"Nah. They just dropped by, told us about the situation, asked the customers to get out, ordered us to wrap it up for today and then went back to munching on their donuts. Dipshits."
Mr. Peterson had 3 kids. A pair of twins, Simon and Tom, and an older daughter, Taylor.
"Taylor's not here yet?" I asked.
"Yeah, she's at the back."
After saying so, Mr. Peterson asked me, "So, what's up? Why you here now?"
"Oh..well.. I had to visit one of our relatives in the next town. But while i was gone, Liz got herself sick somehow. I swear to god she was absolutely fine when I left and now...", I sighed.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm the older one here."
"Uh.. I was asking about what you wanted from the store..", Mr. Peterson said.
"OH! UH..milk..yeah..she said that the one she bought had gone bad...heh", I chuckled so as to let go of the embarrassment.
"Oh wait. You're not allowed to sell milk, are you?", I asked with a not so amused tone.
"Uh..yeah...um..NO", said Simon.
Just then, the program that was on the TV was interrupted by an announcement.
"We are sorry for the sudden interruption, but police have received reports on Malcolm Clinton, a 37 year year old worker for WHO, who had created a drug called 'Carnage'. The original purpose of the drug was to be used as a bioweapon. But it was later discovered to be far too dangerous, as the side effects made quite unsettling changes in the human body. On having his creation prohibited from use, Clinton made his move and drugged a large amount of milk boxes sent to many towns including Towns H, U, R, S and X. So the police have bottled the situation by closing all the stores in the respective towns that sell milk and advised all residents to stay indoors. So if you live in one of these towns, please obey the rules mentioned and stay safe."
And the news ended.
"Wait..now ALL OF MY MILK BOXES?! OH COME ON!! I KNOW THERE'S NOTHING IN THEM!! IM GONNA CHECK FOR MYSELF!!", and by saying so, Mr. Peterson headed straight towards the dairy section and chugged in a bottle. "No..dad...ugh..", Taylor sighed. "Well then..uh...i guess I'll be going...see ya!"
I waved them goodbye and got on my bike. I got back sooner than I thought. The door was open. 'Did she go out? Ugh...that moron', I said to myself and went in.
"Liz?? Hey..if you're under a table or somthin', come out. I won't be scared twice by the same crap." No response.