The news of the strange flu spread faster than the virus itself. Jenna tried to ignore the constant headlines. People collapsed on the streets, were taken to the hospital, and then seemed to walk away as if nothing had happened. Everyone said it was blown out of proportion.
But then the quarantine notices began. First, it was the neighbouring city. Then, it was closer to home. Streets became eerily quiet. People stayed indoors, waiting anxiously for updates. Jenna still went to work, but with half the desks empty, the office felt strangely empty. The emails kept coming, though.
"Jenna, are you feeling okay?" Marie asked one afternoon, watching her friend cough into her sleeve.
"I'm fine," Jenna croaked. "Probably just a cold." But she didn't feel fine. Something was off—her head felt heavy, and her skin tingled strangely. But she had reports to resend.
The next week, things spiralled out of control. The city went into full lockdown. People were told to stay home and lock their doors. Jenna stayed in her apartment, wrapped in blankets, sweating through fever dreams as chaos consumed the world outside.
When she finally ventured outside, it felt like stepping into a movie. Buildings were deserted, cars were abandoned, and sirens blared in the distance. She felt like the only sane person in a world that had gone mad.