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Arrival of the PlagueLoading...
JULIETTE ROSS
A shiver ran up my spine. The air was oddly cold for San Fransico during summertime. Even by the docks, where the air was usually cooler anyways.
"Are they almost here?" whined my younger sister Elizabeth.
"Soon," I insisted. We were waiting for the ships to roll into port, for Elizabeth dreamed of becoming a sailor as an adult. Although our parents did not support her unwomanly decision, after a long tantrum, they caved in and let me walk her down to the bay. It's not my ideal way of enjoying a Saturday, of course, but it's better than staying cooped up in our small house with Elizabeth wailing until she's cried out enough tears to create a flood.
Eventually, a massive boat docked itself, and its passengers began to disembark. Each person was filled with conversation, some English, others in a foreign language. My sister and I stood out of the way and watched as the strangers passed by, one by one.
It all seemed perfectly normal at first, however, as the crowd continued moving I noticed plump gray rats finding their way through the maze of human legs. I chose to ignore them, not wanting to cause a commotion and waited until the boat had left to tell Elizabeth what I had seen.
"Are they almost here?" whined my younger sister Elizabeth.
"Soon," I insisted. We were waiting for the ships to roll into port, for Elizabeth dreamed of becoming a sailor as an adult. Although our parents did not support her unwomanly decision, after a long tantrum, they caved in and let me walk her down to the bay. It's not my ideal way of enjoying a Saturday, of course, but it's better than staying cooped up in our small house with Elizabeth wailing until she's cried out enough tears to create a flood.
Eventually, a massive boat docked itself, and its passengers began to disembark. Each person was filled with conversation, some English, others in a foreign language. My sister and I stood out of the way and watched as the strangers passed by, one by one.
It all seemed perfectly normal at first, however, as the crowd continued moving I noticed plump gray rats finding their way through the maze of human legs. I chose to ignore them, not wanting to cause a commotion and waited until the boat had left to tell Elizabeth what I had seen.
---
The next weekend, Elizabeth decided she wanted to go back to the docks. I expected it to go just as it did the last weekend. My parents say no, Elizabeth throws a tantrum, and then Elizabeth gets her way. However, this time went entirely different.
My parents told us to have a seat at the table, that they had to tell us something important. Mother spoke first.
"There has been news of a deadly plague nearby. Rumors have it that foreign travelers have brought their unwanted germs to us. Father and I have decided that it would be best to stay away from the docks for now." Next, Father said his piece.
"Of course, this will all go away soon enough, and it's nothing to be worried about. How about you girls go play in the yard while Mother and I discuss some more?" Father patted my head and I ran outside, grateful for not having to waste my Saturday once again.
My parents told us to have a seat at the table, that they had to tell us something important. Mother spoke first.
"There has been news of a deadly plague nearby. Rumors have it that foreign travelers have brought their unwanted germs to us. Father and I have decided that it would be best to stay away from the docks for now." Next, Father said his piece.
"Of course, this will all go away soon enough, and it's nothing to be worried about. How about you girls go play in the yard while Mother and I discuss some more?" Father patted my head and I ran outside, grateful for not having to waste my Saturday once again.
---
That Monday, Elizabeth did not go to school. She claimed she wasn't feeling well, although I believe it was revenge for my parents refusing to allow us to go down to the docks. However, it was a stupid idea because Mother locked Elizabeth in her room, insisting she had the plague.
I was sent to school, but when I arrived home, something seemed off.
The door was wide open, and all the lights were shut off. The house smelled of rotten eggs and felt humid and hot. I ran upstairs to greet my parents and Elizabeth, but no one was there.
I walked over to Elizabeth's bedroom door and knocked. No one answered. I knocked again, hoping she would open the door, but once again, no answer.
So I opened it myself, ignoring her rule of knocking before entering. And there she was. Her mouth and eyes were wide open, her skin as pale as a ghost. I knelt down and checked her pulse. Nothing. A shiver ran up my spine.
I was sent to school, but when I arrived home, something seemed off.
The door was wide open, and all the lights were shut off. The house smelled of rotten eggs and felt humid and hot. I ran upstairs to greet my parents and Elizabeth, but no one was there.
I walked over to Elizabeth's bedroom door and knocked. No one answered. I knocked again, hoping she would open the door, but once again, no answer.
So I opened it myself, ignoring her rule of knocking before entering. And there she was. Her mouth and eyes were wide open, her skin as pale as a ghost. I knelt down and checked her pulse. Nothing. A shiver ran up my spine.