Jacob Nicholas sat in the tented medical area in the university's parking lot. The college attendee watched as people in hazmat suits tended to his fellow students. Jacob saw a girl no bigger than a Barbie doll get her temperature taken with a rectal thermometer; he didn’t blame her for screaming the large instrument piercing her body must give the feeling of being raped. Jacob was being weighed on a scale similar to those used for newborns.
“Each bit of data,” The hazmat suit people would tell them, “Is one step closer to a cure.”
“A cure,” The young man repeated to himself, “If they’re so close to a cure, why are they sending us all home?”
“Amy Carson!” A voice amplified by a loudspeaker called. “Amy Carson, your temporary guardian, has arrived! Repeat, Amy Carson, your temporary guardian is here!”
Jacob watched the doll girl be picked up and taken away, screaming. “Ouch!” The young man winced as a needle broke his skin and blood was drawn. “You could warn a guy!”
“Your pain will be well worth it,” The hazmat suit man recited emotionless, “Your suffering may very well cure this terrible virus.”
“But,” The former college student remarked. “The university is still sending me away.”
“For your safety,” The hazmat man spoke robotically, “Your mother has been appointed guardian or caregiver to your case. All our tests show that you have most likely passed the stage where you are contagious. You will still receive regular medical attention at a designated facility. Once a cure is discovered, you can resume your normal life.”
“If,” Jacob corrected in his head. “A cure is found.”
“In the meantime,” The man went on.
“Jacob Nicholas!” The speaker voice returned. “Jacob Nicholas, your guardian has arrived! Repeat, Jacob Nicholas your guardian is here!”
“It’s time to go home,” The hazmat suit man commented.
“Great,” Jacob replied, wondering how his family would react to his predicament.
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