Summary: Virgil’s world is constantly changing. First his mother marries an outsider from his community, then he gets a new stepbrother named Logan, and now she suffers from the dangers of the plague. Virgil must now venture out into the world for the first time in attempt to keep his family, and his sanity, together. Follow Virgil, Logan, Roman, Patton, and Thomas along their journey in this dangerous world they live in.
My mother’s hands were incredibly cold, even when they were wrapped safely in my hand. I watched her as she slept, every breath rattling her fragile body.
Subtly wiping tears from my eyes, I turn to see Logan standing in the doorway. He stood proud as usual, with his chin up and his hands tucked neatly behind his back.
The lump in my throat tightens as I turn back to the sleeping form. “Not great. The plague seems to be taking over faster than usual.”
There was silence for a moment, and I almost turned to see if he had left, but then I felt a hand being awkwardly placed on my shoulder. “I understand if you blame my father and I for this,” Logan began, eyes downcast. “I know that it is essentially unheard of to marry into another community, especially when we could bring the plague upon you.”
I looked up at Logan with his jaw clenched and lips pursed. I put my hand on his. “I don’t blame you for anything. I’m glad I met you, and I know my mom was so much happier after she met Thomas.”
Logan’s eyes met mine and for an instant, everything was okay.
“Come on,” Logan said. “You haven’t eaten anything for a while.”
I gave my mother’s hands one last squeeze before getting up and following Logan to the cafeteria.
Walking into the community’s cafeteria has been an adventure these past couple of months. First, people would stare and whisper because I was the boy whose mother married an outsider. Then, people would send pitying looks my way after my mother became bedridden. Now, it’s a strange mix of both, pity for my circumstance and inevitable loss, but also contempt for not allowing the community to kick out Logan and Thomas.
I trail behind Logan’s confident form, trying to hide in his shadow as we go to the food line.
“Your mother’s foolishness has put us all in grave danger.” I snap my head up at the sound of an old man’s voice. An old man, the one who taught me the alphabet when I was a babe, blocked me and Logan from sitting down. “If she hadn’t let these wretches into our safe, closed community,” he glared at Logan, “we would not be living our lives in a constant state of fear right now. If I had it my way, none of you would be standing here contaminating the air around us.”
“Sir,” Logan stepped forward, “I understand your reasoning, but at this point everyone here is just as possible as being infected as myself and my family. There is simply no reason to cause mayhem.”
The old man’s eyes bulged, a vein prominently showing in his forehead. “No reason? I’ll show you right your reasoning can -”
“Edward.” A third, calm and authoritative voice joined the altercation. “Please have a seat. My sons and I must discuss departure plans at once.”
A collective murmur broke out among the cafeteria as this new information was processed. Thomas, my stepfather, calmly came up behind me and Logan and guided us past the stunned man toward a table.
“What do you mean, leaving?” I exploded upon sitting down. “We can’t leave my mom here like this, Thomas, don’t you love her?”
Thomas’ head sank, and I noticed the prominence of the bags under his eyes and the sagging of his shoulders that only true grief can cause. “Of course, I love her more than anything in this world, Virgil. But that’s exactly why I must leave.”
Logan leaned forward, “You? You can’t leave by yourself father, it’s far too dangerous. What about the guards, or the resistance? Anything can happen out there.”
A fire lit in Thomas’ eyes that I had not seen for a while. “My safety doesn’t matter. I need to find a cure for her before it’s too late. I’m leaving tonight.”
“Tonight?” Logan stood up, bewildered. “But we haven’t planned anything yet! Just wait a couple of days and the number of variables we could eliminate-”
“Logan,” Thomas cut in, “I appreciate the concern, but my mind is made up. Your mother simply does not have enough days left for us to spare planning my journey. I must leave at once.”
Logan and I looked at each other, completely at a loss for what to say or do.
Thomas stood up. “Come help me pack, boys.”
2087
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