Summer Lockdown

This took place over three days. An epidemic broke out in East Japan. Symptoms included coughing, tiredness, body aches, and a red puffy face. Within three days, people just collapse and don’t seem to wake up. Nobody knew what caused it. Scientists worked around the clock to find a cure. In the meantime, the schools in the eastern area would have to be on lockdown until the area was cleared. Here are the first three days.

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Day One

The lockdown began around ten in the morning.

“Attention students,” Noiz said over the intercom. “We are now in the middle of a lockdown. I repeat we are in the middle of a lockdown. Students and staff are to stay on campus until further notice. That is all.” The students talked among themselves, looking so confused. A lockdown? So it was true. Had things gotten that bad that quickly? One student got on her phone for the news.

“Schools across East Japan have been closed down due to the epidemic,” the news anchor said. “Everything is also closed down until further notice.” Groans filled the halls and classrooms. The restaurants on campus got ready to serve everyone for the long days ahead. Meanwhile, Noiz rubbed her forehead.

“Oh boy…” she muttered. She looked over at her clock on the desk. The kitty pulled out her phone.

“Mosh, how are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m good,” he said. His girlfriend breathed out.

“Good,” she said. “Please stay safe.”

“You too,” Mosh said. “How are you holding up?”

“Good,” Noiz said.

“Thank goodness,” the mouse boy said. Shouting from his end filled the background of the phone.

“I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later. Bye,” Mosh said. He hung up the phone. Noiz looked at the ceiling.

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Day Two

No news on the lockdown. No changes reported either. Classes went on as usual. The staff and students slept in the classrooms, cafeteria, gym, and computer labs. Jackets and backpacks were blankets and pillows. The teachers tried to keep everything normal. The students looked bored and half-asleep. Jun-Jun clapped her hands.

“Come on, people!” she shouted. “Wake up!” The students all mumbled to each other. The library was open for students to charge their phones and other electronics. After classes were for studying and club activities. Noiz kept up with Mosh over the phone. The lockdown was starting to get some of the students. Half of them looked asleep.

“Think they will last?” Louise asked. Josie shrugged and threw up her hands and walked off. Louise frowned and shook her head. It would be another long night.

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Day Three

Still nothing. No news on the lockdown. No changes reported either. Even Noiz started to get bored. She didn’t seem to care. Neither did the students and staff. Some of the teachers weren’t teaching anyway. Jun-Jun threw down her book.

“Fuck it,” she said. “I’m dismissing class early.”

“But what are we supposed to do?” one student asked. “There nothing for us.” Jun-Jun put up her hands.

“Not my problem,” she said. The class groaned. The clubs and studying didn’t help today either. Noiz went to sleep at one point and missed a call from Mosh. She would text him later of course. Everyone checked their phones every five minutes for any changes. Sadly, nothing came. There was a little hope, however.

“They are saying that the lockdown should be over in about two days,” a student said after reading the latest news feed. This was met with exhausted glances and tired whimpers. How they be so sure? It sounded too good to be true. It looked like another long night.

Now, this was just what happened in general. There was more stories about the lockdown that happened in East Japan over the course of ten days in the summer. They will be coming out shortly. Stick around and see.

Locked Down