Bloodshot | When Nightmare Becomes Reality

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This is the continuation of the Prologue. If you missed the first part you can read it here

Alex watched his colleagues. It had stopped raining over thirty minutes ago. When it started, none of them had taken it serious, but it soon increased and swept into the room through the windows.

Everyone scampered about shutting windows and trying to get files out of the ways. It was a good thing his desk was well away from the window. This was one disadvantage that had come in handy this time.

He grinned sympathetically at kunle, his friend and colleague who had wet patches over his shirt and held equally wet documents in his hands.

Kunle had often rubbed the fact that his desk was by the window in, claiming to have the best view and natural breeze. "Sorry man", Alex muttered."I guess you were unlucky".

"Mr T will kill me today", he complained. "This is the Oxyron Textile file we have been trying to get for over a year now. We finally did and now this. I better do something about it".

Alex watched him leave and shook his head. So typical of Kunle to leave such an important document lying carelessly around.

The rain subsided and everything began to settle to its normal pace once again. The windows were thrown open by the cleaning staff as they mopped and tried to get some semblance of order back to the office.

Pedestrians were back on the street, ignoring the light trickle as they rushed to beat the time they'd already lost.

Alex went back to his seat. The day's activities had been slowed and they were now well behind schedule. He would have to put in a few extra hours at the close of hours to make up.

"Hey man, I'm going for a bite. Are you coming?"Kunle was back leaning over his desk.

"Not quite, there's so much......", he started out, when Kunle suddenly sneezed into a rumpled handkerchief.

"Easy man", Alex muttered and Kunle nodded. "Anyways, could you grab me a ....."Kunle's cough again cut Alex short and he frowned when it didn't seem to be stopping.

Kunle sat down, heaving as the cough seemed to give him some respite before continuing. "Easy. Easy,man", Alex came around to him."When did this start?"

"A little over ten minutes ago", Kunle replied. "It started in the Litho room as I was drying those documents".

"Such a short time, and it seems to have gotten this serious. Are you asthmatic?"

"No. There's no history of such in my family".

"Then you probably had it in you all this while", Alex supplied.

Kunle shook his head. "Not likely. You know me, man, I hardly fall sick".

Alex nodded. "Still there's always a first time. Anyways, do something about it fast."

"Sure", Kunle glanced up."Anyways......"

"Wow! Wow", Alex backed off a little. "Don't tell me you've been crying."

"Wouldn't you find that hard to believe", Kunle replied."That a small sickness like sneezing would reduce me to tears."

"Then man, I don't know what else would explain why your eyes are so red."

Kunle's brows creased in a frown, then suddenly straightened as he smiled. "Get out of here, man", he shoved lightly at Alex. "I'm in no mood for games right now."

"I'm serious, Kunle", Alex persisted. "Your eyes are red and they look swollen. Anyone seeing you would think you've been crying or that something got into your eyes".

"That's strange", Kunle's frown returned. "I'd better check it out. Do you have a mirror? "

Alex cocked his head and pursed his lips. "Very funny, dude."

Kunle chuckled and got up."Time to try my charms on the ladies", he winked and Alex laughed.

"Hey Vera, I need a mirror from that beautiful bag of yours".

"What for?"Vera asked. "Are you into beauty and make-up now?"

Kunle struck a mock sexy pose and cocked his head. "You know a man's got to look good for you ladies", he replied with mock seriousness and Vera laughed.

"Here you go, look good away!" She sneezed. "Excuse me".

"You are well excused and please join the club" Vera turned with pursed lips towards him and gasped. Kunle, your eyes! What happened?"

"I woke up and found them", he joked, but his voice didn't quite carry."Actually, that's why I need the mirror. Alex just pointed them out to me."

"They look really swollen, like....."

"I know", Kunle cut, his tone suddenly serious. "Its quite unusual though".

"Do something about it", Vera suggested. "Get an eye drop or something".

Kunle nodded and scratched his head. Vera coughed again, getting into a slight spasm.

"It looks like I have transferred it to you."

Vera smiled weakly through the cough. "I had better sit down", she said approaching her seat by the window. "Kunle, please could you help me with some water from the dispenser. This cough seems to be giving me a burning sensation in my chest".

Kunle nodded, slightly troubled at having transferred the cough to Vera. It couldn't be him, could it? Coughs didn't get transferred so fast. But she had seemed fine before he approached her. Could she have come under in a matter of minutes?

"Cover up for me man",he said. "I want to rush down to the pharmacy to pick up some drugs. I seem to have transferred the cough and sneezing to Vera".

"That's strange", Alex frowned."Those guys over there have been coughing and sneezing since they came in as well. If its a virus that is being passed, then its going round fast".

Kunle shrugged. "I'll see you".

Alex leaned back in his seat after Kunle left and studied the office. He might have said it as a joke, but it was happening; the cough virus was spreading very fast.

Mrs Ogozor, the Accounts Manager, looked up and Alex was surprised to see she had been gotten by it too. Her eyes were also red. But how could a mild case of cough and catarrh be making eyes go red?

She leaned her forehead against the wall and he noticed she seemed to be weak. Alex approached her and leaned into her. "Are you alright, Mrs Ogozor?"

She glanced up at him through red eyes and muttered something he didn't quite grab through swollen lips. Her face and what part of her arms and legs he could see were covered in rashes and boils.

"Christ!"He exclaimed. "What is going on here!"

"Painful....", she muttered."Burning....."

"Alright, that's it. Get up. We have to get you to a hospital".

He held her by the shoulders and was half leading half dragging her towards the door when she gave a choked sob and slumped.