The Beginning of the End by Lorana Hoopes (readict txt) 📕

noticed before stepped forward. She was dressed all in black, except for the red belt that circled her waist. Her hair was so blonde that it almost appeared white - a stark contrast to her dark clothes. She moved with an effortless grace even though she carried a bulky box under her arm. After setting it on the table, she took the microphone from Mr. Shane and stared out at them. When Mr. Shane stepped away from her, she took off her mask and laid it on the table.

“I’ll put that back on as soon as I’m done here, but I wanted to make sure you can all hear what I have to share today. First, it is nice to see you all. I hope I have the pleasure of spending more time with you in the future.” Her words were pleasant, but there was something about her voice that sent the hairs on Lily’s arms and the back of her neck standing at attention like soldiers in formation. “I see that you all have some face covering, and most of you have masks. That is good. However, it has come to our attention that plastic shields are not beneficial at blocking the virus due to the open sides and bottom. Therefore, we will no longer be allowing them. If you have one, please stay after we are dismissed to pick up a mask from me.”

She opened the box and pulled out a surgical mask which she held up. “We will have a box of these in the office and in every classroom. If you forget your mask at any time, you must get one of these to remain on campus. Are there any questions?”

Her eyes scanned the audience, and Lily followed her gaze. A few of the unfortunate students who had been wearing a shield squirmed as her eyes landed on them, but no one raised a hand. Whether that was due to no one having questions or everyone hoping to get out of this room quicker was a toss-up.

“Very well then. The next piece of news I have for you is good news.” She smiled out at the crowd, but it did not feel genuine. “I’m sure many of you have been following the news and heard that a wonderful philanthropist named Daman Caturix planned to use his own money to fund vaccine research.”

Lily glanced over at Katie, her eyes wide. Daman Caturix? What did he have to do with this assembly?

“I am pleased to announce that the first vaccine has been approved and because you are in school unlike many of your colleagues, you qualify to get the vaccine right after our first responders.”

A girl a few rows over from Lily raised her hand. “What if we don’t want the vaccine?” she asked.

Ms. Dicken’s eyes darkened for a second, and a chill ran down Lily’s spine at the change in her expression. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone, replaced with her forced smile.

“Of course no one will force you to take the vaccine. However, we will not be able to lift the mask and social distance restrictions until everyone in the school is vaccinated. I’m sure none of you want that to continue.”

Her eyes roamed the room again, and Lily’s heart stopped in her chest when the woman’s eyes met hers. She had never felt true evil, but she was fairly certain she was in the presence of it now.

“Now, I have consent forms for each of you that I have given to your principal and your teachers. They will be standing by the exits. Please grab one on your way out. We hope to begin vaccinating in the next few weeks. If you have a mask, you are dismissed to your class. If you do not, please stay here and form an orderly line to receive your mask.”

Katie and Lily stood and followed the majority of the students out of the lunchroom. Though she had no desire to take the vaccine, Lily grabbed the form as they passed Mr. Shane. She would make a copy for Gabe and Raven. Maybe it would help them out.

“That was weird, right?” she asked when they were far enough away from listening ears. Lily couldn’t even put her finger on what had been so weird about it other than the creepy feeling she got from the new nurse, but her stomach felt like she’d been spun upside down on a roller coaster and left hanging there for a few minutes.

“Yeah, a little. I mean not the words, but…” Katie trailed off as she too struggled to articulate what she felt. “Something felt off. Them pushing the vaccine and almost threatening those who won’t take it.” Katie turned to Lily, a serious look in her eyes. “Lily, for the first time, I’m really scared.”

“Me too,” Lily said with a nod. “Me too.”

15

Raven looked at the picture on her screen. Lily had sent over a picture of the vaccine consent form, and though Raven knew little about vaccines, she studied the ingredients, looking for anything that might help them understand the rush to make the vaccine and push it out. Especially when deaths were falling.

“Does any of this make sense to you?” Raven asked Gabe as she leaned back, allowing him a better view of the screen.

He scanned the screen, a line furrowing on his forehead as he read.

“What?” Raven asked. “I can tell you see something.”

“To be honest, I see a few troubling things, but the first one that stands out is this.” He pointed to a line of text about five rows from the top. “Potassium chloride is just a fancy name for salt, but so is sodium chloride. That bothers me. Why have two different types of salt? Then you have Potassium phosphate. It’s in a lot of drugs, but it also carries a long list of side effects including blurred vision, itching or burning sensation, confusion, chest pain, mood changes, vomiting, and