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Wednesday - September 15

Aunt Ruth pulls out a chair to sit, exhausted from the events of the day. Claire prepares tea for them both. After turning on the stove, she picks up all three objects and decides to put them in a plastic bag.

"Oh, no, dear, don't do that. I must have mine for tomorrow night at the Population Control Administration Conference," Aunt Ruth tells her.

"What about the Population Control Administration Conference? These objects have something to do with the Population Control Administration, Aunt Ruth?" Claire quizzically asks.

Aunt Ruth shakes her head yes. The tea kettle begins to whistle; yet Claire doesn't respond to its alarm immediately. Finally, she turns off the kettle, prepares their tea, hoping to gain some understanding of the three objects.

Aunt Ruth takes a deep breath, dolefully tells Claire about how she and Henry have theirs, and that once all the objects have been distributed, those who possess one, will reunite them at the Population Control Administration Conference tomorrow evening.

Claire stares gravely at Aunt Ruth. Disgusted and confused, she tosses the bag of objects onto the kitchen table. Aunt Ruth reaches into the bag to grab hers. Afterwards, she slides the bag back to Claire, who gets up from her chair and goes into the bedroom, where she remains for several hours until Aunt Ruth calls her for dinner.

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The atmosphere of the CDC is foreign. Those in lockdown are frustrated and are uncertain about what's happening. While the percentage of Atlanta's CDCs workforce has diminished by thirty percent, the entire global workforce of the CDC accumulates to seventy percent. That seventy percent are top-notch scientists, physicists, chemists, biologists, and other professionals, whose expertise and knowledge must now collaborate in order to understand, to contain, and to eradicate the phenomenon resurrected within the last forty-eight hours. Every scientist, data mining researcher, and needed personnel in lockdown is working meticulously around the clock to find a solution to the unknown killer that has invaded our world. At times it may look like the employees are running around in chaotic disorder, but everyone involved is working to the best of their ability and beyond.

Monica, Ted, and I haven't had a decent night's sleep since the pandemic began. Sometimes we find ourselves napping while waiting for the results of a test, or when one is able to take a five minute break, or even when one has to relieve themselves.

Ever since the order for the lockdown came yesterday, no one feels truly safe. Those studying and finding the cause and solution are devoting every waking moment they humanly can. Yet there are those who feel that their presence is unwarranted. If something is going to kill them, or their loved ones, they would rather take their chances on the outside instead. Unfortunately, I too, fall in the latter; even though my duty as a scientist comes first.

I was able to rest forty-five minutes last night. I probably could have slept longer, but I can only think of Claire and the baby and hope they are safe, as well as Aunt Ruth.

As I check new data being entered, I close my eyes and recall two days ago when I thought to myself that this week was going to be a very long week. Instead, it turns out to be hell week. I begin to feel myself starting to slide off of the lab stool, when I grab a hold of the counter to avoid falling onto my ass. I shake my head, let out a huge yawn, stretch my arms as high as I can, then twist my neck until it cracks. It all feels so good. But I would rather be at home with Claire and our son.

Miraculously being able to speak to Claire on the phone two hours ago, I know that the request I've made of her, no doubt terrified her. While I must concentrate on the destructive force eradicating the world's population, I must also make sure that whatever occurs within the next twenty-four hours does occur without any negative repercussion. God, help us! It's for Claire and the baby's sake. Silently, I pray.