Out of hand

ENCAGE has been trying to calm the locals. It hasn't worked. In fact it's only getting worse. Right now, at 11 PM, there's a mob with torches outside. Yelling to be let out. They're waving signs, pushing the ENCAGE agents and throwing things at the fences. It's bad.

Something is happening. Someone seems to be walking towards the mob. It's too dark to see who but they don't look familiar. Scratch that, they are very familiar.

Fuck me sideways, it's the Plague Doctor.

The ENCAGE agents seem to have figured out who it is as well. They're panicking.

They're trying to disperse the crowd but the people aren't listening. The Plague doctor is still walking slowly over to them on the main road. The crowd is completely unaware of the danger they are in. This is going to get very ugly.

Oh, one of the ENCAGE agents just jumped into the crowd. Now he's running straight towards the Plague doctor. Is that an omega symbol on his hoodie? I think it is.

He shot the plague doctor.

It didn't do much but now the crowd is paying attention.

Oh ouch, that has to hurt. The Plague doctor touched him and his arms just fell off. Yeah, he's dead.

Now the crowd is screaming and running for their lives. ENCAGE has no control over the situation.

I guess that's my opening. Gabriella, pack your things, I'm getting you out of here.

Questions of a personal nature

The doctor finally paid me a visit. Nice to see a face that wasn't hazmat enby. Not that there's anything wrong with their face. I'm just a girl who likes new things. Not a lot of those around here in this quarantine room.

When she came in the doctor was also wearing a hazmat suit. I guess you aren't allowed to be in this section of the camp without one. I only realized it wasn't hazmat enby because they're shorter. I was sitting on the floor because the bed is terrible. I looked up at her as she closed the door behind her. “Gabriella?” She asked.

“Yup, still here.”

“It's nice to meet you. I'm agent Estrie but you can call me Myriam. I'm the doctor in this camp.”

“Nice to meet you as well.” I said while getting back on my feet. “So, what's the news?”

“Well, I have been informed that you claim you aren't infected. After a thorough look at your blood results and some other tests it seems you were right.”

“That's great news. You're releasing me then, right? Thanks.” I started grabbing my stuff. Turns out I was moving too fast.

“I'm sorry. I can't do that.” The bit of her face that I could see seemed genuinely apologetic.

“Well fuck, why not?”

“Gabriella, you've been coughing up blood several times a week.” She gestured towards a reddish-brown patch of dried blood in the corner of the room. “You're not infected with the virus but clearly you're sick. I want to help you.”

I shrugged. “The only way you can help me is by letting me go. This isn't something you can just cure.”

She sighed. “Look I'm an expert in eldritch diseases. Who knows, maybe I'll find something that can help?”

“You won't.” I crossed my arms.

“Is there any harm in trying? Just let me examine you.” She took a step closer. I took one back.

“There's only one thing that can help me and you're not it. So you should focus on that crisis out there that you can actually solve.” I pointed to the door.

“Gabriella, I'm a mother. I know you don't want help. I've had a teenager. Right now she's out there somewhere with her runner girlfriend. I would rather have my little Leaf with me. But-”

I cut her off before she could finish. “I'm 23. Not a teenager.”

“Then why are you acting like one?”

I glared at her, there was a tense silence. “Myriam, I do not consent to you examining me.”

“Alright. I apologize, I pushed too hard, I shouldn't have. If you change your mind you can tell agent Qilin* and they'll let me know.” Then she left.

That was a close one. If they find out what my sickness is they'll never let me go. They might try to keep me locked up indefinitely either way. Babe, get me the fuck out of here.

*Agent Qilin is Hazmat enby's code name.