“We should have some form of results within forty-eight hours,” Dr. Jansen said. “I will have someone bring you back to the health center when it is time for us to discuss the test results. I want to keep you as involved in this process as possible. If at any point before then you wish to speak with me about anything regarding your sickness, please feel free to call me.” She handed each of them a card with her name and number.
“I will also be in contact with your roommate,” she said with a stern look at Noah and Brian. “Since you felt it would be fine to pay him a visit.”
Noah glanced down guiltily, but the doctor was already moving on.
“And finally, I would like each of you to wear one of these for the foreseeable future,” she said, opening the drawer on the cart once more and pulling out what looked like four regular digital watches. “These will monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen levels. They will automatically alert me if either value drops too low. They are waterproof, so feel free to keep them on at all hours of the day. They do not need to be charged.”
“Sweet,” Brian said, attempting to wrap it around his wrist, only to give up with a stumped expression. “Um, do you think you can fasten it for me?”
Dr. Jansen looked amused. “Ah, yes. Of course, my apologies.”
She affixed his watch, then the rest of theirs when it became apparent none of them currently had sufficient dexterity to secure the small clasp.
“Good thing I won’t feel it if it starts chafing,” Noah said. “I don’t think I’d be able to get it off on my own.”
Dr. Jansen led them out of her office. Instead of taking them out the main entrance, she had them follow her out a back door that opened into the small parking lot behind the building.
“We’re going to have to close off the main lobby,” she said. “It will be quite the hassle to clean it up safely.”
Noah ducked his head. “Sorry about that. Not my brightest decision.”
Dr. Jansen gave him a sideways look. “So you did it on purpose.”
“Er, I mean it wasn’t my proudest moment. I would never do something so stupid intentionally, obviously.”
“Of course.”
A lime-green van with the campus logo emblazoned across its doors turned into the parking lot and pulled up to the curb in front of them.
“That will be your ride to your new housing,” the doctor said. “The driver is aware of your unique situation and is wearing appropriate safety attire.”
The window slowly rolled down, revealing a person in a full-body lime green hazmat suit. Their face was partially concealed behind a gas mask that they were wearing underneath the large plastic shield of the suit. The person nodded at them.
“Wow, even their hazmat suits are on-brand,” Leah said. “How come you didn’t get one of those?”
“There was not one easily accessible in the Health Center, and I did not believe it would be necessary to take the time to retrieve one from the Campus Safety building,” Dr. Jansen said. “Believe me, it’s a decision I’m actively regretting. I will be monitoring my health in the coming days.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
She opened the van’s door for them and stepped back. “I recommend each of you give your parents a phone call to inform them of what is happening. I’m sure they will be quite interested in this morning’s events.”
They all nodded obediently and filed into the van. The driver rolled the windows down as soon as they entered the vehicle. They all waved at Dr. Jansen as the van pulled away, and she cracked a small smile and waved back.
Noah half expected their driver to remain silent for the duration of the ride, but as they turned out of the parking lot he spoke up. “So, you guys have some sort of crazy virus or something? Never thought I’d have to wear a full-on hazmat suit for this job.”
Noah was surprised at how bluntly their driver was speaking about the whole situation, but Leah easily picked up the conversation.
“Yeah, I guess. What’s the suit like? Does it make you feel super safe?” she laughed.
The driver shrugged. “I suppose so. The thing is super hot though, and I put on one too many layers this morning. How was I supposed to know I’d be told to put on a freaking hazmat suit?”
Leah glanced at her friends and said, “Feel free to blast the AC if you want. We won’t be bothered.”
“You sure? Don’t mind if I do, then.” He pushed a few buttons on the dashboard and a moment later the sound of rushing air filled the van.
The air blew for a minute before the guy waved his gloved hand in front of the vent and sighed. “Fat lot of good it’ll do me if this suit doesn’t let any cool air in. I swear, it’s almost as if Oakridge cheaped out on their hazmat suits. There’s got to be versions of these things with cooling systems built in, right?”
“They probably hoped nobody would ever actually have to use them,” Leah said.
“You’d think so, but apparently the whole medical staff had to wear these to work every day for a few months while they were still figuring out what was up with the Wager. Took ‘em a while to decide that it wasn’t contagious. Sure am glad I wasn’t working here back then. In those days I was still delivering pizzas for that restaurant down the road. Now that was a fine job… ah, here we are.”
He pulled to the side of the road and hit a button that opened both the van’s doors. They all clambered out and peered at their new living quarters. It was a row of contemporary townhouse-style homes painted in shades of red and orange. Each housing unit had a small balcony on the second floor.
“These look really nice!” Brian enthused. “Do they really just sit empty all the time now that you’re not isolating students who come down with the Wager?”
The driver waved his hand back and forth, leaning out the window to talk to them. “Well, they’ve always spent most of their time unoccupied. The incident rate for the Wager is something like one in ten thousand, so even in the early days I doubt all four units were ever filled. Anyways, Oakridge still gives students the option of moving in here if they happen to get the Wager. Most of them choose to spend the time with their family, but there are exceptions. There’s actually a kid staying there right now, poor thing. Not sure what their name is but I’m sure you’ll see them on the lawn out back at some point.”
He withdrew back into the van and grabbed something from the console. “In any case, here are your keys. One unit for the guys and one for the ladies.”
He handed May and Leah the keys tagged with a 2, while Brian and Noah received the keys for unit 3.
“Alright then! Everything should be fully stocked, but call the number on the kitchen table if you need anything. There’s a whole staff whose only job is basically to help you guys, so don’t hesitate to actually make use of their service. Any questions?”
“Will we get our backpacks? My laptop is in there.” Brian looked anxiously at their driver.
He tilted his bright green head. “I’ll make sure they know you want it. They should have it to you by this afternoon.”
“Awesome, thanks.”
“Excellent. The name’s Dan, it’s been a pleasure. I’ll see you around.” He waved a gloved arm and pulled away.