The I.M.

I rest my elbow on the windowsill. It’s pouring outside, and my screen is open. I wish I could go outside. But the invisible bars are keeping me in. Actually, there are no invisible bars, but I’d rather not go outside. The invisible monster is devouring humanity. Sounds crazy, huh? The crazier thing is, some people think they are invincible (well, the young ones are) and some invite it without realizing it. When I look through the window, the streets are deserted despite how cool they are.

What is the invisible monster, you ask? Well it travels through your coughs, sneezes, and unsanitary habits. And crowds. Lots, and lots of crowds. I’ll just call it I.M. for short. My stomach grumbles, snapping me out of my daydream. I look at my clock. Haven’t eaten since breakfast, and it’s 1:38 PM. I could eat here, at home, but I’ve been craving Arby’s. I could already taste their curly fries, my mouth salivating. I doubt the I.M would come for me, because I'm only 13. Plus, It’s been a few days since I’ve had toilet paper. Yes, you heard me. When everybody figured out about the I.M. they stocked toilet paper and didn’t leave enough for everyone else. Hey, don’t ask me how those two relate to each other because I’m clueless on that.

I grab my raincoat and head outside, into the cold, abandoned streets. A little bit past my house, the streets aren’t completely abandoned. The IM fighters ( or what you could also call police officers ) patrol the streets, making sure that no one gathers up. Because, like we discussed, that’s one of the many ways the I.M. can spread. It can divide, and the person who decides to not follow the rules ends up possessed by it. It definitely can’t possess you spiritually, not if you don’t give it that kind of power. It can possess your body though. I’ve never experienced it, but I’ve heard from those who’ve been attacked by the I.M. One of the worst, and if not, the worst pain ever felt, according to them. According to Alex. But we don’t speak of him. We never do, at least not anymore.

I caught myself deep in my thoughts again, but all that changed when I spotted gold! Or Arby’s, the alternate equivalent. I reach in my back pocket. Where’s my wallet? I reach again but- there it is. That would’ve been a nightmare. I step in, and the smells of sliders and loaded fries immediately attack my nose. Which means I forgot to bring a mask. Oh well, I’m already this far, and besides the worst that can happen is the I.M possessing me. But it goes for old people- sorry, the elderly. Mostly. I inch toward the counter where the cashier lady is smiling at me. I think. Can’t really tell ‘cause she’s wearing a mask.

“Hello,” she beams, sounding a little bit too happy. “What can I get for you?”

I order my food, and sit down in a booth. Probably not the best idea considering, you know. Anyway, I devour my meal like I’ve been starving for days (if you’re wondering, that was the best meal I’ve had in weeks), and start walking toward home, deepening myself into my thoughts again. What will I do for the rest of the day? Arby’s doesn’t require you to wear a mask? How did I forget to do my business in the bathroom? I cringe at the last question. Toilet paper! I think about how far I am from my house and how close I am to Arby’s. I’m probably much closer to home, but I’m not about to let that stop me, not when I’ve been toilet paper deprived. Guess you don’t realize how much you miss something ‘till it’s gone. I turn around, my feet sore from walking. In vans. I find myself at Arby’s again, not so much as a gold mine when you’ve already eaten, but definitely one when you don’t have toilet paper.

I thought before I stepped foot into the bathroom. Was this a good idea? As annoying as thinking of it was, what if the I.M. attacked me?

I reassure myself that I’m ok. I’m not in my seventies. Or twenties for that matter. I get an idea as I finish. What if I take some toilet paper home? If I rationed it, maybe it could last a few days, weeks hopefully. I stuff my pockets full of toilet paper that I ripped straight off of the roll. I guess it looked a little funny, but forget public humiliation. It’s not like someone was gonna come up to me, laughing, and say,

“Hey, um, your pockets are bulging.”

★ ★ ★

I hide my stash of toilet paper from my family under my bed when I get home.

I love them, but I don’t think I’m willing to share that. Just three months ago I never would’ve thought I’d be hiding toilet paper. I spend the rest of my day with headphones on, and decide to go to bed early. There’s only so much you can do in the house. I turn my lights off. But not long after I’m in my bed, my chest caves in. I suddenly get a painful dry cough. I try to call for help, but there’s not even room for me to talk. I stand up and get a massive headache, everything around me turning into a blur. This is one of the worst, if not, the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Oh no. There’s no way. I’m now on the floor, tossing and turning. Wheezing. The I.M really did get me. I’m possessed.

My door opens, and faint voices start calling my name. “Jaden! Jaden!?”

They start drifting away though. Is this what happened to you, Alex?

“Jaden! . . . Jaden. . . Jaden!”

I can see the light. . . no, literally. I squint hard, my eyes adjusting.

“Jaden, get up boy!” Said an all too familiar voice. It was my mother.

“Your dad wants you downstairs.”

“Ok mom,” I groaned. “One second.” I rush to my window as she closes the door. It’s pouring outside and my screen is open.

I’m definitely not going outside today.