Sorry this chapter took a little longer than the others. Enjoy.
Arthur crept out of the house. Outside, the sky was grey and cloudy, and the streets were deserted. Mrs. Read thought that Arthur was still in bed.
Arthur had taken every precaution possible to protect the world from his deadly disease. He was wearing a thick rain jacket with the hood sealed over his head, a doctor's mask which he had strapped around his mouth, large rubber boots to protect his infected feet and rubber gloves to quarantine his disease-covered hands.
Arthur didn't care what he looked like, or how he may look to other people. His situation was becoming desperate, and there was only one person in the world he knew would understand.
Grandma Thora had tears in her eyes when she opened the front door. She smiled weakly and pulled Arthur into a massive hug.
"What's wrong, Grandma Thora?" Arthur asked nervously, pulling the doctor's mask further up his mouth.
"Something awful has happened," Thora said sadly, wiping more tears from her eyes and leading Arthur into the house.
"Like what?" Arthur said even more seriously, feeling the spot on his arm and wincing.
"It's all over the news, Arthur," Thora said, sitting Arthur down in a chair and picking up the TV remote. "Hundreds, maybe thousands have died."
Arthur gasped.
"Arthur, what are you wearing?" Grandma Thora said disapprovingly, switching on the TV and flicking to the news channel.
"Umm, school project, nothing to worry about!" Arthur said unconvincingly, pulling his hood further down his head.
A Breaking News bulletin appeared on the screen. Pictures showed thousands of people covered from head to toe in deep red spots. Vicars were walking amongst the infected, carrying crosses and praying, whilst large red X's were painted on almost every door. A newsreader gestured at the scenes of devastation behind him.
"Yesterday, this city was plague-free and happy. Today, this city may not live to see the night. A devastating and sudden disease, recognised as the long-extinct Black Death, has raged through America and killed thousands in the space of hours. Doctors and medical professionals are stunned and shocked at this impossible situation, and they have advised everybody to quarantine themselves indoors until this plague is under control."
A scrawny, pale man suddenly appeared behind the newsreader and bellowed, "Bring out your dead!"
Arthur had turned white. He couldn't believe this was happening. It was all his fault, and now it all seemed so real. Because it was real.
"I didn't want to alarm you, Arthur, but I thought you should know," Grandma Thora said seriously, sighing and crossing to the window. "Soon it will reach Elwood City. You can't leave this house now, dear. You heard what the newsreader said."
Arthur stood up and gestured desperately with his hands, spluttering and stammering. "I know this is scary, Arthur, but medicine today can work wonders. We'll be ok," Thora said gently, giving Arthur another hug and sighing.
"But Grandma, the whole town is in danger! Shouldn't we escape?" Arthur said, running to the front door and turning the doorknob.
"No, Arthur. We've been told to stay indoors, and God help us if we disobey the professionals. Anyway, no plague has entered this house. It's perfectly safe." Thora said confidently.
"No! You don't understand! I infected everybody, it was me. Everybody is dying because of me." Arthur groaned and fell back onto the sofa.
"What do you mean, dear? You haven't got the plague!" Thora said, sitting down next to Arthur and putting an arm around his shoulder. Arthur winced and pulled away, ripping his sleeve up his arm and pointing down to the throbbing spot on his skin. "Yes I do."