The Acuti Virus

(Monday Morning, July 1st)

"And this is anonymous," Lonnie unsurely questions. "Like, my parents don't need to know, right?"

The blond nurse reassures, "No one wants to admit they could have a disease. If we made it policy for the results to be sent out, then no one would come." She takes out a butterfly needle, "This way people are willing to be tested, and the virus spreads less."

Lonnie eyes the needle, tube, and vile, "Is this going to hurt?"

"Just a pinch," she reassures, before Lonnie watches it get inserted into the top of her hand and she breathes in pain. The blood fills the tube, the nurse takes the needle out, and the vile gets put with the others.

"When will I get the results?"

The nurse sits back down, "At least a couple days. You should hear from us within two weeks." before her blue eyes meet hers. "Do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"Do I have a choice?" Lonnie counters.

She smiles as she holds up a brown clipboard, "What brought you here today?"

"Some guy," she answers in annoyance. "He thinks I could be a day walker." She nods, and Lonnie hurries, "What? Is that actually a thing?"

"I have yet to meet one," the nurse informs, "but theoretically, it is possible."

"Great," Lonnie irritably states.

"Are you sensitive to heat or light?"

Lonnie shakes her head, "I don't think so."

"Any cravings for blood or raw meat?"

"No," she slowly says, as she contemplates the idea of someone ever wanting raw meat. "I like fish and rice."

"Can you see in the dark or hear people from far away?" she continues.

Lonnie's eyes shift, "I don't think so."

"Have you come into contact with anyone you know has the virus?"

"I don't know," her eyebrows furrow. "If someone has an STD, they're not just going to tell anyone, are they?"

The blond partly smiles, "The Acuti virus can't be transmitted sexually."

"Still," Lonnie complains. "No one would have told me."

"Let's continue," she calmly comments, before she looks over the sheet again. "Have you exhibited any of the following: telepathy, telekinesis, shape shifting, or a strength or speed greater than what someone would expect?"

She shakes her head, "I don't even know what half of those things are."

"Telepathy is hearing people's thoughts, telekinesis is moving objects with your mind, and shape shifting is the ability to change your appearance. In this case, people with the werewolf form of the Acuti virus can change into a wolf."

"No. None of that," Lonnie answers, before she unsurely says, "I'm just athletic."

"Can you explain?"

She looks away from her blue eyes, "I took gymnastics when I was younger, and I've been taking taekwondo since grade school."

"So, it's been something you've had your whole life?" she assumes.

"Kind of," Lonnie quietly faces her. "My parents are in the army."

"That's a good cover for a vampire," her expression changes to intrigue. "Neither of them are, are they?"

She thinks for a moment, frowning, "Not that I know of." The truth is her parents are gone so often, a big secret like that would be easy to keep from her.

"Well," the nurse sighs. "Your eyes do have a black ring around them, but they're dark in the first place." She moves down, "Can you open your mouth?" and when Lonnie does, she uses a small flashlight to look inside. "And your teeth look normal."

Lonnie slowly closes her mouth, "So, I'm not a vampire, then?"

"It appears that way," the nurse partly smiles, "but we will still need to examine your blood to make sure."

Lonnie frowns as she slightly nods, "Okay."

"You seem disappointed," she notices.

Lonnie meets her eyes, "I just thought I might have found some answers."