Sickness and health
To say this wasn't a normal Friday at Royal Woods High School would be an understatement. Shannon was a person who liked her routines. She took comfort in the familiar, the usual, the constant. So, it was incredibly concerning to Shannon when Luan was not present at homeroom this morning. Despite her prankster antics, Luan Loud was what Shannon would call a best friend. Having known each other since middle school, Luan came to be a confidant to Shannon, someone who she could confide in whenever she needed. For her not to be here was troubling. When attendance was taken, the homeroom teacher addressed the issue.
"For those of you wondering where the resident joker of the pack is today, I have been informed by Principal Rivers that there has been a domestic accident at the Loud House. Two sisters were involved. Lynn Loud got off with a mild concussion, but Luan remains unconscious. That is all the information I have for you," the homeroom teacher briefed. While this answered Shannon's questions, she still had grave concerns. She was aware how chaotic things got in that house, but she never suspected that anything this serious could ever happen.
The mood did not change when lunchtime rolled around. The drama club sat together as they usually did, eating whatever they brought from home with them. It did not take long for the news of Luan's absence to spread throughout the school, like a contagious virus. This generated all sorts of gossip and rumours. Some have suggested that Luan fell victim to one of her own pranks gone horribly wrong. Others thought this was the result of a revenge hit, because not long before, the Royal Woods soccer team was attacked by the Hazeltucky team after the latter was disqualified for buying off a referee during their latest game. The crime was only brought to light by the mythical 'Dread Mistress', a dark avenger tormenting wrong-doers into confessing their deeds. Or, so the popular stories go. Shannon didn't believe this 'Dread Mistress' existed and would not engage in talk about her. Instead, she chose to talk about what was real, not some fever dream.
"Benny, do you know what happened to Luan?" Shannon asked. Benny, rather than be his usual, chipper self, was downtrodden and sad.
"No, and whenever I call the House, everyone clams up. Even Luna and Leni bailed out early from school today, so I couldn't ask them. Lori isn't here either. She and her brother are at Great Lakes City on some golf retreat," Benny explained.
"You think this could be, like, the Dread Mistress' doing?" Ruby suggested. Shannon didn't know whether to be annoyed or shocked that Ruby would entertain such foolish delusions.
"Please, Ruby, as if she's real," Shannon scoffed.
"I kinda wish she did a number on Spencer. Would've saved you months of isolation and torment," Amy responded. It was true that, while Ruby and Spencer were romantically, involved, Spencer would treat Ruby more like a trophy than an actual girl with feelings, and he even made Ruby quit theater for a time, effectively isolating her from her friend group. When Ruby overheard Spencer bragging to his locker room friends about his 'good luck charm and being in his hip pocket' Ruby finally decided enough was enough, chewing Spencer out in front of the whole school and breaking it off. After that, Ruby's friends, including Luan, banded together to persuade Mrs. Bernardo into letting her back into the club. After some coaxing, she agreed, but Ruby had to start again from scratch, which Ruby did not mind at all.
"Can we, like, not talk about Spencer, please? Hearing his name is, like, making my blood boil. I'm with someone who, like, appreciates and loves me for me now," Ruby requested. Since Ruby broke up with Spencer, she grew closer to, and eventually developed romantic feelings for, her best friend Shannon, something that caught both of them by surprise. Ruby, because she had never been into girls like that before, and Shannon because she never in a million years imagined herself dating her best friend, although they were yet to have their first date, as the relationship was still in its infancy.
"Yeah, plus hearing his name reminds me of how I was. Not something I remember fondly," Rex added. Before the drama with Ruby and Spencer kicked off, and both were a part of theatre club, Rex was something of a flirt, even when he was supposed to be with Amy. Since then, he's calmed down and stopped hitting on the likes of Jackie and others.
"I think there are things in the past that all of us would rather forget, like my past behaviour," Amy said regretfully. Amy did not like to look back on her past, but she used to be what some would call a 'Karen', especially to Shannon. The behaviour got so bad that even the tolerant and compassionate Shannon Tannenbaum declared Amy to be her arch-nemesis. It was only after a brutal humiliation involving a janitor's mop-bucket that made Amy see the error of her ways and become better.
"Agreed. We all promised to move forward, not look back," Shannon affirmed.
"Maybe things will get better in drama club," Rex said hopefully.
"Yeah, I think I'll give drama club a miss this week, guys. My heart's just not in it, if you get what I mean," Benny replied. The others all understood this. Luan and Benny had only been together a few months, but Benny regarded her as his soulmate. Luan's absence affected him deeply, so much so that he couldn't concentrate, and everyone noticed.
"We, like, totally get it, Benny. I'm sure Mrs. Bernardo will as well," Ruby responded.
"I did get this 'get well' card this morning. I thought we all could sign it," Benny suggested.
"That sounds lovely. Give it here," Shannon agreed. She, along with Ruby, Amy, Rex, Benny, Leo, and Lyberti all penned messages for Luan. Just then, Mrs. Bernardo found the group signing the card.
"Is that open to everyone?" Mrs. Bernardo inquired.
"It is. Would you like to sign it?" Benny probed.
"Of course. Luan is one of my brightest students. To know she has been struck by this malady is a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. Please, give it here," Mrs. Bernardo answered. She, too, signed the card, then turned to Benny. "I also heard what you said about missing the club this week. I fully understand. You and Luan are like two peas in a pod. Go to her, and if she wakes, tell her we wish her a speedy recovery," Mrs. Bernardo added.
"Will do, Mrs. B, and thank you," Benny responded.
"Hey, turn that up. I wanna hear this," a kid further down the cafeteria called out. The radio was turned up so everyone could hear.
In local news, an elementary school in Royal Woods, Michigan has had to close its doors early due to the outbreak of a highly contagious and unidentified virus that has infected over half the school. Symptoms include fever, cough, loss of consciousness and, in extreme cases, difficulty breathing. Hospitals are standing by to receive an influx of patients showing signs of the illness. We will bring you more as this story develops.
"Yikes, that isn't good," Amy remarked.
"Shans, didn't you have, like, family that go to that school?" Ruby recalled.
"Yeah, my cousins go there. I'm not too worried. My dad's a doctor. He can handle anything," Shannon assured, but if she had to be honest, she was very worried. Lewis was in kindergarten, and probably would not be able to handle such an infection. Kimberley was in second grade and would most likely come down with it. But having a doctor in the family did come with perks.
"Well, maybe some good old acting classes will help take your mind off it, dear girl," Mrs. Bernardo offered.
The rest of the school day passed without further mention of Luan and the outbreak at Royal Woods Elementary, although some of the students were puzzled about the number of ambulances they heard go by. Normally, this wouldn't be cause for concern, if it was only one or two, but Ruby counted ten, in the space of one hour. Some have even made a game out of it, something Shannon did not find amusing in any way. Nevertheless, she was at her comfort place, the high school auditorium. Benny had already left for the Loud House to give Luan the card, as well as some treats the drama club all got for her. Just then, the lights went out, and the spotlights started moving.
"Introducing, the nominee for 'Best One-Woman actor in Royal Woods', MRS. BERNARDOOOOOOOOO!" Mrs. Bernardo then burst into the auditorium to great fanfare, as she so often did. She was also wearing Shakespearean costume. This, Shannon noted, was the garb of Gertrude, Queen of Denmark, in Hamlet. Ever the fan of the Bard's work, Shannon was excited at where this was going.
"Thespians, assemble!" Mrs. Bernardo called out. Once everyone gathered, Mrs. Bernardo spoke again. "I recognise that recent events have been… distressing…. but as the saying goes, the show MUST go on. I have decided that our next project should be Hamlet, one of the Bard's most famous plays. I will appeal to Principal Rivers to allow us to make this play. The budget has been… worrying her lately, but I will sure she will not let the theatrical art disappear behind the curtain. Once Luan wakes, we shall assign roles," Mrs. Bernardo announced, to everyone's joy, but before anyone could talk more, Principal Rivers' voice blasted over the speaker system.
"Attention, this is Principal Rivers. It is my unfortunate duty to report that the school gym is officially off-limits. Due to the severity of the Michigan Flu crisis, the gym has been designated a quarantine zone by the CDC. Any students showing signs of the contagious illness will receive assessment and treatment there. Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties, and loss of consciousness. Masks will be provided at reception. That is all," Rivers declared.
"Michigan Flu? What is that?" Rex asked.
"It seems the virus has spread beyond the elementary school walls," Mrs. Bernardo observed. While the others had hushed discussions about this development, Shannon was having a panic attack. If patients were being sent here, that meant the hospital was over-capacity. How bad was this illness? Was it fatal? Did any of her family contract it, either at work or in school? She needed answers, and as if on instinct, Shannon pulled out her phone and called her dad.
"Shannon, I can't talk right now," Daniel Tannenbaum, Shannon's father, answered.
"Dad, what is going on? What is this 'Michigan Flu'? Are any of our family in the hospital?" Shannon interrogated.
"I wouldn't know. I'm not at the hospital right now. The CDC has designated it as a command-and-control centre. I'm actually at your school. It's a madhouse down here," Daniel informed.
"I'm on my way," Shannon replied.
"No, Shannon, wait!" but before Daniel could warn his daughter off, she hung up, and Shannon was racing towards the school gym, with Ruby and the others in hot pursuit. When they got there, the gym resembled a war hospital, or a scene from a low-budget pandemic movie. There were ambulances doing circuits around the perimeter, bringing people on stretchers in on a constant basis. Personnel in full protective gear could be seen watching every way in or out, and quarantine signs and notices were on full display all over the walls. Shannon felt like she was watching the beginning of the end times. Was this the start of a full-blown pandemic? What was happening right now? Shannon had to get inside, no matter what Rivers said, but a CDC worker stopped her at the door.
"Are you displaying signs of the illness? You seem alright to me. No entry, I'm afraid, unless you're coughing up blood or about to pass out," the worker relayed. Just then, Daniel emerged from the doorway.
"It's fine, I've got this," Daniel assured. She then handed Shannon a face shield, because her bad sinuses meant wearing a mask would most likely be as dangerous as the sickness itself. Shannon also put on some nitrile gloves to wear, and a protective suit to put on. Begrudgingly, the CDC worker allowed Daniel to escort Shannon inside, but emphasised that she was his responsibility, and that none of her friends were allowed in with her. Once Shannon got inside, she heard the coughing of the patients, heart monitors beeping constantly, and medics rushing about the place. Shannon sat down at an assessment booth and took in all that she was seeing.
"How did this happen?" Shannon asked.
"It came out of nowhere, almost like magic. What started as a handful of students getting sick at school exploded into a town-wide epidemic that infected almost half the town in a matter of hours. The hospital was about three-quarters full before we knew what hit us. The White House has ordered a quarantine of Royal Woods to keep the virus from spreading. So far, no cases outside of Royal Woods have been reported," Daniel explained.
"Has…. has anyone died?" Shannon questioned, rather grimly.
"There has been at least one reported fatality. When the hospital started getting full, the mall was the first place they brought patients too. A worker there with bad lungs got infected. He never had a chance. High-schooler, too. Did you know a kid named Chaz?" Daniel outlined.
"Not personally, but Luan told me her sister Leni was seeing someone by that name," Shannon answered.
"Do you mean Leni Loud? She was one of the first cases brought in. Collapsed at work. I won't lie, Shannon, the outlook is grim. Anti-serum research has been slow. The virus is way too adaptable, and any attempt to kill it only makes it stronger. Our researchers can't explain it," Daniel exposited.
"W-what about our family? Have any of them got this?" Shannon queried nervously. Daniel paused before answering.
"I think it's best if you see for yourself," Daniel braced Shannon for the worst. He then guided Shannon to the heart of the quarantine zone, and it was bad as Shannon feared. The gym didn't resemble a gym anymore. Hospital beds lined every inch, and each had a patient either unconscious or coughing profusely, some of it bloody. Shannon stayed close to Daniel, fearful of catching this deadly plague, despite the PPE she had on. Eventually, Daniel and Shannon stopped at a pair of beds with two elderly citizens on each. Once Shannon spied the names on the end, she had another panic attack. She was looking at the beds of Jacob and Rhea Tannenbaum, her grandparents, and they looked deathly ill.
"Hey, there's my *cough* baby girl. How are you holding up?" Jacob inquired weakly.
"Never mind me, what about you? What happened?" Shannon probed.
"Your cousin Kimberley was one of the first, before we knew how serious this was. Your grandparents took her home, hoping that bedrest and over-the-counter medicines would make her better. That is how they contracted the virus, and when Kimberley started coughing up blood, they called me in a frantic state. I raced over, examined her, and then they too started displaying signs. By the time I called the hospital, my boss told me they were full and to send them here," Daniel told his story.
"What about Lewis? Is he safe?" Shannon queried.
"He's *coughCOUGHcough* he's fine," Rhea updated.
"Take it easy. I told you both not to speak and save your energy," Daniel instructed his parents, then turned to Shannon again. "It is true that, since kindergarten was separate from general population, that Lewis was spared from the initial outbreak, as Patient Zero was a second-grader by the name of Lucy. Investigators still aren't sure how she got it, but it barely matters now," Daniel relayed.
"Wait, Lucy Loud? Her genius sister Lisa should be able to come up with an antidote, surely," Shannon realised.
"She's working with the CDC, but as I said, it's slow going," Daniel responded.
"Did this *COUGHCOUGH* come out of a laboratory somewhere?" Jacob quizzed.
"Dad, please. The investigation is still ongoing," Daniel dismissed. He then sighed heavily. "However, one strong possibility is that this is a bio-weapon of unknown origin. If that's the case, we don't have a lot of time," Daniel added.
"Or it's…God's wrath," Rhea suggested.
"Like I said, we don't know what this is," Daniel emphasised. Shannon tried to stay strong for her family. She approached her grandparents' bedsides cautiously.
"You're gonna be OK. You stubborn old geezers have survived worse than this," Shannon tried to assure herself more than anyone else.
"Our grand-daughter….. always the optimist," Rhea complimented.
"We are so proud of you, *coughCOUGHCOUGHcough*, and the rest should be too. The fine woman you've become," Jacob croaked. Shannon smiled, then felt the last of her emotional defences come crashing down.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," Shannon cried.
"Never stop….. being who you are," Jacob preached. Both he and Rhea went into coughing fits with monitors beeping like crazy. Daniel rushed over.
"Damnit! They're crashing! Only a miracle can save them now!" Daniel yelled. As if on cue, Luan and Benny arrived, seemingly from out of nowhere, wheeling a massive cart.
"Get this to them, quickly," Luan urged. Shannon had many questions right about now.
"Where'd you come from, and how'd you wake up so soon?" Shannon queried.
"No time! Give them the anti-serum, now!" Benny ordered. Shannon took a vial each and stuck it into their IVs, hoping beyond hope that it would work.
"Shannon, you can't just…" Daniel was about to lecture his daughter, but he saw for himself that the serum Luan and Benny brought was having an effect. Jacob and Rhea's vital signs were returning to normal, and the coughing fits had all but abated.
"Courtesy of my sister. We have enough for everyone," Luan notified. Daniel then flagged down some personnel.
"Get this to all patients, on the double. Elderly and vulnerable first. Hurry!" Daniel pressed.
"Right away!" the CDC worker acknowledged upon seeing the results for themselves. Medical personnel were rushing to the anti-serum cart, grabbing vials and dispensing the anti-serum to everyone they could. Once Shannon allowed herself to see the sight of all the patients getting the cure, she allowed herself to cry for a different, more joyful reason. She hugged Luan tightly and let it all out.
"Thank you, O Lord above, for this miracle," Shannon praised, grateful that not only was her best friend out of her coma, but that her family had been saved from what was surely an apocalypse in the making.
"All's well that ends well, right? I'll be sure to tell Principal Rivers she can have her gym back. Once you've cleared screening, we'll get you lot home," Daniel said out of sheer relief.
Everything did go back to normal. However, because many students in all schools contracted the virus, and there was still residual bodily weakness in those cured, all schools were closed the following week to allow for recovery time at home. For Shannon, however, this was overshadowed by the revelation that Luan, along with her family, went away to find the one responsible for unleashing this plague. This, no doubt, was motivated by the death of Leni's sweetheart, among other things. While Shannon was sympathetic to some degree, she could not condone revenge missions. Luan did return in time for the next drama club meeting, although she remained tight-lipped on what had happened the last time they spoke, but she did say whoever brought the plague to Royal Woods was brought to justice in the end. Shannon didn't care too much. She was just grateful to have everyone she cared most about in her life back to her, with no danger of losing them anytime soon.
Author's note: For those wanting context behind the Michigan Flu and the subsequent events thereafter, read my very first Loud House fic 'Royal Chaos' followed by the first X-over story I did with them called 'Science and Sorcery' and finally the ending to my Cipher Arc called 'The Second Cipher War'. I wrote Royal Chaos before Grace and I even met, some five and a half years ago now. Oh, how time flies. Ever since I embarked on this Sharuby Saga of ours, I always wondered what Shannon and co. did during the Michigan Flu crisis, and now this story allows me a chance to do just that. This is just a prologue. The rest will take place about four years after. In regards to the events of 'This Will Be Our Year', this takes place after Ruby and Spencer broke up and Ruby and Shannon became an item, but before Ruby and Spencer buried the hatchet. For those wondering why I killed off Chaz when I've featured him in other stories, well, I find that Leni has more chemistry with Gavin than Chaz, and Leni's too kind to break things off. I have edited previous works to feature Gavin where appropriate. The usual disclaimers, I own nothing. All properties belong to their respective owners. Enjoy.