Quarantine Blues

The police station seemed busier than usual. Even though it was already half past 9pm, the station was crowded with busy police officers frantically doing paperwork, making calls, and typing on their computers. It was not just extremely busy for a night shift, but also for the pandemic standards for work. Well, except for the masks. You could tell that there was a pandemic because of the masks. But what would Ellie know about busy police? This was her first time at the station.

The rude police officers sat her down on the bench and locked her handcuffs on the chain that was attached to the ground. “So, you don’t run away, miss Jane Doe.” The male officer smirked at her.

At the police station the officers asked her name and took her fingerprints to identify her. They gave her a mask to protect from the virus and did another thorough frisk and asked her to remove her clothes. She was standing there in just in her underwear, cold and humiliated as they searched her jacket in and out and took her other clothes in a zip bag to evidence. She was confused, scared and angry. All of this just for being out a few minutes after the police clock? She never felt so humiliated in her entire life. Standing there in her underwear, as they treated her like a criminal. After the search, they gave her a grey jumpsuit and she was put in a cell full of girls in same grey jumpsuit, wearing protective masks. They all were quiet and only few looked up when Ellie walked in.

Ellie looked around the cell and sat down by the girl with blonde braids. The girl looked Ellie up and down suspiciously and scooted uncomfortably when Ellie sat down and gave her the meanest side eye. Ellie ignored her and leaned back on the wall, looking up the cell’s grey ceiling. She could feel the girl’s eyes on her, but she tried to ignore it. Watching the ceiling fan, she started her breathing exercises. Breath in. 1, 2, 3. Breath out. Breath in. 1, 2, 3 Breath out. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears and each breath was hurting her tight chest. Focusing on the spinning fan, she tried to calm herself down and convince herself that everything will be ok.

This must be a mistake. She thought. They must not think, I went to the protest. I don’t even follow current politics. Fuck! I must hear that wrong. I will just get a ticket for being out after 9pm, and for not wearing ID on me. It will be fine. IT WILL BE FINE!

Breath in. 1, 2, 3 Breath out. Again! Breath in. 1, 2, 3. Breath out.

“So, you didn’t run fast enough, did you?”

“Excuse me?” Ellie was so focused on her breathing; she didn’t even notice the pink girl approaching her.

“They didn’t bring you in at the same time as the rest of us, did they? So, they got you after you run away. Right? So, you must not run fast enough, did you?” The girl with pink hair asked with some strange accusing tone in her voice. It was even slightly intimidating.

“I don’t think I understand what you mean.” Answered Ellie. Like this night wasn’t confusing enough.

“Don’t talk to her!” Interrupted the blonde girl sitting next to Ellie. “Leila, she is undercover cop, trying to get us to talk; to get inside info!” The she turned to Ellie: “You won’t get any info from us. I see right through you. You are wasting your time. But just so you know… I despise you!” She turned back to pink haired girl; Ellie assumed was named Leila. “Don’t talk. Just as they taught us.”

“Excuse me!” Said Ellie. This accusation enraged her. “I am no cop! I am here just by sheer coincidence. I was taking a walk and they caught me out after 9pm without my ID. Then they accused me that I vandalized some buildings–Which I DIDN’T! And this is all a misunderstanding, and I will go home soon!” She looked at them both: “So please stop with these accusations and let’s just all mind our business till they let us go.” Ellie stood up and walked on the other side of the cell. All the girl’s eyes were on her now. She could see with a corner of her eyes, how, who she believed was Leila, sitting down by the blonde girl. They started whispering and constantly looking in her direction. Ellie pretended that that did not bother her and sat on the floor, crossing her legs leaning her arms and head on the jail bars. Now, she concentrated on the little ants walking in straight line past the cell.

Breath in. 1, 2, 3. Breath out. Everything will be fine. Again! Breath in. 1, 2, 3. Breath out. Oh no! Her chest tightened and she started gasping. What if it won’t be?