Too Late for Sorry
Microbe-fiction
Day 365
GLOBAL DAY OF MOURNING
As outbreak recedes, survivors ask: How do we move on?
(NY Times)
Day 240
HOPE WANES FOR VACCINE
World Health Organization: Radical measures needed
(Al Jazeera)
Day 96
'AGONIZING': HOSPITALS, MORGUES OVERRUN
(USA Today)
Day 53
VIRUSX CONQUERS EUROPE
Borders close as deaths, panic spread
(London Telegraph)
Day 21
"Forgive me. I chose wrong."
(Note found on Dr. Gary Thompson's deathbed)
Day 12
FIRST DEATH FROM MYSTERY VIRUS
Massive sickwave decimates police precinct
(Chicago Sun-Times)
Day 1
CONTROVERSIAL BIOENGINEER SHOT AFTER LAB BREAK-IN
Police received tip; officials mum on stolen biohazardous materials
(Chicago Tribune)
T-zero
"She has a gun!"
(Bodycam transcript)
T-minus-46 minutes
"I'm going tonight," said Leanne. "For the last time, will you help?"
"Don't do this," pleaded Gary. "You know better than anyone what's at stake."
"Exactly why it has to stay in my hands," Leanne retorted fiercely. Gary knew why Leanne's former lab staff called her the steel dragon. Crossing her meant hitting a wall of solid fire.
"I can't help you. I won't. I couldn't be responsible if ... I'm sorry."
She held his gaze a moment. "You're not the only one who's sorry." She turned briskly and walked out.
About the Creator
Sonia Heidi Unruh
I love: my husband and children; all who claim me as family or friend; the first bite of chocolate; the last blue before sunset; solving puzzles; stroking cats; finding myself by writing; losing myself in reading; the Creator who is love.
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More stories from Sonia Heidi Unruh and writers in Fiction and other communities.
I AM
This is not who I thought I would be. Before my family was captured and forced into slavery, I had aspirations of becoming a wealthy business owner or possibly a scholar and philosopher. Becoming a warrior was the furthest thing from my mind. Unfortunately, our Roman conquerors had other plans.
By Mark Gagnona day ago in Fiction
Comments (7)
Sonia, I am sorry I missed this when you published it originally. This is breathtakingly tense and reminds me of disaster movies like Outbreak and some of the feelings we all had during that first year of Covid! Impressive work on this one, Sonia!
"Outbreak" meets Wuhan conspiracy theories. Chillingly succinct in the telling.
SO skilfully written! Brava!
Wow, great job! The structure really lends itself to a lot of nuance and a bigger story. I think I went back three times to unpack more of the plot! This was so clever, and I hope it made it into the challenge, because I think it would absolutely place! 💜😵
creepy and creative - good take on the challenge!
Oooh the way you structured this was so good!!! I loved it!!
Scary stuff. Great story 🥰