Tammy   It was the Memorial Day. A sorrowful dent in the lives of everyone in the city. They'd all gathered round the fire that shot towards the sky like a mangrove shrub, keeping warm while paying tribute to the fallen ones. A canopy of dark shadows them all, displaying a ghoulish dance in the dim light. The guards were already in place, behind the shadows, watching from above the rooftops and ready to keep the order by all means. Tammy thought it unnecessary.She couldn't recall the last time there was chaos or even the slightest bit of disorder in the city. But the guards were a constant in the society, like stars are in the night sky.The day was beginning to darken and night was fast approaching. There was no breeze but the air carried a familiar chill. Tammy had a shawl draped on her shoulder even though she had on the sweater her grandma made her.With arms folded, she adopted the same solemn disposition as the body of peo

TammyThe night seems endless, a never-ending waterfall of darkness and despair. How can she fall asleep when the guards could break down the front door at any moment? Tapping her foot nervously on the footboard, she kills the time by searching and counting all the black spots on the ceiling. By the time she reaches a few thousands, the sun has risen high enough to paint the plain walls of her bedroom in bright morning colours.This should do it. It's time to get up and face the day. Maybe they are waiting for me at the Institute. At least, Grace won't be there to make things worse.' Her voice comes out horse and tired, almost defeated.Avoiding her reflection as she passes the mirror on the dressing door, Tammy can almost feel the deep dark circles engraved under her eyes. She squints one of them trying to get rid of the sand-like feeling that is preventing her to keep it open. Then, she ungracefully t

Tammy     By the time the morning classes had ended, she'd finally calmed her nerves, returning back to her normal self. She almost forgot about those crystal eyes piercing right through her, unravelling her deepest secret.   In Virology, Dr Shah even gave her extra credit for her paper on Viral Genomes, brightening up her mood. She could only hope that one day she will be chosen to be a part of his team. He is the head of the Biological Science Division, the research building where she has been spending countless hours.   Ever since her parents had been taken away, she promised herself to do everything in her power to find a cure, to do whatever it takes to stop the banishments. So many families have been dismantled or completely erased from history because their beloved ones got infected and exiled. She has dedicated her young life to the cause and nothing will make her change her mind.  

TammyHer stomach ache has intensified ten times than it had been the entire morning. She wasn't expecting her day to be all rainbows and unicorns, however, she didn't imagine it will turn this bad. Meeting him was the worst thing that could have happened to her and only thinking about it is making her sick. She cannot believe what a condescending jerk he was, prodding her with his long fingers like she was a child. What's that supposed to even mean? Her subconscious demands with pouty lips. The dialogue in her head ignites the flames of her frustration, even more, her outrage fuming the whole way home.Who does he think he is?' she bursts out through gritted teeth as soon as the front door closes behind her. She fists her hands close to her body, striving to hold on to the little selfcontrol she has left. Her fingernails are digging mercilessly in her palms, while she channels all the anger out of her system. Closing her eyes she

TammyHer condition is getting worse, despite all her futile attempts to avoid him. Faith decided to act against her will, meddling with both her patience and her sanity. How can she forget about Lucas, when he keeps popping up like this? Especially now, that Sesh is spending so much time with his friend, Matt. Twisting the knife further still, his name has become a powerful weapon against her weakness, an ever-present sound on everyone's lips that's confusing her even more. If it's not about his looks, it's about his arrogant attitude, which, like a magnet, attracts vilifying rumours and lustful wishes. Her life has turned into a sinking ship, going down fast in nauseating swirls, and with ELISA supposing to be next week, she's on the verge of losing it.She has never been afraid of the test before, not like this at least. The symptoms are getting more obvious, impossible for her to ignore them anymore. Besides, deep down, she kn