Chapter 13
Sophie didnt wake up before it was already late in the evening.
When Emma had suggested that they should rest for a while, she thought she would never be able to get to sleep, after all the events of that day. Instead, a few moments after her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep, albeit distressed sleep.
She had dreamt that a police team surrounded the hotel and broke into their room; when she tried to escape, one of them took off his helmet, revealing the muzzle of a dragon underneath. His poisonous jaws opened and reached for her face, and she woke up abruptly.
She heard a gentle and regular sound that seemed familiar.
Emma was sitting on the bed, already awake, and was knitting. A long red woollen thread was stretched from her knitting-needles to her purse.
Sophie felt a pang: for a moment she thought she had seen her grandmother. Grandma used to knit all the time as well.
The quiet clicking sound of the knitting-needles seemed strangely comforting.
Are you awake? Mrs Lemaire asked.
Sophie sat up, pushing a strand of hair away from her face: Yes... I never imagined I would be so tired.
Its only natural, Emma nodded.
Sophie looked at the time on the television screen: nine p.m.
Usually at this time she would be at home, probably sitting on the bed just like she was now. Only it would be in the quiet of her home, with nothing more serious to worry about than what was left in the fridge or what occurred with some patient that day; instead, she was staying in a hotel room with a perfect stranger.
She watched the old lady knitting, wondering if Emma felt as disoriented as herself.
Look, uh, Mrs. Lemaire, she began.
Oh, you can call me Emma, the old lady replied.
Yes... Emma. I was saying.... is there someone waiting for you at home?
Emma looked a little surprised: For me? No... just... well... a cat, to tell the truth.
A cat? Sophie repeated.
She had never met anyone who kept a pet without the intention of eating it. Having a cat sounded a bit like a waste of resources, to be honest.
Yes. His name is Fuzzi, Emma replied, apologetically. I know what you're thinking. Who can afford to waste food on a cat? But I am old and my food distribution ration is far too much. And then Fuzzi doesnt need much at all, he hunts mice, hes very good. I dont have to worry about him, she sighed. He does very well on his own, Fuzzi. But I know he still needs me... When Im not with him Im always afraid that someone might hurt him.
Im sure hell be fine, Sophie assured her.
Most likely the cat was in a casserole by now; she didnt know anyone who would see a stray cat and pass on the opportunity.
Do you have kids? she asked to change the subject.
Emma shrugged: I used to, she said, in a low voice.
Sophie didnt know what to say. Im sorry, she offered.
The older woman shook her head, as if to chase away the ghosts: Oh, it was so long ago. A lifetime ago. At the beginning of the plague.
My family too, Sophie said bitterly. The first wave.
Emma nodded: The worst, so far. People died in the streets, there was no control. Nobody knew yet how long the incubation period lasts or how the infection is transmitted, she sighed. Such terrible times.
And they might come back, Sophie thought.
Unless Emmas blood was really the key to the vaccine. The thought brought back a wave of anxiety; why was the police hunting them? Why had they arrested Amanda? They should have been on their side, do everything to keep them safe. Why were they accused of being infected instead?
Part of her hated Amanda and Emma for putting her in that situation.
Almost ashamed of herself, she wondered if she might just opt out.
It was a horrible thought, unfair and treacherous, but Sophie could not help wondering what would happen if she turned herself in to the medical police... perhaps bringing the old lady with her...
I'm sorry I had you dragged into this mess, Emma said, ??as if she could read her mind. I know that if you had any choice...
No, I... Sophie began, blushing.
No, dear, I mean it, Emma interrupted. No need to apologize. Nobody wants to send their life spinning off kilter just to help a stranger. I'm really sorry that it happened to you. You seem like a nice girl, one that doesnt look for trouble. Thank you so much for not leaving me alone.
Um, yeah, Sophie replied, uncomfortable. No problem.
The evening and then the night passed.
Sophie spent a few hours in a deep sleep, full of nightmares, but for most of the time she stayed awake staring at the peeling walls of the room.
Emma occasionally tried to start a conversation, asking about her life, her work, and the presence or lack of a significant other. But Sophie didnt want either to talk or to think about her life in general. She just wanted to be left alone to indulge her anxiety.
The next morning, however, they had to face a new problem: they were hungry.
Sophie realized she had not eaten anything since breakfast the day before.
Until this moment fear and adrenaline had driven away the hunger pangs, but now she realized that they needed food.
Obviously, going to the food distribution was out of the question: the medical police would have identified them in no time. Theoretically, the sale of food outside the distribution was illegal, but Sophie knew that many people broke the law fairly regularly in this regard. She had even done it herself, on occasion.
She tried to recall the last time she'd bought food at the black market: it must have been a couple of years earlier, when her neighbour had sold her a box of apples for ten credits.
It happened by chance, because she incidentally passed in front of his apartment while he and his family were carrying the boxes up the stairs. She had no idea where he had got them. In fact, she had not the faintest idea how, or whom, she might ask where to buy any food now. Talking to someone who she knew and mentioning that she would gladly buy some fruit if they had any extra was one thing... attempting to do it on the streets, in the midst of perfect strangers, was quite another.
She supposed that the guy at the reception desk could give them directions, but she preferred not to attract his attention any further.
She decided to venture out by herself: ??two people walking around would attract attention, since their identikit had been circulated together, and she feared that Emma alone would get lost.
She took a few ten credits notes and went outside. The morning air was cool and humid, and only at that moment did Sophie realize than she had missed the outdoors while she was locked in a room with Emma.
She pulled up the sweatshirt hood to hide her face and started walking around the block. It was an anonymous district, identical to thousands of others in the city, maybe a little more neglected and dilapidated than the fifth ring one in which she lived.
She passed a food distribution centre, and felt her stomach rumble. What was she supposed to do? She definitely couldnt just stop some random stranger on the street and ask them to sell her food.
She passed by offices, medical centres, several small shops of electronic equipment or hardware. In the window of one of these she noticed a second hand cultivation lamp for only a few credits. Too late, she thought bitterly.
And suddenly she saw a medical police station, with two officers in front of it. Instinctively she ducked into an alley to her right.
She noticed a man who was putting garbage in a can. He was wearing a stained tank top and cotton trousers.
Sophie looked around: the alley was almost deserted, except for a little girl, perhaps eleven years old, playing with a ball. This could be an opportunity.
Good morning, Sophie greeted the man.
He looked at her blankly: Hi.
I was wondering if... um... if you could give me some information, she began, trying not to appear nervous and failing miserably.
He looked at her with a shrug, which she interpreted as a tacit approval.
You see... well, it happened that... its so stupid, ha-ha ??... she emitted a forced chuckle, I happen to be away from home on a business trip for some days, and... I realized that I left my food card at home. How careless of me!
The guy kept staring inexpressively.
So I was wondering if... well, if you knew where I might buy food around here... for now. Only until I get home. Where I can use my food card again, she smiled encouragingly.
The man took a threatening step towards her and Sophies smile froze on her lips.
Im not doing anything illegal, you know? No, nothing, you have no evidence against me!
No, of course not, I was just...
He grabbed her by the collar of her sweatshirt: So you can just tell your little friends from the tax inspection to stop being a pain in my ass. The next officer that they send, I'll cut their throat, you know?
Sophie broke free and stepped back: Listen, I assure you Im not...
And that's my last word, if you know what I mean.
Having said that, the man went back inside, slamming the door behind him.
Damn, Sophie thought. Maybe this wasnt the best way to approach this.
She put her hands in her pockets and began walking toward the end of the alley. She didnt have the faintest idea of what to do next.
Hey, you! a voice called her out.