(if: $window is true and $sleep is 0)[An idea comes to your head. You haven't been outside in weeks. What would be the worst if you just went for a quick [[walk]]?]
(else-if: $sleep is 1 and $window is true)[Another day...what to do. You were awoken by a platter of mush being dropped at your door. You brush off the morning grogginess and get out of [[bed.->Wake up]]]
(else-if: visits > 1 and $sleep < 1)[Sitting here in this dark room leaves everything to be desired. You haven't seen any of your friends in weeks, but the nurses insist you stay in here. Your joints and bones ache from laying in this twin bed for what seems like two lifetimes. You wouldn't wish this upon your worst enemy. A cold breeze flows in from the widow. Do you go to the [[window]] or do you curl up under the covers and [[sleep]] the day away?]
(else-if: $window is false and $sleep is 0)[Nothing was the [[same]].]
(else-if: $window is false)[The curtains flap around as a cold breeze through the open [[window]]. The smell of spring is upon us.]
Ever since the virus came into contact with us, we were helpless. There was nothing we could do. It spread like the wildfires in Australia. Who knew this year could be so [[bleak...->The Dark Days]]
(set: $window to true) You hobble over to the window and close it quickly. Your frail body doesn't retain heat like it used to. Dust and cobwebs have piled up near the [[window->The Dark Days]] Your eyes are heavy. You fall back asleep hoping to sleep off the day and wake up to some good news (set: $sleep to $sleep + 1)[[tomorrow->The Dark Days]] (if: $sleep is 0)[A walk. Who knew that something so simple would become so scarce. You stare up at the ceiling and wonder how a nice walk out today would be with the warm sun warming your skin. Your eyes slowly close as you fall to sleep...]
[[Tomorrow]] (set: $sleep to $sleep + 1)
[[The next day...->The Dark Days]]Sitting in your small room, you force the food down. The sun creeps through your window as the curtain reveals it's open. Huh, you could've sworn you closed the window last night...
(link: "...")[
The smell of spring blooming floods your room and fills you with euphoria. You long to go outside.]
(link: "The first floor")[The first floor has another added benefit. [[Sneaking]] out the window may night be so bad, even with the two hip replacements...]
(link: "A banging...")[A banging at the door frightens you. The workers have made their rounds with lunch. Time really does seem to inch like a slug when you have nothing to do until, but you could've sworn you just had eaten breakfast. You must have [[dozed->Lunch Time]] off for a couple hours.]Great, more mush. Your life outside the assisted living seems like a dream.
You gather yourself and look towards the door. There's a [[shadow]] underneath the door.
(link: "friends")[You haven't seen your friends in weeks. You long to just live out the mundaneness of life. Playing Bingo or Scrabble, something you took for granted, seems appealing. Hell, even running into [[Hellen]] would be a nice change of scenery](set: $window to false)
(set: $sleep to 0)Living in the retirement home has its benefits, but a situation now can only bring out the pessimist.
What can you even do all day? Your body has slowed over the years. You long for any sort of [[connection->neighbors]].
(link: "...")[Sitting up in your bed you wonder how to pass the time. You've done every crossword, but you still can't wrap your head around the answer to 53 down: Viral video sensation app e.g. Charli D'Amelio. TikTok seems nonsensical, but what do you know. Technology has outpaced your ability to pick it [[up]].] You creep up to the door and peek through the peephole. It's dark outside, but you it appears to be a familiar figure.
(link: "Who could it be?")[It's Jack! You're overjoyed at the thought of human interaction. You open up the door quickly.
"Jack! What are you doing here?! I'm so happy to see you, but management can't know you're out. You know the retirement home has to take these things [[seriously]]"]You can see the effects on isolation on his face. Living in a retirement home is miserable enough when you have people to see.
"I know we shouldn't be doing this I just needed to see someone. I can't take it anymore. I just needed to see your [[face]]".
"Hold on Jack, I have an [[idea]]. Go back to your room and open the window.". You can't imagine the toll this has taken on everyone, especially Jack. It looks like he hasn't slept at all in [[ages.->seriously]]You rush to your window and open it. You shuffle and eventually get settled so you are sitting on the window. The window blows a cold breeze in your face as the sun starts to creep onto your face.
(link: "Hey!")["Isn't it nice to 'get' outside for a second?"
You smile as you and Jack sit there, one room apart. Every so often you look over and smile at each other. His face has brightened up. He looks like the 'old' Jack you know. The world may be in shambles, but at least you have your buddy Jack to sit and enjoy the world.
(link: "The End")[(reload:)]]
You awkwardly climb out the window. Years ago this would have been like opening a can, but hell even now that is tough.
Your body aches.
You slowly shuffle out of the plants and onto the path. You take a deep breath in and out and blow out all your worries. That claustraphobic feeling that surrounded you like a blanket seems to have lifted.
You start down the path and end up at a fork in the road. To the left is the [[garden]] in the woods where the right takes a loop around to the [[pool]].You lucked out. Living next to you are you two best friends: Jack and Christoph. If only you could see them[[...]]Another day passes as you toss the crossword away. You end staring out the window. The only connection to the outside world. You sit and wonder when all of this will end...
(link: "The End")[(reload:)]An idea springs to your head. You jolt out of bed and creep out of your room.
"Knock, knock, knock".
Jack's face peers slightly behind his door. His eyes light up when he sees [[you->seriously]].The birds sing and the squirrels scamper around as you sit on the bench in the middle of the garden. The sun shines through the branches of the trees as your mind fills with happiness.
Your eyes begin to shut as the sound of the trees swaying gently nudges you to sleep. You are happy once again.
(link: "The End")[(reload:)]You saunter over to the pool. It's weird not seeing anyone here. On a regular day, it would be packed here.
The water feels nice as you dip your feet in. You sit and stare off into the distance.
Your mind wanders and you are at peace...
(link: "The End")[(reload:)][[Quarantined->The Dark Days]]
Zach Nussbaum