“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Allison screamed.
Kathy must have been used to being hugged by strangers because she didn’t even flinch as Allison squeezed her tightly.
“Oh, honey, it’s my pleasure. We all help each other here,” Kathy said.
Once they hit all the stations, Kathy gave Allison a hand-drawn map to a house a few blocks over. The house was managed by the town and used for newcomers. If someone stayed in the town long term, they were assigned a permanent home or a place in a home. Kathy told Allison a doctor would meet to examine her and tend to any medical needs she had. Allison’s spine stiffened.
“I know it isn’t pleasant being poked and prodded by someone you don’t know, and a man at that. But we have to take precautions to keep the town infection free.” Kathy smiled as she spoke. “We are lucky enough to have a doctor here, so we don’t have to send anyone to one of those government medical clinics. I’ve heard of horrible things happening at those clinics. But you understand the importance of being examined by a doctor, right dear?” Kathy’s voice was smooth and comforting. Allison nodded slowly in agreement as she twisted her hair around her finger with clammy hands. Fucking doctors.
“What’s the doctor’s name?” Allison asked.
“Dr. Dryanski. He is wonderful and kind.” Allison breathed a sigh of relief as Kathy gently patted her on the shoulder and handed her a key. Allison smiled, released her hair from her fingers, and took the key from Kathy.
“That will get you into the house. Come back to Town Hall around 7:00 for dinner. The community always hosts a lunch and dinner daily for residents and guests. Most people choose to attend, but you are free to eat at home if you wish,” Kathy said.
“That sounds great. I will see you there,” Allison replied.
Allison followed the hand-written map along the streets of New Haven. The map was full of bright colors, easy to follow, and very detailed. She passed a city garden full of happily chatting people. Their laughter floated through the air infecting all those who heard it. Allison suppressed a giggle and waved to the group. The group waved back before falling into a fit of laughter once more.
Allison walked up the old brick path to her temporary home. The house was a single-story ranch. The brick exterior had been whitewashed and was embellished with deep blue shutters. A large front porch stretched along most of the length of the home and a wood bench swing hung from the rafters, swaying slightly in the breeze.
Allison used the key from Kathy to open the blue front door, which perfectly matched the shutters. She walked into a small entryway and set her bag down near the front door.
“Hello!” Allison called. No answer. “Hello, anyone here?” she said, louder this time. No answer.
Allison maundered through the home admiring the cozy, traditional décor. As she was admiring the kitchen, a knock sounded at the door. Allison froze. The knock sounded again. Duh, Allison. This is where you live. You answer the door. Allison rushed to the door and opened it. An older gentleman with a medical bag in his hand grinned at her from the doorway.
“Hello, Allison. I heard you’re new to our tiny town. I am Dr. Dryanski. May I come in?” he asked. His smile reached his eyes, and his face radiated with kindness.
“Yes, yes. Sorry it took me so long to get to the door. I’m not used to answering doors anymore,” Allison apologized, ushering the man in.
“Well, let’s begin.” He walked into the living room and Allison followed. He gestured his arm in the direction of the couch and Allison sat on it. “I hope you don’t mind a talker. I talk quite a bit,” Dr. Dryanski said.
“I don’t mind,” she replied.
“Well, while I prepare my equipment and paperwork I’ll tell you about this town you stumbled upon, if you don’t mind,” he said as he opened his bag.
“I would love that, actually,” Allison told him.
“Good, good, good. Let’s see, where to start? Ah, yes. The people. All the residents in New Harbor came from somewhere else, just like you. So you will fit in just fine, in case you were worried. The original town of Harbor had been abandoned sometime during the outbreak. A group of survivors stumbled upon it a little over a year ago, and New Harbor was born. I found this place soon after the first group,” he said. He slipped a laptop from his bag along with a case of electrodes before he began inputting information into his computer. “People just started showing up. They had become so accustomed to being alone or in small groups they really enjoyed participating in large activities as one community. Although the town is still not very big by traditional standards, I am proud to say we have a population of two hundred and sixty-three residents and seventeen guests at this time,” he went on as he plugged the electrode bundle into the laptop and began unraveling the cords. “I need to attach these to your head, and they will remain there while I finish the exam,” he said.
Allison nodded and leaned forward so he could reach her easily. He attached the electrodes, hit a button on the laptop, then picked up his stethoscope and moved onto the couch by Allison.
“I’m still a little old-fashioned. I prefer to avoid using a retina scanner as much as possible. Plus, the only one we have is at the gate and it’s only programmed to detect infection. It can’t do all the fancy things the newer ones can,” he said.
He used the stethoscope to listen to her heart and lungs. Then pulled a tiny silver hammer from his pocket and tested her reflexes. Dr. Dryanski ran a thermometer across her forehead and nodded at the result on the screen. His movements flowed smoothly into each other like
