I

Chapter 1

Annabelle

Beep

Beep

Beep

"Mommy, get up I'm hungry," I heard my six-year-old son say. I lazily opened my eyes to see him right in front of my face smiling at me. I smiled back at my adorable son.

"Mommy is coming in five minutes okay?" I tried to gain a few more minutes of sleep but Raphaël is just too excited to see his dad today. I suddenly felt cold and I knew it was because he pulled the blanket off of me. I mentally groaned and forced my feet out of the bed. I threw a fake angry glare at Raphaël but couldn't help the chuckle that came out. My phone made a sound on the bedside table next to me indicating that I've received a message.

Jack:

Me:

"Come on hun, daddy is going to be here soon. Go get dressed." He quickly nodded and ran to his room to change his clothes. I beamed while watching run, he's so cute.

After a quick shower and a little disagreement on what Raphaël should wear today. We were finally seated eating breakfast. Jack was running a little late but I didn't mind. More time I get with my baby boy.

"What are you and daddy planning for the weekend?" I asked.

"Umm, h-he said that we will go see movie and go to Canada's Wonderland," He replied while beaming and bouncing on his chair. I would've love to join Jack and Raphaël for a trip to Canada's Wonderland but my work offered me some extra shifts today and I couldn't refuse because it meant more money and I need it. I'm just grateful that Raphaël has a great father who takes every chance he gets to spend time with him.

Some minutes after, we heard the doorbell ring. I smiled at him and he returned it.

"How is Jenny?" I asked attempting to make small talk.

"She's doing well," He answered. Jenny is Jack's current girlfriend. Six years ago, Jack was supposed to just be a one night stand but fate had another plan for us and a week later I learned that I was pregnant. I told him and we agreed to raise Raphaël together but as friends. Even tho we were just friends, Jack was by my side the whole way. A year ago, Jack met Jenny and I can tell that they're madly in love with each other and I am happy for them.

Raphaël came running with his backpack on his back eager to see his father. He ran towards him and Jack lifted him up in the air. Both of them were giggling, I smiled at the scene. After their little father-son moment, Jack told me that he'll bring him back Monday morning. I nodded and said my final goodbyes to them and closed the door. Walking to the living room, I turned on the TV to the news channel and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes from yesterday and this morning. I wasn't really listening until they mentioned a new case found in Toronto of the disease.

A few months ago, there was an outbreak of this deadly disease. It's contagious and is transmitted to another person by skin touch. Anybody can get infected and anybody can die from it. The disease has only one symptom that we currently know of, seizures. It starts with a seizure and then you'll get whatever it brings you. Presently, everyone who is infected is kept in a facility here in Mississauga. They're trying to find a cure for it but in the meanwhile, we can only pray to prevent another outbreak. My mom died two months ago from it, she died right after her seizure because she was alone and nobody could save her. Even tho we haven't had the best mother-daughter relationship there is, I still miss her very much.

I closed the TV and went to my room to get dressed for work. I work as a waitress at a restaurant two streets from here. The pay is just enough for Raphaël and me plus with Jack's small help, I'm able to pay all of my bills.

I came back to the kitchen ready to leave and grabbed my bag and some snacks to eat if I get hungry. Just eating the food that they prepare in the kitchen for the customers is always super tempting but I know I'll get fired and that alone is enough to make me turn my back on the food.

Locking my apartment door, I checked the time on my phone to make sure I wasn't late. I had thirty minutes left until my shift starts. The walk to the restaurant takes only fifteen minutes so I'll still have some extra time before my shift starts.

The walk there was very noisy since it is Saturday morning, people are mostly doing some morning errands. When I arrived, the place was serving a few people but I'm sure more is going to come soon since it is 10:30 AM. I made my way to the employee's locker room at the very back of the building. I caught sight of two of my friends, Patricia and Carlos talking to each other while preparing themselves.

"Hey, guys," I said cheerfully.

"Hey, Anna. How is Raphaël doing?" Patricia asked while putting her long hair in a bun.

"He's fine. He's staying with his father for the weekend since I obviously can't watch him. They're actually going to Canada's Wonderland. I wish I could come too but I couldn't refuse when they offered me some extra shifts."

"You know, I wish I was a dad. At least I could've had some family left," Carlos replied, his tone dripping with sadness. Carlos' sister and parents all died from the disease four months ago. It took him a lot of time to recover but now he's slowly and gradually getting back on track. In the first two months, he started abusing alcohol and hooking up with a lot of girls. He even tried once with me but I knew he would feel guilty later on since at the time he wasn't right in his state of mind.

"Shut up Carlos, we all know that you probably already have a child in this world but just doesn't know it," Patricia jokingly said. We all chuckled and talked about other topics.

"Pats, why do you have gloves on?" I asked curiously when Patricia slid gloves on before closing her locker.

"Clearly you didn't watch the news this morning. They found another infected person in Toronto which is pretty close to here. I at least want to have some sort of protection on me. You guys should wear some too."

After our small unnecessary debate about whether gloves are useful or not, I grabbed my notepad and started to take orders from the people who were seated in my section of the restaurant. Today I was serving the people seated around the bar area. It's a quiet section since kids are rarely here and not many people go to the bar during the day.

The day was passing quite smoothly. Everyone seemed to be satisfied with my service which brings a smile to my face. Everyone was enjoying their food and the company they've brought. Everyone except for a strange man who entered the restaurant and went straight to the bar. He was wearing a black leather jacket with blue jeans. A cap was on his head with a mask and sunglasses on, we couldn't see his face clearly. He was also wearing leather gloves to match with his jacket. Everyone in the building took a pause at whatever they were doing to look at him and scrunch up their faces. He took a seat and I proceeded to clean the table who was used by three women.

When I finished, I went up to the man to ask if he wanted anything to eat or drink. He didn't say anything he just sat there with his head turned towards me. Even tho I couldn't see where his eyes were pointed to, I could just feel it that he was glaring straight at me. I became very uncomfortable and decided to come back later.

Busy serving other tables, I just couldn't get that feeling away from someone watching me very closely. I had a pretty good guess of who it might be but I wasn't sure.

When the time came to go check on him again. He spoke before I could open my mouth.

"It's not every day I have the pleasure of seeing such a beautiful woman." He took off his gloves and hesitantly offered it for a shake. I smiled at him while shaking his hand.

"Don't be silly. Are you ready for me to take your order?" He nodded and ordered a small plate of spicy chicken wings.

I went to the kitchen to place his order but once there I felt something strange. Something was coming and I knew it. The next thing I know is that I'm on the floor shaking hysterically with people around me asking me if I was okay.

Of course I'm not okay. Then everything went blank.