I looked both ways before stepping out into the street. I listened for footsteps. The coast was clear. No one was around. I could leave the house.
I had barely taken two steps down the road when I heard the helicopter hovering above my head, repeating the same message over and over again.
“WE’RE IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY… STAY AT HOME… DON’T PUT OTHER PEOPLE AT RISK… STAY AT HOME… WE’RE IN A LOCKDOWN… STAY AT HOME…”
I hid under the canopy of a large tree while the chopper passed, hugging the trunk, trembling in tune with the leaves above me. Had they seen me? Did they know where I was going? Could they read my mind? Had they reported me? Would someone come for me? Take me away? Was I in trouble?
“WE’RE IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY… STAY AT HOME… DON’T PUT OTHER PEOPLE AT RISK… STAY AT HOME… WE’RE IN A LOCKDOWN… STAY AT HOME…”
Gradually the message faded until it was just a murmur in the distance and an echo in my head.
“WE’RE… STAY… DON’T… STAY… WE’RE… STAY…”
I let go of the tree and continued my journey down the street. My body remained stiff and my heart pounded in my chest. What was I venturing into?
As I reached the main street I noticed there were some more people around. Scattered over the two sidewalks, keeping their distance. Some walking along the middle of the road. I could feel their gaze turn towards me as I took my place among them, keeping my distance, like a delicate product passing along on a slow moving conveyor belt. I could feel their thoughts penetrating my head.
“What’s he doing here? How dare he? Has he no shame? No respect for others?”
I bowed my head, looking down at my feet, as I took my carefully choreographed steps along the sidewalk, keeping my distance. I made myself as small as possible. Kept my arms tight to my sides. On one hand I wanted to become invisible, escape the inquisitive eyes of my neighbors. On the other, I wanted to shout. I wanted to come clean.
“I DON’T MEAN YOU HARM. I’M NOT HERE TO HURT YOU. I’M JUST GOING SHOPPING. I’M OUT OF FOOD.”
