"Let's go down in her basement. It's neat down there. There are stacks of papers and concrete blocks. You don't need to sort though this junk. You have what you need"
"I have never been in that basement in my life. If I was supposed to go down there, I would have by now. We're staying here to look through these pictures. We aren't supposed to go down there."
...
Cloths were draped in the stairwell. They grabbed at the skin like billowing ghosts. It was uncomfortable, stale and Stella wanted to go back upstairs. But they pushed on. As they reached the bottom step Stella's greatest fears were realized. It was a battle ground. Paralyzed bodies were scattered across the mustard yellow carpet. Stella walked to the back of the room in horror. How could her grandmother keep something like this from her? She turned to meet Emilio's eyes and saw him transfixed on a body. It was breathing. They were all breathing. Stella recognized Michael when his eyes opened slightly. Something was wrong.
"Have you ever seen so many needles?" Emilio wondered.
"No. What do you think is going on?"
"They're probably using."
"But they're only children. Children don't use. And not Michael. He's too smart."
They stirred. Stella grabbed Emilio's arm and started walking to the stairs. "But freedom is the other way," said Emilio. Regardless, Stella ran up the stairs. She knew they had to get out before those kids saw them. Just as Emilio's foot landed on the ground floor, Stella turned to slam the door. But there was a child there; feral, dangerous. It vomited on Stella's foot as she tried to kick it back down the stairs.
"Oh god. What if I have AIDS? They're just kids. They don't know about the transfer of disease. I could have AIDS."
Emilio bit his lip and grabbed Stella's hand. "There's no time to worry about that now. We'll have you tested when we can take your shoe off. But for now we need to get out of here. I don't know what they're using, but they're mad."
They ran out into the parking lot. It was cloudy and yellow. Michael stood in front of their car with his arms crossed. "Where are you going?" he asked.
"Michael, please. I know we aren't the closest, but you're my family and I love you. Please don't hurt us," Stella cried.
"What were you doing in her basement?" Michael demanded.
"N-n-nothing. We were just curious"
"You weren't supposed to go in the basement."
"Michael, what were you doing with those kids? What was wrong with them? One of them attacked us. I might have AIDS."
"Don't worry about it. "
Michael unfolded his arms and walked toward Stella. She flinched a little with each step he took. He wrapped his arms around her and she returned the gesture. Stella stretched her neck up and nuzzled her head into Michael's neck.
Everything was fine.
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