Jess is sick.
I knocked on their door as soon as I could this morning, and before I could even open my mouth, Olivia hauled me inside. Jess has a fever. It doesn't feel like a high fever, but she said asking anyone for a thermometer right now is like signing a death warrant. I was sure she was being melodramatic, but that's usually Jess's territory. I didn't even have one in the motorhome's first aid kit; I looked when I went back to grab my book and my notebook.
I'm staying with Jess while Olivia is out with the tree cutting crew. That's new to me. I didn't realize we had designated crews. She says if she fails to show up, they'll know something is wrong and send a different crew to check on her and Jess. I am afraid to ask what kind of crew the second one would be.
She tried to fill me in as best as she could while she dressed for work (do I call it work?) Suicides are happening a lot. 23 now, with the most happening after a "purge".
Ten days. For ten days I locked myself out of reality and suddenly there are suicides and "purges". She gave me such a pitying look when I asked what a purge was.
"You know what they are, Anna," she told me, "Emily and little Vincent were just the first."
