The Dark Age of Coronavirus: Escape From Earth

By Nardeane Ahmed

The long wait for a solution to defeat the coronavirus was unbearable, from the ineffective attempts to develop "the cure" to the continuous lockdowns and quarantines. Anxiety and depression rose and hopes for a normal life grew more unlikely by the day. Nardeane felt desperate to contact Matool for help. Unsure how to communicate with him effectively, she had to think creatively on the best way to get hold of him. Was he the last option to save humanity from the virus? Would he answer her request for assistance? Could he handle it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: May 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9780228851004

Nardeane Ahmed

Nardeane Ahmed was born in Basra, Iraq. As a teenager, she left the country with her family before Iran-Iraq war and lived in Europe, the Middle East, and North America. She has a bachelor's degree in Administrative Management from Concordia University in Montreal. She is an entrepreneur and a certified yoga educator. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing. She has a passion for travelling and discovering different cultures and traditions.

Book preview

The Dark Age of Coronavirus

Escape From Earth

Nardeane Ahmed

The Dark Age of Coronavirus

Copyright © 2021 by Nardeane Ahmed

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-5099-1 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-5098-4 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-5100-4 (eBook) 

I dedicate this book to all the COVID-19 frontline heroes who worked hard during the pandemic, saving other people’s lives, and putting their own lives at risk.

Thank you for your bravery and humanity.

We would not be able to live without your care during this challenging time.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The Reality of the Nightmare

Chapter 2 - Calling for Help

Chapter 3 - The Burglar and The Change

Chapter 4 - The Magic of Cardamom Oil

Chapter 5 - The Healing Mission Begins

Chapter 6 - Hiding the Truth

Chapter 7 - The Truth is Revealed

Chapter 8 - Escape from Earth!

Introduction

Had someone declared that we would live in fear in the twenty-first century and would be locked down at home because of a microscopic virus, I would have thought that person was either joking, crazy or had an ulterior motive.

When I look back at New Year’s Eve 2019, I can still hear the laughter, music, and conversations, and I remember our wishes and resolutions for the new year. That night, everybody was radiating happiness and was full of hope for a better future. However, after a few days, things began to quickly change. We watched in disbelief as the world’s health and economic situation quickly deteriorated because of an unpredictably emerging virus. Not a single country was protected from it. We were all living the same nightmare at the same time.

Could anyone have imagined that we would go through such a swift transition? The microscopic parasite created a new age for humanity immediately after the new year, and this age of fear, uncertainty, and darkness seemed to be never-ending.

In November 2019, it was reported that the coronavirus broke out in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, a busy market in Wuhan, China, where all kinds of animals were sold. At first, we were told that the virus was transferred from bats to the people who consumed them. When I first heard this, I couldn’t believe people ate bats. Come on, is that true? Who eats bats?

News reports stated that the virus was mainly spread through contact with others or touching a contaminated surface and then the face. Common symptoms of the disease were high fever, dry cough, headache, vomiting, shortness of breath, and in some cases, diarrhea. Complications of the coronavirus involved pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Subsequently, the virus spread to all 215 countries around the world. 2020 was a catastrophic year for millions of people everywhere. The coronavirus did not only cost lives, but it also cost livelihoods. Regrettably, the global economy was paralyzed, as trillions of dollars’ worth of businesses and employees’ incomes were lost within few months. The global supply was broken, and the global equity market lost trillions in value. In addition, travel and logistics, such as airlines, cruise lines, transportation companies, and hotels, were hit hard. Many jobs were lost, and millions of people were left in poverty. Countries around the globe struggled to keep businesses and households afloat.

After ten months of the coronavirus pervading China and then the world, a vaccine and antiviral drug were finally ready for the market. Immediately, all countries cheered and were optimistic, the stock market hit all-time highs, and people finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Governments were seriously considering passing a law that would require all citizens to get inoculated to save lives and defeat the virus.

Nonetheless, a few months after the vaccine was created, the second wave of the virus began to spread rapidly, putting the brakes on any hope of returning to normal life. Shortly after the second wave’s announcement, researchers proclaimed that the virus had mutated rapidly and become stronger than before, rendering the vaccine ineffective. Thus, all countries imposed lockdown obligations for the second time to contain the aggressive virus, following a hopelessly short-lived victory from its clutches. It quickly became clear that going forward, we were going to be living a new normal: life on Earth shared with this virus.

Chapter 1

The Reality of the Nightmare

I woke up tired and nauseous and felt as though I was at rock-bottom. My thoughts were wandering between the numerous problems that we’ve faced during the past few months. Although I tried not to think about the pandemic, I couldn’t help it; it jumped right into my mind as soon as I opened my eyes. Nobody can explain why it became so complicated and dangerous. It felt like a nightmare that went on and on with no hope for an effective, long-lasting solution.

The coronavirus started spreading through the world at the end of 2019, and the curve was flattened successfully by the end of July 2020 by the great collaborative efforts of governments, researchers, and frontline workers. All countries cheered and celebrated the rewarding global collaboration. I remember how happy my family and I were to hear there was a vaccine.

However, our joyful triumph did not last long. The coronavirus hit again, stronger than ever, six months later, during January 2021. The enjoyment of lifting the lockdown was short-lived. Going into quarantine again was devastating.

I stared at the ceiling for a few minutes after I opened my eyes as if I were meditating, but I was trying to catch hold of my racing thoughts. My head was crowded with questions that I struggled to answer. I finally began to feel a slight relief after staring at the ceiling, motionless, for a while. Then, I shut them one final time and started to talk myself into getting out of bed to put a stop to the negative thought train. Within minutes, I decided to go for a walk to shift my mood and energy.

So, I quickly jumped out of bed, took a cold shower, dressed, and got ready to leave the house. As I put my jacket on, I slid a small sanitizer bottle into one of its pockets. Before I left the house, I put on a fresh, light blue surgical mask and an unintentionally matching pair of blue latex gloves, then quickly wrote a note for my family and placed it on the dining table.

As soon as I stepped out of the house, I felt relieved and energized. I looked at the blue sky, took a deep breath and prayed that the world would succeed in defeating the evil virus.

As I walked toward the park, I crossed paths with other pedestrians. It was clear that everyone was cautious, trying to keep reasonable space between themselves, as a social distance of two to three meters was recommended after the second lockdown. I looked at my cell phone. It was 9 a.m., March 30th, 2021.

I kept walking, marvelling at the trees, the greenery, and the flowers that were beginning to blossom just in time for spring. The details of nature complemented the atmosphere with serene and positive energy. The smell of the fresh air, wet trees, and grass invigorated me and filled my mind with a sense of ease and freedom that I had been prohibited from feeling for a long time.

In the park, there were only four people: one running, another walking, and a couple playing with their black Labrador.

On the streets around the park, I could only spot a few cars driving. It was painful to see how the coronavirus had changed people’s lives. It changed many countries and their economies. The bustling streets and parks that used to have children playing, neighbours chatting, and people laughing were now left empty and silent. Many people lost their jobs; others had to work or study online. Many people suffered financially and were unable to pay their loans, debts, rents, and other financial responsibilities. The pandemic turned the world upside down.

I sat on the cool, wet grass, watching the different kinds of birds hovering in the sky above me and chirping on the nearby oak trees and a couple of crows that were waddling in front of me in search of food. As I observed them, I remembered Matool, my faithful friend from an amazing world, who took me on a magical and unforgettable journey to Iraq a year ago, transporting me in a cloud on a mission to save the nine genies trapped there. As I reminisced, I felt that my fears and worries were gradually lifting. I deeply enjoyed my experience flying above the continents, and it was mind-blowing to observe the Earth’s beauty from above like a bird.

As I continued to reminisce, I remembered my splendid visit to his world, which profoundly impacted me, even until today. Every time I think about it, I become mesmerized, and sometimes, I doubt myself and feel as though it were pure fantasy. However, when I come back to reality, I know