Eighth Explosion

[Palom had been one of those who had refused to take the vaccine. Actually, he'd hid in a cupboard until the creepy guys in the weird suits had gone away, and of course, 10 seconds later, he'd come down with the Chinese purple death or whatever it was called. Being a little kid, it had hit him rather hard, though he'd tried not to make a big deal out of it. Strangely, though, he hadn't recovered when the others had -- As a matter of fact, he lapsed into a sleep that lasted for about two weeks. Decidedly odd. The first thing he did when he finally woke up was to take a glance at the calendar.]

Urgh . . . Shiraasan?  Canada?  Mia?  Huh.  Where is everyone?

 . . . . . .

They didn't . . . They didn't all . . .

[He rushes to the phone, unaware that his family is at the hospital with Mia.]

SIS?!

Sis, you're still there, right? It's been a really long time . . . That Asian flu thing . . . It really wiped me out.  Please . . . Please don't say you're gone . . . Porom?!