Summary

5. That night before lights out, Joy and the other patients watch television in their Common Room. Joy describes the scenes of violence sweeping the country in the wake of the sickness, and comments that every time she watches such reports, she looks for the boy she had loved, and also for her mother. Meanwhile, she and the other patients become excited when they see news reports on that there have been no new instances of the sickness in 72 hours. There is speculation, both on the television and in the common room, that the sickness might be ending and they might soon be free.

Dr. Bek arrives, and tells the patients that they will have to remain in quarantine, just to make sure that both they and the world outside are safe. He then sends them to bed. Joy tries to sleep, but...