False Hope

Kira Hewitt had been with the news network for three years. She was a hard worker, conscientious and easy to get along with. But she always took a leave of absence on the 29th of September each year, no matter how much the work needed her. She passed up a promotion opportunity because of that. When she showed up for work the next day, her eyes would be all red and puffy. Rumour had it that she was friends with the network’s owner. Even the CEO’s assistant, who usually looked down her nose at the employees, addressed her respectfully as Miss Hewitt. *** ‘Kira, welcome back!’ Rony greeted Kira with a mug of hot coffee. ‘Jim came looking for you just now,’ the assistant said. ‘Said he had a new assignment for you.’ Jim Barnett was the news editor. Kira sat down in front of her desk. ‘What is it?’ ‘Flu season in Rinton. It’s starting to look like a pandemic. Some experts suspect there’s a new virus variant at work there. Jim wants to send a field correspondent there to find out more.’ Rony