297

You awaken to a heavy nauseous feeling in your gut. The clock reads 8:03 pm. Emma has not been home in hours. You plop down on the living room couch and flip on the television where a middle-aged anchorman reports.

"The CDC via the White House has just announced over 20% of the world is infected with Virus Zeta. Reports are coming in from around the globe of a massive spread of this terrible infection that attacks the brain and nervous system, quickly disabling the victim and in effect re-animating the body of the afflicted. Moments ago, we heard from Dr. Anthony Willis who has treated the infected and stated they show deterioration of the bone and muscles, a yellowing of the skin, lack of fine motor abilities described as a drunken walk, and inability to speak."

Dr. Willis goes on to explain the virus affects primitive areas of the brain and acts as a parasite which rewires the nervous system of the host to take over functions of the body. Infected become aggressive, attempting to bite or otherwise injure others and pass on the virus.

"This just in—Governor Tate has declared a state of emergency, and the National Guard have come in to keep peace in the streets and enforce a mandatory curfew of 9pm