I stood at the phone for a moment, looking around this hardware shop. I kept thinking how normal everything looked. Various products were displayed everywhere, sale signs promoting Summer Specials. I tried to imagine that I was just there to buy some tools for yard work or something along those lines. However, my attempt to escape from reality was short-lived as I glanced out the front window to see a car flipped on its side across the street—I was told this was the car Peter, Jen and Samantha used to get here… They must’ve had quite an experience.
As troubled as I was that I was unable to reach my daughter, I was very intrigued by Peter’s idea of trying to get some news on the TV in the manager’s office. Perhaps we could figure out what exactly was happening and how long we’re going to have to wait this out.
As I stood there with my mind traveling through various thoughts, Peter walked up to me and handed me a mug that said Fix-It on the side with a little cartoon hammer next to it.
“What is this?” I asked.
“The manager was—uh, is—he has a ton of instant coffee in his office,” Peter said to me.
“That’s great news,” I said. “Thanks!”
Peter nodded as he handed me the lukewarm cup of coffee, likely made from hot water from the tap. But, it was still good for what it was… It was strangely comforting.
As I sipped my cup, Peter glanced at the phone and looked at me. I knew what he was going to ask so I simply said, “I didn’t get through.”
“Sorry,” he said.
I tried not to think about it. “What about this TV situation?” I asked.
“Jen’s been playing with the antennae.”
“Should we go see how she’s doing?” I asked.
Before Peter could answer, his little dog came running to us.
“Fido,” Peter said.
I smirked as I looked at the curious pup sniffing around my shoes.
“Hey, guys,” Jen said from the other room. “I think I’ve almost got it!”
“Nice!” Peter said, enthusiastically.
As we were about to go check out the TV, the stock room doors slowly opened and one of the other girls, Tara, came through them.
“Hi,” she said.
Peter and I smiled at her. Jen came out of the office.
“Hey, Tara,” she said. “How’d you sleep?”
Tara shrugged. “Okay, thanks.”
“We’re trying to get the news to come in on the TV,” Peter explained to her.
“Oh,” she said, “the other girl back there is awake, but she wouldn’t say anything to me.”
Jen and Peter looked at each other; you could see the concern written all over their faces.
“Let me go back there,” Jen said.
“Yeah, go,” Peter said. “Tara and Mike can help me check out the TV.”
PETER
Jen went to check on Sam while the rest of us took a look at the TV. We were all very anxious to hear what was happening outside. I kept thinking they had to have contained it by now with all the advancements in medicine. This thought eased my anxiety but was quickly overridden with the but what if they haven’t thought.
I got Tara a cup of instant coffee and we all headed into the office. Fido followed us and was very curious about Tara and Mike. Tara seemed to like Fido a lot and was picking him up and petting him most of the time while Mike and I attempted to get a picture on the old TV.
The picture came and went as we started to hear jumbled sounds. An anchor that I had never seen before was talking as names of locations scrolled across the bottom of the screen.
“The events have contin…” the anchorman said but static interfered with the audio.
I looked at Mike and Tara as they stared at the screen, waiting and hoping for the connection to settle and news to come through.
“Come on. Work, please,” I said.
Mike sat forward and gently smacked the side of the TV. The picture jumbled for a moment, mixing up the different colors. Then, as if it was a snow globe, the picture came together as the colors and hues settled into their correct positions and the static-filled audio warped a little until the seemingly amateur anchor’s voice settled into a steady tone.
“Good job, Mike!”
“Thanks,” he said to me.
Suddenly, Jen showed up in the doorway. “It works?” she asked, excitedly.
“How’s Sam?” I asked.
Then, Sam peaked around the corner with a blank look on her face.
“How are you feeling?” I asked her.
She simply shrugged her shoulders and walked away.
“I’m going to sit by the window with her for a while,” Jen said. “You guys check out the news and let me know what they say.”
I nodded as Jen followed Sam to the front of the store.
THE TELEVISON
ANDREW HELMS: “This is Andrew Helms, reporting live for the ‘Channel Five Emergency News.’ The time is now 12:14 p.m. on June 14th. It has now been over twenty-four hours since the first infection became apparent. What was once believed to be riots followed by severe acts of violence is now known as an epidemic which has been labeled the ‘Arthriphagy Virus’ by Doctor Joanne Sanders at Massachusetts General Hospital. Doctor Sanders was one of the first Doctors in the New England area to inspect the rapid-spreading disease. We will now go to a previously recorded interview with Doctor Sanders.”
CUT TO: MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL (TITLE: PREVIOUSLY RECORDED: JUNE 13 APPROXIMATELY 11:30 A.M.)
JOANNE SANDERS: “This disease is one I have never encountered in my 25 years of practicing medicine. After treating several patients, we are led to believe the virus begins with a bite wound. Depending on the severity of the bite, symptoms may take effect within one hour, though we have taken in two bite victims whom have not shown symptoms, yet have been bit for over two hours.”
INTERVIEWER: “What exactly are these symptoms, Doctor?”
JOANNE SANDERS: “Well, the symptoms seem to vary between individuals. Thus far, each patient I have examined has shown slight discoloration, a fever, usually around 103 degrees Fahrenheit, and dizziness. However, some patients have exhibited profuse vomiting, slight loss of memory, and severe numbness, mostly of the lower body.”
INTERVIEWER: “And, how many Arthriphagy patients have been treated so far?”
JOANNE SANDERS: “I personally examined about twelve patients this morning. Other staff members have also examined patients. But, as to how many have been treated... I regret to say, none have been treated successfully. At this time no cure for the Arthriphagy virus is known.”
INTERVIEWER: “Are we to understand all of the patients examined have become fully infected by the virus?”
JOANNE SANDERS: “That is correct, other than the two I mentioned previously, all patients have exhibited full infection after a period of time. Once the infection takes full effect, there is no readable pulse, and the person’s body temperature rapidly drops, to the point of being unidentifiable by our thermometers. The patients become 100% non-communicable as well.”
INTERVIEWER: “With no pulse, are we to consider these infected people alive or dead?”
JOANNE SANDERS: “I... I’m sorry. I can’t answer any more questions.”
CUT TO: NEWS STUDIO
ANDREW HELMS: “For those of you just tuning in, that was a previously recorded interview with Doctor Sanders of Massachusetts General Hospital. It was recorded approximately twenty-four hours ago. Still, no cure for the Arthriphagy Virus has been found. Mass General has locked off a quarantine area for those infected with the virus. And, as of fifteen hours ago, the staff at Mass General has temporarily locked their doors, not allowing anyone seeking medical assistance into the facility. However, if you are out there, and seeking medical assistance, military bases have been stationed throughout the New England area, as well as New York City and upstate New York. However, rather than seeking these bases yourselves, government officials are urging everyone to stay indoors, locking all doors a
nd windows. Rescue squads have been released and will be looking for any and all survivors. On that note, I would like to go live via satellite to Officer David Stephens in Danvers, Massachusetts.”
CUT TO: MILITARY REFUGE BASE, DANVERS, MA.
ANDREW HELMS: “Officer, thank you for joining us.”
DAVID STEPHENS: “Hello, thank you.”
ANDREW HELMS: “Officer, can you tell us what the current plan is for the base in Danvers?”
DAVID STEPHENS: “Well, right now, we are securing several buildings in the area. The National Guard, police service, and surrounding towns’ fire departments are here to help and things seem to be coming together. At this time we have dispatched eight search and rescue helicopters throughout central and eastern Massachusetts, as well as several ground units. If you’re out there, stay put, stay safe, and if possible set off some flares or make some signs to help us locate you. But, if you’re out there, we will find you and relocate you to our current safe zone.”
ANDREW HELMS: “What exactly do you mean by ‘current’ safe zone?”
DAVID STEPHENS: “Should we have to relocate our base. Springfield had a large safe zone, but they began to become overrun with the infected, therefore what was left of the base had to relocate to Warren, Massachusetts. They too have many search and rescue teams searching central and western Massachusetts.”
ANDREW HELMS: “And, has your team had to deal with Arthriphagy carriers since setting up your safe zone?”
DAVID STEPHENS: “Yes, we have. Currently, we have teams going through the building behind me, and one other building, clearing them of any infected people.”
ANDREW HELMS: “And, may I ask, by what means are you ‘clearing out the infected’?”
DAVID STEPHENS: “Unfortunately, we have resorted to putting down the infected by using deadly force—one bullet to the head. So far, there is no other known method of killing the infected other than severe trauma to the head and or brain. We do have a small containment zone of a dozen infected—”
(A static coating forms over the satellite feed.)
ANDREW HELMS: “Officer? Officer Stephens?”
CUT TO: NEWS STUDIO
ANDREW HELMS: “Hello? Officer Stephens? It appears that we have lost our satellite feed to Officer David Stephens. Nonetheless, search and rescue teams are all over the state of Massachusetts, so stay where you are, and they will find you.”
FADE TO BLACK.
CUT TO: NEWS STUDIO
ANDREW HELMS: “Welcome back to ‘Channel five Emergency News.’ This is Andrew Helms. The time is now 11:47 p.m., on June 14th. The recent epidemic of the Arthriphagy virus—or A. Phagy as it is now being referred to as, has now spread throughout the Great Lakes region of the United States. All we can tell you now is the whole country is under a state of emergency. At Midnight, we will be going live via satellite to the White House where we will hear directly from the President himself. And, as an update, we’ve been told search and rescue teams are still traveling via helicopter only. I repeat: no official ground units are traveling as search and rescue. Hope is not lost for those out there. Many helicopters will be traveling all over the state of Massachusetts. Signs on roofs and flares are still highly recommended for those still looking for rescue…
“This just in, Massachusetts General Hospital has been evacuated. All staff and patients unrelated to the Arthriphagy virus have been moved to a safe zone in Warren, Massachusetts. The safe zone in Danvers was evacuated not long ago, and the National Guard, military personnel, police and fire rescue, and volunteers have moved across the state borders into a safe zone in Hampton, New Hampshire.
“I’m being told we are going live via satellite right now to the White House, to hear from the Secretary of Defense.”
CUT TO: WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ROOM
(Many people are raising hands and shouting questions in a chaotic fashion.)
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: “Please! Please! Quiet! The President will be available shortly. However, I have some information and will be able to answer any questions you may have. It is evident that the Arthriphagy virus has spread throughout most of the Eastern states. Health inspectors are speculating the possibility of it being an airborne virus. Also, many believe it could be an act of terrorism. We would like to say that this is not likely.”
(A few people in the crowd raise their voices.)
“Please! The other possibility is a biochemical infection resulting from a spill or accident of some kind. We have officials throughout New York and New England searching for evidence to support this theory, however, nothing has become evident as of yet.”
(A couple people shout out some questions again.)
“I’ll be able to answer your questions in a moment. Let me tell you what we know to be fact. This virus is highly contagious; the main transport for the disease is via a bite. Though this is definitely one way the disease can be caught, it is not known if it can spread in other fashions. We do not recommend any direct contact with the infected.
I will now take your questions.”
REPORTER 1: “The virus has spread to the Great Lakes, what, if any, plans of containment do you have?”
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: “Safe zones are being established in each state across the country, as well as in Canada and Northern Mexico. We have no doubt that within the next forty-eight to seventy-two hours we will have everything under control. Next question please.”
REPORTER 2: “Are those infected with the virus considered alive or dead?”
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: “Next question!”
(The people go crazy, asking questions non-stop.)
“No more questions!”
CUT TO: NEWS STUDIO
ANDREW HELMS: “This just in. We will be going live to Doctor Charles Porter at the National office of the Entomological Society of America in Lanham, Maryland.”
CUT TO: ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
ANDREW HELMS: “Doctor, thank you for joining us.”
DR.CHARLES PORTER: “Not at all.”
ANDREW HELMS: “Evidence has shown us that the Arthriphagy virus is primarily spread through bite wounds. What we would like to know is: would it be possible for this rapidly spreading disease to be transported through the bite of insects such as mosquitoes or ticks?”
DR. CHARLES PORTER: “It is uncertain at this time. But, diseases such as Malaria, Lyme and the all too familiar West Nile can be, while Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Human Papilloma Virus cannot. This Arthriphagy virus is extremely complex with how quickly it can spread. Therefore, it is only a matter of time until we can be sure if insects such as mosquitoes could be a possible mode of transport.”
ANDREW HELMS: “So, do you think it’s possible that the Arthriphagy virus could be spread through mosquitoes?”
DR. CHARLES PORTER: “It certainly is possible. However, the rapid decay rate evident in human hosts infected with the virus does bring forth the idea that the virus would simply kill mosquitoes, or even ticks.”
CUT TO: NEWS STUDIO
ANDREW HELMS: “That was Dr. Charles Porter from the Entomological Society of America, offering us a somewhat different, yet relevant view on the Arthriphagy epidemic.
“The time is now 11:55 p.m., on June 14th. We are still expecting to hear live via satellite from the President of the United States at midnight.
“As an update, the A. Phagy virus continues to spread throughout the United States. Good news however, over ten rescues in the state of Massachusetts have been reported in the past hour. Again, search and rescue teams are out via helicopter only right now. We strongly urge those out there, seeking rescue, to stay somewhere indoors, somewhere secure. If you’re just tuning in, we suggest making some sort of a sign on your roof, allowing search and rescue units to locate you easier. We also highly recommend the use of flares, especially now, when it is dark out.
“Safe zones are now being established throughout the United States, including those states currently free of infectio
n. Current safe zones established in the New England area are officially being patrolled by the National Guard. For an updated listing of these safe zones, please tune in to the AM radio stations listed below.”
(A list of locations and AM radio stations appears on the bottom of the screen.)
“Updates will be made to this list as necessary. And this list will be shown throughout the remainder of this broadcast. However long that may be.
“This just in, a search and rescue helicopter in Lakeville, Massachusetts, has been taken down. At what first appeared to be a mob of people seeking rescue, turned out to be a group of hosts infected with the virus. All search and rescue units in New England have returned to their respective safe zones and have suspended any search and rescue missions until daylight.
“We urge the people still out there to stay put, and if you are using flares or any other limited resource to seek rescue, please stop until daylight. Ration these resources and as long as I am on the air, I will do my best to tell you the best time to use them.
“The time is now 12:01 a.m. on June 15th. We understand the President of the United States will be available shortly with any and all current information that may be available. And we apologize for the delay.
Decay: A Zombie Story Page 5