The Changed Ones

Five

Felix, Sean, Jackie and Marzia were upstairs gathering information on the zombies they have come across in the city. Felix and Sean were on their computers, gathering as much information as they could. They typed in the features that they saw on the zombie, and as soon as they did, it lead them to a recently published article.

"Hey, I think I might have found something!" Felix told the rest of them.
"What is it?" Sean asked.
"It's from a stupid myth and legends website but the information was accurate with that zombie we saw outside and in the basement."
"Well read what it says to us!" Jackie demanded.

Felix turned to the computer and read the description on the website.

In a recent news report up in Manhattan, rumors began circulating like wildfire that a deadly toxin from the Newark power plant would pollute the air, and due to high wind gusts, would head straight for the New York area. After researching these toxins farther, I have come across a deadly toxin that is said to be extremely dangerous. When breathed in, the victim becomes infected in an instant. Side effects include blood shot eyes, extreme hunger or thirst, loss of speech, and a few other unexplainable symptoms. When looking up these particular side effects, they sound like something straight out of zombie shows such as The Walking Dead. As cool- or stupid- as it may sound, this is a serious matter, especially for those in the city. If anybody comes across one of these zombies, or infected people, if bitten or left any kind of mark by a zombie, you could become one of them. There is no known cure for this disease but the only way to kill them is by a headshot. Best of luck to the people in New York at this time, you are definitely gonna need it!

Everybody looked at each other.

"Towards the end that guy sounded like a bitch!" Sean exclaimed.
"Yeah, but you can't help but notice the accuracy of this article. I know that it's by some random douche off the street probably, but this article was written just a few days ago." Felix explained.
"What kind of toxin is it?" Marzia asked.
"I'm not sure, it doesn't say." Felix responded. "But it doesn't matter, we have confirmation that we are indeed dealing with zombies."
"What about what happens if we get bitten?" Jackie asked.
"Then... We have to do what we have to do..." Felix quietly mumbled.
"Should we tell Mark and the others?" Sean asked.
"We'll wait until they come back." Felix said.
---
Bob, Wade, Mark and Lily were downstairs continuing to look for weapons. So far, they gathered every sharp object from the kitchen area and there were also some more guns and ammo behind the front desk area and the locker rooms in the employee area.

"Why do these people have so many guns?" Lily asked.
"Well, with this place being in the heart of New York City, and with the crime rate, it's probably for safety." Mark explained.

The group gathered up their supplies and put it in a bag and began carrying it upstairs. Just then, they heard a loud crashing sound coming from the kitchen, they all turned and looked at each other, knowing that they had just been in there.

"Don't tell me, those things are in there!" Wade worried.
"Maybe when looking for weapons, we might have left something to the point of falling over?" Bob asked.
"I don't know, we have to see..." Mark said.

The group put down their bag of weapons, grabbed one from the bag, and slowly walked back into the kitchen. They turned on the kitchen light, where they immediately heard hissing sounds which startled them.

"Where did that come from?" Lily asked.
"I dunno, but split up, and have your guns loaded if something pops up." Mark explained.

Everybody loaded up their guns and went in different directions, pointing their guns with every turn they made, opening up cabinets and looking behind drawers.

"Where the hell did that noise come from?" Bob asked. "There's literally nothing!"

Just as Bob said that, a zombie came right at Wade from out of nowhere. Wade screamed in terror as the gun flew from his hand. The zombie then bit down right at Wade's neck. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out and the zombies head exploded as Mark shot it. Everybody then ran over to Wade's side.

"Wade... Wade just take it easy man! We're gonna patch it up!" Mark encouraged.
"Mark..." Lily said, she then pointed to the gash on Wade's neck, which was already filled with venom. "He's been bitten..."
"No..." Wade choked.

Mark and Lily looked at each other, then to Bob, then back at Wade. They knew, either way that this would end badly for him. Mark then stood up, pointing the gun right at him.

"No... Please don't!" Wade cried weakly.
"I'm sorry man..." Mark said choking up.
---
Upstairs, Sean, Felix, Jackie and Marzia were waiting for the group to come back when they heard a bang, which sounded like it came from inside the hotel. The group was still for a moment.

"Sh-should we go look?" Jackie asked.
"You guys can hang here if you want..." Felix suggested.
"No... We'll go with you..." Marzia nodded.

The group then snuck out of the hotel room and quietly looked over the balcony, which looked down into the lobby. At first, they saw nothing, but then they saw Bob, Mark and Lily come out of the kitchen area of the hotel. At first they breathed a sigh of relief, but then realized that somebody was missing from the group.

"Where's Wade?" Sean asked.
"Should we ask them?" Marzia asked.

Just then Jackie's eyes widened and tears started forming in her eyes.

"Oh my god guys... What if..." Jackie said.
"They're coming back up!" Felix interrupted.

The group immediately ran back into the room as if they were not out there.

A few moments later, Bob, Mark and Lily came in, an upset look on their faces, all of them shaken up.

"W-Wade?" Sean asked.
"They bit him..." Mark mumbled. "We had no choice..."

The group grew silent. Some shed a few tears.

It wasn't even the first day of this disaster and they had already lost one of their own.