It was a quiet Tuesday in Watertown South Dakota. As usual I was flicking through the television begging to find something relatively interesting to watch.
"EMERGENCY EMERGENCY," flashed onto the television screen catching my full attention. Our local news anchor came onto the television screen, speaking with terror.
"Everyone this just in, the virus that broke out in London about a week ago, has now spread across oceans and into the U.S...I repeat the virus in London has spread across oceans and into the U.S. This virus has many dangerous symptoms that people must watch out. Anyone infected will try to bite and eat human flesh, they will be most likely look very jagged or beat up, they are extremely fast and should not be underestimated. They have cannibalistic tendencies and need to be distanced away." The words weren't registering into my head. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, this was unheard of...complete anarchy.
The anchorman continued, "Stay inside your homes and barricade yourself and your family. Make sure to not let anyone in until the virus has been properly contained. Most importantly do not contact anyone outside your homes. Stay tuned for more information." then the television went out.
I sat there for a long while, contemplating the information I had just heard. What is happening? I thought.
It quickly registered to me that I should probably start locking my doors just in case anyone who can pose a threat is outside. As I made my way towards the door, I noticed our nieghbor Shelly sitting in the snow.
What the hell is she doing? I know I shouldn't go up to her, but I have to make sure she's okay.
I opened the door ever so slightly making sure to not make a loud noise. My shoes crunched against the white marble snow as I made my way over to her, she sat hunched and had no movement. As I crouched down beside her about to say something, I noticed the situation was rather odd. I was silent for a second trying to check if she was making any odd noises. She had heavy slow breathing and...and her hands were covered with blood! Before I could process everything she had already turned her head around to reveal a horrificly scratched up face and eyes that were bloodshot. Her pupils dilated and she began to growl like some kind of wild animal. In shock I fumbled on my rear end and began to move back rapidly. She kept coming closer and closer, her body reeking a disgusting rotting aroma.
"Shelly what happened to you?!" I screeched trying to get some human like quality out of my once normal neighbor. She didn't respond with words but instead with a painful howl.
I pushed my hands off the ground and was now sprinting towards my front door. Just a little more and you're there, I kept repeating to myself, trying to calm down. What the hell? I know I shut the door....I heard a screech from upstairs and instantly my mind began to fill with panic thinking that these things may have reached my sister. I darted to the stairs and was going up two steps at a time. When I made it up there I just had to walk across the hall to make my towards my little sisters room...and I wasn't sure if I was prepared. I heard slamming and tossing and the tears began to fill my eyes. As I slowly crept into her room I could hear gurgling like sounds.
I screeched at the sight. My helpless sisters body lay there being ravenously torn away by two of these infected beings. Without thinking about the consequences I quickly grabbed the nearest lamp and smashed it across one of their heads. He hardly flinched...these things were strong. I kept doing it, but they were merely focused on gnawing on whatever flesh was left of my sister.
Then suddenly one of them looked up, their eyes still filled with hunger. I knew they were looking for a new piece of meat to chop on, and that was me. They let out a piercing howl before sprinting towards me. I ran into the hallway and locked myself into my parents' bedroom. I immediately made my way to their dresser and used every bit of strength (which wasn't a lot) to knock it over, creating a barricade for myself. I pinned it against the door, then made my way to my parents balcony.
I began to go into hysterics, my whole world had come crashing down so rapidly. I have no idea where my parents are or if they'll come home. The last I heard of them was this morning...morning. That word makes me think of me being dropped off at the bus, going to school, seeing my friends. The friends who may be dead right now, may be walking around like the other infected...biting and eating away innocent people. The "cannibals" were still slamming on the door and making those awful howling noises. When I peered out the balcony window, my driveway was bombarded by a sea of these...biters. That's what I'll call them, after witnessing that horrible episode of my sister I didn't know what else they should be known as. I kept replaying the scene in my head, my sisters twitching body, helpless and so fragile. She didn't know any better...she probably opened the door while I went outside and I didn't notice. The thought made me sob even more. My fault...my fault. The Biters' slams got louder and I knew sooner or later that the door would give out. I had to create a game plan...and fast. I checked outside the window once more to see if the Biters were still there...they were.
Okay let's think...the jump isn't too high, and you'll land in snow. You can go through the backyard instead of the driveway then quickly hide behind something. You can call someone or seek shelter else where.
The plan seemed pretty rational. Suddenly I remembered my mom had bought a pocket knife the week before at a convention she went to...don't ask. Getting up, I opened every single one of her draws and began to scavenge for the knife. I felt the handle and quickly pulled it out...perfect.
I grabbed one of her coats that lay on the bed and zipped it up. As I made my way towards their balcony, I wasn't sure if I would ever see my home again. I gave it one last glance before opening the doors. The crisp icy wind sent chills down my body almost instantaneously. As I got my grip onto the handles of the balcony...that's when the Biters noticed me.
