The Virus

Chapter One: Clara

The air was fresh as it passed through the many destroyed windows, the night wind howling through the mostly empty buildings. An eerie sound filled with the howls and groans of the remaining zombies is all that’s heard within the deserted city. Void of all human life, that’s just how she preferred it. The silence having become rather calming to her.

Clara… She is still unsure of what her true name was, she just felt drawn to the name Clara. Fun to say, short and sweet. All she could ever need in this zombie infested world. After all, her old job as a researcher obviously went to shit.

But I do believe it is time for you to understand what truly happened here. What truly happened to me…

Manticore Researchers. Not the best company name, but the CEO honestly didn’t care as long as he made money. And believe me, he made a lot of money. Not that anyone complained, you know, aside from those “I don’t vaccinate my kids” people. I was one of the very few top researchers in that place, having graduated from the University of Chicago with my PHD.

I don’t remember what I was researching, all I know is the people in the lab across the hall kinda fucked up. A new strain of flu was going around and they had created a vaccine to begin circulating around the world. Only problem?

After seven days, all hell broke loose. Screaming was heard down the hall, causing my colleagues and I to peek outside, only to be horrified by what we saw.

Blood… It was everywhere. It covered the lights, giving everything a darker feeling down the hall. And in the middle of it? Red, glowing eyes stared back at us before a feral growl sounded out from the inhuman thing before us. Chaos erupted and I ran as fast as my tiny legs could carry me.

Everything then went sideways. Literally and metaphorically speaking. I was tackled, the world spun and my vision could only focus on that god awful face. Blood dripped from its jaws as it’s glowing red eyes stared into mine. I think I blacked out for a second, because the next thing I remember is pain. The pain brought something else. A deep hunger within, with only one thing that could satisfy it. That ‘thing’ I later learned would’ve been human flesh.

I remember the deep, driving hunger coursing through my veins. I had to have whatever I craved in that moment. And then nothing, at that point any and all of my humanity left me. And I became the very things that surrounded me. Well… Or so I thought. Instead of groaning or snarling, a shriek is all that sounded. The shriek of a Hunter...

I was lucky though. I never got the taste of human flesh. Something that greatly helped me gain my humanity later. See, if you ended up on the zombie hierarchy and you don’t taste human flesh, you can regain your humanity through animal blood. While probably not the tastiest, it helps relieve the hunger for a time. Thus allowing you to regain your sanity and humanity. Well, that’s what I have seen thus far. There could always be exceptions, not that I particularly care. I have more important things to deal with right now. After a night of hunting, I deserve a nice nap while I wait for the sun to disappear.

Wind howls through the city as I lay in my claimed skyscraper. The silence and calm welcoming me to rest.

As the sun disappears over the horizon and the moon makes itself known, I finally awake from my dreamless slumber, and decided a nice stroll through the city would be nice. Currently I am sitting on a bench, relaxing against the cooling metal.

“Ya know. It’s been a while since I’ve dreamt… But I’m sure if I did, you’d be there.” My god awful pickup line is only meant with the groaning of the female zombie stumbling by in front of me. I lean forward, sighing heavily. “How rude. And here I was complimenting you, but you just groan. I am offended.”

“Talking to the local life again.” A familiar voice sounds from behind me, causing me to hang my head upside down to look at the Chaser.

“Hey Liam.” My hand raises in a lazy wave, smirking as the fellow sane rolls his eyes.

Liam is known as a Chaser zombie. While on the zombie chain, he is lower than me, it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy his company from time to time. Of course, keep in mind, Hunters are not very social creatures to begin with, but seeing him every now and then can be comforting.

The Chaser lets out a quiet chuckle and swings himself into the seat beside me. “So what, she your new girlfriend now? What about that girl last week?” Liam lets out a sarcastic gasp. “Are you cheating on Vanessa?”

Laughter erupts from my throat, as I wave Liam and his joke off. “I would never!” The two of us laugh together before growing quiet. The only sounds being the shuffling footsteps of the female zombie.

“I smelt human the other day.” I look over to Liam as the words leave his throat. “The wind shifted and I caught their scent for a few seconds. I hope they plan on traveling around the city.”

I nod slowly, turning my gaze up to the stars above, frowning lightly. “Let’s hope they are smart enough to do so. Because the last group to come through…”

Liam rests a hand on my shoulder, causing me to flinch and snarl. Something he quickly apologizes for. “Sorry. But it’s not your fault they died Clara. I remember the hoard and if you started attacking, you would’ve died with them too.”

I nod slowly, before turning back to the stars. Somehow they look different. The stars I mean. They look different after humanity was brought to its knees. And I’m just not sure why yet...