The Plague (Book 0): Day Zero (2 page)

“Miles Snowden & Paige Nicole”

Monday, October 13, 2014

Mamaroneck, NY

6:57 a.m.

Miles yawned—loud enough to be an alarm clock—and stretched, hearing the cracking of his bones.
Ah
, how good that always felt when first waking up. He had to shield his eyes from the early morning beam of the sun’s rays that broke through the curtain of his girlfriend’s bedroom window that was adjacent to the red-sheeted Queen-size bed.

Miles leaned over and planted a big, fat wet kiss on the forehead of a sleeping Paige. As she slept soundly, he thought of her as his own Sleeping Beauty.

“Good morning, love,” he whispered. She didn’t budge. “Wake up, I gotta get ready for work.”

Paige grunted, not wanting to wake up so early, especially after having an all-nighter at her friend’s twenty-fourth birthday party. Miles gently shook her until she woke up and turned to him, groaning. “Alright, babe…fine.” She planted a kiss on his lips.

“You’re beautiful in the morning, do you know that?” he complimented, twirling her hair.

She patted his cheek with her soft hands that he then kissed. “You just want more sex.
”
He laughed. “No, I really mean it.”

Their eyes met. “I love you,” she said.

“I love you, too.” They kissed with a burning passion. Miles looked at his watch. “Got time for a shower?”

“Definitely,” she winked, then grabbed his hands, yanking him into the bathroom with her. As Miles got pulled from the bed, his foot got tangled in the blanket, causing him to stumble and forcing a giggle to emerge from Paige.

Miles gracefully eased her pink striped panties off her slender hips. His hands proceeded up her petite body, under her white tank top and on her small breasts as he nibbled on her earlobe. She moaned, always loving his touch, easily aroused by him. Around him she felt safe, loved.

She tossed her tank top into the laundry bin and held his hands as he maneuvered his fingers in a circular motion. Her nipples perked up, her head tilting back and touching her neck. Eyes closed. She could feel her juices running down her thighs to where her knees met.

That was it. She could no longer take the teasing process of the act. Paige practically ripped off Miles’ shirt and boxers. Entering the steaming hot shower only to make it steamier.

Miles picked Paige up by her firm ass and pinned her against the tiles of the shower wall. Paige let out a deep moan and hefty smile as Miles went inside her. He could feel the tightness around his member. She’s always tight—just like a virgin. Miles grinned to himself.

“Harder!” Paige moaned, sinking her nails into his back. By the end of this shower, Miles’ back would look like a cat had scratched him. “Fuck me, Miles!” Paige screamed for more. “Don’t stop, don’t stop!”

Miles thrusted and thrusted. He could tell he hit her favorite spot as she orgasmed. Her legs strangled his waist. Her frequent moans cheered Miles on. With each thrust her breathing got heavier. Paige felt like he was going to break her, but she didn’t care.

Paige let out one last big moan as a gush of liquid squirted out of her, while, at the same time, Miles erupted inside her.

Miles finished putting on his favorite suit and glasses. “I’ve been thinking,” Miles cleared his throat, coming back into the bathroom.

Paige was brushing her hair at the mirror and she turned to him, always wanting to make eye contact, “About what?”

“Maybe we should move in together. Like soon,” he said, tying his tie.

“In the city?”

“Yeah. Is that a problem?”

Paige put down her brush by the sink. “No, it’s just…look, I do want to live with you one day, but I just don’t know how I would feel about living in the city. It’s always busy and it smells.

I’m pretty sure that I’d get lost and you’d having missing posters up.”

Miles finished wrestling with his tie, then wrapped his arms around her waist. “I was hoping we could start to talk about it sometime this week.”

Paige nodded, “Sure, why not.”

They kissed. Miles continued kissing her all over, making her giggle. “What would I do without you, Paige?”

“Be forever alone,” she joked.

Miles sat in a train car by himself, watching as New York City grew closer and expanded before his eyes. Thoughts jumbled around in his head as he tried to think of a place he and Paige could eventually move to. She lived in Mamaroneck while he lived on the Upper East Side of Madison Avenue in the city. The ideal place would be to move somewhere in between where he worked, and close enough to where she currently is living—so she could visit family without the hassle of trains, buses and taxis. Last time Paige rode in a taxi, the driver babbled nonstop about how Ebola would be the end of the world and how she should go to Church every Sunday to be protected by God. Never again did she plan to take any means of public transportation.

He wasn’t too sure on the plan yet himself. In time he would have it figured out. Anything to make her happy. Even if it meant for him to move down there and travel back and forth to work.

By 9 a.m., Miles was a block away from the building—running late was usual for him when he spent the night at Paige’s place. He squeezed through the over-populated street, up to the stairs. He took two steps up, then paused. He turned to the hot red Viper parked along the curb.

His boss’ car.

Miles grinned. One day he would have the money to get one himself. A frown knocked away his grin, along with his hopes of getting one any time soon.

As the Head Software Engineer for five years, he—like most employees—felt like soon he would be…or should be, getting a bigger raise.

He entered the lobby.

“Morning, Bob, how was your vacation?” Miles asked Bob, the security guard—who he highly thought resembled the actor from
Mall Cop.

“It was alright. The wife drove me nuts though,” he laughed, “made me catch up on a ton of house work.”

Miles chuckled, “Well, ain’t that something? First vacation in forever—literally—and you’re stuck doing work.

“Right? That crazy bitch is going to give me an aneurysm one day…”

“Any news around the office, besides that mustache you’re growing?”

“Yeah, about that…I hear your boss is looking for you. He seems
really
pissed about something. So if I were you I’d stay away from him.”

“Man…here we go again.” Miles blew air out of his mouth. “Wonder what it’ll be this time. He can be a hot-head.” Miles tried to laugh, “I guess that raise will have to wait. I’ll catch you later, Bob. Thanks for the heads up.”

“No problem, see you later.” Bob called out to him as Miles began walking down the hall.

“Miles?” Miles turned around. “Good luck.”

Miles gave a thumbs up as he entered the elevator.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

2:00 a.m.

The bar was located in Times Square and more unreasonably packed than usual. Music blasted on the jukebox, single guys hitting on single women, a bar fight or two before being broken up.

He was at the far end playing pool with Bryan.

“So, Bryan, I got some news.” Miles pulled out a diamond ring from his pocket. “I’m going to ask Paige to marry me tomorrow.”

Bryan accidentally hit the 8-ball into the pocket. Ultimately losing the game. He’d just make up some excuse later on as to why he lost—this time would be that the diamond shined brightly in his eyes. “No way, bro, good for you! Can’t believe that day has finally come.”

Bryan and Miles bro-hugged. “Yeah, it’s been three years. I think now is the time to pop the question, y’know? I wanted you to be my best man, if all goes according to plan.”

“You know I will, man. I’ve always got your back.” Bryan holds up his beer. “Cheers, brother.
”
“Cheers.”

They clanked their beers and chugged. Miles looked at his watch, just noticing that it was well past midnight. “Shit. It’s time for me to head out, unfortunately. Boss wants me in an hour early tomorrow. Be right back, gotta take a leak.” Miles chugged the rest of his beer before heading to the bathroom.

By the time Miles finished up, Bryan had already paid the tab. Miles joined him at the front
.
“Hey, Bryan, I got something I need to tell you.”

“What is it, buddy? You got some hot bridesmaids for me?” Bryan wished. After him and his wife divorced and she moved to New Jersey with their three kids, Bryan began searching for a few new lady friends (as he called them) to keep him company during the night. Ever since becoming a single father, he adapted to the daily one night stands fairly easily. Yet, one day he hoped to find companionship in someone he could grow old with…even praying for one more shot with his ex-wife.

Miles pulled Bryan to the side, talking lowly so no others would hear. “Listen, earlier today at work, I, uh, came across this document while I was…programming, and…”

Bryan held out his hand, “Miles, c’mon man, remember what I said? Anything involving you and hacking…” Miles hushed him. Bryan lowered his tone, “…I don’t need to hear. The less I know, the better it is for the both of us.”

“I know that, but this is different.”

“Fine. What is it?”

Miles waited until the Biker with the Santa Clause beard passed them. “I found this document within the government containing some
serious
shit. It’s kind of hard for me to explain, so I need to show it to you.” Miles pulled out a flash-drive, “It’s all in here.”

“Show me what, Miles? How bad are we talking? What did you find?”

Suddenly, a loud boom erupted from outside, met with a blast of heat and smoke.

Miles and Bryan exchanging glances, bolted out of the bar.

In the street, two cars have crashed into each other head on. Both flared up. Pedestrians all gathered around; some calling for help, others just watching in bewilderment.

“We have to help them,” Bryan hollered, pointing at the drivers.

As the fire spread, Bryan sprinted ahead of Miles to one of the cars where the driver was unconscious. In the back of the car, there was another person, and a gun on the floor. This alerted him to draw his own gun. Bryan paid no attention to the broken back windshield. He pulled the driver out of the car and yelled for Miles to call 9-1-1.

Miles pulled out his phone and started to dial…only to receive a dial tone.
Cliché,
he thought.

He looked up towards Bryan and witnessed his friend’s demise. “NO!” Miles screamed.

The driver sprang to life, ripping off a huge chunk of Bryan’s neck with their teeth. Blood gushed out onto the pavement. His vein poked out of his neck.

Miles looked on in horror as the body in the backseat began to come alive as well. He looked over to the other car and the same thing happened. By now, pedestrians had begun to scramble.

Screaming.

The driver was eating Bryan’s flesh with their hands.

Miles was in utter shock. What the hell was going on? He looked to his right. Down the street, pedestrians fled his way like a pack of wild animals that escaped the zoo. Behind them…a horde of undead
.
“What the fuck…!”

Miles ran over and took Bryan’s Glock 19 that had glided across the road. He checked the clip—the ammo was full.

People began to drop left-and-right. Being eaten…

Miles’ heart was racing. He didn’t have a clue as to what was happening, but he had to get to Paige.

“Tia Hale”

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

New York City

1:30 a.m.

Tia Hale, young and beautiful, had been up all night cramming for her medical exam finals. Her dorm-mate was fast asleep. Tia did her best to make the desk lamp dim enough so she wouldn’t disrupt her. She placed a small covering over the lamp.

Her drowsy eyes managed to glance over at the clock.

“Guess it’s about time to crash,” Tia sighed.

She turned off her laptop and shut her texts books. Tia sat on the edge of her bed, taking notice of her cell phone’s green LED blinking. The last time she had checked her phone was over four hours ago. Multiple voice-messages from her mom filled the notifications.

Hey, honey! Just checking in to see how you were doing in school. Me, your father and sister miss you dearly. We can’t wait to see you on Thanksgiving break!
A smile beamed on her face. Her family was in Long Beach, California, while she decided two years ago to attend Icahn School of Medicine and work towards a M.D. degree while interning at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.

The next message:
Tia, if you get this call me ASAP…
The next
: Tia… Honey… If you’re watching the news, please be careful. This virus seems pretty awful!
Another:
Please pick up your phone, Tia. It’s your father. He’s sick. Please call.

The dorm PA system sounded:
All medical interns in dorm 5B, 7A, 12C and 15D, please report to the ER immediately.
It was followed up by a pre-recorded Emergency Alert System recording
. This is a state of emergency. We repeat: this is a state of emergency…

Tia exited into the hallway where a crowd of students and faculty swarmed…all in a hurry. A male student bumped into her, continuing to walk straight ahead. “Hey, watch where you’re going, pal!” she shouted.

Across the mob of humans, she spotted three of her classmates. “Hey, guys, over here,” she called out. “What’s going on?” She asked them, wedging her way through extremely tight spaces.

2:30 a.m.

Blood flowed off of her hands into the sink and down the drain. Tia scrubbed with soap and hot water, vigorously. She sniffed.

The previous hour had been an utter nightmare. Blood. Dead bodies. Illness spreading throughout the ER. Several patients’ skin color went from natural, to gray. She witnessed their life ending right before her eyes. Many patients blacked out, their bodies became numb and shut down, and their fevers were unbearable.

Finally, they just dropped.

Left and right, collapsing, smashing their heads. Husbands, wives, children, boyfriends, girlfriends, all watching their loved ones dying. Nobody had control over it. Whatever IT was…

In the lobby, one of the doctors put her hand on Tia’s shoulder. Tia got startled, almost spilling her coffee. “Everything okay, Tia?” Doctor Mills asked with concern.

“It’s just been a long night,” Tia softly spoke. “We have lost so many people to whatever virus this is. I really need to clear my head of a few things.”

“Yeah, this job can be very stressful in emergencies like this. To be honest, I think you should go home, call your family.”

Tia nodded. “That sounds like a good idea right about now, Doctor Mills.”

Doctor Mills sensed something off with Tia. “Is something wrong besides all this, Tia?”

“I just need some sleep is all,” Tia said. “Excuse me, Doctor.” Tia forced a smile, then made her way down the hallway. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed her mother, only to receive a busy signal.
Pick up, Mom. Pick up.

“Oh, and, Tia?” Tia turned to Doctor Mills. “Be safe and good luck. I don’t know if we will be seeing each other again.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Doctor Mills’ nose began to drip with crimson. Her face started to discolor from white to pale…followed by gray. The white bandage wrapped around her forearm soaked in red.

Tia looked around, everyone began convulsing. Several patients gurgled. In the next minute, they too collapsed into a coma. Only to be resurrected into a creature that thrived for human meat. Groans and moans echoed in the lobby.

Tia backed up, bumping into a young boy in a wheelchair. She gasped as he came back to life, reaching for her. His tiny mouth unhinging like a snake.

GAK. GAK
.

She bolted out the double-sliding glass doors, into the parking lot, headed for her car.

She fumbled with her keys until she was able to get a grip on them. Tia started the engine, pressed her foot on the break, and shifted the gear into drive. She took a look over at the hospital.

Zombies were making their way towards her, cluttering up against the glass, trying to emerge from the building. In front of her, a horde was approaching.

Her astonished pale blue eyes filled with water.

Tia took her foot off the break and stomped heavily on the gas pedal. She made it only six feet before a truck appeared from out of nowhere, smashing into the passenger side, causing the car to flip over several times before coming to a complete halt, upside-down…