Infection: Dying Days

(Desmond's POV)

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Everything good in there?"

Lightly knocking before entering my hobby room, I asked David and Sara. Just a few seconds ago, I heard David shout out 'f*ck' so I wanted to make sure nothing bad happened.

"It's nothing. It's just…"

Upon seeing me, David shook his head and explained what happened. After hearing him tell me about how he and Sara heard gunshots on his dad's end of the phone and about the checkpoint he's supposed to be protecting, my brows slowly started to crease. 

"So checkpoints are already being placed around the city huh?"

Well, honestly speaking, this was something to be expected.

What government is so lax that they'll just sit around as their people start attacking and killing each other? A government's main purpose is to instill order in everyday society. They set up rules, also known as laws, they provide protection from malicious outside forces via the military, and advocate general welfare by providing public services. Without these things, we're no different from the animals who got by the rules of survival of the fittest. The violent acts of looting, robbing, and murder can attest to that.

Therefore, to give the people a sense of order and reassurance, things like checkpoints are a must. 

But rather than that…

"Let's go check the news."

I should've checked it the moment I got here but because I don't necessarily watch the news other than for the weather and for the political drama, it slipped my mind. I needed to see how the rest of the city was, it'll be helpful for my future planning. 

"I hope you're okay dad."

David whispered under his breath. But I heard it. There was also another reason for why we should watch the news.

It was also a way for David to check up on his pops.

Many people don't know this but David's dad is a retired FBI agent turned P.I. or private investigator. He'd sometimes help out the police by helping them solve cases that couldn't be solved using ordinary means. Because of this, David told me that his dad is on close terms with the chief of police. Thus while there is a small chance that we'll spot him on the news, it's not impossible.

"Someone pass me the remote."

"Here you go. What you need it for?"

"Checking the overall situation of the city." 

Receiving the remote from Amanda, I give her a small thanks, cut on the tv and turn it to one of New Haven's local news channels. On it was a newsman donning a gown, face mask and gloves. He was standing in what appears to be a makeshift hospital. There were people similarly dressed behind him but they were dressed more heavily, wearing face shields, respirators, elbow length gloves and a hazmat suit. They were the doctors and nurses tending to the people laying on cots.

"This just in, there've been over 5,000 reported cases of this mysterious disease throughout the city and more than a few hundred thousand confirmed cases nationwide with their numbers still climbing! Authorities advised that unless absolutely necessary, citizens should stay in their home at all times and if possible, avoid any and all people exhibiting symptoms of the unknown sickness. The symptoms are: pale grey skin, glazed eyes and extreme aggression towards people. There's also been reports of people infected with the unknown disease having abnormal strength and extreme resistance to pain. It's also been adiv-"

CRASH!

"Help! Patient 34 is trying to bite me!"

"Get the police! A patient is attacking Dr. Berk!"

In the middle of the newsman's reporting, a commotion suddenly broke out behind him. The cameraman then zoomed in on what appears to be an infected woman on the ground trying to bite one of the doctors. 

"She's too strong! Hurry up and get her the f*ck off me!"

The doctors tried to push the infected woman off but to no avail, she slowly closed in on him with her mouth wide open. She gave the occasional chomp of her teeth when she thought she was close enough.

"Aah!...Cough!"

Out of nowhere, the infected lady coughs up a huge amount of blood. She was so close that her blood almost covered his entire face shield, even getting some of the blood on his face!

"Freeze! Or I'll shoot!"

Rushing into the makeshift hospital, a police officer, aiming his Glock 22 at her, threatened.

"Aah!"

But she didn't listen. She continued to bite at the distressed doctor. 

"I said freeze!"

The police officer shouted for a second time. And like the first time, she paid him no attention.

"Shoot her already! I don't think I can hold on much longer."

Angry, the doctor shouted. And at that shout…

BANG!

"Aah!"

The police officer left off a round, hitting the infected woman in the c.h.e.s.t and knocking she to the ground beside the once pinned doctor.

However,,, 

"Aah!" 

That wasn't enough to stop her. Even after falling off of the doctor, she continued to grab at him with her mouth wide open.

"Goddammit! Shoot her again!"

BANG!!

This time, the police officer didn't take any chances. The second shot went right into the infected lady's dome piece, effectively ceasing all movements from her.

"Haa...haa...haa...that was terri...fying!"

Seeing that the infected lady was dead, the doctor that was attacked took deep, heavy breaths as he hurriedly stood up from where he was and moved a few feet away. While doing so, he wiped the blood that was on his face shield away. But as he did…

"Aah!" 

He,and the others failed to notice there was an infected behind him. Before, the doctor had time to react, it was too late. The infected already sunk its teeth into his shoulder. A scream of agony could be heard as the infected tried its best to rip off the flesh.

That wasn't all either. As a matter of fact, it was only the start.

"Police help! A patient is attacking a nurse!"

"Get off of me! Help someone!"

"I've been bit! Somebody please help me!"

From all around, pleas of help could be heard. Not too long after that, the channel shutdown. Possibly because the camera was used as a weapon to fight against an infected that tried to attack the cameraman.

...Wasn't expecting the whole entire situation would escalate like that.

"...Let's go to a different channel."

Giving the cameraman a silent 'good luck', I turned it to the next news channel. This time, it was a woman standing in front of an endless row of vehicles as they were being watched over by both the police and national guard alike as they entered through the security checkpoint.

"As you can see here at checkpoint 8, traffic has been on gridlock ever since the outbreak of the mysterious disease two days ago. These are people who are trying to leave their areas in the city due to the increasing amount of sick people. The police and national guard have set up one of many checkpoints throughout the city to make sure that the disease doesn't spread any further. Sir, what is your take on the situation?"

The newswoman asked a middle-aged man as he was slowly driving his expensive car forward. The car looked like it had been through a lot because its windshield was cracked on the passenger side and one of the back passenger windows were gone.

Showing a tired and disheveled look, the middle-aged man sighed.

"I just came here for a business trip. Not even a day ago, someone tried to break into my car and steal it. If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have even come here. Even if it was a multi-million dollar deal. Sigh, I just want to go home."

"Can you tell me where you fr-"

"I just want to go home."

Not wanting to say anymore, the middle-aged man rolled up his tinted window, ending the interview. Although, a little awkward at the sudden end of the conversation, the newswoman didn't let it faze as she stared back at the camera.

"Well, there you have it. From what you can see here, tensions are high…"

"Let's see what else is on."

Seeing that there wasn't much going on here and no sign of David's dad, I decided to turn the tv once again.

"There he is!"

And this time, we found him.