Free The Reaper Virus by Nathan Barnes

cushions from the
window bench and make a little bed. We can all use a nap. Something
tells me you should go first.”
    Partly pleased by the lack of pursued
questioning, and very pleased at the thought of shutting my eyes; I
agreed. My hope was that complete and utter exhaustion would
overcome the images plaguing my mind.
     
    * * *
     
    1420 hours:
     
    I was dead to the world, totally immersed in
a physically and emotionally exhausted cloud. A loud knock on the
solid wooden office door brought me back to semi-consciousness.
    “Nathan, you should come out here watch the
news.” It was the new part-time girl whose name I could never
recall.
    I grumbled acknowledgement and rose from my
makeshift bed. Slipping on my boots, I neglected to put my
uncomfortable uniform shirt back on. It was hot in dispatch that
day, a little more so than it always fucking was. If I had to stay
here I’d rather be comfortable in just a simple white undershirt.
In my groggy state I forgot about the bloodstain on my shirt.
    All eyes in the room were glued to the piece
of shit television mounted in the corner above the lobby window
when I emerged. The radio was silent, phones were ignored. A
breaking news graphic gave way to the president, looking as if he
hadn’t slept in a week.
    “ My fellow Americans, I
come to you this afternoon with an update on the R33PR virus
plague. All representatives of the CDC are hard at work fighting
this global pandemic, so I come to you alone.”
    He paused, breathing deeply. All the chaos
inside and out immediately turned into white noise. Everything
became falsely silent.
    “ We have confirmed, in a
cumulative defiance of anatomy and medicine, that this virus has
the ability to reanimate a deceased human being. After reanimation,
a person becomes violent and bloodthirsty. They seek and attack
almost anything living. If they succeed in catching their target
they attempt to feed on it. The medical community has been unable
to study a reanimated person without extreme risk of infection to
all nearby. This has left us with many assumptions. We assume the
Reaper virus is somehow reanimating its victims as a means of
further spreading itself. It has also been confirmed that anyone
not killed outright by an attack becomes infected and eventually
turns into a carrier themselves. There is no known cure. It is
unclear how best to stop these unholy attackers if you are
confronted. I urge all citizens to stay in your homes. Anyone who
becomes infected, anyone, will turn into a violent
carrier.”
    The roar of the reporters in the conference
room caused him to pause. Trying to talk over the ruckus in front
of him, he continued.
    “ Effective immediately, I
am declaring a nationwide state of martial law. In addition to all
flights being grounded I am halting all rail travel to further
attempt to halt the virus’ spread. And now I am burdened with a
duty never required of an American president… all overseas U.S.
armed forces are to be recalled from their global posts. Before
now, American troops have never been deployed within the
continental United States for combat purposes. These troops are to
be stationed throughout urban areas in order to assist with
containment of the Reaper virus. This is a formidable task due to
the crippled state of global transportation. But rest assured, help
will come. Anyone using this crisis as a means to violate the law
will be found and prosecuted. Our strength as a nation and God’s
grace will see us through these dark days. Thank you and God bless
America.”
     
    The screen went back to the blank screen with
“BREAKING NEWS” plastered in bold lettering. I muted the
television. We didn’t need to hear any more of it.
     
    * * *
     
    1650 hours:
     
    There wasn’t any doubt that we were trapped
there. A mob of thirty to forty people had formed out front. They
looked plenty alive, just desperate. Ignoring pleas for help from
people over the phone was one thing – having to ignore