........................................................

Two days from now the infection will be at its peak the transformation will be complete.

I can almost feel it happening crucial organs shutting down, visuals, blood clotting and worst of all the overwhelming hunger for brains.

Our cities dirty little secret, sure we are one of the most desired travel locations some of the greatest athletes actors chefs and business men and women reside here our slice of heaven, but every year since the infection date the virus re infects the hosts blood and they decay from the inside out.

Walking dead, brain junkies,..Z-1 infected.

Five years ago Z-1 an experimental compound leaked into the city from a underground lab in a still undisclosed location.

This highly adaptive deadly virus was was also found to cure & repair cells which they do quiet well, except for this three days a year Z-1 has a extreme reverse effects destroying the cells organs eventually the nervous system and the infected become a walking corpse with entirely new desires.

Wake up ....hey....Wake up....ugh... , a poke in the ribs from the security guard, i told you, you can't be sleeping in the bushes man, here take 20 bucks and get out of here... mutters under his breath.. ya stinking bum you're making the whole freaking city stink.. like something died.

Umm aaa thinking... how did i end up falling asleep in the bushes.

........................................................

I can't remember anything from last night ,what time is it, as the sun shines directly into my face and i begin to crawling out from the bushes pulling leaves from my hair, a ferry boat on the river blows its horn DOnk DOnk, i say to myself keep it together as long as you can.

Hours later i find myself still wondering through the city streets.

At this point the entire infected members of the city are in what i have began to call day one of dying, blank looks on the faces as they seem to look off into what was their existence.

A dark cloud rolling in over the city, the wind whispering through the streets, ZEEEEONE, Zeeeeone I pause on the street corner to take a deep breath and can almost taste the infected air, gasp gasp choke choke patting down my pockets looking for my last smoke.

A dulled reflection looking back at me in the back a stop sign, DOnk DOnk a ferry boat off in the distance blows its horn Donk DONK.

I wipe the sweat from my brow, the old city begins to baking like a brick oven, hot flashes, while sweat pours out of my body, i wipe my face with the sleeve of my shirt, flesh wipes from my face, i begin to panic dizzy and stumbling into the street, ERRRRRt, beeeeeeep beep what are you crazy get out of the road.

Move! come on buddy.

Move it or ill run ya over ...spite all the yelling his voice quickly fades into the mundane everyday sounds of the city.

While the frequency of his broadcasting radio cuts through like a needle piercing my ears, sssshhhhhssssszeeeeeone.

All schools in the city limits have been released early today, students and facility reporting dizziness, hunger pains and extreme cases of vomiting ...BEEP BeeP the drivers patience dwindles while his frustration builds.

........................................................

Move it or I'm gonna run you over. Vroom........thump a mirror hits my shoulder.

The traffic lights blur past as i crash to the pavement in what seems like slow motion spinning back on my descent, the driver yelling profanity and then BooM hitting the hard black top road, my head slams on the blacktop splitting it wide open, brain & nerves shutting down now little by little over the last few hours.

The newly acquired head and shoulder injury are hardly noticeable as i lie unconscious.

Hours may have passed maybe minutes seconds I don't know, as i regain consciousness.

I begin to hear fragmented sentences my vision still blurry moving closer to this decayed state of existence.

Drip drip drip what is this?

I begin to make out a drooling lady towering over me with a alligator purse ,alligator shoes and a lost look in her eyes.

I find myself tasting the mixture of her drool l and the blood dripping from my own shattered skull as i feel a rumbling from the approaching storm Zeeeeeone the wind whispers.

The streets and light post begin shaking like we are in a small earthquake then BOOM thunder and a bolt of lightning illuminating the sky with an almost blinding light as a bolt of lightning strikes the woman standing above me.

The smell of burning flesh as a twitching lifeless body crashes down suffocating me, almost automatic my mouth opens sinking in my teeth and taking a bite.

Ummmaahhaaa eeeerrrulllaa, i see a white van and men in full body suits, faces masked snatching some of the infected must be to study in their little lab.

But not me stumbling in place and wiping the drool from my mouth.

I remember the hotel roof top for the eating of the minds meeting a group of us who have been experimenting on our own with the Z-1 strain.

........................................................

Self healing processes mental and physical, various techniques, mind balancing, fasting, de connection and re connection, internal energy focus practices to help walk on the thin line between life and death, but is it too late?

Zeeeone zzzeeeOne.. i see a mass of Z-1 infected stumbling out of every craves of the city ...the infection has evolved and adapted the effects have came on more quickly than ever.

Brains brains the uninfected will fall victim tonight, the Z-1 infected spewing infected blood as the walk, coughing and covering the city with their dirty infection the streets flood with medically considered walking dead.

The rush and panic of the unsuspecting travelers only breeds more chaos and the uninfected scurry for a safe haven in the heart of the dead zone.

The sky now black with what seems to be a red cloud covering the city and a single pulsating ball of what looks like lightning growing larger by the minuet.

The fascination has literally stunned some of the crowd.

A family stopped dead in their tracks, lost in a trance, the Z-1 infected make a four course meal out of our new found friends as a taxi driver speeds down the street as if no one was in the way as bodies fly over the roof, into the windshield and bump bump under the vehicle, all the while the driver and his passengers singing, from yellow to red from yellow to red the streets fill with the dead.

From yellow to red from yellow to red the streets fill with the dead a group of small children huddled around a drainage run off ummmmyuuuummmm eating the brains of scurrying rodents among the screaming, flickering traffic lights.

Z-1 infected are feeling at home in the middle of this savage blood storm.

........................................................

As a infected news team rolls on to the scene ..were dead here on the scene downtown our yearly dead walk let's see .sir mam ...sir sir can you tell me what's going on down here?

With the tape half tore out of the camera's & the microphone not even plugged in, Ummarrrraaaahhhuuulllaaa and their you have it folks, that basically sums it all up, back to you at the station were here on the scene bringing you minute by minute updates.

The crowd lost in confusion the smell of dying dreams causes a frenzy the Z-1 infected.

Wanting to taste the decaying thoughts. A group of uninfected travelers rush back to their hotel room in a panic i don't think they had planned for this.

As night falls upon the city the madness only escalates.

Inside the room their is no sleep, phones ringing off the hook , picking it up to only hear static sssshhsshisszzzzzeeeeeone overlooking the madness from the hotel room window, a sea of decaying brain thirsty Z-1 infected who want to know what you are thinking, overturning cars or anything in their path week alone, but they seem to be working as a group with some unseen force driving them.

Fallen electric lines spark and smoke while lying in the streets, backed up sewer lines overflow contributing to the disturbing rotting smell already in the air.

The entire sky now lit by this single pulsating ball of what now is beginning to look like a moon or small planet illuminating like spot light over the city, is is casting some type of radiation you can feel the frequency that is is vibrating zuum zuum zuum almost calming as the others in the room freak out.

What is going on out their? I've never seen anything like this before, kkkkkkkkkssssss kssssss a static from the tv as is seems to turn on by itself.

........................................................

Static flipping channels rumallhewazjoirrsssshh, like a slot machine eventually stopping on one with silence.

Then a pop from the back with an accompanying smell of smoke then a picture this just in folks it looks like our city is been invaded by the walking dead come on out everyone and join us for a night you'll never forget shhhhisss as the smell of smoke gets stronger and flames emerge from the television.

Some one grab a fire extinguisher from the hallway .......Rushing back in with a fully armed extinguisher.

The flames start to climb the wall and hit the drapes as the pin is pulled and a stream of dust flies from the nozzle and fills the room the flames are brought to embers.

What the heck is happening we have to barricade the doors as the infected approach.

The group run down the stairs to lock and barricade the hotel access points looking at the map of the the building in the lobby, splitting out to lock up the entire first floor, just as the mob starts to pound and pull on the outside handle.

Boom Boom tug tug aaaahhhhhmmmmm aaaaaaaaaaaallllllluuu, its like they can sense what i am thinking but can't react fast enough, in their decayed state Z-1 has strong mind reading capabilities, this is one of the studies they were working on prior to the Z-1 leak .

As a group the Z-1 first start to mentally infect the uninfected group.

Whispering infection into the air intake of the building zzzzzeeeeeeeeeeeone zzzzzzzzzzzuuuuuuuuuulllllaaa zeeeeone drooling and gasping for air as they bust the lines and release unknown gases into the air.

Little aware that the televisions in half the rooms on their floor caught fire and the floor is filled with smoke the head back to the room to regroup, where is all the hotel staff ???

Where are all the workers?

........................................................

While the almost blinding light blaring through the lucky bullet proof windows now almost making it hard to open you eyes while the infected and their pale white lifeless pupils must be made to reflect this type of light, and whatever it is their desire like the light is growing stronger and stronger by the minuet.

A member of the group writes in his journal while stumbling up the stair case ,you're writing this down?

Do you think you can find something better to do at a time like this, it calms me down ...well I am glad you can be so calm at a time like this!

With a uppercut backhand he smacks the journal out of my hands, what the ....Hey Hey..one of the girls shouts you both need to calm down.

Do you smell that ...yea it smoke didn't you make sure the fire was completely out ?

I thought it was ...as the smoke starts to roll through the air ducts of the hotel, filling the elevator now triggering an alarm beeeep beeep beeep the sprinklers inside the building start pouring down on us as we make it to the roof top.

Kicking open the door, to that blinding light aaahhh it takes a few seconds to focus.

Only to find they/we have company it looks like they have stepped right into the eating of the minds convention and made a substantial entrance.

Everyone notices as the z-1 infected security for the event begin to mutter and approach. Ummmmarrrraaaahhhhuuullllaaa one on the females grabs a fire extinguisher and blasts the security man in the face then POW smashes the container into the other now the other Z-1 infected are really interested in what's going on over here looking up like we interrupted their dinner, it looks as if they are coming over to greet us.

........................................................

Opening the gates for the invasion ( day 2 )

Glancing over the edge it looks like a parade with the marching band and a silver haired man with a scar on his face riding on the back of a car waving.

The pulsating ball of light flickering as its intensity escalates, the band blaring a haunting melody, it sounds as if the chords are dying to resolve, then like a firework finale a vicious eruption, boom crackling with a almost blinding light, exploding, pulsating waves of radiant energy, then a silence, and complete darkness, like the noise was sucked out of thin air then as quickly as it disappeared you can hear cars crashing into buildings yelling gushing water from fire hydrants, flickering city lights as we find our way back down the stairs.

The flames and smoke rise through the building screeching of tires as a vehicles crashes off the street, bouncing off a telephone poles, a car crashes through the lobby entrance, opening the gates for the hotel invasion. Day two must be approaching although the city over cast and filled with smoke.

You can feel the heat of the sun baking down on the rotting city.

Unaware that the Z-1 infected have been knocked out by the explosion, the vacationers make their way down the smoke filled hallways growing tired, hungry and mentally drained, they find the hotel kitchen and feast while in a panic discussing what to do.

Whispering winds through the streets following the contours of the environment through open and busted windows whipping down hallways ZeeeeONE ( taking a deep breath and coughing--now becoming infected ) The infected are beginning to wake up and regain consciousness, Ummmarrraaahhhhuuullllaaa Umarrrraaaahhhhuuullllaaa.

........................................................

A bump a thump, the moaning and screaming that we haven't heard in hours but didn't even realize was gone.

The rotting smell riding on the wind almost makes me vomit.

Then a fist punches through the wall and grabs one of the females as she screams another fist, and another she bites down on the forearm and fights for her released then grabs a heavy pot and starts hitting the infected arms as the approaching groans and moans grow louder as the infected invade the building.

The group finds a way to exit the infected burning building, through a maintenance / delivery door.

Now on the docks by the river.

Looking up at the hotel on fire as Z-1 infected stand in the window burning, stealing our thoughts.

In a panicked run along the river after what must have been a few miles we find a safe place to catch a breath.

The wind grows cold as the fading warmth of the the day dies you begin to hear the noises of the night.

The smog settles.

Caw Caw as a crow flies over looking up you can see a faint image of the moon through all the smoke and smog.

We hear barking dogs, it sounds like a pack of wild dogs, snarling barking fighting among each other and getting closer, and looks as if they are onto our sent and now targeting us.

We spot a small boat at a dock, and make a break for it, the vicious street dogs in full attack mode after spotting us we all seem to move in slow motion hurry hurry.

Finally we make it to the boat and pile in, fumbling to untie the ropes and pushing off as one of the dogs leaps from the dock, thud GrrrrrSnarl, belly flopping on the side of the boat, everyone screams while the Z-1 infected k-9 sinks it's teeth into one of the passengers then whack arrf the man hits the dog with the anchor, and the creature splashes into the black sea.

........................................................

While they prime the engine and pull the chord a puff of smoke and BBRRRRrrr they begin to head across the river. While back on shore the dogs begin to howl, as the winds pick up and the pass becomes violent, the ever growing waves beginning to crash into and start to fill our vessel as almost instantly the fog falling upon us thickens.

A gust of wind and a large wave flips our boat, we all find ourselves treading water, frantically screaming hey is everyone alright hey hey.

Then like magic the seas calm, the water becomes completely smooth.

A ferry boat emerges from out of the fog with a roaring horn DOnk DOnk, splash, tosses out several life ropes, grab on we'll pull you in.

Once on the boat everything appears normal.

What happen are you alright, lets get you in some dry clothing and a hot meal, then i'll introduce you to the captain.

The crew member escorts them to their own room and gives them some fresh clothing to change into, they all change into dry clothing except for the infected male, who was infected in the hotel through a airborne strain, the female who was infected in the hotel kitchen biting a Z-1 infected attacker during her struggle to escape, she lays down on the floor feeling like she is going to die, while the male walks down to the galley with his wet clothing on everyone else already present at the table.

Hey why haven't you changed .... I don't feel so good as he pukes up on the table. the infected captain stumbles down the staircase Arrrrr while pulling his pistol, POW POW and firing off a few shots in our direction get off my boat he yells...walk the plank walk the plank, DOnk DOnk the boat horn sounds, as then the ferry crashes into the bank thrusting everything toward the front of the boat, crashing down at the mercy of the impact it sounds like a train wreck.

........................................................

Crash, bang, wood breaking, metal twisting, horrifying screams while the ships horn continues DOnk DOnk. DOnk DOnk.

It looks like the impact has knocked the captain out cold while the other crew member looks up and says, i suggest you get out of here, they jump over the side onto land and start to run looking back to take a final glance they see their two friends on deck eating the brains of the last crew member.

We continue running of to a wooded area, tired and wet the remaining members stop to rest for a few, not realizing how exhausted they are physically ,mentally feeling ill from the food and swallowing some infected water from the river.

Now feeling dizzy drifting in and out of consciousness, must have got a seasickness, the ground seems to move like a boat on a stormy sea, unable to balance they fall to the ground and pass out as the infection runs it course in its new host.

A new day dawns ( day 3)

The rumbling of light chatter awakes us, we must have passed out.

The morning dew covering the ground, a crow in the tree must think he is our wake up call, caw caw. As we awake cold damp and hungry feeling half dead, wiping the sleep from our eyes, as a chilling wind rushing through the trees, zeeeeeone the wind laced with infection.

I can taste it as i breath, on my lips, oddly starting to enjoy the fragrance.

A rumbling of a growing crowd and the ferry boat horn DOnk DOnk still blowing in the distance.

A new day dawns on the dead. A voice from the sky, ladies and gentlemen, limping over and peeking through the bush.

We discover what looks like a huge organized gathering.

........................................................

A man with silver hair wearing a black suite begins to speak again, you're entire life has decayed to this moment, the sacrifices made will not be forgotten.

As he is speaking we realize, he and his staff look as if they are having no reaction to the infection.

While myself and the other now infected group member feeling and showing signs, rotting in our own flesh, sunken eyes, aches and pains.

The massive gathered group stare at the speaker, slowly unveiling what looks like that pulsing light we saw in the sky, they must have some type of understanding or control of the object, he grabs the light with both hand and holds it high above his head as the crowd erupts in a moaning chanting uproar zeeonezeeeeonezeeone, the light begins to rise high into the sky and quickly out of sight.

Then as if on cue the massive Z-1 infected crowd turns in our direction, the mood changes from peaceful to aggressive and the crowd begins to approach.

While miles below the city a underground lab runs test on the virus and helpless victims.

Scientist poke and probe inject and infect hoping to find a way to control and utilize the strain, studies have found the virus highly adaptive affecting humans, plants and most bizarre the effects that it can have on the surrounding environment disturbing weather patterns and magnetic fields, daily the virus morphs to thrive in all the controlled experiments, seemingly having no none threats.

High above the lab the city streets crawl with the infected, a smoke filled cavity where life existed now traffic lights flicker alarms ring while the infected seek to satisfy their lust.

Deteriorating, weak, tired and fighting to hold on to the remaining fragments of life. The bridge we may be our only escape from these blood thirsty brain craving beasts.

........................................................

The city oozing with deathly tones, wind whispering zeeeone zzzzzzzeeeeone, the crowd populating the streets for as far as the eye can see chattering, moaning, oozing bodily fluids, we try to run, finding ourselves weak limping and stumbling, moving at about half time.

The stench of the crowd now thick enough to taste.

The wind blows in our direction and the Z-1 infected group move toward us.

A voice yelling over the speakers, get them, no one leaves uninfected.

The noise from the massive approaching crowd loud and distracting making it hard to think clearly, shuffling feet kicking up a dust cloud of disease, DOnk DOnk, DOnk DOnk a horn rings through snapping me out of a trance, the stampede of infected slither in our direction leaving a trail of infection disease and destruction.

Emotions running high, one member literally falling apart breaking into tears.

I'm feeling slightly claustrophobic while the city seems to shrink around me, panicking and lost in the chaos.

A blurred and distorted vision of the bridge ahead in the distance and remember something about getting out of the city and try to focus.

Get out of the city, voices in my head repeating, get out, while random thoughts from whoever i look at intertwine with my ideals. I glance at the approaching group and their is only one thing on their mind, BRAINS.

While the infected gain ground on us, we begin to move, but not by our own will, it's like we are being controlled, by some force, fighting to not lose control of our own bodies decaying and losing conception of reality.

We continue making our way through the now distressed city streets almost like something is driving us to make this movement. Towering skyscrapers weathered and crumbling, blocking our view as we make our way through the twisted streets toward the bridge.

........................................................

Looking up as smoke billows out broken windows electric lines dangle and spark, debris falls from the sky, filled with thunderous activity we approach the bridge and the city limits, now in sight we may just make it.

The infected are relentlessly gaining on us, like a bad dream we can't move fast enough.

I find myself craving brains as the thousands of infected slowly creep their way toward us.

I can feel the cold breath breathing down my neck, wheezing moaning, as I turn back for one last look i hear, you are now one of us, zeeone zeeone ringing in my head now realizing i am engulfed by Z-1 infected and continue to move or be moved by the pack.

Like a pack of animals of school of fish the crowd moves me, still heading for the city limits.

The Z-1 reverse effect are taking place, the infection has ran its course, cells repairing themselves, thoughts and motor skills returning just as we hit the city limits.

Now we are all more alive than ever.