PROLOGUE

There arose feedback from the television monitor as a test pattern popped up from the black screen of a television, and instantly the loud whirring sound filled the air. Suddenly, a sign reading “Channel 4 news” appeared and the announcer began,

“We bring you from the Channel Four news in Chicago, an emergency broadcast from reporter Thom Jacobs.”

There arose frantic and distinct mutters in the background of the studio as a frazzled and distressed reporter with his tie loose and hair messed up sat at his chair with papers in his hand as people walked back and forth past the television cameras. He cleared his throat and fixed his hair as the cameraman signaled to him.

“Good day,” he began, “At this moment…we are broadcasting from an affiliate studio in the outskirts of Death Valley, a rather isolated location where we’re miles from human contact…hopefully. It’s been a rather trying few months, and for those who have managed to survive, we hope that god guides you.”

He held his hand up to his mouth as his emotions began flooding and tears ran down his eyes, “We’ve held up in this studio for a few months,” he began with a shivery voice followed by light whimpers, “There have only been a few survivors and we took the helicopter and fled…” He looked around in confusion as people in the studio began rushing back and forth and he immediately continued.

“Back in the country we’ve experienced this widespread epidemic of this disease,” he explained, “No one has been able to discover what it is and where it originated, and basically no one has had the chance to because it’s just spread so fast. Last we heard, much of the countries in the US have been overtaken by this epidemic, Europe and much of the middle east are experiencing this outbreak, and there doesn’t seem to be any way of stopping it. In the last few months we have witnessed the depletion of humanity that has spread like wildfire. The president has fled to an unknown location, so has many of the US government.”

He brushed his hair back and sighed heavily as he fumbled with his papers, “If there is anyone out there who has managed to survive these last months, the best I can say is: hold on, god will save you. At the moment there seem to be minimal amount of military air rescue, all the hospitals and public areas have closed down, and the power plants have all shut down. We’re operating at this moment on a generator and antennae in the middle of the desert, and we’re doing our best to stay alive and keep our sanity. There’s no hope of recovery and many religious leaders have proclaimed this as the apocalypse. We’re down to the wire, here folks; who knew it’d happen so soon? If there is anyone out there, anyone with resources and capabilities who can save us, please, we’re at the middle of the death valley somewhere near the old airstrip. Please.”

Suddenly, the people in the studio began talking aloud as the reporter rose from his seat quickly gazing in fright. “What’s happening?” he muttered softly. The studio hands ran back and forth as the camera man yelled to him, his words hardly comprehendible. He gasped aloud in fright and sat down looking at the screen, “At the moment,” he began and began shaking in fright, “there are groups of the infected outside our doors. We’re not sure how they’ve discovered us, but they seem to be gathering very quickly.” He began whimpering aloud, and stood up as distant slams could be heard in the distance, “To everyone, I bid you farewell and may god be with you all.” He looked ahead in horror as growls could be heard within the studio and the camera spun as shadows dashed by the lens… then the screams began, and finally…dead air.