PROLOGUE

“Aw, damn it!” A white EMT named David said pounding the coffee machine, “This coffee is fucking cold. It’s always cold when I get here.”

“Yeah, it’s always cold for me, too,” Max, a curly haired Hispanic declared patting his back, “Them’s the breaks.” He took a sip of the cold black coffee slightly cringing and placed it down on the counter. David laughed throwing the cup away, “Not such a tough guy, now?” David joked.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Max said wiping his lips, “Ugh.”

“Who made this?” asked David.

“Somebody probably pissed in it for all I know,” replied Max.

“Coming through, coming through!” Four nurses screamed wheeling someone in on a stretcher.

“Another one?” asked Max, “That’s what--?”

“Seven,” David replied.

“Seven!” Max replied, “Shit, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know,” a black nurse replied rushing by, “Some sort of riot downtown. Whatever is going on, it’s bad, we got four more down on the way, two are already dead. I also heard one of the EMT’s from county got bitten in the neck.”

“Shit,” Max exclaimed in disgust.

“He’s flatlining!” a doctor screamed as their newest patient began convulsing.

“You guys better get out there,” the nurse suggested, “It’s getting crazy in here.”

“Alright,” Max replied, “Let’s get going, partner.” They both ran through the ER and rushed outside to the truck, “Looks like we’re starting early,” David declared. They rushed into the truck and sped off as the radio on their truck went haywire. Reports were coming in like a hail of gunfire and as they rushed down the street, first there was calmness and then as they sped further and further the smoke started to rise and then fire, and like they entered the gates of hell, they finally entered the warzone as carnage and mayhem ensued. They thought nothing of it and entered the suburbs not saying a single word to one another.

They came to a screeching halt on their car as the ambulette continued blaring its siren loudly, but the suddenly the deafening alarm was drowned out their shock. The horrific sight before them was all they needed to rattle them. It was chaotic, unbelievable, and they had no idea what to do at that moment as they leaned forward at their seats gazing out at the end of the road. They could see the rows of houses, and then the police cars and fire trucks by the road as carnage ensued before their eyes. Many of them walked the streets staggering in groups, others smashed through houses as people attempted to fight them off.

They gazed in amazement at the sight before them as three tore into a police off alongside the street, seven of them approached their car,

“This is not a riot… is it?” Max asked in horror.

“Oh, my god,” David said with a soft whisper, “Max—what the hell is going on here…?”

“I don’t know,” he replied with barely a sound, “Oh, dear god…!” They stood by the doors crowding quickly groaning and banging against the doors as they watched in horror. “What is wrong with them?” Max asked alarmed. Two women stood by the doors slamming their bloody palms against the glass violently.

“I don’t know,” replied David, “Don’t open the doors.”

“Maybe we should help them,” Max declared. Max unlocked the door and pressed the knob as David gasped, “No Max, don’t open the doors--!”