Viral

[Kyuu]

Just a month ago, two thirds of the world's population came down with a strange illness, with symptoms similar to those of the flu: fever, fatigue, aches, chills. Only they were far more intense, and also included an angry rash and projectile vomiting. Then, after about a week, the symptoms disappeared. Two day's later, without warning, all those who had fallen ill passed out suddenly and never woke up, along with some who had never shown symptoms at all.

Now, with everybody killed by the virus and those killed in the accidents that followed the deaths, only ten percent of the population remains, as far as anybody knows.

The small mountain town of Mesa, Colorado was one of the last places to be hit, but when the virus did hit, it hit hard, despite the relative isolation.

From the community center, where everyone had gathered in order to keep informed, those that had survived moved into the mansion of a wealthy dowager and her granddaughter.

There is enough food and water to last a while, weeks, maybe a few months, but not for long.

[Kyuu]

Silently, from the corner of the living room, Anita "Nita" Parker counted as the people entered. She had seen them all around town, and new their names--it was impossible not to, with the size--but now, she didn't really see any of them, only that they came. Her mind was elsewhere: up on top of the mountain behind the house where she and Laura, her granddaughter, had buried Laura's parents, Nita's son and daughter-in-law, just days before.

"Hey, Gram," Laura said, coming out of the kitchen, a roll in her hand. Her eyes were red and swollen.

Nita thought about reprimanding her, reminding her that food would be scarce from now on; they would need to ration. Instead, she pulled Laura into a tight hug and ran her fingers through Laura's hair, gently tugging out the knots that had formed. 'Later,' she told herself. 'We'll think about things like that later.'

((Is this okay? ))

[ashiko]

((Ahh, I dunno what kind of character to make...))

[sora]

((what kind of character are we aloud to have? And where do you want me to put his/her profile info?))

[Kyuu]

((Uhhh... regular people (as in humans). ^^ ))

[ashiko]

((Hahaha! Charrie idea!!!))

Sam moved slowly through the door, still vaguely in shock. His blond hair was matted, sticking up in strange places, and his face and arms were streaked with dirt. He'd just buried his little brother... and he didn't know what to feel right now. He wanted to just curl up and cry but... he'd never stop if he did.

He glanced around the room, taking in the sights of the poor people. It had been good of Mrs. Parker to open her home like this. He moved along the wall and slid down to sit on the floor, putting his head back. He suddenly felt exhausted.

[Aura]

It was not the present that haunted her, but the memories of the past that it had summoned.

Sara had no dead to mourn in the plague that consumed the world. The last person she cared deeply about had died several years ago, and with her daughter's death the single mother had faded into near seclusion. The black shirt she wore marked her continual mourning, no longer out of place - everyone here had something to cry for. Now the question was, did they have something to live for?

The thought that the inhabitants of this one house might make up a significant portion of the remainder of the human race was striking, and impossible to fathom. Not long ago they had been controlling the world. Things had been improving - slowly, but they had been improving. And then over night the universe had made humanity the subject of its most cruel prank. Now the people who had once walked with such confidence and pride were huddled together, scared, confused, and uncertain. And Sara wasn't sure how long they'd be able to be called survivors.

She skirted the wall and slid into a chair away from the door, watching as people entered. Did she look as defeated as many of them? Probably. She was.