"
I'll take questions now," the man said, shifting his weight as he stood behind the podium. He looked uncomfortable and pale in the camera lights.
The pool of reporters roared with questions. The man at the pointed squinted and pointed at one, "What is causing this?"
"
We don't know. At this time it would be inappropriate to speculate, as I said in the briefing our main concern right now is containment." His eyes scanned the crowd again, worried he might see one of the things sitting among the reporters. "Yes, Carol, go ahead."
"
Is it a viral infection?"
"
Again, we don't know. We have ascertained that it is transmitted similarly to a virus, including a high rate of infection, but we don't know if the underlying cause is actually a virus. Pete."
"
Is this primarily a national health concern or a military concern? Do you think this could be a biological attack by a hostile nation?"
"
Both, to answer your first question. At the moment, we have nothing to indicate that this is an act of terrorism or an attack, but it hasn't been ruled out. As you'll understand, the national security concerns are not my department. Uh, you miss, yes."
"
Where did the outbreak begin?"
"
We're not using that word. Two incidences were simultaneously reported, one in New York City and one in Houston. Chinese authorities have also reported two cases in Beijing."
"
Mr. Secretary, there are reports of the infected exhibiting severe physiological changes. Particularly, the eyes turning a bright color and even mutations to the physical body.. Can you comment on these or other symptoms?"
The man sighed and removed his glasses, his hand trembling slightly as he placed them on the podium, "Yes. A discoloration of the eyes is a precursor to the infection, likely due to some interaction with the liver. Other physiological changes are inconsistent." He coughed. "I'll direct this line of questioning to the CDC from here."
"
Are they dangerous?"
"
Not directly. The danger is in the infection. Again we urge the public to be cautious, if you see someone exhibiting strange behavior, do not approach them."
A woman leaned forward and whispered in the man's ear while placing a note in his hand. He picked his glasses up from the podium and put them back on. "Ladies and gentleman, the president is ordering mobilization of our armed forces in conjunction with the National Guard in the following cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, Richmond, San Diego, and the District of Columbia. Also, all military forces worldwide have been put on high alert. Finally, the 42nd Infantry Division of the New York State Guard are being deployed to assist local authorities in the evacuation of the island of Manhattan. I can't take any further questions at this time, thank you."
The room burst into yelling as the officials were ushered out of the room by soldiers.
***
"
Stay close to me," Martin said as they approached the checkpoint. Lucy hefted her bag on her shoulder and squeezed Martin's hand tighter. All around them, people shuffled in an uneasy pace, funneling slowly past armed soldiers. The soldiers periodically ordered people to look up. A few people had even been shuffled off discreetly to one of the white tents which dotted the checkpoint lines. Despite the number of the crowd, people maintained a small distance from one another.
Lucy's heart pounded in her chest. It had taken them hours to get this far. Things were much worse behind them. The radio reported widespread rioting and looting. Everyone told rumors that infected had been spotted all over the city, yet no one had actually seen one. The soldiers had arrived suddenly and with an unnerving precision. From the moment the announcements began, trucks were moving through the streets. Checkpoints appeared in minutes, and men in hazard suits started examining anyone who tried to pass. Martin and Lucy passed through two already on their way out. Both times felt like executions. Lucy had seen the look of panic and confusion come over people as they were escorted out of the line.
"
Next please, quickly," said the guard.
Three people were in front of them in the line. Martin shook his free hand nervously. This point was different. Armored cars created a metal wall in front of the open maw of the Lincoln tunnel. The hundreds of evacuees funneled into five single file lines. The men and women in white hazards suits were doing rapid physical examinations of each person, but so far no one had been detained. Between the barricade and the tunnel entrance stood a much larger white tent. Silhouettes created by the massive floodlights moved around inside clearly preparing for something.
"
The president is on Air Force One," a man behind them said. "Heard it on the radio. Him and his staff were put on the plane a few hours ago. It's worse than they're saying. Something's worse than they're saying."
Martin eyed him. The man's wet eyes rolled around to look at everyone with suspicion, and his brow beaded with sweat. Martin pulled Lucy closer to him.
Two lines over, a commotion drew everyone's attention. A middle aged man was arguing with the soldiers. It ended quickly. The man was thrown to the ground and swarmed by the guards. His hands were zip tied, and he was carried away. The entire encounter took less than two minutes. "Step forward," said the guard.
The crowd went quiet. Martin and Lucy did not see anything to cause this, but a hush fell over the hundreds of people. The lights of the city were going out. Buildings flipped off wholesale as if someone turned a massive light switch. The streetlights around them winked into darkness, leaving only the floodlights providing any illumination. Behind them was the blackness of a city without power. The silence of the nothingness washed over them and then, screams.
The wet eyed man let out a nervous laugh, "They are coming."
As if an unseen force had suddenly pushed them, the crowd surged towards the barricade. Martin grabbed Lucy's arm and pulled her forward. Guards lined up with raised rifles.
"
Stay behind the barriers!" they shouted. "We will fire on you!"
The back of the crowd cried out and went silent in waves. More gunfire, but this time from the white tent in front of the tunnel. The guards turned to look, and the crowd surged forward. Hundreds began streaming towards the tunnel. The armored cars closed ranks and metal reinforcements were going up behind them, blocking the entrance entirely.
Lucy saw the first one. It was a man moving incredibly quickly. He fell upon a woman and they disappeared into the dark crowd. All around her, people were being snatched out of the crowd as it moved forward. She caught sight of another, a woman, tearing the mask off of a soldier.
From the white tent, an inhuman roar bellowed across the crowd. The side of the tent ripped open, and a monstrous man emerged. He towered above the soldiers who ran to stop him, his body thick with muscle. The crowd yelled out for them to shoot, but the soldiers could only stare, blank faced. A strange miasma flowed out from the tent, stunning everyone in the vicinity of the creature. Martin watched as a woman ran forward from the crowd, tearing open her blouse while her husband shouted after her. In moments, she was on her hands and knees before the monster trying to fit a twelve inch cock in her mouth.
"
Jesus Christ," Martin whispered. He tightened his grip on Lucy and pulled her away, back into the dark of the city.
***