Day Zero
Chapter 22

Day 88:

Riley flipped through the channels of the television. He stopped on CNN.

“The reported death toll has now reached 2 million, although there could be thousands more. A majority of dead come from the most densely populated cities around the world such as Shanghai, New Delhi and London” Gerhard Zeiler reported.

Riley jumped to attention and quickly turned up the volume.

“Bill Turnbull is live via Skype to tell us more about the disaster in London” Zeiler introduced.

“We believe that the disease really began in the Thames shipyard and repair company” Turnbull explained.

Riley dropped the remote. That was where his brother worked. He quickly pressed the nurse call button. He pressed it quickly and rapidly trying to get the attention of whomever in the group was supposed to be paying attention to it.

Fabiana came running down the hallway and grabbed the telephone “What is it?” she asked out of breath

“Go to the break room and turn on the news,” Riley demanded into the phone connecting them. Fabiana was about to hang up the phone before he tapped on the glass again.

“Yeah?” she asked.

“I need you to make an international call” Riley demanded.

“To whom?” she inquired as she yanked a pen and a small notebook out of the pocket of her lab coat.

“My family, the shipyard where my brother works was where the disease started in London. I need to know if they are still alive” he managed to say.

Fabiana nodded indicating that she was ready to take down the phone number.

Riley recited the phone number that he had known since he was three years old “There is a phone card in the desk by my bed. Feel free to use it” he explained.

Fabiana nodded and hung up the phone before walking away.

He sighed and turned his attention back to the television. He had missed the remainder of the news report.

“In other news, all international and national airports have shut down. This is to prevent further spreading of the disease. There have been a reported on hundred planes that have crashed due to a zombie outbreak aboard the plane. The Department of Transportation has also confirmed that trains and ships have ceased transportation. Global trade has been cut off. All we can do now is hope that the researchers have found a cure to this epidemic”

The news cut to a commercial and Riley shut off the television.

Today was the day that he was supposed to start feeling the symptoms of the disease. So far there was nothing, he felt fine but it was only day three, he had seven more days before he would change into a mindless killing machine. He grimaced and looked at the meal that Benjamin had brought him earlier that day. A cheeseburger and some oven baked french fries. He forced himself to smile and ate the frenchfries to keep the older man from worrying too much. Abigail had come to visit him earlier that day too. She still looked beautiful despite the dark circles under her eyes and slightly disheveled appearance. He knew that she was working hours on end to try to find some type of cure or influence on the disease. He found himself falling harder and harder for the girl that was trying to save his life. A bloody Greek Tragedy she and I are turning into he thought to himself.

He was surprised when Fabiana reappeared before him. The way that she had looked at him instantly told him that he would not be hearing good news.

“I tried the number, but it was disconnected. That could just mean that the power is out or the phone lines are down. But after watching the news, I am not sure if there will be many more survivors in London” Fabiana said.

Riley felt all the blood drain from his face as he leaned heavily against the glass separating him from Fabiana and dropped the phone. She heard his voice calling his name through the speaker, he looked at her and shook his head before placing the handset back on the base.Fabiana continued to look at him sadly until he finally drew the privacy curtains across his window.He finally let out a scream and fell to the floor allowing the tears that he had held in since Marian had died to fall.

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