Chapter 747: Chapter 747: Zombie Virus

"Good evening," the newscaster said, her expression professional, but visibly strained. "We interrupt regular programming to bring you a developing situation out of Aster City, specifically the Northbridge District, following a violent outbreak that occurred late last night at approximately nine p.m."

A footage rolled beside her shoulder, showing shaky phone recordings, and screams of a frightened crowd.

"According to eyewitness videos circulating online, what began as a physical altercation between a werewolf identified as Ken Hart and a human male named Noah Lux quickly escalated into something far more disturbing. Clips show Noah exhibiting extreme physical resilience, abnormal strength, and violent behavior inconsistent with any known human condition."

Right at that moment, the video cut to a freeze-frame of Noah’s gaunt face, his eyes bloodshot, and mouth smeared with blood.

"Authorities confirm that the situation turned fatal when Noah attacked Ken, resulting in Hart’s death at the scene. Moments later, Noah reportedly began attacking bystanders, displaying what witnesses described as feral behavior, including biting and cannibalism."

The anchor swallowed before continuing.

"At this time, officials are investigating what they believe may be a rapid-onset infection. Sources within emergency response units suggest the condition causes extreme aggression, loss of higher cognitive function, and a compulsion toward flesh consumption."

A new headline flashed: UNCONFIRMED VIRAL OUTBREAK.

"Online, the phenomenon has already been dubbed the ’Zombie Virus’—a term authorities urge the public not to sensationalize. However, they have confirmed multiple similar incidents within a three-block radius of the original outbreak."

The camera returned to the newscaster.

"As a result, the city has issued an immediate curfew across Aster City. All individuals present in the Northbridge District during the incident are currently being identified, tracked, and placed under mandatory quarantine for observation.

"Residents living near the affected area are strongly advised to remain indoors, lock all doors and windows, and not to allow anyone inside, even if the individual is known to them. Authorities stress that the infection may not be immediately visible."

Her voice lowered, grave.

"Special containment units are currently deployed as officials race to curb what they describe as a potentially catastrophic spread. While investigations are ongoing, emergency services warn that failure to contain this outbreak could pose a serious threat to public safety, possibly even to human survival itself."

Vera Turner’s attention snapped up when her brother rushed into the office and said,

"You have to come see this."

At once, she lowered the remote onto the table and hurried after her brother.

Vera barely made it three steps before she stopped short. Strapped to a metal stretcher in the center of the space was what used to be a human. If that word still applied.

The man’s limbs were bound tightly with restraints, the thick straps cutting into his skin that looked pale and clammy. His chest rose and fell in shallow, erratic breaths, each one accompanied by a low, animalistic growl that vibrated from deep in his throat.

The sound alone made Vera’s stomach twist.

His face was wrong with the structure warped, his cheekbones protruding unnaturally as if the flesh had shrunk away from the bone. And his teeth were sharper now as if they had been filed while saliva

foamed at the corners of his mouth, dripping down his chin.

Patches of his hair had fallen out entirely, leaving raw-looking skin behind, while the rest clung to his scalp in brittle, uneven tufts. His eyes were bloodshot, the whites veined with angry red, pupils blown wide and unfocused as they tracked movement in the room with feral intensity.

He lunged against the restraints the moment Vera stepped closer, snarling loudly. She flinched before she could stop herself.

Joseph moved beside her, lowering his voice. "We couldn’t get to the boy. Noah. He disappeared after the incident." His jaw tightened. "This is one of the infected we could actually get our hands on."

"Infected," Vera echoed flatly.

"The city’s on lockdown," Joseph continued. "There are police everywhere. Even Military presence too, from what I hear. They’re calling it crowd control, but we all know the truth."

Before Vera could respond, their mother, Moira Turner, entered with Patrick close behind her.

Patrick didn’t even waste time, already pulling on his gloves as he approached the stretcher with an unreadable face. He tried to touch the creature but he snapped suddenly, his teeth clicking inches from Patrick’s wrist. Thankfully, Patrick withdrew his hand just in time, his eyes narrowing.

"Wheel him into the lab now," he ordered calmly.

Two men moved at once, gripping the stretcher and pushing it forward as the infected thrashed, and growled louder. His body arched unnaturally as they wheeled him through into the lab beyond.

Vera turned to Patrick. "You can figure this out, right?"

"And for once," Patrick said dryly, "My older sister wants me to clean up her mess." Then he walked away, already focused on the task ahead.

Vera watched him go, jaw tight.

Joseph said to her. "I don’t know about you, but this is bad, Vera."

"Shut up," she snapped, already moving.

She stopped outside the lab, its walls made entirely of thick, transparent glass. From here, they could see everything.

Inside, Patrick and the other doctors strapped the infected man onto a reinforced table, securing his limbs, chest, and finally his forehead, locking his head in place so he couldn’t bite. The man screamed, thrashed, snarled with pure rage and hunger.

Vera didn’t stay to watch. Sure that Patrick was working on the "situation", she turned and walked away, choosing to wait until he was done.

Two hours and a few minutes later, Patrick stepped into the office where the rest of his family waited.

Vera was on her feet instantly. "How did it go? Were you able to get the infection out of him?"

Patrick stopped in the doorway and fixed her with a hard, unblinking stare.

"There’s no getting the infection out of him," he said flatly. "He is the infection."

Silence fell.

"Excuse me?" Vera said slowly.

Moira’s brows knitted together. "Explain yourself, son."

Patrick gulped. "We’re looking at a zombie infestation."