Chapter 1

The outbreak that ravaged eight months ago was nothing short of apocalyptic. It wasn’t just a disease; it was a harrowing ordeal that crept through communities, leaving devastation in its wake. Picture this: families huddled together, streets eerily empty, and the once-vibrant cities reduced to ghost towns.

The disease, with its origins traced back to a new species discovered in the heart of the forest, spread like wildfire through a perfect storm of circumstances. Much like the flu, it found its way through the unsuspecting, carried by droplets in the air and contact with contaminated surfaces. But its ferocity was unmatched. It attacked with a viciousness that haunted survivors long after their recovery—if they were fortunate enough to recover. It had a kill rate of 99 percent and death was certain but is not easy people wished they were dead instead.

The symptoms were grotesque and terrifying. Boils and rashes erupted on the skin, causing excruciating pain and disfigurement. Hair loss became rampant, leaving individuals not just physically debilitated but also emotionally shattered. It was as though the disease targeted not just the body but the very essence of one’s identity.

Only three percent of the population fell victim to this relentless affliction, but those numbers did little to alleviate the horror and suffering that ensued. People lived in fear, wondering if they’d be the next to succumb to this mysterious and merciless illness.

The scientific community, once jubilant about the discovery of a new species, found itself at the center of a storm. Accusations flew, blaming the pursuit of knowledge for bringing calamity upon humanity. Religious groups pointed fingers, citing the outbreak as divine punishment, a stark warning against meddling in realms perceived as reserved for a higher power. Ans the fact that it only effected people above 16 years of age added to the narrative that the sinless children were spared.As the saying goes never let a good crisis to waste the religious groups pushed the fear of god and the desperate need of the confused public to have something solid and certain turned to these religious groups and biological science started becoming unpopular.

The discovery of a cure brought a glimmer of hope to the desolate landscape of the afflicted nation. With the American government fervently pushing scientific minds to toil relentlessly, a breakthrough was achieved—a remedy that offered relief for the majority. Yet, the jubilation was short-lived, as a minuscule fraction, a mere 0.001 percent, of the population presented an insurmountable challenge.

This tiny segment carried genetic variations that rendered the virus alarmingly volatile within their systems. The initial cure was ineffective against this specific genetic makeup. Desperate to aid these individuals, scientists scrambled to devise a solution, leading to the concept of personalized serums. Each person required a serum uniquely tailored to their genetic configuration, a concoction that had to be painstakingly designed and adjusted on a monthly basis.

The logistical and economic burdens this imposed were staggering. Crafting individualized serums demanded meticulous research, extensive resources, and a sophisticated infrastructure that strained both finances and practicality. Mass production was unattainable, and the costs soared beyond feasibility.

The stark reality emerged: the specialized serums, while potentially life-saving, were astronomically expensive to develop and distribute. The challenge of providing these customized treatments to such a minute percentage of the population raised ethical dilemmas. Governments and healthcare systems faced an excruciating choice: allocate exorbitant resources to cater to this small faction or focus on broader, more cost-effective solutions that could aid the majority.

The plight of this fraction of the population highlighted the stark disparities in access to healthcare and the fragility of medical advancements in the face of genetic diversity and the infinite permutation and combination a virus could take inside those 0.001 percent of population.

In this messed-up world, Chris trudged to school like any other day. The school, once alive with chatter and hustle, now its barely alive. Dust settled on forgotten lockers, and the classrooms filled unruly kinds who did give two fucks about education, hey when world goes through horrible shit well things change.

Chris lived in an okay neighbourhood. Not fancy or anything, just regular folks trying to keep it together. Lawns a bit overgrown, a few cracked driveways, but its still home.

So, there’s Chris, cruising into class with his pals. They were never kings of the school, just the guys who knew how to make a joke or two. Before the outbreak, they were the ones people kinda knew, and now they’re just trying to figure out what the heck happened.