Influenza Z

1. Zombie Disease

Chapter One ● Zombie Disease

            Vivid images of humans attacking one another flashed on the TV. The miniature device, belonging to the Hartell family, sat on the kitchen counter. The violent displays depicted on the television seemed incongruous with the peaceful setting of the kitchen. Its sea foam green curtains clashed with the red blood on the screen; its apricot-colored walls mismatched the black that followed after the cameraman was attacked; its granite countertops possessed more class than the civilians running to preserve their lives.

            The only family member viewing all of the horrors on the news was Mrs. Audra Hartell. Frequently, she was distracted from packing her daughter’s lunch, since the stories on the news were so shocking. Even after weeks of hearing accounts like this, Mrs. Hartell still showed signs of bewilderment in her wide, brown eyes and through the premature wrinkles in her otherwise healthy, tan skin.

            Suddenly, instead of the sound of panicked shrieks and chaotic violence, the sound of actual talking emanated from the TV. “Breaking news!” shouted the newscaster, as she pressed her right hand to her earpiece. “Cases of Influenza Z, or the infamous Zombie Disease, have been reported in New York City! Experts suspect that the disease was brought to the bustling metropolis via subway. Doctor Herbert P. Phillips said, ‘People tend to forget that diseases do not need to travel from person to person. They can be carried by boats, planes, cars, and in this situation—trains.’”

            Alarmed at how nearby Influenza Z was, Mrs. Hartell ran her hands through her long brown hair, discreetly streaked with thin gray strands. She also sighed heavily. Her husband, Nathan Hartell, noticed her reaction as he walked down the stairs. As he journeyed from the corridor to the kitchen, he buttoned his shirt, preparing for another day of work.

            “Everything alright, Honey?” Mr. Hartell inquired, confused by his wife’s look of distress.

            “This zombie disease has reached New York City. Don’t go to work today,” Mrs. Hartell objected.

            Unamused, Mr. Hartell grunted as he finished buttoning his shirt. He took a seat at the kitchen table and looked at his wife with his deep brown eyes. “Honey, New York City still isn’t in New Jersey. We still have some time. The disease might not reach this state at all if—”

            “Don’t ‘Honey’ me!” interjected Mrs. Hartell. “This disease spreads too quickly to take any risks. I would protest against Levi and Liliana going to school today, but they’re so close to the end of the year that I figured I would let it slide, not to mention Levi starts his final exams tomorrow.”

            “But Audra, you’re not making any sense! Let’s say I didn’t go to work today. Let’s say Levi and Lily didn’t go to school today. Then when would we? Or would we just wait for the world to end?” countered Mr. Hartell.

            Before Mrs. Hartell could respond, Liliana came skipping down the stairs in a pink sundress as her messy, crimped, brown hair flounced about her face. She was followed by her older brother Levi, who had already fixed his hair so that its wavy front rested on his forehead. However, drowsiness still clouded his emerald eyes.

        Liliana innocently galloped into the kitchen, heading toward the fridge, looking for breakfast. Once she pulled out a carton of orange juice, she eyed her mother and father suspiciously, curious of their silence.

            “You guys don’t have to be silent around me; Levi already told me aaaallll about the zombie disease,” Liliana stated.

            In an attempt to avoid his parent’s stern glances, Levi let his mahogany hair conceal his eyes as he looked at his feet.