Dead Rising

Welcome To Willamette!

September 19th. 11:27am.

Day 1

By noon on September 22nd, freelance photojournalist, Frank West's life will have changed forever.

Right now, he was seated in a helicopter being taken to a small town known as Willamette Colorado. He had a source inform him that the town had went silent. Something big was going down. Something that could make his career.

That was what this was about. It wasn't about what was going on. It wasn't about helping. It was about advancing his stagnant career. He needed something to put him on the front page of the news. Something to put him in the limelight.
  More than anything, Frank desired to become a celebrity. A household name for people to look up to. To become richer than he could ever dream of.

That was the dream. Money, booze, women. But he had to earn it.

Frank was taking pictures of the surrounding scenery when his helicopter pilot, Ed DeLuca had asked him a question.

"Say buddy," the pilot began. He wore dark aviator's, a life preserver jacket and had long brown hair tied back. "You mention somethin' about research for a story." He finished.

The helicopter blades where extremely loud so they both wore a headset that they could use to communicate through a microphone.

Frank snapped another picture.
"That's right. I got a tip that something big is happening." He replied.

Frank wore a white dress shirt, brown pants, brown shoes and a black leather jacket. He had on sunglasses to protect his eyes from the sunlight whilst in the sky, but soon took them off. His hair was dark brown and slicked upwards. His face would have been clean shaven if not for the tiny amount of stubble. It was hardly noticeable however.

"In a nowhere little town like that?" The pilot asked. "They sure didn't mention anything about it on tv..."

Frank got up and walked over to the pilot. "Yeah, we'll I'm freelance pal. I don't make my living waitin' for the tv to tell me what to cover." He joked, giving the pilot a tap on the shoulder.

Ed laughed, then returned to concentrating flying the helicopter.

A few minuets had gone by before the town had appeared on the horizon.

"Here she is!" Ed exclaimed in sarcastic excitement. "Willamette Colorado! Population: Fifty three thousand five hundred and ninety four. Distinguishing characteristics? Jack shit!" He started laughing again.

Frank carefully edged his body out of the side door of the helicopter to get a clear look of the town before snapping a couple of pictures of the town on the horizon. It would make a great picture for the front page.

"About the only thing to do in this town is kill time at the shopping mall." Ed informed, gently brining the helicopter lower.

Frank had noticed a large military presence on the highway leading into the town. The town was blocked off.

"What was that, the army?" Ed asked.

"Looks like taking a helicopter was the best way to go." Frank inferred. "I bet they've got all the roads blocked off by now." He guessed.

Frank then took a couple of steps towards Ed. "Alright, listen, I want to get shots of the whole town before the National Guard finishes roping it off." He said. "Take me over the Main Street."

Ed gave a genuine salute and followed his instructions.

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