These are the 6 a.m. news.
Traffic on the highway is due to a vehicle accident. Authorities recommend taking precautions and choosing another route.
On another note, the UN is celebrating: the "No More War" agreement has been approved. The world has entered a new era of peace.
In other news, the fever virus has begun to spread throughout Thailand. Some say another pandemic could happen. Governments have closed all flights and routes to Thailand to prevent the spread.
"Such a hassle. I don't think it'll be another pandemic… though it's worrying to have a fever at 41 degrees," said a man as he turned off the TV.
"Well, there's no reason to make a big deal out of it. I'd better take a shower and get ready for work. Besides, it's payday today — which means pizza day," he thought as he got up. "The only happy day I can afford. It's annoying being alone, with my family so far away… but that's the price I have to pay for living abroad."
Look at me: short black hair, fair skin slightly tanned by the sun, black eyes. I'm 1.80 meters tall and still don't understand why no one likes me. What a drag, honestly. But of course, I know it's because I can't speak the language of this country properly.
I miss the women from my country… One night I went out drinking, met a woman, and we had a great time. Too bad I can't have something like that here. All I do is work and send money home to buy my little house. But this loneliness is killing me… It's been three years since I've been with a woman. Hahaha… God.
But that's the price I have to pay for a peaceful future — in my country, with my home.
I've been here three years now, in the United States, the land of opportunity. But nobody tells you how expensive those "opportunities" are to get. Hahaha.
I'm 25; I'll turn 26 on December 4th, and that's my goal — to go back home.
---
"Beep! Beep! Hurry up, Lucas! We're going to be late for work!" shouted a man from a 1990 Ford F-150 truck.
"I'm coming, Fat José! And if we're late, it's because you always take forever to eat breakfast," Lucas replied as he ran down the stairs of the apartment complex.
"Yeah, yeah, Lucas, but as the saying goes: full belly, happy heart," José laughed. "Besides, if I don't eat, how do you expect me to handle tearing down walls till noon with nothing in my stomach?"
"Alright, alright, I get it, José. Let's just go before the boss yells at us," Lucas said as he hopped into the passenger seat.
"Hey, Lucas, today's Friday... pizza day, right!?" José laughed. "I can already taste that Italian place's pizza on 13th Street."
"Same here, José. It's the best pizza in the world."
"Hey, José… what do you think about that virus in Thailand?"
"That's what's worrying me, Lucas. From what I've heard, it's got a really high death rate. Only one out of ten people survives… and they still haven't found a cure, vaccine, or treatment. I just hope it doesn't spread to other countries — especially this one."
"I hope so too, José. But I don't know… stopping an airborne virus is hard. That's what happened with coronavirus. All we can do is wait for a treatment."
"Exactly, my good friend! In the meantime, let's get in some good overtime before that virus reaches this country and we get locked up again like last time."
"True, my friend — but the good thing is I'm going home this year. Hahaha, what a joy."
"Yeah, I'll miss you, man. Even though you're annoying as hell," laughed fat José, his face jiggling like jelly.
---
"TEAR DOWN THAT WALL! MOVE IT! IT'S PAYDAY, YOU IDIOTS!" yelled the foreman.
"What a pain," muttered Lucas. "How much you wanna bet, fat José, the boss is cranky 'cause he didn't jerk off this morning?"
"No! I think his wife didn't give him a blowjob, that's why he's pissed off!" José laughed hysterically.
"WHAT'S SO FUNNY, YOU TWO?" barked the foreman, Luis.
"Nothing, sir. Just personal stuff," Lucas answered calmly.
"Keep your personal crap for after work! We're here to work, not to laugh! UNDERSTOOD?"
"Yes, sir," both replied.
"He's gone, Lucas," José chuckled. "Man, that idiot's got such a bad temper…"
"He's like that every Friday, like it hurts him to pay us. Hahaha."
"Probably wants to steal our checks. If he tries, I'll sue his ass!"
"Hahaha, alright, enough talking. Let's finish this up, lunchtime's coming."
"Right!"
---
"It's time to clock out. No overtime today, guys. Here are your checks," said the foreman to the workers.
When Lucas's turn came, José was already waiting for him.
"Hey, Lucas, we should go grab that pizza right away," said fat José while waiting in line for his check.
"Why so early? Why not go tonight? It's only three-thirty."
"I've got a date," José murmured with a nervous grin.
"You, fat bastard? With a girl?" laughed the foreman as he handed him the check. "She's probably a chubby dude — or maybe it's Lucas in a dress! Hahaha!"
"Shut your damn mouth, you midget!" José growled through clenched teeth. "That only happened to you, remember? When you hooked up with that guy from the club? Thought no one saw you? How ironic — making fun of gays when you're the one sucking dicks! Hahaha!"
"Say that again, fatass!" The foreman grabbed him by the collar, fuming. "That's all lies! Say it again and I'll knock your teeth out!"
"Enough, Luis!" Lucas stepped in calmly, pulling José away like a child.
"Stay out of it, Lucas! Or do you want trouble too? Want me to fire you?" Luis spat.
"Go ahead," Lucas said firmly. "I'll find another job. But remember this — if you fire me, I'll leave with my head high. You, though, with your teeth loose, shorty."
Luis stood silent for a few seconds, his eyes burning, then muttered:
"Get out of here. See you Monday."
He said it as if nothing happened, even though the workers stared at him trembling.
"Alright, Mr. Luis. Thank you," Lucas said before leaving with José.
Outside, Lucas asked, "Hey, José, why do you and Luis hate each other so much? What happened?"
"To be honest, Lucas," José laughed, "I'm the one who caught him with that guy, making out at the club. Hahaha."
"Hahaha, now it makes sense. No wonder he hates you. You outed his secret," Lucas said, laughing.
"But seriously, José… you really have a date? With who? You never mentioned her."
"Just met her. First date today, so I'm kind of excited. She's from Guatemala — short, but with huge boobs, man! Hahaha."
"Hahaha, you're hopeless, man. But I wish you luck. Let's grab the pizza, you drop me home, and tomorrow you tell me how it went."
"Deal, buddy!"
---
"As always, long lines in this pizza place," Lucas said to José.
"Yeah, but it's worth it, hahaha. Too delicious."
"Cough, cough."
"Hey, what's wrong? Why are you coughing in my face?" Lucas said to an older woman.
"I'm sorry… I haven't been feeling well today," she said, embarrassed.
"Yeah, but don't cough in my face. José, excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom to clean up. Buy the pizza, I'll send you the money."
"Alright, buddy. And ma'am, please, cover your mouth when you cough; don't disrespect people," José told her.
"Damn old lady…" Lucas muttered, washing his face. "Out of all the people in line, she had to cough on me. I hope I don't get sick…"
"Lucas, over here!" José yelled from the truck, holding the pizzas.
"Coming, man!" Lucas replied, stepping out.
"Let's get you home," José laughed. "Then I'll go shower and head to my date with my future wife, hahaha."
---
These are the 6 p.m. news.
The President of the United States reports that the fever virus has reached U.S. soil. He promises to take immediate action to stop its spread.
The UN reports the virus is now in over a hundred countries. The spread happened in less than 24 hours — completely inexplicable in its speed.
The mayor of Chicago announces quarantine measures will begin if more infected patients appear.
"What a drag…" Lucas muttered while stepping out of the shower. "Another quarantine. Thank God I bought enough groceries for a week. I'll stock up more tomorrow just in case they lock down Chicago."
"I'm going to sleep. I feel awful… must be that damn old woman who coughed in my face," he said bitterly.
"I'll make some ginger tea with lemon… maybe that'll help."
---
"Help! Help! My husband fainted! I need help! The lines are down, I can't call 911! Help!" screamed a voice from the street.
"What the hell is she yelling about at this hour?" Lucas groaned, trying to get up. "What time is it…?" He sat up, dizzy.
"Ugh… my head… what's happening? Am I sick?"
He tried to move his legs — but felt nothing.
"No… I can't feel my legs… I'm burning up… what's happening to me? Is it the virus? That old woman…?"
"Ahhhhhhh!" he screamed, clutching his head. "What's this pain!? My head's splitting open! Ahhhh! I need to call emergency!"
He crawled toward the TV stand where the phone was.
"God… I can't feel my right arm… what is this…? I need to call someone… I'm dying…"
"Almost there… just a bit more…" he whispered shakily, dragging himself forward.
He stretched his hand and grabbed the phone.
"What… what the hell? No signal? Damn it!" he murmured, fighting to stay conscious.
"Mom… I'm sorry… I couldn't keep my promise to be home in December… I'm sorry, God…" he chuckled weakly through tears. "I'm so sorry, Mom… I can't stay awake anymore… goodbye, Mom…"
He fell asleep as his body burned with fever.
---
This is my final broadcast.
I can't keep working or reporting. I'm trapped inside Channel 8's building.
It's been two days since the world collapsed.
Over 93% of the population is dead… or has turned into night dwellers — or vampires, as I call them.
To the 7% of humans still alive… please, hide when night falls.
Scientists say that out of every hundred survivors, only one has a chance to awaken a supernatural ability.
Anyone who has awakened an ability — the government asks you to head to Washington, D.C.
They promise protection…
Animals, plants… even the rain has mutated.
That's what the scientists told me before everything fell apart.
They still don't know what causes it, or how dangerous those mutations are to humans.
That's all...
My name is Megan. I'm the last survivor of Channel 8.
I don't dare leave the building. I don't have the courage to face the night dwellers… and die.
So… I've decided to take my own life.
It's the best thing to do in this hopeless world.
Goodbye.