"These are the six a.m. news."
Traffic on the highway is backed up due to a car accident. Authorities advise drivers to take precautions and consider alternate routes.
Meanwhile, the UN is celebrating — the No More War treaty has finally been approved. The world has entered a new era of peace.
In other news, the Fever Virus has begun to spread across Thailand. Some experts warn it could lead to another pandemic. Governments have shut down all flights and routes to and from the country in an attempt to contain the outbreak.
"Such a hassle," muttered a man as he turned off the TV. "I doubt it's another pandemic… though that bit about a 41-degree fever is worrying."
He sighed. Whatever. No point stressing over it. Better take a shower and get ready for work. Besides, it's payday — pizza night.
He smiled faintly. The only cheerful day I can afford. It sucks being alone, with my family so far away… but that's the price of living abroad.
Look at me: short black hair, fair skin tanned by the sun, black eyes. Six feet tall, and still can't figure out why no one likes me. Maybe because I can't speak the language properly.
I miss the women from my country… One night I went out drinking, met a girl — we had fun. Too bad I can't make that happen here. I just work and send money home to build my little house. But damn, the loneliness… Three years without a woman. Ha! God.
Still, it's the price I have to pay for a quiet future — back home, with my own house.
Three years now in the United States — the land of opportunity. Funny how no one tells you how hard it is to actually find those opportunities.
I'm twenty-five. My birthday's December fourth. My goal is to go back home before then.
---
"Beep! Beep! Hurry up, Lucas! We're gonna be late!" shouted a man from an old '90 Ford F-150.
"I'm coming, Fat José! If we're late, it's your fault for always taking forever to eat breakfast!" yelled Lucas as he ran down the stairs of the apartment complex.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, Lucas. But as they say, a full belly makes a happy heart," José laughed. "Besides, if I skip breakfast, how do you expect me to survive knocking down walls till noon with an empty stomach?"
"I get it, José. But let's go before the boss starts yelling," said Lucas as he jumped into the passenger seat.
"Hey, Lucas — it's Friday… pizza day, right?" José grinned. "I can already taste that Italian place on 13th Street."
"Same here, José. Best pizza in the world."
"Hey, what do you think about that fever virus in Thailand?"
"That's worrying, man. I heard it's got a really high fatality rate. Only one in ten survives, and there's no cure or treatment yet. Hope it doesn't reach other countries — especially this one."
"Yeah, I hope so too. But stopping an airborne virus isn't easy. Remember COVID? We'll just have to wait and see if they find a cure."
"Exactly, my friend. In the meantime, we should rack up some overtime before that virus gets here and we end up locked down again."
"True, amigo. Still, this year I'm going back home — ha! Can't wait."
José chuckled, his chubby face jiggling like jelly. "I'll miss you, buddy — even if you're a pain in the ass sometimes!"
---
"TEAR DOWN THAT WALL! MOVE IT! IT'S PAYDAY, YOU IDIOTS!" the foreman's voice thundered across the site.
"What a pain," muttered Lucas. "I bet Luis is cranky because he didn't jerk off this morning."
José burst out laughing. "Nah! I think his wife didn't help him out today — that's why he's in such a bad mood!"
"What's so funny, you two?" barked Luis, glaring at them.
"Nothing, sir. Just personal stuff," Lucas replied calmly.
"Keep your personal crap for after work! This isn't a comedy club. UNDERSTOOD?"
"Yes, sir!" they both shouted.
Once Luis walked off, Lucas chuckled. "See? He always acts like that on Fridays — probably hates having to pay us."
"Yeah, maybe he wants to steal our checks," said José. "If he tries, I'll sue his ass!"
Lucas laughed. "Come on, let's finish this wall. Lunch break's almost here."
---
By three thirty, Luis gathered the workers. "No overtime today. Here are your checks."
José was already waiting in line when Lucas walked over.
"Hey, Lucas, let's grab the pizza right away," said José, fidgeting.
"Why the rush? We can go later. It's still early."
"I've got… a date," José said, grinning nervously.
"A date? You? No way," laughed Luis, handing him the check. "It's probably a fat guy pretending to be a woman — or maybe it's Lucas in disguise!"
"Shut your mouth, shorty!" José snapped. "You should talk — weren't you the one caught making out with a guy at the club? Don't act holy when you're the one sucking d—"
"Say that again, fatass!" Luis grabbed him by the neck, enraged. "Those are lies! Say it again and I'll knock your teeth out!"
"That's enough!" Lucas stepped in, separating them like a referee. "Chill, both of you."
"Stay out of this, Lucas. You want me to fire you too?" Luis sneered.
"Go ahead," Lucas said firmly. "I'll find another job. But if you do, I'll walk out with my head high — and you'll be the one leaving with loose teeth."
Luis froze, eyes blazing. After a tense pause, he muttered, "Get out. See you Monday."
The crowd of workers watched in silence as Lucas and José walked away.
Outside, Lucas asked, "So what's really going on between you two?"
José chuckled. "I'm the one who caught him kissing that guy at the club, haha."
"Now it makes sense. No wonder he hates you," said Lucas, laughing. "Anyway, tell me about this date. Who's the lucky lady?"
"Met her recently — first date tonight. She's from Guatemala, short, but man, she's got—"
Lucas laughed. "You're hopeless. But good luck, amigo. Let's grab that pizza, you drop me off, and tomorrow you can tell me all about it."
"Deal!"
---
"As always, the line at this pizzeria is insane," Lucas said.
"Yeah, but it's worth it. Totally worth it," José grinned.
Cough. Cough.
"Hey, what the hell? Why'd you cough right in my face?" Lucas snapped at an older woman.
"I'm sorry… I haven't been feeling well today," she said, embarrassed.
"Fine, but don't cough on people," Lucas muttered, walking off. "José, I'm going to the bathroom to wash up. Get the pizzas — I'll pay you back."
"Got it, buddy. And ma'am, next time cover your mouth when you cough!" José added.
Damn old lady, Lucas thought, scrubbing his face at the sink. Of all people, she had to cough on me. I better not get sick...
"Lucas, over here!" shouted José, waving from the truck with the pizzas in hand.
"Coming!" Lucas jogged over.
"Let's get you home," said José. "Then I'll shower and head out to my date with my future wife, hahaha!"
---
"These are the six p.m. news."
The U.S. president has confirmed that the Fever Virus has reached American soil. Immediate measures will be taken to contain it.
The UN reports infections in over one hundred countries — all within twenty-four hours, an inexplicable rate of global spread.
Chicago's mayor has announced the city will enter lockdown if new cases appear.
"Damn… another quarantine," Lucas sighed, stepping out of the shower. "Good thing I stocked up for a week. Tomorrow I'll buy more, just in case."
He rubbed his temples. "I don't feel so good… must be that old lady who coughed on me."
He brewed a cup of ginger and lemon tea. "Let's hope this helps…"
---
"Help! Please, someone help! My husband collapsed — the lines are dead, I can't call 911!" a woman screamed outside.
"What the hell is going on?" Lucas groaned, trying to get up. "What time is it…?" He sat, dizzy and weak.
"My head's pounding… don't tell me I got sick already…"
He tried to move his legs — nothing.
"No… I can't feel them… my body's burning… is this the virus? That old woman…?"
He clutched his head and screamed. "Ahhh! My head! It's splitting open! Ahhhh! I need to call for help!"
He crawled toward the phone by the TV, his vision blurring.
"God… I can't feel my right arm… I need help…"
Almost there. Just a few more inches.
He reached the phone — no signal.
"Damn it!" he muttered. "Why now…?"
He let out a shaky laugh, tears in his eyes. "Mom… I'm sorry. I couldn't keep my promise to be home by December… I'm so sorry…"
"I can't stay awake… goodbye, Mom…"
He collapsed, fever consuming him.
---
"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 ninety-three percent of humanity is dead — or turned into what I call Night Dwellers. Vampires, if you will.
To the seven percent still alive: hide when night falls.
Scientists say one in every hundred survivors might awaken a supernatural ability.
If you're one of them, the government asks you to go to Washington, D.C. They promise safety there.
Animals, plants… even the rain has mutated.
That's what the scientists told me before everything went dark. They still don't know what caused it — or how dangerous it truly is.
That's all…
My name is Megan, the last survivor of Channel 8.
I don't dare step outside. I don't have the courage to see the Night Dwellers — or be killed by them.
So I choose to end my life.
It's the only thing left to do in this world without hope.
Goodbye.