The outbreak is here.

I...I never thought I would have to deal with this. Sure I knew it was spreading. Sure I knew we could be hit. But I live in such a small town. It's a farming town for god's sake. I thought we were immune or something. But no. We aren't. No one is. I can still see him...well it. God, I want this image erased from my memory...but I know it won't be. Nothing can take it away...

I was sitting in social studies...god how I hate that class. And the bell had almost rung. The principal was warning us once again about the Campion Flu. Yeah yeah, I thought, it's not that dangerous. But I was so wrong. Me and my best friend Derek had joked about this ever since it was annouced a pandemic. Mainly because I had gotten sick from it. It took me down for a few days, but I was able to recover just fine. Doctors didn't think it was the Campion Flu. But who knows, it could have been. I think that's why I wasn't so concerned with it.

But today...in fact all this week, Derek has been acting well...weird. I figured the media's spin on the pendemic was turning his stomach. Sure he was big, but he was such a baby sometimes. I still tried to joke with him occasionally, and he did his best to joke back. But today...he looked kind of pale. His eyes were all cloudy...well more forthy looking would best describe it. I kept trying to send him to the nurse's, but he insisted he was fine. He was upset too that I suggested the nurse's. I just shrugged it off, I figured he was sick and in a mood about it. The Campion Flu never crossed my mind.

The bell rang and everyone began filing out of the room. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and turned to wait for Derek. He was still sitting at his desk, breathing heavily. I didn't to wait, so I yelled for him to hurry it up. Kind of rude of me I know. But still...he didn't move. Fustrated I went over to him, and shook him roughly, calling his name. Then I heard the strangest noise...like bones cracking or grinding or something. Next thing I knew, Derek lounged at me. I was able to pull away, falling over my own two feet. He fell over the desks.

He made the worse noises I've ever heard. They were animalistic. The teacher was still int he room and helped me to my feet, and helped me leave the room. We had to lock Derek in there. He tried though...he tried so hard to get out. Breaking the small window in the door. Throwing things at the large thick windows leading outside. I couldn't move. I just stood there, looking into the room. Looking at what was once my best friend.

Everything else happened to fast...my head is still spinning from it. A special medical team whad to be called. I was forced to stay behind and be questioned...as well as tested. My teacher had to endure the same. Both mine and Derek's parents were called. Everything explain to them. In the middle of the explanation though...we heard a single loud shot. Following that, Derek's mother let out a noise...a scream that will haunt me.

I had to see...I had to make sure myself. I ran back to the classroom. Pushing past the medics, I looked into the room. There, just a few feet from the door, lay Derek. His head rested in a pool of his own blood. And outside of the bullet wound on the side of his head...he looked just the same. I was grabbed before I could get any closer. I struggled trying to reach him. A string of curses poured at my mouth, directed at Derek.

And the image that is burned onto my mind...was Derek. Not Derek the zombie, but the dead, truly dead, Derek.