The Reaper Virus Read Online Free PDF Page B

were
discussed. After weighing a few options we decided to keep the kids
out of school and prepare them for the idea of having to go stay at
the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa. I asked her to start packing
bags for everyone. Several sets of warm clothes, the photo albums,
which was her idea, some basic necessities, just in case, and of
course a medical kit.
    My goal was to have a week’s worth of basic,
but suitable clothes for each of us to fit in a backpack, per
family member. Other than that, I had been busy getting some tools
ready as well as some lumber planks, just in case the house needed
to be secured in a hurry. At that point it was better to be safe
than sorry and if these people were turning into zombies, I wasn’t
going to let my family suffer the same fate.
    Sarah finally ordered me to stop packing and
go to bed. She reminded me that I have one more night of work to
get through then we’d be able to straighten everything out. We
could prepare every way possible but if I wasn’t rested then I’d be
dooming myself to failure. The sinking feeling in my gut was
reminder enough of what might await me at work.
     
    * * *
     
    1835 hours:
     
    National news started the broadcast with an
update on the pandemic. The anchor didn’t try to summarize it, and
instead they just played footage from the press conference with the
head of the CDC
     
    “ From what we can tell, the
R33PR strain is not an airborne contagion. The transmission rather
occurs through exposure from infected blood or bodily fluids
containing blood. Violent behavior begins at the most advanced
stage of infection. Reports of new infections have increased
drastically and from what we can tell most are the result of wounds
received from a previously infected subject. Bites are the most
commonly reported wound. It is unclear if the virus is also present
in saliva or if infection creates a presence of blood in the
saliva. At this time it is imperative that new cases be reported
and isolated in order to prevent further spread of the pandemic.
Also, death is likely in any advanced case of what is being
referred to as the Reaper virus. Scientists around the world are
working to develop a treatment.”
     
    He put his hand up to indicate no questions
and rushed away from the podium. The screen shot back to an
awestruck anchorman. After that I turned off the television, not
needing to see anything more.
     
    My mom called shortly after the news was
over. My parents saw it too. Mom had nothing but questions, asking
about everything at work and in the city. I didn’t tell her much,
just that things were getting worse every night. Evidently Dad was
out all day around the farm making sure the fence was solid. It had
to take him all day, because it’s quite a big property. Some parts
would never be fully protected, but nonetheless, it was a little
more secluded than here in the city. The land had a couple of
streams running through it and some heavy woods that surround it,
the natural barriers adding to the seclusion of the property. There
were portions around the wooded areas where the fencing was flimsy,
but hopefully the thick brush or streams would create a natural
defense where the manmade wall was inadequate, although one of the
reasons they picked it was because it was “fully” fenced.
    Mom pushed and pushed for us to leave
tonight, but I told her it wouldn’t be possible before my day off,
which was not for two more nights. In the meantime I needed to be
here, in the city, finding out what I could, and Sarah needed to
prepare the kids. I know Mom didn’t agree, but she stopped
resisting after a while.
    Dad was asleep when Mom called so I couldn’t
talk to him even though I really wanted to. I needed some insight
from him to say the very least. This was a very odd situation for
us and he was wise enough to help us overcome some of the hurdles
in our own minds, I guess.
    I never said the “Z” word to Sarah, but she’d
read all the same books and