Slamming down the handset in frustration, he returned to his previous nervous pacing, the track he had unconsciously created around his living room starting to show obvious signs of use in the thick pile carpets. James had not in his life been out of contact with his wife for any longer than a day, and the 4 days he had so far gone without hearing from her were beginning to take its toll. Extreme thoughts of his wife lying dead somewhere raced through his mind, from flaming vehicle accidents to wild animal mutilation to kidnapping, rape and torture. A small voice in the back of his mind, the rational part of him, informed him that he was being quite ridiculous, and that everything was just fine. Usually this was at the forefront of his personality, and he was widely known by friends and colleagues as being calm and collected.

At this time though rationality proved to be a very small voice indeed, being overpowered by dread and uncertainty. The anxiety he was feeling was not something he was used to, and chose that very moment to manifest itself physically, James feeling the sudden urge to empty the contents of his stomach. Rushing to the kitchen sink, he steadied himself over it as he threw up, then slid to the floor, the first of his unshed tears creeping into this corners of his eyes.

“Erica..” he sobbed, “where are you baby!”

The sound of the phone ringing cut through the silence of the house and broke him out of his daze, and he jumped up to answer it.

“Erica? ERICA! Is that you?” he exclaimed.

“Yo Jimmy, its me Todd, whats goin’ on, wheres Erica?” The deep voice of his Erica’s brother answered him.

“Geeze Todd, sorry about that. I’ve been trying to get a hold of Erica, shes still doing her relief work and I havnt heard from her in 4 days” he replied. “No one at the relief station over there has heard from her, and I’m literally going out of my mind here.” Todd could hear the fear and worry in James’ voice, emotions he had never seen or felt coming from his brother-in-law.

“I’m sure shes just fine bro, that sister of mine can look after herself pretty well I think” he said, chuckling to himself.

“This is different, I can FEEL that theres something not right, call it a husband thing I guess, we’ve never been out of contact for this long EVER, not the whole time we’ve been married” James replied. “This might sound crazy but I’m going to fly over there.”

“You serious Jimmy?” said Todd. “When did you decide this?”

“Just now mate, just now, I’ve gotta go, sorry to cut this short Todd” James replied.

Todd was about to tell him that yes, he was crazy, and to calm down, but found that the hang-up tone was the only thing on the other end.

Meanwhile Jimmy Cossan had already made it to the bedroom closet, pulled out his overnight bag and started filling it with clothes. The gears racing a hundred miles a minute, calculating in his mind how much spare cash he could pull from his accounts, and hoping like hell he could get a flight out that night.

And amidst that, another thought made its way through. Please be ok, please be ok, please be ok! Unaware was he that this one thought would become a regular mantra, the one burning constant in his life, and a very powerful motivator in the days to come.

I know I know!! After the last chapter the pace has really fallen off! To be honest I had planned on doing 2 chapters with this update but doing this one right and getting the proper kickoff for the James Cossan arc took longer than I thought So sorry this one is a little bit boring, it is just a kickstart for James and is a bit of a filler, the next one will also probably revert to the kids before it gets back to the action so that may be slow also, but its all building up!

Feet aching and bleeding, numerous cuts and abrasions covering her arms and face, Erica Cossan had been running for almost 3 hours with no rest. 4 had fled the horrors that had beset them in the mountain village of Gurahu, Erica being the only remaining person not to have fallen victim to exhaustion. Her only companions now were Fear and Terror, both proving to be more valuable to her than anything else, driving Erica to keep moving in spite of the battering her body was taking.

Body screaming for rest, she finally collapsed in a heap against a fallen tree, lungs desperately screaming for air. Getting her breath back, she tried to make sense of what had happened to her and the other volunteers only hours ago.

Mrs Erica Cossan had been in Papua New Guinea for almost 4 weeks, helping provide medical assistance and carrying out immunizations where needed. She had been part of a group of 7 volunteers moving through some of the more remote villages, and things had been going well. With 2 more weeks left in her assignment she had become endeared to both the people she helped and the cause she supported, but found herself missing her husband and looking foward to returning home.

Moving quickly through their assigned territory, Gurahu village would be the last on their list before they could finally head back to base, and then on home.

Home to her husband.

Home to the man she loved.

At that moment in time Erica wasnt sure if that day would ever come,  so overcome was she with exhaustion and fear. She wasnt entirely sure if she even knew where she was going, the only thing that came to mind was something her father had taught her while hunting as a child. “If you’re ever lost on a mountain, always go down, find a river and follow it”. So thats what she did, ran down, like her daddy taught her.

Finally catching her breath, Erica raised her head and peered through the dim light of the forest around her. ‘Maybe I’ve lost them’ she thought to herself, trying to cultivate a small seed of hope within her. Keeping as silent as possible she sat with breath held, straining to hear the slightest disturbance, anything to indicate that she was in danger. But the only sounds were those naturally present in the high mountains of New Guinea, animal and insect.

The screams of her aching body finally beginning to subside, she began replaying in her mind the horrifying events that had taken place. They had driven the small forest trail by SUV, finally reaching their destination after 2 hours of very rugged travel. One of the most remote villages in the area, Gurahu rarely had visitors, and as the sound of their vehicles approached the settlement they expected to be met by the laughing voices of village children, as had been the case with all the others they had been to. Catching site of the first of the huts, Erica was puzzled by the lack of a welcoming party, but the thought was quickly pushed to the back of her mind, as she mentally prepared herself for the task of carrying out vaccinations. Coming to a halt at the first of the village dwellings, she and her fellow workers exited the vehicles to begin unloading their cargo. Michael Fraser, an Australian leading their particular team mirrored Erica’s earlier puzzlement, “Where the heck is everyone?”. Others began to look around at the very much empty village.

“Working in the forest perhaps?” another voiced.

“Surely not everyone though, no women and children? Its like a ghost town, maybe HQ got it wrong, this village looks deserted” Michael replied.

“It cant be” said Jason, another volunteer worker. “I can see food and stuff over there on that table, looks like they were about to tuck into dinner’.

“Regardless, I’m going to make a quick call to Headquarters, see what the story is” Michael responded. “Everyone, take a quick look around, see if anyone’s here.”

The group of 6 started to move away from the vehicles and into the village, looking for any sign of the village occupants. “Something isn’t right here, Jason” Erica whispered as she moved to the centre of the village.

“Whaddaya mean there, Cossan. Theyre all probably out somewhere workin’ or somethin’ ” he replied, peering into one of the huts.

“No” she replied “Something just isn’t right, I noticed it when we got here. How noisy is it in the forests around here usually, the animals and insects and stuff?”

“Bluddy noisy” he snorted, “damn Cicada’s, ya cant hear ya’self think with those blasted things ringin’ in your ears all day”

“And how about now?” she replied.

Jason pulled up short, an expression of suprise on his face. The village, and indeed the entire forest, was dead silent.

“Well..uh…hmmm….yeah, that is a bit strange now that you mention it”. Jason felt the hairs on his neck standing up, the absolute silence surrounding him sending a shiver down his back.

Unfortunately Eric had decided to make his ambitions known to his friends and anyone else who may have been listening in the changing rooms after Rugby training. On most days this would NOT have been so unfortunate, but the fact that Troys brother T.H had been standing behind him the entire time certainly made it so.

T.H was well liked in most social circles, and even by his teachers. He was smart, kind, helpful and very loyal. But the death of his father had had a huge impact on him. Suddenly the only male left in his household, T.H had felt that the role of protector had fallen to him, and he took the ‘job’ very seriously. He watched his sister like a hawk, and the overprotective nature he had taken on had gotten him in trouble on more than one occasion. A wayward rugby ball to Troys head had resulted in a frightened and apologetic classmate with a very impressive shiner, and a 2 week suspension for T.H. The past 3 years had earned him quite the reputation, and most people knew by now not to mess with Troy Kelly.

“What the hell was that for?!” screamed Eric, scuttling backwards with one hand and holding his nose with the other.

“You know EXACTLY what the hell it was for Connors, now apologize and apologize NOW, or I swear I’m gonna give you a matching lip to go with that nose!”

T.H stalked the bleeding boy along the floor of the locker-room until Connors had nowhere else to go.

“OK OK I’m sorry alright?” he said, holding one hand to his face and the other in front of him.

“Good, now stay outta my way and stay the HELL AWAY FROM MY SISTER!”

T.H gave Connors one last glare, turned around and stormed off, slamming the locker room door as he left. He couldnt help but overhear one of Eric’s friends say ‘You shoulda known better bro’ as he walked out, and T.H smiled inwardly at this. The smile soon turned to a grimace, however, as he gingerly felt his swelling knuckles. ‘Damn’ he thought to himself ‘Asshole has a jaw like a brick wall’.

Heading to Computer Tech for his next class, he heard the thumping steps of someone running up behind him, and whirled around to face who he presumed to be a vengeful Eric. He was greeted instead by the laughing face of his best friend Eddie.

“Geeze T.H, its only Monday! You know Connors ain’t gonna take this lying down aye”

“Screw it, i dont give a crap. That guy’s an idiot, whatever” he said venomously.

“Woo Hoo tough guy aye! Well come on tough guy, lets get to Tech before Mr C gives us detention.”

Entering their Comp. Tech class exactly on time, they waited for the greeting Mr C always gave them in his clases. ‘This is the first period of the rest of your life!’

But it wasn’t forthcoming today. James Cossan, or ‘Mr C’ to his students, was sitting at his desk with a look of worry on his face, staring at a newsfeed on his laptop and scrolling through a list of articles.

“Everything ok Mr C?” T.H asked questioningly.

“I’m hoping so. We’re getting reports out of Port Moresby about an outbreak of Swine Flu in some of the villages there. Apparently there have already been a few deaths” he explained. “But my wife is there for a couple of weeks working in a volunteer clinic. Just a bit worried that I havn’t heard from her today”.

“Where the hell is Port Moresby anyway” asked Eddie.

“Language, Edward” said Mr Cossan.

“Its PNG” a student sitting at a desk replied,”Papua New Guinea, north of Australia I think”

“Correct Ms Cochran, I’m sure Mr Jensen would be happy to know that SOMEONE pays attention in his geography class” Mr Cossan said smiling.

“Hang on a minute” continued Eddie, “isn’t PNG the place with the real shitty Rugby League Team?”

“LANGUAGE, Mr Edward Jones!” the teacher said sternly.

“I’m sure she’s just fine Mr C.” T.H said.

“Yes, I guess you’re right. No need to be anxious” Mr Cossan replied, “Right kids, turn your stations on, and remember! This is the first period of the REST OF YOUR LIFE!”

As he started the lesson, James Cossan could not help but feel a little anxious. In truth, he could not recall ever NOT having contact with his wife at least once a day in their 15 years of marriage. He turned his attention back to the newsfeed, and the worried look returned.

01:55am

Population:1

‘I KILLED HIM!‘

Manasseh lay silent and unmoving beneath the wooden plank floor of his families raised hut, tears in his eyes and blood seeping from the small wound to his forearm. Held fast in Fears iron grip, he had hidden there for more than 5 hours, even choosing to relieve himself where he lay in the damp darkness. Cold, tired, thirsty and terrified all at the same time, his mind replaying over and over the horror that had befallen his village during the last bloody 12 hours.

The H1N1 virus, the Swine Flu, or as most people came to call it, the Pig Flu, had invaded almost all corners of the globe. Manasseh’s village, as remote as it was, proved to be no exception. The French doctor stationed in Port Moresby had maintained that although fatalities were a possibility, with the right care and treatment there was nothing to fear.

There had been only one case in their village, Manasseh’s father. Displaying all the symptoms of a common cold, traditional herbal brews and poultices were applied by his family members.

Scientists, if given samples of the blood and herbs used, would have come to some very interesting conclusions.  Scientists would have found that an enzyme found in a plant native to the area had bonded with the H1N1 virus and mutated it. Scientists would have found that the mutation causes massive failure of almost every system in the human biology needed to function. Scientists would have found that the H1N1 mutation had a 100% rate of fatality.

But there were no scientists, and so no one knew.

Manasseh definitely didn’t know this. He did not know why his father had died when the Doctor said there was nothing to fear. He did not know why his father had woken up while his family were mourning him, or why he attacked and killed everyone he loved, or why Manasseh had been forced to kill his own father with a blow to the head.

He was also unaware of the fact that the same virus that had wiped out his entire village within 12 hours was now raging inside of him, burning its way through his body at a phenomenal rate,  racing toward its frightening conclusion.

Only one thing went through Manasseh’s mind in those last minutes before he died.

‘I KILLED HIM!’

————————————————————————————————

Exactly 13 minutes after death, the body of the boy known as Manasseh, twitched, moved, then crawled out from beneath the space under the wooden hutt he had been born and raised in. Motions and movements jerky, the dead-Manasseh stood, rocking in place like a newborn colt. The forest, usually bursting with life and sound even in darkness, held nothing but dead silence, sensing an abomination in its midst.

Gurahu Village, Papua New Guinea

02.13am

Population:0

“Oh my god you are such an ARSE!” she yelled, as her brother flicked more cereal at her from across the table. In retaliation she threw her spoon at him, unfortunately she had inherited her mothers throwing arm, and the silverware sailed harmlessly over his head, hitting the hardwood floor and disturbing the family cats breakfast.

“And YOU can’t throw for shit!” he fired back, dashing out of the kitchen to avoid another volley, “Now hurry the hell up or we’ll be late”.

Pushing her plate away, she pulled her laptop over to add the finishing touches to her english fiction essay. ‘The world as they knew it had ended, but life would begin again, this time without human interference. but for now there would only be Dead Silence’. By Troy Kelly.

Troy powered down the laptop and shoved it in her carry bag. ‘What a cop-out ending’ she thought to herself, serves me right for starting it the day before it was due. English was her favourite subject, and she had really wanted to impress with her essay. She had a passion for zombie stories and movies, inherited from her father. She missed him terribly, nights spent watching their favourite zombie movies with pizza and popcorn, laughing at each other when they squeled at the scary parts. It had been 3 years since he had died, 3 very long years, and she still woke up some mornings expecting to hear him moving around the house, getting ready for work. Her brother T.H dealt with the tragedy much better than she had, as he always did. He had become the rock in their family, which had suprised many people, growing up he had always been a bit of a slacker.

“Mum, I’m leaving for school now” she said, picking up her laptop and backpack. Her mother stepped into the kitchen,  clutching a pair of black heels in one hand and and her business planner in the other. Dressed in a black skirt, business shirt and jacket, Mrs Kelly looked every inch the emerging corporate power player she was.

A stay-at-home mother prior to her husbands death, she had quickly returned to her business career to support herself and the children. With an intensity which had been absent previous to starting a family, she had quickly moved up the ladder in a large accounting firm. Her attention to detail, no-nonsense attitude and dedication to perfection made her a force to be reckoned with, and she was soon noticed by all the right people.
She had eventually been given a portfolio for a very large, very wealthy  prospective client, procuring said client bringing with it the promise of a ‘fast-track’ to management. She and her team were to be on a plane for Sydney to meet with the client for negotiations within an hour. Knowing that these things can take time, she had stocked the pantry and cupboards with enough food to last a month, although she didnt expect to be gone for more than a week.

“OK honey you have a great day, I’ve left contact numbers and details on the fridge, and some extra spending money in the drawer in my room. Make sure to tell your brother to clean up after himself, and feed the fleaball”. Placing her planner on the counter and heels next to the overnight bag she had packed, she pulled her hair back into a tight bun with a hairtie. A beep from the driveway signalled the airport bound taxi. “Dammit, the taxi is early!” Eva Kelly exclaimed in irritation. “Umm, no mum, you’re actually late” Troy replied, “its 8.30″.

In a whirlwind of activity, with a few choice phrases thrown in at the lack of time, her planner, blackberry, tickets and portfolio were thrown into a satchel, and along with her carry bag, handed to the taxi driver for the trip to the terminal.

“Remember to be good, be safe and NO PARTIES. I’ve let the neighbours know that you’re both home alone, Mr and Mrs Sinclair will be over occasionally to check up on you” Mrs Kelly informed her. “We’ll be fine mum” Troy replied.”Have a great trip, love you heaps, kill em’ dead!” she laughed. Kill em’ dead had been a private joke between Troy and her dad, a reference to a one-liner in a terrible B-grade zombie movie they had watched. For some reason they had both found it hillarious, and the line had stuck with them. A quick kiss and hug, and Mrs Kelly was in the taxi.

Troy waved to her mum and the departing taxi as it reversed out the driveway. “AND DONT FORGET TO LOCK THE HOUSE!” her mother yelled from the back seat of the yellow cab as it headed down the street. Troy smirked to herself, she had a nasty habit of leaving the house unlocked when going out. Walking back into the house to retrieve her keys and gear, she received a text message from her mother, stating simply
“LUV U ” . She snorted to herself and smiled, laughing at how cheesey her mother could be.

Gear in hand and house safely locked, Troys mind was already elsewhere, looking ahead to her day and trying to recall whether it was science or japanese she had first. Little did she know that the text would be the last one from her mother that she would ever receive…