The Plague (Book 0): Day Zero Read Free Page A

pocket. “I’m going to ask Paige to marry me tomorrow.”
    Bryan accidentally hit the 8-ball into the pocket. Ultimately losing the game. He’d just make up some excuse later on as to why he lost—this time would be that the diamond shined brightly in his eyes. “No way, bro, good for you! Can’t believe that day has finally come.”
    Bryan and Miles bro-hugged. “Yeah, it’s been three years. I think now is the time to pop the question, y’know? I wanted you to be my best man, if all goes according to plan.”
    “You know I will, man. I’ve always got your back.” Bryan holds up his beer. “Cheers, brother. ” “Cheers.”
    They clanked their beers and chugged. Miles looked at his watch, just noticing that it was well past midnight. “Shit. It’s time for me to head out, unfortunately. Boss wants me in an hour early tomorrow. Be right back, gotta take a leak.” Miles chugged the rest of his beer before heading to the bathroom.
    By the time Miles finished up, Bryan had already paid the tab. Miles joined him at the front . “Hey, Bryan, I got something I need to tell you.”
    “What is it, buddy? You got some hot bridesmaids for me?” Bryan wished. After him and his wife divorced and she moved to New Jersey with their three kids, Bryan began searching for a few new lady friends (as he called them) to keep him company during the night. Ever since becoming a single father, he adapted to the daily one night stands fairly easily. Yet, one day he hoped to find companionship in someone he could grow old with…even praying for one more shot with his ex-wife.
    Miles pulled Bryan to the side, talking lowly so no others would hear. “Listen, earlier today at work, I, uh, came across this document while I was…programming, and…”
    Bryan held out his hand, “Miles, c’mon man, remember what I said? Anything involving you and hacking…” Miles hushed him. Bryan lowered his tone, “…I don’t need to hear. The less I know, the better it is for the both of us.”
    “I know that, but this is different.”
    “Fine. What is it?”
    Miles waited until the Biker with the Santa Clause beard passed them. “I found this document within the government containing some serious shit. It’s kind of hard for me to explain, so I need to show it to you.” Miles pulled out a flash-drive, “It’s all in here.”
    “Show me what, Miles? How bad are we talking? What did you find?”
    Suddenly, a loud boom erupted from outside, met with a blast of heat and smoke.
    Miles and Bryan exchanging glances, bolted out of the bar.
    In the street, two cars have crashed into each other head on. Both flared up. Pedestrians all gathered around; some calling for help, others just watching in bewilderment.
    “We have to help them,” Bryan hollered, pointing at the drivers.
    As the fire spread, Bryan sprinted ahead of Miles to one of the cars where the driver was unconscious. In the back of the car, there was another person, and a gun on the floor. This alerted him to draw his own gun. Bryan paid no attention to the broken back windshield. He pulled the driver out of the car and yelled for Miles to call 9-1-1.
    Miles pulled out his phone and started to dial…only to receive a dial tone. Cliché, he thought.
    He looked up towards Bryan and witnessed his friend’s demise. “NO!” Miles screamed.
    The driver sprang to life, ripping off a huge chunk of Bryan’s neck with their teeth. Blood gushed out onto the pavement. His vein poked out of his neck.
    Miles looked on in horror as the body in the backseat began to come alive as well. He looked over to the other car and the same thing happened. By now, pedestrians had begun to scramble.
    Screaming.
    The driver was eating Bryan’s flesh with their hands.
    Miles was in utter shock. What the hell was going on? He looked to his right. Down the street, pedestrians fled his way like a pack of wild animals that escaped the zoo. Behind them…a horde of undead . “What the fuck…!”
    Miles