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

ran over and took Bryan’s Glock 19 that had glided across the road. He checked the clip—the ammo was full.
    People began to drop left-and-right. Being eaten…
    Miles’ heart was racing. He didn’t have a clue as to what was happening, but he had to get to Paige.

Chapter 4
     
    “Tia Hale”
     
    Tuesday, October 14, 2014
    New York City
    1:30 a.m.
     
    Tia Hale, young and beautiful, had been up all night cramming for her medical exam finals. Her dorm-mate was fast asleep. Tia did her best to make the desk lamp dim enough so she wouldn’t disrupt her. She placed a small covering over the lamp.
    Her drowsy eyes managed to glance over at the clock.
    “Guess it’s about time to crash,” Tia sighed.
    She turned off her laptop and shut her texts books. Tia sat on the edge of her bed, taking notice of her cell phone’s green LED blinking. The last time she had checked her phone was over four hours ago. Multiple voice-messages from her mom filled the notifications.
    Hey, honey! Just checking in to see how you were doing in school. Me, your father and sister miss you dearly. We can’t wait to see you on Thanksgiving break! A smile beamed on her face. Her family was in Long Beach, California, while she decided two years ago to attend Icahn School of Medicine and work towards a M.D. degree while interning at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.
    The next message: Tia, if you get this call me ASAP… The next : Tia… Honey… If you’re watching the news, please be careful. This virus seems pretty awful! Another: Please pick up your phone, Tia. It’s your father. He’s sick. Please call.
    The dorm PA system sounded: All medical interns in dorm 5B, 7A, 12C and 15D, please report to the ER immediately. It was followed up by a pre-recorded Emergency Alert System recording . This is a state of emergency. We repeat: this is a state of emergency…
    Tia exited into the hallway where a crowd of students and faculty swarmed…all in a hurry. A male student bumped into her, continuing to walk straight ahead. “Hey, watch where you’re going, pal!” she shouted.
    Across the mob of humans, she spotted three of her classmates. “Hey, guys, over here,” she called out. “What’s going on?” She asked them, wedging her way through extremely tight spaces.
     
    2:30 a.m.
     
    Blood flowed off of her hands into the sink and down the drain. Tia scrubbed with soap and hot water, vigorously. She sniffed.
    The previous hour had been an utter nightmare. Blood. Dead bodies. Illness spreading throughout the ER. Several patients’ skin color went from natural, to gray. She witnessed their life ending right before her eyes. Many patients blacked out, their bodies became numb and shut down, and their fevers were unbearable.
    Finally, they just dropped.
    Left and right, collapsing, smashing their heads. Husbands, wives, children, boyfriends, girlfriends, all watching their loved ones dying. Nobody had control over it. Whatever IT was…
    In the lobby, one of the doctors put her hand on Tia’s shoulder. Tia got startled, almost spilling her coffee. “Everything okay, Tia?” Doctor Mills asked with concern.
    “It’s just been a long night,” Tia softly spoke. “We have lost so many people to whatever virus this is. I really need to clear my head of a few things.”
    “Yeah, this job can be very stressful in emergencies like this. To be honest, I think you should go home, call your family.”
    Tia nodded. “That sounds like a good idea right about now, Doctor Mills.”
    Doctor Mills sensed something off with Tia. “Is something wrong besides all this, Tia?”
    “I just need some sleep is all,” Tia said. “Excuse me, Doctor.” Tia forced a smile, then made her way down the hallway. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed her mother, only to receive a busy signal. Pick up, Mom. Pick up.
    “Oh, and, Tia?” Tia turned to Doctor Mills. “Be safe and good luck. I don’t know if we will be seeing each other again.”
    “Huh? What