MC POV - Interactive Story - 19
Added 2025-11-16 18:13:01 +0000 UTCStory Recap
The story begins in Lakeview, a residential neighborhood in New Orleans, on the day the Zeta virus outbreak reaches critical mass. Elijah, a 25-year-old infantry sergeant home on leave from the 82nd Airborne, is relaxing in his house as news of a rapidly spreading, violent infection takes over the airwaves. When his neighbor Jessica shows up at his door, it’s clear the city is collapsing. Together, they arm themselves as the streets outside fill with sirens, gunfire, and the distant rumble of helicopters.
While searching for supplies and survivors, Elijah and Jessica hear cries from inside a nearby two-story home. Inside, they discover a mother, Alicia, who was bitten while defending her teenage son, Ryan, from an infected mail carrier. The mother’s condition quickly worsens; Elijah is forced to end her suffering before Ryan’s eyes. The boy joins Elijah and Jessica.
As the chaos outside intensifies, the group debates its options. They realize they will have to deal with National Guard checkpoints, military movement, and other civilians fleeing the city. They gather essential supplies and weapons from Elijah’s house and Jessica’s, weighing the risks of different escape routes.
You glance at Jessica and Ryan. "The best way is east into Mississippi. We'll aim for a rural location, such as Picayune or Hattiesburg. There will be fewer people and fewer chances for crowds or checkpoints."
Everyone settles in and buckles up. You pack the last bags tightly in the back seat of the Ford F-150. The engine starts with a low rumble as you pull away from the curb. Jessica keeps her eyes on the rearview mirror, while Ryan is quiet in the back, scrolling through his phone.
After five minutes of driving, you look over at Jessica, who is on her phone. She sighs and shakes her head, sliding the phone into her lap.
"My family lives over in Hammond," she says quietly. "I’ve been trying to get through to them all day, but the calls won’t connect. I keep thinking about my mom and my little brother. Hammond’s not that far, but it might as well be another world right now." She looks out the window as the city slides past. "I just hope they’re all right. It’s hard not knowing."
As you approach the on-ramp for I-10 East, traffic slows to a crawl. Up ahead, bright floodlights spill over the road, cutting through the deepening dusk. Concrete barriers force all cars into two tight lanes. Military Humvees are parked along the shoulders, their engines idling. Soldiers in National Guard uniforms move between rows of stopped vehicles, rifles slung across their chests. They check trunks, shine flashlights through windows, and question each driver.
You see families standing outside their vehicles. Some people have their hands raised, while others clutch backpacks. Voices rise in argument, but soldiers keep the lines moving, sending most cars to the shoulder before turning them back toward the city. The radios crackle with instructions and warnings, while the line of cars grows longer and more restless.
Beyond the checkpoint, only a few taillights flicker in the darkness. The highway on the far side is nearly empty, with just a handful of vehicles moving on.
"What are we going to do?" Jessica asks. "Do we let them search the car? I doubt they're going to let us through."
"Maybe we can take a different route? There are back roads." Ryan scrolls through his phone, never looking up.
