The Outbreak--Intro Part 1

THE OUTBREAK INTRO part 1

It spread quickly; so quick in fact, that before it was noticed it was too late. The democracies of the Americas were the first to show symptoms-and they say there aren't any drawbacks to open borders-and as a result were the first to fall. It could be said that they were the lucky ones, but there wasn't enough time for people to think about others; this is a time of survival, nothing else.

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"The news said that it has been contained to the Americas, and that unless it jumps species we are relatively safe."

"And you actually believe them? They've said the same thing about every landmass so far; what the hell gives them the power to keep lying to us?"

She put her coffee down on the table, "you're so negative it makes me sick. And I thought that attitude of yours was bad before all this happened."

He lowered his paper just enough to make eye contact, obviously sensing the coming lecture. "Oh stop. I know I'm a pessimist, but you act so naive that it makes me sick." He saw she was unfazed, and was quickly switching into her ever so famous lecture stance. So he quickly raised the Daily Report to the reading position; it was his special way of saying "I'm not listening anymore". She apparently got the idea and went back to enjoying here coffee.

"You know, they coffee just doesn't taste the same at all. You would think it was imported from Brazil with the price we have to pay for it." She paused for a second and evaluated what she just said.

"That was an amazing choice of words hun." He was right, Brazil had fallen 3 months before and she had already forgotten it. Her normally energetic face suddenly looked years older then it should-complete with a scowl. "Don't be mad at yourself, I did the same thing at work the other day. Rob said something about a good soda and I mentioned that..." His voice trailed off; she was in another world. "Riley it's ok. Everyone is still adjusting all the changes."

"I can't take this much longer, we have already lost so much. We will never be back to normal."

He stands up and gives her a hug and smiles weakly, "Now who's being a pessimist?"

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