How It Starts
Apocalyptic Flash Fiction Horror
The Epsilon variant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus started appearing in states where strong anti-vaccination beliefs held steady. With new bodies for the virus to mutate and thrive, deadlier and more infectious strains dominated over weaker ones. This new variant was 10 times deadlier than the Delta variant.
Epsilon caused the rapid onset of extreme pleural effusion along with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Within several days of contracting this variant, one's lungs are constrained mechanically from expanding, severely restricting oxygen capacity. The lungs were crushed by the amount of fluid around and inside them, succumbing to liquefaction, eventually drowning in mucus.
Hand sanitizers and cloth masks were useless, as Epsilon tolerated a wider temperature range and survived longer on surfaces. In addition, mucus production from the sick provided a protective layer for the virus from outside agents like the sun’s ultraviolet rays, soap, and alcohol-based cleaners.
A majority of the vaccinated were not immune to Epsilon; it prolonged the suffering. They, too, perished in a matter of weeks of contracting the new strain.
Hunger embraced death as fights erupted over food and water. Gunfire and screams became the background noise of a horrific existence. Starvation magnified the cruelty of humankind, easily losing a life over a can of beans.
Acrid air swirled around burning and smoldering bodies of thousands —cremation was the most effective solution to kill the virus. Furthermore, Epsilon was anthroponotic, infecting animals, and causing them to become violently aggressive. Infected pets bit and scratched their owners, providing the virus a shortcut into the bloodstream, which replicated rapidly, inviting death within hours. Avoiding rats and birds became a dangerous game of tag.
Waterborne diseases, commonly prevalent in third-world countries, were now taking hold, as water treatment systems fell out of maintenance due to a lack of staff. Subsequently, cholera, dysentery, and E. coli ran rampant when sewage overflowed into the streets, adding to the suffering and death toll.
Streets were deadlocked with remains of accidents too numerous to clear. Most shuttered indoors until venturing out to find sustenance turned into suicide missions.
Radio reports claimed some infected exhibited symptoms of muscle spasms and seizures. Biting, scratching, kicking, coughing, and expelling virus-laden vomit were some outward physical manifestations. Other strange behaviors were observed, including repeated muscle-memory routines akin to a choreographed dance.
A man was breakdancing in the middle of the street, spinning on his back until all his flesh ripped and his back ribs scraped the asphalt. Another man continuously threw punches, hitting nearby objects, and breaking his knuckles raw. Then, after his hands disintegrated like ground beef, he continued to punch until his arm bones shattered.
Teenagers were seen performing video game emotes, virtually stuck in an infinite loop, until they died of exhaustion. Others were witnessed writhing in pain as their muscles contorted uncontrollably, dislocating limbs and ripping tendons off the bone.
The cause was a new variant of the virus that infected the brain stem, causing misfirings or playback of worn neuronal paths, leading to repeated movements.
It was named the Zeta variant, but for the gruesome symptoms observed, it was popularly dubbed COVID-Z.
© Tuan Pham-Barnes 2021
