As dawn broke, Brian and Sarah were already up and ready to go. Osborne, too, had plans to reach out to old friends and report what he knew. But someone had to stay behind to watch the RV, so he asked Kelly to stay put.
Stepping out onto the street, the pair found themselves in a bustling scene. It was barely seven, yet the streets were already packed with people. All the survivors who had been living in tents were now heading to the central district to collect their meager rations. Brian marveled at the sheer number of people, taking Sarah's hand to keep them together as they navigated against the flow.
"Freedom now! Democracy now! Rights for all! Jobs for everyone!"
"Freedom is the foundation!"
"Quarantine is worse than the virus!"
"Fear is the only contagion!"
As they crossed a long street, a group of protesters suddenly emerged, holding up signs and chanting slogans. On the sidewalk, dozens of people knelt with their hands clasped, praying fervently. A woman in the middle held a chalkboard that read, "This disaster is God's punishment. Faith in God can protect you from the virus."
The onlookers and police simply watched, indifferent to the spectacle. It seemed everyone had grown used to such displays.
"Absurd," Brian muttered under his breath, recalling a saying he'd heard before. "It's not the virus we need to defeat, but stupidity."
After the protesters moved on, Brian and Sarah continued their journey, asking passersby for directions. After nearly an hour, they finally arrived at the address Osborne had given them.
It was a three-story apartment building. They climbed the stairs to the third floor, and Brian double-checked the number before knocking gently on the door.
Knock-knock-knock.
There was no answer. He knocked again, a little louder this time.
"Who is it?" a nervous female voice called from inside.
"Hello, we're looking for Mr. Arman. Is this his place?" Brian replied politely.
There was a pause, then the peephole went dark as someone looked through it. After a moment, the door creaked open a crack, held back by a chain. A thin, middle-aged woman peered out at them.
"What do you want with him?" she asked suspiciously.
Brian held out the piece of paper with the address. "We were given this address by Mr. Arman. We met him in Austin. We just got to Dallas yesterday and thought we'd check in. Is he here?"
The woman took the paper, glanced at it, then called back into the apartment, "Dad, there are two kids here looking for you."
"Kids?" came the puzzled response, followed by hurried footsteps. Moments later, the door opened wider, and there stood Arman, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Brian! Sarah!" he exclaimed, quickly unhooking the chain and ushering them inside. "Come in, come in."
Inside, the apartment was sparsely furnished but clean. Arman led them to the living room and began asking about their journey, offering them a place to stay if they needed it. Brian noticed a slight frown on the woman's face—likely Arman's daughter—when her father made the offer, but she said nothing.
After exchanging pleasantries, Brian got down to business. He explained what they were looking for: information about the situation in Dallas. Arman listened intently, then shared what he knew.
"The whole country is on edge because of this pandemic. Many cities have stopped taking in outsiders. If it weren't for Dallas being so close to the infected zones, it would probably be under lockdown too. I heard that the military might start moving some survivors to other cities. That could be your only chance to leave."
Leave? Brian thought, feeling a pang of doubt. He had hoped for a more hopeful outlook, but deep down, he knew Arman was right. The government's response had been lackluster at best, and with the military taking over, things were only going to get stricter.
Arman went on to mention that the military had taken control of the industrial district in the west, fortifying it with high walls. No one knew exactly why, but it had sparked rumors among the locals.
As they talked, Brian's mind raced. He had to weigh their options carefully. Staying in Dallas meant facing increasing restrictions and potential danger. Leaving might be their best chance, but where would they go?
After a while, Brian thanked Arman for his time and information. He and Sarah left the apartment, heading back to the RV with a heavy heart.
On the way, they passed a hospital. A nurse handed Brian a flyer. It was about the Cordyceps Brain Infection (CBI). He glanced over it, absorbing the details:
CBI Fact Sheet
- Background: CBI is a parasitic fungus that infects the brain, altering behavior. Originally affecting only insects, it has now mutated to infect humans.
- Transmission: Through spores in the air or contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
- Incubation Period: One to two days before symptoms appear.
- Symptoms: Aggressive behavior, followed by the fungus bursting through the skin to release more spores.
- Treatment: None available. No vaccine or cure.
- Diagnosis: Blood tests and imaging can confirm infection within minutes.
Brian's mind whirled with the implications. The situation was far worse than he had hoped. As they walked, he noticed something odd. People on the street were suddenly running, even the protesters were dispersing.
"Hey, what's going on?" he asked a passerby.
"The military just announced a lockdown. Everyone's heading home," the man replied, looking anxious.
Brian's heart sank. The situation was escalating faster than he had anticipated. He quickened his pace, leading Sarah back to the RV.
When they arrived, they found Osborne and Kelly watching a news broadcast on a small TV. The screen showed a military spokesperson announcing the lockdown. The tone was serious, the message clear: stay inside, avoid gatherings, and await further instructions.
Brian's mind raced. The country was on the brink of chaos. The virus was spreading unchecked, and the government's response was becoming increasingly authoritarian. He had hoped for a glimmer of hope, but the reality was stark. The end might be closer than he had dared to imagine.
He glanced at Sarah, who looked just as worried. They had come to Dallas seeking safety, but now it seemed they were trapped in a city on the verge of collapse. What would they do next? The future felt more uncertain than ever.