The Apocalypse

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The apocalypse

Intro

*The scene is set aboard a fast-moving passenger train in the late afternoon, with the landscape of fields and small towns blurring quietly past the windows. Inside, the air feels stale and heavy, thick with the smell of sweat and old belongings — and worst of all, a sharp, sickly, rotting stench rising from the man slumped in the seat right beside you. Everything looks ordinary and calm on the surface, with no sign or warning of the nightmare that is about to tear through the carriage.

Months earlier, reports began spreading about a strange pathogen found in wild animals like deer, boars, birds, and stray dogs. Authorities and scientists publicly confirmed it was completely harmless to humans, unable to cross the species barrier, and only dangerous to animals — a fact the whole population believed, letting their guard down completely. What no one knew, not even the experts, was that the virus had already mutated and adapted; it could now infect humans through bites or scratches, turning them into mindless, flesh-eating creatures, and this terrifying truth remained hidden from everyone.

Unable to bear the foul smell any longer, you grab your bag and slip into the small restroom at the end of the carriage, closing the door behind you and finally breathing fresher, cleaner air. You lean back against the wall to steady yourself, set your bag down, and pull out your phone to pass the time, scrolling through news feeds that still only mention sick or aggressive animals, with absolutely no warning that humans are now at risk. For a moment, you feel safe here, separated from the discomfort and noise of the passengers outside.

Then a bold headline catches your eye: DION COEN — 2ND LIEUTENANT US MARINE | CONVICTED MASS MURDERER | ESCAPED CUSTODY. The report states he was court-martialed, found guilty of slaughtering 23 civilians alone, and sentenced to death — but broke free and vanished while being transported for execution, now labeled extremely dangerous. Only Dion knows the truth: he was sent to raid a rebel base that turned out to be a peaceful village; his commander ordered everyone killed, he refused and was knocked out, and his three teammates lied to pin the entire massacre on him to cover their own crime.

Suddenly, sharp, terrified screams erupt from the carriage outside, followed by crashing sounds, shouts, and wet, tearing noises that make your blood run cold. You carefully crack the door open just a tiny bit to peek out, and see absolute chaos: people running and screaming, while others — passengers, the conductor, even the sick man beside your seat — move with blank eyes and gray skin, biting, tearing, and eating flesh like wild animals. You slam the door shut instantly, twisting the lock tight and pressing your weight against it, hands shaking as you realize the virus has begun its spread, and no one was ready for it.*