In the heart of INFOSYS PHARMA's headquarters, the Managing Director, Mr. Resis, sat comfortably in his high-backed leather chair, his gaze fixed intently on the large TV screen across the room. The broadcast held his full attention. The news anchor’s voice, edged with a tone of caution, recounted a sobering milestone: two years had passed since the onset of the COVID pandemic, and the world had been reshaped in its wake. Hygiene and cleanliness had become more than habits—they were now lifelines, essential rituals in a changed world.

Then came the headline that made Mr. Resis’s eyes glimmer with satisfaction. INFOSYS PHARMA, his company, was being heralded by none other than President Rodriguez himself for developing the world's first true antidote for the COVID virus. It was more than a compliment; it was a moment of triumph, elevating INFOSYS PHARMA to the top tier of the pharmaceutical industry. As the announcement spread, it sent ripples not only through the company’s walls but across the globe.

In Washington, the significance was not lost on the President. With the United States asserting its role as a global superpower, President Rodriguez made an executive decision that would have geopolitical consequences. The antidote, a creation of INFOSYS PHARMA, would be made available worldwide, distributed under U.S. leadership, with the company at the forefront of this monumental task.

This wasn’t merely a public health initiative; it was a declaration of American intent. The stakes were higher than ever, and the President wanted no one else to claim this breakthrough. To ensure INFOSYS PHARMA’s success, the administration pledged unprecedented support, investing colossal resources into the company. This was not just business—it was a strategic act, a statement of dominance in the international arena.

The impact was immediate and electric. The stock market trembled, then soared, as INFOSYS PHARMA's shares surged in value. Investors around the world quickly recognised the monumental significance of this achievement. It wasn’t just a corporate victory—it was a testament to INFOSYS PHARMA's new role at the vanguard of humanity's fight for survival.

Alone in his office, Mr. Resis watched the screen with a small, knowing smile. He understood the gravity of this moment, the weight now placed on his company’s shoulders. This was more than a surge in profits; it was the culmination of years of dedication, research, and resilience. And as the story broke across the world, the atmosphere at INFOSYS PHARMA was electric, its employees seized by a renewed sense of purpose. The company now stood at the intersection of scientific discovery, international cooperation, and the unyielding pursuit of a safer future.

For Mr. Resis, this wasn’t just a moment of triumph—it was the dawn of a new era. And he was determined to shape it.

Down the sterile, hallowed corridors of INFOSYS PHARMA’s research labs, the low hum of whispered conversations echoed—a muted reminder of the secrecy that cloaked the company's inner workings. A senior scientist entered the dimly lit office, his face set with the quiet determination of someone carrying unsettling news. In his hands, a report stamped with the ominous insignia of "Confidentiality Level 6." The Managing Director, known for his unyielding demand for excellence, looked up with interest, his eyes narrowing as he took the document.

"Is this the summary of our latest trials?" he asked, his voice steady but charged with an undercurrent of urgency. The scientist gave a nod, a fleeting look of smug satisfaction crossing his face before vanishing into shock as the MD began scanning the pages.

“What the hell is this?” the MD's voice erupted, sharp enough to pierce the thick walls. He stormed out, his jaw clenched in fury, with the scientist trailing close behind, his face now ashen. Together, they stepped into a secured elevator. Inside, a nondescript box slid open, revealing a sophisticated security module that required both fingerprint and ocular scans. Once verified, the elevator began its descent, down to the classified laboratories buried far beneath the main building.

As the doors opened, the hidden lab revealed itself, a sterile yet frenzied hub of scientific activity. Along the walls stood rows of humanoid pods, each housing an altered human form, twisted in disturbing ways. Their skin had turned an unsettling shade, translucent enough to reveal hints of skeletal outlines. Tubes ran from their stomachs to a massive tank of viscous purple fluid, and around them, scientists hovered, meticulously recording data, peering into microscopes, and adjusting various instruments.

In the center of the lab stood Dr. Aston, the project’s head scientist, a man known as much for his brilliance as for his ruthlessness. His lab coat was pristine, his stance one of calm authority, as he supervised the gruesome experiments. The sharp smell of chemicals filled the air, blending with the hum of machinery to create an unsettling symphony.

“What on earth is going on here?” the MD demanded, his voice a controlled edge as his eyes scanned the lab with a mix of horror and fascination.

Dr. Aston remained unshaken. "Relax, sir. Everything’s progressing as planned,” he replied smoothly. “Perfecting the virus to adapt to different human physiologies requires patience. We’re testing on multiple types, adjusting doses and protocols to find a consistent response.”

The MD’s face tightened, the enormity of the project weighing on him. He glanced back at Dr. Aston, his voice dropping. “Then we need to make sure this is done right. Transfer all specimens to our Alaska facility. We’ll be free from prying eyes there.”

Dr. Aston nodded without hesitation, signalling his team into action. The lab buzzed with urgency as technicians moved swiftly to prepare the pods for transfer, aware of the critical nature of their work. They were on the brink of a breakthrough that could reshape everything, and each moment mattered.

* * *

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, David was preparing to say goodbye to his mother, Martha, as she finished packing for a business trip. Standing in her room with a stack of files, he passed them to her with a small smile.

“Here are the files you wanted, Mom.”

“Thanks, dear,” Martha replied, taking them and slipping them into her bag with the practiced efficiency of a seasoned traveller. She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back, maybe Tuesday, but it all depends on Mr. Spencer. Anyway, you have your prom tonight. Focus on enjoying it, okay?”

David chuckled, trying to mask his concern. They hugged, a moment shared in quiet warmth, only to be interrupted by the buzzing of David’s phone. He glanced at the screen and answered.

“Hey, Sydney… Just saying goodbye to my mom. What’s up? Oh, alright. I’ll pass the message. Love you too.”

Martha raised an eyebrow. “What did she say?”

“Just wanted me to remind you that she loves you,” David replied with a grin.

With one last hug, he bid her goodbye and headed out to campus, where his friends were already buzzing with excitement over the night ahead. In the crowded cafeteria, he met Sydney and his friends, Rick and Tommy, who immediately launched into plans for their upcoming trip.

“Vegas, all the way,” Rick said with a mischievous grin. “Parties, luxury… everything.”

Sydney gave a playful eye-roll. “Or we could go to Chicago, maybe see something other than slot machines.”

David joined the banter, his laughter infectious as they teased and laughed together. But amid the chatter, his phone buzzed again. Answering, his expression quickly shifted to something more serious.

“Yeah… Alright, I’ll be there soon,” he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Hanging up, he turned to Sydney. “Sorry, babe. I have to head down south for a client meeting.”

She nodded, understanding the demands of his job. “We’ll see you later. Just make sure to come back in one piece!”

As evening fell, the excitement of prom night was palpable, but Sydney’s concern grew as she checked her phone again. David hadn’t returned her calls, and a pang of worry gnawed at her as Rick and Tommy arrived to pick her up. The three piled into Rick’s car, her distress evident as she explained her unease.

“I just haven’t been able to reach him all day.”

Rick put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “He’s probably just busy. Let’s call his secretary and see if he knows what’s up.”

After a quick call, they learned that David’s assistant, Mr. Fisk, hadn’t heard from him either. Sydney’s worry only deepened. But with some gentle coaxing, her friends convinced her to join them at the party, hoping a change of scenery might ease her mind.

The prom hall sparkled with fairy lights and laughter, the joyful atmosphere at odds with Sydney’s nagging anxiety. She tried to blend in, chatting with her friends, but every moment felt hollow as her thoughts drifted back to David. Leaning close to Tommy, she whispered, “We have to find him. I can’t shake the feeling something’s wrong.”

Tommy nodded, casting a glance at Rick. “We’ll help you, Syd. Just try to relax tonight. We’ll figure it out tomorrow.”

But as Sydney stepped away to clear her head, the party’s noise and laughter became a distant echo. The faint, unexplained unease that clung to her thoughts didn’t dissipate; instead, it seemed to tighten, like a storm gathering on the horizon, an omen of something dark looming just out of sight.

Sydney stood frozen amidst the swirling chaos, her mind reeling. The prom had transformed into a nightmare, the eerie silence shattered by panicked cries and murmurs of disbelief. Rick kept a firm grip on her hand, as if anchoring her to the reality around them, while Tommy looked on, wide-eyed, his gaze darting between the unconscious woman and the horrified faces of their classmates.

The bloodstained woman lay motionless, her chest barely rising and falling. Around her, a group of teachers and chaperones scrambled to restore order, but their own fear was palpable. The security guards exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do next. A teacher knelt beside the woman, reaching out cautiously to check her pulse. After a moment, he stood, a troubled look on his face.

"She's breathing," he announced shakily, "but something is seriously wrong here. Someone needs to call an ambulance."

One of the security guards stepped forward, speaking into his radio with an edge of urgency, requesting immediate medical assistance. But even as he gave instructions, his voice wavered. Something about this situation felt beyond his understanding, beyond anyone's control.

Sydney, still trembling, turned to Rick and Tommy. "We should get out of here before anything else happens. This—this isn’t normal."

Rick nodded, his face pale but resolute. "Let’s go. We’ll call David and let him know what’s going on. He’ll know what to do."

But as they moved toward the exit, a guttural groan echoed through the hall, sending a fresh wave of terror rippling through the crowd. Sydney’s heart skipped a beat as she looked back. The woman was stirring again, her movements slow but jerky, as if she were a puppet pulled by invisible strings. Her eyes, once unfocused and blank, now held a glint of something dark—something hostile and unrecognizable.

“Everyone, back!” one of the security guards shouted, but his warning only added to the panic. Students began pushing and shoving, desperate to flee from the unfolding horror.

In the midst of the chaos, the woman lurched forward, her mouth stretched wide in a twisted, predatory snarl. She moved with unnatural speed, her eyes locking onto the nearest student—a girl who stood frozen in terror, too shocked to run. The girl barely had time to scream before the woman lunged, sinking her teeth into the girl's shoulder.

The girl's scream pierced the hall, a sound of raw pain and terror that cut through the cacophony. Students scattered, running in every direction as a stampede surged toward the exits. Rick, Tommy, and Sydney found themselves swept up in the frenzied crowd, fighting to stay together amid the crush of bodies.

"Sydney! Over here!" Tommy yelled, grabbing her hand as he forced a path through the panicked throng. They stumbled down a side corridor, Rick close behind, trying to put as much distance as they could between themselves and the chaos erupting in the ballroom.

Finally, they burst through a set of doors into a stairwell, the noise of the party now muffled and distant. Sydney doubled over, gasping for breath, while Rick and Tommy looked around, trying to figure out their next move.

"What… what was that?" Sydney whispered, her voice shaking.

Rick shook his head, his face pale and drawn. "I don’t know, Syd. I’ve never seen anything like that before. That woman… she wasn’t… human anymore.”

Tommy’s face hardened as he clenched his fists. "Whatever it was, we can’t go back there. We need to find somewhere safe and figure out what’s going on. Maybe call David again, see if he knows anything."

Sydney pulled out her phone, her fingers shaking as she dialed David's number. It rang, each tone seeming to stretch endlessly, until finally, his voicemail picked up. Desperation flashed across her face as she lowered the phone, her voice barely a whisper. "He’s not answering."

A heavy silence settled over the three of them, broken only by the distant echoes of screams from the ballroom. The reality of their situation was beginning to sink in, the enormity of what they'd just witnessed chilling them to the bone.

"Then we’re on our own for now," Rick said, his voice steadying with a new resolve. "Let’s get to my dad’s place. It’s outside the city, and we can lay low there until we figure out what’s happening."

Sydney nodded, her fear tempered by a determination to stay strong. She glanced back in the direction of the ballroom, her heart heavy with worry for the people still trapped inside. Whatever was happening, it was only the beginning, and the night ahead held more questions than answers.

As they made their way down the stairwell, the world outside felt suddenly foreign, transformed into a dark unknown, the familiar cityscape now a backdrop to an unfolding nightmare.

Minutes later, the police arrived, quickly securing the area and launching an investigation into the bizarre events that had shattered what should have been a night of celebration. Officers carefully examined the woman’s body, their expressions grim as they began piecing together the night’s horrors.

In the forensic laboratory, the atmosphere was charged with anxiety as doctors observed the woman’s condition, their brows furrowed in puzzlement. Officer Maria Hill entered the room, her presence commanding attention even amid the somber scene. She had a reputation for being thorough, and tonight would be no different. The celebration had turned into a nightmare, and it was up to her to uncover the truth behind the terrifying events that had left everyone shaken to the core.

Maria's voice cut through the tense atmosphere in the forensic lab. "What do we know so far?" she asked, her tone steady but laced with urgency.

Dr. Cooper, the head forensic pathologist, approached her with a grave expression. "We've identified a bite mark on the woman's body," he began, hesitating before continuing. "Moreover, there’s something unusual—foreign material has entered her body and has affected her brain. We can't yet theorize what this material is, nor can we determine its source. It’s unlike anything we've encountered before."

Maria nodded, her mind racing as she absorbed the information. "I want a thorough investigation," she instructed firmly. "Gather every detail. We need answers."

Dr. Cooper and his team, galvanized by Maria's determination, returned to their work with renewed focus. The forensic lab buzzed with activity as each member became more intent on unraveling the disturbing mystery that had landed on their tables.

Minutes later, Dr. Cooper called out, his voice filled with unease. "Officer Hill, you need to see this. There's a bite mark on the victim’s body, and what we found inside her doesn’t add up. The foreign material in her brain—it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen."

Maria's eyes narrowed, her unease deepening. "Continue your research, Doctor," she ordered curtly. "I need to know what we're dealing with."

As she left the lab, Maria’s thoughts churned with the implications of what Dr. Cooper had just revealed. An ominous feeling gnawed at her, warning her that this was far from over.

She made her way to the medical section, her pulse quickening as she approached Room A. The moment she stepped inside, Maria felt her heart plummet. Blood was splattered across the walls and pooled on the floor. In the midst of the carnage lay the body of a nurse, her face mangled beyond recognition.

Adrenaline surged through Maria as she sprinted to Room B. She flung the door open, relief washing over her when she saw the security guard lying on the bed. But that relief was short-lived.

The guard suddenly sprang up, lunging at her with a guttural wail. Maria reacted instinctively, raising her gun and pointing it at his face. "Stop! I'll shoot!" she yelled, her voice shaking with the effort to stay calm.

But the guard kept coming, his eyes wild and unseeing. Maria fired a shot into his leg, but he didn’t flinch. He continued his advance, slow but relentless.

Desperation surged within her as she aimed again, this time at his head. She pulled the trigger, and the guard finally slumped to the floor. Maria stood there, gasping for breath, her mind racing with the realization that whatever had taken control of the guard was still out there—and it was far from finished.

The door burst open behind her, and several officers rushed in, their faces pale with shock. "What happened?" one of them asked, his voice trembling.

Maria barely managed to find her voice. "Something terrible is going to happen," she whispered, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for some unseen threat. "And we have no idea how to stop it."

The officers exchanged uneasy glances, clearly at a loss for what to do next. But Maria wasn't waiting for them to figure it out. She knew that whatever this was, it wouldn’t be satisfied with just one attack.

"Get me a team in here, now," Maria ordered grimly. "We need to lock this place down and figure out what we're up against before it's too late."

As Sydney emerged from the bathroom, memories of David consumed her mind, an unrelenting tide of fear and despair crashing against her resolve. The anguish she had buried for so long surged forth, an unstoppable wave that pulled her down to the cold, hard floor. Alone in the stark, empty room, her heart ached with every ragged sob, the echoes amplifying her isolation.

Eventually, she steadied herself, dragging a deep breath into her lungs like a lifeline. Gripping her phone with desperate hope, she prayed for a message from David. But frustration twisted in her gut as she unlocked the screen: no messages awaited her.

Rick and Tommy’s calls broke the silence, their voicemails brimming with promises of solidarity and unwavering support—commitments to leave no stone unturned in their search for David. They urged her to enlist the police in the morning, solid advice amidst her rising tide of doubt and fear.

Yet, even their reassurances couldn’t lighten the oppressive disappointment settling in her chest. Sydney set her phone down and leaned against the wall, eyes closing as she sought the elusive strength to carry on. Hope flickered within her: they would find David, and they would endure whatever storm lay ahead.

Just then, her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. Martha's name illuminated the screen, sending a rush of warmth through her veins. Sydney answered, her voice barely a whisper. "Hello?"

"Hello, dear," came Martha's voice, tinged with concern. "I’m so sorry to call you so late, but I’ve been trying to reach David. He hasn’t returned my calls. It’s not like him."

Emotions brimmed again as Sydney recounted the events of the day, her voice quaking with fear. "Martha, I don’t know what to do," she sobbed. "David is missing, and I can't reach him at all."

Martha’s reply was immediate and firm. "Don't worry, dear. I will be there as soon as I can. I believe in God, and I’m certain David will be safe. Please, no more tears. I’ll catch the first flight tomorrow."

Sydney clutched the phone tightly, a flicker of hope igniting within her. "Thank you, Martha," she whispered, her tears slowing as she clung to the belief that everything would somehow be alright.

The following morning, Rick and Tommy arrived at Sydney's house, concern etched on their faces. They were prepared to take her to the police station when she stopped them, a spark of anticipation in her eyes. Martha was en route, arriving shortly.

Eagerly, they waited as Sydney dialled Martha’s number, her heart racing with urgency. After brief pleasantries, she informed Rick and Tommy that Martha’s flight would take three to four hours. The determination in Rick’s eyes sharpened, and he declared, "Let’s head to the park and wait for Martha there."

Once at the park, Sydney’s restlessness intensified. Her hands moved restlessly, betraying the anxiety gnawing at her. Sensing her unease, Tommy placed a reassuring hand on her arm, his voice low and steady. "We will find David," he murmured, conviction radiating from him.

Minutes bled into hours as they sat in silence, a thick blanket of uncertainty shrouding them. Tension mounted when a nearby couple captured their attention, watching the news on their phone.

The man’s voice turned serious as he relayed the broadcast: "Breaking news from Boston. Massive military deployments are underway, with thousands of troops entering the city, and the government refuses to comment on the reasons behind this sudden escalation. Speculation runs rampant."

Sydney’s heart raced as the reality of the situation surged in her chest. She watched in horror as footage of armoured vehicles rumbled through Boston’s streets, the eerie stillness broken only by the sound of increasing chaos. Rick’s grip tightened around her arm, his jaw clenched with resolve, while Tommy's gaze remained fixed on the screen, his expression somber and grave.

The ordinary streets of Boston now resembled a battleground, cloaked in an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty, and communication networks had faltered, leaving only a void filled with speculation and fear. Panic clawed at Sydney’s insides as she scrolled through the news feeds on the couple’s phone, the urgency pressing down on her like a weight.

Every moment felt like a heartbeat lost, their reality fracturing as time stretched painfully thin. With each passing second, the desperation to find David intensified, drowning her in a swell of dread—as if the world outside was unraveling at the seams, mirroring her own spiralling fears.

"David is in Boston," Sydney said, her voice trembling with urgency. "I have to get there. I need to make sure he’s safe."

Seeing her distress, the couple quickly handed her their phone, filled with messages from Martha. Sydney’s anxiety spiked as she scrolled through them, her heart racing.

"Martha, is everything all right?" she asked, clearly apprehensive.

Almost instantly, Martha responded, her words cryptic and unsettling: "Everything is not all right. The military has sealed off the airport, and all flights are canceled. They’re not telling the public anything."

Tightening her grip on the phone, Sydney felt dread settle in her gut like a heavy stone. "Martha, have you seen what's happening in Boston?" she whispered, the fear palpable in her voice.

"Yeah, I saw the news. Don’t worry; I’m going to find another way home," Martha assured, her tone resolute.

While her words offered a sliver of hope, an undercurrent of fear gnawed at Sydney relentlessly. The situation in Boston was spiralling out of control, and the uncertainty surrounding David’s safety was suffocating.

Rick stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "Sydney, we need to go to the police now," he urged, his voice firm. "Sitting here won’t help us."

Sydney nodded vigorously, her mind racing through possibilities. Every second felt crucial, and she was acutely aware that time was slipping away.

They made their way to the police station, urgency propelling them forward in search of leads to find David. Upon arrival, the atmosphere was chaotic. Officers rushed about, their faces drawn with concern, the buzz of frantic voices drowning out reason. Sydney approached the desk where an officer was seated, shaking as she raised her voice, "Officer, I need to report a missing person!"

The officer barely registered her, his attention caught up in a phone conversation.

Frustration bubbled to the surface, and Sydney shouted, "Why won't you listen to me? My boyfriend is missing, and I need your help!"

Amidst the chaos, Maria, an officer with an authoritative presence, noticed Sydney’s distress. Cutting through the commotion, she ushered Sydney and her companions into a private office, gesturing for them to sit. Sydney's voice shook as she recounted the ordeal, raw emotion spilling from her.

Maria listened intently, her expression somber as the weight of Sydney’s words sank in. Once she finished, Maria replied with compassion. "I understand your frustration, but given the current situation in Boston, finding someone is incredibly difficult. The city is in disarray due to military intervention, and we’re struggling to keep up with the chaos."

Maria’s solemn apology deepened Sydney’s despair, tears brimming in her eyes. As the three of them exited the station, their hopes felt heavy and fragile. Standing outside in the cold air, Sydney resolved to reach Boston herself. Tommy cautioned against such a reckless move, constantly aware of the roadblocks and military presence that would obstruct their path. Rick, however, insisted, "It’ll be tough, but it’s not impossible."

After some debate, they donned their jackets, steeling themselves for what lay ahead. With determination fuelled by desperation, they set off on their perilous journey to Boston. Multiple roadblocks curtailed their progress, yet their resolve remained unshaken, aware that this was just the beginning of the obstacles they would face.

When Sydney entered her house, her hands trembled uncontrollably. The unsettling silence of the hallway wrapped around her like a shroud, and calling for her mother only heightened her sense of dread. As she moved toward the kitchen, a faint but growing smell of blood assaulted her senses.

Upon entering, she was confronted with a horrifying scene. Blood pooled on the floor, encircled by shards of glass and debris. A severed hand lay grotesquely close by. Her gaze was drawn to a man whose face twisted into a grotesque grin as he fed on her mother’s leg.

Her mother lay on the floor, her eyes wide with agony, pleading silently for help in a chaos that defied comprehension. Sydney’s mind reeled, struggling to process the unimaginable violence unfolding before her. Her loyal cat, frightened and bewildered, had retreated behind her, amplifying the surreal horror of the moment.

Feeling her resolve waver, Sydney instinctively backed away from the kitchen, and a dark memory surfaced from her college days—a crime so heinous it had left an indelible scar on her psyche. This memory propelled her into action, but fate had other plans. As she brushed past the entrance hall, her startled cat sent her heart racing, eliciting a scream that pierced the suffocating silence. The man—her former PT instructor—turned towards her, his eyes brimming with madness and desperation.

Time slowed as fear gripped her. She could only watch as he advanced, recognising her as his next victim. Just when all hope seemed lost, a loud crash erupted from outside, followed closely by shattering glass. Rick and Tommy burst into the kitchen, their faces reflecting the horror of the scene before them.

Without hesitation, Rick lunged, plunging a knife into the PT instructor’s brain. The man crumpled to the ground, but as he fell, he grasped Sydney’s leg with a desperate grip, whispering, "I’m sorry, I had no choice," before Rick delivered a final blow.

They stood in a stunned silence over the body, the weight of the night’s events settling heavily on their shoulders. Sydney’s mind whirled, desperately trying to make sense of it all. The oppressive quiet around them was broken only by the distant wail of sirens. As they awaited help, Sydney knew that the haunting memories of this night would forever alter the course of her life.

____________________ END OF CHAPTER 2___________________