Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Stage One
This stage is categorized as the beginning of infection after coming in contact with bodily fluid from and infected, either through person to person contact or ingesting contaminated water. Usually this stage is mostly spreading but little to now symptoms are visible. If the infected individual has been bitten, the veins around the bite seem darker than usual.

Stage Two
This stage is where symptoms typically begin to show. Moderate to severe flu like symptoms are present. These may include but are not limited to
- High fever
- Congestion
- Phlegmy Cough
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
Infected individuals are extremely contagious at this point. They struggle to retain fluids for more than (approximately) five minutes. On occasion, the fever can cause mild delirium.

Stage Three
This is the stage of infection when the symptoms are most prevalent but the infected individual is still mildly coherent. The infected individual bleeds profusely from any orifice (mouth, nose, eyes, ect.) Individuals may begin to act aggressively, but not always. Total body paralysis is a common symptom

Stage Four (Type 1)
This is what the pathogen originally does to infected individuals. It is caused by bodily fluids. Infected individuals can run extremely quickly and they are very aggressive. They can remain conscious for up to 48 hours after losing control of their body

Stage Four (Type 2)
This is what consuming water with the pathogen causes. Infected individuals are very docile and slow. They don’t attack unless provoked but they are more infectious

Chapter Text

Scott was sleeping peacefully on the mattress on the floor. Unfortunately, Wallace had gone out partying again, leaving the bed empty and much colder than Scott wanted it to be. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a blast of cold Canadian air entered the room. Scott was awoken by Wallace's loud cough, and he became concerned about his health. Even though it was too dark to see, he knew Wallace must be sick because he could feel the heat radiating off him when he laid beside of him. Scott let out a quiet noise and turned to the sound of his roommate's uneven breathing. He expected him to be intoxicated and toss himself into bed, probably hitting him on accident in the process, but he was surprised to see him get in it normally. Scott's voice crackled slightly as he spoke, "Wallace..?" There was no response except for a grunt and another wet cough. Scott sighed weakly, knowing that was the best answer he would get. It was late and he hoped that Wallace would feel better in the morning.

The two men lay in silence, only interrupted by Wallace's occasional coughs or sniffles. This worried Scott, as Wallace never got sick. He found himself nervously picking at his cuticles. He had only seen Wallace sick once before but that was when they were in collage. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. It didn’t take long for Wallace to shuffle out of bed and to the bathroom.

Scott started panicking even more. He was terrified of thinking about his roommate vomiting. He was emetophobic as it was, but thinking of Wallace, of all people, throwing up stressed him out more. Scott watched the dingy yellow light of the bathroom flick on and faintly fill the room. Scott heard Wallace cough and retch from the other room. He didn't even shut the door first… Scott squeezed his eyes shut and held his hands over his ears to avoid experiencing it at all. The minutes ticked away and Scott began to sweat from the panic. Once his ears began to hurt, he removed his hands. Scott heard ragged breathing and… gurgling. He had to bite back his nerves and check on Wallace. Scott’s mind wandered and he automatically assumed he was choking or something serious was going on. Scott nervously rolled out of bed and slowly walked to the bathroom. He knocked on the doorframe. Wallace sat limply in front of the toilet with his head resting on the seat. His clothes were drenched in sweat and his fingers were twitching. He approached his sick roommate slowly. His heart was thudding in his chest and it felt like he was stuck in cement.

Wallace whiped his head around and Scott pulled his hand back. Wallace’s face was caked in blood. Crimson tears rolled down his cheeks. His lips and chin were crusted with blood. Scott immediately let out a shrill scream. He didn’t know what was happening or what was going on. He heard a guttural groan come from Wallace as he grabbed at Scott’s leg. He desperately tried to kick him off and get out of the room. Scott’s heart was beating impossibly harder as he scrambled away.

Scott felt Wallace snarl and growl at him, grabbing and scratching at his clothes. He booked it as fast as he could. He needed to get out. He needed Ramona. She would be able to help him figure out what was happening. He continued to fight him off. He knocked Wallace to the ground and he bolted out the door.

It was cold. Painfully so. Scott was out there in a T-shirt, shorts, and socks. Snow fell steadily from the sky. His toes immediately began to hurt from the frigid temperatures. There was Wallace’s blood on his hands. Scott was too deep in shock to cry. He swallowed shakily and began walking to Ramona’s house. He went from a walk… to a jog… to a sprint… to a full-blown run. He wanted to be with her. Ramona would definitely be able to explain what was going on. He ran through the dark street as his feet hurt and his lungs ached for air.