Death From Afar

And once again planet Earth has been struck by a deadly virus caused by emissions from the nuclear bombs during World War I. Many lives have been decimated, both children's and adults' in equal measure. Back at the clash, Japan and America waged heavy combat which led to a huge loss especially on America's side. The Americans thus cinched the decision of creating a nuclear bomb to end their foe Japan. At their second tussle in World War II, the atomic missile killed nearly 450,000 Japanese soldiers and affected many lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, the 'breath of death', a green toxin that was used in the formation of the nuclear bomb affected the atmosphere by causing heavy global warming and eventually leading to unbearable heatwaves.

Although the United States and Japan concluded a formal peace in 1951, the world was nescient of the effects the bombs had on planet Earth. The toxins released by the trajectile were spreading all round the crust of the Earth. Seventy years later, a plane that was supposed to land at JFK International Airport crashed in a forest in New York. The pilot was devising to land at LaGuardia Airport due to the rainstorm but he lost track of the air traffic control tower. The plane burst open the ground and green gas severely leaked to the surface. The survivors of the plane crash were attacked by the cloud and experienced abscessing symptoms before perishing on the spot. An ambulance arrived to save the survivors and found out that they were killed by the green gas. A scientist by the name Bruno Morales found out that the gas originated from the missiles at World War I and it came as a viral disease.

From its symptoms; nosebleeds and red measles-like bumps, it was crowned the name 'Destroyer Malady' meaning 'killer pathogen'. It spread across New York City and eventually all over the world. It was announced that there was going to be a lock-down in NYC by the then president of the United States of America.

However, Spruce Hospital, Los Angeles was cornered by the worst. The virus seeped through the vents and all patients, doctors, nurses and staff were in grave peril. "Ortho, we better get out of here or WE DIE!!!" Mario bawled as he clasped Dr. Ortho's hand. "No! Let us split up and vacate everyone, it is much better to leave here with everyone alive!" he slipped his hand from Mario's and went to the wards. Mario took off to vacate the surgeons and patients at the Emergency Room. Dr. Bramwell Ortho is a nephrologist, neurosurgeon and the head doctor of Spruce Hospital. He has had positive collaboration with Alvin Navaro of Grant Technology which supplies Spruce with medical equipment. His British-Spanish assistant doctor, Maxwell Tocca and his daughter Dr. Natalia Ortho help around the hospital whenever he is on holiday or conducting symposiums. Dr. Mario Bennars is actually a vet at the Spruce Veterinary but seems to be enticed to being a doctor than his current occupation.

Mario bolted through the corridor panting heavily. The surgeons and nurses there were oblivious of the danger they were submerged in. "Everybody out....the virus....it's here!" You could imagine the stampede in that lobby as everyone ran helter-skelter to emancipate themselves. The patients were put on wheelchairs and stretchers and were taken through the fire exit. Mario could see the green cloud of 'Destroyer Malady' looming all over the ceiling and dropped to the ground, pulling the collar of his scrub to his nose and mouth.

He crawled on the ground while coughing incessantly to the air-locked emergency room so as to shelter himself from the virus. Mario was losing strength; his eyes were red and watery, his nose was bleeding and his skin began having the well-known symptom of a 'Destroyer Malady' infected person. He was on his knees and his left hand was feebly holding the door handle of the Emergency Room and with all his sturdiness he pushed it open, crawled in hurriedly and shut the door.

Natalia Ortho, her best friend Dr. Madison Morales (also Dr. Mario's girlfriend) and Maxwell Tocca were in the room operating on a man with several cut arteries. "What are you doing here Mario? Aren't you supposed to be petting those furry creatures?" Max inquired with a smirk as he placed his surgical scissors in the metallic dish. "Yes. Yes I am supposed to be petting those furry creatures but I came to save your lives instead. The virus that we thought was still in NYC is in this very hospital right now. In fact, I'm hit but it was a mild impact."

"If you are implying that we leave with an unfinished operation, I am not." Madison interrupted Mario as she masked herself and continued sewing the patient--and so did Natalia. "And you are not staying here either! It won't be very long before the virus seeps into this room and we are all dead!" Mario growled in fury. "Your boyfriend is right Madie, this operation will slow us down. It's one death or five!" Maxwell assented. "Have you dimwits forgotten about our pledge? Our promise? Doctors, nurses and surgeons have to uphold their duty of being lifesavers. I would rather die trying to save this man than leave. I should have known you were all recreants!"

Mario could not take in any other word from these two ladies. He grabbed a syringe containing opiate that was on the counter and injected Natalia. The vet covered her mouth and nose with his hand and dragged her outside as he covered his face with the other. "I am pretty certain you don't want to end up like Natalia, right? We better leave now!" Max inquired. "I should have known you were such a coward Tocca!" She said as she reluctantly left the room.