NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: chapter 4
Chapter Four: Unleashed Chaos
The streets of Queens were alive with the bustle of daily life, unaware of the lurking terror. Among the alleyways, a stray dog prowled. Its eyes glowed faintly green, its gait uneven as if it were both predator and prey. The creature, infected with Markus Kreel's modified zombie virus, carried death in its veins.
As it wandered into a crowded park, the dog began to growl, its movements twitchy and erratic. A small child attempted to approach it with a piece of bread, but the creature snapped, lunging forward with unnatural aggression. Screams erupted as the dog tore through the crowd, biting indiscriminately.
By the time the police arrived, eight people had been bitten, and the dog had disappeared into a nearby alley. Officers cornered the animal, its fur now bristling as it growled like a rabid beast. The lead officer, his hand trembling, raised his firearm.
A single shot echoed through the night. The dog collapsed, but its glowing eyes remained open for a moment longer before finally dimming.
Fury's Orders
News of the incident quickly reached SHIELD Director Nick Fury. In the dimly lit command center aboard the Helicarrier, Fury reviewed the footage from the police body cams. The glowing eyes, the erratic behavior—it all matched the reports from the Bronx.
"This isn't a coincidence," Fury muttered, turning to Agent Hill. "Assemble a team. I want the infected people and that dog transported to SHIELD's lab. We need answers—fast."
Hill nodded. "Understood. I'll deploy a containment unit immediately."
The Investigation
A team of SHIELD operatives arrived in Queens within the hour, their biohazard suits gleaming under the streetlights. The bitten individuals, now quarantined in a makeshift containment zone, displayed alarming symptoms: fever, discolored veins, and fits of aggression. The team also collected the dog's corpse, carefully sealing it in a reinforced container.
Back at the SHIELD research facility, Dr. Simmons and her team began analyzing the specimens. The bitten individuals were sedated and monitored, while the dog's remains were subjected to a series of tests.
"This isn't just rabies," Simmons said, examining a blood sample. "The virus is altering their DNA, accelerating cellular decay while simultaneously enhancing certain traits—strength, aggression, resilience."
Dr. Fitz, working at the adjacent station, frowned at his screen. "Simmons, the dog's brain tissue is still active, even post-mortem. This virus… it's keeping the neural pathways alive, but in a corrupted state."
Simmons exchanged a worried glance with Fitz. "This isn't a virus. It's a weapon."
The Gas Trap
As the researchers worked, a soft hissing sound filled the room. Simmons froze, her eyes darting to the ventilation system. "Do you hear that?"
Before anyone could react, a cloud of greenish gas began to seep into the lab. The bitten individuals, restrained on gurneys, suddenly convulsed violently. Their glowing green veins pulsed as their bodies began to mutate.
"Seal the lab!" Simmons shouted, but it was too late.
The gas was Markus Kreel's failsafe, a hidden feature in the virus designed to activate under certain conditions. The infected broke free of their restraints, their eyes now fully glowing as they tore into the researchers.
The zombified dog, which had been seemingly lifeless, sprang to life, its jaws snapping at the nearest agent. Chaos erupted as alarms blared, and SHIELD operatives outside the lab scrambled to contain the outbreak.
Simmons and Fitz tried to escape, but the infected swarmed the lab. Simmons grabbed a vial of the virus sample, determined to preserve it for further study, even as the creatures closed in. Fitz sealed the door behind her, sacrificing himself to ensure the infection didn't spread further.
Through the observation window, Agent Hill and Fury watched the carnage unfold. Fury's jaw tightened as the last of the researchers were overtaken.
"Activate the purge protocol," Fury ordered coldly.
A moment later, the lab was flooded with incinerating flames, reducing everything inside to ash.
Aftermath
In the silence that followed, Hill turned to Fury. "We lost everyone inside, including Simmons and Fitz."
Fury's gaze hardened. "We can't let this spread any further. Double down on containment protocols. And find whoever's behind this."
Hill hesitated. "Do you think Strange knew about this? He seemed… preoccupied when he contacted us."
Fury didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stared out at the city skyline through the Helicarrier's windows. "If Strange knows something, he'd better speak up soon. Because if we don't stop this now, there won't be a world left to save."
As the embers of the lab burned, the green glow of the virus lingered faintly in the air, a haunting reminder that the nightmare was far from over.
To be continued...