Through the Door

10:00 AM

London, England

Looking out his window, Lewis caught sight of the London police driving by, shortly being followed by an ambulance.

“Don’t they know that they can’t help them? Didn’t they learn from the last time they tried to help somebody that had been attacked?”

He turned away from the window and walked toward the wardrobe sitting in the corner of the room. Opening it slowly, he grabbed some clothing, walked out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

11:00 AM

Paris, France

He swiftly maneuvered through cars, weaving his way in between each vehicle. Sure, the law was that bicyclists had to ride on the sidewalk, but with the mass of people on there, he felt like taking the road. It was much safer that way, especially since they couldn’t grab you from across cars.

Coming to a stop, he realized that there was a police vehicle about three cars ahead of him.

“Damn it,” he cursed. “Looks like I’ve been caught.”

Just then, the vehicle’s sirens went on, and the officer sped off, taking a left as he did so. He was shortly followed by more officers, some on motorcycles while others in their cars, and two ambulances.

“Odd, I was sure that he would’ve seen me. Oh well, he must’ve had more important matters on his hands.”

The light went green, and a mass of cars began to move. Francois moved in unison with them, taking a right and stopping at his family’s café. Walking inside, his father looked up, a smile upon his face.

“So,” the old man said. “Are you ready to take over the family business for me?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be Pa.”

7:00 AM

Rio de Janeiro

Slamming his fist down upon the alarm clock for the eighth time that morning, this time hitting the “dismiss” button, Julio sat up, glancing at the stranger that lay next to him.

“What the hell happened last night,” he muttered, partially in a daze.

He had a pounding headache, signifying that he was having a hangover. He could barely stand the light that shone through the window, so he shut the blinds, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness.

He looked down at the ground and saw his clothes lying next to the strangers. In the midst of it sat a used condom.

“Oh hell no… what were you thinking Julio,” he whispered in both disgust and disappointment.

He swiftly grabbed his clothes and headed towards the bathroom. He leaned over the tub and began to run a bath, turning the water to as hot as it would go.

As soon as it was full, he climbed in, letting the warmth flow over his body. Slowly, the headache faded, only becoming a slight pain.

“Father’s remedy to a hangover… works every time,” he sighed.

9:00 PM

Sydney, Australia

Flipping off the television, Stacy sat down on her couch and sighed.

“Well, the world has officially gone to hell. Somebody gets bitten in both England and France, somebody goes mad and starts biting civilians in Rio de Janeiro, and as if to top it all off, the bloody government in the United States has decided that it’s time to nuke the whole damn world.”

She looked at the coffee table before her and grabbed the syringe that lay in the center.

“What more do I have to lose,” she said. “We’re all going to die anyways.”

She stuck the needle into her arm and injected some heroin into her bloodstream. She then grabbed a small plastic bag and emptied its contents, grabbing another syringe and filling it with more heroin than the last. She injected herself again and lay her head back, feeling the drugs flow through her.

She then grabbed the gun by her side and put the nozzle in her mouth and pulled the trigger.

10:20 AM

London, England

As Lewis finished his shower, he heard the engine of a large plane in the distance.

“Okay,” he slowly said. “Something is definitely wrong here. Unless-”

He ran over to his television and flipped it on. What he saw was the queen herself. She was giving a speech.

“… that there is only one solution to this problem. The US government has decided that in order to get rid of this epidemic, the world has to be bombed. I am sorry to say this, but nobody will live. Farewell to everybody that is hearing this, and may the afterlife – if there is one – treat you well.”

Suddenly, a great flash of white illuminated Lewis’ room, blinding him instantly.

“Christ! What the hell is that thing?”

Just then, a magnificent force blew through the entire building, causing it to collapse to the ground.

11:20 AM

Paris, France

The windows that lined the café shattered, shards of glass flying in all directions. Francois had also been blinded by the white light.

“Pa! Where are you?”

He felt a sharp pain go across his right arm, then heard a shattering sound on the wall behind him.

“F-Francois? I-is that y-you?”

“Pa! It’s me, where are you?”

“I think… the floor… where are you?”

“Behind the counter. I’ll come to you.”

Francois maneuvered his way around the counter, only to be stopped by a chair that flew into his face. It was then followed by a sharp pain in his chest.

He fell to his knees, feeling the blood flow from his wounds. Then he fell forward, his head connecting with the flooring.

7:20 AM

Rio de Janeiro

Water splashed in Julio’s face as the tub vibrated violently.

“What is going on? I mean, can’t a guy have a nice, warm bath in peace?”

That was when the wall of the bathroom caved in. A piece of metal went flying towards him, made contact with his neck, and went clean through.

Life simply flips a page as our story begins.