A World Gone Rotten

Chapter 1

"Prologue"

Canterlot, Oregon

March 19, 2015

0700 hours

Arthur Havel woke up to the familiar sound of bird song; he proceeded to snuggle deeper into the soft blanket and pillows enjoying the sensation of comfort. The alarm clock quickly reprimanded him however, that brought a groan of frustration, yet he conceded. Throwing his blanket to the side and getting up, giving a stretch that reached to the ceiling.

He moved to the window beside his bed, and slightly opened the curtain to glimpse at the suburban landscape before him. Wincing at the sunlight but his eyesight quickly adapted, he admired the view for a second before checking his watch for the time.

Right on time, just like every day.

Arthur headed to the bathroom, exiting his room and turning left. He went on with brushing his teeth, showering and shaving. After he headed downstairs to the kitchen, noticing a piece of paper on the marble island. Grabbing a banana, he picked up the note to read it while munching on the banana.

Hey Arthur, as you know, we are off to Hawaii, just remember we will be gone for two weeks, not the usual one we like to do. You know the usual rules and so forth, so I won’t bother. Just remember don’t do anything stupid, especially with your girlfriend. Or don’t like you would tell us, you goof. There are several lunches for your school, in the fridge. Don’t eat all of it at once! Anyways, have a good day at school. See you in two weeks.

Love, Mom and Dad

Arthur smirked, knowing he would probably eat those lunches in a day or two. He left the note on the island, grabbed a bowl and filled it with some cereal and milk. Checking his phone, saw his girlfriend and a few friends texted him, and responded as usual. After finishing his food, he went to get dressed for school, the usual jeans and t-shirt combo.

Putting his brown leather jacket and hardy hiking boots that he preferred to wear, especially in the wet conditions of Oregon. Grabbed his backpack, a tan and robust gift from his cousin in Canada, leaving his house and locking the door behind him. He started walking to the bus stop, to get picked up for another day of school.

It didn’t take long to get there; he and several others were waiting for no longer than ten minutes, before the yellow bus arrived. The bus came to crawling stop, the sound of the airbrakes and the opening of the doors loud in the quiet neighborhood. Arthur boarded and found his usual seat on the middle right side. It was the usual blur as the bus continued its route and more students filtered on, the noise increasing as they did, Arthur’s focus came back as Canterlot High School came into view.

“Well, let’s go, off to another day of school, starting with chemistry!” Arthur thought with a silent sigh.

The bus came to a stop in the long line of other school buses as it waited to drop off its cargo of students, Arthur stood and started to exit the bus, the line of students dispersing in all directions as they arrived, loudly calling to their friends in greeting and to find them. Arthur walked to the rearing statue of a horse, local landmark for the students to find each other easily. His girlfriend, Jennifer Larsson, was waiting by the statue, she quickly found Arthur in the crowd of students

She smiled with a beam as she walked to him, a woman of slight build, pale complexion and light brown hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Arthur approached her and gave her a quick soft kiss, leaning in to do so, her being four inches shorter than his five-nine.

“How’s a going sweetheart?” Arthur asked.

“Oh, you know the usual just hating history as my starting period, but” she reached into a pocket in her jeans, “I made you something.”

“Oh?” Arthur inquired curiously, “what would that be?’

Jennifer pulled a small knitted bear out, looking like a cute black bear, sitting in the palm of her hand upright.

“Just a small project, thought I would make it, in memory of our hike that day,” saying it with a smile.

Arthur took it and brought it to eye level to examine; it was well made, as usual with Jennifer’s knitting projects. He smiled remembering their hike two months, when they spotted a black bear and her two cubs from a distance, it was an enjoyable moment.

“You’re too damn sweet you know that?” replying with a smile as well.

“I try, but I could never compare to Pinkie, you know.”

“True that’s hard to compete with yet, I think you’re the sweetest.” Arthur said, leaning in for another kiss.

Jennifer smiled into the kiss, and the two began walking into the school for another day of classes, they entered into the lobby along the masses of students. Arthur checked his watch, class began in five minutes. Saying his goodbyes to Jennifer, he headed to chemistry class, hoping it would be slightly interesting today.

Arthur sat at the table with his few friends and began digging into his lunch; Jennifer was with her friends at another table, a mutual agreement between them that lunch was for friends, after school was for them.

“So what’s happening this weekend boys?” asked Jason, the stereotypical jock head of six feet and blonde hair.

Arthur took a bite of his roast beef sandwich, while chewing, his other friend, Kenneth, a more average looking teen with brown hair, responded, “Well, start with our workout obviously, after that who knows, maybe Sweet Shoppe or video games.”

Arthur swallowed and chimed in, “Why not hit the lake?”

The fourth of the group, Jack, a short man of a smaller build with black hair, piped in, “Nah, we did that just three days ago, there’s that new action movie we talked about, why not that?”

That got unison of nods and affirmative sounds, they continued eating, and enjoying brought lunches or cafeteria food. Kenneth was the first to talk again, a talkative one, especially about things he finds in unusual places.

“So, you guys hear about some new disease, that’s popped up in Cali and New York?”

The rest just gave a blank stare, till Arthur said, a bit mockingly, “No, c’mon man where did you see this, 4-chan?”

Kenneth took the comment in stride, “Not this time, saw it in a minor article in the newspaper surprisingly.”

Jack said with amusement, “You? Reading a newspaper, now that’s surprising.”

Jason just gestured Kenneth to go on, mouth full with Caesar salad. Kenneth continued, “Well, there wasn’t much just a small footnote if anything, just unknown disease has popped up, government has it dealt with, the usual shit you know?”

Arthur replied, “Alright, well who cares, probably just another scare like Ebola or the SARS thing ten or so years ago.”

Jason and Kenneth nodded in agreement; Jack hesitated for a second in confusion, but nodded as well. They all learned about it in history class, when the teacher mentioned it in passing when speaking about history of plagues.

Jason spoke this time, quietly “So, you guys think I got a chance with Rainbow Dash over there?”

He gestured to the table on the far side of the cafeteria where, as many people call them, the Main Seven, considering the amount of events that surrounded them.

Jack responded in surprise, “You got a crush on Rainbow Dash?!”

The others shushed him quickly, looking to see if anyone heard; no one was looking at them so that was a good sign.

Arthur spoke, “Jack, you got to keep it down man, like fuck, don’t act so surprised, you know they play soccer together.” Jack blushed, muttering an apology. Arthur turned to Jason, “So Rainbow eh? Have you asked her out yet?”

Jason, slightly blushed, “Well not yet. I plan on doing it after the big game at the end of the month, cause I know we will win!”

Arthur nodded a bit, a questioning look on his face. Kenneth smugly quipped, “Well you better, or I’ll tell her myself.”

Jason glared at him, slight murder in his eyes, “You wouldn’t dare, you fucker.”

Kenneth’s grin grew, “Maybe, so don’t chicken out.”

“I ain’t going to chicken out, unlike you have with Trixie.”

Now Kenneth glared back, his grin now gone, “I didn’t she’s just never available.”

Jack snarkly replied, “Sure bud, never available my ass.”

Everyone chuckled at Kenneth, as he slowly went red in the cheeks. Arthur said, “I don’t know what you see in her, but I get it, took me a good while with Jennifer.”

Kenneth just waved it off, “Yeah, yeah.”

Jack budded in, “Anyways, so Kenneth I need some help with Computer Science…”

The rest of the lunch period went by, and soon Arthur and his friends went to their respective classes, Arthur thought a bit what Kenneth said about this new disease, would it be something to worry about? He shook his head, I highly doubt, it’s just another scare like all the others, at least I think so. Arthur’s thoughts turn to other things, mainly his next class.

History, finally something to look forward too. Wonder what it’s gonna be today.

The last class of the day was going by very slowly for Arthur. Mathematics was never his strong suit, he understood what he was doing but it never made it more tolerable. He kept glancing at his watch constantly, in hope that another five minutes past to get closer to the ringing of freedom.

God, can I get some help here? Arthur thought, then an idea popped up, the teacher was distracted at her desk, everyone else was working on the assigned equations, quiet conversations with peers or on their phone trying to be subtle about it. Arthur decided to take a quick glimpse at his phone; maybe something interesting was texted to him. Taking a glance, he saw some text messages from friends, one from Mom but also one from his cousin Samuel…

Holy shit! Samuel texted, wonder what it could be about.

He quickly glanced up to check if the teacher was still distracted. She was, slightly cheering in his head, he opened the text, wanting to read it and respond in quick timing. The text from Samuel read.

Hey Arthur, hope things are going well and all that. Letting you know, I just got some time off a couple weeks ago. So I decided I’m going to come down and visit, perfect timing with your parents gone. We are going to have some damn good fun. See you this evening.

Arthur was elated; his favourite cousin is coming down. Samuel was a first cousin from Canada, related through grandparents, Arthur’s grandparents coming down to Oregon back in the sixties, riding the hippy wave. Samuel and Arthur spent several summers together, attempts to keep family close. The two became close despite Samuel being five years his senior and kept in touch, with the occasional visit ever since those summers long ago.

Before Arthur could respond he heard the teacher move from her chair, moving quick to hide his phone he glanced up to see if she noticed. She didn’t, that or she didn’t care, the teacher started going over the next bit of the equations. Arthur quickly refocused his attention, but a part of his mind was still focused on Samuel’s text.

Hopefully he’s here soon then, we got a lot of catching up to do, that and fun shit to do. He thought gleefully.

He checked his watch again, resulting in a barely concealed groan. There was still thirty minutes left.

As soon as the bell rang, Arthur packed his stuff, rushing out of the classroom hoping to beat the other students out of the school. He texted Jennifer about his cousin coming down, so they could schedule another day to go out. Jennifer mocked sadness, but she understood just saying he owed her.

He smirked at that, always having liked her understanding nature. He exited the main school doors, heading to his bus in the long line of other buses. He saw Fluttershy by the statue handing out flyers about the shelter she volunteers at; she always got there before the hordes of students somehow.

Just as Arthur was about pass her, he heard her speak out, soft and just audible enough to be heard. “Um… hello, would like, maybe, a flyer?”

Arthur stopped and looked at her. He remembered how she used to be, most of her face hidden behind her pink hair, one soulful turquoise eye peeking out, and her bent knees together slightly shaking. Now she stood with a purpose, not hiding or shaking like she once did, at least most of the time. Still spoke softly and shyly but with a hint of more confidence.

Most of the time he politely took one and went on his way, giving the flyer a quick look over. Mostly just the usual of adoption events, asking for donations or volunteers, but this time he decided to take a bit more proactive approach.

“Sure why not. What’s happening this week?”

Fluttershy smiled, “Oh, well we are having a fundraiser…”

He took a look at the flyer, listening as she went, he took a moment to appreciate the art and the list of various items on the flyer, mostly just series of pastries and baked goods, no doubt provided by Pinkie Pie, could always count on her for that.

“Well I’ll pop by, could always go for some good cookies.”

Fluttershy perked up a bit, giving a soft smile, a soft “Yay” coming from her. The hordes of students started filtering out.

“Well I got to go, see you around Fluttershy.”

He heard a soft goodbye as he turned away, Fluttershy now trying to catch other people’s attention.

I’ll give her credit, she has gotten better at the whole handing flyers out thing, hard to say no to begin with the way she is.

Heading to his bus, he couldn’t wait to get home, hopefully Samuel was already there.

As the bus pulled into its stop, Arthur rose from his seat as soon as the bus came to a full stop. He swiftly exited, saying his thanks to the bus driver, and turned to go home. He was excited, having not seen Samuel in two years, his excitement propelled him homeward, walking fast but also not running, in a hope it gave Samuel more time to get there if he wasn’t already.

It didn’t take long for him to get home; passing the suburban landscape before him, when he reached home he was disappointed, Samuel wasn’t here yet. Arthur shrugged, knowing his cousin would be here tonight, having texted him earlier. All he could do now was wait. Entering his home, he dropped his myriad of school supplies to the side, heading to the living room just opposite of the kitchen, the two rooms connected via open ended with no walls to separate them. Arthur sank into the soft black leather couch that took the middle of the living room, texting his friends about plans to see the action movie the next day.

Arthur started on some homework to keep him occupied until Samuel arrived. Setting out a few short assignments put on the mesquite coffee table, he went on for some time, eventually finishing them. He went to take a look outside, still no Samuel. With a sigh, he decided to play some video games till then.

Arthur focused intently on the boss fight he was currently entangled in. Just a couple more hits, and I got him.

Then he heard the sound of a vehicle pulling into the driveway, a truck. He smiled, paused his game and went to the door ready to see his cousin after two long years. Opening the door, the same time Samuel exited his 2012 Black GMC Sierra. Samuel’s boots hit the ground, his blue eyes met Arthur’s grey eyes, both them immediately had shit-eating grins.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Both of them yelled out loud, proceeding to strike the t-pose with forearms bent ninety degree downward at the elbow, they ran high knee style towards each other pumping their arms in and out. Once they reached each other they brought each other into a bear hug. Samuel stood three inches taller than Arthur, stronger too, result of being five years older and service in the army infantry reserves. Arthur tried to compete with him, but couldn’t keep up in the unspoken squeeze challenge. The oxygen got squeezed out of him, and he tapped Samuel on the back. Samuel let Arthur go, taking several deep breaths to recover.

“Shit man, you couldn’t have lost some muscle, like at all?”

A laugh followed Arthur’s comment, “No, I don’t think I will. If anything you have gotten stronger. Been working out?”

“More often then I used to, got to beat you one day.”

“Hah good luck with that, anyways lets go inside.” Samuel grabbed his duffle bag and small pack and they headed inside.

Arthur gestured to Samuel to follow him upstairs, guiding him to the one guest room in the house in between his room and the master bedroom. After setting his stuff up in the guest room, they headed down to the living room.

Samuel restarted the conversation, “So whats new nowadays? School still going good?”

“School is good, just the usual, still hate chemistry like fuck but otherwise good. Otherwise nothing new except got a new CB radio recently.” Arthur replied. CB radio was a hobby he got into a couple years ago, thanks to his father.

“Same here, nothing too much either. Besides releasing from the army about two months ago and getting into power engineering. But that’s old news, what I want to know is what shit we are getting into for the two weeks I’m down here.”

Arthur thought for a second, “We could take the guns out shooting.” His father occasionally went hunting and skeet shooting, to the disapproval of his mother, “Mom, never liked my Dad teaching me, and I can’t take them out obviously, but with you here…”

Arthur left the statement open, hoping his cousin might take him out shooting, even at risk of discovery.

“Colour me surprised, I remember how disinterested in guns you were, what’s the change in heart?” Samuel asked curiously.

“Well… you honestly… Dad always tried for awhile but Mom put a stop to it and Dad gave up, sometimes he would let me hold it or even tell me some things about them, but it never amounted to anything. I get it if you don’t want to considering my mom.” Arthur said a bit sheepishly.

“Shooooot, you think I care what your mom thinks, HA! Alright I’ll take you sometime this week. I’m guessing your dad has them in a safe?” He got a confirming nod. “Good, if you know where the key is we are golden, won’t be tonight obviously, I’m too tired for that. How about we watch a movie this evening?”

Arthur pumped his fist in the air, with loud “yes”, followed up with, “Which movie then?”

Samuel snapped his fingers and responded, “Smokey and the Bandit, trust me you’ll love it.”

“Sounds good to me, I’m gonna grab some popcorn and soda then.” Arthur went to grab the popcorn, while Samuel grabbed the remote. Finding the movie rather quickly, he hopped on his phone, browsing through the news. He found something a bit different this time. The headline read.

Unknown Disease spreads to several other States, unknown reasons behind it.

Samuel, tapped on the article and began reading, it was frustratingly vague and few concise details but there was enough to make him curious. Before he could find more, Arthur returned popcorn and soda in hands.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Of course.” Samuel replied. “But before we start, you heard about this new disease going around?”

“A bit, my friend Kenneth, read about it, told us about it, why?”

Samuel made a placating gesture, “Just curious, most likely nothing serious, so let’s watch the movie.”

Arthur smiled, “Sure.”

The rest of the evening went by quick, howling laughter and catch up talk came and went. Soon it was late, and time for bed arrived. The two went through a bedtime routine of hygiene and prepping for the next day, after mutual goodnights they went to bed. While Arthur racked out rather quickly, Samuel kept up, looking into this disease, he soon was going to more minor and insignificant sources for information, till he came across an article from a local news station in northern California. As he read, he considered it better than the others he came across, until he reached one part in the article that seemed ludicrous.

Some reports coming say that the people infected with this disease die very quickly, and they return to life, exhibiting unusually aggressive behavior like that of an animal infected with rabies. Until further information is revealed, this is considered unproven and potentially misleading information.

Samuel scoffed at the idea, and put his phone on the night end table. What a load of bullshit, what’s this zombies? Yeah and I’m the King of Canada, whatever time for sleep.If it’s anything to worry about I’ll do something about it then, so we shall see in time.

Samuel went to bed, shoving the information to the depths of his mind, and wiggled deeper into the mattress and pillow. Quickly falling to sleep, thanks to the quiet nature of the suburbs.