The Virus

"Sir! Wait- please! You've got to help me." Catching his breath and standing doubled over, a boy about 18 had just run up to the balding man from one of the side streets branching off of the main road.

Jack Doss looked small for his age, most likely due to the horrendous conditions of his living environment since the outbreak of Virus C-284. His dark hair highlighted his paling skin, and his frame suffered from malnourishment. His blue eyes appeared to be the strongest thing about him, staring intently into those of Dr. Pecker.

"Please help, sir. My mother," he pleaded.

"I cannot do anything if she's infected, young man." Dr. Pecker peered into the eyes of the boy, who was short but looked more mature, maybe because of everything he'd experienced. "No one is above the law. Not me, and not your mother. If she's infected, she must be quarantined in a safe town immediately."

A loud giggle emitted from the next alley. It was childlike and very girlish. Someone stepped around the corner. She wasn't infected, but she did look strange.

She was a red-head with pale skin, freckles, a striped sweater draped over by a black cape...

And bright crimson eyes and a face that was half pure black.

Her mouth was strange as well. It was smiling, first of all. Second, on the black side of her face her teeth were sharpened into points.

"Greetings!" The girl said. "I am Chara. Thanks for providing me with this job! Taking people's souls is really fun to do." She giggled again.

Spoiler

YES I PUT CHARA IN DEAL WITH IT

"No please! Sir, with all due respect, you don't understand!" Jack took a deep breath, steadying himself and trying again. He glanced in the direction of the girl down the road, with piled bodies on either side of her, then at the creepy giggling figure who had named herself Chara. Then he groaned, frustrated, and looked back at the man, daring to pull on his sleeve.

"Look," he said earnestly, "I don't know if it's the virus. I just know that I'm her only hope. It's just me and her, and my baby sister. My Pa and older brother are gone. We are nearly out of food and completely out of medical supplies. Please. Help. Me."

Nora approached the doctor, grinning and holding out her arms, reminiscent of a hug. "You should her mother." She cast a meaningful glance at the corpses behind her, as though reminding him she may be infected.

Spoiler

CHARA?! She doesn't even fit the setting!

Chara laughs maniacally. "Foolish. She is going to die. I will make sure of it. It's my job!"

"No one is allowed to go near the infected. No exceptions," Dr. Pecker recited. "I don't care if you're the Prince of Egypt, no one is above the law."