Each word sharpens in my mind and lends strength to my faltering steps.
I do as they bid, just as the tunnel begins to collapse.
A crack whips overhead. Chunks of ceiling shear away, crashing onto the steps. The wall at my right bulges, groaning, then bursts, sending rocks spilling across my path. The stairs buck beneath my feet. The passage narrows as stone folds in on itself.
In that suffocating moment, the mountain feels alive—furiously unstable and determined to bury every secret it has guarded for centuries, and me with them.
Chapter Four
The Great Rumbling
The Chosen
Abilene, Kansas
Roger has the TV cranked to such a decimal that it’s impossible not to hear the news report even from where Alice stands in the kitchen. The corn is boiling in a pot on the stove, as are the potatoes for tonight’s supper. She’s just adding the sour cream to the casserole and beginning to mix it in as she hears the anchorman say, “The death toll continues to rise tonight as what many health officials are calling ‘the new COVID of this generation’ spreads with alarming speed through Russia, Eastern Europe, and much of Asia.
“Recent satellite data and WHO field reports confirm the outbreak has now reached several regions of South America, and there is growing concern it may already be spreading undetected across other continents.”
Alice turns and steps toward the front room, her spoon still in hand.
“In the past seventy-two hours alone, the number of confirmed fatalities has more than tripled. Experts warn that hundreds of additional cases are likely unreported, particularly in rural areas where access to medical care has been severely disrupted.
“The outbreak’s origin remains unclear. Some officials are investigating whether the pathogen may have emerged from a research facility. Others suggest a deliberate release of an airborne toxin. At this time, none of these theories has been verified. What is known is that this disease behaves unlike anything modern medicine has encountered.”
Alice steps fully into the living room now, drawn by the tension in the anchor’s voice and his warnings. Roger sits frozen in his recliner, eyes glued to the screen.
“Early statements calling this non-airborne have been contested, with several epidemiologists now arguing the transmission pattern strongly suggests otherwise. The pathogen targets the immune system directly, rapidly weakening the body’s ability to fight off even ordinary infections.
“Some researchers have compared its progression to the bubonic plague. Others say it resembles the early days of the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, though this new strain appears both more aggressive and significantly more lethal.”
The screen flashes red as the world map appears. Alice pauses behind Roger, her hand unconsciously gripping the back of his chair.
“As you can see on our map, the original red markers clustered in these three regions are from eight days ago. Now they’ve spread across nearly half the Eastern Hemisphere. The death toll counter in the corner of your screen reflects only verified reports, yet many experts believe the true number is exponentially higher.
“At this hour, global health authorities are urging calm while also acknowledging that containment efforts have thus far failed.”
The anchor’s voice lowers, steady but grim.
“Recovery remains extremely rare. Only a handful of patients worldwide have shown signs of improvement. Few are immune, and most have joined a study to explore this immunity and potentially find a cure.
“The United Nations has declared this outbreak its highest priority as officials now warn this epidemic could reduce populations in some countries by catastrophic percentages if not contained immediately.”
Alice swallows hard, the casserole forgotten. Her gaze is focused on the red indicators of a heavy outbreak devouring the map.
“We will continue to bring you updates as this developing crisis unfolds.”
The anchorwoman beside him, much younger but no less shaken, picks up where he leaves off. “Before we go to commercials, we want to remind viewers that understanding the signs of early infection is critical. When we return, medical specialists will walk us through the symptoms to watch for and what immediate steps to take if you or someone in your household begins to feel ill.
“We will also provide information on where to report potential cases, which emergency hotlines remain active, and how to begin self-quarantine procedures should they become necessary in your area.
“Our goal is to help you stay informed, stay prepared, and stay as safe as possible during this developing crisis.
“We’ll be back with more information right after the break.”
The screen fades to a bright, upbeat commercial for laundry detergent, a jarring contrast to the grim broadcast.
“Oh my God, Roger,” Alice says softly from behind his chair, but he doesn’t answer. “Honey, what should we do? Should I start stocking up on more supplies just in case?”
