In the closing days of September 2013, there came troubling reports of a new pandemic spreading
across South America.
Within just a few months, it had spread to over two thirds of the human population.
Those affected were not killed however but mutated into horrific new forms of life and
overcome with primitive animalistic instincts.
Before the catastrophic collapse of global civilization, the World Health Organization
declared these creatures’ victims of the Cordyceps Brain Infection, to the scattered
survivors, they are simply The Infected.
While the Cordycep infection evokes a natural comparison to the zombies or undead of ancient
myth and popular culture, it is in fact the result of a mutation within the otherwise
harmless cordyceps fungus.
In humans, this parasitic fungal infection invades and eventually replaces the host’s
tissue, beginning inside the brain and eventually affecting the entire body.
Those infected undergo a predictable four stage cycle before the host dies and releases
heavily infectious spores.
While these spores are the primary method by which the fungus spreads, bites and scratches
from the Infected produce similar results.
Once the Cordycep fungus has taken root in the brain, typically within one to two days
after being infected, the victim will display increased irritability and hostility towards
others.
Eyesight will worsen as the fungus spreads and the host will become sluggish and passive.
The reaction by those in Stage One to survivors unaffected by the Cordycep Infection is unpredictable.
Some will remain docile until directly provoked while others will become hyper-aggressive
without warning and perhaps involuntarily.
These “runners” as they are known, appear to retain a semblance of humanity, frequently
moaning and at times appearing to resist the cordyceps’ influence.
Within a month after entering Stage One, although sometimes in as little as week, the host will
become covered in fungal, and in rare cases, bioluminescent growth, marking the beginning
of Stage Two.
While these infected retain at least minimal eyesight, they begin to exhibit the development
of a type of pseudo-echolocation and frequently make distinct croaking noises.
Frequently referred to as “stalkers”, infected in this stage display some level
of animalistic instinct, hiding and attempting to close the distance with uninfected individuals
before attacking.
For reasons still unknown, stalkers show a preference for water and are frequently found
in flooded locations.
Roughly a year after infection, the host will enter Stage Three.
Prolonged exposure and excessive fungal growth has rendered them completely blind, but their
echolocation has developed to a point where they are able to navigate entirely by way
of a series of intense screeching or clicking noises.
These “Clickers” possess heightened strength and speed, while the growth of fungal plates
makes them more resilient to both inclement weather and physical attacks.
At this stage, any trace of remaining humanity has been eradicated and Clickers will become
wild and frenzied once provoked with little regard for self preservation.
Disturbingly, Clickers have been observed frantically scratching at the remains of their
eyes, as if trying to fix their blindness.
In most cases, the host will eventually succumb to the infection during phase three.
When near death, the host will attempt to find a dark, moist area so that the fungus
might continue to grow and spread even after the host has died.
In time, fungal growth can cover a large area and emit a cloud of highly contagious spores.
In rare cases however, should a host persist for years or even decades, they will enter
into the final and most dangerous stage of infection.
Completely covered in thick fungal plates and capable of spewing sacks of toxic Mycotoxin,
these “Bloaters” are sluggish and more predictable than earlier stages, but possess
an inhuman level of strength.
Most small-arms are ineffective against Bloaters and only fire can be reasonably relied on
to be effective.
Across the ruins of the world, the scattered survivors of the human race have learned to
live in open spaces with sufficient airflow.
To do otherwise is to invite infection and a truly agonizing form of death.
Many pray that the Fireflies, one of the last organized groups still searching for a vaccine
might be successful, but the pragmatists know better.
In Bestiary, the Templin Institute investigates the creatures and monsters of alternate worlds.
Bestiary is the second of four new pilots we’re introducing day by day this week.
If you’d like to see the Templin Institute investigate Graboids, Pennywise, Godzilla
or others, a pledge of just one dollar a month to our Patreon will get you a vote when the
polls open this Friday.