Hi people, this is my first time writing on fanfiction so there may be a few errors here and there. I am open to any feedbacks and suggestions from you. So...ok, the reason why i'm writing this story, is because i think for most people out there including myself have been very curious to find out what could be the best possible events that happened to the 4 survivors before they met. And how did they meet each other, so i did do abit of research and have thought of creating a story that fits all of those facts about l4d. I think my story might be too plain or slow for some of you, so i hope you could give me some ideas to improve on it. It not might be the best you've read, so i apologise for that. Well anyway, here goes.
Left4Dead
Chapter 1 "Everything has a beginning" (Part 1)
-1 day after the first infection-
"Your dad and I are planning to have a reunion dinner at his place tomorrow night; it's been so long since I've last seen your face. You think you can make it?" a muffled female's voice spoke.
"I'll do my best to be there mom." A girl's voice replied, with obviously no hint of interest in the conversation.
"Zoey…"The voice hesitated "...your dad and I are very worried about your studies. The university administrator called and told us about your attendance, how you're skipping lectures and… "
Zoey interrupted, "It's nothing to worry about mom, I'll just pull up my socks and start studying again." Zoey's eyes were fixed on a muted television screen; she was watching one of her favorite horror movies, The Dawn of the Dead.
"Alright Zoe, we'll discuss this tomorrow night, you seem busy right now."
"No, no it's ok mom", Zoey raised her voice slightly and turned off her television. "I was just about to get dinner."
"Never mind, I have to go for a meeting soon anyway. See you tomorrow. I love you Zoe. Bye."
"I love you too mom, bye."
*beep*
Zoey pressed the end call button on her dormitory's phone. She covered her face with her hands and *signed*. Mom is really gonna give me a long talk tomorrow… She checked her ceiling clock, 6pm. best be getting dinner now. She got up from the floor, took out the horror disc from the video player and kept it, before heading to her closet to change.
Zoey was currently in her first year at Aldrich University in Philadelphia. She shared her small dormitory with her roommate, Charlotte, who was more outgoing and attended classes. Both of them shared a mutual friendship, Charlotte would constantly invite Zoey to hang out with her friends, but Zoey would decline and explain that she was not needed around anyway. She preferred to spend her time in the dorm watching old horror movies, which she loved ever since her father introduced them to her when she was a little girl.
Zoey changed into a dark blue shirt and jeans. Then, she tied her dark brownish shoulder-length hair using a green rubber band into a pony tail, leaving a few strands of hair to fall freely along the side of her face. She slipped on her bluish converse shoe, grabbed her reddish pink jacket and headed out of her dorm room. Zoey kept her wallet and dorm room keys in her jacket's pockets for convenience, so that she wouldn't have to go looking for them every now and then. She closed the door, took out her room keys and locked the door, before placing them back into her pockets.
Zoey's dormitory was located in the female's block on the third floor at a corner. The corridors still smelled the same as she recalled from the last time she breathe in these walkways, the smell of chlorine. As Zoey headed for the staircase, she saw groups of girls waiting for the lift to arrive. She couldn't understand why those girls had to wait to take the lifts, when the staircase was always useable and they were on the third floor. The girls didn't seem to notice Zoey as she walked past them; she made her way down the flight of steps before finally reaching ground floor. She pushed open the exit door and inhaled the fresh air.
The sun was setting behind the city's skyline and Zoey felt the cool air hitting her, winter was coming soon. At least I have my jacket with me, which she put on. Zoey walked past her college's entrance gate and stopped at the traffic lights. She decided to have dinner at one of her favorite haunts, burger tank, which was just across the street. The roads appeared to be empty, with a few cars sprinting down the road. While she waited under the traffic light, a professor from the college came up from behind and stood beside her.
He was dressed in the usual "professor attire" with a red tie and white long sleeve shirt. Everything about him was normal. He was a middle-age man who taught quantum physics at the university. But something about him made Zoey took a second look at him. He was coughing ever since he came and stood beside her, his skin looked pale and his eyes dry. He had something in him, something that made him sick. Zoey tried to recall any type of flu she knew that would give people such an awful appearance, none. This was different.Zoey felt that he looked like someone from one of the zombie shows she had watched, before they turned that is.
Curiously, Zoey asked the professor in a respectful tone, "Pardon me professor but are you sick?"
*cough* "I'm fine thank you. Probably one of those cold flu, must have caught it from…wait, how did you know I was a professor?" The professor replied in a croaky tone, as though his throat was filled with mucus.
"I…study here." She whispered softly.
"I see. Your name is Zoey, am I right? All the professors have been talking about you."
"Yea, but why were they talking about me?"
"You missed a handful of lectures already. The professors are thinking of withdrawing you from Aldrich, unless you stop fooling around." The professor's tone suddenly became serious as though he was interrogating her.
Zoey's head hung low as she tried her best to come up with an honest tone she could most possibly master and muttered, "I make it a point to come for lectures now."
*cough* the green man soon lit up and the two of them started crossing the road.
"Good. Well anyway, I'm not here to drag you back to the lecture room. You're going for dinner?"
Zoey nodded her head slightly.
"Where are you planning to eat? I'm heading down to Eunos eateries; you could join me if you want."
"It's ok, I have plans already."
"Up to you, see you around the college then." The professor soon turned and walked down the street, still coughing.
Just my day, first was mom and now this. Zoey turned and walked the other way, before reaching the brightly lit Burger Tank. She pushed open the glass door and headed for the counter. The air was filled with the smell of fried meat patties and French fries. This was so enticing that Zoey's stomach began to growl. The place seemed empty; it would usually be crowded with families and students who were studying late into the night. A few groups of students sat in the corners of the restaurant gossiping amongst them. The place was relatively quiet, apart from the sound produced by the television in the middle of the restaurant.
"Good evening and what can I do for you?" The girl at the counter asked Zoey shyly. She wore the red and white uniform, with the Burger Tank cap. The girl appeared to be somewhat the same age as Zoey.
Zoey did not have to look at the displayed menu on the wall; she had been here multiple times before and knew exactly what she wanted.
"I'll take set B please." Zoey said in a sweet voice, she pitied the girl. A girl like her age shouldn't be working so early, it didn't seem right. It made Zoey question what she was doing at the university.
Immediately the girl left the counter to prepare the order, while Zoey waited patiently and the counter.
The girl seemed new, Zoey had never seen her before. Zoey looked around scanning the area; the other 3 counters were closed. She looked at the clock and found out that it was only 6.35pm. Still too early for so many staff to go home. That's weird. The tables and floors were somewhat clean, that meant not many people came today.
The girl came back with a tray in her hand with Zoey's orders which she then passed to Zoey. "That would be $5.50.", She said, opening the cashier as well. Zoey handed the money over to her and she placed them neatly in the holders. Zoey then asked, "Excuse me, but what happen to the other staff?"
The girl looked shocked, as though Zoey was threatening her with a knife, she didn't expected customers to ask questions unrelated to what was on the menu.
"They called in sick for the day. Many of them have not been turning up for work since yesterday. I think it has something to do with the 'green' flu. The news is about to start soon, probably they'll know more than I do." She uttered softly.
Zoey recalled hearing something about the 'green flu'. Yes, I remember last night's news.
"Ok thanks, you take care now…" Zoey saw the girl's nametag: Jamie "...Jamie." Zoey smiled and said to Jamie, before making her way to a table in front of the television and sat down.
Zoey ate her meal and watched the television in front of her.
"Good evening, you are with Michael Bande on Channel News 5 tonight. The government has released a warning to those infected by any illness to proceed to Mercy Hospital for a medical check-up and quarantine. As well as cautioning those who are well to stay away from people who seem sick. This is because of the fear of a new and highly contagious flu, the green flu. So far, almost 489 people have been reported dead due to this new flu and hundreds more are being admitted into hospitals all over the US. Next the government has reported to cut back on…."
Zoey couldn't believe such a small flu could infect hundreds in a day. She didn't seem quite bothered by it though. In time everything will be back in control again, just like the past few flu-epidemics over the years. Zoey was soon finished with her meal. Still as delicious. She brought the tray to the counter and left it there before proceeding back to the university.
The sky was pure black now, only a few stars could be seen, due to the bright city lights and buildings. Lights were shown from the windows of various building, apartments, business buildings, shopping malls… Giving the city a completely different view from as it was in the day. The weather was cold now, really cold. Even with a jacket Zoey soon felt the chill, when a wind blew. She hurried into the safety of the girl's dormitory building. As Zoey walked up the stairs she noticed the same group of girls which she saw before she left walking down the steps and coughing. It might be the flu. She walked briskly back to her dorm room, got out her keys, opened the door and slammed it shut. Charlotte was already in the dormitory watching the news intently.
"Hey, did you see the news? About the green flu?" She turned and asked Zoey in a worried voice.
"Yes I did, why?" Zoey was wondering what she could possibly be asking.
"They say it has just infected over 8 million people, near upstate New Jersey and Boston. That's near where we are."
"That's…impossible I just, heard the news only ten minutes ago. They said only a few hundreds."
"They also said the virus is mutating."
Zoey felt a sense of fear and worriedness. She took off her jacket and sat beside her friend.
"It's going to be ok. I'm sure they will find a way to stop this soon." Zoey tried to comfort her friend. She knew why Charlotte was worried. Charlotte's parents stayed in New Jersey. Tears soon started sliding down Charlotte's cheeks. Zoey feeling sorry for her placed one hand over Charlotte's shoulders and decided to stay up with her. It was the least she could do to help ease her pain.
That very same night. In a pub on the other side of the city of Philadelphia.
"Hey Duke wanna show them how it's done?" A man with a low and strong voice spoke up above the noise.
"I don't know man, I'm too tired of messing with those wussies." Duke replied in a monotonous voice. "Besides it's not worth getting their attention, I ain't going to jail at this time in my life!"
"Oh come on, don't be such a chicken."
"Why don't you go ahead first, Francis. Besides you are the one who suggested it. I'll cover your drink in this bar. No worries it won't be going anywhere except my tummy." *laughs loudly*
"Fine then, either way I'm going."
Francis made his way out of the pub and into the back alley. It smelled of garbage, the sound of dogs barking could be heard. Francis had a muscular build-up body with tattoos on his arms and neck. They represented him as a member 'hell's legion', a biking organization. He wore thick black jeans, with black boots and a black vest which he wore on top of his white singlet beneath it. Francis hated the police, everywhere he went they seemed to follow him, as though he was responsible for all the crimes committed. Though Francis favored motorcycles, he didn't have one or at least he used to, till he lost his license two days ago. Lucky for Francis, he knew how to get what he wanted, by stealing. He had just pickpocketed his friend duke's motorcycle keys which he was about to use to get to Zoid's Pawnshop. Francis' goal for the night was a flat screen television for his home
Francis got on his friends' bike, put on his biker gloves and started the bike up. It roared up like a majestic lion to Francis, ready to take on the road ahead and he rode off.
