Tales of a Man
(Prelude to Eyes of a Ranger)
Prologue
-Setting and Blurb-
The story starts out a week before the first official outbreaks in Pennsylvania. Thomas Austin Murphy is a freshman college student at SFA University. Despite being an "average" student, he would have never thought fate would bring him towards becoming a legendary zombie hunter.
-Your Average Kid-
"Green Flu causes concern for CEDA" read one of the news links. It wasn't the main headline on the Drudge Report, but it was located near the bottom of the page. Ever since the end of summer, medical experts have been discussing about this disease that appeared out of nowhere in China and was spreading around the globe. While this "rabid-like" virus concerns several scientists, many pundits and others have dismissed the Green Flu as another "hoax" pandemic. The fact that the Swine Flu failed to do more damage than the regular flu and the Bird Flu failed to evolve into the next black plague, many aren't getting into the hype of this disease. Add the embarrassments of Climate gate and the mistakes of the IPCC report, and you have a public that is completely cynical towards the scientific and doomsayer community.
Still, the young Thomas Austin Murphy still clicks on the link because he is interested in this disease. While he did have a cynical view of the Green Flu, he worried if it did become a pandemic. Not only that, but he was also fascinated with, if the rumors were true, that the disease was turning people into zombies. Ever since the first public outbreak in South Africa, Thomas has been digesting whatever information he could get his hands about this virus. Despite naysayers saying it'll never hit the U.S or it'll never be that big, Thomas had to be prepared.
As he started read the article, he pulled out a Twinkie, opened its packaging, and started to eat it. "Man, I got to make sure store plenty of these before all hell breaks loose," chuckled the teenager. Even though Twinkies weren't part of a healthy diet, they were the ultimate survivor's food, being the fact they could last forever, even after a nuclear war. Still, he wondered if he could survive a zombie outbreak. He wasn't the fittest of people, but wasn't fat either. He does take part in his battalion's "ranger challenge" program every morning. Plus the fact he's been taking martial arts lessons and been weight training, he's in good shape. Even though he already gained his "Freshman 15", it was good weight and needed weight too, since before that he was less than 130 pounds. Besides being in shape, he did have a loaded shotgun hidden underneath his bed. It was a SPAZ-12 shotgun that he bought at a gun show a week ago. Despite it was against school rules and the law, he knew his shotgun was going to be useful. Besides that, he isn't the only student who holding on to illegal contrabands. He wasn't going to allow a Virginia Tech incident to convince him to give up his 2nd Amendment rights, even though the shooting happened in a "gun-free" school.
As he finished reading the article, his roommate came busting in. His name was Timothy Reilly, or better known as Tank. He was a 6"2 football player. He was big and well fit like any athlete. He had blonde short hair and a blonde go tee. He wore a black leather coat, his football jersey, blue jeans, and sneakers. He was a sociable guy, a party man; you know, your typical frat boy. Though despite their differences, Tank and Thomas were good friends and Tank was a good wingman whenever the duo went out.
"Ok Tommy boy, we are going to hang out tonight," said Tank, "just you and me, bro."
"Sorry, I can't," declined Thomas, "I got work to finish up."
"But bro, I need you," insisted Tank, "Jessie is like having the biggest party ever, and I need you to be my wingman."
"Sorry Tank, but parties aren't my thing," replied Thomas. He could never understand why drinking alcohol and trying to "score" on chicks was a huge thing. He couldn't stand the taste of beer and he was modest towards women, maybe too modest.
Tank walked up to his roommate and looked at the computer screen. "Dude, you shouldn't be all wild up about this Green Flu shit," stated Tank. "It's just going to be another Swine Flu. I don't understand why people can just calm down about it."
"I know," half-lied Thomas, "but it's still kind of interesting. Besides, they're saying that it's turning people into zombies."
"Damnit Thomas, have you been playing too many video games? There is no such thing as zombies. I mean that is all I ever see you do here is like play video games, or go on that Drudge Report; you need to get a life."
"I do have a life," argued Thomas, "I work out in the morning with my ROTC buddies, then I go to classes, then I have lunch, then I have more classes, then I go to the gym and workout, then I come here to chill."
"This is what I mean, you're life is too scheduled," said Tank. "You need to spice it up. Come on, man, join me. I hear Michelle might be attending."
Suddenly, Thomas's interest in this gathering rose. Ever since his first days at SFA, he has had a crush on Michelle Overbeck. Her brown hair, her green eyes, and her slim figure, that sweet voice: she was the perfect girl in Thomas's eyes. Despite being in the same History class, he couldn't figure out a way to approach the girl. During lunch, he would sit three tables away from her, just staring at her while she chatted with her girlfriends. Maybe going to this party wouldn't hurt.
"Alright, I'm in," gave in Thomas.
"Perfect, I knew you would tag along," said Tank.
"So, do I need change or anything like that?" asked Thomas.
"Nah, you're fine," answered Tank, "unless you want to change. I don't care."
Thomas then examined his clothing. He was wearing his gray high school letterman jacket, a white polo shirt, and blue jeans. He didn't really need a shave, for he shaved that morning. His dark brown hair was short, so couldn't really mess with it. After a good minute, he felt he was ready and he went out the door with his friend to the party.