4:25 am

The deer sprinted through the empty street, puffing out clouds of white breath into the chill tundra air. Normally a creature such as himself would not dare venture into such arctic environments without the proper clothes, but this wasn't exactly a normal occasion. Plus, the temperature had increased as the great machines that kept the districts terraformed broke down, so that even he could bear it. Just. For without constant surveillance and repairs, the city was slowly reverting back to its original chapparal state, although the deer was fairly certain most of the inhabitants would not care.

They were beyond that. Beyond anything really, including death.

The deer grimaced, and kept running.

-=Z=-

4:40 am

Paws slapped the pavement in a quiet rhythm, accompanied by the puffing exertions of the deer as he stared ahead, ignoring the spots in his eyes. He wanted to stop, his body wanted him to stop, but a cursory glance behind him confirmed that such an action would be suicide. He knew he was going to die, any minute now, but he wanted to do it on his terms, go painlessly and at peace with himself, not become one of those... things that were pursuing him. Yet, until that phone in his paw lit up, he wasn't going anywhere.

-=Z=-

4:50 am

There were more. More that had joined in this desperate chase for freedom. Not his own, but he had accepted that. So, in a sad, twisted way, he was glad there were more. It meant he was doing his job.

-=Z=-

4:55 am

He had circled around for the last time. It had been completely empty when he came through, at least as far as he could see, and it was again, he was certain. Now he ran without direction. With a purpose, which kept him going, but without a set location. So he took it upon himself to just enjoy the scenery. Sure, the buildings were in a sorry state, despite the few weeks that had passed since this had all began, but there were parts that shone through, untouched, and they were what he focused on. A budding flower, fighting the receding frost. A beautiful painting of a rabbit displayed in a window. A spectacular sunrise, deep reddish hues splattered across the sky like...

He looked back down. He had seen enough of that.

-=Z=-

4:58 am

A new one had joined the pack, and the deer had to push harder than ever to keep the distance. His efforts did little, however, for the distance was receding between himself and the... well, he would have said predator, but wasn't every animal a predator now?

The deer looked at his phone again, hoping. Hoping.

-=Z=-

4:59 am

The phone buzzed.

We're safe. 36 Alcassant Lane. See you soon.

The deer smiled a sad smile. He wanted to text back, tell them that he couldn't, that he loved them but couldn't come back because the bad animals would come after him. He trusted his wife to keep them safe, keep them out of harms way. His sacrifice hadn't been for nothing. He smiled again, a humorless smile, as his phone beeped. No signal. Finally. He had been surprised the towers lasted as long as they did, what with the terraformers already breaking down and the city's generators slowing.
The deer heard the snapping of jaws behind him, and didn't even have to turn to know that it was there, the others close behind.

It was time.

-=Z=-

5:00

The deer skidded around a corner, and behind him his pursuers went wide, giving him just enough time to dive through a shop door and slam it shut. He locked it, even though he knew it wouldn't hold for long. Plus, the large glass windows probably weren't the best protection. He was just thankful the shop was empty. He heard a bell toll, signaling the hour. That was still going, too, without a care in the world that it rung on dead ears.
The pounding on the door began, and the sound of splintering wood filled the room.

The deer glanced at his phone one more time, whispered his love, and pulled out the knife.

-=Z=-

5:51 am

By the time those flesh - eating bastard smashed their way in, the deer was dead, and as bloody as the sunrise he had shunned only earlier. Not that they cared. It was meat. Still warm, and uninfected. And that was all that mattered.
Vile, horrible, disgusting.

This was the infection.