Yo was good y'all. This is my first, and only, story about my OC, Julian 'JuJu' Rose. This spin-off is about his journey before and during the roamer outbreak in MrPotassiumK's story, "Infection of The Dead." I'm not a good writer so cut me some slack but any advice is very much appreciated.

Hope y'all enjoy!

P.S.: I changed the day numbers so they match with the main story so the days won't be all over the place throughout both stories. Days will start being numbered when the outbreak occurs.


JuJu walks alone in the woods with the rain pouring on his clothes as he holds his side while blood bleeds through his shirt. He sees the dark red blood on his knife as the rain washes it away.

"I lost everything," he said to himself. "My family, my friends, my sanity... What the fuck have I turned into? The people I killed, the lives I've destroyed. I've seen people I care about get taken from me and I did nothing about it... I... I let them down."

He limps toward a tree and punches it repeatedly with his free hand with all his strength screaming and shedding tears in the process.

"FUCK!" He exclaimed.

He then looks at his hand bruised and bloody and instantly regrets what he did. He sits and leans against the same tree now with a bloody dent in it, in the cold rain, not fazing him as he closes his eyes.

"All I see Is Red."


Chapter 1: Always Strive and Prosper

Part I - Humble Beginnings

Two weeks before the outbreak

It was a cool, cloudy Monday morning In San Diego, California. JuJu wakes up early for a film session for his high school football team. He is 14 years old and also a freshman, but he showed what he can do at practice and was brought up to the varsity team as a Wide Receiver. He has a dream to one day play in the NFL. JuJu is an Afro-Latino, where his mother is Mexican and his father is African American. He has light skin, short black hair, brown eyes, and freckles.

He gets out of bed to brush his teeth and get dressed, putting on a white hoodie with a red Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls jersey over it, black joggers, and white Air Force 1 sneakers with a custom red Nike 'swoosh' one of his friends made for him for his birthday a while back. He goes downstairs, still half asleep, and sees his mother in the kitchen making food.

His mom's name was Maria. She's a social worker who helps with the homeless. She was short with wavy, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and tan skin.

"Hola Mamá! I didn't know you were awake already," says JuJu. "How's Lina feeling?"

"Hola mijo." She replied. "I'm making lunch for your dad. Your sister is still a little sick but I'm gonna take her to the doctor today. Do you want breakfast?

"Oh, hopefully she feels better but I'm good, thanks. I'm gonna take a banana and water though. Can I take the car to school?"

"You don't have your license remember?"

"Come on ma, you know I can drive. Pops taught me well."

"Ok mijo, just don't park in the school parking lot, or else they'll tow the car okay? I love you."

"Yo también. I'll see you after practice."

JuJu then gets the keys and heads to the car. He drives a 1987 Mustang Foxbody that he helped his dad build from the ground up. It has a forest green paint job with white racing stripes and had chrome 19 inch rims with big 275 inch tires in the back and 215-inch tires in the front. He gets in the car and heads off to school. While driving, he turns on the radio and overhears the radio talking about him.

"Last Friday, star freshman, Julian Rose and the rest of Monte Vista High School's football squad had an amazing game in their win on the road against Santana High School with a score of 63 to 10. Rose had 12 catches for almost 200 yards and 3 touchdowns! Just like his dad back in the day. At this rate, he could break the school receiving touchdown record held by his father, D'Angelo Rose. He's also one of few freshmen in the top 100 high school players in the country! Very impressive. We're all rooting for you JuJu!"

He cracks a smile while parking the car one block down from the school and starts to walk the rest of the way. He then hears his name being called from behind.

"Ayo JuJu! Wait up, bro!"

It turns out to be his two friends, Ruben and Isiah. Ruben is the team's starting Quarterback and Isiah is the starting Running Back.

Ruben was tall and skinny with long, wavy brown hair and light skin. He had on a light blue jean jacket with a yellow hoodie under. He also had light blue jeans with yellow and white Vans sneakers.

Isiah was tall and muscular with dark skin and a big Afro. He had on gray sweatpants with a light blue hoodie and had on the UNC Jordan 4 basketball sneakers.

"Aye what's good with y'all boys?" says JuJu happily.

"Sore as fuck, you know how it is," replied Isiah in an exhausted tone.

"Y'all ready for Coach to yell at us for no reason?"

"When are we not?"

"You right, you right."

"You drove here?" asks Ruben.

"Yup, Moms let me drive. Perks of growing up around car people I guess."

"The car looks a lot better than we last saw it. I bet it was a pain to work on."

"Eh, it was alright. Pops and I did things like a new air intake, supercharger, intercooler, forged pistons, new headers, seats, tires, all that shit. The speed is crazy on this thing though. Makes almost 700 horsepower."

"God damn," Isiah says impressed. "How are you not losing control in this thing? You wanna pull a Paul Walker or something?"

"Low blow man," says JuJu.

"Oh shit, my bad. I forgot you liked him."

They all keep talking to each other while they reach the school's campus. The trio heads to the football room to watch the film from the game they played last Friday. They greet their coaches and then wait for the rest of the team to arrive for the film session to begin.

"Hey, Ruben, Isiah, JuJu," says their coach. "You all played great on Friday. People are talking about you three. Keep it up."

"Thanks Coach," the trio says together.

They all high-five each other and continue talking among themselves while the rest of the team arrives. Film is officially in session.

"Alright guys, we are 6-0 but that doesn't change the fact that this week is very important before our bye." Says Coach. "We're up against our rivals, Mount Miguel. We all know about the bad blood we have against each other, but let's keep it classy and strictly business alright? We'll study their film at lunch today. Don't be late or we'll add more to our conditioning at practice today. Got it?"

"YES, COACH!" The team agrees.

"Now let's watch the film and see what we need to improve on, then set up the weight room and have a good lifting session after."


-Hours Later-

When lunchtime came around, JuJu heads back to the football room with his lunch and proceeds to watch the film on his opponents for the upcoming game.

"Rose!" yells Coach.

"Yes, sir" JuJu replies.

"Look at the screen here, when you're one on one with number two, I want you to beat him every play. Let Ruben know what route you're running before the snap. He'll be looking. Number two is bad in one-on-one coverage. If he's playing six or more yards back on you, run a short route. If he's pressing you, beat him deep. We're gonna work on this at practice today."

"Yes, Coach."

"Bro, you better go off this game and break your dad's record," says Ruben. "I'm gonna hit you most of the time."

"You know it," JuJu replies. "Dude doesn't look like he know's what he's doing. I got this."

They laugh and do their handshake.

Three hours go by and JuJu is heading towards the locker room to get dressed for practice. He greets his other teammates and heads to his locker. He opens it and grabs his practice jersey, shoulder pads, cleats, gloves, and helmet. Then, one of his teammates sees his blue and yellow UCLA football gloves.

"Yo JuJu, where did you get those UCLA gloves from bro? Those are fire," he asks.

"Sup bro, I got them from a UCLA scout as a souvenir when I was invited to their campus."

"They offer you a scholarship?"

"Nah, I gotta be at least a junior to receive scholarship offers bro."

"Oh shit that's wassup bro. You gonna make it to the league one day. Keep grinding."

"Thanks my boy, appreciate it."

They do a handshake and put their gear on.

Once JuJu gets dressed, he goes down to the field and warms up by running a lap around the field then plays catch with Ruben until the other teammates arrive.

"Julian!" yells Coach.

"Yes, Coach" JuJu replies.

He sees someone in a navy track jacket with yellow stripes talking with his coach and turns around.

"Julian Rose?" asks the man

"Yes sir, you can call me JuJu," he responds.

"Alright, 'JuJu' I'm Coach Richardson, scout for the University of Michigan. Nice to meet you."

"Oh, same to you. It's an honor."

"I've been watching your highlights son, you have some serious skill and I believe that you can play Division 1 football, and you're just a freshman playing at this level? We'll keep an eye on you."

"Thank you, sir, I appreciate it."

"No problem. I'm going to be at your game on Friday, ball out kid."

"Yes sir, I'll play at the highest level I can."

"Alright, I'll see you Friday."

An hour into practice, Coach calls for one on one's and he calls up JuJu to go up against CJ Henderson. He's a senior and plays Cornerback, ranked number one in the country, and has scholarship offers from LSU, UCLA, University of Florida, Clemson, and Alabama.

"Come on JuJu, show me what you got Lil boy!" remarks CJ in a cocky tone.

"Alright bruh, let's run it." JuJu replies

"Julian, remember where the corner is at" whispers Coach.

"Yes sir."

Ruben gets a ball and does his cadence.

"Down, set, go!"

JuJu blasts off the ball with a burst of speed, he quickly gets past CJ with good footwork and catches an easy ball, right in his hands. He then beats him in back-to-back drills while in the stands is Coach Richardson watching the whole thing. He seems impressed and walks away. JuJu's teammates were losing it as the duel goes on.


-2 Hours later-

After practice, JuJu walks to his car and hears Isiah calling him from behind.

"Aye JuJu, can I have a ride home?"

"Yeah, I got you, bro," JuJu replied.

While in the car, Isiah talks about how JuJu beat CJ one on one multiple times and how everyone on the team was hyped.

"I just learned from the best my boy."

"And who's that?"

"The one and only, Keenan Allen, from my Chargers bruh, who else?"

"Too bad the Chargers suck. Remember what happened last year? The 0-15 Cleveland Browns?"

"Don't remind me… Also, you can't talk Mr. Seahawks fan. What happened in that Super Bowl against New England in 2015? Remember throwing on the one-yard line that led to an interception by Malcolm Butler, one of the worst cornerbacks in the league, when y'all could've handed the ball off to Marshawn Lynch? Yeah right."

"At least we won a Super Bowl you bum."

"Yeah yeah sure sure. Just wait, we are gonna be Super Bowl Champions this year, I'll put money on it."

"You wish. But believe what you want."

JuJu connects his phone to the stereo with an aux cable and plays his music.

"Yo, you heard that song 'Fashion Killa' By ASAP Rocky with Rihanna?" asks JuJu. "It's so fire."

"Nah, I don't listen to Rocky," replied Isiah.

"Damn, well I'm gonna put you on right now."

The track starts playing.

"Her pistol go (bang bang, boom boom, pop pop)"

"Her pistol go (bang bang, boom boom, pop pop)"

"I said her pistol go (bang bang, boom boom, pop pop)"

"'Cause she a fashion killa, and I'm a trendy nigga"

"I said"

"Rockin', rollin', swaggin', to the max"

"My bitch a fashion killa, she be busy popping tags"

"She got a lotta Prada, that Dolce and Gabbana"

I can't forget Escada, and that Balenciaga"

Isiah and JuJu are bobbing their heads to the song enjoying every second of it.

"Bro I didn't even know Rocky was this good, holy shit." Isiah says, amazed.

"See, I told you." JuJu replies. "Just give it a chance."

They finally arrive at Isiah's house.

"Alright bro, I'll see you online later on tonight," says Isiah. "We're gonna play 2k and get on that win streak"

"Aight, I'll catch you after the Monday night game. The chargers are playing tonight." JuJu replies.

"They're gonna lose. They're terrible." Isiah laughs.

"It's the Raiders, the fuck? Ain't no way we gonna lose."

"Alright, whatever you say. I'll see you then."

He then drives home to his mom and dad eating with the Monday Night Football game playing on the TV. JuJu greets his parents and heads upstairs to take a shower. Once he gets out, he puts on comfortable clothes and checks on his sister.

"Hey sis, how are you feeling?" He says.

Her name is short for Paulina. She's 10 years old with long, dark brown curly hair, hazel eyes, and skin a little bit darker than his.

"Hey, JuJu. I'm feeling better. Just got a fever."

"Damn, you'll be fine in the next couple of days, I know it. You coming to my game on Friday?"

"Oh my gosh yes! I'm so excited to see you play big bro!"

"Yeah, it's the biggest game of the year. You better be the loudest person in the stands."

"Haha, you know I will big bro."

"True, now get some rest, we'll talk later."

"Okay."

JuJu leaves his sister's room then heads down the stairs. He goes to the kitchen to get his food from the fridge and heats it to watch the game.

"One day, I'm gonna be playing Monday night under the lights. It's my dream." JuJu says to himself, watching his favorite team.

When the game reached halftime, JuJu's dad changes the channel to the news and they see that there is a new virus going around the world and will soon hit the US.

"This influenza virus will be hitting the northern parts of the U.S. and will soon be goi-"

He changes the channel back to the halftime show.

"Nah, this is gonna be like a cold or something. It ain't no big deal," he says.

He was tall with light brown skin with a buzzcut. He wore sweatpants with a San Diego Chargers hoodie on. His dad was a former college football player, but had a short career due to injuries. He now works as a car importer for his own small business.

"Yo Pops, this could be serious though. What if something goes down?" JuJu adds in.

"I doubt it. How was school Mini Me?"

"It was good. A scout from the University of Michigan pulled up to practice and liked the way I played. He's gonna be at the game on Friday.

"Oh wow! That's good mijo! Congratulations!" said Maria, with a smile on her face.

"Gracias mamá."

"Good stuff son," says D'Angelo. I want you to break my record this Friday, It would make me happy and very proud."

"Yes, sir." JuJu replies.

The game continues and they all watch it together.

Once the game ended, JuJu washes the dishes and heads to his room. He then turns on his PS4 to play with Ruben and Isiah.

"Yo, what up y'all. Let's get this win streak going," remarks JuJu.

"Let's run it!" Isiah replies.

They all begin to play the basketball game, NBA 2k16.

"Aye look, us three need to ball out on Friday alright, this could be our best chance to get looked at by colleges ya' know?" Says JuJu.

"You're right, but you have nothing to worry about," says Ruben. "Remember what you did to CJ? He's one of the top defensive backs in the country with 5 powerhouse schools giving him scholarship offers."

"Yeah, you right but I don't want to be the only one in the spotlight you know? Of course, I'm just as competitive as the next guy, but I never was that type of person. I want to see everyone succeed."

"Respect."

"Facts. Did y'all see the news during halftime?" Asks Isiah.

"Yeah, about the new virus coming to the states?"

"Yeah, that one. You think it could be serious?"

"Man, my pops thought it was a bunch of bullshit not gonna lie," JuJu adds in. "But I think it could mean something else though. He said that it was gonna be like another flu or something like that."

"Damn, let's change the subject," says Ruben. "How's your little sis doing? Heard she was sick."

"She's doing better," JuJu replies. "She's coming to the game this Friday."

"Alright, bet."

2 hours go by and the trio decides to end their game session on a win.

"Aight y'all that's gonna be it for me," says JuJu. "I'll see y'all in the morning."

"Alright, peace." Ruben and Isiah say together.