Chapter 1: Infected with Rage

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"It's been months since everything fell apart—since the world turned into something unrecognizable, and I lost so many people I cared about. When I boarded that boat, I thought it was just the beginning of a crazy adventure—a chance to win some cash, make new friends, maybe even have some fun. I never imagined it would mean leaving everything behind"

"My home... my school... my old friends... my parents. All gone. If I had known what I know now, maybe I could have done something—saved someone. But there's no point wishing for a past that's gone, no matter how much I want to turn back time."

"All that matters now is moving forward. The past... it's like quicksand. If I keep looking back, I'll never escape it. I have to focus on what's ahead, even if the road feels impossible."

"This will be the last thing I write in this journal. Tomorrow, we leave this island and head for the mainland. If anyone finds this... if you're reading these words... then you'll know what happened here."

"We came to this island as a group of ordinary teenagers, ready to compete in a game show. We were supposed to fight for fame, fortune, and bragging rights. Instead, we fought for our lives—against monsters, yes, but also against ourselves. Against fear, despair, and the ugliest parts of what survival can bring out in people."

"Those infected with rage... they took so much from us, but they didn't take everything. Not yet."

"My name is Cody Emmett Jameson Anderson, and this is goodbye. For now, at least."

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The sun hung high in a pristine blue sky, casting a golden glow over everything it touched. It was the kind of day that felt like a gift—warm but not stifling, with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of pine trees and wildflowers. The river nearby flowed lazily, its surface so smooth and reflective it seemed like a polished mirror. When Cody took a deep breath, he felt the crisp, clean air fill his lungs, carrying with it the undeniable essence of nature.

It was almost too perfect. Cody couldn't quite explain why a day like this would greet him, but he was glad for it. As the boat gently cut through the water, he found himself grinning. If this was any indication of how the summer would go, it was already off to a great start.

He was on his way to an island—a big one, smack in the middle of Georgian Bay—where he and a bunch of other teens were about to compete for a hefty cash prize. Winning would be amazing, of course, but for Cody, this was about more than just the money. He wanted adventure, a chance to meet new people, and maybe even make some lifelong friends. His circle back home was fine, but he'd always wanted to broaden it. Who knew? Maybe he'd even meet a girl who'd give him butterflies. Hey, a guy could dream, couldn't he?

"Hey! Kid! We're here!" The gruff voice of the boat captain snapped Cody out of his thoughts.

Cody stood up, brushing his hands against his shorts before glancing ahead. His breath hitched slightly as the island came into view—a sprawling landscape of towering trees, sandy shores, and rugged cliffs. It was even bigger and more beautiful than he'd imagined. His excitement bubbled over, and a wide grin stretched across his face.

The boat slowed to a stop at a wooden dock that jutted out into the water. As soon as they were close enough, Cody grabbed his backpack and hopped off with a bit of a bounce in his step. Turning back to the captain, he beamed.

"Thanks for the ride!" Cody said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

The captain tipped his cap with a small grin. "Don't mention it, kid. Just try to have fun out there, and good luck with the competition."

"Thanks! I'll need it," Cody replied with a chuckle before turning toward the pathway leading to the cabins and other buildings.

The dock creaked softly under his sneakers as he started walking, his heart racing with anticipation. Whatever lay ahead—whether it was challenges, rivalries, or friendships—Cody felt ready for it. This wasn't just another summer; this was the start of something unforgettable.

As Cody made his way along the winding dirt path leading to the campgrounds, the landscape opened up, revealing a cluster of rustic cabins surrounded by tall trees and open clearings. The faint hum of voices reached his ears, and before long, a group of teens emerged from one of the cabins, their chatter fading as they noticed him approaching.

The group consisted of a variety of personalities that were immediately evident, even from a distance. There was a guy with a laid-back grin and a distinct surfer vibe, this was Geoff Adams. Next to him stood a tall, athletic girl with a determined expression, Eva Gossard. A pair of best friends, Katie Reeds and Sadie Newman, were giggling and whispering to each other, clearly inseparable. Beth Greer adjusted her thick glasses nervously while glancing at the newcomers, while Trent Flagg strummed a guitar absentmindedly, his relaxed demeanor radiating an air of cool. Gwen Manson, with her dark blueish black hair and dark aesthetic, stood slightly apart, looking curious but guarded. Leading the group was Noah Dent, who carried himself with a sense of disinterest, his sharp eyes and sarcastic smirk suggesting he was already sizing Cody up.

Noah was the first to speak, his voice dripping with deadpan sarcasm. "Well, what do you know? Geoff was right, another contestant decided to show up a day early,"

Cody paused mid-step, a bit caught off guard by the remark, but quickly recovered with a friendly smile. "Yeah, I figured I'd get here early and scope the place out" Cody said. "Guess I wasn't the only one with that idea,"

Geoff grinned and stepped forward, offering Cody a fist bump. "That's the spirit, bro! Gotta get a good feel for the competition, right? Name's Geoff, by the way, and you are?"

"Cody, Cody Anderson," Cody returned the gesture, feeling a little more at ease.

"Cody, huh? Cool," Trent said, strumming a quick chord on his guitar. "Welcome to the madhouse, man, hope you're ready for some chaos,"

Katie and Sadie exchanged a look before Katie chimed in with an enthusiastic wave. "Hi, Cody! I'm Katie, and this is Sadie, it's nice to meet you!"

"Totally nice!" Sadie echoed, nodding eagerly.

Gwen, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow at him. "Well, at least you seem normal enough," She told him "That's already better than some of these people," She shot a pointed look at Noah, who shrugged indifferently.

Beth stepped forward nervously, adjusting her glasses. "I think it's really cool you came early! Shows initiative!" Beth told him. "I'm Beth, by the way,"

"Nice to meet you, Beth," Cody said warmly before looking at Eva, who was still standing back with her arms crossed.

Eva gave him a curt nod. "Eva, don't slow us down, and we'll get along fine," she told him.

Cody chuckled nervously, unsure if that was a warning or an attempt at humor. "Noted," he replied.

Noah let out an exaggerated sigh. "Well, great, another optimist... This is shaping up to be a real party,"

Cody couldn't help but grin at the mix of personalities he'd just encountered. It was clear this summer was going to be anything but boring. "Looks like I'm in for an interesting time," he said.

"Interesting is one way to put it," Gwen muttered, but there was the faintest hint of a smile on her lips.

Cody hauled his bag inside the cabin and set it down beside a pile that the others informed him was the "boys' pile." It wasn't exactly the most organized system, but it worked. With his stuff squared away, he made his way to the far end of the cabin where everyone had gathered in a loose circle, their chatter filling the space with energy. Spotting an open spot next to Beth and Geoff, he slid into it, greeted by their welcoming smiles.

"Hey, Cody!" Geoff said, leaning back casually. "Settling in okay?"

"Yeah, so far so good," Cody replied, glancing around at the rest of the group.

Katie, sitting across from him, perked up and shot him a curious look. "So, Cody," she began, her tone warm and inviting, "what made you want to join the show?"

Before Cody could answer, Noah let out a dramatic sigh and rolled his eyes. "For the money, obviously," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What other reason could there possibly be?"

Trent, sitting on the floor with his guitar resting across his lap, gave Noah a disapproving glance. "Not everything's about money, Noah,"

"True," Noah admitted with a shrug, "but let's be honest—it's the biggest reason most of us are here,"

Cody chuckled softly at Noah's bluntness, but he turned his attention back to Katie. "Well, Noah's not totally wrong," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "The money's definitely a big draw, but it's not the only reason, I figured it'd be a chance to have some fun and, you know, maybe make some friends along the way, I'm not exactly the most popular guy at my school,"

Geoff raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Really, dude? No friends at all?"

"Not a lot," Cody replied, his voice quiet but honest. "The only people I really consider friends are the ones in my programming class, they're great and all, but it'd be nice to have a bigger group, you know? People to hang out with outside of school,"

"Programming? Like computers and stuff?" Geoff asked, tilting his head curiously.

Noah let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing his arms. "Know any other type of programming, bro?" he said, his tone dripping with annoyance.

Cody and Geoff exchanged a quick glance and, choosing to ignore Noah's remark, Cody turned to Geoff with a grin. "Yeah, that's the one, I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I'd say I'm pretty tech-savvy!" He puffed out his chest playfully, a proud smirk on his face.

Geoff chuckled at Cody's theatrics. "Well, as long as you've got good vibes, dude, I think we'll get along just fine," He clapped Cody on the back in a friendly manner.

Trent nodded from his spot nearby, strumming a casual chord on his guitar. "Yeah, same here, chill is all that matters, man,"

Noah shrugged, clearly unimpressed but willing to give Cody a chance. "As long as you can hold a halfway decent intellectual conversation, I guess I can tolerate hanging around you,"

Cody laughed lightly, shaking his head at Noah's bluntness. "I'll take that as a compliment," He told Noah and then looked back at the others. "Thanks, guys, it means a lot,"

Beth, who had been quietly listening, piped up with a smile. "I'd like to be your friend too, Cody! Honestly, I kind of know how you feel, I don't have a lot of friends myself, so it's nice to meet someone who gets it,"

Cody looked at her, eyebrows raised in genuine surprise. "Really?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

Beth scratched the back of her head, her cheeks tinged with slight embarrassment as she nodded. "Yeah... I've pretty much lived on a farm for most of my life, I was also homeschooled, so I didn't really get to meet a lot of people my age," She gave a small, sheepish laugh before continuing. "Honestly, I think my best friend is probably my pet pig, Bertha,"

The room went quiet for a moment before Cody broke it with an encouraging shrug. "Hey, that doesn't sound so bad," he said, flashing her a friendly smile. "For a long time when I was a kid, my best friend was pretty much my pet hamster,"

Beth's eyes lit up at that, a grin spreading across her face. "Aww! That's so cute!"

Noah, sitting cross-legged with his arms resting on his knees, raised an eyebrow and muttered under his breath, "That's... really sad,"

Hearing Noah's snarky comment, Gwen rolled her eyes and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, her glare sharp but not entirely serious. "Jerk," she muttered.

"Ow!" Noah yelped, rubbing his arm with an exaggerated pout.

Cody stifled a laugh at the interaction, finding the dynamic between them amusing. Shaking his head, he decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Alright, so what made you guys sign up for the show?" he asked, glancing around the group.

Noah didn't miss a beat, replying quickly and bluntly, "Money,"

Beth smiled and nodded as she chimed in. "Pretty much the same reason as you, Cody, plus, the money would really help out with my family's farm, we could upgrade some equipment and make things easier for everyone,"

Geoff chuckled, leaning back with his signature relaxed grin. "I signed up because it seemed like a blast, dude, I'm all about good vibes and having a great time, and hey, with that prize money, I could throw some epic parties and just live easy for a while,"

Trent raised a fist toward Geoff, his guitar momentarily forgotten. "Same here, man, good times, good vibes, gotta love it,"

Geoff grinned and gave Trent's fist a solid pump. "You know it, bro,"

Cody smiled at their easy camaraderie before turning his attention to Gwen, who was resting her chin on her hand. She glanced up at him, her expression thoughtful. "For me? I wanted to challenge myself, I mean, the whole competition thing sounded like an adventure, and I could use more friends, so, why not?" She hesitated briefly, then added, "And yeah, the prize money doesn't hurt, If I win, I could finally pursue my passion for art—maybe even go to school for it,"

Cody's expression brightened. "That's awesome, Gwen,"

"Thanks," Gwen said, her lips curving into a small smile.

Sadie smiled brightly, her enthusiasm clear as she spoke. "We thought it'd be fun, and we really wanted to test our friendship! Katie and I have been best friends for as long as we can remember, and we figured this would be a great way to see just how far our friendship could take us,"

Katie nodded eagerly, her excitement practically contagious. "Yeah! And if we win the money, we'd probably save some of it for later... but honestly, we'd use most of it to make our own mall!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with the dream.

Cody couldn't help but laugh at Katie's comment. "Your own mall? What kind of mall are we talking about here?"

Katie grinned, leaning forward as if sharing a secret. "Oh, you know, the ultimate mall—everything from clothes to food courts to an arcade! A total hangout spot for everyone!"

Sadie nodded fervently. "And we'd design it to have the best vibes! It'd be, like, the perfect place for friends to meet up!"

Cody chuckled again, shaking his head. "Well, I gotta admit, that sounds pretty cool!" Turning his attention to Eva, Cody tilted his head curiously. "What about you, Eva? Why'd you join the show?"

Eva, who had been quietly observing the conversation, shifted her gaze to Cody. Her expression was as blank as ever, but there was a weight in her tone when she finally spoke. "I wanted to test myself, push my limits and see what I'm really made of," She hesitated for a moment, her jaw tightening slightly before continuing. "And... I've been dealing with some stuff—personal issues, I thought maybe this could help me work through it, you know?"

Cody nodded, his expression softening. "I get that,"

Eva gave a small shrug, her tough exterior still intact. "And, well... the money wouldn't hurt either, it could help my parents out a lot, things have been tight at home,"

Beth smiled encouragingly. "That's a really good reason, Eva," She said. "I think it's great you're doing this for your family as well,"

Eva glanced at her and gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "Thanks,"

The group fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of everyone's individual reasons for being there settling in. Cody couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for the diverse goals and dreams everyone brought to the table.

Cody looked around at the group, leaning forward with an eager grin. "So, anyone have any ideas for how we can pass the time?"

Geoff's face lit up as he slung a friendly arm around Cody's shoulders. "Oh, I've got just the thing, my friend," he said, his toothy grin practically radiating excitement.

As it turned out, Geoff's idea of fun was a beach party. The group found a makeshift volleyball net strung between two wooden poles on the sandy shore. The sight of it immediately sparked enthusiasm, and they decided to give it a go. Well, most of them—Noah, predictably, opted to stay on the sidelines, reclining in the shade with a book in hand and muttering something about "letting the athletes tire themselves out."

The teams were quickly sorted. On one side of the net stood Geoff, Trent, Cody, and Eva, all hyped and ready to go. On the other side, Sadie, Katie, Beth, and Gwen exchanged determined looks, clearly up for the challenge.

At first, Cody's team dominated, with Geoff diving for spikes and Eva proving to be surprisingly agile and powerful on the court. Cody, though not the most athletic, managed to hold his own, coordinating well with his teammates. But just when it seemed like they had the game in the bag, the girls' team found their rhythm.

Beth served with precision, Gwen surprised everyone with her quick reflexes, and Katie and Sadie's enthusiasm was infectious. One by one, they racked up points, eventually securing a narrow victory. The girls erupted into cheers, high-fiving and laughing, while Geoff jokingly collapsed onto the sand, groaning in mock defeat.

"Alright, rematch!" Geoff declared, jumping to his feet and shaking off the loss.

They played a few more games, switching up the teams to keep things fresh. Cody found himself paired with Gwen at one point, and the two worked surprisingly well together. Meanwhile, Eva's competitive streak kept everyone on their toes, and even Beth, who initially seemed unsure, grew more confident with each game.

Between matches, the group took breaks to cool off in the sea, splashing around and enjoying the refreshing water. Some stretched out on the sand to soak up the sun, chatting and laughing as they shared stories about home.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of orange and pink, they realized how late it had gotten. Deciding to wind down, the group built a fire near the shore, its warm glow casting flickering shadows across their faces.

They gathered around it, talking and laughing as the evening wore on. Geoff shared tales of his wild adventures back home, earning groans and laughs in equal measure. Beth spoke about life on her family's farm, while Gwen talked about her love of art and how she'd discovered her passion.

Cody found himself opening up, sharing stories about his programming class and the mishaps that often came with it. Even Eva, who had been reserved for most of the day, contributed a few remarks about her training regimen and how she wanted to push herself to new limits.

By the time the stars filled the sky, the group was relaxed and content. Cody leaned back, feeling the cool sand beneath him and the warmth of the fire on his face.

It had been a good day—a great day, even. Cody couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this at ease around a group of people. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged.

Geoff leaned back, tossing a stick into the fire to keep it going, then glanced over at Cody with an easy grin. "Hey, Cody, think you can check if they've got any hot dogs in the kitchen?"

Cody looked up from where he was seated and nodded. "Yeah, sure, no problem," he replied, dusting off his hands as he stood.

"Thanks, man," Geoff said, leaning back with his hands behind his head. "And hey, if they've got anything to cool us off, grab that too, I could really go for a nice cold drink right about now,"

Cody raised an eyebrow, suspecting where Geoff's mind was heading. "You mean, like, Coke or Sprite, right?" he asked cautiously. "Because, uh, I think we're still a little too young to drink,"

Geoff let out a hearty laugh, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, hey, I hear you, dude, you only live once, you know? But nah, I'm not trying to get plastered, a good soda will do me just fine," he said with a wink.

Cody chuckled, relieved. "Alright, sounds good, I'll see what I can find," he said, turning toward the path leading back to the cabins.

As he made his way up the trail, the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore accompanied him. The night air was cool, a nice contrast to the warmth of the fire, and the distant chatter of the others slowly faded as Cody approached the camp buildings.

Spotting a building that looked like the kitchen, he quickened his pace, eager to get back before he missed any more of the group's stories. When he opened the door, the faint hum of a refrigerator greeted him, along with the faint sound of voices. Cody paused, tilting his head.

'Are there people in here?' he wondered.

Following the sound, he walked deeper into the kitchen, half-expecting to find members of the production crew organizing supplies or prepping for tomorrow. Instead, he was surprised to see a small television mounted in the corner of the room, its screen flickering with what appeared to be a news broadcast.

The voices he'd heard weren't live—it was just the TV. Cody frowned, finding it odd that the television was even on. The room was empty, no sign of anyone else around.

He approached the counter near the fridge, his eyes flicking to the screen as he started searching for drinks and snacks.

The female news anchor's voice continued to echo through the small kitchen, her words taking on a chilling weight.

[In other news, the United Kingdom has closed itself off from the rest of the world, putting itself in quarantine after a deadly biological virus, which many are calling the 'Rage Virus,' has escaped a lab and begun infecting thousands by the hour,] she reported, her tone steady but tense.

Cody moved a few things around on the counter as he searched for the drinks. He found several 12-packs of Coke, Sprite, Crush, and Mountain Dew stacked neatly in one corner. A small sigh of relief escaped him—at least he didn't have to go looking for drinks. But then his mind shifted back to his original goal: hot dogs. He continued rummaging through the cabinets, mentally preparing himself for the search for buns, mustard, and ketchup, realizing it was going to take longer than expected.

Meanwhile, the anchor's voice continued on the TV, unaware of Cody's distracted search.

[However, containing the virus in the UK may have proven to be futile, as reports from Ireland, France, and Germany have confirmed that the virus has spread there as well,] she continued, her words now tinged with a sense of urgency. [There are unfortunately conflicting reports about the virus reaching the US and Mexico, and it is still unclear if the virus has made its way across the ocean to our shores... For now, all we can do is wait as the situation unfolds,]

"Can't believe what the world has come to these days," said a gruff voice from behind Cody.

Cody jumped, startled by the unexpected sound. Whipping around, his eyes widened as he came face-to-face with a towering man of African-Canadian descent. The man was dressed in a light brown-yellowish shirt and a pair of light green pants, his muscular build giving off an intimidating presence. He was staring intently at the mini-TV, his expression one of disappointment, as if the news had already broken something inside him.

For a moment, Cody stood frozen, unsure of how to react. Finally, after a few seconds of awkward silence, he found his voice. "Who are you?!" he asked, his words coming out more shrill than he intended.

The man turned his head slowly, giving Cody a blank stare that only deepened Cody's discomfort. "Name's Chef Hatchet," the man said in a low, rumbling voice. "And who are you?"

"I'm Cody," Cody stammered, trying to regain his composure. "I'm one of the contestants here."

Chef Hatchet raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to take in Cody more thoroughly, then nodded. "Oh, I see." He glanced back at the TV with a slight sigh. "And what are you doing in my kitchen?"

Cody's eyes darted around the room, his nerves getting the best of him. "J-Just looking for some things for hot-dogs," he replied quickly, feeling a little smaller under the man's scrutiny.

Chef Hatchet didn't respond right away, instead letting the silence stretch uncomfortably as he continued to watch the TV. He hummed low in his throat, clearly deep in thought. Finally, he gave Cody a long look. "Alright," he said, his tone softening just slightly. "I'll let it slide for now. I know what's in store for you kids. You deserve a little fun before all hell breaks loose."

Cody blinked in confusion. "Uh... thank you?" His words were more of a question than a statement, unsure if he was meant to be grateful or just caught off guard.

Chef Hatchet didn't answer right away. He only hummed again, a sound that carried a weight of tiredness, as he turned his attention back to the TV. His eyes narrowed slightly, focused on the images flashing across the screen. The topic of the spreading virus was evidently intriguing, pulling him into a deep contemplation.

Cody, still feeling like a deer caught in headlights, shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. The way Chef Hatchet had spoken, the way he seemed almost resigned to the crisis unfolding outside—it was as if the man had already accepted that the world as they knew it was on the brink of collapse.

Cody hesitated for a moment, wanting to ask more, but then thought better of it. Instead, he turned back toward the cabinets, focusing on his task of finding the hot dogs and trying to ignore the unease creeping up his spine. The TV continued to broadcast unsettling news, but Cody couldn't help feeling that there was something even more unsettling about Chef Hatchet's quiet demeanor.

"Alright then," Cody muttered to himself, trying to shake off the awkwardness. "Let's get these hot dogs and head back."

As he continued to search, he couldn't shake the feeling that Chef Hatchet's presence in the kitchen was just a small hint at how much more complicated the game—and the world—was about to get.

As Cody stepped out of the kitchen, his mind replayed the news anchor's words. The mention of the "Rage Virus" had struck a chord with him, especially the way it seemed to be spreading so rapidly across the globe. He couldn't help but wonder just how bad the situation truly was. But as quickly as the thought entered his mind, he dismissed it.

"It's just the news," he muttered under his breath. "It'll come and go, there's no way it'll affect us,"

It was a naive belief, one born out of ignorance and the desire to avoid the grim reality. There was no way a virus like that could reach this isolated island, right?

Cody shook his head, trying to push the unsettling thoughts from his mind. He looked up at the bright night sky and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, clean air that felt so pure in contrast to the heaviness creeping inside his thoughts. He reminded himself again of how perfect the day was. A full moon shone down gently, not too hot, not too cold, and everything about the island seemed idyllic. The calm waves of the water lapped softly against the shore, and the distant sounds of his new friends laughing echoed in his ears.

Indeed, it was a perfect day.

The kind of day where everything seemed in place, as if the world was offering one last, generous gift before it would snatch it all away. Cody couldn't shake the eerie feeling that there was a certain finality to it all.

He didn't know why, but it felt as though the earth was holding its breath, offering one last bit of normalcy before the storm broke.

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The next morning, Cody was roused from his slumber by Trent's voice and a gentle nudge on his shoulder. "Hey, Cody, Rise and shine, man," Trent said with a small grin. "The other contestants should be arriving today, and breakfast is being whipped up by none other than Chef Hatchet himself,"

Groggily, Cody rubbed his eyes and sat up, blinking against the soft morning sunlight streaming through the cabin window. He yawned deeply before finally forcing himself to his feet, stretching and shaking off the remnants of sleep. After quickly changing into his usual attire, he made his way outside.

The scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the crisp morning air, pulling Cody toward the long wooden tables set up near the cabins. Most of the others were already seated, chatting and eating with varying degrees of energy. Geoff, Eva, Katie, and Sadie were missing from the group, probably off enjoying the morning in their own way.

Cody followed the aroma of breakfast to the outdoor kitchen area, where Chef Hatchet was manning a sizzling griddle with expert precision. The towering man didn't look like the kind of guy who would be passionate about cooking, but the spread he was preparing told a different story.

"Morning, Chef," Cody greeted with a small wave.

Chef glanced at him with his usual no-nonsense expression and nodded. Without a word, he handed Cody a plate piled high with scrambled eggs, sausages, and crispy hash browns. On top of it all was a small carton of orange juice.

"Thanks, Chef Hatchet," Cody said with a grateful smile.

"Don't mention it," Chef grunted, already turning his attention back to the grill.

Cody was about to head back to the table, but something nagged at him. He hesitated, then turned back to the chef with an uneasy expression. "Uh, hey, Chef... Have you heard anything more about that virus going around? The one they talked about on the news?"

Chef paused, his spatula hovering mid-air as he glanced at Cody with a raised brow. "You heard about that?" he asked, his tone gruff but tinged with a hint of curiosity.

"Yeah," Cody replied, shifting awkwardly. "Last night, when I was in the kitchen looking for hot dogs. I heard it on the news. They called it the "Rage Virus", sounded... bad,"

Chef let out a heavy sigh and set down the spatula. He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Cody. "It's worse than bad," he finally said, his voice low. "That thing's spreading like wildfire, the UK's in full lockdown, and now other countries are reporting outbreaks, if it keeps up, it'll be everywhere before long."

Cody's stomach tightened at the chef's words. "Do you think it could... you know, reach us?" he asked cautiously.

Chef Hatchet paused mid-motion, his gaze fixed on the sizzling griddle before letting out a deep, thoughtful hum. "Well," he began, his voice low and grim, "there's been a bit of an update about that whole thing." He glanced at Cody with a serious expression. "Bad news, really. Looks like that virus made it over here."

Cody's eyes widened in shock, his grip tightening on the plate of food in his hands. "Wait, really? It's here?"

Chef gave a solemn nod. "Yeah. Word is cities like New York and Philly got hit hard, and it's spreading fast—just like it did in the UK. Last thing I heard, there were even reports of a few cases showing up in Toronto."

"Toronto?!" Cody exclaimed, the panic in his voice rising.

Chef met Cody's horrified gaze with a grim look of his own, his nod slow and deliberate. "Yeah, kid. It's getting close."

Cody's stomach churned with unease. He gulped, trying to steady himself as he asked, "Do they know what kind of virus it is? Like... what it actually does?"

He hoped for some kind of reassuring answer, something that would help him make sense of the growing threat. But instead, Chef shook his head, his expression darkening further. "Nope. And worse, they're not saying a damn thing about what symptoms to look out for. Just a bunch of suits giving us the runaround while this thing spreads like wildfire."

Chef muttered something under his breath about "incompetent officials," the frustration evident in his tone. Cody felt his hands begin to tremble slightly as the weight of the situation sank in. The idea of a virus—something invisible and unstoppable—getting so close was terrifying.

"Thanks for telling me, Chef," Cody said quietly, his voice laced with worry.

Chef gave him a short nod. "Eh, don't think about it too much, kid. Worrying won't do you any good out here." He returned his focus to the griddle, but his furrowed brow betrayed his own concern.

Cody walked away from the kitchen, his appetite all but gone. As he sat down at the table with the others, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at him. The cheerful chatter around him felt distant, like it was happening in another world—one untouched by the growing shadow he had just learned about.

"-dy? Cody? You good, man?"

Hearing his name snapped Cody out of his thoughts. He blinked a few times and looked up to see Trent, Gwen, Noah, and Beth watching him with curious expressions, their brows raised in concern.

"Uh, yeah, I'm fine," Cody replied quickly, forcing a smile. "Sorry, what were we talking about?"

Noah, casually stabbing another bite of eggs with his fork, gave him a flat look. "We were talking about what the other contestants might be like," he said, chewing as he spoke.

Trent nodded, leaning back a little in his seat. "Yeah, I'm hoping they're as chill as us," he said, grinning. "It'd be a real bummer if any of them turned out to be jerks,"

Gwen smirked and rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Trent, you know there's definitely going to be at least one or two jerks. This is reality TV—we're basically guaranteed a walking drama factory," she said with a dry chuckle.

Trent chuckled and shrugged. "Touché," he admitted. He turned his attention back to Cody. "But what do you think, man? What kind of people do you think we're gonna meet?"

Cody paused, scratching the back of his neck as he thought about it. "I don't know," he said honestly. "But I have to agree with you, Trent, I hope they're nice people, it'd make things a lot easier if we all got along," He glanced at Gwen and added with a small laugh, "But she's got a point, shows like this always cast at least one or two people just to stir the pot."

Beth chimed in, her voice cheerful. "Well, maybe we'll get lucky and everyone will get along! Stranger things have happened, right?"

Noah scoffed lightly, setting his fork down. "You're more optimistic than I'll ever be, Beth, people are always looking for a reason to butt heads,"

"I mean, sure, people can be difficult," Cody said, trying to sound hopeful. "But who knows? Maybe we'll all end up surprising each other,"

Gwen tilted her head, considering his words. "Maybe, but honestly, I think it'd be more fun if we didn't all get along perfectly, a little drama wouldn't hurt, right?"

Cody smiled nervously, unsure how to respond. He wasn't a fan of drama, but Gwen's playful smirk made him think she was half-joking.

As the conversation drifted back into speculation about the incoming contestants, Cody felt himself relax slightly. The looming thoughts about the virus hadn't disappeared, but focusing on the lighthearted banter of his new friends gave him a much-needed distraction.

After breakfast wrapped up, the camp gradually came alive with activity as the rest of the contestants either woke up or returned from their early-morning endeavors. By mid-morning, the group decided to gather on the beach to enjoy the sunshine, though this time, no one was in the mood for volleyball. Instead, everyone gravitated toward their own interests, filling the sandy shoreline with a lively buzz.

Katie and Sadie laid out colorful towels and chatted animatedly while applying sunscreen, preparing for a relaxing sunbathing session. Nearby, Gwen perched on a rock with her sketchpad, pencil gliding across the page as she captured the beach's serene beauty. Beth, sitting beside her, leaned over occasionally to peek at Gwen's progress, offering encouraging comments while chatting about art supplies.

Eva, as energetic as ever, opted for an intense jog along the shoreline, her sneakers kicking up sand as she passed by the others with focused determination. Cody and Trent found a shady spot under a tree where Trent eagerly showcased his guitar skills. Cody listened intently, occasionally clapping along or offering enthusiastic praise.

Out in the water, Geoff paddled out on his surfboard, catching wave after wave with whoops of excitement. His laughter echoed over the crashing surf, adding to the cheerful ambiance.

Back at the cabins, Noah was the lone absentee, preferring the quiet indoors to continue reading his latest novel. He had muttered something about avoiding the sand and sunburns before retreating to his room with his nose already buried in the book.

The tranquility of the moment was broken by Beth's excited shout. She scrambled to her feet, pointing toward the horizon, her voice rising over the gentle crash of waves. "Hey! Look! There's a boat coming to the island!"

Heads turned as the group followed her gaze. Sure enough, a small ferry was cutting through the water, its engine humming faintly in the distance. The sight instantly sparked a flurry of curiosity and speculation.

"Is it the rest of the contestants?" Cody asked, standing up to get a better view.

"It must be!" Gwen said, closing her sketchpad and shading her eyes to get a clearer look.

Katie and Sadie shot up from their towels, excitement bubbling in their voices. "Oh my gosh, they're finally here!" Katie exclaimed.

Geoff paddled closer to shore, lifting himself on his board to squint toward the approaching boat. "Looks like they're bringing in the next batch of players, dudes!" he called out, his grin wide.

Eva paused her jog, hands on her hips as she turned to observe the commotion. "Guess it's time to see what kind of competition we're really up against," she said with a smirk.

The group gathered at the docks, buzzing with anticipation as the boat slowly pulled up and came to a stop. The hum of the engine quieted, replaced by the sound of footsteps on the wooden deck as the final group of contestants disembarked.

One by one, they stepped off the boat, each with their own distinct energy. Cody watched closely, his curiosity piqued as he sized up the newcomers. The arrivals consisted of Ezekiel Smith, Justin Taylor, Tyler Jones, Izzy Whild, Courtney Valentine, Harold Norbert Cheever Doris McGrady V, Bridgette Summers, Derek "DJ" Harrison, Lindsay Peterson, Leshawna Harris, Duncan Edwards, Heather Lu, and Owen Keenan.

Cody couldn't help but make a few quick assumptions about each of them as they stepped onto the dock.

Duncan immediately caught his attention. With his green mohawk, spiked accessories, and a smirk that screamed "trouble," he gave off a distinctly rebellious vibe.

'This guy's got "bad boy" written all over him, and not the cool, leather-jacket kind of bad boy—the "I've been in and out of juvie" kind,' Cody made a mental note to steer clear of him for now.

Ezekiel, Harold, and Owen were next to draw Cody's attention. Ezekiel looked like the type who had spent most of his life at home, with a slight awkwardness in the way he carried himself, but there was a friendliness in his demeanor. Harold, with his lanky frame and glasses, gave off major nerd vibes, which Cody immediately related to. And then there was Owen—a mountain of a guy with a laugh so loud and infectious that Cody couldn't help but grin.

Tyler stepped off the boat with an easygoing smile, his sporty attire immediately giving away his jock status. Normally, Cody would've felt wary—his experiences with jocks in school hadn't been great—but Tyler's energy was different. He seemed approachable, the kind of guy who might trip over his own feet during a game but laugh it off instead of blaming someone else.

Then there was Justin. Even from a distance, Cody could tell this guy had the looks that could stop traffic. His perfectly styled hair, dazzling smile, and effortless charm practically radiated vanity.

'Yeah, he's one of those guys,' Cody thought, sighing internally. 'The kind who could get any girl with just a look! Let's just hope he's not a complete jerk...'

Izzy practically bounced off the boat, her energy so vibrant it was almost overwhelming. She darted her gaze around the island, her eyes lighting up with excitement as if she couldn't decide where to run first. Cody couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, though he felt a small pang of worry.

'She's got way too much energy,' he thought.

Bridgette exuded the same laid-back, easygoing vibe as Geoff. There was something about her presence that was instantly comforting—her calm, approachable energy made it easy to feel at ease around her. She smiled warmly at everyone, her relaxed posture and casual demeanor signaling that she was the kind of person who could go with the flow no matter the situation.

Leshawna, on the other hand, was a ball of vibrant energy. She radiated excitement as she looked around the island, her hands on her hips and a confident grin on her face. She carried herself with an infectious enthusiasm, similar to Izzy, but with a grounded, no-nonsense edge. Leshawna didn't hesitate to introduce herself to the early arrivals, greeting each of them like they were old friends. Within minutes, she had Katie and Sadie laughing and chatting with her like they'd known each other forever.

As for DJ, his presence was immediately warm and welcoming, much like Beth's. With his towering height and muscular build, he might have seemed intimidating at first glance, but the big, kind smile on his face erased any doubts about his personality. He walked down the dock with an air of ease, his friendly demeanor radiating as he greeted everyone with handshakes, high-fives, and the occasional laugh.

Then there was Lindsay, Heather, and Courtney. The three of them carried an unmistakable popular girl aura, though each expressed it in different ways. Heather stood with her arms crossed and an icy smirk on her face, her sharp eyes darting around the group as if sizing everyone up. Cody immediately recognized her type—the kind of person who thought she was better than everyone else and didn't bother hiding it.

Lindsay, on the other hand, had a completely different vibe. She stood with a big, slightly vacant smile on her face, her eyes wandering around the beach like she was taking it all in for the first time. Cody couldn't help but think she seemed sweet, albeit a little spacey. She giggled at something Leshawna said, clearly happy to go along with the flow.

Courtney, meanwhile, carried herself with a sense of authority. Her confident stance and calculating gaze made it clear that she was someone who liked to be in control. Unlike Heather, though, Courtney didn't exude superiority—she seemed more focused on finding the most efficient way to navigate her new environment.

As the new arrivals continued mingling, Duncan spoke up, his tone casual but laced with curiosity. "So, when did you guys get here?" he asked, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his ripped jeans as he eyed the early arrivals.

Geoff grinned and stepped forward, always the first to jump into a conversation. "Yesterday, bro. We thought we'd get out here early and check out the place, you know?"

Courtney's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she gave a quick nod of approval. "Smart," she said, folding her arms thoughtfully. Then, almost to herself, she added in a hushed whisper, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Heather raised an eyebrow, glancing at Courtney with a smirk. "Maybe because you were too busy overthinking everything?"

Courtney shot her a glare but chose to ignore the comment, turning her attention back to Geoff. "Did you guys get to scope out the cabins and everything? What's the setup like?"

"Pretty standard, honestly," Gwen chimed in, leaning against a wooden post. "Basic cabins, bunk beds, and a fire pit. Don't expect luxury."

"Great," Duncan muttered with a smirk. "Sounds like home sweet home already."

As the group continued chatting and getting to know one another, Cody found himself glancing between them, trying to take everything in. The mix of personalities was already proving to be interesting.

"AHOY THERE!"

The booming voice cut through the air, drawing the attention of every contestant on the dock. Cody, along with the others, turned toward the source of the sound. A second, larger boat was approaching, dwarfing the first boat that had just started to pull away.

"More contestants?" Beth asked, stepping closer to Cody, her tone filled with curiosity.

Cody shook his head slowly, his brows furrowed. "I don't think so," he said, eyeing the large ship. Something about it felt... different.

As the big ship came closer, the captain, an older man with a weathered face and a scruffy white beard, leaned over the railing. His friendly smile revealed a missing tooth as he scanned the group of teens gathered below.

"Are any of ya Chef Hatchet?" the captain called down, his voice carrying over the sound of the waves.

"Nah, dude!" Geoff answered, waving up at him.

"Ah," the captain replied with a nod, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Well then, would any of ya mind fetchin' him for me? I've got a bunch of supplies for him that I'm supposed to drop off,"

Geoff gave the captain a thumbs-up. "No problem, man!" he said enthusiastically before turning and jogging toward the kitchen to find Chef Hatchet.

As Geoff disappeared, the rest of the group began to scatter. Some of the newly arrived contestants headed toward the cabins to settle in, chatting amongst themselves. Others lingered on the dock, watching the large ship as it finished docking.

Cody, however, lingered near the back of the group. He was about to follow the others when a sudden bang rang out from the direction of the ship.

He froze, his heart skipping a beat. The noise was sharp and hollow, as if something inside the boat had slammed against the walls. His eyes darted to the ship, where the captain appeared unfazed, continuing to busy himself with the docking process.

"What was that?" Cody muttered under his breath.

Another bang followed, slightly louder this time. It echoed from within the ship's hull, almost as if something—or someone—was trying to get out.

A cold shiver ran down Cody's spine, and an unshakable feeling of unease settled over him. His instincts screamed that something wasn't right.

Cody's gaze snapped back to the captain as the older man seemed to notice the banging as well. The captain frowned and muttered something under his breath before walking toward the stern, where a heavy metal hatch led to the lower compartments of the ship. Cody assumed that's where the supplies were being stored.

The banging grew louder as the captain approached the hatch, each sound reverberating like a warning bell. Cody's breath hitched, his body tense as he watched the scene unfold. The captain reached for the handle, his movements steady but cautious.

And then he opened the hatch.

The world seemed to blur, moving at an impossible speed as chaos erupted in an instant. A deafening, guttural scream tore through the air, sending shivers down Cody's spine. From the shadows of the open hatch, a man lunged out, tackling the captain to the ground with feral aggression.

The figure was disheveled, his clothes torn and bloodstained. His eyes were bloodshot and wild, his face contorted in a horrifying mix of rage and madness. Cody's stomach churned as he realized the man was one of the ship's crew.

The man shrieked incoherently, his voice a mix of garbled words and primal roars as he pinned the captain to the deck. Then, to Cody's horror, the crewmate began violently smashing the captain's head against the floor of the boat. Blood splattered with every sickening impact, mixing with the dark liquid already dripping from the man's mouth as he vomited blood in a grotesque display.

Cody froze in place, his body paralyzed by fear. His eyes were wide, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. He couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but stare in disbelief as the horrifying scene unfolded.

The commotion drew the attention of the others, who turned back to the dock just in time to hear the blood-curdling screams. Every head snapped toward the ship, and what they saw left them equally horrified.

"What the hell?!" Trent shouted, his voice trembling.

"Oh my God!" Beth cried, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.

Courtney's scream pierced the air, "AAAAHHHH!" she shrieked, unable to tear her eyes away from the horrific sight of the captain's lifeless body.

The deranged crewmate finished his brutal assault, leaving the captain's bloodied corpse on the deck. Then, as if sensing the group of teens watching him, the man's head snapped up. His bloodshot eyes locked onto the group, his twisted expression shifting into something even more animalistic.

With a guttural snarl, he leaped off the ship and landed on the dock in a crouch, his movements eerily fast and inhuman. The teens screamed and scattered as the crazed man charged toward them like a rabid predator.

"Run! Run!" Geoff shouted, grabbing Beth's arm and pulling her along as he sprinted away.

Everyone ran, their feet pounding against the wooden dock as they fled in a frenzy of panic. Cody's legs finally found the strength to move, and he bolted with the others, adrenaline surging through his veins.

But then, Lindsay tripped.

She stumbled over a piece of luggage that had been left near the dock, falling hard onto the ground. She looked up in terror, her eyes locking onto the man who was now barreling toward her, his blood-soaked hands reaching out like claws.

"Help me!" Lindsay screamed, her voice high-pitched and desperate as she scrambled backward. Tears streamed down her face as the deranged man closed the distance with terrifying speed.

But before the crazed man could reach Lindsay, Tyler sprang into action. Without hesitation, he dove at the charging figure, tackling him to the ground with enough force to send sand flying in every direction. The two tumbled across the beach, locked in a violent struggle for dominance.

"Run, Lindsay!" Tyler shouted, his voice strained as he wrestled with the deranged man.

The crazed crewmate snarled and thrashed like a wild animal, his bloodshot eyes wide with fury. Tyler fought to keep him pinned, gripping the man's arms as he tried to bite, scratch, or claw at him. Tyler's face was a mask of determination, but it was clear he was struggling against the sheer ferocity of his opponent.

The man let out an ear-piercing scream, his head jerking forward as he vomited a stream of blood directly onto Tyler's face.

"Ah, shit!" Tyler yelled in shock, recoiling instinctively as the warm, metallic liquid splattered across his skin. He released his grip, shoving the crazed man off him and rolling away.

The feral crewmate snarled as he quickly scrambled back to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth and staining his tattered clothes. He turned his attention back to the group, roaring like a beast as he prepared to charge again.

Meanwhile, Tyler staggered to his knees, frantically wiping the blood from his face with his sleeve. But as he did, his movements became erratic. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and his body began to shake as if he were freezing in the middle of a snowstorm. His eyes widened in panic as he realized something was horribly wrong.

The rest of the group froze in terror, torn between wanting to help Tyler and needing to escape the advancing attacker.

The crewmate's guttural snarl echoed across the beach as he launched himself forward again, this time with the teens in his sights. But before he could take another step, a loud crack split the air.

A shadow loomed over the frenzied man as Chef Hatchet appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his expression cold and deadly serious. With one swift motion, Chef raised a butcher's knife and brought it down hard, the blade slicing cleanly across the crazed man's face.

The impact was brutal and precise, and the feral crewmate stumbled backward, blood spraying as he let out one last garbled roar before collapsing to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Chef stood over the body, his chest heaving as he gripped the bloodied knife. His gaze swept over the stunned group of teens, his voice a low growl. "You kids need to get your asses inside! Now!"

No one moved at first, their bodies frozen with fear and shock.

"Now!" Chef barked, snapping them out of their daze.

The teens scrambled to obey, their panicked movements scattering sand as they rushed toward the cabins. Cody hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Tyler, who was now convulsing violently on the ground, his eyes rolling back as foam began to form at the corners of his mouth.

"Chef! He's—!" Cody started, but Chef cut him off with a sharp glare.

"Inside, kid!" Chef barked again.

Suddenly, with a horrifying guttural cry, Tyler sprang to his feet. The sound was primal, unnatural, and it froze Cody in place. Tyler's body jerked unnaturally as he turned his head toward Chef and Cody.

Cody's breath caught in his throat as he took in Tyler's appearance. His eyes were bloodshot and bulging, with crimson tears streaming down his cheeks. Blood seeped from his mouth, staining his teeth and dripping onto the sand in dark, sticky globs.

"Oh, hell no!" Chef barked, his voice laced with both anger and alarm as he readied himself, gripping his butcher's knife tightly.

Tyler snarled like a rabid animal, his lips curling back to reveal blood-stained teeth. With a sudden burst of speed, he rushed at Chef, his movements wild and erratic.

"Shit!" Chef growled, bracing himself as Tyler closed the distance.

When Tyler leaped toward him, arms outstretched like claws, Chef sidestepped just in time. Tyler crashed onto the sand with a heavy thud, landing face-first. But before Chef could fully react, Tyler began thrashing violently, clawing at the ground as if possessed.

Chef didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he lunged forward, using his weight to pin Tyler to the ground. The young man screamed and snarled beneath him, his voice distorted and feral.

"Stay down, kid!" Chef shouted, struggling to keep Tyler restrained.

Pinned to the sand, Tyler twisted and writhed, his strength far greater than it should have been. His body bucked against Chef's hold, and he began vomiting blood again, the dark liquid pooling in the sand beneath his face. Thankfully, with Tyler's body pressed into the ground, the blood didn't spray onto Chef or Cody, but the sight and smell were enough to make Cody feel sick.

Cody took a shaky step back, his heart hammering in his chest as he watched the horrifying scene unfold. "W-What's happening to him?!" Cody stammered, his voice trembling.

Chef gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his brow as he struggled to keep Tyler pinned. "Damn it, kid! Calm down!" he barked, though it was clear Tyler wasn't hearing him.

Tyler let out another guttural snarl, his fingers clawing at the sand as if trying to dig his way free. His body convulsed violently, and his bloodshot eyes rolled wildly in their sockets.

Cody's hands balled into fists at his sides as panic surged through him. This wasn't Tyler anymore. Whatever this virus was, it had turned him into something unrecognizable—something monstrous.

"Chef, what do we do?!" Cody yelled, his voice cracking.

Chef didn't answer immediately, his focus entirely on keeping Tyler subdued. But as Tyler's thrashing became more violent, Chef's jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed.

"We've gotta stop this... before he hurts someone else," Chef said grimly.

Cody's eyes widened with pure horror as realization hit him like a freight train. He knew exactly what Chef meant to do, but before he could muster a protest, the butcher's knife came down in one swift, brutal motion.

The blade plunged into Tyler's head with a sickening crunch, and the thrashing stopped instantly. Tyler's body went limp, collapsing into the sand like a broken marionette.

For a moment, everything was silent except for the sound of Chef's labored breathing as he stood over Tyler's lifeless form. The butcher's knife remained lodged in Tyler's skull, the handle slick with blood.

Cody couldn't take his eyes off the scene. His stomach churned, his legs trembling as he stared at the boy who, just minutes ago, had been full of life and laughter. Now, Tyler lay motionless, reduced to a bloodied shell of what he once was.

Chef straightened up, wiping his sweaty brow with the back of his hand. He looked to Cody, his face grim and unreadable.

Minutes later, the other contestants began to emerge from the cabins, drawn by the noise and the screams. They approached cautiously, their chatter fading as they caught sight of the gruesome scene before them.

Lindsay was the first to react. Her face crumpled as tears streamed down her cheeks. "T-Tyler..." she sobbed, her voice breaking as she clutched her chest. "God, no..."

Gwen stood frozen, her body trembling as she clasped her hands over her mouth. "O-Oh my god..." she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Duncan, however, was the first to break the stunned silence with an angry shout. "What the fuck was that?!" he yelled, his voice shaking with both anger and fear. "W-What the hell is going on here?!"

Chef turned to face Duncan, his expression hard and unyielding. "Calm down," he said firmly.

Duncan's jaw dropped, and he threw his hands into the air. "Calm down?! Calm down?!" he repeated, his voice rising. "You just killed two people, old man! Two! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Cody flinched at the accusation, the reality of what had just transpired settling deeper into his chest like a lead weight.

"This has to be a joke, right?!" Sadie's shrill voice broke through the tension. She clung to Katie, her entire body trembling. "It's just some terrible prank, isn't it?! W-Where are the cameras?!" Her wide, tear-filled eyes darted around, desperately searching for some sign that this wasn't real. "This isn't real! It can't be real!"

Beth hugged herself tightly, tears streaming down her face. "I... I want to go home," she whispered, her voice quivering. "I want to go home!"

Chef slammed the heel of his boot into the sand to get their attention. "Enough!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the panic like a knife. "This ain't no prank, and you better start wrapping your heads around that real fast!"

Everyone fell silent, their eyes locked on Chef, though their expressions were still a mix of shock, terror, and disbelief.

"The hell's going on here?" Duncan demanded again, though his voice was less angry now and more desperate. "Why the fuck did you kill him?!"

Chef's expression darkened as he jabbed a finger toward Tyler's lifeless body. "That kid wasn't himself anymore," he said coldly. "You saw what he was like," Chef said, pointing at the dead crewmate.

Everyone stood frozen, their eyes darting between the bloodied corpse of the crewmate and Tyler's lifeless body. The gruesome scene before them was almost too much to comprehend, yet Cody couldn't tear his gaze away. The weight of the truth hit him like a sledgehammer—Chef was right. Tyler had become just like the crewmate.

That realization churned Cody's stomach, making him feel sicker than he ever thought possible. What made it worse, though, was the fleeting moment when he had accepted Chef's actions as necessary. Somewhere deep inside him, a small voice had whispered that Chef had done the right thing, and that made Cody's skin crawl. He felt disgusted—not just by the horrifying scene in front of him, but by himself for even agreeing with what had just happened, even for a moment.

Chef's voice broke through the heavy silence, gruff and unyielding. "If I hadn't done what I did, he would've come after every last one of you," he said, his tone sharp as a blade. "Neither of 'em were human anymore, they were infected,"

Geoff, who had been uncharacteristically silent, finally spoke, his voice cracking under the weight of his fear. "Infected with what?" he asked, his eyes pleading for some kind of answer that would make all of this make sense.

Chef turned his gaze to Geoff, then to the rest of the campers. His jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a hard, grim line. "Rage," he replied.

The word hung in the air like a death knell, suffocating and final.

As soon as those words left Chef's mouth, Cody felt his legs buckle. He collapsed to his knees, his hands trembling as he stared at the bodies before him. The crewmate. Tyler. They weren't just victims of some random illness—they were infected with the virus.

The Rage Virus.

Somehow, the nightmare from the mainland had found its way to this island, and Cody had seen firsthand what it could do. The sheer ferocity, the bloodlust, the complete loss of humanity—it was all burned into his mind now, a horrific memory he'd never be able to shake.

Around him, the other contestants reacted in their own ways. Beth hugged herself tightly, her eyes wide with shock and her breaths coming out in shallow gasps. Katie sobbed openly, clutching Sadie for support as both girls trembled uncontrollably. Trent paced back and forth, muttering curses under his breath, while Geoff simply stood there, his fists clenched and his face pale.

"This can't be happening," Gwen whispered, her voice barely audible. "This can't be real...!"

Yesterday, the island had felt like a paradise—a perfect summer getaway filled with laughter and new friendships. But today? Today was the shittiest day of their lives.

The beautiful day they had all enjoyed was nothing more than a cruel memory now, overshadowed by the grim reality that the world as they knew it was unraveling. The Rage Virus had arrived, and it didn't matter that they were on an isolated island. Nowhere was safe anymore.

As the group stood in stunned silence, Cody's thoughts raced. 'What do we do now? How do we survive this?'

For the first time in his life, Cody truly understood what it felt like to be helpless. And as he knelt in the sand, staring at the bloodied bodies before him, one thought consumed him:

'This is how it all ends...'

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So... why did I do this? Well, I've been a fan of the 28 movies since I was a kid. When the trailer of "28 Years Later" dropped I was so fucking excited, and then just this week I found out about the TDI AU called "Island of the Slaughtered". I thought a Horror AU of Total Drama Island was a genius move and I thought: "Fuck it" Let me throw my hat in the ring of TDI Fics and make it horror, and thus this story was born!

Also, I'll be honest, I might be going crazy because I've literally been listening to 28 Years Later's Trailer Music and Poem on repeat while writing and planning this story.

Someone, please send help...

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this story and are waiting for what comes next because things are about to get interesting~!