PROLOGUE : diabolus ex machina (latin)
" the introduction of an
unexpected new event,
character, ability, or
object designed to ensure
that things suddenly
get much worse  "

"HEY, NEIGHBOR!" An older man called out to the father and daughter pair at the block next door. Joel and Sarah were quick to acknowledge the presence of their elderly neighbor, Danny Adler who's sitting by their lawn as he feeds his wheelchair-bound mother-in-law biscuits by hand. While the family's youngest, Diana, reads her grandmother a children's book in a low and monotone manner.

"Oh, hi!" Sarah waved a greeting at the family, cheerful and with a large smile. Diana clipped the book between her other hand to return a wave at her babysitter and older friend before greeting Joel as well.

"Good morning, Mr. Miller!"

"Good morning to you too, DeeDee!"

"Uh, Connie was askin' after you." Danny blurted out. "Since you haven't been over in a while. And Dee can't go to school for the next few days."

Diana could see the brief silence shared between the two upon hearing his uncle's unabashed invitation. Though they have close ties with the Millers and Sarah has been babysitting the youngest Adler since she was in diapers, it's apparent that the young girl has grown reluctant to hang around elderly people. Which Diana understands considering her uncle and aunt barely connect with her as they are more focused tending to Nana or it's difficult in general to bond with such a young kid in their old age.

Just as they thought Sarah will refuse the offer, she turns back to their neighbors with a bright smile, "Oh, I could come by after school? But, just for, like, a little bit?"

Diana's face lights up in a very childlike joy upon hearing the older girl's acceptance, at last her afternoon won't be so lonely today like how it was for the last few days.

"Oh, she'll take whatcha got! Y'all can… bake, or whatever," Danny stuttered, sharing the same relief of his niece that someone will look after the young girl. "Speakin' of...," he grabs the tray off biscuits behind them and gestures to share it to the pair. Who are now on set to leave by their truck for school.

"We got a lotta extra here. Y'all—y'all want some biscuits?"

"Gramy Connie baked them!"

"Dad, you love biscuits!" Sarah exclaimed to get the attention of her dad who's preoccupied with loading their ride. Joel's head pops up just in time to see Danny push another piece into Nana's mouth. His face subtly falls, he then says something inaudible to the rest of them.

"On what now?"

"It's, uh—you know what? We gotta run," He looked over at them, closing up the truck bed. "But Sarah'll be by later, she'll stay as long as you want! Tell ya all about Atkins!"

"Great! I'll let Connie know!"

As soon as the pair slips into their seats, the grey and silver truck pulls up from the driveway, leaving the Adlers alone with themselves once again.

"They are very annoyed by us." Diana chimed in without any subtlety. Her uncle grunted in a disapproving expression.

"No, they are not. Sarah just accepted."

"They have lives too, you know, gramps. And we keep telling them to come over at the house. Sarah can't babysit me forever."

Danny could only twist his face in confusion, not at the fact about the Millers but of his niece's blunt comment. "You talk like an old person."

"Gee, I wonder why." She muttered and flipped at the current page of the children's book she's reading to her grandmother. "Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh. "Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it...,"

━━━━━━━━━━

SOMETIMES DIANA WONDERS what it will be like had her mother never left home and dumped a newborn child into the care of seniors. It was already more than difficult for Connie to manage the Adler household due to her own age and ailments while taking care of their disabled mother, as well as her husband with a heart condition. So when Diana came into their lives, their efforts and attention had to be doubled.

Though never mistreated or experienced any type of abuse. The young girl had to learn about life faster than she was supposed to, depending mostly on herself on a daily basis to lessen the workload of her Aunt Connie. A part she is more than happy to take care of, having been aware of their challenging home situation. Diana is always eager to clean up and look after herself, and at times when she can't the young girl makes sure she'll get even by helping around the house in small ways. Something that never fails to warm the hearts of her aunt and uncle. In the end of the day Diana is the Adler's youngest and joyful light against the bleakness of their aging home, her presence is a gift to them and they never forget to remind her of that.

"So I'm not having those cookies? Sarah's tummy's gonna hurt with that." The six year old commented as she sat by the kitchen counter, she's brushing a color pencil in hand against her workbook.

"Well you ain't wrong, sweetheart," Connie scoffed a light laugh on the girl's honest observation. "The doctor said you can't have sweets and junk foods for a while, you have to eat more healthily."

"I've been eating my potatoes and beans for many Mondays now." Diana groaned and rested her face against the activity page she's working on.

"It's only been two Mondays, Dee. That's not a lot. Doc told you that's why you've been gettin' more tired and your asthma keeps coming back."

A small pout forms on her lips, "Okay. I'll eat more so it'll go away," she stiffened her shoulder. "Oh, maybe we can feed Nana more potatoes so she can be okay."

Both of them look back at the sound of a doorbell ringing outside, the frown on Diana's face quickly turned upside down as soon as she hears it. "Sarah's here!"

"I'll get that, watch the tray, Dee."

There was a short exchange on the front door between her aunt and her babysitter but Diana couldn't hear much about it, so she just waited for Sarah to reach the spot in the kitchen before calling out to her.

"Sarah! Hi!" The excitement in the girl's voice was evident.

"Hi, Dee! What you doin'?"

"My homework. It's a pile," Diana lifted the set of workbooks in front of her, Sarah took one from her hand and started to flip the pages.

"Wow, your handwriting is getting better."

"Just like in our practice. Look I don't write my Es upside down anymore!"

The older one messes the younger girl's hair playfully, sporting a huge smile, "Next time we'll practice cursive."

"I was thinkin' we'd make some cookies." Connie joined in and held out the tray of cookie molds that Diana helped making a while ago.

"Chocolate chip?"

"Raisin."

It's been quite some time since Sarah came over to their home and stayed longer than a couple of minutes, Diana almost forgot how happy she can be around the Miller girl. It's only been an hour yet she has shared and confided stories with the older girl more than she has with her own aunt in a week. They listened together to the music Diana adores so much while she proudly presented a collection of drawings and paintings done by her. Sarah entertained most of the trivial things that Danny and Connie often brushed aside due to their generational gap between them and the child of the house.

"That's why I want a higher score in Show and Tell, Sarah. But I keep getting it wrong," the girl finishes her rant about the failed school activity with a down face.

"You don't have to compete with your classmates. You're good in your own way, Dee!"

"But I keep answering wrong, I'm embarrassed...,"

"Okay," the brown haired girl drew closer to the other. "When I was in pre school I used to get wrong answers in Show and Tell too. But you know, you can practice like I did so you can be good at it."

"How?"

"By reading more! You'll learn more about things and objects you didn't know before and trust me it works like a miracle." Sarah revealed in a very uplifting manner. Diana didn't say anything but a toothy grin appeared on her face.

While the both of them returned to their personal homeworks in silence, a one sided conversation ensued in the living room as Connie tries to feed their non responsive mother. "C'mon, Mama. It's green. You love that...,"

But as soon as the oven timer went off, her aunt had to get up from feeding the old woman and return to the kitchen. Diana cranes her neck to check on her Nana yet she is met with the usual sight as always, silent and unmoving.

"I don't know why I talk to her," the other woman started, walking up to two girls. "She's completely deaf."

For a moment Sarah glances to her sides while Connie takes care of the overheating oven and the tray of cookies. Then she pulled close to Diana and whispered, "Hey, after you finish your Writing homework, I can give you something to read. You 'kay with that?"

"Okay!" The other brunette replied before losing the girl on the shelf nearby, preoccupied as she began shuffling through the rows of DVDs. Though Diana's attention was caught by the wafting smell of the freshly baked sweets, she skipped to help turn off and unplug the oven. 

"Sarah... you wanna give me a hand?" Connie calls out from her spot when pulls out the tray.

"Be right there!"

"I can help you."

"Dee, your hands are too small. You might get burned. Go back to your seat."

Diana wanted to protest but was cut off when Sarah returned with a DVD tape in her hands, she lifted it up for Connie to see. "Hey, Mrs. Adler? Could I borrow this?"

"Oh!" The woman briefly reads the cover and chuckles, "Yeah, sure. It's one of Danny's."

Sarah went quiet for a moment and glanced back at the little girl staring at her, as if waiting for her promise a while ago. Then she speaks again, "You know what? My dad's gonna be back real soon. I should go."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," she nodded.

"Well, you're takin' some cookies." Connie insisted and started preparing to pack cookies for the Millers.

"And maybe I'll bring Sammy too. He's coming home tomorrow."

That was enough to lighten the mood of the little girl, the sides of her mouth curled up in a small smile. Sammy. The third Miller brother, who's only three years older than Diana and happened to be her frequent playmate when the boy is staying next door. She hasn't seen him for sometime and it'll be fun to have him around as well.

"Okay, I'll wait for you two." Diana starts to ease up upon the mention of her friend and babysitter coming back again.

The young Adler watched from the kitchen counter as Sarah left to go home, leaving her once again at the company of her grandmother and aunt who both seem to prefer silence in the late hour of the day. She clutched her Writing notebook while recounting the techniques Sarah taught her to write faster and better.

Diana won't leave the spot until a half hour later when Mercy begins pulling and nudging her, more aggressive than usual. "Mercy don't, calm down. Gramy! Mercy's playing again."

But her aunt seemed to be occupied with a chore upstairs, her shouting only went ignored. So Diana gets down from the high chair to let the dog out onto the lawn, but when they passed by the living room it bolted faster than a wild raccoon. The girl had to rush to catch up and open their screened door in time.

From the creaky porch of their house, Diana was greeted by a sight that made the girl's stomach twist in tight knots. Her palms sweat the longer she observes it. The sky hung bright pink and blemished with dark clouds. High as it is are planes unusual for an area like theirs, she remembers seeing them from those war movies her Uncle Danny sometimes plays in the house.

"Diana! Close the door, Nana might get cold!"

Without any second thoughts the girl obliged on her aunt's command. As she shut the door, she prayed in silence the next time she opened it, those things are no longer out there.

8:12 pm
adler's residence
second floor, bedroom

DIANA'S BEDTIME was pushed from 8:30 to 8pm sharp due to their doctor's visitation two weeks ago. The same reason why her sweets have been cut off and her meal consists of greens mostly, as well as why she hasn't been in school for the whole week. All as a part of the healthy regiment that was strongly recommended by her physician. Upon the discovery that Diana frequently faints out of nowhere and is unnaturally tired before the day even ends.

She didn't fully understand the entire prognosis given by her doctor but she knows it's necessary for her to follow the routine and dietary plan to get better. Her aunt says that's what matters the most especially Diana is still too young to be getting horribly sick.

The girl was prepared and cleaned up for bed a quarter before 8pm so when the clock hit the time, she headed to the bedroom of her own accord without any complaints.

A mellow song from the 80s plays slow at the old radio by her nightstand, courtesy of a random cassette tape she snuck in before going to bed. Diana has been sitting on her covers for the past few minutes, hoping for the drowsiness to finally hit off. She tries to close her eyes but not with much luck since every time she does, the sight she saw in the late afternoon appears in her mind. Fueled further by the conversation she overheard between her Aunt Connie and Uncle Danny.

"They say it's the military."

"They are everywhere in the city. Including here."

"Some are sayin' there will be lockdowns."

"Oh my, hope to god not."

Suddenly the bitter taste of the string beans and lettuce that had long faded from her mouth after brushing, spread in the girl's tongue and throat. Threatening to spill a terrible puke from her guts. She feels dizzy and lightheaded, usually she'll feel like this out of nowhere but this time it's from something she's certain of.

The girl curled herself into a ball under the bed covers and began a prayer for nightmares taught by her aunt. She spoke of it in a modulated voice, repeating the important lines until she no longer feels scared. The uneasy feeling inside the girl gradually declines in intensity.

Tomorrow I'm gonna see Sarah again. Sammy's gonna be home too and Uncle Danny promised to bring me at the record store to fix my walkman. She reminds herself. She reminds herself.

In a matter of a few minutes Diana has drifted into a comfortable sleep, mind free of the fears and concerns that have burdened her since that afternoon. If only that moment lasted longer as she hoped for.

12:23 am
sept 26, 2003
adler's residence

FLASHES OF MULTICOLOURED BRIGHT LIGHTS illuminated the window of Diana's bedroom. It was then followed by consistent low rumbling from the sky, though it didn't awaken the child from the deep slumber, the hushed tones emitting downstairs did.

12:23 The analog clock by the wall reads.

Diana balled her small fists to rub her aching and heavy eyes as she slowly got up from the warmth of the bed. She pushed the door despite being half asleep, the closer she got to the bottom of the staircase the clearer she realized what's going on around her.

It was dark, the fluorescent beams at the living room had been turned off and the only light was coming from the TV downstairs. She can't make out the conversation between her aunt and uncle but their voices seem to be agitated, it rises from time to time but they try to keep it down.

"Gramy?" Diana called out halfway down the stairs. The two elderly people turned their heads in unison at the small voice who spoke.

"I told you, you're too loud," Connie sneered at her husband before looking up. "Sweetie, it's really late, you need to go back to your room. We're just putting Nana to bed."

Diana's eyes search for her grandmother but it was too dark to see clearly, she finds herself looking down at the TV screen with an idle display of bold letters too far for her to read. An automated voice kept repeating the same lines, "We will be back after this emergency".

"What's going on?"

"Nothing," her aunt let out a nervous laugh. "The TV just broke because your Gramps can stop watching his CDs."

The brief explanation didn't suffice for the already worried girl so she remained still at her feet. A wary expression surfaced in her eyes.

"Okay, hon. Let's get you to bed. I'll tuck you in, how's that?"

Diana nodded with an eager look.

Before her aunt left to join her upstairs, she whispered something to Danny. To which the man shook his head at. The brunette thought of asking what that was all about but she decided to keep it to herself, not wanting to bug her already frantic aunt.

Connie made sure to rest her niece's head on a less higher pillow as she helped her lay down, she then dragged the blanket up to her chest and set a bolster at the side. When her gaze meets the girl's, Diana can see the shift in her demeanor. She's afraid too.

"Gramy, I'm scared. I don't know what's going on." The younger one tried to fight the urge from spilling the truth in concern that it will only push her aunt into growing more worried. But she wanted to show her that she's not alone in whatever troubles she's facing. That's how it's always been for them, Diana will always intend to ease their burden.

"We'll be okay, hon. It's just a busy night," Connie replied with a bright smile. "Okay, how about you hold on to this for the night so you don't get too scared."

The woman took off the necklace on her neck with an unevenly carved pendant, its chain is a bit longer for Diana but it hung just fine. She picked up the small, silver angel hanging at its end. "It's Archangel Michael, he's the protector of kids. He'll look after you."

A smile finally replaced the grimace on her face.

Diana fell back asleep with the cold metal of the necklace pressed hard between her shaking fingers, its blunt edges lightly scar the flesh of the palm and yet it remained in her grasp the entire time.

2:16 am
adler's kitchen

THE SECOND TIME DIANA WOKE UP her fears were proven to be right. It was chaos outside and she didn't think for a moment to ignore it until it went away. She should have. Instead the fearful little girl rushed downstairs, headed to where she knew her Aunt Connie would be.

Diana's heart was pounding against her ears, blood running high and hot all over the girl's body as she hopped at the staircase faster than she ever did before. Tears prick the sides of her eyes each time she hears an explosion loud enough to shake the walls of their house. Multiple helicopter blades whirring to life can be heard from every corner.

When she made it at the bottom of the stairs she was ready to bolt left, towards the bedroom of her aunt and uncle. Until she noticed something from the corner of her eye. Just a few feet from where she stands a dark, shiny liquid smeared the floor heading to the kitchen. Despite how much her knees were buckling she carefully walked towards it, not fully understanding herself for being distracted instead of following basic instincts.

The deafening silence of the kitchen didn't last long the moment she stepped foot at the side counter. There was a very low sound of scratching difficult to pinpoint and soft groan almost inaudible to human hearing. Diana slips herself closer at where the noises are coming from.

And then she froze.

Both from the coldness she felt on the bottom of her feet and the sight before her.

Horror movies are forbidden on TV in their home, her aunt says it's the work of evil and shouldn't be shown to children. Diana only saw a handful of tame ones in the past years, she has seen samples of what 'evil' might look like. And she is certain what's in front of her is incomparable to anything she had seen before. Something a six year old child should have never witnessed even in a lifetime.

A stream of tears flooded her already numb face. She wanted to scream, call out for help, run and fight but even moving a muscle was impossible to do. What's before her eyes was truly paralyzing

Blood was everywhere on the floor. At the right side of the kitchen, opposite to the countertop is her uncle, sitting on his back against the refrigerator. A large gash of flesh wound extends from his shoulder down to his lower chest. The second his eyes found the little girl by the corner, complete terror shone on the old man's eyes.

"Di..ana... run...," he croaked and blood splurged on his lips. "Run... now...."

The smell of rotten meat crawled straight onto the girl's lungs, she tried gasping for air to breathe out yet her body ultimately failed her. Diana didn't mean to turn her head towards the growing sound at her left but it was too late, she's staring towards it now.

A moment like this should be the perfect time for her to drop unconscious from fainting and black out everything. Yet the girl remained standing in place, mind and senses heightened than ever. She can hear as clear as day how her own grandmother viciously chewed her  aunt's neck like some kind of wild animal. Blisters covered the sides of the older woman's face in an unnatural shape.

"Help... her," the man in his last breaths managed to speak at the new presence with them. He lifted his finger to point at his niece and then it fell. He was gone.

Before Diana could even react to what she just witnessed, a pair of slender hands grabbed her left arm. Just in time when Nana rose from the bloody spot and turned her attention to the only people left in the room, she stared at them in complete silence for a moment. With such intensity and focus that Diana swears her usual dead, blue eyes shone with life once again under the light of the street lamps.

And then in a quick snap it shifts into something unrecognizable. Vile and terrifying.

The limp body of the girl was dragged out by her shoulders the second a growl sounded from the old woman. She faded in the darkness of the house until headlights were blinding Diana and her silent cries turned into a fit of screams.

&&&

ashara's
endnotes !

hi! the prologue is here! this supposed to be much longer but I have to divide it into two chapters because the complete version might be too overwhelming in one go. it's still the same prologue, it's just the continuation is on chapter one. besides, I think the third act of the events covering the pre to outbreak day deserves its own chapter. I have more notes to say but I'll save it for the next one!

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