"I'm not sure I want a better idea," Bunny told her. "But fill me in anyway."
"Why? What did you see?" Bruno asked.
She nodded to where Dale sat, still working his way to the bottom of the whiskey bottle. "Just what he said. Hell."
"Great," Caroline sighed. "Well, Randy said he had a TV stored and went to get it. I figure we can hook it into the satellite feed and get an idea of what's going on."
"We have a satellite?" Bunny asked.
Bruno nodded. "It just goes to the TV in Carl's booth. He liked to watch the Bear's play when he was working."
"Oh, there's something I didn't know," Bunny told him, running a hand through her hair.
"Got it!" Randy called as he lugged a large flat screen into the room, one of the girls helping him. "Just need to grab the cable behind the bar there and hook it in."
"I'll do it," Bruno told him. "Just set it on the floor."
Randy leaned it back against the bar as Bruno went to work, unhooking and pulling the cable out so he could get it all set up. Bunny found a chair and fell into it, Caroline moving to join her, as he worked. She wasn't even sure they would get anything, but as long as they felt like they were doing something, what could it hurt?
After several minutes of working with it, Bruno nodded to Randy, who turned it on. Instantly, the damn thing went through its set-up, dragging several foul curses from the portly club owner. It took several more minutes to get anywhere from there. When they did, though, Bunny had to admit she was surprised.
"...still looking into the source of the event," a young blonde was saying as Randy tuned the TV to a cable news channel. "The CDC has yet to release any official comments, but is advising people to remain calm, and in their homes. Don't allow anyone in, and don't go outside, until further notice."
"You think?" Caroline barked, getting a bit of nervous laughter.
"Continuing to cover our top story right now, the widespread outbreak of an as yet unidentified pathogen that has swept the nation, driving many to fits of inhuman rage," the anchor continued. "While we have confirmed fatalities, accurate numbers haven’t been released by emergency services, or the CDC, at this time. Widespread looting and riots have broken out in many cities, prompting the roll out of the National Guard in an attempt to maintain order during this difficult time."
"Randy," Bunny called. "Find a local channel. These guys haven't gotten the whole story yet."
He nodded, working the remote to tune the television to another channel.
Widespread pathogen, my ass, Bunny thought. A virus can't make the dead get up and try to eat you, and she didn't care if the President said it could.
"...burning out-of-control as firefighters attempt to navigate the dangerous streets in order to battle them. The source of the fires is, as yet, unknown," Chet Collins, the veteran local newsman was saying.
Bunny settled back in her chair, accepting a beer from Bruno as he moved around the room, passing them out. Beside her, Caroline leaned forward, watching the screen.
"Repeating the notice from Chicago Emergency Services, released 6 hours ago, in response to the event. Please, stay in your homes. Lock all doors and windows, and where possible, move to a windowless room. Do not attempt to venture out for any reason, as the streets are extremely dangerous at this time," Chet told them.
"Six hours ago? Motherfuck," Randy said, falling into one of the booth seats.
"As of this time, the source of the event has yet to be determined. The National Guard has been deployed to assist the Army in an attempt to contain the worst of the violence. For those who may have found themselves trapped outside, and are listening to us on the radio, proceed to Washington Park, where the Army has erected a safe zone."
"The helicopters," Rebecca said.
Bunny nodded. "That's what they were up to."
"What helicopters?" Gina asked, but Randy shushed her and pointed at the screen.
Chet paused for a moment, looking away from the camera, and rubbed his eyes. "Ladies and gentlemen, in all my years of reporting the news, I've never seen anything like this. For your own sake, please do as the Emergency Services has asked. Stay away from windows, and indoors. We’ve been receiving unconfirmed reports all evening that the afflicted may resort to cannibalism, or worse. To say that it’s unsafe outside is a gross understatement. Please, keep yourself and your loved ones inside, and do not answer the door for anyone."
"Shit," Bruno muttered.
"We now go live to Candice Phillips, in Washington Park, with Colonel Raymond Williams, who is overseeing operations here in Chicago. Candice?"
The picture changed to Candice and the broad, balding man beside her. In the background, the devastation Bunny and Rebecca had witnessed firsthand could be seen. Except for them and Dale, everyone in the room gasped.
"Thanks, Chet," Candice said. "Colonel, can you briefly give us an idea of what you're up against out here?"
"At the moment, it appears to be roving bands of afflicted. We aren't certain what the source of the affliction is, but all possibilities are being explored. We know they’re aggressive and violent, and we’ve been authorized to use deadly force when needed," he answered in a curt, military tone.
"Do you suspect a terrorist attack to be the cause of this?" Candice asked.
"As of yet, we have no information that leads us to believe that, but considering how widespread this is, we're ruling it out as a likely cause at this time," he told her, even giving a soft smile.
Behind them, automatic weapons fire sounded, making Candice jump. She turned back to the camera
