IES 9-007 SALVADO CALAFAT

LAGUAGE IV
2014
NARA GABRIELA MATAR
MARISA TKACZEK

THIS NEW WORLD

How are you? asked Marvin.
I dont know, how am I supposed to feel right now? Marshall replied. The interview was just
getting started.

Im sorry the Dr. sighed looking down, realizing how absurd that question was. I think we
both know what is going to happen, he said as he looked down at the Psychology books that
were piled at his feet.

Dr. Marvin White worked as a psychotherapist in the Upper Westside. His days in the office
were long but, it afforded him an expensive life and frequent trips to Europe. Now that life
seemed to have happened to someone else. The diploma on his wall seemed like a souvenir of
an ancient civilization. Psychotherapists were no longer needed in this world but fishermen
and gatherers were and good shooters even more. So much had changed. Here he was in his
office interviewing Marshall, friend and neighbor, with a Steyr M9 within easy reach. He was
trying to cope with this new situation by doing the only thing he still knew how to do.

Maybe we can gain some insight into the nature of this, something useful. I imagine this can't
be easy for you Marshall. There isn't anything we can do to stop it. The more we learn about
this the better chance we have of being able to cure it.

Marshall knew that society was falling apart so rapidly that by the end of the month the few
sane people left would be too preoccupied with the busy work of survival to care about what
happened with him. He was usually avoided needless arguments if he could help it. It was a
something he always disliked about himself, it made him feel small and coward, but at the
same time he could sense a different, more aggressive nature in him, one that was the result
of the new world they were in.

IES 9-007 SALVADO CALAFAT

LAGUAGE IV
2014
NARA GABRIELA MATAR
MARISA TKACZEK
How much time you think I have left? Marshall asked Marvin.

It depends on how much you weigh

Marvin, I wasn't bitten by a snake! I dont think this works like poison. I was bitten by Martha,
my wife, my dead wife. He was getting nervous. Marvin had seen the signs before, the man
was about to start changing.

I'm sorry Marsh. I didn't mean to be so direct. It could be five minutes or five hours. He said
and glanced at his gun. Naturally, Marshall tried to convince Marvin to tie him but he refused.
Now he was beginning to regret it. There were no medical formulas he could make to know
how long it would take for his friend to change and that troubled him. As far as he knew the
process of change followed no rhythm.

For the first time he considered the fragile state of his own sanity. After having killed men,
women and children he began to wonder just how much of his own mental stability was left.
He felt that the world was biting him just as the zombies wouldsomeday.

Zombies

The agnostic in him refused to believe what he had seen. Two months ago the dead started to
walk and it wasnt stopping anytime soon, apparently. Those still alive turned to drugs, alcohol
or Gods and Demons for answers. Marvin had his couch.

My arm stopped hurting. Marshall said after a long pause. I think when it happens it's
gonna start from there. He looked at the dark stain on the sleeve of his shirt and remembered
what his wife looked like when she bit him. Her skin was white and her eyes were vacant, as if
she had been stuffed.

What do you think started this? Marshall said.

IES 9-007 SALVADO CALAFAT

LAGUAGE IV
2014
NARA GABRIELA MATAR
MARISA TKACZEK
I dont know, and I dont believe somebody does. For sure it's not supernatural. There is a
reasonable explanation. We just havent found it yet.

Marshall laughed.

Not supernatural? Was that supposed to be a joke? Science can't explain what's happening.
We've seen dead people walk with skin and meat hanging off their bones. Tell me how you
would explain that they can still move without their muscles and tendons? his voice was
becoming dry, as if he had smoked a hundred cigars. Marvin doubted whether his neighbor
had even noticed the first sign of change.

Just because we cant explain what is going on it doesnt mean its supernatural. I need to see
some research before I start to believe that.

Thats fine Marvin; you hang on to your theories and avoid the obvious. God may want us to
believe in him. Then Marshall continued talking and was frightened when he didnt recognize
the sound of his own laugher. It sounded like the bark of a dog. The two men sat quietly for a
moment, going back over their former lives, faces of their wives and children floated up to
them. Then Marshall broke the silence, bringing Marvin back to reality.

Aaaahhh, Marshall screamed. It's starting from my chest. his new voice sounded relaxed,
like he was on heroin. He was acting like a crazy man.

I'm feeling it now. It's like being moved out of my body.

Marvin turned his head away. It smelled like rotten meat all around. The change was coming
on swiftly. He began to search for his gun, because he thought he might need it soon.

Can you describe whats happening to you Marshall? Talk to me. Ethan remained calmed on
the outside but inside the strings holding his sanity in place were starting to give way.

IES 9-007 SALVADO CALAFAT

LAGUAGE IV
2014
NARA GABRIELA MATAR
MARISA TKACZEK
Where are you Marvin? I can't see.

What's going on Marshall, how are you feeling? Tell me please.

I feel like Im emptying out...Help!!

What does that mean? Do you feel cold? Is there...is there another anyone else there with
you? Please, Marshall, I've got to know! All doctor patient formality was gone. He was just
another mortal standing at the edge of the abyss, desperate for answers.

Martha???! Is that you? I miss you!! Are you still hungry? Me too, I'm getting so hung...

The patient spoke his last coherent words and died on the doctor's couch gasping for air as he
lost control of his body. After his convulsions were over his dead corpse raised stiffly, his hands
reaching blindly out in front of him. It could smell his neighbor in the room but it didnt know
where to find him. Its sight hadn't returned yet.

Theyre born blind like puppies! Marvin thought.

The animate corpse slowly made its way towards him. Marvin put the pistol at its head, ready
to pull the trigger and watch it explode. Then he changed his mind and turned himself around
so his back was to the door, he opened it with his free hand without taking his eyes off of his
friends zombie. He watched it get closer and closer and placed the pistol inches away from
Marshalls forehead. Then just before it was close enough to grab him, he turned the knob and
moved out of the way and let it walk right out the door and into the streets.

There must be millions of them by today. One more couldnt hurt. He hardly has a mark on
him. He'll make a handsome zombie, for a while at least. Maybe he'll find Martha again. And
when I get tired of this new world, maybe I'll just go out and take some of it as well. But in the
meantime, somewhere between that couch and this Steyr I bet I can find some answers to
help me understand and help other people, help those who are still alive out there. Then
Marvin moved away from the entrance, locked the door behind him and sat down on the
couch with his pistol in his lap.