Pandemic
Part 2
“Do we have popcorn? We should get some popcorn…” Craig mused.
“It’s your house, Craig” I jokingly reminded him. “You go get some popcorn if you want some, I don’t want to miss a moment of this train wreck.”
“Me neither.” Helen murmured, her eyes glued to the TV Screen, her jet black messy curls falling around her face.
“Helen, you totally wanted to watch this, didn’t you?” Craig accused across the lounge.
Helen broke her fixation on the TV to stare back at Craig. “Yeah, so?”
“So why did you vote against watching it?” Craig asked, genuinely perplexed.
“I swear, you men are blind.” Helen replied bluntly. “Ruth was clearly getting upset at the idea of watching it. Don’t you think her feelings are worth more than seeing this fucked up shit on TV?” She turned to me as she finished this last part.
A sickly feeling swirled in my gut. Ruth had been upset, hadn’t she? And all I cared about was seeing sex zombies take over a TV station. “I guess…” I muttered, my head bowed in shame.
“Don’t beat yourself up Diane,” Helen nudged me gently on the arm. “She’ll be ok.”
“Guys!” Craig interjected, “There they are!”
Immediately, all of our attention snapped back to the widescreen TV where what looked like a portly middle aged couple walked hand in hand into view and sat down on a guest sofa next to the newscasters. The newscasters themselves had moved from behind their desk into two interviewer chairs, and they greeted the guests with a handshake each. The couple sat rigidly, looking around nervously as they sat. The man wore a slightly tight and well-worn brown suit, with a plain bow tie. The woman wore a large pink dress with white flowers spotted across it. Her hair had been tied into a tight bun, and she wore a plain silver cross around her amble neck. I couldn’t help but feel that they were dressed for church, or a family dinner. Both of their faces were puffy and red, and they sported nervous smiles as the interview began.
“So, Gerald and Beatrice McAngus.” The male newscaster started. He was young and with a firm jaw, a smart suit, and a professional demeanor. “Firstly, thank you for joining us today. You were both infected around the time of the initial outbreak, weren’t you?”
“Thank you for having us, Kevin, Linda.” The Gerald replied stiffly. “That’s right, it must have been a day or two before we started seeing the reports on the TV.”
“I see. Do you know who or where you got infected from?” the female newscaster, Linda, asked keenly. She was thin and executive looking, her white blouse and grey skirt adding to her conservative attractiveness.
“Well, we think it was we were out for dinner at the local Best Buffalo Restaurant, we do that every Sunday evening, it’s sort of a tradition we have. ” Gerald started what was clearly a practiced story. “On this particular night though, there was a group of young ladies in the booth next to us. They barely looked like they could drink legally, I remember saying to my wife.”
“Oh, yes, these youngsters and their fake IDs, we’re very concerned.” Beatrice spoke for the first time in a flustered and high pitched voice.
“That night when we got home, we found ourselves more… Active than we maybe have been in a while.” Gerald struggled with his words in embarrassment. “And then we saw on the news a few days later, and realized what must have happened… Ever since we’ve been, er, together every few days now, which is much more…” he continued to ramble into the details of their lukewarm sex life, and Craig scoffed loudly.
“What a fucking cop out!” he spat at the TV. “These two don’t have a clue.”
“They’re clearly not infected.” Helen murmured in agreement.
“No kidding!” Craig exclaimed. “The old guy got a hard on for a bunch of hot chicks at a restaurant and brought his dick out of retirement when he got home with his wife. Infected my ass…”
“I supposed we should be thankful?” I said uncertainly. “I mean, that the news station isn’t about to be infected?”
“Yeah, Diane, that’s a good point.” Helen agreed half-heartedly. I couldn’t help but feel that we were all disappointed at what we were seeing in front of us.
“So, should we change the channel?” I asked dully. There wasn’t much point. Half the channels were now on emergency broadcast tones, and the other half were mostly repeats of the latest news reports that we had seen all day.
“Hold on…” Craig perked up in his armchair hopefully. “Looks like another guest.”
“Oh. We might have a live one…” Helen said, also sitting up slightly.
I turned back to the screen, and sure enough, a young woman, early twenties certainly, was sitting down on the edge of the sofa, next to a very threatened and nervous looking Beatrice.
She had short, neatly kept brown hair, and wore a long black skirt and a thick red woolen jumper. Her face was pale and thin, with a small ridged nose and big brown eyes. She had clearly made an effort to look plain, but her prettiness shone thorough in her thick eyelashes and petite lips. Her face was squinted in concentration, and her hands were clenched as they slowly ran up and down the top of her legs, seemingly unconsciously.
“So, Victoria.” The male newscaster, Kevin, addressed her, then peering at his notes, “You believe you may have become infected just a few hours ago?”
“I… I don’t know… Maybe” Victoria replied in a shaky voice.
“It’s ok, Victoria, you’re perfectly safe here.” Kevin replied kindly. “Why don’t you tell us what happened.”
“Well, I was out at the shops, one of the ones still open…” She started, now gripping her skirt tightly. “When I… When I… Ahhhh.” She closed her eyes tightly and grimaced.
“It’s ok, Victoria. In your own time.” Linda reassured her. She was leaning forward on her seat, fixated on the young woman.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Victoria exhaled sharply, opening her eyes again and seemingly regaining some of her composure. “It’s just. I’m finding it hard to concentrate.”
“Let’s get you a glass of water.” Kevin said, poking his head up and staring just past the camera. “Chuck, could you?”
The camera wobbled slightly, as Victoria did her best to push through her distress.
“Thank you.” She said, taking deep breaths and smiling gratefully at Kevin. “I was at the shop, trying to get some groceries. I was stocking up, just in case, you know…” she sighed, looking from the McAnguses beside her to Kevin and Linda again, “Just in case it’s as bad as they say.”
“Well, that’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” Kevin declared, looking from Victoria to the camera. “To illustrate that this virus is mostly hype and media lies.”
“Yes, I think so, I hope so.” Victoria struggled, now wobbling in her seat slightly.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen now. Victoria looked ready to crack down the middle.
“Do you see the way they’re all looking at her?” Helen pointed out, a hint of thrill in her voice.
“Like she’s a piece of meat…” Craig replied tensely.
Sure enough, the old married man, Gerald, was looking across his wife at the neckline of Victoria’s sweater, his eyes looking greedy. My mouth opened in surprised as he actually licked his lips. Both Kevin and Linda were leaning forwards in their seats now, staring unblinkingly at the young woman as she rocked back and forth.
“There was a man there, and I couldn’t stop…” Victoria blubbered, her voice on the edge of breaking. “I couldn’t help myself! He came to me and kissed me and I couldn’t stop him! I’m so sorry!”
She then completely burst into tears, covering her face in her hands and shaking with each loud sob.
“Oh, you poor dear. “ Beatrice said, quickly putting an arm around her and stroking her hair. “There there, bless your soul…”
“I’m a good girl!” Victoria wailed between sobs. “I… I was saving myself!”
“So you… did you?” Kevin asked hungrily.
“Yes. Please, Victoria, what happened next?” Linda asked insistently, gripping her interview notes so tightly they had become a crumpled mess.
“I was… I was kissing him, it felt so good!” Victoria managed to say though her head was now buried in Beatrice’s chest. Another man appeared on screen carrying a large glass of water, which he handed out to Victoria.
“Here, ma’am” Chuck the cameraman said, placing his hand on her head.
Victoria sat up quickly and took the glass of water.
“Thank you.” She said meekly, staring into the crotch of Chuck’s jeans as she took the water. She closed her eyes and downed the water in one, handing the glass back after.
“Thank you Chuck.” Kevin said sternly. After a moment in which Chuck didn’t move, Kevin snapped. “Chuck! The camera won’t operate itself!”
Chuck reluctantly exited the screen, seemingly cursing under his breath. Victoria managed to wrest herself from Beatrice firm hold and she sat up straight again.
“I’m ok, I’m ok.” She insisted with an uncertain voice, her sobs ebbing away.
“You’re more than ok, young lady.” Gerald grunted from across the sofa. “You’ve been very brave, haven’t you?”
“Yes, you have.” Agreed Kevin, who was firmly gripping his own knees now. “Now tell us what happened next.”
“I… I got away.” Victoria managed. “Someone else, someone pushed me aside and started kissing the man. The shock brought me to my senses, I guess. I got up and ran. Once I got outside I met your news crew. They were so kind to me, gave me coffee, calmed me down. I agreed to come here I guess.” She was starting to look flustered now. “Everyone… everyone has been so nice to me…”
“Oh, here we go!” Craig said excitedly in the lounge. “I think she’s about to snap!”
“Looks like…” Helen said, leaning forward on the sofa next to me. I too, had been leaning more and more forward without realizing it. It looked to me like everyone on the screen were straining themselves trying to stay composed.
Back in the news studio, it was Gerald, who made the first move, getting to his feet and pushing past his surprised looking wife. He quickly grabbed Victoria by the hands and pulled her up from the couch. She gasped in surprise but couldn’t take her eyes off his scarlet, sweating face.
“You’ve been through a lot, love.” He said intensely, “Come with me, we’ll get you some rest. Come on now.”
“Gerald!” protested Beatrice. “The poor girl was fine next to me!”
“Mr McAngus, really!” fumed Kevin, getting to his feet and placing a firm hand on Gerald’s shoulder. Linda stood up angrily almost in sync with her co-host.
“Mr McAugus you are out of line!” she snapped, also moving towards Gerald. Before she could grab him though, Gerald started flailing to escape Kevin’s grasp, knocking Linda backwards. He struggled with Kevin, leaving Beatrice free to get to her feet and grab Victoria. Victoria gasped in exhilaration as Beatrice pulled her closer.
“Poor dear, let me take care of you.” Beatrice said caringly, but her grip was firm as she tugged a confused and aroused Victoria so that their lips met. Victoria was at first stiff, but within moments she melted into Beatrice’s arms. Gerald and Kevin were still locked together in an awkward stalemate, arms grabbing each other and spinning on the spot like an angry dance. Linda by now had gotten to her feet and clumsily picked up her interview chair. She swung it wildly into Beatrice’s back, and the older woman crumpled forwards on top of Victoria who let out a surprised shriek.
“Holy Shit!” exclaimed Craig as this all unfolded in front of us on the screen. “Did she kill her or what?”
“No, she looks out of it, but she’ll be ok.” Helen murmured. “Look at the news lady go!” She added, her eyes widening.
I found the expression on my face turn to a mixture of surprise and horror. Linda had unceremoniously rolled Beatrice off of Victoria, and was now straddling the young woman, pinning her arms to the floor. She had a primal look in her eyes, and began sticking her tongue down the throat of and uncomplaining Victoria. Victoria, far from fighting anything now, bucked her hips and moaned deeply as she reciprocated Linda’s passion.
It was a few more moments before the studio staff finally moved in to break up the commotion. What looked like a couple of terrified looking interns tried to separate Kevin and Gerald who were now grunting aggressively in each other’s faces, while Chuck the cameraman grabbed Linda by a tuff of hair and dragged her roughly off of Victoria.
Victoria gasped for breath and clambered to her feet. “I’m a good girl, I swear.” She protested to no one in particular, grabbing her own breast and whimpering. “I can’t help it. I’m sorry.” She panted, before throwing herself at Chuck. The cameraman released his grip on Linda and eagerly embraced Victoria, lifting her off the ground so that her legs wrapped around his waist. Victoria kissed him and started pulling at his clothes desperately trying to tear them off. Chuck then tramped with Victoria out of the shot, presumably, I thought, to throw her on top of the news desk that was right out of view. It seemed like the newscasters and the McAnguses had realized this was happening too, as they all shortly chased Victoria out of view also, Beatrice crawling, still dazed. The two interns were left on the screen, looking mortified at the situation unfolding before them.
“Unbelievable!” Craig scoffed at the screen. “It’s all going down off stage right, and we can’t see it because the god damn cameraman is the one fucking the infected chick!”
“What do you think those two will do?” I asked, pointing at the two terrified interns. “They’re gonna get taken by the pheromones too, right?”
“Oh, no, didn’t you hear, Diane? The virus is just a hoax and publicity stunt, according to Channel 14 news anyway.” Helen offered me her rare smile, more of a smirk, and turned back to the screen.
Pieces of clothing periodically flew into the shot, where the interns seemed stuck like deer in the headlights. We could all hear Victoria’s screams of pleasure coming from off the screen, interspersed with the occasional “Yes!” and “Fuck me harder!”
“I’m getting blue balls here.” Craig moaned. “Do you think I could call the station and ask them to pan the camera left?”
“I think by the fact that the feed is still transmitting, I don’t think anyone is left in control of themselves in the control room there.” I suggested. “They never said how many infected guests they were bringing to that poor studio…”
“Aww, man, all the infected off screen? This blows.” Craig sighed.
“I think we were lucky to see what we did.” Helen said admittedly. “I sort of thought that at the first sign of trouble they would pull the feed. Oh look, one of those interns is cracking…”
On the screen, one of the interns, a short, red headed female, was trying to drag the tall, muscular Hispanic male off the screen away from the orgy unfolding on the news desk. She was unsuccessful, and let him go join the others. She backed away from the scene as more grunts and screams could be heard, and then all we could see was two interviewer chairs (one on its side) and a sofa, with random pieces of clothing scattered across them and the floor.
They had been doomed from the moment Victoria had walked in the door, I thought. I then couldn’t think but imagine what it would be like if an infected guy walked into the lounge in which I sat there and then. I wouldn’t be able to help myself, I would drop to my knees and gladly take him into my mouth, or I would spread my legs and beg him to ravish me. I would be infected within moments, but be too aroused to care, too intoxicated to help myself. I would become Victoria, trying to fight it one moment, screaming in delight and launching myself at anything that moved the next. I could feel my wetness grow the more my mind dwelt on it, and I wanted to just run my finger down into my panties and imagine myself as Victoria, swarming in sex, hands and mouths caressing me all over, all the time the infection spreading, spreading.
Craig and Helen seemed to still be staring expectantly at the TV, hoping no doubt that someone will knock the camera into line with all the action.
Biting my lip slightly, my hand began to wander.