Derangement

The sounds around the city were just far enough away that you weren't really bothered with them. A few blocks east from here there was some sort of settlement or community nestled into the streets and buildings of this once lively and populated city. Everything had been lively before the infection and the madness. It came suddenly and left so many dead as it ravaged its way across the world. Near the end of any stable form of coverage it was said sixty some percent had fallen to it. But what brought about the most change was those that recovered. That's probably why there was never really a cure. Once the world saw the effects left on those that had fallen ill no one wanted them survive.

They quickly began to call them 'Tormented'. They were still human. They still lived, created communities, existed within in their own morbid sense of life. But they were changed. Most people quickly called it a possession. Or a parasite. That the devil had finally been given his time to rule over the world and this was his new idea of humanity. Others claiming God had turned his anger and simply wanted to end humanity due to the sin and corruption. It was as if something had just been switched in their minds. Terror and madness sweeping in. They quickly reverted to a pack like mentality. Gathering together and pushing their way outside of the normal society. Similar to gangs or packs of animals. Some were able to function mostly sane but they still had that distant look in their eyes. Most others rambling at times.. and the laughing. The laughing always followed as if they were talking to a hundred others in their head. Rage and became their most primal and natural instincts. Society crumbled and people quickly split into their own separate forms of safety. The wealthy quickly formed hubs of civilization to close themselves off to the rest of the world. They were followed to their areas by most of the government and military. Closing themselves off in their own idea of what society was. Closing out the rest of the world and ignoring all those left outside to the hell that would happen.

Others then grouped together to make their own places. Families and then groups of families moving from the more populated areas and doing what they could to form a small safe community. Those people wanting to rebuild and to be safely away from the horrors of the world. It had been two years now. Two years since everything fell into this hell. Just over a week ago you had packed up with a dozen others form a small community you had lived in for several months. It was only supposed to be a three day trip into the city to scavenge for supplies. Less than a day out the group had come across a new raider camp just south east of the suburbs. Gun fire started with out a single word of caution and when it was all done seven of your group had fallen. Maybe their lives were worth it though, if lives had a value. The number of guns, ammo, medical supplies and food found in the camp was high. But before it was all loaded up a second group of raiders came in and those of you left quickly fled and scattered.

And now here you were. Sitting here gazing out a third story window. You had woken early in the evening. There was still a couple hours of light for you to head out and plan your best course of action. Returning to the community you had lived at the last several months was your plan, but you had been a roamer for the past four years. Before heading back you were curious to see if there was anything better than heading back.

** This stories tags will vary depending on the readers personal choices. This world is brutal and because of that there will be scenes of , , , slavery, theft. The character will not be into those roles, but will have the choice to if that is how they feel. Romantic options are just as possible over the more violent. Really this story will be about your character and the choices/desires you make.

The idea here is the emotional change in such a society. Choices can shift you between a decent or immoral set of morals.**