[Center][b][u]12:00 midnight, January 5th, 2026
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico[/u][/b][/center]

Hayley, a young woman of 19, was walking home from a party. Her parents wanted her home by 12, but she was almost home anyway, so she wasn't in a rush. As she continued her walk, though, she felt like she was being... watched. Hayley turned slightly and saw a hooded figure behind her, a few dozen yards away, walking in the same direction she was. It was deadly quiet, and nobody else was around but the two of them.

Feeling a bit nervous, Hayley decided to pick up the pace. The man did as well. She turned a corner. The man followed her. She turned another. The man followed. He was slowly gaining on her. That's when Hayley just decided to break into a run, and predictably, the man followed her, sprinting as well. She turned the next two faster than him, having briefly lost him. Hayley looked behind her as she turned another corner.

[i][b]THUD[/b][/i]

Next thing she knew, she was on her ass, having just run into something. Her handbag she was carrying had it's contents spilled all over the sidewalk. She looked slowly up at what she just bumped into, terrified, and saw... a man in a dress jacket, also on his ass. He spoke up first, in an apologetic tone.

[Color=dimgray][b]"Oh, I'm sorry, miss. I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you hurt?"[/b][/color]

[b]"... Um... No. I'm fine. It's not your fault, I was running."[/b]

The man stood up and offered her his hand.

[Color=dimgray][b]"Oh, are you one of those late-night jogger types?"[/b][/color]

Hayley took his hand and stood to her feet as well, just as the figure who was following her turned the corner. She looked at the figure, terrified, and looked back at the dressed-up man with pleading eyes.

[B]"That guy's been chasing me! Please, help!"[/b]

The figure approached closer, and drew a kitchen knife from his hoodie. The dressed man looked back at Hayley, his tone changing to a serious one.

[Color=dimgray][b]"Stay right here. Grab your things. I'll handle him."[/b][/color]

She nodded wordlessly in response, and started retrieving her scattered belongings while the man went to confront the figure. She grabbed her handbag and started putting her things inside. When she looked back up, she could see the figure trying to slash the man, but kept missing. The man grabbed the figure's knife-wielding hand and punched them in the face, making them drop the knife. The man then put a knee to the figure's abdomen, and he threw the figure to the floor, shouting at him. The figure apparently got the message, and started to flee in the other direction.

Hayley was awestruck for a moment, but when the man turned and started on his way back, she quickly looked back at the ground and resumed collecting her things. When the man returned, he helped as well, grabbing her wallet and handing it to her.

[Color=dimgray][b]"I took care of him. Are you gonna be alright?"[/b][/color]

She looked at him for a moment, into his worried eyes, before snapping out of it and taking the wallet.

[b]"... Yeah. Thank you, thank you so much."[/b]

They both stood as she closed her handbag back up.

[Color=dimgray][b]"It's no problem. Are you gonna make it home okay?"[/b][/color]

Hayley looked around. She ran pretty far off course. It might take her a bit longer to make it home than she'd like. This man was strong, and he had a certain way about him that seemed chivalrous.

[B]"... You wouldn't mind... Walking me home, would you?"[/b]

He paused, considering the offer. He extended a hand.

[color=dimgray][b]"... Sure. I can do that. What's your name?"[/b][/color]

She took his hand, shaking it lightly.

[B]"Hayley. It's nice to meet you."[/b]

[Color=dimgray][b]"Nice to meet you too, Hayley. I'm Charles."[/b][/color]

[hr]

[Center][b][u]12:30 January 5th, 2026
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico[/u][/b][/center]

Hayley, despite the potential danger earlier, was having a great time. Her and Charles had talked for a while on the walk back, and they'd gotten to know a bit more about each other. Hayley had talked about her time at college, her overbearing parents, her annoying little brother, and the job she has as a nurse. Charles had talked about how he was from Cambridge and went to M.I.T, and how he's in New Mexico on business.

Hayley had started thinking she'd found a perfect man. Charles was smart, kind, and if the fight earlier was of any indication, he was strong too. He was easy on the eyes, as well. The way he talked, it was almost as if he knew exactly what to say. And it was working.

[Color=dimgray][b]"Oh, is this the place?"[/b][/color]

Hayley had been lost in thought and hadn't realized her house just ahead. It's like the time flew by.

[B]"Oh. Yeah. That's my house."[/b]

Charles walked her to the door. She fumbled with the keys for a moment before putting one in and unlocking the door, opening it. A woman's voice came from inside.

[B][i]"Hayley, is that you? It's past 12:30!"[/i][/b]

[B]"Yeah, mom, it's me. I got caught up in something."[/b]

Charles turned to leave with an awkward wave.

[Color=dimgray][b]"... Um... Have a nice night."[/b][/color]

[B]"Wait! Hold on!"[/b]

Charles halted his movements and turned back as Hayley called inside the house.

[B]"I'll be just a sec!"[/b]

She approached him and reached inside her handbag, sifting through for her wallet.

[B]"You deserve some sort of reward, right? Let me just-"[/b]

[Color=dimgray][b]"Oh, no no, that won't be neccessary."[/b][/color]

Charles interrupts and puts a his hand on the one reaching into the purse. They both stay like that for a moment, staring into each other's eyes and blushing. Hayley drops the handbag as they both inch closer to each other. All Charles had to do was say something nice. Any compliment, any sweet little nothing, and she was his.

[Color=dimgray][b]"... You... Smell really nice..."[/b][/color]

[i][b]Close enough.[/b][/i]

Hayley and Charles shared a passionate kiss right then and there, holding each other like they'd never let go. Hayley had never kissed anybody as good as Charles. It was intoxicating. She wanted to be like this, to be with this man she'd just met, forever, doing nothing else. This day was possibly the best day of her life.

... Unfortunately, for her... [i]it was also her last.[/i]

As the kiss went on, Hayley's throat began to hurt. She tried to pull away, but Charles held the back of her head too tightly. She started feeling real, intense pain from her chest and stomach. She tried to scream in pain, but Charles had her muffled with his mouth. She noticed his face was no longer blushing, his expression stone-cold. Eventually, the cells had eaten away at her trachea and lungs, and she couldn't scream anymore as the cells ate her from the inside-out. Charles didn't need to kiss her anymore, and he gently pulled away as she watched in silent horror.

Finally, the pain ended when she was fully assimilated. Virus let out a small chuckle from the joy, but kept his cool. He was still hungry, after all. The mother's voice sounded from inside again.

[b][i]"Hayley, are you coming in anytime soon? Or are you planning to Air-condition the entire neighborhood?"[/i][/b]

Virus' larynx and lungs reformed as he responded.

[b]"Sorry, thought I forgot something. I'm coming."[/b]

Virus stepped through the doorway, closing the door behind him, and locking it with a [i]click.[/i]