Outbreak and Collapse

In a research facility in Cambridge, a group of animal rights activists forcibly gained access to a lab containing infected chimpanzees. Their attempt to free the animals led to an irreversible disaster. One of the chimpanzees, carrying a highly contagious virus known as “Rage,” attacked an activist moments after being released. The virus transmitted instantaneously, and within seconds, she became aggressive and infected others. The attending scientist warned them of the threat, but his attempts to intervene were halted. Chaos erupted, and the virus quickly spread beyond the lab walls, igniting a catastrophic outbreak across Britain.

Awakening in Silence

Twenty-eight days after the initial incident, a bicycle courier named Jim awoke from a coma in a deserted London hospital. He wandered through the abandoned halls of St Thomas’ Hospital, eventually stepping into eerily empty city streets. Signs of sudden evacuation and destruction were visible everywhere—newspapers lay scattered, shopfronts shattered, and vehicles abandoned. Jim’s exploration led him to a church, where he discovered a horrific scene of violence. Moments later, infected individuals, frenzied and bloodied, chased him through the city. He was rescued by two survivors, Selena and Mark, who guided him to temporary safety.

At Jim’s request, the trio traveled to Deptford, hoping to find Jim’s parents. Upon arrival, he learned that they had taken their own lives during the outbreak. A note left behind expressed their hope that he would never awaken. As night fell, the group remained in the house. Jim, overcome with emotion, lit a candle in memory of his family. The light drew the infected. They broke into the house, wounding Mark. Selena, understanding the urgency, immediately killed him to prevent his transformation. Her blunt warning to Jim made clear that survival now required brutal decisiveness.

New Allies and a Journey North

While navigating through a high-rise apartment block, Jim and Selena encountered Frank, a cab driver, and his daughter Hannah. They had taken refuge in one of the flats and had limited supplies. Frank revealed a recorded military broadcast claiming sanctuary and a cure in Manchester. With dwindling food and growing danger, the four decided to travel together.

Their journey north in Frank’s cab was perilous. Supermarkets were looted for necessities, and mechanical failures forced tense stops. At the Manchester blockade, only silence greeted them. While searching, Frank was accidentally infected when blood from a corpse above splashed into his eye. As he changed, soldiers emerged and killed him. The others were taken into custody.

False Promises

Jim, Selena, and Hannah were brought to a heavily fortified country estate run by Major Henry West and his unit. The estate, well-guarded and stocked, appeared secure. However, beneath the surface, intentions were far darker. West explained his philosophy through a captive infected soldier, Private Mailer, observing his behavior in hopes of learning the virus’s limitations.

It was soon revealed that the broadcast had been a lure. West intended to use female survivors to repopulate the world through coercion. Jim and Sergeant Farrell resisted, prompting West to order their execution. Before it could happen, Farrell distracted the guards, giving Jim a chance to escape. Farrell was killed shortly after.

Turning the Tide

As Jim fled into the forest, he witnessed a jet trail, confirming Farrell’s belief that the virus had not left the island. Jim lured soldiers away using a siren, then killed one of them before returning to the estate. There, he released Private Mailer, who immediately began attacking the remaining soldiers.

Jim found Selena and Hannah being threatened by the final soldiers. In a violent confrontation, Jim killed Corporal Mitchell. His brutality caused Selena to momentarily suspect he was infected, but her hesitation faded after he assured her otherwise. She kissed him, and together with Hannah, they escaped the mansion.

As they attempted to flee in Frank’s taxi, West, hidden in the back seat, shot Jim. Hannah acted quickly, reversing the vehicle and allowing the infected Mailer to drag West out through the window, killing him. She then drove them to safety.

Hope on the Horizon

Twenty-eight days later, Jim recovered in a remote cottage in Cumbria. Outside, the infected wandered weakly, slowly dying from starvation. The world had not ended, only paused. As a military jet flew overhead, the trio unfurled a large cloth with the word “HELLO.” They waved, hopeful.

Looking skyward, Selena asked, “Do you think he saw us this time?” Jim, still smiling, gave no answer—just the look of someone who had finally seen a reason to believe.