Epic Mickey - Epidemic

                             Epidemic

           Prescott looked around the dimly lit chamber, nearly everyone inside had been curled up in fear since it happened. No one had ever thought or dreamed that an epidemic would reach this high, no one imagined that so many lives were lost and some even went missing. Oswald and Ortensia were in one corner holding on to their children or at least which ever ones they could find since they disappeared the moment the epidemic began. Horace and Clarabelle stayed  in a tight embrace fearing of losing one another. Mickey stayed quiet never once spoke a word since they came down here in this miserable place. On the other hand Gus and Mad Doctor remained doing what they have since the very beginning of the outbreak, eyes glued to the chalkboard and chemicals trying to find a cure and vaccination. The only one who would even talk to Prescott without acting crazy was Marcus. Like all the others he was afraid catching the disease that wiped out many but unlike all of them he managed to preserve his fears.

  Prescott glanced around at what lied outside the chamber, charred corpses of those who perished; he bit his lip trying look brave in the eyes of Marcus and the kids but deep down he was scared of falling into the pile of the dead. Scared that someone may have carried the disease inside the chamber and mostly scared of losing his best friend.

It was silent, save the only sound that lingered in the chamber was silent weeping from Clarabelle.

Horace held her close stroking her gently in his tight embrace. He whispered in her ear. “I promise we'll get through this and when we do, we can have the life we've always dreamed.”

Clarabelle nodded as streams of tears drenched her cheeks and his shoulder.

Ortensia finally spoke. “We have to remain strong, I know that we've lost so many of our friends and loved ones but as the survivors we have be brave in this darkest of times.”

Suddenly the sound of a beeping watch screeched throughout the chamber, Gus finally peered away from the chalkboard and looked on to his watch. Gus had built a small watch like device to detect anyone carrying the disease in order to ensure everyone was safe and most importantly healthy and disease free.

However this was different for Gus' face grew pale.

Mickey looked to him finally letting out a word. “Gus is there something wrong?”

Gus remained speechless.

Oswald's temper was lower than normal and finally shouted. “Tell us please!!”

Ortensia tried her best to calm him, Oswald was badly hurt by the fact he couldn't find all his children in time. He was torn by the fact he couldn't leave to find them and felt he failed his own family.

Gus finally responded. “Oh dear.”

Prescott stood up. “What do you mean 'Oh dear' !?”

Gus' voice cracked  in terror, he was afraid to say the awful news. Finally he got the courage to respond. “One of you is carrying the disease.”

Within that second the silence broke, everyone was all at edge scared, fearing the worst.

Mad Doctor looked up. “Now, now this might just be a false alarm his watch might be malfunctioning we don't know for sure so far no one is showing any of the starting symptoms.”

Gus was reluctant to that response. “It's best we try to find out before it happens. You all saw what happened up there, we are not gonna stand by and let it happen down here.”

Mickey nodded agreeing with Gus. “He's right, we can't risk it. We've got to find out who's carrying it or we all won't survive this plague.”

One by one each one was examined, each one was nervous, and each one feared losing their lives. The seconds went by and the growing fear was reaching it's peak. Prescott was the last to be examined, he felt uneasy as the cotton swab circled into his mouth gathering a small sample to be tested on. He wanted to go back to Marcus to feel safe, to fall into his fantasy where he believed this was all just a nightmare, a result of indigestion. Once he was done he fled back to his corner shaking and then curled up.

Mad Doctor went to examine each sample explaining it would be at least two days before they could determine who was infected and had to be killed.
Night fall came and everyone had to ration the remaining supplies they had, sharing the remaining bread and water they had. Oswald and Ortensia rarely ate mainly for the concern that their remaining children would not sleep hungry or thirsty, thus leading them to be nearly famished and malnourished. Mickey, Horace, and Clarabelle had always offered  to give them their shares but they would always give to their children instead. Prescott slept by this point, sleeping was his escape but at the same time was his worst fear for most nights he would have a recurring nightmare where he would wake and see everyone dead all of them laying in the small pools of crimson seeing his hands covered in it. For every time the nightmare occurred he would look around at everyone sleeping soundly in the midst of the fear, Marcus would always wake to assure him that things would get better leading them both to drift off in assurance.

Morning came and the silence that had lingered everyday was broken with an ear shattering cry causing everyone to jolt and wake. Prescott looked over to where the sound came from, it was Horace mourning for Clarabelle who had unexpectedly passed away overnight. Horace refused to let anyone go near him as held the love of his life in his arms weeping that his promise of the life they were to have was now broken, his chance of spending the rest of his life with her was gone.

Horace spoke softly as if he was talking to Clarabelle his tears pouring down like rain, everyone had stayed their distance to let their equine friend mourn and hold his love for one last time. They heard his words of sorrow, his deepest regrets, and the vows he wanted to give her  the day they were to be married. Eventually by the afternoon Horace dressed into the protective gear used to go out of the chamber carrying Clarabelle's body to the outside, everyone watched from the clear glass wall as Horace laid her body down. He couldn't find it in his heart to bury her and instead made an open coffin of broken wood and glass laying it next to the wall outside where his corner was. He soon laid her body inside the coffin laying a small bouquet of paper roses, she looked like the sleeping Snow White in Horace's tear-stained eyes.

Horace's voice was broken from mourning, he managed to speak above whisper level. “Wait for me.” And kissed her forehead.

Oswald, Mickey, and Gus watched as Horace came back inside still torn by his loss and no longer able to talk. The gear was quickly decontaminated  and Horace went back to his corner seeing his love on the other side, he refused to eat, sleep, or even look at anyone wanting to watch over her in an eternal vigil.

Gus looked over at the glass wall and saw a very small trail of black liquid leaking from Clarabelle's lower lip,  black mucus: the first sign of the disease. He motioned to Horace who still eyed Clarabelle and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“I'm so sorry.” Gus said in a frail tone.

All Horace could do was weep silently.

Ortensia draped his blanket around him hoping to sooth him. She wanted to find words to describe how sorry she felt for him, but deep down she knew words by this point meant nothing to him. Prescott looked to Horace, he imagined what if it was him keeping vigil for Marcus in that same manner.

Marcus looked to Prescott. “I can't imagine how much pain he's in.”

Prescott sighed.

“What if it happens again? What will we do? What will w-”

Marcus was interrupted by Prescott tightly hugging him, he didn't know how to respond but felt it was best to let him. Night time came and by this point Horace's voice had faded out like a light thus the silence returned. Mickey on the other hand kept his eyes at Gus and Mad Doctor hoping they would find out who was carrying the disease, everyone at this point was on edge. Mad Doctor had been up day and night trying his best to find the carrier, he was zoning in and out fighting his urge to pass out and drift off. He looked over at the remaining Bunny children hoping dearly it wasn't them. Another hour passed, his body couldn't take it anymore and eventually succumbed to sleep

As Morning rose, Oswald looked around to see everything was fine. He could feel the pain in his stomach from his refusal to eat, in his arms Ortensia and the kids were shaking. At this point Oswald was more concerned of his family's well being, hoping they would get through this without getting affected by the disease. Horace had fallen asleep still keeping his hand to the glass, all through the night he tried to stay awake but in his state he had no choice as much as it ached him.

The supplies that kept them going was finally going low and rationing was limited. Oswald shared his bottled water with everyone while Mickey shared his bread with the children. Horace still remained asleep shaking in his sleep. Another two hours passed and Mad Doctor was fighting for sure to stay awake while everyone slept. Upon analyzing the samples as the hours passed, he suddenly felt a chill run down his neck. Mad Doctor stopped his work briefly to look around and saw nothing.

“It's just the cold air.” He thought to himself before returning to his work.

Mad Doctor tried to calm himself down by faintly humming his favorite song as he looked at the individual samples. After an hour he finally made a horrifying discovery. He wanted to yell out, but before he could open his mouth he felt something wrap tightly around his neck. Mad Doctor struggled to breathe as he tried to reach out for what was causing the strangulation. He could feel the grip get tighter by the minute until finally he tried to get up the grip was off of him as he started slowly catching breath. Again he looked around only to see everyone asleep he looked back at his table seeing one of his medical tools missing. Before he could even get up again he felt a sharp blade lash him across his throat. Mad Doctor fell back into his chair feeling the warm crimson liquid spilling down his throat. Mad Doctor tried to stop his wound from bleeding worse until he started feeling cold gazing at everyone and then at his blood stained coat. Finally looking up at the ceiling he attempted to try and hum his favorite song before he closed his eyes and stayed still.

The Next morning Horace finally opened his eyes slowly to see the glass wall he looked at the open coffin.

He faintly smiled as if he was saying. “Good morning Clarabelle.”

Mickey rushed over to Horace  panicking.

“Horace we need you.” He said in a deathly scared tone.

Horace looked up at him.

Mickey pulled him up. “Horace, Mad Doctor is dead and as our only detective we need you.”

Horace looked back at his corner, he didn't want to leave Clarabelle's side just the very thought of it pained him on the inside. But he also knew if she was still alive she would have encouraged him to go ahead and solve the mystery.

He looked to the glass wall and whispered. “I'll be back dear.”

Horace finally gathered his strength and walked over to where Mad Doctor laid. He was slumped in his chair eyes wide open staring at nothing, his coat stained with his own blood, and in his hand was a scalpel. Horace then noticed a note, he picked it up slowly and opened it.

Oswald asked. “What is it?”

Horace managed to gain his voice back. “It's a note. A suicide note to be exact.”

Gus was nervous. “Please read it Horace.”

Horace cleared his throat and began to read the letter, everyone started becoming terrified at the words of the letter. Horace however noticed something different while everyone was shocked, he was very familiar with Mad Doctor's hand writing and style.

He stopped. “This wasn't suicide...it was murder.”

Oswald stood up. “But who in their right mind would murder someone who was assisting in finding a cure for that disease?”

“I don't know,” Horace replied. “but whoever it is we will stop them before they kill again.”
Hours passed as Horace, Mickey and Oswald began their investigation into the murder as they discovered the same black mucus from before and something else; the second symptom: red marks under the eyes. Meanwhile Marcus stared at Prescott fearing  he killed Mad Doctor over a dispute.

“Prescott?” Marcus spoke above whisper tone.

“What is it Marcus?” Prescott perked up from his occurring blackout moments.

“You didn't...you didn't k-k-ki...”

“Kill who Marcus?”

Marcus swallowed hard. “You didn't kill Mad Doctor did you?”

Prescott looked at him. “Now why would I do such a thing?”

“Well I thought maybe because he and you might have had a dispute of some sorts.”

“Now Marcus, that is ridiculous. I'm not the type to kill.”

Marcus wanted to believe him, he wanted to believe this was all a terrible dream. But at the same time he felt it was necessary to be there for him. Hours passed and it was the time for the results to be shown to them and the person that was to die.

Gus looked at the samples. “I believe I found the results of the tests.”

Everyone stayed silent waiting to hear.

Gus cleared his throat. “First is...Horace Horsecollar.”

Horace was nervous, he hoped he wasn't it him. He feared  that if he was infected that he may have killed Clarabelle.

Gus spoke up. “Horace Horsecollar is not infected.”

Horace sighed with relief but felt hurt from his loss.

Gus read on the names becoming nervous.

Mickey, not infected

Oswald, not infected.

Ortensia, not infected.

Bunny Kids ( the only ten remaining to be exact), not infected.

Marcus, not infected.

Gus himself, not infected.

Mad Doctor, not infected.

Horace became very suspicious.

Clarabelle, not infected.

Horace's  face grew cold and soon boiled in anger.

Ortensia was scared. “Horace are you alright?”

“She died for nothing!!” Horace shouted in anger and pain.

“Horace calm down.” Mickey tried to calm him.

Horace clenched his fists tightly, tears streamed down his cheeks. “She wasn't infected, she was murdered for nothing!!”

Prescott watched him in silence as Horace became enraged to the point were there was no choice but to restrain him. Horace was tied down to keep him from harming anyone. Gus feared Horace was infected for he showed the third symptom: uncontrollable anger and violent outbursts.

As everything went back to normal after a while and Gus was ready to read the final test.

Prescott was nervous that he was the one, afraid that he would be the one to be axed off. He curled up in a ball ready to cry.

Until he heard Gus say. “Prescott, not infected.”

Prescott sighed heavily with relief, Marcus smiled happily at the result. Horace however knew something was wrong; two innocent people that were not infected were murdered in cold blood, but for what reason. Mad Doctor he understood, especially since there were still a few that despise him. But Clarabelle's murder was uncalled for, she was a sweet and generous woman. Horace's train of thought was broken the second he felt a set of tiny taps on his shoulder. He turned over to see a Bunny Kid with a look of worry.

“Mister Horsecollar?”The Bunny Kid squeaked.

“What is it kid?” Horace sighed deeply.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Go ahead.”

“I saw a bad man hurting Miss Cow.”

Horace ears perked. “What did the bad man do?”

Horace listened to the Bunny Kid as he tried to piece together what he meant. Luckily it was easy to understand what he was saying. Horace smiled thanking the Bunny kid. By nighttime Horace slept dreaming of the night of Clarabelle's death.

Horace woke to see Clarabelle awake looking over at the examination table and noticed one of the samples had blackened meaning someone was infected. Horace couldn't see the name on there but he knew someone was infected but he focused on Clarabelle looking over again at the other side of the room shaking in terror.

“Clarabelle,” Horace called out. “Clarabelle I'm here.”

Suddenly he saw piece of rubber cord wrap around  her neck and starts to strangle her tight. Clarabelle gagged and struggled to scream. Horace screamed her name out trying to reach out to her, he watched in horror as the love of his life was murdered before eyes. He then jolted awake crying softly still calling out her name. Horace remained still crying until he heard a soft voice.

“Poor Detective, still grieving and mourning”

Horace didn't respond finding his mouth to be gagged.

“It's a shame that you and the squealer kid have to go so soon.”

Horace looked over and in his shock saw the Bunny Kid laying dead a few feet from his family. Horace was streaming tears crying heavily begging and praying this wasn't real.

The Voice continued. “But your death won't be so easy.”

Horace cringed as he began to feel the painful blows to his body, all his cries and pleads were muffled as the beatings to his frail body became more unbearable to him. He was shaken by this point, by now he wanted to just die and be out of his ordeal. Horace tried to look up but eventually gave out.

The next morning, Oswald and his family mourned for the loss of their child. Much like Clarabelle and Mad Doctor, Horace and the Bunny Kid were taken outside of the chamber and given a proper funeral just when they were about to bury them Ortensia screamed in fright. Oswald rushed back in to see Prescott covered in black mucus and blood. Gus was terrified of this shocking revelation.

Prescott looked at all of them not shocked by his true sickly appearance. He began to chuckle at everyone. “I already knew you expected it to be me huh? Well guess what? I'm not the real carrier.”

Mickey and Oswald were confused by his statement until.

“It was either us or you.”

They turned around and saw Marcus, who was holding a rubber cord and alas the very scalpel that killed Mad Doctor.

Prescott explained. “You see I rigged his and my own test samples to make sure that if he and I were to die then we'd take you with us.”

“For you see we did what we have to do to keep the secret. I'm so sorry Uncle.” Marcus began to chuckle as well.

Gus was crushed that his own nephew was infected and to add salt to the open wound that stung like a wasp both Marcus and Prescott had murdered four innocent lives just to keep this horrifying secret.

Oswald's blood boiled and he lunged towards them both.

Gus pushed him away. “No this is my fault, I brought them in and now I have to dispose them.”

Oswald was lost for words when he saw Gus's face tear up badly knowing what had to be done. Prescott and Marcus looked up to Gus in fear. Gus however was in a state of remorse finding in his heart he couldn't bring himself to kill his nephew and fell to his knees crying hard.

“I can't do it!” He cried hurtfully.

Gus hugged Marcus tightly crying on his shoulder and suddenly felt a sharp pain on his side. Marcus had stabbed the scalpel into his Uncle finally revealing his final symptom: Sudden unhealthy urge and craving of violence and murder.

Gus looked at him with tears streaming down and fell to the floor slowly dying. Prescott however felt it wasn't enough and grabbed the cord and strangled Gus to the point where a loud snap could be heard. Marcus looked up at Prescott with a soulless face still holding the scalpel in his hands and came close to Prescott ready to kill him as well. Prescott grabbed both his arms struggling to stop Marcus from killing him. The struggle was getting out of hand up until Prescott grabbed hold of the scalpel and slit his throat. Marcus fell to the floor  bleeding profusely as Prescott backed away in horror and remorse seeing the blood on his hands like in his nightmare.

“No, no.” Prescott began to cry for a good and long time until he suddenly began to look at Mickey, Oswald, and Ortensia. He slowly walked over to them to end it all. The remaining unaffected began to back away until the glass wall was shattered by a gunshot. Prescott stood still staring at them until another gunshot was heard. Oswald, Ortensia, and Mickey turned to see Horace was holding his lucky six shooter pointing at Prescott. He was shaking badly and bleeding badly, Horace gathered his strength  and fired two more rounds finally killing Prescott.

Mickey whimpered. “Horace... you saved us...”

Oswald brought the first aid kit to Horace. “Don't move were gonna help you.”

Horace shook his head and spoke faintly. “No, I just want to go home with her.”

They knew what he meant as Horace dragged his fatally wounded body over to Clarabelle's coffin, he felt it was better that he was beside his love in death. He longed to be in her arms and never let go, slowly fee. Mickey, Oswald, and Ortensia watched their dying friend lift himself in the coffin and laid  beside her. Horace curled up and held her closely.

“I'm here Clarabelle.” Horace uttered.
“Horace what took you so long?” A familiar voice twinkled in his ears.

Horace looked up and saw Clarabelle standing over him looking as if she never died. She smile lovingly  reaching for his hand and pulled him up.

“Dear,” Clarabelle noticed the wound. “Are you alright?”

Horace was speechless by this, not the fact she was standing in front of him. It was the fact that he couldn't feel the pain from the wound but no matter he managed to respond. “I feel fine.”

Clarabelle giggled and held his hand tightly walking . “Don't worry I'll bandage your wound, but now we have to go.”

“Go where?”

“Home.” Clarabelle smiled.