The Cursed

by Darkside
June 2002

 

Curse +756 Days 01:14 Pat's story - Recovery

 

We'd rushed outside and seen Matthew being stretchered into an ambulance. I quickly found the cop, who was obviously trying to find someone who had seen anything. "What's going on officer?"

"Just a mugging, Did you see anything?" The cop asked.

"No, I was inside at the time. Is she going to be ok?"

The cop shrugged, "Dunno. She's got some head injuries, and it looks as

though she's been 'jacked'"

That term was a new one on me, "jacked?"

The cop wasn't in much of a mood to talk, "Is she any relation?"

"No, just a friend of my wife," I nodded towards Carolyn who was standing to one side, so as not to get in the way. Wife, how odd that description sounded of the cat-creature she had become. My wife!

The cop glanced at Carolyn and frowned. I could tell he was trying to look polite, but inside he recoiled. He had reacted in just the same way as I had!

"Ok, look they're taking her to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital," I'm sure they'll let you in to see her. Has she any family?"

I hadn't a clue, "No idea, we've only just met."

The cop nodded, "Ok. Tell your 'wife' to be careful. The Jacker's might still be around. She'd be a prize if they got hold of her."

Carolyn had wandered over, "What's going on?" she asked in her peculiar accent.

"Your friend's been jacked. I'd go home as soon as I could, " the cop advised.

"What's jacking?" Carolyn asked.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one up on current events.

"Plague victims like yourself, and your friend get mugged. They take a syringe or so of blood and then leave the victim in a bloody mess," the cop explained.

"What'd they need the blood for?" I asked.

"Easy! to threaten people with." Carolyn added.

"Yeah, They then use the threat of giving someone the plague to get money, cars, drugs anything they like," the cop explained.

"Fucking hell," Carolyn swore. I could see it in her face, it was getting too much for her. Strange how much of the real Carolyn was able to show its way thru her catlike face.

"We can go and see Matthew, if we like," I offered to Carolyn.

"I think he needs his family more," she said dejectedly.

"I thought you two were close friends?" Why didn't she want to go see him?

"We are. Pat, this is so hard! First seeing you again, then this! I wish I was back in the camps!" Carolyn sounded distraught. But there were no tears in her feline eyes. Was it all an act?

"Come on, let's go see him," I'll call a cab.

"It won't work. No cab will give me a ride. We've had to walk everywhere, and after what's happened to Matthew I daren't go. Pat, I know you hate the sight of me, but hold me. I need it," Carolyn walked over to me.

I couldn't bear to see her like this. She was more alone than I had realized.

"Come here," I said and opened my arms up.

We embraced for the first time in over seven months. I could feel the silkyness of her fur against my face. Her whiskers brushed my face, feeling a little like stubble does. I could feel her breasts pushing against my chest, but there was no arousal there. Her face brushed against mine and it felt silky smooth, like brushing velvet. It was hard to imagine that beneath the fur was skin and bone. I had an idea, "It'll be a while before Matthew gets to the ER. Why don't we walk back to my place. It's only a twenty minute walk. You can phone from there. If they'll let you see him, then we can take my car. If they want you to wait till morning then you can crash at my place."

Carolyn gave me a squeeze. She was surprisingly strong, "Thankss."

We walked, side by side and just as friends. It seemed odd that less than a year ago we would have been holding hands, laughing and joking and just chatting like people in love do. Now it was more like it was on our first date; friendly, but talking about superficial things.

People would take one look at Carolyn and move quickly and politely out of the way, as though she were a persona non grata. They would glare at me, as though I was some kind of deviant for even being with her. Once or twice a woman would give her a smile and a nod. They were most likely plague victims too.

"I don't know how you cope with it?" I said, after a couple had given us a particularly piercing stare.

"I don't. Not really. I've built up defenses against it, but after a while it gets to me again. It doesn't help," Carolyn stopped short.

"That your husband freaks out when he sees you?" I added.

Carolyn nodded, "Yeah. I understand you need time and all that, but I need to know if there's still a chance. For us?"

I shrugged, "I dunno. One thing at a time I guess. My place is only a few blocks away." I said changing the subject. If she had come back a different looking woman I could've handled it.

"Pat, thanks for this," Carolyn said, her greenish eyes glowed slightly in the streetlight.

"I could hardly leave you on the street could I? You need to see if Matthew's ok too. My place isn't much I know," I said softly.

We walked and talked about nothing, nothing personal just about the weather, my songs and what I hoped to do.

We climbed up the stairs to my apartment, the elevator was broken again and eventually we were outside my door, "This is me," I said gesturing to the grubby looking green door.

After unlocking the door we walked in. Suddenly I had an attack of the 'guilts'. I'd left the place in a real state when I went out this evening.

"I see your domestic habits haven't improved," Carolyn said jokingly.

"I was in a rush. You want a coffee?"

"No thanks, can't stand the stuff anymore. You got any milk?"

I glanced at Carolyn's feline body, figures. I thought.

"Yeah, Somewhere. Warm or cold?"

"Warm please," she said giving me a harsh look. She knew what I had been thinking.

"Phone's on the wall, You want to give the hospital a call?" I said. Since we'd walked in the atmosphere had become strained and awkward.

Carolyn sighed, it was getting late. "I'd better."

I poured her a glass of milk and stuck it in the microwave for forty seconds.

"I'll go clear my room. You can have my bed, I'll take the sofa"

Carolyn, phone to her ear just nodded. I noticed that with her ears on top of her head now, using the phone looked a real pain. The mouthpiece didn't reach when she had it to her ears and vice versa. Someone somewhere was going to make a fortune making phones for non humans.

I walked into my room, got out some clean bed sheets and quickly made the bed. I'd just finished when Carolyn walked in, "Matthew's going to be ok.

He's got a concussion so he's staying in overnight. He'll be out in the

morning and needs his rest so they're not letting friends in. Good job I called

first"

I breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm glad he's ok. I bet the mugger's will get more than they bargained for when they find out who they mugged!"

"Thanks for the Milk. It was just what I needed," Carolyn's reply sounded tired and half asleep, "I put the glass in the sink."

"Thanks, The rooms all ready. It's not as plush as the one we used to have, but it'll do."

Carolyn walked over to the bed and sat down, "Ow" she proclaimed.

"What's up?"

"I sat on my tail all wrong. It really freaks people out more if I let it swish around so I shove it down my pants. After a few hours it gets cramp."

So, I was right about the bulge. My wife has a tail! "uh ok," I didn't know what to say.

"You got any clean boxers?" Carolyn asked.

"Sure, Why?"

"I turn em round and use the fly hole to poke my tail out. Panties are useless."

"Um ok, second drawer down on the left." This was getting surreal.

Although we'd been married for years, something made me close the door.

A few minutes later Carolyn walked out of the bedroom wearing the same T shirt she had been, but a pair of my blue boxers. If she hadn't had fur she'd have looked hot.

"That's better," she said turning round to show me. Her tail was about 3 feet long, covered in the same black silky fur she was and seemed to have a life of its own.

"It took me ages to learn to control it. It's not prehensile or anything, but now at least it goes where I want it to," Carolyn said in a matter of fact way.

I glanced down at her feet. They had turned into a half foot, half paw shape. Her pumps had covered them up, I could see the outline of claws where her toes would have been. This was freaking me out.

Carolyn detected this. "It's really bothering you isn't it?"

I nodded, "Yeah, sorry. I know it shouldn't. It must make you feel awful."

Carolyn walked over to a spare armchair, grabbed hold of her tail placed it over the arm of the chair and sat down. "Ask anything you like."

"Tell me about your changes? Did they hurt?" Carolyn knew me too well.

She knew as well as being freaked I was as curious as hell.

"Some of them did. As I said I woke up one day and found that my jeans didn't fit properly. I'd grown an inch overnight. It was then I knew I had the plague. I did exactly what I was supposed to do, I reported it right away. The only difference was, I didn't tell you. I wrote the Dear John letter and went straight to a plague registration centre."

"Then what?" I asked.

"They put me in a room, with a wash basin and bed. It wasn't really a room, more like a cell. They monitored you as you changed, worked out what your Geas would be and gave you a classification and a number. It all felt as though I was some kind of animal being processed. My hair turned Jet black and I grew another two inches. My face changed shape into that of a normal woman, but every part of my skin itched and burned for over a day. Then one morning I woke up covered in fur. Naturally I screamed my head off in horror."

Carolyn, closed her eyes, remembering the ordeal she'd gone thru, "The centre did their best to counsel me, but with hundreds coming in every day, the support they could give was minimal. When my face started changing I was in agony for over a day. It seemed as though every bone in my body was being reshaped. My muzzle grew almost hourly, and I could almost see the changes robbing me of my humanity."

"That's horrible!" Poor Carolyn, I had no idea it had been that bad.

"The worst thing was, when my face turned into this half human, half cat monstrosity. I've got used to it now, but every time I look into a mirror I scream at the creature I've become. You know what? I can't even cry, I've the wrong kind of tear ducts, cat tear ducts!," Carolyn looked away, this was hard on her.

"I thought that you'd got used to it?" I said. She had seemed so matter of fact about it.

"No," Carloyn shook her head. Her eyes did look a little moist, I guess if she would have been able to she would have been crying, "It's all an act. I thought that if I acted as though I'd got used to it, it'd make it easier on you to have me back."

So that was it! "What about all this prophet stuff, the support of the other 'non humans' in the camp?"

"When we were in the camps it was fine. We did stick together there, we had to. Compared to some people I'd got off lightly. It's the Naga's and mermaids I felt most sorry for. When we were in the camp it was easy to think of ourselves as human. We were all the same boat. We all had hope that when we were let out, people would see us for who we were. Fat chance!"

"I see," so the whole I'm half cat and its ok thing was just bravado.

"The prophet told us, it would be harder than we thought; that people would be prejudiced against us no matter what happened. She told us to hold fast to the people we loved, because in the end that's all any of us have. She told us about the coming darkness and that humanity would turn to us for its salvation. In the camps, with nothing else to hold onto we believed it!"

"And now?" The bit about turning to loved ones stung!

Carolyn shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. What was it like out here, outside of the camps?"

"In some ways I guess it was harder. Every day you'd wake up and wonder if you had the plague, if today was going to be your last as who you were. Everything's closed down, only a few people were willing to go out. Mostly people just got a bunker mentality. They'd cower in their houses, only going out for food when they had to. There's been no new TV shows, very few new songs, and basically the whole of society has retreated into their homes. In some parts of the world it's much worse. People with the plague were executed in order to try and stop its advance. Nobody knew how to deal with the problem."

Carolyn nodded, "The prophet said that decay and fear would rule the world.

I guess she was right."

"That sounds about right," I commented.

"What happened to our home?" Carolyn asked.

"I sold it, it barely covered what we owed on it. Property prices collapsed because nobody's prepared to move house. Safer where you are and you know who's got the plague and who hasn't! I had to move away, too many memories of you there!" Fatigue was starting to set it, I checked my watch. Nearly 3am!

"Pat, I'm, I'm sorry," Carolyn put her furry, semi pawlike hand on mine. It felt surprisingly warm and soft.

"It's ok. What you did was probably for the best. We've both had it rough haven't we?"

"Yeah," Carolyn nodded.

"What are your plans, for the future? What next?" I asked

"That depends on you. My love for you kept me going in the camps. I tried to hide what I felt, tried to live day to day but often it was no good," Carolyn paused for a few moments. She was thinking something over, "Do you still have the micro-floppy of the song we first danced to?"

"Yeah, I guess its somewhere here," I said.

"Would you put it on for me. I need to hear it, " Carolyn said sadly.

"Ok," I stood up and rummaged around my 'old music' box. It took me ten minutes before I found a dusty Mini-CD. "Here it is."

I inserted it into the music system, and pressed play "Close your eyes, "Carolyn suggested.

I lay back on the sofa, and closed my eyes. Within moments the memories came flooding back.

"Mother doesn't know where love has gone, she says it must be youth that keeps us feeling strong. See it in her face that's turned to ice, and when she smiles she shows the lines of sacrifice. And now I know what they're saying as our sun begins to fade, and we made our love on wasteland and through the barricades. "

I remembered the feel of her, her face resting on my shoulder as we slow danced around the dance floor. I could almost smell her perfume again. The smell of her, the way she moved and danced with me all came alive again.

"Father made my history, he fought for what he thought would set us somehow free.

They taught me what to say in school,

I learned it off by heart but now that's torn in two. And now I know what they're saying in the music of the parade, and we made our love on wasteland and through the barricades. "

I drank in the memory of her, the way her body just seemed to wrap itself around me as we danced. Everyone else seemed to vanish in the room. It was as though we were the only people there. So many memories, so many good times..

"Born on different sides of life, but we feel the same and feel all of this strife, so come to me when I'm asleep and we'll cross the line and dance upon the streets.

And now I know what they're saying as the drums begin to fade, and we made our love on wasteland and through the barricades. "

I knew what Carolyn was trying to do, but it wasn't until I heard the song that I realized how much I still loved her.

"Oh, turn around and I'll be there, well there's a scar right through my heart but I'll bare it again. Oh, I thought we were the human race but we were just another borderline case, and the stars reach down and tell us that there's always one escape."

Oh, I don't know where love has gone, and in this troubled land desperation keeps us strong. Friday's child is full of soul, with nothing left to lose there's everything to go."

Still with my eyes closed, I gave a smile. It was this verse she must've been thinking of. She knows me so well! I found tears welling up in my eyes. I still loved her, no matter what happened I still loved her!

"And now I know what they're saying,

it's a terrible beauty we've made,

so we make our love on wasteland and through the barricades. And now I know what they're saying as our hearts go to their graves, and we made our love on wasteland and through the barricades. "

As the music drifted away I opened my tearful eyes, "Carolyn I'm so sorry. I love you, I never stopped..."

Carolyn gave me a smile, whiskers twitching, and showing her two canine teeth, "Me too. Pat, what can we do to fix this, fix us again?"

I felt like I had when I'd first seen her across the room. My heart felt as though it would explode unless I did something, anything. "We start again, one day at a time."

Carolyn nodded. It was getting late and I could tell she was tired, "One day at a time it is."

 

Curse + 820 days - Interlude.

 

In a small room in downtown Washington, Lucy lay on her bed and made the final preparations. Things had begun to settle down a little, even the xenophobic attacks had dropped off. The time was right for the next phase to begin. Soon every man, woman and child on the planet would know of her.

The thought pleased her greatly. She looked at her laptop screen once more, relishing what the encrypted email had said. The cargo was en route from Kazakhstan and would end up on a small Russian Trawler in the international waters just off Las Palma. It had taken a great deal of time, patience, persuasion and money to secure the cargo. But she had managed it. Within a hundred days it would all fall into place. Lucy reclined back in her chair, she'd give the world another ten days or so, then resume her campaign. She'd waited so long for this moment; a few days here or there wouldn't matter one bit!

-- oo -- oo --

 

 

"The resiliency of the human sprit is one of the wonders of creation. Within a small matter of weeks, a world on the verge of social collapse turned around 180 degrees. A population living in fear and darkness now saw the break of day like the sun breaking through storm clouds. Loved ones returned, the camps were closed and day by day things returned to normal.

Of course some criminal aspects of society took advantage of the situation. Mugging a victim for their blood to use as a threat for money; jacking as it was known rose to almost epidemic proportions in some cities. Other forms of crime rose too, prostitution nearly doubled as those with that Gea struggled to find a legal outlet for their cravings. Naturally once this became known, the demand for hookers plummeted thus reducing the prostitution levels down to pre plague amounts.

However, the suicide rate for those affected tripled as they struggled to adapt to a life they were not born to. Those with Geas were most hard hit, with one in three suffering acute depression and nervous breakdowns. One in ten attempted suicide; one in fifteen succeeded.

Hardest hit of all were those transformed into non human form. Of this group no more than one in five managed to survive for longer than month before despair and suicidal tendencies overtook them. Special counseling services were rushed into being, and that helped to stem the tide. Even so, the non humans were pretty much outcasts everywhere they went; most went to their most suited environments, be it the ocean, forest or desert. There they started to form isolated communities, away from the staring and prejudiced eyes of a healing world.

Even so, hope soared among the population and it seemed that we were on the edge of a new golden age. However history has shown that golden ages are never easily won, achieved, or even manage to endure beyond the dreams of those that conceived them."

Excerpts from "The long twilight struggle" By Prof Richard nee Jane

Andrews, Chair Magic Studies, MIT. ISBN 3531235632

-- oo -- oo --

 

 

 

Curse +830 Days Maki's story - Plagued!

 

As soon as I woke up I knew something was wrong. My body didn't feel right. My head ached like I'd drunk far too much Saki and I had trouble even opening my eyes.

When I eventually managed it I saw to my horror my whole body had changed. A huge bulge in the duvet was the first thing I saw. I tore off the bed covers with large, white flabby arms and screamed.

My entire body had been turned into a mass of fat, and stretched muscle. Folds of flesh billowed out of my nightdress. I tried to get out of bed, and it was a real struggle to stand upright. I must weigh at least 300 lbs! I started down at my chubby fat fingers and started to cry. Somehow I had caught the plague, but how? I'd not slept with anyone, been jacked, and I'd survived exposure to this prion thing the government said was the cause.

None of this mattered anymore, I was ugly, obese and I hated my life. Why me?

 

 

Curse +915 Days Christopher's story - Parcels and preparations

 

I stood on the one of the jetties in the marina at La Palma listening to the clink click of the rigging on the yachts moored there. I felt the cooling breeze on my face and its tugging on my now long blonde hair made me feel even more relaxed. I'd been here a week or so now and I was loving every moment.

My breasts had now filled out to a respectable 36C, and the week before I left I'd had my first ever period. At long last I'm who I'm supposed to be. Part of me still misses the male me, but thanks to Lucy and some counseling by Elizabeth and her team that part of me no longer matters. Looking back on it I wonder how I could have been so worried and so wrong about it. Getting the plague is the best thing that has happened to me.

An encrypted message from Elizabeth came last night, it told me to hire a fishing boat and ask the crew to sail to just into international waters and to wait for a package to arrive. More instructions would follow when I was anchored and waiting. I wonder what's so secret they can't tell me what I'm supposed to pick up or even do with it.

Oh well, Lucy knows what she's doing that's for certain. She's promised that we can be together properly after the job is done. The way she touched me was simply incredible, every nerve in my body screamed in orgasmic pleasure. If that's what happens when she just touched me, I can't imagine what it will be like when we are together properly.

 

 

Curse +830 Days Pat's story - The Sum of all fears

 

Carolyn's piercing scream shocked me awake. I felt all light headed and woozy and I knew immediately something was very wrong. The room looked blurry as if my eyes were tired, "What?" I asked and on hearing the dulcet female voice I knew what is was. Why me? Oh fuck,fuck,fuck!

Unbelieving and not wanting to even think about it I clutched my chest and felt the firm, fleshy mound of breast, "No no!" I heard this strange woman say.

I put a slender hand to my face and felt smooth skin, strands of blonde hair brushed in front of my eyes and unthinking I brushed it away.

"I'm sorry," Carolyn said, her voice trying to calm me.

Still in shock I pulled the sheets away from the bed, and looked down. My new breasts made two unmistakable shapes underneath my pajamas. My slender, delicate hand touched them again. Tingles ran thru my body, this was wrong, so wrong!

I knew what I would find as I ran my other hand underneath my PJ pants and the warm, most fleshy folds that greeted it confirmed my fate. "How?" the woman I had become asked.

I could see the shock on Carolyn's catlike face, she had no more idea than me.

I felt vomit rise in my stomach and before I could move, I was violently sick. I jumped out of bed, ignoring the sensations of breasts moving on my chest. I immediately struggled to stand, my centre of gravity was all wrong. I could feel tears well up on my face. I knew I was in shock, but my body was overruling my brain.

Again I dared to look down and trying to drag my eyes away from my breasts, but failed. As if a hundred miles away I heard Carolyn say, "Pat, I don't know how this happened. But I still love you," the comforting tone of her voice made me feel a little better, but only a little.

"A mirror!" I just managed to demand and instantly Carolyn was out of the room to find one.

Still in a mixture of shock and horror I undid my pajama buttons and opened my top. Two smallish, but perfectly formed breasts jutted from my smooth curved body. The nipples on each breasts were small, but very feminine; the areola a slighter darker pink. How? Why?

Was I female all over? I had to know for sure, so ignoring the feeling of the unfamiliar weights on my chest I pulled down my pajama pants. The small mound of blonde pubic hair between wide, curvy hips showed beyond doubt that I was. Whatever my face now looked like, my body was stunningly beautiful. I looked down at long, slender legs tapering down to delicate feet, and my body was elegantly thin, and had the graceful look of a trained athlete or model.

Carolyn walked in, holding a small hand mirror. She still looked a little blurred until she came closer. She stared at my body and handed the mirror over without saying a word, she didn't need to.

A delicately shaped face, with blue eyes started back at me from the mirror. Blonde hair tumbled over its face and onto the shoulders. I noticed a tickling sensation on my rounded shoulders as the face twisted in the mirror. Beyond doubt this blonde goddess in the mirror was now me. I noticed how her, my nose wasn't too big or small and formed a perfect division between the eyes and the high cheek boned face. Full red lips underlined the natural beauty of the face and as I tilted the mirror down towards my shoulder blades my I noticed that my body seemed to flow into one curve after another. "I'm, I'm" I tried to say.

"Female? Beautiful?" Carolyn tried to finish my sentence.

"No," the voice still sounded strange from my lips.

"Then what?" Carloyn asked, her concern showing.

"Afraid," I admitted. I was. My whole world had been turned upside down and I was struggling to even think straight.

"I'm here. Look, we're about the same height now, I'll find some clothes for you and clear up the mess you made on the bed," Whenever I was ill Carolyn had played mom and it never failed to make me feel better. This time however it didn't even register.

Still in a daze I just managed to nod, before sitting down on the end of the bed. Every part of me felt odd, different and yes that was term I was looking for, violated. I'd been raped and my body taken away from me and forced into a new life that I didn't want nor was my own.

Carolyn was obviously doing the thinking for both of us, "We need to report this right away. We didn't break any of the rules, we've never made love, you didn't get the plague when it was raging so it just doesn't make sense. There are people who can help us, help you on the other end of the phone. They can help more than I can," Carolyn's voice managed to cut thru some of the confusion and shock I was still feeling.

"I guess," was all I managed to say.

"I'll go get the phone. You stay here," the commanding tone of Carolyn's voice managed to calm me a little.

I took a few deep breaths; it helped calm the rising panic that I was feeling. "Ok Pat, you've got the plague, "I heard myself speak out loud and it seemed to help a little.

Ignoring the shape my new legs made as I crossed them, I tried to think clearly and pragmatically. I was always told resolve the things you can change and don't stress about the things you can't. Glancing down at my breasts, gently heaving as I breathe this is obviously something I can't; so I need to try and pull myself together and deal with it.

I reached down into my pajama pants once more, unbelieving and yet knowing what I'd find beneath that mass of blonde pubic hair. Another jolt of pleasure swept over me, as my finger found what I assumed to be my clitoris. I so wanted to do it again, and yet my revulsion and feelings of being violated and raped stopped me.

I had a vagina, A pussy, a cunt and nothing on earth could change that!

Carolyn walked in holding the phone, "I've dialed the number for you, but it's engaged. There must be more victims than just you, " She spotted my finger, still resting on my exposed pussy, "What's it like?"

"I hate it. It's, it's not me. This, this body isn't me!" I could feel tears forming in my eyes.

Carolyn lifted her tail up, sat down beside me and put a furry arm around my slender waist. "This isn't me either," she point to her feline face. You know what the prophet told me when I first came to the camp?"

I pulled my hand away from my pussy and did my pajama shirt up again, it still didn't hide the shapes my breasts made in it though, "What was that?"

"Let me see if I remember," Carolyn pondered, "That's it! She said, 'It's not what we are, it's who we are. We are more than flesh and bone, more than breasts or pussy. We are still ourselves, no matter the flesh we may wear."

I knew what Carolyn was saying, yet I didn't feel it inside. I grabbed hold of a clump of my blonde hair, "What do you see? I don't see Pat anymore. I see some woman, some stranger who's forced their way into his life and taken it over!" I pointed to my breasts, "These are a symbol of that, a reminder every time I look down of my life I've lost.

Carolyn grabbed hold of my face and her green catlike eyes looked me in the face, "Do you think I enjoy having a tail? Do you think I like having fur cover every inch of my body? Or claws instead of toes? They remind ME of what I've lost. Pat, look beyond genitals and hair. Look into yourself, and realize that I love you. As far as I can see you got lucky, you look fantastic. You could have turned out like me, or a mermaid, or a centaur, or anything?

But you didn't! You lucked out."

I gave my breast a squeeze, ignoring the sensations it bought, "You call this lucky? Lucky is not catching the plague at all!"

"But that's something we can't change, Why can't I get thru on this line dammit," Carolyn swore in frustration; not only at me, but the fact that the line had been engaged for the past 10 minutes.

I gave a sigh, a girlie sigh. I needed to think, to play my guitar, anything, "Carolyn!"

"Yeah," she replied, her voice back to its normal placating self.

"I need my guitar, I need to play," it would be a way of exorcising my frustration.

She nodded, "Sure," and after passing me the phone, left the room to go and get it for me.

I held the phone to my ear and listened. The beep of the engaged tone was the only sound from the phone, we weren't even in a queue yet. What the hell was going on?

"Still engaged," I replied as Carolyn walked in holding my guitar.

"Still?" Her whiskers twitched in surprise.

I took my guitar from Carolyn and placed it on my new legs, my breasts pushed against its back and it felt decidedly odd. I tried a few cords, but it sounded all wrong. I tried again, and this time managed to get something out of it, but it wasn't right. It was more mechanical than inspired. Music came from the soul, and all I can manage is a few basic strums. I tried to sing, but my new voice sounded flat and out of tune. Frustration welled up inside me. Not only had my life been taken away, but my one outlet I'd had to take me away from the dark times had been denied me too.

"Fuck it!" I swore and flung the guitar across the room in frustration.

"Pat, you'll be able to relearn it," Carolyn said soothingly.

"No I won't!" fresh tears formed in my eyes, "It's just not there! It's not about technique or vocals, but the thing that was in me, that caused me to invent songs, to play from my very soul has gone. Everything's gone Carolyn, Everything! And why the fuck can't I see properly anymore!" I walked to the window, tears rolling down my face.

Carolyn walked over to me and put her furry arm around my waist and pulled me close to her, she looked as though she was going to kiss me.

"Carolyn don't," I said tearfully.

"All I want is a kiss, a kiss to show that no matter what you look like I still love you."

Inside my heart was breaking, "I can't Carolyn. It, it just doesn't feel right.

Isn't this odd for you?"

Carolyn nodded, "Of course it is, but I've gone thru it too remember. It's not as though we could have made love or been intimate before you got the plague is it?"

Anger welled up inside me. "Sex? You're thinking about sex and intimacy? Yeah right that's it! I'll jump into bed with you, sure why not what's a bit of bestiality now I'm a woman with the plague right?"

"You BASSSTARD! Is that how you still see me? As an animal? So you fucking me is just the same as having some horses cock inside you is it? Well fuck you!" Carolyn stormed off slamming the door behind her.

What had I said? What had I done? I loved Carolyn so what in hell had made me say that to her? Ignoring the feelings of my breasts moving as I flopped down on the bed I buried the pillow into my face and sobbed.

I don't know how long I'd been crying but I did hear Carolyn open the door, "Pat. You ought to hear this!" Her voice was deadly serious.

"Carolyn, I'm, I'm sorry," I managed to utter.

"We'll talk later. Come now, this is important."

I got off out of the bed, and walked until the lounge where CNN was playing.

"Hey that's Matthew!" I pointed out

"Shh," Carolyn said lifting her tail up and sitting down.

I sat down next to her, feeling the decidedly frosty vibes coming from her.

Why in fuck did I liken any sex with her as bestiality?

"This is Matthew Robinson of CNN. News has been coming in from around the world that the plague has returned with renewed ferocity."

"Shit!" Carolyn swore.

"This morning hundreds of thousands of people woke up affected by it, and first reports indicate that very, very few of them had violated the rules laid down by the FDA and FEMA only a few weeks ago. It seems as though the plague has mutated or that all the causative factors were not identified. The result is the same, in spite of our best efforts the plague has returned."

"Oh my God, the Camps!" Carolyn exclaimed.

As if confirming fears Matthew spoke "People who have contracted the plague either in the past or today are urged to stay in their homes, and contact your nearest plague control centre. For your own safety and the protection of others stay indoors and to not attempt to run or hide. The president has issued an immediate resumption in plague control protocols, effective as of 9am this morning."

"I'm not going back!" Carolyn's voice started to waver.

"I, I don't understand. They said they knew what caused it, how it was caused. How?" I fingered my blonde hair, as Matthew said they either didn't get all of the elements or the plague has mutated. I felt Carolyn's 'hand/paw' on my leg, she was scared and needed me. All thoughts of the fight we'd just had were swept aside. She needed me.

My attention turned back to the TV. Matthew was still speaking, "and there have been more attacks against plague victims all around the US today. In New Jersey two women were killed when a gang attacked them for being outside and reportedly 'spreading the plague'."

Carolyn's face was fixated on the TV, "Pat we can't go back there. It was like hell!"

"Just to repeat today's main news headlines. The plague has returned with new ferocity. Not since it first hit just over two years ago has so many people been affected by it.

The president has re-instated the plague control protocols from 9am this morning. All people who have the plague are to contact their local control plague control centers and wait in their homes for further instructions. Do not go out of your homes, stay indoors. Not only will this protect others, but you will protect yourself. The president has confirmed that work will commence on rebuilding the camps so that they can be reoccupied and the people in them assisted in whatever way is appropriate. More instructions will follow after this broadcast."

Carolyn had, had enough, and switched the TV off, "Pat we have to leave. If we go now, maybe we can make it to the mountains or somewhere out of the way. I'm not going back!"

"Carolyn, If we run, if we hide then they'll catch us. It's not as though you can blend in is it?" My concern for Carolyn had tempered the odd sensations I was still feeling, the worry in her voice had removed the sting from the fight we'd just had.

"You can go in then, you see what its like!" Carolyn spat.

"Not without you. Carolyn I need you here, with me. We can't run. Everyone who runs is caught eventually. The whole world has just gone to hell and at the moment we're about as unpopular as it gets. Nobody will shelter us, everybody will be after our blood and the reward money they're sure to put up for any runners. They have you on file, they'll know your missing. Carolyn, we have to face this and face it together! Now what do we really need if we're going to give ourselves up."

My pragmatic talk managed to shake Carolyn out of her train of thought, "They let you take two suitcases each and that's it. Only clothes, no weapons or stuff like that. They give you a list when you call them."

"Clothes? No clothes will fit me now!" I complained. The only clothes I could use would be my male ones, and I wouldn't be needing those for a while, "What happens if you have none?"

"They give you overalls, basic clothing etc when you get to the camp. It horrible stuff, lasts forever but you look and feel like a POW. Pat you're going to need to go out and buy as many clothes as you can, and soon. I suspect they'll start sending people round to collect the plague victims they know about."

"But the president said to stay indoors," I hated the thought of either being a target, or infecting someone else. I hated the thought of even wearing women's clothes. I was a man, Fuckit!.

Carolyn saw thru to what I was really meaning, "Look, at the moment nobody knows you have the plague, this is our last chance to go and get things that will be useful later on. These things will be currency in the camps, they'll make our lives a hell of a lot easier. The plague is already out there, one trip to the mall won't make any difference. I can't go, you will have to. Like it or not you are a woman now. You'll find walking around with no bra very uncomfortable. Pat you're not a man anymore, face it; we have little time."

I sighed, "OK what do I do and what do I need?"

"We'll write a list, but first we need to see what sizes you need. Wait here," Carolyn stood up and walked into the kitchen to look for a tape measure.

Now it was my turn to face facts, I was a woman and life in the camps would be very different to here. Carolyn's experiences had been enough to make her want to run. Carolyn walked in holding the tape measure, "Stand up!" She demanded.

Reluctantly I stood up, feeling a little foolish.

"Hmm thought so," she said after measuring my height.

"What?"

"A clean Amazonian 6ft," she commented.

6ft? no wonder it felt odd walking, I'd gained two inches!

"Lift your arms up, I need to measure your bust,"

"I know my size, too fucking big!" I complained.

I felt the tape measure stretch around my breasts, it felt odd but not unpleasant.

"34, and guessing about their shape I reckon about a C cup" Carolyn said.

"34C It could've been worse."

"Waist," Carolyn said and reached around my slender waist, "Thought so. 24, now for hip size."

I felt the tape measure go around the outside of my shapely hips, "34 again, Perfectly proportioned."

"Yeah right, 34-24-34 I didn't need those vital statistics to tell me what I now was."

"Now, I'll go look in my room. There may well be something in there you can wear that won't make you totally out of place. Remember the authorities will be on the look out for plague victims planning to run away. You need to project the image of a girl about town casually going shopping."

My heart sank, I didn't walk like a woman let alone ooze confidence as though I've been one all my life. I hated having to do this!

Carolyn walked out of the room and I heard lots of rummaging around. A few minutes later she came out with a purple blouse, and blue jeans and a pair of her sneakers, "Put these on!" Carolyn demanded.

Gingerly I undid my pajama shirt, and took it off. Bending down to pick the blouse up I couldn't help but notice how my breasts hung down, and how their weight was pulling me slightly forwards. I swiftly put the blouse on, thankful to at least hide my tits away.

I stripped off my pajama pants, and trying as much as I could to ignore what lay beyond the triangular patch of blonde hair. My eyes then walked their way down from my curved hips to my long slender legs. Carolyn was right, I was stunningly beautiful and yet I was somehow repulsed by what I saw. I'm sure some men in my position would have lied on the bed and masturbated themselves until they had multiple orgasms. Not me, the sight of me just makes me cringe.

Carolyn threw me some of my boxers "Here's some of your boxers. I don't need panties, but you'll need something on underneath."

That's all I need, a reminder of who I was, and what I'm now missing. Hurriedly I put them on, noting that some tufts of blonde thatch still poked out of the fly. I hate this! I quickly put the jeans on and did them up, glad to hide the woman that I was away.

"Your sneakers are a little large," I complained to Carolyn.

"Yeah I know. It's what comes for having paws for feet. Do they feel ok?"

"I guess so?" I stood up, "How do I look?"

"Scruffy as hell. I'll comb your hair. No woman ever goes out without brushing her hair," Carolyn darted off to get a comb.

I stood up and stared at my reflection in the glass. A woman with tumbling blonde hair, dressed casually in a blouse and jeans stood in front of me. Her breasts were neither too small or too big, and the curves of her body, hips and ass gently led into long athletic looking legs. This woman was me.

Carolyn returned, "Sit down and let me do this. You'll have to learn eventually, but for now I'll do it."

I obediently sat down on the sofa, and felt the comb run thru my hair. I hadn't realized it was quite so long, or so knotted, "OW!" I complained.

"Keep still! It'll be quicker," Carolyn ordered.

This was so humiliating!

What seemed like an age Carolyn pronounced me done and handed me a mirror. Again, my strange face looked back at me, but the hair seemed to fall gracefully and naturally past my shoulders. My full lips and high cheek bones set off an elegant nose and two deep blue eyes looked back at me showing every bit of confusion, sorrow and worry I felt. I gave a sigh, in my new girlie voice. "Best get this over with!"

Carolyn nodded. "I've got some paper and a pen over here. You'll have to write it down because claws aren't very good for writing," She gestured with her clawed hand. Carolyn got up and passed me a pen and paper.

I tried to write a few words, but somehow this body couldn't write like I used to. I put it down to my brain not properly matching to my fine motor control yet. "Ok, fire away!"

Carolyn dictated, "Right, most important. Pay cash, go to several shops to get the same stuff. If you go and buy out the store then you'll arouse suspicion."

Common sense really, "Makes sense. Next?"

"I think I know why you can't see very well. There was a guy at the camp, who had twenty, twenty vision before he got the plague, and somehow it made him near sighted. Go into one of those while you wait specs shops and get your eyes tested."

It was so obvious now Carolyn said it. My blurred vision had nothing to do with the way I felt, my hair or anything else. The stupid fucking plague had made me near sighted. "Fucking plague," I swore!

Carolyn ignored my swearing and continued. "You need to buy at least a hundred, or as many as will fit into a suitcase, tampons."

"Why?" I knew I may well have periods soon, but that many?

"Think about it. We'll be going to a camp full of fertile women. The authorities do provide sanitary towels, but they are horrid to wear. Ones you buy here are far better and they'll be worth their weight in gold a few months down the line. People used to trade a weeks worth of luxury rations just for one ST. We can't have too many!"

Wow Carolyn's really thought about this.

Carolyn caught my look, "Look, I was in there for months. I know what it was like and what worked and what didn't. This just isn't about packing to survive; it's about packing to live!"

She had a point, "Next?"

"You'll need at least ten bra's size 34C. Twenty pairs of silk panties for you and fifty of mixed sizes."

"Mixed to sell right?"

Carolyn smiled, I was catching on.

Carolyn got right back to business. She was clearly in her element, "Now, Forget about fancy skirts, blouses, shoes and pants. Buy denim, Chino's anything that is durable. It's not about style, it's about living."

This was the bit I was most comfortable with, nothing too feminine.

"Anything else?"

"Yeah, garter belts, lingerie of all shapes and sizes. Again we can use it to trade for what we don't have. The only stuff we're allowed to take is clothing and personal effects so we can't buy knives, jewelry, cigarettes or vibrators."

The thought of shoving anything inside my cunt was enough to make me squirm. Carolyn smiled, she was pulling my leg.

"Remember, the basic's we're given, so who has the most luxuries is the richest person there."

"Is that everything?" I asked.

"Think so. Remember, you've always been a woman, you have no idea as to what's just gone on, only that you're going on a camping trip next month."

I stood up and pocketed the list, "Ok got it."

"You better go, we haven't got much time."

I walked out of the door, feeling very nervous and self conscious. I guess this was my coming out party.

 

 

Curse + 915 Days 21:20 Christopher's story - Delivery

 

I discovered early on that my new body hated boats, or more precisely the sea. Every small pitch of the boat sent me scrambling for the side of the boat. The crew looked on in vague amusement. I just felt embarrassed.

I'd been on this damned boat for over two hours, and it seemed like two days. If Lucy hadn't asked me to go I would never have gone. She trusts me to do the job, and when it comes down to it that's enough for me.

I decided to go below deck and see if that made my stomach any less queasy.

It didn't.

Somehow I must have managed to fall asleep, because I was shaken awake an indeterminate time later. Groggily I walked onto the sunlit deck and saw that we'd already tied up alongside another vessel. It looked in worse repair than ours, rust covered most of the exposed metal and more surprisingly it was flying the Russian flag.

A tall, man dressed in fisherman's overalls gave me an appreciative glance and held out his hand, "Olaf" a thickly accented voice said.

"Christine," I replied, using my female name.

"The fates have been kind to us," Olaf stated.

He'd used his part of the code phrase now it was my turn, "We all live and die by the strands they guard."

Olaf smiled, "Very true. Come let me show you what I've bought for you. "

Olaf called out in what sounded a little like Russian, and within a few moments a large heavy looking briefcase was winched carefully over from his ship.

"Best not drop it huh," Olaf smiled.

"Yeah," I said, although I had no idea what was in the case.

While I was waiting for the case to be winched over, Olaf handed me a sat-phone, "Here this is for you. You are to wait for a call on what to do next."

"Ok, " I said and took the phone from Olaf. Wow! the phone was Russian military issue. I clipped the phone to my belt and watched as the case was laid carefully on the deck in front of me. It was like no suitcase I'd ever seen. The casing looked like metal, and it had an almost military look about it. The single handle had no place to retract to and the bottom had no wheels to run on.

"Your boss has already paid in advance. Please do not attempt to open it, it is booby trapped," Olaf warned.

Curiosity got the better of me, "What's inside?" I asked

"It's best you don't know," Olaf stated. Obviously something Lucy wanted kept secret. I trust her; she'd tell me if I needed to know. When I was a man, seemingly years ago now, being left out like this would have really bugged me. Now I didn't mind at all.

Olaf looked surprised I didn't query his reply. "I have done my duty, now its time for us to leave. The longer we stay here, the more chance we have of discovery, "He reached out a broad, tanned and muscular hand.

I shook it, and watched as Olaf boarded his ship. The rocking of the boat as Olaf's fishing boat was untied made me feel queasy again.

I saw Olaf make a call on the bridge of his boat and a few seconds later my sat phone called, unclipping it from my belt I answered, "Hello?"

"Christopher?" It was Lucy's voice. Crackly and distorted but unmistakably hers. Even thru the distortion it turned me on. In a few days time Lucy would be mine in the same way as I was already hers!

"Yeah? I been given a suitcase what do you want done with it?"

"Go back to La Palma."

"Ok, and then?" Sounded easy enough.

"At the GPS coordinates I've sent to your sat phone you'll find a small, old magma tunnel just larger than the suitcase. Push the suitcase down as far as you can and gently throw some small rocks after it to cover it up from view."

Huh? I didn't get it, "Say again?"

"Take a trip to the Cumbre Vieja crater, push the suitcase into a deep solidified magma tunnel in it at the coordinates I've sent to you. When you've done gently throw some rocks and any loose stuff you can find down. It'll cover the suitcase up, in the unlikely event anyone looks down it."

"What's in it?" Why did Lucy want to get rid of the suitcase so badly, why not just throw it in the sea?

Lucy's voice crackled thru the phone, "It's contents contains documents that I don't want found until a certain time. I'll send someone else to dig down and get them, when I need them."

"Ok, then what do I do?"

"Have a nice vacation, I'll see you back in a few days," There was click and the phone went dead.

Well that sounded easy enough, now all I had to do was endure the boat trip back. With a little luck I'd be able to get the case hidden by tomorrow afternoon. Then when it was done, I'd concentrate on getting that all over tan that Lucy said she'd enjoy so much.

 

 

Curse +830 11:00 Days - Pats's story - Resupply.

 

I struggled up the steps with my two suitcases full of shopping, I was substantially weaker in my new body and it was a real effort to drag them to my door. I rang the doorbell and heard Carolyn's voice call out "yeah?"

"Open up, it's Pat!" My voice still sounds distinctly odd.

"Thank God you've been ages!" Carolyn said opening up the door.

I walked in feeling utterly exhausted. I ached all over.

"Like the glasses, they make you look intelligent yet sexy."

I still felt self conscious about wearing them, "I'll settle for intelligent," I muttered.

"How'd it go?" Carolyn asked excitedly.

I gave a womanly sigh, "I never want to go shopping again. I hated it. The streets were empty, everyone had fled inside I guess. I stuck out like a sore thumb but I managed to carry it off. First port of call was Empirevison, you were right. I'm now near sighted. I hope these suit?" I pointed at my wire framed Gucci glasses.

"They do. Did you get everything on the list?"

I nodded, "Yeah, then I went clothes shopping. How do you put up with bras? I feel so constrained, and they, they make my tits feel much more obvious than they were," I gestured at the shape my breasts made in my blouse.

"You did try everything on?" Carolyn asked concerned, she knew how I usually went clothes shopping. If it said the right size on the label I threw it in the basket.

I nodded glumly, "Yes and I hated every minute of it. I should find this body as sexy as anything yet all I see is someone other than me. I hate bras the most, I can't stand the sight of my tits. They just remind me with every move I make who I was and what I've become. I did put on some silk panties though, you're right they do feel much better than nylon."

"Told you, silk panties fetched a premium in the camps. Now you know why.

You look tired," Carolyn commented.

"I am. Tired and sad. As I walked around the almost empty streets I realized that this was probably the last time I'll ever see New York. The last time I'll walk in central park, the last time I'll see the twin towers memorial gardens;

The last time for so many things. I feel like the condemned man, eating his last meal. Tomorrow we go off to my execution. Except of course that I'm already dead, in my place is a woman that was never meant to exist."

"Pat, you're not dead! Don't be so stupid! You've lost your way, lost your sense of self. It happens to all of us, it happened to me. Give it time," Carolyn put her hand on my leg to comfort me.

I pointed at my face, "See this face? It isn't me? See these tits, not mine! See the gap where my pussy is? Should be a dick there! The final nail in my coffin is the fact I can't sing or play anymore. It's robbed me of my final refuge. I'm wandering in the wilderness; my path is so vague and uncertain. What do I do? I feel like running and yet that feels so much like the wrong thing to do."

Carolyn looked at me, her green feline eyes staring into my soul. "Pat, " she took a deep breath, "Do we make the call?"

"I thought you were the one wanting to run?" I asked.

Carolyn's whiskers twitched, "I was, but you're right. We're not cut out to be fugitives, and besides, whatever the future holds we'll face it together!"

"So we make the call?" I asked. Phoning the centre would mean that within a matter of hours we'd be on a coach on our way to the plague control centre.

"As long as you promise me one thing?" Carolyn said quietly.

"Which is?" I asked.

"Never, leave me as I left you. "

I put Carolyn's warm furry hand on my breast, "Promise."

Carolyn smiled, showing her sharp canine teeth, "I'll go get the phone."

 

 

-- oo -- oo --

 

The return of the plague was a shattering hammer blow to the entire world. Within minutes of news of its resurgence breaking the streets became deserted and people fled back to their homes. Fear gave way to Anger, and Anger gave way to violence.

Hundreds of thousands were changed overnight, and a system that had been largely dismantled had to cope with more than it had ever been designed to. The result was chaos. People were fearful of going back or into the camps and as such ran for their lives. Those who ran were hunted by the legions of bounty hunters that sprung up; each eager for the rewards bringing in a runner would reap.

Many people were killed by their neighbors, friends and even families because of the fear of spreading the plague. Plague victims were stoned, beaten up and even burned to death as whole communities sought to purge themselves of what they saw as the carriers of the disease.

The plague control centers became over run as they tried to deal with the seemingly endless tide of victims. The normal processes that had worked during the plagues first strike had to be discarded, and replaced by a less personal system. Eventually they just gave up and bundled people back onto their coaches and sent them to the nearest camp.

Chaos doesn't even start to describe the plague's second strike around the world. The fragile twine that holds civilization together had started to unravel, maybe forever.

Excerpts from "The long twilight struggle" By Prof Richard nee Jane

Andrews, Chair Magic Studies, MIT. ISBN 3531235632

-- oo -- oo --

 

 

 

Curse +831 Days Maki's story - The Centre

 

My gross new body filled nearly three seats of the coach taking us to the regional plague control centre. The bus is packed with people, every face showing despair, fear and puzzlement. I just feel betrayed.

They said they knew what the cause was, they said if we obeyed a few simple rules it was controllable, they said that it was ok now; they lied.

I saw a tall supermodel thin woman, with long platinum blonde hair holding hands with a slightly smaller half cat, half woman creature. 'Supermodel's' glasses didn't quite fit properly and thru them I could see in her eyes that she was thinking the same as me. Betrayal, loss and grief over a life lost. Our eyes connected for a second and then she looked away, as if in shame.

All around the bus people looked blankly ahead, as if in a mixture of shock, denial and resignation. I caught my gross reflection in the window, a plump faces curly redhead with fat cheeks and flabby neck.

 

 

Curse +831 Days 19:00 The Directors story - Executive orders.

 

I switched on the TV to listen to the President's broadcast. I still couldn't believe what he was about to say, but here, in my hands was the final draft. We'd spent days arguing for and against the measures about to be introduced; but in the end nobody could think of a better way. Predictably enough, it was Lucy's suggestion that swayed the vote so a decision could be reached. She as so much sway over weak minded men! I hated voting for it, hated it with every part of my being; but in the end I was powerless against it. I guess that was the beauty of democracy, logic always outweighs morality.

There was a knock at the door, and Lucy walked in. She was dressed like I felt, all in black. It was as though she was going to a funeral and in a way she was. The funeral of all I had worked for all these years, the funeral of democracy in the United States of America.

"Has it started?" She asked.

"Not, yet," I replied solemnly

Lucy pulled up a chair beside me. Even though she was dressed all in black, part of me sensed her amusement at the whole thing. Her manner over the past few days was like a small child who'd kicked over an ants nest and was now watching with glee as the ants ran around in chaos.

The screen faded into the seal of president of the United States. A few seconds later the president appeared behind his desk in the Oval office.

"Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the United States, I am here today to address and discuss the issues of national peril we now face together."

He paused for a few moments, "As you know a few days ago, the plague returned with avengence. Never since it first hit has so many people been affected by it or by its affect on families. Our best scientific information has proven to be false, the prion we thought was responsible for it now appears to be only a small factor in its spread and effects."

Another pause, I glanced down at the sheets of paper I held in my hand. Why didn't I speak out when I could have! I was afraid that's why! Too late, here it comes.

"Therefore in order to protect the population of the country and indeed the world I have actioned Executive Order 11490, and its related EO's. These have been on the statute books for many years, and have until now not been necessary to bring into play. The events of a few nights ago changed all that, and now we as a nation and as a global population must take extreme measures in order to contain this contagion which threatens our very existence as a species and as a civilization. The fact that the plague has once again hit with such ferocity means that, in spite of all our best efforts it has not been contained. It is now a crisis of the deepest magnitude, and leaves me no choice but to follow the course of action I am outlining below. We failed the first time to prevent its spread. We must not, we will not fail again!"

The president shuffled his papers and took a deep breath. "I will read out the relevant order and how it will affect you.

Executive Order 10990 allows the government to take over all modes of transportation and control of highways and seaports. In order to prevent the spread of the plague across state and international boundaries special permits will be required for interstate and international travel. Before such permits are issued you will have to undergo a blood test, to test for the presence of the prion. These permits will need to be renewed on a weekly basis.

You may remember that during the first outbreak this order was activated for a pre-defined period while, while the infrastructure required to deal with the plague was established. However unlike that time, this activation of the order has no expiry date and comes into force from midnight tonight. We have to stop its spread at all costs."

The president had got the least controversial one out of the way. This was the executive order he'd used when the plague first hit.

"In order to prevent the spread of misinformation, propaganda and general panic I am activating Executive Order 10995 which allows the government to seize and control the communication media.

From midnight tonight, any news broadcast about US internal affairs will be subject to prior clearance from the state department. Failure to obtain clearance for such bulletins will be treated as an act of treason. I realize that this seems to be an extreme measure, and indeed it is. However, I will not allow speculation, misinformation and seditious talk to be spread to the general population and so spread panic and fear to all who listens to such propaganda."

"That's CNN out of business," Lucy quipped. I didn't smile back. This stuff was making me feel ill. But, there was no other way.

"In order to enforce the other executive orders I have mentioned, Executive Order 10997 allows the government to take over all electrical power, gas, petroleum, fuels and minerals. Therefore from midnight tomorrow all gasoline, petroleum, fuels and power stations will be under government control. You will be issued with vouchers that will enable you to travel as normal, subject to executive order 10990."

The president continued, "To prevent hoarding of food supplies and panic buying I am also activating Executive Order 10998 which allows the government to take over all food resources and farms. Initially there will be no change, however all farms and food processing plants will be required to audit their stock levels on a weekly basis. This will come into force in seven days time."

How could it have come to this? I wondered to myself. Things were bad when the plague first hit, but this goes way beyond bad. This is necessity.

"The people who are in the camps are desperately short of the essentials for life. We need to rectify this as soon as possible. Therefore I am enabling Executive Order 11000 allows the government to mobilize civilians into work brigades under government supervision. All citizens will be eligible for this draft, and we will start issuing draft documents to those randomly selected from tomorrow. Failure to obey the draft carries the normal penalty for draft dodgers, imprisonment under circumstances far worse than that of the lowliest detainee in the reservations.."

The president paused for a few moments, I see the strain he was under and it told in every line in his face. Here was a man, forced to take unpalatable decisions driven by uncontrollable events.

The president continued, "As per the plague control Exec order 80121 I'm activating Executive Order 11001. This allows the government to take over all health, education and welfare functions. This is required to control and contain the outbreaks of the plague around the country and to ensure that those who have the plague are identified and treated before they can spread the contagion."

"Now it gets real bad, " I whispered.

"And yet it doesn't." She replied cryptically. What in hell was going on! The feelings of being out of control started to rise up inside me. Lucy saw my discomfort, "Don't worry! Not long to wait now."

This had already gone on too long, but I was trapped. I had to do as I was asked, no as I was told. Otherwise everything would go straight to hell.

The president finished his pause, and faced the camera, "So that we can spot those plague victims who choose to run, and so endanger us all I am activating Executive Order 11002. This empowers the Postmaster General to operate a national registration of all persons. Tomorrow morning all your family are required to stand outside of your place of residence and register with the post office. Failure to do so within seven days will result in prosecution and imprisonment. We need This ho has got the plague and who is running away. There is no other way to ensure people are who they say they are.

Further to EO 10990, Executive Orr 11003 allows the government to take over all airports and aircraft, including commercial aircraft. This will be in force from midnight tonight. We must stop the plague and a total lock down of all land, sea and air routes is the only way to stop this.

Executive Order 11004 allows the Housing and Finance Authority to relocate communities, build new housing with public funds, designate areas to be abandoned, and establish new locations for populations. Should an area become so infected with the plague, we need to move the entire population this gives us the legal right to do so. It also facilitates the building of more camps should the need arise for us to do so."

"Look's like we're still needed," Lucy quipped.

"Why did I think I wasn't going to get away from all this that easily," I said

bitterly. The president continued his announcement

"We also need to keep our options open, Executive Order 11051 allows us to do so. It specifies the responsibility of the Office of Emergency Planning and gives authorization to put all Executive Orders into effect in times of increased international tensions and economic or financial crisis. We need to ensure that everybody complies with these precautionary Executive Orders. EO 11310 grants authority to the Department of Justice to enforce the plans set out in these executive Orders, to institute industrial support, to establish judicial and legislative liaison, to control all aliens, to operate penal and correctional institutions, and to advise and assist the President."

The president paused for what seemed an age, put down his papers and faced the camera, "Ladies and gentlemen I know what you have heard seems like the end of everything we hold dear, that the sacrifice of so many of our forefathers was for nothing.

If we stand by and let this plague take us all, if we stand by and let all that we hold dear be destroyed by this... this curse on our land then the sacrifices of our ancestors will really and truly have been in vain. I promise you, that I will rescind these orders as soon as the crisis is over, and it will end. You may remember the subsets of the restrictions placed on us all when the Plague first hit. But the so called 'martial law' was not so. It's clear from the last few days events that the measures we initially put in place did not go far enough. Therefore, by bringing these orders in effect, we ensure that its progress is slowed, that those affected can be quickly identified and sent to a camp for proper treatment and counseling. By introducing these measures now, we hasten the time when these measures are no longer needed.

I know this will be hard for you, it will be hard for all of us; but we cannot lose sight of the goal. To rid the world of this plague that little by little is destroying our lives, the lives of our families and the fabric of our civilization. I ask you to follow the lead of those who came before us, stand with me against this evil. If we preserve thru these trials, we will yet prevail.

Thank you for your time and God bless and save us all."

The seal of the president of the United States appeared on screen and the TV screen was blank for a few moments. Obviously the TV station was wondering how to follow that up.

Lucy gave me a sideways smile, just as I thought. Like a kid who was loving all the ants scurry round. I just hoped to God we could keep things together. If we couldn't we'd have a civil war to deal with as well as the plague.

 

 

-- oo -- oo --

 

"Howard J. Ruff wrote.

"Since the enactment of Executive Order 11490, the only thing standing between us and dictatorship is the good character of the President, and the lack of a crisis severe enough that the public would stand still for it."

The return of the plague was just that crisis. History tells us, that there is always a worse crisis than the current one, and what is our opinion against the force of history.

The reality was that there were holes in the execution of these orders. People slipped thru the net, they always do. It was the combination of martial law and the holes in the system that gave rise to several massacres around the country. Militia groups sprang up from nowhere, and swore to defend democracy and the constitution against a totalitarian state. Poorly armed, but dedicated to their cause they fought long and hard. Their terrorist actions against state and federal resources only resulted in more extreme responses from an already beleaguered government. Running battles against the national guard and army were fought over several weeks, with the militia groups hiding in mountainous and urban areas and operating a guerrilla war against the government that had allowed them to grow and equip.

Hundreds were killed in these skirmishes, men women and children gave their lives to protect what they saw as the defeat of freedom. The stark reality was that freedom was already dead, within a matter of months the entire planet would be on a war footing and very few people would then disagree with the measures taken. Democracy, was a luxury mankind could no longer afford."

Excerpts from "The long twilight struggle" By Prof Richard nee Jane

Andrews, Chair Magic Studies, MIT. ISBN 3531235632

-- oo -- oo --

 

 

 

Curse +831 Days 07:22 Pat's story - Down the Drain

 

I stood on the bus to the centre, holding Carolyn's hand for comfort. This body still felt strange, foreign, and every breath I took added to my sense of violation. I should feel lucky that I didn't end up like Carolyn or that horrifically obese woman sitting to my right; but that's of no comfort.

We were lied to, dammit! They didn't know what causes the plague at all! Letting the people out of the camps was just to take the heat out of the situation. Now they can throw us back in those hell holes and throw away the key and nobody can protest about it.

Carolyn is distraught about going back in she wanted to run but the last thing I wanted to do was become a fugitive. The only place we could have gone was some godforsaken place in the middle of nowhere.

I just stood staring out of the window, ignoring how the bumps in the road made my new breasts bounce a little, and I spent the time trying to draw some good from the situation. The only upside I could now see was that at least Carolyn and I were together.

Seemingly hours later the bus stopped outside of what looked to be a converted hospital. "This is where I went. It'll be ok," Carolyn gave my hand a squeeze as if to say 'We're in this together.'

What I assumed to be the drivers voice told us to stay in the bus until called, so I guess there was nothing to do but wait. Luckily the aircon in the bus worked as it should, so at least we were cool. I looked around, everyone's face was a mask. Lips were tight and eyes blank, this was it, our first port of call on our trip down the drain.

"I guess they'll just ship me right out," Carolyn commented.

"Guess so," I adjusted my glasses. They still felt a little odd on the end of my nose. Carolyn was probably right, they'd pass her right thru and straight into a camp.

It seemed an age until my name was called, Carolyn gave me a quick hug and I slowly walked outside into the bright morning sunshine.

Two burly women were waiting for me, their side arms drawn and ready. I guess they didn't want anyone running away. I was escorted, just like some kind of POW inside the main foyer of the building. People of all shapes and sizes were just milling around the dimly lit interior. It resembled some kind of post office with the administrators shielded behind armored glass and armed guards were posted at strategic intervals around the inside.

My escorts pointed to a queue and I dutifully joined it. Don't mess with people with firearms.

I was a good shoulder's height above the woman in front, so I could get a good view around the place. To my surprise the plague victims here just looked, well ordinary. No busty blondes, no supermodels, except me I guess; just ordinary scared looking women. I couldn't see any non-humans too. I guess they either didn't come in or were moved to a separate area.

The odd thing was that nobody was speaking, or even talking in whispers. Nobody was even making eye contact, I may as well have been here on my own. I already missed Carolyn, at least she could give me somebody to talk to. The women around the room were wearing whatever they had found to put on, mostly male clothes that were too baggy or long. I was glad I had gone out and got some clothes that at least fitted me, even though I still didn't feel comfortable or right wearing bra and panties. I caught a few of the other women eyeing me up, old habits died hard I guess.

Eventually it came to my turn. A bored looking woman, looked at me, seemingly in contempt and her bored sounding voice pointed to a map on the far wall and said, "Room 45, corridor C."

"Ok, thanks," My dulcet voice said in reply.

I walked along a long, white corridor. My suspicions that this had once been a hospital were confirmed, not only by the architecture of the corridors, but by the odd sign saying outpatients, or maternity ward. With this plague there were no outpatients. I glanced down at the small bulges my new breasts made in my blouse, "Yeah, only in patients," I muttered bitterly.

I didn't have to walk far to get to the room. I gave the door a cursory knock and when there was no reply I gave it a push. It swung open revealing a neon lit room, with just a table, chair and computer console. I sat down on the chair, "Now what?" I asked out loud.

"Please use the computer to answer a few questions!" A detached, but calming voice came over the intercom. "Ok".

Filling in the first few questions was straightforward. Some of the later ones gave me pause.

"Before your change did you regard prostitution as a thrilling prospect?"

I typed "No."

"Did this change after your change?"

The thought of any man, screwing me sent shivers down my spine.

Ugh! I typed "No".

"Do you feel the urge for any of the following, Tattoo's, body piercing, cosmetic surgery or Amputation."

Amputation?! I Pressed N for 'No'.

I was bombarded with question after question, Was I a lesbian? Did I have any disabilities before the change and so on.

After about 300 questions the survey was over and I pressed enter. A few seconds later the screen changed to "Wait..."

I waited for nearly ten minutes. Had I filled the forms in wrong?

There was a knock at the door, "Can I come in?" A woman's voice asked. I detected a slight New York accent. Based on some of the question's I'd answered that may or may not have been her true accent.

"Sure," I replied.

The door opened and in walked a small, petite woman of about forty. I couldn't tell what she was wearing as it was hidden by a white doctors coat. Her black hair, had several purple dyed streaks around her and her small button nose had a large stud pierced in it, as did her left eyebrow.

"Pat isn't it?" She asked.

"Yeah, what have I done?" I asked.

She smiled, flashing two sharpened canine teeth. "Nothing. It's you I want to talk about."

"What about me?" Oh shit! They were going to move me away from Carolyn!

"Don't look so worried. It's about your test results," the woman tried to reassure me.

"Did I pass?" I wasn't aware there even was a pass mark. "I thought the idea of the tests was to find out what the effects of the plague were," I gestured at my blonde hair, "Besides the obvious."

"My name is Richard, Sorry, Jane Andrews. I'll get right to the point. You are special, A one in one hundred thousand special!"

"How come? Special about what?" This was starting to worry me.

"Your test results show that you have no discernable Gea's, your replies to the questions indicates that you have the potential for supernatural abilities?"

"No Geas? Supernatural, like a ghost?"

Jane smiled, "No meaning psychic abilities, bodyswapping or even prophesy. In your case you have a 90% probability of being a bodyswapper. Most people with these abilities also have Geas that affect them, hold them back. You appear to have none. To put it in layman's", she gave a wry smile, "Or Laywoman's terms ,only two hundred people have ever shown supernatural tendencies with no Geas to go with them."

No wonder I'd answered no to so many questions. Somehow, by a fluke of fate I'd missed out on one of the nastiest aspects of the plague. Gea's caused normal people to exhibit behaviors that were seemingly the opposite to how they really were. If they were quiet and restrained their Gea would make them loud and promiscuous. If they were loud and promiscuous then the Gea would make them shy and restrained. It was very, very rare that people had no Gea at all. These people, of which I was apparently one, were called 'Alpha's'.

"You mean I'm an Alpha?"

Jane nodded, "Yeah. Your test results were right in the top 1% of plague suffers. So apart from looking like one hot babe, you are a lucky one too."

Babe? Nobody had called me babe before! I'm not sure I liked the sound of that, "Babe?" I said incredulously.

Jane raised an eyebrow, "Another test, Alpha's also find it the hardest to come to terms with their femininity. We think its something to do with the fact that a Gea will help the transition, so it can start to influence the person who has it. You have no Geas and so don't get the adjustment they offer."

"So I get to stay depressed at this," I gestured at my shapely body, "forever?"

"That is up to you. There's one other thing?"

"Which is?"

"Since you seem to have the potential to swap bodies there are a few things people with your 'gift' have told us to help others," Jane's voice had an element of warning.

Now I was worried. I hadn't got used to this body, let alone get anyone else's, "Like what?"

"Most bodyswappers, exchange bodies when they feel an emotional attachment or link to someone. If they see someone hurting and they feel as though they want to help, to come alongside them in their hour of need, then there's a high probability a swap will occur."

Carolyn? How would this affect Carolyn and I? "What about my wife? She's a non human, could I swap with her when she's feeling down one day?" This would be a nightmare, I'd have to keep my feelings in check all the time!

Jane shrugged, "The simple answer is that I don't know for sure. Since you haven't swapped already then the chances are against it. We will do a blood test to see how active it is, or if its just latent."

I hated being female, but the prospect of being half cat, half woman like Carolyn terrified me. Maybe that's why we hadn't swapped. "What else?"

Jane's face turned more serious. "You have the potential to ruin many lives. For example if you see a man who looked like you used to, you could try and swap with them just so you could get a male body back. You're still adapting to your new sex, and that's no doubt caused massive disruption in your lives. Imagine forcing somebody into what you are going through for your own selfish gain."

The thought of bodyswapping with a man, to get a male body back hadn't even entered my head. Could I, would I do such a thing?

To get a male body back, to get rid of these, these things on my chest, to feel the reassuring sensation of a dick between my legs rather than the warm, fleshy folds of a pussy. Would the ruination of someone's life be worth it to get all back?

Jane saw what I was thinking, "It IS tempting isn't it? Just be aware that if you do swap with someone, you take your abilities and the plague with you. Did you ever hear of Elizabeth Richards?"

"No?"

"I'm not surprised, it was kept quiet and the media stories soon died away. Anyway Elizabeth was a body swapper, just like you. She also had no Geas to speak of. Because of this she had a very hard time adapting to her new body, so when she was released from the camps she found the cutest looking guy she could find and swapped with him and ran."

"Then what?" I could imagine the shock for the man to suddenly be in a body not his own, and seeing his own body run off into the sunset..

"Because she carried the plague with her, any male body she swapped with soon began to turn female, so she had to find one man after another to maintain her male form. Sometimes it would take a few days to turn female, other times a few weeks. But she lived an almost ghoul like existence having to swap every time she turned female again."

That sounded horrible, all those lives ruined just for the sake of a few days of maleness, "What happened to her?"

"She just vanished. She moved to New York, and was never heard of again. The body jacking stopped before she vanished so I guess she's given up. In any case, as I said, with this power comes responsibility. I doubt if you'll get much chance to be tempted anyway. As you know they've reopened the camps."

I nodded, "I know. It's like being sent to jail."

Jane nodded her agreement, "We're all being shipped out next week. I suspect they're closing these centers down and just putting people in the camps without trying to help them first. There's so many people this time round, we're struggling to cope. But that's not your problem. What is you problem is the blood test I'm about to take."

I undid the sleeve of my blouse, and rolled it up to show my slender, delicately muscled arm. Jane took a sealed syringe from a pouch around her waist, unwrapped it and walked over to me.

"OW" I said as she put the needle in, drew some blood and wiped it clean.

"We'll have the test results in an hour or so. We've found that there are certain proteins that are more numerous in your blood than in a normal person. If they are over a certain threshold then you are a bodyswapper. Massive amounts can mean that you would swap bodies with someone with little or no control over it."

"What happens if that's the case?" I asked anxiously.

"It depends. If the protein levels show you may be able to control it with some training then you'll be allowed to go to the camps with your wife. If it's uncontrollable period, or will take months to train you to control it, then you'll have to be kept in solitary until you can."

"That's barbaric!" I spat in anger. How could they do that to me!

Jane nodded her agreement, "Yes it is. However how else are we supposed to protect the camp and even yourself from the chaos this would cause? Don't worry; we've only had one person who we needed to restrain in this way."

"What happened to her?" I asked bitterly. Not only was I some kind of transgendered freak I could be locked away for my own and others protection.

Jane gave a sigh, "She couldn't control her swapping. No matter how much emotional training she had, she would swap as soon as they pretty much saw another person," there was a pause, "she managed to swap with a guard and use their shoe laces to commit suicide."

"Oh Fuck!" I swore.

"As I said, it's very, very, very rare. This patient was the only case in the world that needed this treatment. Just wait here, I'll be back in an hour. Jane gave me a comforting smile and walked out of the door. I heard a click as she locked the door behind me.

Now what the fuck was I supposed to do? My relief at not having some godawful Gea had evaporated, if anything this 'gift' as Jane called it was worse. What if I had to be locked away? What if I never saw Carolyn again? Some fucking gift!

I had lost so much, my sense of who I was, my voice, some of my eyesight and more than that the feeling that I was being thrown down the drain grew inside me. Sure Jane was very pleasant, but that's because I was special. Those poor people herded like sheep and processed like cattle on the way to slaughter. If Jane was right and the numbers were overwhelming them, then it would only get worse. According to the news the camps had been on the brink of collapse as it was, now what would happen now more and more are pouring in?

I took a deep breath, 'change the things you can change' I told myself. I couldn't change the blood test results, so I'd deal with that as and when it happened. The more I looked at things, the less I realize I could actually change. I was the train on the track heading towards an unknown destination. I had no idea where I would be going, or indeed what. A few days ago, at least I'd had some kind of stability; but now that stability had been blown apart.

Damn glasses, had slipped down my nose again. What was taking them so long?

Suddenly a wave of tiredness overwhelmed me and I struggled to keep my eyes open. The stress of the last few days was catching up on me.

The next thing I knew Jane was shaking me awake, "Pat?"

I gave a yawn, "Yeah"

"We have your results," she said softly.

That woke me up, "And?" I asked, trying to sound unconcerned.

"You are a body swapper. The good news is that it's latent at the moment."

I breathed a sigh of relief, "What's latent?"

"It means that you have the potential to switch bodies with someone, but that it's not yet reached the point where you WILL switch."

"Yet?"

Jane nodded, "Yes, yet. We've seen a few cases like yours worldwide. You fit the profile perfectly. What happens is that, as time goes on your ability will grow and develop. If left untrained, you'll just swap with the first person you see. However you can be trained to do it as and when you want."

"So I could control it, Maybe never swap?"

Jane Nodded, "The levels of the proteins are such that it's a distinct

possibility"

I breathed a sigh of relief, "How long before it's not latent anymore?"

Jane shrugged her shoulders, "The levels are quite low, a year maybe less, maybe more. We'll do weekly tests to see how the levels fluctuate. They usually peak during your menstrual cycle."

Oh fuck, periods. Of course I would have periods wouldn't I. Yet another thing I had no control over. "So what now?"

Jane smiled, "We watch you closely. I'll mail you every week or so to see how you're doing and you'll need to report to the camp hospital every week for blood tests."

"Does everyone get the VIP treatment?" judging from the poor souls in the foyer they certainly didn't. At least not anymore.

"Only the Alpha's. We believe they hold the key to defeating the plague, so we need to take special care of them, take special care of you."

Jane checked her watch, "Shit, is that the time? The guards at the door will take you to the bus where your wife is waiting. You've been allocated to Reservation Anderson. It won't be four star accommodation for sure, but it still has some running water and basic facilities. A lot of the other camps were mostly dismantled before the plague hit again. Anderson is the best we have, until it gets sorted out again."

"Thanks," Reservation Anderson was where Carolyn had been before, Where Matthew had done his broadcasts from. Images from those broadcasts swept thru my mind. I was going there, for better or worse Camp, sorry Reservation Anderson was going to be my new home for the foreseeable future. I gave a deep sigh that caused my breasts to heave under the bra I now wore; yet another thing I couldn't change.

 

 

Curse +831 Days 16:32 Maki's story - Registration

 

The supermodel looking woman with glasses who had been looking at me got served way before me. I was sitting down on the floor, as standing was too painful. I'd been waiting here for ages.

Eventually it was my turn and I waddled towards a room just down the corridor. Even after that short walk I was breathless. I was told to sit down at the table, which proved difficult as my bulky mass of flab that was now my stomach stopped me from reaching the table.

So I had to stand while I completed the questions on the computer screen. My ankles were in agony by the time I'd finished. Within a few moments, two stern looking security guards, side arms un-holstered indicated I should follow them. It seemed miles to walk, even though in reality it was only a few hundred meters. If only mom and dad could be here with me. I miss them!

I was told to get on the bus and stay there. I overheard the blonde supermodel and his cat woman wife/friend chatting. We were going to Reservation Anderson, which according to the supermodel was one of the better camps. I edged closer to the seat, trying to hear what they were saying. Apparently 'Supermodel' is some kind of special freak of the plague and going to get the VIP treatment at the camp. Typical! Even here the American privilege system is in full flow.

'Keep calm Maki' I tell myself. 'Supermodel' may have the looks and the privileges, but when the scientists find a cure they'll come to me first. They'll do the ugly first, then the good and finally 'supermodel's' Then we'll see who looks like a Cosmo fashion model. They'll be able give Dad his body back, and change mine for me into something other than this hideous mass of flesh.

All I have to do is wait, something will turn up. It always does.

 

 

Curse +832 07:33 Days - Pat's story - Reservation Anderson

 

We'd driven thru the night to reach Reservation Anderson, and most of the people on the bus had fallen asleep at some point in time. Not me. My legs ached, and I was as stiff as a board. The atmosphere had been strained even before we'd set off. Everyone once again lost in their own thoughts and fears.

We heard the president's speech over the radio, and even though I didn't think it possible hopes had dived even more. We weren't going to Reservation Anderson for a few months, we were going for life. All of us had been holding out hope that we would be let out again soon that hope died with the presidents executive orders.

Roadblocks and the military were everywhere. The entire country was locked right down, it seemed the only traffic allowed anywhere apart from the army were these coaches taking hundreds of thousands of people into captivity.

Carolyn had had mixed reactions to my news. She was pleased I'd escaped without a Gea, but the thought of my not adapting very well to my new sex troubled her. The body swapping thing troubled her too, she didn't want me to swap with her. She wouldn't want to put anyone else thru what she went thru; what she was still going thru.

Reservation Anderson loomed large in the windows. Miles and Miles of razor wire stretching as far as the eye could see. Before that had been mile of after mile of signs warning that there were landmines on either side of the single road that let into the camp. The camp itself was in the middle of nowhere, no hiding place and no escape.

The National Guard was everywhere; tanks, APC's and artillery were placed at strategic intervals along the road. The message was clear, nobody gets out of Reservation Anderson.

I could feel panic starting to rise inside me. 'Deep breaths Pat' I told myself. I could now hear a few people gently sobbing as it began to hit home that this is where we were going to stay, pending a miracle we'd live and die here. I glanced over to Carolyn, her triangular cat ears and whiskers twitching as she slept. Without her it'd be unbearable, without her I'd have no hope at all.

My crotch was getting all wet and moist in the heat, unconsciously I gave it a scratch and the pleasure I felt as my hands touched my pussy thru my pants reminded me what I had become. I doubted I'd ever get used it.

 

 

Curse +840 Days Maki's story - Hell on earth

 

I can't stand it in here. My body is too big to walk comfortably, so I spend most of my time in bed listening to the sounds of a people in bondage and waiting to die. I'm bought food and water by my neighbors, and because I find walking so painful it makes me breathless within a few hundred meters or so. I tried going on a hunger strike and only drinking water. I did lose a few pounds or so it seemed but then a few days after I just piled them back on again, even without eating. Somehow this body refuses to lose any weight at all.

I miss mom and dad! If they were here at least I'd have some company and someone to comfort me. I've applied for extradition back to Japan, but seeing as the whole of this country is locked down and effectively under martial law I'm not holding my breath. A few people have called in to make sure I'm ok, but in my current state of despair I'm poor company.

My last, my final hope I'm clinging onto is that maybe science will be able to find a cure if not for the plague but this hateful body of mine. My life is in ruins, my studies now a waste of time. I'm in hell, trapped inside this metal box with only a small breeze to stop me from baking alive; and only the slender promise that mankind's inventiveness may, at last hold an answer, any answer is what keeps me going.

 

 

Curse +840 Days Pat's story - Camaraderie

 

Matthew is coming round in an hour or so to celebrate Carolyn and my good news. My last set of blood test results have come in, apparently the way the protein numbers have been growing is a consistent curve, which means that they can predict when I'll be able to swap bodies, if I wish to that is.

It's embarrassing to get all this VIP treatment from the authorities. I'd been given an almost decent place to stay, one of the few remaining concrete and brick houses in the camp. It was closest to the water and power supplies and if it wasn't for the surroundings it'd be more like a camping lodge than a refugee hut. My first few days were the hardest, especially when, two days ago my first period started. The last remaining link to my masculinity, my old life had gone. I was now a fully fertile and functional woman. Carolyn and Matthew were there to see me thru it, I don't like it one bit and my rampaging hormones don't make it any easier. If I start to feel sorry for what I've lost I just take a walk and see the conditions other people are living in. Living is too strong a word, surviving is a better one. Thanks to mine and Carolyn preparation, and my emergency shop we could lay our hands on pretty much anything we wanted, well as long as the tampons and lingerie supply held out.

All around me I see people in the greatest need, people suffering in huge numbers and yet the system that has deserted them has come flocking to me. I had an E-mail from Dr Andrews explaining why.

Apparently if they can monitor a body swap in progress, learn how it works both physically and chemically then maybe they can hijack that mechanism to find a full cure for the plague. That's why they are emphasizing controlling it and keeping a close eye on me and the very few others around the world. People who swap don't actually physically change, Dr Andrews likens it more like an exchange of souls; although how that can happen is anyone's guess and at the moment it's more a wild theory of hers than a working hypothesis. The main point is, is that by using us there may well be a cure for the millions around the world who are suffering the effects of this mystery illness.

Dr Andrews was also spot on about my acceptance of my condition being a difficult battle. No matter how many times I put a bra on, urinate, or even catch a glimpse of my stunning reflection in the mirror I wince. If this body turned me on in some way at least that would be some comfort, but it doesn't. I don't fancy men, and there are some stunningly beautiful women in the camp(although not as many as there are plain ones) but somehow they do little for me.

Carolyn repeatedly teases me, calling me frigid. But its not that at all; it's just the sense of been violated and trapped overwhelms any sexual feelings I might have. I know she'd love to try some 'kitty love' as she calls it and I can sense her frustration with me. My dad used to say 'if a girl doesn't feel like it, then a girl doesn't do it!' I never thought those words would apply to me. Maybe one day I'll open up, but not just yet. I've too much baggage to deal with.

It's nice to have a friendly face to come around and at least have some resemblance of normality with. Matthew may be a celebrity, but he does have a wonderful way of putting into words what the rest of us are feeling. Carolyn says she sees a lot of the person she called 'the prophet' in him. I'm not so sure, I just think its natural talent.

Matthew's certainly getting quite a following around the camp. People flock to a natural leader, and in spite of his protestations he's rapidly becoming the spokeswoman for the camps once more.

Carolyn and I are just happy to have him as a friend, confidant and someone just to hang out with.

I heard a hissing from the stove, the potato's had just boiled over.

 

 

Curse +918 Days 11:23 PST Matthew's story - Current affairs

 

"Once again I find myself the voice of those who have the plague, no it's more like curse victims now. The feeling of being thrown away in the trash pervades the camp. If anything morale is even lower now than it ever was. Every day sees buses bringing hundreds more in, surely the camp can't hold many more people, and yet the tide of victims doesn't seem to slow or prevent the authorities from placing people here.."

I pressed pause on my dictaphone, yeah that was how I felt about things. A thought struck me and I resumed recording.

"There's been no time for the authorities to rebuild the infrastructures they had started to dismantle. As a result we have minimal power, running water is limited in supply and most of the housing had been taken down. I've heard reports that dysentery, malnutrition and even TB have started to set in rather than the isolated cases we had last time. We are a third world country refugee camp, inside the richest nation on the planet. We've seen little of the work parties that have supposed to have been drafted into help. I suspect they've been used to try and keep law and order against all the militia groups that have sprung up and to try and enforce the presidents executive orders..

The feeling amongst everyone I talk to is that we're here for life. I can't see anything persuading the government to let us out now. We've serving a life sentence and our only crime was to catch some disease that nobody knows how it's transmitted or how it works."

I pressed Pause once more. Did that sound too bitter and betrayed? A little maybe, but it's true. I resumed my dictation.

"Maybe the prophet was right, maybe night has fallen and we should have been ready for it. It's a shame she's not here, at least she would have had some kind of answer for what has happened over the past few weeks. Maybe she was right about the dark forces at work too. It certainly feels like mankind is under some curse at the moment. Well, not all mankind, just those unlucky enough to catch the plague."

Paused. I glanced outside my window and saw people, shuffling along, heads down and backs bent. They reminded me of the people in Belsen and Dachau in the last world war. I pressed record once more.

"I look outside from my desk and see people, walking slowly, heads down and almost shuffling along. I take it back, this is no refugee camp, or reservation, it's a concentration camp. We're sitting in here, rotting away on the inside and just waiting to die. Something has to give, three million people cannot be allowed to die and suffer in this manner."

Paused.

My next CNN broadcast isn't for a week or so. Thanks to the executive orders in place it'll need to be scrutinized for suitability. So I've lots of time to edit things out. It's important to get your feelings down as you have them, otherwise events can overtake them. I resumed recording.

"The world thinks its doing the right thing by confining us, and I guess it is; for them anyway. I remember the prophet telling me about Eyam. Maybe we should have stayed where we were, maybe the president, director and his assistant were the destroyers. But how were we to know this was going to happen? How were we to know that the plague would hit again with such ferocity when it had all but died out for months?

It came at the worst possible time; sprits were high and hope higher. Now, the whole human race is in darkness, we're at midnight and there is no sign of the dawn. The martial law the president has imposed has made things a hundred times worse. People are now not only in terror of getting the plague, their freedom of movement and speech has been restricted so that what hope remained has almost gone. Almost overnight the greatest democracy the world has ever known had been cast aside, replaced by a nation under the rule of fear.

Can our spirits sink any lower than they already have? Something has to give, some light has to shatter the darkness. If it does not, then I fear that us poor souls in these camps are only the first to drift around waiting for the end. For when we fall, the rest of the human race cannot be far behind."

 

 

Curse +920 Days 15:42PST The Directors Story - Cumbre Vieja

 

Lucy swanned into the office, looking like the cat that had just got a decades worth of cream. She had a look of supreme confidence and of extreme satisfaction about her. When Lucy looked this confident I worried.

She cleared a space on my desk and sat down on it, showing every inch of her long legs. "Ever heard of a place called Cumbre Vieja?" She said in a smug voice.

I shrugged my shoulders, "No, sounds like a place in Mexico."

Lucy gave me another broad smile, exposing her perfect teeth, "I think you and about six billion others are about to," she got off the desk and turned the TV on to CNN.

"It's just sport," I said. What WAS Lucy up to? A feeling of dread swept over me.

Lucy checked her watch and counted out loud," 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1," she gave another smug smile, "Boom!"

The sport continued for about another 25 or so minutes. What in hell was Lucy up to?

I glanced at the TV screen, as a news flash broke onto the screen. "We're sorry to interrupt our scheduled programming but this has just come in. We're getting reports of some kind of massive explosion on the island of La Palma. We're now going to Alison Steadman, on the nearby island of La Gomera."

The scene cut to a young woman, in shorts and a green blouse. She was standing on what looked to be a large strip of tarmac. Various aircraft were behind her, and a helicopter was just behind her, obviously waiting to take off. "About twenty five minutes or so ago the horizon was lit up by large flash of light. This was followed seconds later by small earth tremors that rattled the windows at my hotel."

The camera panned to the horizon where it showed a sickening sight. A large mushroom cloud, full of orange and yellow menace was starting to spread out across the sky. The reporter continued, "As you can see from this exclusive footage taken only a few minutes ago, the explosion appears to be the result of a nuclear weapon of some description."

The anchor woman asked "Alison, any idea as to who or what could have caused this to happen. Why La Palma and not Los Angeles?"

Alison shook her head, "We have no idea as to who did this or what their motive was. I've got a chopper on standby here at the airport. All contact has been lost with the island. If it was a nuclear explosion then I'm told the EM pulse would have shorted out any electrical equipment on the island, thus making any communications impossible."

"We'd better let you get on your way. We'll leave you with live pictures from the island of La Gomera." the Anchorwoman said.

The scene showed the mushroom cloud starting to dissipate as the wind

carried the fallout far and wide. The news anchor asked an unseen expert,

"What are we seeing here"

A caption appeared on screen 'Gen John Greenspan(ret). Another voice, a man this time said, "We're seeing remains of an explosion, of what we think could be that of a small nuclear weapon, maybe a suitcase sized device. Such a device would indeed render pretty much every electronic device within a 10-15 mile radius useless. The blast would have a devastating effect on anything within a 2 mile radius. We won't have a satellite picture for another 15 minutes or so, so we don't know where the bomb went off."

"Do we have any idea of the potential death toll?" the anchor woman asked solemnly. The mushroom cloud was rapidly fading away, and was now being mixed in with a dark gray cloud.

"Not until we know where the explosion was."

The anchor woman interrupted "I've got Alison on board the chopper now." The camera view changed to a picture of a turquoise blue ocean and what I presumed to be the island of La Palma. A huge plume of black and gray smoke came from the centre of the island.

"It looks as though the explosion was centered around the dormant volcano. The explosion seems to have caused the Volcano to become active once more. I'm no expert but I'd guess it's about to erupt."

"Can you see any signs of survivors?"

"The pilot is reluctant to go any closer because of the risk of radiation and any volcanic ash getting into the engine. As you can see the plume of smoke is now covering a large area of the island. Geoff, can we zoom in anymore?" Alison asked her cameraman.

The camera zoomed into an unobscured part of the island. Large cracks had begun to form in the ground, "It looks as though whatever's going on down there is causing massive earth tremors. It looks as though a huge part of the island is cracking apart!"

The smoke seemed to clear for an instant and the camera showed a long series of cracks and fissures running deep inland. People could be seen running out of houses, hotels and resorts as earthquakes seemed to shake the entire island. Seconds later the buildings would collapse leaving the people fleeing the devastation. "We're now going to try and fly to the western side of the island."

I caught a glimpse of a river of what looked like red lava, straight from Dante's inferno running like water away from the side of the mountain., like a red river of white and red hot death nothing survived its touch, not house, hotel, school or town . I could make out crowds of people fleeing the scene. This river of lava was out running the crowd and in an instant they were gone, consumed by fire and liquid rock. It was sickening to watch. A massive explosive sound came out of the TV, and after a brief second of dizzying images the TV went black.

"Alison are you there?" The anchor woman asked worriedly.

No reply.

The Anchorwoman was silent for a few seconds, composing herself "We

seem to be having a few technical problems with Alison's broadcast at the

moment. We'll try and get her back for you. We just had this sent in a minute

or so ago from the camera crew at La Gomera"

The camera showed a wall of water rushing towards it at impossible speed, this wave was so big it blotted out the sky and the entire horizon from East to West. Seconds later the camera feed was cut off as what I assumed was the wave crashed into the camera.

"Holy Fuck! what was that!" I heard the anchorwoman say under her breath. "Ladies and gentlemen we seem to have lost the feed from La Gomera as well. I can't find the words to say at the moment. General?"

"At a guess I'd say the Volcano just erupted," the general said in a matter of fact way.

"I've just been told that Chris Whiteman in Rabat, Morocco has more information. Chris, What can you tell us?"

A youngish man, about thirty came on screen, his face looked visibly shaken, "As you know an hour or so ago, something resembling a nuclear explosion rocked the island of La Palma, just off the Canary islands. I've just been given images from the nearest satellite and the news is not good. I'm told that such was the force of the explosion that it caused the dormant volcano, Cumbre Vieja to explosively erupt. Such was the violence of the explosion that most of the western side of the island has just crashed into the Atlantic Ocean just minutes ago."

The anchor lady looked puzzled, "What does that mean?"

"I can only stay for another minute before I have to escape, but basically the force of this Island collapse has caused a massive tidal wave, called a Mega Tsunami. The wave is currently traveling at 700 miles an hour, and has already reached a height of 1,500 feet. I'm sorry I must go. The Canary Islands are gone, nearly 2 million men women and children have already been swept away! The wave is expected to devastate the West Coast of Africa within the next 10 minutes."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, two million dead, volcanic eruptions, half mile high tidal waves traveling at 700 miles an hour! Such was the shock, that the realization took its time to sink in, LUCY KNEW! Before I could say anything, CNN had found one of their staff geologists and had put him on screen. He looked even more shaken and upset than the reporter did.

He was saying, "It seems as though most of the Island of La Palma has crashed into the sea, after a nuclear explosion caused the eruption of a volcano. The effects of this are and will be the most devastating natural disaster in recorded history, eclipsing even that of Krakatoa or even a massive earthquake in the San Andreas fault. These forces have almost unlimited power to cause utter destruction and there's nothing that we can do to stop them. A rapid landslide into water will cause a massive shock wave, rather like throwing a big stone into a pond."

I glanced in disgust and horror at Lucy who was still smiling away, as if amused by the whole thing.

"It looks as though a 15 mile chunk of the island, weighing half a trillion metric tons slammed into the Atlantic with incredible speed and force. The disintegration of the rock, an earlier study a few years back predicted, would produce an avalanche deposit extending 32 miles from the island. The energy released by the collapse would be equal to the electricity consumption of the entire United States in half a year!"

The geologist paused as if trying to say what he was thinking of. "It is known that for all their destructiveness tsunami formed by earthquakes or storms are inherently limited in size. That is because they are caused by shifts in the seabed. When an earthquake cracks the ocean floor one side of the fracture rises up. When this happens the water above the fracture is lifted up by the same amount. This movement pushes the water upwards and outwards creating a wave on the surface of the sea, which becomes a tsunami, but even the biggest earthquakes can only lift the sea floor by about 10 yards which creates a wave of the same height. That's about as big as a normal tsunami gets."

Again the geologist fought back the tears; he put his hand over his mouth and breathed deeply. I heard a small laugh from Lucy. It sickened me to the core to hear her; but I had to know what was going on.

"Storm waves, however high they are, have a very short wave length, usually no more than 100 yards from the front of the wave to the back. This is because they are created merely by the effect of the wind on the surface of the sea. Mega-tsunami, on the other hand, move the entire body of the ocean, right down to the seabed several miles below. Because of the enormous volume of water that is shifted, mega-tsunami have very long wave lengths, often hundreds of miles from the front of the wave to the back. This makes them particularly devastating when they approach a shoreline. As the ocean shallows the front of the wave slows down, but the back of the wave is still traveling fast and pushes against the front making it rise up. This creates the first destructive characteristic of mega-tsunami when they hit the shore. They rear up to become a wall of water, just like we saw from La Gomera. The long wavelength also creates a second frightening characteristic. Instead of breaking on the shore the whole length of the wave sweeps onto land engulfing everything before it. With storm waves the wavelength is just a few tens of yards, but with mega-tsunami its hundreds of miles. What this means is that when storm waves break onto a coastline they break almost immediately, but mega-tsunami just keep on coming through the whole length of the wave and this makes them incredibly powerful and incredibly destructive."

"Cool huh?" Lucy said with a grin, "Here comes the best bit!"

I wanted to reply, but the sounds dried up in my throat. It was all I could do to watch the News unfolding on the TV in front of me.

"At this moment, waves of unimagined power and destructive potential are heading towards the Eastern United States. When they hit, every town and city up to thirty miles inland, from Newfoundland to the coast of South America will be wiped off the face of the earth. New York, Boston, Miami the entire set of Caribbean islands, Cuba and the Bahamas will be utterly destroyed. Even the lower part of Washington will be affected."

"My God!" I cried in anguish. All those people!

"Your God, maybe, not mine!" Lucy said with a contented grin. I turned away from her; unable to look at the evil that had invaded the room.

"Already a 150 foot high wave is poised to smash into the West African coastline, Portugal, Spain and the South West of England. The words Global Catastrophe are not understated."

The news reader looked unable to speak, collecting herself she asked, "How long before it hits us, and is there anything we can do?"

Trying his best to remain calm, the Geologist replied, "The first, most massive wave will hit the continental USA in around 7 hours. Already the Canary Islands are gone. The death toll will be unimaginable. Certainly in the tens, if not hundreds of millions of people will be swept away. As for stopping it? You're kidding right? No force on earth can stop this, nothing at all!"

The newscaster interrupted "We've managed to get a video link from an RAF Nimrod aircraft that was on patrol in the area when it happened. It's now tracking the wave we speak."

The screen changed to a rough video image of a wall of water. The crest of it was boiling and foaming with obvious menace. It was almost as if it was building up for its sole purpose; which was to destroy everything in its way, be it house, tree or city . This tidal wave was moving as fast as the aircraft could fly; it even seemed to be outrunning it!"

I saw what looked to be tiny models of supertankers trying desperately to get away be swept up and smashed into matchwood. In horror I realized that those models were the some of the largest ships on the ocean. They had been swept aside like a paper boat in a hurricane.

A clipped British accent then spoke, in a cold matter of fact way.

"We're at an altitude of 12,000 ft and the wave crest is at least 900 feet high. The pilot tells me that we are at maximum speed and still the wave is outrunning us. This is as low as we can go, as the turbulence following the wave is too great. It's like flying through a hurricane. The wave extends as far as I can see and shows no sign of petering out. There are at least seven waves of slighter lesser height following it; again I can't see how long they go on for. I would guess the wavelength would be at least 20 miles for each wave. That gives a total wavelength of, holy shit, one hundred and forty miles!"

The picture suddenly shook as the plane was rocked by the high winds. The observer said softly. "We have to turn back and find somewhere to land, our fuel is almost out. God Speed to you and good luck."

"You did this! Why?" I shouted at Lucy. I couldn't stand to think about what was going to happen in just a few hours time.

"Because I can," Lucy said arrogantly.

"We never agreed to this!" The anger was welling up within me! I could feel my cheeks flush with fury.

"The deal was, I leave you and your family alone and you help me in return.

What I do outside of the deal is none of your business," Lucy said coldly.

"But this is, is just," I struggled for the words to say. The numbers were just too big. The shock of the last few minutes was too much for me. My God all those people!

"Why do this?" I managed to utter.

"You humans are all the same, you have no idea who you really are, or where you really came from. You were made in the image of your God, and yet you threw it all away. I know because I was there! You do not value your own lives, so why should I?, and besides, I need the land!" Lucy gave me a look as though I was some toy for her own amusement, a disposable object for her plan.

She saw the realization sink in on my face, "Yes, director dear. I needed you to achieve my short term objectives. I still have a use for you, so the deal still stands. You and your family will not be harmed as long as you continue to help me. You do still want that don't you?"

I didn't know anymore. If I said no, I would die here and now or worse. If I said yes, how many more would this creature kill or maim before its aims were met. When I had first found out what and who Lucy was I thought that I could control her, somehow thwart her plans from the inside. She had told me her plans, but I now saw that they were lies, she had, had bigger things in mind all along! Back in the first days of the curse everyone was so panic stricken they would do anything not to be affected. Now in my weakness I was facing an impossible choice. "I need time to think it over. I can't think at the moment, so many people.."

Lucy looked at me in utter contempt, "You have an hour. I have things to do, people to see and I want to be around to watch when the wave hits," Lucy then just simply faded away from sight. It was as if one second she was there, the other not.

I sat down on my chair and watched the news, unable to believe what was going on. By this time fighter aircraft had reached the wave front and were tracking its awful and inevitable path. New York, Miami and Boston were in panic, and a sick feeling in my stomach told me very few people would be able to get away from the Tsunami in time.

Lucy had to be stopped, although how I had no real idea how, only theories. I now knew that I was a marked man. I would die, or worse sooner or later and somehow it bought me some comfort. Months, years of being HER slave, doing what she wanted me to do, for fear of my families life had taken their toll on me. I wanted out, I wanted to show the world, that in my last few days alive I had the courage to say NO, this further and no more.

I took out my Dictaphone and a few sheets of paper and started to write and speak my thoughts at the same time. Lucy would find the written notes and think she had stopped me. The Dictaphone was there as insurance. My last act, before I put the pen down and mailed the Dictaphone tape to Mathew, was to write a letter to my family at end of my notes.

 

 

-- oo -- oo --

 

"When the Mega Tsunami, later to be named as Apollyon; meaning the destroyer, hit the continental USA the effects were immediate and catastrophic. Seventy million people died instantly as the wave's smashed through cities as though they were made of paper. The wave finally broke, 37 miles inland, leaving behind it destruction on a biblical scale. Every man, woman, child, house, tree, and city for a strip 2342 miles long by 37 miles wide was gone, wiped off the face of the earth. Obliterated.

Seven hours was nowhere near enough time to save the majority of the population. The Executive orders limiting freedom of movement meant that many were trapped inside their homes and cities, unable to get away because the system that had sought to save them now prevented them from fleeing for survival, eventually the system cracked and broke. People fled for their lives, but the delay had been costly. Never before in the history of the world had such a mass of human beings moved and suffered together. This was no disciplined march--it was a stampede,without order and without a goal, sixty million people unarmed and un-provisioned, driving headlong. It was the beginning of the rout of civilization, of the massacre of mankind.

The land was ruined; it would be years before the salt was removed from the soil, years before the land became dry enough to rebuild on. The financial damage was measured in the trillions of dollars, the human cost will never be fully known."

Excerpt from "Apollyon" By Prof Richard nee Jane Andrews, Chair Magic

Studies, MIT. ISBN 3233243543

-- oo -- oo --

 

 

 

 

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