Zombies

**Zombies**, or most commonly known as **walkers**, **monsters**, **infected** and **undead**, are an antagonistic force that serve as the primary enemy within the *The Last Survivors* universe. They serve as universal antagonists.

## Origins

Zombies did not come into existence until around December 2020 in Central or South Asia. The believed cause of this is from a mutation in a genetically engineered cure for cancer. The first inflicted patient presumably caught another virus that reacted with the cure and created the worldwide known 'Zombie Virus'. As a result, the virus originally held little to no symptoms and was very contagious. Only those who personally experienced an exposed wound or death would see the symptoms of the virus. This is talked about among some survivors in *The Last Survivors* and mentioned in *The First Survivors* where the virus only 'activates' once the hosts body is exposed to a certain injury. The only known way to prevent the virus from activating is an injury to the head, without an injury to head then the host will always reanimate into a known Zombie.

## Types

### 'Common Zombie'

The 'Common Zombie' or also known as 'Runners', 'Sleepers', 'Walkers' and broadly named as 'Undead' or 'Infected' are the most common type of zombie; they are on stage 2 of the virus and are capable of climbing, running, walking and crawling. They are incapable of swimming and doing most humanly interactions. They also make the most loudest noises of the known zombie types and often scream upon spotting an uninfected individual. When not chasing or hunting, the common zombie typically 'sleeps'; stands and makes minimal noise. It is in this position they are most easily killed. ***When infected, an individual usually reanimates within 12 hours - 2 days***.

### 'Smog Zombie'

The 'Smog Zombie' is a rare type of zombie that suffers from stage 3 of the virus. In this stage, the virus has eaten most of the zombies organs and much of their inside has turned into a black liquid. As a result, the virus becomes desperate for a new host and escapes through the reanimated individual's mouth/nose/eyes. If in an enclosed area, such as a basement or sewers, the virus is capable of staying within the air for long periods of time. These zombies are incapable of crawling and running; though they are excellent at climbing and cough/sneeze when chasing/attacking an uninfected individual in order to infect them quicker than usual. They are commonly deaf and rely on their sight and other zombie's reactions to infect an uninfected. The quickest known way to kill a Smog Zombie is via fire, though normal techniques used on Common Zombies also work. ***When infected, an individual usually reanimates within 6 hours - 1 day.***

### 'Leaper Zombie'

The 'Leaper Zombie' is the rarest type of zombie that suffers from the final stage of the virus. In this stage, the virus has started to eat their flesh and their bones commonly stick out of the zombie; like a skeleton. As a consequence, the virus has also started to latch onto the bones and forms a 'shield'; it's harder to break the bone. Unlike the Smog Zombie, the Leaper Zombie is capable of running/walking/climbing/crawling and jumping; though they still cannot swim. They are also deaf and blind and rely mostly on the vibrations of movement and objects. They are nicknamed 'Leaper Zombies' due to their ability to leap/jump as well as their ability to leap onto survivors/animals. The virus within the zombie is so violent that any small cut/scratch can become infected if touched by the zombie. They are also only ever seen within extremely enclosed areas and have never been seen above ground. ***When infected, an individual usually reanimates within 2 hours - 8 hours.***

### 'Frosbie'

A combination of Frost and Zombie, the 'Frosbie' is a type of zombie that has been affected by colder climates. They are nicknamed this way due to their inability to move any muscle but their eyes. Due to their inability to move, it is also extremely rare for one to reanimate from a Frosbie wound. They are closely linked with Common Zombies, though there have been reports of Smog Zombies also being Frosbies. With being unable to infect and move, a Frosbie is easily killed. The cold climate also restricts the virus; for example, if a Smog Zombie 'turns into' a Frosbie, the virus will retract inside the zombie in order to preserve itself. This confirms that colder weathers do infact stop/slow the virus. They have only ever been seen in 2021 during The Great Blizzard and again in 2032, though it is presumed that they exist in areas that experience cold weather commonly.

## Symptoms

Those bitten experience the following symptoms as the infection progresses, ending in death:

* Dizziness
* Weakness/fatigue
* Fever (as well as chills)
* Nausea (sometimes including blood)
* Pale skin
* Diluted eyes
* Fluid discharge from ears and nose
* Random outbursts of anger/irritation
* Fainting
* Dehydration/increased hunger
* Organ failure
* Sneezing, coughing and gagging

## Reanimation

* Reanimation of a normal zombie bite typically takes around 12-24 hours for the victim to die. If the bite causes too much loss of blood, the reanimation process can be as quick as 30 minutes. Reanimation of a normal zombie scratch typically takes around 36-48 hours for the victim to die.
* Reanimation of a Smog zombie bite typically takes around 4-8 hours for the victim to die. With loss of blood, the reanimation process may be as quick as 5 minutes. Reanimation of a Smog zombie scratch typically takes around 12-16 hours for the victim to die.
* An injury on the body varies greatly for the type of injury and may take anywhere between 15 minutes to 2 days for the victim to die. Breathing smog kills the victim in less than an hour.