TheDookieNut — Roleplayer Guild

"You remember Dawn?"

"Your wife? What about her?" 

"She's having an affair-" 

THWACK! 

"-The Ski Instructor. I know."

THWACK!

A rubber ball bounced against a wall, ricocheting with every racket interaction. Two men, both similar in shape and size although greatly different in age danced between two opposing sides of the court. The ball rallied off each racket with continued frustration.

"Of all people, the ski instructor? Do I live in some kind of sitcom? It could have been her boss, but no; she chose the guy we both take lessons from." The older man dashed backwards, rushing to make the hit. He thrust out his arm and swung back to send the ball back towards his opponent. 

"How do you know?" The second man spoke as he took a number of steps towards the ball and launched it against the front court. 

"She told me!" Came with response with some violent exasperation that Jason turned in shock. The man made a rush forwards and missed completely, the ball bouncing against the glass door. "She just came out and told me."

"Shit, Hank. I'm sorry." 

"It's not your fault, kid. I should have seen it coming. What wife would be happy with a husband who cares more about his job than spending time with her and the kids? It just feels different when it happens." The conversation turned silent almost immediately. The air uncomfortable enough to feel. "Come on, our time is up." The pair of them collected their belongings and stepped into the hall. 

Jason walked his friend wordlessly to the parking lot and parted ways. He'd known Hank since his first day; a cheerful individual with caring personality. His team were his family. It hurt to see the man as broken as he seemed now. With a thud, Jason dropped his bag into the trunk and climbed into the driver's seat. His shoulders ached, his feet sore, his head throbbing. Today had been, well, eventful. He needed a holiday, somewhere remote. 

A short twist of his wrist and the machine rumbled to life. The late evening traffic made life abhorrent but not as ridiculous as earlier times. Jason drove in silence until he his reached his home. A modest location, suburbs, quiet, with a close proximity to the wilderness. It wasn't perfect but it was home. He eased the car onto concrete path, stones cracking underneath his tires. The neighborhood was silent, it always was. He'd often wondered if he'd ever notice if they all left. Aside from the lights and occasional car, he was alone. He enjoyed the solitude at times; although at times its was crippling. He could relax easily out here but he was far from friends, far from that helping hand when he needed it most. 

With a click, he let himself in the house, fumbling for a light switch. The bulb flickered before illuminating the kitchen and hall. 

"I'm home." He called to no one in particular, mocking his own loneliness. Life would have been nice with someone to share a home with but if college had taught him anything- Jason dumped his bag on the kitchen counter and made his way to the shower. He undressed and waited as the water heated, turning on the TV in his room.

"- fourteen confirmed cases in Guizhou province and four in Beijing today alone. Officials across Europe and The Middle East have issued China as a No Fly Zone unless with good reason." 

The water hit his shoulders with speed, heat dispersing along his skin, radiating into his muscles. It felt tranquil, his muscles unwinding from their balls of stress.

"The World Health Organisation have confirmed cases in Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil and The Philippines. An official has reported that further cases may be reported in other countries as the outbreak continues. Remember if you see any of the symptoms: a ragged cough, blood shot eyes, or increased sensitivity to lights, inform a doctor immediately." 

Jason drifted off into his own thoughts, blissfully  ignorant to the severity of the news report. It was concerning but it was of no concern to his country. Air port security was tighter and flights from infected countries were screened prior to arrival; it was impossible for it to get in. If the disease did get in, well, they had the CDC. It wouldn't take long to contain.

"Whilst the disease does carry a high death toll, early medical attention can increase the chances of survival." 

With a towel wrapped around his waist, he wondered back into his room and yawned audibly. His attention shifted to the news as a towel and a pair of hands rose up to tossel brown hair. 

"One video has been circling the web reporting violent aggression from one individual case in China." The TV shifted towards a shaky video displaying one man and a dozen others. The shouts were incredibly loud, distressed and scared. The man in the middle seemed cantankerous and aggressive. His teeth clenched together at those around his, his arms lashing out at the poles. "The distressing nature of this video has caused alarm online but this has been confirmed to be fake. Reports indicate this is part of a Chinese film to be released later next year." 

Jason furrowed his eyebrows as his mind turned back to the man, vicious and combative. It was a troubling image. His thoughts passed over Anabolic steroids, cocaine, bath salts and heroine as a cause. There was no way to deny the image of the rabid man stayed with him until morning. 

As the sun kissed the horizon, the ringing sound of Jason's alarm met the sleeping world and pulled the man from his slumber. He really needed a holiday. After a moment of snoozing, he forced himself out of bed and flicked on the TV. The sounds kept him awake, reminding him of the time.

"-another fantastic victory for the Rangers, but will we see them in the play offs this year?" 

He bumbled about his room, pulling himself into a clean uniform. His body had begun to slowly wake up but his brain lacked the key ingredient: caffeine.

"Now to our top story: The Dryditch Fever in China and its surrounding countries. Reports have indicated-" Jason twisted his tie about his neck and turned off the report. It was the same every day. It seemed so similar to the Ebola outbreak years before. Report after report. When were they going to cure this thing? The man continued through the house, taking his belongings from his bag as he passed. Badge, phone, keys, gun, cuffs. His eyes stopped on the coffee machine; already late, he had no time. He piled himself into his car and made his way to the gas station closest to work.

The drive was as awful as usual. Tired drivers in tired cars, all late and all in a desperate rush. The sky loomed grey and the distant clouds ominously predicted the grizzly future for the day. He turned on his blinker and pulled into the station. Maybe one day he'd give up coffee, he didn't need it, especially if he started getting more sleep. He stifled a yawn and climbed out his car. He took no more than a dozen steps before two cars collided in the parking lot beside the store. 

His whole body turned, stepping back to shield himself from further harm. The car in front had already launched the air bag, but the driver wasn't moving. Behind, the driver seemed to be livid, shouting and yelling at the top of his lungs. He was a small Asian man, perhaps early fifties. Jason lifted his gun from his belt, all his memories passing back to the Rabid Man from the previous night.

"Sir, I need you to step out of the car." Jason spoke, making his way towards the vehicle. He was being unrealistic. The man was tired, probably didn't understand English and had pulled out on the women. "Sir, get out of the car." His voice was stern and stoic but it didn't phase the driver. Two piercing eyes flashed up towards him, streaked white and red as if he hadn't slept in a month. "Jesus.." He stammered, taking a step back. 

"Sir, get out of the car." Jason lifted his gun to full height and waved those nearby away from the car. Whatever this man had taken, it wasn't doing him good. "Get out-" The driver lashed at the window, barking spittle towards those outside. The car door soon opened, flinging back hard enough it could have easily snapped off. 

"Sir, you need to get on the floor. I will shoot you if you don't comply." He added, taking a few steps closer." The world seemed to have stopped at the gas station. Cars roared passed on the road but nothing seemed to change here. "Sir, get on the ground." He watched as the driver growled and roared, his teeth bare to the world. Jason took a few more steps and quickly began to regret his decision. The driver launched out of his seat and flung towards him, arms grabbing his throat at the first opportunity.

Name - Jason Grantham

Age - 24

Occupation - County Patrol Officer 

Hobbies - Triathalon, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Generally just being outside.

Personality - There are few things in the world that Jason dislikes, the two largest being rush hour traffic and sitting at a desk all day. He's a grouch without caffine and avoids speaking to most of the waking world first thing in a morning although his disposition is generally cheery. He does take little in the way of "shit" from people, especially within his line of work. He's usually the first to use force and deals with the conseqeunces through clenched teeth. His sense of humor is a little sarcastic and although being a man of few words, he has been known to speak for hours on topics he really enjoys. Jason does have a smoking habit, albiet casual and can be seen chew pen lids in stressful situations.

Brief History - Jason was a boy scout at a young age and very quickly found a deep interest in the outdoors. He spent his childhood camping, rock climbing, kayaking and hiking. Both his parents regularaly took himself and his older brother to national parks, further cermenting his own admiration for outdoor activities. 

He attended College and majored in Sports Science, although by his third year he was no longer interested in persuing the career and focused on entering the police force. His later High School and college years began as a spiral of depression, tense family relations and arguements with his own brother, resulting in an eventual rift between two once close siblings. His older brother left for the military and simply dropped contact with everyone but their father who at this point was no longer married to their Mum. 

Jason speaks little about his brother and very rarely keeps in contact with his Dad but is still in contact with his Mum's side of the family. His issues with depression are well hidden and a enjoyable regime of exercise and outdoor activites keep him happy enough.

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