“Where are you headed?” asked Cam seeing Luke climb into the ATV with Eric.
“Up to the clinic. Folks are asking why we’re all healthy and they’re all getting sick. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to tell them but Kennedy has better things to do.”
“I’ll come with you,” said Cam squeezing into the back seat.
With the zippered windows keeping the frigid winds at bay, the heat was turned up inside the large ATV. The three men pulled up to the back and entered from the property’s secure gate.
The minute they were inside, they could hear people yelling in the waiting area. Eric pushed forward, opening the doors and staring at the suddenly silent crowd.
“What in the Sam Hill is happening out here?” he asked. No one said anything at first, just staring at the three men. “Well? You’re in a damn hospital with patients back there sick, some fighting for their lives. What is wrong with all of you?”
“Just curious why we’re all so sick and ain’t one of y’all in one of them beds,” said a man.
“I can’t answer that. I don’t know,” said Eric. “We all live in the same places y’all do. We eat the same things. We’ve have some folks with minor symptoms but nothing severe. But I’m not the medical professional.
“What I do know is that our team is busting their asses to help all of y’all and not charging a damn penny. Now, if you think you’re gonna get better care somewhere else, by all means, go. But you will not come into this clinic or hospital and make foolish claims or point fingers.”
“He’s right,” said Luke. “Our team is busting their asses trying to find out what’s happening here. Instead of bitching, how about helping us by answering the surveys we’ve put out. I don’t see one of you with a clipboard in your hand doing that.”
The people all looked at one another, then back at Luke, Cam, and Eric. The man who’d been the most vocal nodded, taking a clipboard and sitting down, embarrassed by his actions.
“What the hell is wrong with these people?” asked Luke. “We’ve been treating them for years, most without insurance or payment. Why on earth would they believe anything is wrong?”
“Luke, he’s right. None of us is sick. Not one of us. Something is strange here and we need to figure it out. Beyond the pond, what are they eating, touching, exposing themselves to, that we are not?” asked Cam.
“I don’t know but I guess that’s a place for us to start. Let’s get the team together and ask those very questions. What are they exposed to, that we are not? What are they eating, that we are not? And what are they touching that we are not?” said Eric.
At lunch, Suzette walked in and turned the television up for the everyone to hear and see the news reports.
“We’ve had some strange reports out of New Orleans in the past but this one is worrying everyone across the nation.
“A mysterious virus, tentatively dubbed the "Lattice Virus," surfaced in the greater New Orleans area in late 2025. Affecting residents regardless of background, occupation, or age, the virus presented an unprecedented public health challenge. The report provided by the department of public health, is a thorough narrative and scientific account of the outbreak, from its sudden emergence to its impact on the community and the ongoing multidisciplinary investigation.
“Emphasis is placed on the virus’s characteristics, transmission, social effects, the bayou environment, investigative processes, and potential solutions for containment and mitigation.
“As most of you are aware, the city of New Orleans is known for its vibrant culture, diverse communities, and unique natural environment marked by sprawling bayous and wetlands. In the late autumn of 2025, local hospitals began reporting a series of unusual illnesses with symptoms not matching known pathogens.
“The affected individuals ranged widely in age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, with no apparent connection among them apart from geographic proximity. The emergence of this mysterious virus quickly drew attention from local health authorities, the public, and an improvised investigative group comprising residents and science professionals with deep ties to the region.”
“Great. Someone told them about us investigating this,” said Hex.
“It’s alright, maybe it will help,” said Luke.
“New Orleans, located in southeastern Louisiana, is a major port city flanked by the Mississippi River and surrounded by extensive wetlands and bayou regions. The population is a tapestry of cultures, and the environment is uniquely humid, fostering rich biodiversity but also presenting challenges in disease management due to hard-to-reach communities and variable ecological factors. The interplay of urban and rural elements set the stage for a complex and confounding outbreak scenario.
“The outbreak’s earliest documented case occurred in a small neighborhood bordering the city’s edge near the bayou. Victims initially presented with mild, flu-like symptoms, but cases quickly escalated in severity and frequency. Within two weeks, emergency rooms across the metro area reported similar presentations, overwhelming facilities and prompting the formation of an investigative task force.
“Symptoms include fever and persistent chills, unusual skin rashes with lattice-like patterns, severe fatigue and muscle weakness, shortness of breath, especially in late stages, occasional neurological symptoms: confusion, headaches, disorientation, some report vivid hallucinations or changes in sensory perception.”
“Brian, do we have any idea how this is spreading?”
“Epidemiological data to date suggest the virus is not strictly airborne but may spread through a combination of direct contact, environmental exposure (water, soil, surfaces), and possibly organisms endemic to bayou habitats. No single route of transmission has been confirmed, complicating containment efforts.
“Victims span all ages (infants to elderly), races, and social groups. Notably, both urban dwellers and rural residents are affected, with no clear pattern based on occupation, behavior, or travel history. Several cases involve individuals who had not left their immediate neighborhoods in weeks, ruling out travel as a primary risk factor.
“Investigation found no common event, gathering, or exposure linking the first hundred patients. Analysis of workplaces, schools, community gatherings, and religious services failed to explain the pattern. This lack of an identifiable common denominator increased anxiety and suspicion within the community. Back to you, Brian.”
“A strange case indeed. Take care and be safe out there folks.”
