<div align="center">(http://i48.tinypic.com/16jnas7.png)</div><div align="center"><strong>IC Thread</strong></div><br/><strong>October 20th, 2013<br/>The Tombs</strong><br/><br/><em>Six months ago something happened at Yankee Stadium. Someone in the stands bit another person. The attacker was described as being disoriented, glassy-eyed, and cold to the touch. Within ten minutes his victim passed out. In the stadium's infirmary about fifteen minutes later, he died. Five minutes after that, he awoke. He attacked his nurse. The cycle began there. Like dominoes, we all fell, one by one. We hardly knew what hit us. The illness was so fast and so easily transmitted we could hardly defend ourselves against it. In the mad rush to escape the city during the panic that followed, all roads became choked with traffic and impassable. Civilians and authority figures alike retreated inward for safety, huddling in homes. That's when the criminals and looters rose up, robbing and killing. <br/><br/>That was another turning point.<br/><br/>It was when we found out that you didn't even need to be bitten. Moments after death - ANY death - you would rise again with an all consuming hunger for the living. The military showed up, of course. They sported high-tech land warrior systems, rode in tanks and flew helicopters. Shock and awe. Sad that zombies can't be shocked OR awed. The Battle of Yonkers was lost as waves of zombies continued to march forward, despite having holes blown in their torsos or their limbs removed. The army pulled out, leaving many of it's men stranded. <br/><br/>The hordes were endless and determined. They could not be swayed, feared, reasoned with, or persuaded. Earth's mightiest heroes were even falling by scores. Owl Girl, MechaniCal, Keepsie, The Mighty Brick, Dr. Quark, countless others devoured by the shambling undead. Even some so-called villains tried to fight away the undead with no luck. Now only a few of them remain in the city, fighting to protect the remaining survivors. <br/><br/>We don't know what's happened to the rest of the country, as communication is scarce. Just about everyone has gone dark, humanity crawling back into the shadows, re-learning old survival instincts, fighting to stay alive. We've been here in The Tombs for about four months now. It was hard to secure this building, but it's like a fortress inside. It gives us the protection we need and with the heroes to help us, we can keep this place up and running. Zombies constantly pound at the doors on the lower floors, so we've abandoned them in favor of living on the upper floors, lest the constant noise drive us crazy. Thankfully, us civvies can still get out via the parking garage and the neighboring building. It's amazing, but life has almost become routine here. There are almost a hundred of us here, not including the capes. We work, we keep this place running, we live day by day. The heroes spend their days trying to put a dent in the seemingly endless zombie horde, searching for more survivors, and scavenging for supplies. In exchange for their protection, we do all the work in keeping the building running. <br/><br/>Some people hate this arrangement and long for the outside, or just the freedom to not work their hands to the bone every day, but we have to do what we can to survive. I can only hope that the peace here holds. I'd say 'God help us all', but I don't think any just God would let this happen to so many good people. We can only help ourselves now. What little of us that are left, anyway. <br/><br/>I miss you more every day, Jessica.<br/><br/>-From The Desk of Detective Mona Temple, NYPD-</em>