Alex banced a tray of dishes as he paused to glance at the TV in the hotel lobby, the familiar faces of news anchors now replaced with grim reports. The atmosphere was tense, the usual chatter replaced by hushed whispers. His coworker leaned closer, eyes wide with concern. — Tá acompanhando isso? Parece coisa de filme de terror.— Pois é... Mas sempre fazem esse drama. Lembra da H1N1? A mídia adora exagerar. Despite his words, a knot of unease settled in his stomach.

As Alex boarded the BRT, he noticed the unusual tension among the passengers. Conversations were hushed, eyes darting nervously at the passing ambulances. — Você viu as notícias? Disseram que estão fechando os hospitais no centro da cidade. — Fechando? Por quê? — Um amigo do meu filho trabalha no Souza Aguiar. Disse que os pacientes atacaram os médicos. Alex felt a chill despite the warm night air, his phone struggling to load any updates as the signal flickered.

The bus came to a sudden stop at the Recreio Shopping station, the driver’s voice crackling over the intercom, — Atenção, pessoal. A viagem será interrompida. Recebemos ordens para não seguir adiante. Alex joined the throng of passengers spilling onto the platform, a wave of unease washing over him as arguments erupted nearby. — Isso tá errado. Eles não parariam tudo por nada! — Eu vi no noticiário! Disseram que tem gente atacando outras pessoas, igual bicho. Alex dialed his brother, heart pounding, — Alex? Onde você tá? — No Recreio Shopping. Tá uma confusão aqui. O que tá acontecendo? — Sai daí! Vai pra casa agora! A coisa tá feia...

A distant gunshot echoed, sending the crowd into frenzy. Alex was swept along, stumbling into the mall as security struggled to control the influx. The cacophony of alarms and sirens outside only heightened the chaos inside. Stores were shuttering, the metallic clang of gates a backdrop to the rising panic. He tried calling Lucas again, but the line was dead, and then the shrill beeping of emergency alerts pierced the air.

Alex ducked into a restroom, locking himself in a stall, the cold tile pressing against his back. The fluorescent lights flickered, casting erratic shadows. He whispered to himself, voice trembling, — O que tá acontecendo? Isso não pode ser real... Footsteps hurried in, a desperate plea resonating through the door. — Tem alguém aí? Por favor, me ajuda! Alex held his breath, caught between fear and the innate urge to help.