Z2012ORIGINOFFREIFEVER

Donald Westley: town council member Wendy Westley: Donald's daughter Robert Morrison: town entomologist, studies insects George Winthrop: town minister William McKenley: town governor Abagail McKenley: governor's daughter Beatrice Scott: Abagail's best friend

__Donald's Journal__ The weather has become cooler, the tree leaves are turning beautiful shades of red and orange. The Winter wind whips at my face every time I venture outside, but Wendy wants to go pick a pumpkin at the town pumpkin patch this afternoon. There is talk of the governor's daughter, Abagail. It appears that she has fallen ill, and has not left her bed for a week. The minister declared at the town council meeting today that he would visit the governor's house. He is preparing his prayers so that he may be able to rid Abagail of her evil sickness.

__Robert's Journal__ I have been recognizing some changes occurring in the ant population recently. The ants have been able to reproduce at four times the speed than they were last year. Black ants used to be the only type of ants that populated this area, but now red ants are mixed in with the colonies. I have been researching the ants from this town for the past couple of years, but they have recently gone through many genetic changes. I have noticed that new red ants seem to emit a strange odor, but I cannot place it. As I was studying the ants yesterday, I had just been able to discern that they had recently increased in size when a red ant bit me on the finger. I have felt faint since then, and very nauseous. My ears have been ringing with a peculiar static noise that I find quite irritating. Oh well, I probably only have a common stomach bug.

__George's Journal__ I visited the governor's house a week ago. His daughter, Abagail, has fallen ill with a mysterious sickness. I had prepared many great sermons and prayers to rid poor Abagail of her ailment, all relating to healing and comfort. I had read all of the prayers that I thought may have helped Abagail, but she has remained sick since my last visit to her house. I also had to prepare a sermon for Robert Morrison's funeral tomorrow. He seems to have died in his sleep. All of this preaching has taken a toll on my health. I am very tired and have a horrible headache, as well as a very distracting faint buzz in my ears.

__William's Journal__ Poor Abagail has been sick for the entire season of Autumn. The leaves have had time to change from a bright, healthy green to a sickly yellow, and finally wither away and fall to the cold ground. Abagail is barely able to stomach any food and she is feeling terribly lonely. She continues to complain of an annoying whistling sound in her head. I cannot help but wonder if she has gone crazy? I will no longer allow anyone to enter my daughter’s bedroom. Abagail's very good friend, Beatrice, had visited her many times since Abagail's sickness took hold. Beatrice fell ill, and has since died. The minister also became infected with Abagail's illness when he attempted to pray for her. A rumor has begun in the town that Abagail is the Devil's messenger, and that she will begin an epidemic. A flu has also been spreading around town. I do not think that this sickness is the complete fault of my daughter, and I will try to protect her from these harsh accusations by locking her away in her room until she shows signs of becoming healthy again.

__Donald's Journal__ I just returned home from a council meeting. The weather outside during this season is horribly cold, I believe that I am currently wearing five long-sleeved shirts! The council had unanimously decided to end the town epidemic once and for all. Tonight, we will sneak into the governor's house and eliminate the origin of this sickening disease. We will need to wear gas masks, so that we do not become infected with this devilish sickness. Abagail has been the start of this evil outbreak, and she must be killed before she causes any more damage. I hate to commit such a sin against a child from this town, it reminds me of my own daughter and all that I would do to protect her from harm. Hard times require hard decisions, and I must help the council carry out our plan. I would hate for my daughter, or even myself, to become infected with the horrible epidemic!

__Abagail's Diary__ Another lonely night. I am far too weary to read my favorite book for yet another consecutive time! My head still burns, and it takes all of my energy not to throw up my dinner. I have been hearing buzzing and whistling sounds inside of my head for the longest time, and I do not remember what a calm head feels like. The fire ant bite on my toe itches so terribly, and the light from my bedside candle burns my eyes. I long to fall asleep, but I know I will only be met with nightmares. I remember the days when I used to worry about whether the boy next door liked me back, or how my hair looked with a blue or pink bow. I think I'll try to dream of those wonderful days long past. Barely audible over the static in my ears, I just heard a thud, creak, and whispers downstairs! Father must be home late tonight. I'm far too tired to investigate, I think I'll just drift off to sleep