"That's where it gets really weird," Tony enthusiastically responded, almost cutting her off in his excitement. He bounced in his seat, turning to face her so she didn't miss a second of the frantic waving of his hands that was meant to illustrate his point. "The animals hoofed it, very few of them sticking around once we got involved in this mess. Those that did stick around had the same symptoms as all of the human infections; no fever, in fact their body temperature kept dropping, and extreme fatigue until coma, and eventually death. So this thing doesn't care what mammal, amphibian or insect it gets into. Even the plants are going limp, like they just can't get enough sunlight. My team's instinct was some kind of vitamin deficiency in the whole area, but there was no way of explaining the fast track to the bitter end. That's when we got a call saying we have to come down and meet a witch doctor."
Right on cue, the jeep brought them to a stop outside of that deserted town with the ghosts left behind, in front of a solitary RV that looked like it had been there for a while and didn't plan on making a move any time soon. The inexplicable splinter team that had been with them on the flight over was already there and sharing a cigarette and steaming cups off coffee outside-- strange, considering the oppressive heat they stepped off of the plane into. But outside of the jeep it became evident that a breeze must have swept in and the muddy plain must have just absorbed the sun's heat so well, because it was there was a distinct chill where they stood. Maybe it came from the crack that split the ground that the RV overlooked, running forever into the distance in each direction, at least fifteen feet across and whispering with the rush of water.