The H5G9 virus, which becomes known as "The Sick," emerges suddenly and spreads with alarming speed across the globe. This virus, characterized by its highly contagious nature and high mortality rate, causes an immediate and widespread panic. The virus does not discriminate by age, affecting people from all walks of life. The symptoms of H5G9 include severe respiratory distress, high fever, and rapid health deterioration, often leading to death within a matter of days. The healthcare system is quickly overwhelmed, and hospitals are inundated with patients, leading to a collapse in medical services and infrastructure. On the same day the virus makes its appearance, a mysterious and unprecedented phenomenon occurs: babies are born with hybrid characteristics. These hybrids, part human and part animal, display features of various animals, such as antlers, snouts, or fur, combined with human traits. This bizarre and simultaneous emergence of hybrids alongside the deadly virus leads to rampant speculation and fear among the human population. Many people believe that there is a direct connection between the hybrids and the H5G9 virus, with some viewing the hybrids as the cause or an omen of the pandemic.
Before the Great Crumble, Richard was a janitor at Fort Smith Labs in Goss Grove, Colorado. One day, Richard bumped into Birdie in a bar, and the two recognised each other from work. The two talked all night and Richard eventually went back to Birdie's house, and the two almost kissed. They were interrupted, however, by a phone call informing Birdie that a military raid was planned on Fort Smith Labs. Birdie panicked, given she had no keys for the lab, but Richard offered to take her and let her in with his keys. Entering the lab, Birdie showed Richard her greatest creation, Genetic Unit System 1, a hybrid baby created from experimentation with microorganisms; Birdie remarked that this creation accidentally coincided with the Sick, and the two were both sides of the same coin. Birdie was insistent on getting Gus out of the lab, and handed him to Richard to keep safe. She told him she had to return to collect her research from the lab, as in the wrong hands, it had the potential to kill millions. After being entrusted with Gus's life, Richard, who Gus now calls “Pubba”, raised him in the forests of Wyoming for the next 10 years. Despite his initial misgivings about raising a baby, Richard was a loving father to Gus and created a happy life for the two of them. He even taught him how to talk, and always made sure to celebrate Gus's birthday and created toys and books for him, including a dog made out of his own socks. Gus proudly named it "Dog" and would go on to carry it with him throughout all of his adventures.
Gus is a 10-year-old Caucasian half-human half-deer boy with antler-like horns growing from his head and animal-like ears, giving him a unique and fantastical appearance. He has blond, shaggy hair that frames his face, blue-green eyes, freckles on his cheeks, and a tiny blush. He is wearing a red plaid flannel shirt underneath a brown quilted vest, which gives him a rugged, outdoorsy look. His pants are a bit worn and dirty, as if he has been traveling or exploring the woods. Additionally, a belt with pouches and a rope can be seen around his waist.
one day, Gus is reading a book Richard made for him in a spot in the forest.
“Oh, baby. You must miss your mother, I reckon. Yes, I-“
he reads quietly, until he hears something. He’s part-deer, after all. And deers have good hearing.