Auto-tangent skeptic.

- While it’s called the Zombie “Virus” we aren’t really sure what it is or where it came from. But it is highly speculated that the radiation from the fallout of the Starkiller Nuclear Reactor caused a more common pathogen to mutate into something deadlier (Thanks Hux)

- The first strand DID NOT create zombies. It was an airborne and fatal disease. It caused infected people to rapidly decay and remain brain dead for about 24 hours before death.

- The second strand was a mutated variant of the first strand. It is less deadly, but more agressive, resulting in the creation of zombies. (Like Me!)

- The virus acts similarly to a parasite, infecting blood cells so the virus grows when those infected cells replicate. Taking over the body from the inside. Once it reaches the brain it’s fatal , meaning if the infection point was on an extremity (like an arm) the spread can be stopped if caught soon enough.

- The virus is transmissible via saliva or blood contamination making bites the most common cause. (so no kisses 😔) Speed of the spread depends on infection point and the individuals circulation and blood quality.

Hux’s shitty blood saved his ass a few weeks!

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Anatomy 🪦

Okay moving on from the morbid stuff. (Though this is still kinda morbid)

- when a zombie becomes a zombie consciousness is lost (except for mine 😋😟) and bodily functions begin to shutdown except for those required for the virus to spread

- Zombies Don’t Breath! (Or sleep) Though sometimes I find myself mimicking the motion out of habit. 🤷 especially when hyperventilating!

- our digestive system still works. (We eat flesh not necessarily brains 🧠) BUT we won’t starve. we don’t need it to survive, because, well, we’re not alive. HOWEVER we do still get ravenously hungry. It’s the only cognitive function typical zombies seem to still have. Probably for means of spreading the virus.

- Our immune system is completely destroyed. Sounds bad, but for me it’s good because it keeps me from turning to mush (or going bald) Why? Necrotic cells remain postmortem and aren’t cleared away by phagocytosis, apoptosis, or skin renewal.

- Senses remain partially functional. Basically I can smell and hear inhumanly well, but the rest are subdued if not non existent. Which is why I am Very blind. (I can still see the color of Hux’s red hair through 🥰)

- Blood cells (and other endothelial and vascular cells) are the only thing that continues to replicate. So outside of veins, stuff like new muscle, tissue, bone, hair, ect. We don’t make any more of that. So please do not cut my hair 🙏

- Infected blood cells are black wich gives zombie blood that black color. It’s also acidic for unknown reasons. And it replicates REALLY FAST so it’s replenished faster than it’s lost, and our body makes new veins to create new pathways when they get disconnected.

- Zombies Cum dry 😅 sorry but we’re not producing anymore semen. Once we’re spent we’re spent. It’s a shame but Hux doesn’t mind too much. (He’s yelling at me now)

- sense we don’t have many bodily functions our body heat is too subtle to feel on the outside, unless we’re eating a lot, or particularly active 😉

- while we do have somewhat enhanced strength (which varies from individual based on build and fitness level) we ARE NOT inhumanly slow or fast

- when we die all our access fluid leaves our body (NOT FUN!!!) so that’s what gives us our sunken in appearance

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Being Chased by a Zombie? 🔪

(For NON sentient zombies only)

“Kill the head.”

(don’t know who that is, but handsome guy am I right?)

- the only way to truly kill it is sever the body’s connection to the brain. Because that’s where the virus controls it. Complete decapitation is the easiest way to ensure death.

- maiming a zombie can also kind of work because you could maim them to the point that they can’t bite or can’t pose a threat.

- sometimes this happens naturally! Since they don’t heal, zombie bodies are extremely affected by exposure to the elements. (Including mine!)

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So why am I sentient?

I’ve always been different from other people, my parents said it runs in the family. But Hux didn’t like my born with magic powers answer, so maybe I’m just autistic. It’s possible that it’s caused by differences in neural pathways, but it might not be. Maybe I just had a really lucky brain tumor I didn’t know about.

Basically, while my body died, my consciousness remained intact. The virus is still there, I can feel it sometimes, but it only controls parts of my brain, not all of it. I still have memories, emotions, and control over my body (most of the time). That’s why my body doesn’t deteriorate as fast as other zombies because I can sew myself back together and avoid things like bad weather that could harm me. —————————————————————————————

Check out the fic here!