JULY

• In Las Vegas, NV, an outbreak of a mysterious pathogen drives those it infects mad with the desire to tickle others. Brian, along with his colleague and friend, Chloe, witness the outbreak. The contagion spreads rapidly along the West Coast and, within days, pandemonium ensues. (chapter 8)

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• In Anaheim, CA, Andrew discovers that his parents were killed in a car accident. He witnesses one of the infected firsthand. With his sister away for school and he being unable to contact her, he decides to stay with James's family. The outbreaks around the region worsen. (chapter 5)

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AUGUST

• Andrew and James have a falling out after James's voices his fears that Andrew might be infected. A heartbroken Andrew decides to stay with Shay. (chapter 7)

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SEPTEMBER

• San Diego, CA, is put under quarantine. 18-year-old Jake and his younger brother, Kyle, lose their parents during an evacuation. Jake learns that his brother is infected. (chapter 5)

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OCTOBER

• Local governments have managed to gain some semblance of control over the outbreaks. The Gargalite United Armed Research Division (GUARD) is founded to help combat and cure the plague. The West Coast is quarantined with the rest of the country unaffected. 

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NOVEMBER

• Andrew and Shay try to maintain a sense of normalcy, despite being in quarantine. Andrew decides to ask Shay to marry him. Right before he plans to propose to her, however, she reveals that she is infected and turns. (chapter 1)

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• Jake rescues Andrew from his infected girlfriend. They take refuge in an apartment nearby and bond over their shared traumas during the outbreak. (chapter 2)

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• Andrew discovers that Jake has been travelling with his infected brother, Kyle, whom Jake is hoping to find a cure for by reaching the nearest GUARD research base. Just as Kyle turns, Jake and Andrew are rescued by two GUARD soldiers--Juliana and Eric--who arrive in response to a call Andrew had placed earlier. Kyle is killed and Jake is injured. Andrew and Jake are taken to the local GUARD facility in Anaheim, CA. (chapter 7)

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• Brian and Chloe are now stationed at the GUARD facility as researchers. Is is where where Brian is studying the strange contagion responsible for the epidemic--the titillatio monstrum brain infection, which seems to behave similarly to a slime mold. (chapter 8)

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• At the GUARD facility, the doctors notice an anomaly in Andrew's reactions during the screening process. Chloe, reports these findings to Brian, who insists on meeting Andrew. (chapter 8)

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• Brian introduces himself to Andrew and invites him to a private dinner. Andrew accepts, but only after ensuring that Jake is recovering in the civilian ward. Jake is in bad shape--and unresponsive--but still alive. (chapter 9)

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• At dinner, Brian reveals to Andrew that, based on Andrew's reactions during the screening process, Brian assumes he might enjoy tickling more than the average individual. Though embarrassed and hesitant to come clean, Andrew eventually reveals to Brian that he is a tickle fetishist. To his surprise, Brian reveals that he is a tickle fetishist--or knismolagniac--as well and they talk about their tickle awakenings. Andrew's excitement is short-lived, however, when Brian also reveals that he is infected, though he claims he is not like the others. (chapter 10)​​​​​