TIMELINE OF EVENTS
AS REVEALED SO FAR IN THE NARRATIVE
2001
FEBRUARY
An 11-year-old Andrew goads his older sister, Haley, into tickling him after she catches him reading her diary.
2003
MAY
Andrew realizes he has a tickle fetish. He confides in his best friend, James, during a sleepover.
2008
SEPTEMBER
While celebrating James's 18th birthday, Andrew meets Shay, a waitress, who takes a liking to him. James's friends pressure him to ask her for her number, and she accepts.
Andrew and Shay begin dating. She invites Andrew and James over for a poolside hangout where she witnesses the boys engage in a tickle fight. Andrew realizes that tickling James arouses him. Shay doesn't notice, but she does voice her opinion that their dynamic is strange.
NOVEMBER
Shay asks Andrew if they can celebrate his upcoming 18th birthday together. Andrew feels burnt out at school despite being only one semester in.
2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
OCTOBER
Local governments have managed to gain some semblance of control over the outbreaks. The Garaglite 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.
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.
Jake rescues Andrew from his infected girlfriend. They take refuge in an apartment where Jake is also housing his infected brother, whose condition has far worsened.
When Kyle attacks Jake and Andrew, they are rescued by two GUARD soldiers--Juliana and Eric--who arrive in response to a call Andrew had placed earlier. Kyle is killed, and Andrew and Jake are taken to the local GUARD facility in Anaheim, CA.
