During the spring months of 1951, the small community of Demarriot, TX was rocked by a strange epidemic. The population of the town went from exceeding 800 people to dwindling down to around 60 by the time fall came, whether from losses to the disease or from people moving out we do not know. The massive loss of population led to the town being unincorporated by 1960 and becoming a strange black hole in south-central Texas, not seeing foot traffic through its streets for decades on end. Despite the catastrophic effects of the disease on the local population, little was known about it until a series of letters found inside a townhouse resurfaced in 1988, found in the possession of a retired Texas Ranger who was the son of a doctor who lived and worked in the town. The letters and the accompanying dates follow.
3/12/51
Hello Dr. Morris,
I am writing to you about my husband, Sherman. A week or so ago he started to complain about headaches and night terrors, and over time, they have gotten to a point where he can do nothing but writhe around on the couch these past few days. However, this morning I got up and saw him sitting completely still on the couch. I can hear his faint breathing, but throughout this day, I have not so much as seen him blink once. Any chance I have taken to attain his attention has been for naught. He just keeps staring at the TV, whether it has a show on or not. I am very concerned with his recent behavior and I would very much appreciate your immediate response and advice.
Many thanks, Mary A. Peters.
3/13/51
Mrs. Peters,
I am glad that you have written to me about this. Sherman seems to have a type of catatonia judging from his apparent lack of awareness and movement. He will need a professional medical diagnosis, which will need to wait as I am currently fairly busy with my own work. A new flu is making its rounds around the town which requires my foremost attention, but I shall pay you a visit as soon as I can. Once again, I thank you for writing to me and I hope to see upon my checkup that Sherman has a good prognosis.
Best wishes, Doctor Dalton Morris.
3/17/51
Dr. Morris,
I regret to write to you so hastily and impolitely but the situation with Sherman is getting dire. He has started to seemingly involuntarily shake violently and often has difficulty breathing during such episodes. His eyes are bulging out of their sockets and he has already become dangerously thin and dehydrated. If I poke his flesh with my finger, the indentation produced by said finger will remain. Lately I’ve heard bursts of laughter at night and upon checking Sherman in these moments, he has an inhuman look on his face like a sort of lunatic. I fear he may need to be institutionalized.
Mary Peters
3/20/51
Mrs. Peters,
I am deeply sorry for my lack of reply but the flu epidemic has gotten out of hand. Numerous family members of patients have written to me describing similar symptoms of what has been afflicting your husband, and it has grown difficult to tend to everyone. The state medical office has recently sent for help regarding the state of affairs here, so hopefully you and your husband will soon get the help you both need and deserve.
Best wishes, Doctor Dalton Morris
Found at the Peters’ residence approx. 8/29/88
To whom it may concern,
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No bodies were found inside the house. According to the finder of the letters, a strange and foul-smelling yellow fluid was found all over the house's interior, particularly concentrated on the living room couch and bed. He refused to comment on the fate of his father.