AIDS Mary: Patient Zero — Urban Legend, Experimental Cure and Revenge Horror

0:00 A princess costume, a stolen key card, a mirror fogged with breath. Five days. That's all it takes. When the laboratory's cure twists into something new, the girl they hurt walks free, leaving a crimson message that strikes fear into man. There's a shill in the air. Must befall? Join me for a Tale of Halloween. You will experience tales over ghosts, and damn it is not recommended for the week at heart.

0:56 Join me for a Tale of oul is weekly Spooky. Hello, my spookies, It's Saturday, the fourth day of Spooky Season, and I'm your host and narrator, Enrique Kuta, here to bring you a chilling tale to make sure you're in the spirit of the season. Tonight's story is all about strange turns of fate and revenge. But before we get to that, I want to say thank you so much for joining us during the spooky season. We're happy to bring you something scary every single day in October. In fact, tomorrow we'll be back with a program that I can't quite explain, but I know that it's scary. So make sure you're subscribed on your favorite podcasting app and while you're at it, leave us a five star rating. It really helps other spookies find the show. And remember we don't go away when Halloween ends, because every single week we bring the spooky, because Halloween is truly a state of mind. And if you want to support us in a very direct way and help us head into another

2:27 six years and beyond, go to Weeklyspooky dot Com slash. Join for as little as one dollar a month. You get two bonus episodes every single month, as well as five years of exclusive creepypasta readings and audiobooks. Join over ninety other spookies at Weeklyspooky dot Com slash Join now. As for tonight, what if the cure that saved your life took the rest of it away? A research lab with locked doors, promise of tomorrow and a secret that should have stayed buried When Halloween comes to Strickfield, a girl in a crown steps out of the darkness, and some warnings are not meant to be read in time to save you. So get cozy as we bring you this urban legend reimagining for your spooky season. After this aids Mary, patient zero by Rob Fields seven years ago, cancer Seriously where does it come from? Has it plagued life as we know it since the days of the Bible?

3:51 All I knew was cancer ran in my family for as long as I could remember. I had a grandparent on each of my parents sides that had it and died. Last year, I lost my mom to uterine cancer. Dad got prostate cancer but was saved through surgery. He's still cancer free today. I kept wondering how long it would be before cancer would finally catch up to me. Unfortunately, I got my answer when I just turned eighteen and was diagnosed with both breast and uterine cancer. Clearly, both of my cancers were killing me, since they had progressed that quickly to where surgery or chemotherapy couldn't save me, and I wasn't even out of high school. Knowing my days were numbered, Dad did everything he could for me.

4:51 He even took me on a few vacations. I didn't want to die, but at least i'd do it on my own time. I think I just accepted my situation and was living every day like it was my last. At least i'd go knowing Dad was there with me. Then one day Dad came home with news that changed everything. He was reading the newspaper at Miran Technologies where he was working, and saw his own place of employment had created a possible cancer cure. They were conducting a study and were looking for willing participants. Dad talked to his boss and told him about me. I won't force you to go if you don't want to, Mary, he said, but I got you a spot in the study. I wasn't expecting anything, but I wanted to live, and so did Dad. Now Here I am. I've been living here at Miran Technologies for almost two months now. It's getting close to Halloween weekend. I've been getting injections and undergoing tests.

6:08 I get free room and board and all the comforts of home here. Also, Dad and my friends can come and see me during my off time. The only other downside to being a guinea pig is I ain't allowed to leave here without supervision. Unfortunately, Dad alone don't count. One of the doctors here has to accompany me. As much as I hate not being allowed to leave, I can't be too ungrateful. To date, the anti cancer g treatments have both stopped and killed my breast cancer continued testing. Said I'm cancer free. There, I did have to get breast surgery anyway to repair the damaged tissues and remove the dead growths. In the process. The technicians us used their advanced medical techniques to rebuild my inner breasts to replace what had been taken. They even healed me up no stitches or bandages. Seriously, what Mirran Technologies does here is truly groundbreaking. So far, the breast reconstructions have taken and adapted well to my natural tissues. Also, it's all covered with being in the study. Even though I'm breast cancer free now, the uterine cancer is still fighting the treatments.

7:35 The cancer's only been slowed down, and the cells themselves ain't dying. The doctors assure me this won't be a problem. We'll soon be trying out an updated version of the anti cancer g serum we've been giving you, one of them told me. Days later, I'm secured naked to a table where these technicians are using their special scanners. According to the tech explaining the process, the scanners literally decode my DNA and deduce what the cancers are doing. Even though deep down I'm not really a trusting person, Mirror Technologies seems to be fully transparent on what they're doing with us. Just as the scanner's being started, I'm seeing this person who keeps looking at me. The scanning mechanisms fully cover my growin and my breasts, still the way this guy keeps looking at me. I heard a few of the technicians call him Lawrence. He's more of an assistant or gopher or something. It ain't the first time Lawrence has seen me naked. I caught him looking at me and I finished showering after my breast reconstruction surgery was over. While I was very appreciative at what Mirror

9:09 Technologies had done in reconstructing my breasts, I think Lawrence appreciated them way more than me. I knew he wouldn't try anything with all the doctors and technicians here. When I was alone in my room, my door was locked. Unless he had my key card or the passcode, I was safe. I knew if I wasn't careful, Lawrence would corner me and do who knows what with me. I didn't come to Mirror Technologies for the study just so some creepy pervert could attack me and rape me. But I couldn't just leave here. The anti cancer g treatments cured my breast cancer, and I felt deep down I'd also cured of my uterine cancer. I just had to be patient with Mirran technologies some more, I only wanted to live both for me and for Dad. After losing Mom, I'm all Dad's got now. I'm willing to risk Lawrence if it means leaving here completely cancer free this coming weekend, Halloween's on Saturday. I hope I can get out of here and be able to do some fun things. I've

10:39 been trying to arrange to where I can spend time with my dad and what few friends I got left. Many of them showed their true colors when they kept making excuses for not coming to see me. A few of them remained loyal, though, and visited often. Still, I'm just itching to leave here for a few days and enjoy Halloween. I don't think that's asking too much. Fortunately, there's a few doctors here that are sympathetic to my request. They both told me I've been a good patient and test subject, and said getting Halloween off shouldn't be an issue.

11:23 I'm in my room watching a Halloween special on TV. When I hear the chime, I go to the door to check the monitor. You're not safe yet, weekly Spooky will be right back. When I let doctor Leonard Shaw in, He's smiling from ear to ear. Great news, Mary. He takes my hand and holds it. First. The scans we did on you earlier this morning are showing the new anti cancer h treatments are working against your uterine cancer. We're keeping a close eye on it, but I truly believe we'll cure you of cancer once and for all. I'm thinking maybe another week of treatments at best, you should be normal again.

12:17 I gasp and yank my handback to give him a huge hug. Thank you. He hugs me back. Then he keeps going with the good news. Also, I've spoken with the other doctors conducting the treatments. They don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to enjoy Halloween with your friends. He raises his finger. You'll still have to have one of us with you to monitor your progress. In fact, I'll personally be going with you. You'll get Friday and Saturday for Halloween, just like you ask, but you must return here on Sunday. I hope that's agreed.

13:01 I can't help myself and hug him again again. He hugs me back. Lastly, doctor Shaw got Laurence reassigned and said he shouldn't bother me anymore. I know doctor Shaw is not my dad, but he's treated me like a second father. I know he had a daughter he lost to a brain tumor. He said, that's why he dedicated himself to this research and this study. When doctor Shaw and me finished talking, he leaves. When I'm sitting down at my computer, I look at emails on my personal account here from doctor Shaw. I open them to see my test results and cry from joy. I can't wait to fully have my life back. Even though doctor Shaw gave me the absolute best news of my life today, it wasn't going to be long before it all went to shit fast. The next night, Tuesday, Dad dropped by to visit while he was working and gave me the things I asked for to make my Halloween costume as a princess. After getting today's treatments, I'm spending some quality time working on my costume. I eventually get thirsty and decide to get a soda out of the vending machines.

14:31 I leave my room and go to the elevator. Normally we're allowed to leave our rooms and walk around our floor. We can also go a few other select places, including the vending areas. Our key cards give us free stuff out of the machines as part of our study perks. When the elevator opens, I get in and push the button to go down one floor. I'm so excited about being able to leave here for two nights for Halloween that when the elevat doors open again, I don't see someone shooting right into the car with me until it's too late. Lawrence grabs me and shoves me into the back of the car. The back of my head hits hard and dazes me. Lawrence quickly closes the door and starts the elevator. It moves a little before he hits the emergency stop. Lawrence glares at me, Now you're all mine.

15:28 We're gonna have so much fun. I try fighting him off, but I ain't no fighter. Lawrence slams the back of my head into the elevator car wall, again, dazing me. Then he punches me in the face to where I can barely comprehend what's going to happen next. I'm being hooked up to the scanners again. Doctor Shaw and my dad are both here and there. He pissed off. What happened? Well? Doctor Shaw found me in the elevator and knew I'd been assaulted and raped. When I told him it was Lawrence, he was really pissed. Lawrence wasn't even supposed to have clearance to the test patient's wing. He shouldn't even have been allowed in this building. The son of a bitch ran away after he raped me, but the guards caught him and locked him in a holding cell. Aside from the pains in my groin and my breasts, I seemed to be feeling okay all things considered. Doctor Shaw wants to examine me himself to confirm I'm okay. Lawrence made absolutely sure I won't be able to enjoy my upcoming Halloween weekend. Even if it turns out I'm okay. I don't really want to do anything now, crying as doctor

17:01 Shaw activates the scanners. We should know shortly, Mary, I nod a little and remain. Still don't go away. Weekly Spooky will be right back. Doctor Shaw has both Dad and me in his office, and he doesn't look happy. Thanks to that son of a bitch, things have gone from promising to too much worse. I come apart when Doctor Shaw reveals that piece of shit rapist infected me with some venereal disease he's got.

17:44 My stomach drops fast. When the doctor tells me I have Oh god, no, I have not just HIV but full blown AIDS. I shake my head quickly, stand up and slam my fists on the desk. How can I have AIDS? I don't screw around. I was a virgin. I don't even have a boyfriend. Besides, wouldn't I have HIV instead of AIDS? I thought it took years for AIDS to happen. This don't make sense. No, it doesn't marry. Doctor Shaw agrees, at least not at first. So I dug deeper and discovered that the experimental anti cancer G and H serums that we've been administering for your treatments.

18:38 I can see the hurt on his face. He really does not want to tell me, especially with dad. There there's been an unfortunate side effect. The anti cancer H serum has bonded to the virus inside you, causing it to mutate and develop at an alarming rate. We'll need to conduct further tests to see if it threatens your life. But I promise you we'll do everything we can to help you. I'm beyond pissed off now. And what about that son of a bit you rape me? What happens to him? We're testing him and checking his condition. If he's okay, we'll hand him over to the police, where we'll press charges on your behalf. Doctor Shaw explains, since you were under our care when this horrible incident happened, it's only fair that we assume responsibility. You're not alone here, Mary.

19:41 Deep down, I know I'm totally and completely fucked. I really want to believe doctor Shaw. All I wanted was my life, and some stupid ass lab assistant may have just taken it all away from me just as I almost had it back. It sure didn't take long for my whole world to come crashing down faster than doctor Shaw was able to lift me up into it. It's the end of the week and tomorrow's Halloween. The problem is I've been here in my room crying at hearing I'm forever tainted. The only good news that came out of these latest tests is that my uterine cancer is completely gone, with no need for surgery. I haven't been given any further anti cancer h injections since contracting AIDS, especially after doctor Shaw and a few of the other scientists confirmed that the treatment bonded to the HIV and mutated it into a full blown aid's infection. But now it's much worse. Doctor Shaw's daily tests can firm the virus in my body evolved and mutated into a completely new and advanced strain. Right now, it's not known whether this new strain will kill me or not. What's the

21:15 point of being cancer free now if I'm still on the waiting list to die because of some sick, diseased rapist. Oh and speaking of Lawrence Olam, doctor Shaw said he's not looking so hot right now. In fact, he had the bastard brought up for testing. When I saw him, he looked really sick. Doctor Shaw would later tell me my rapist somehow got the most severe case of the flu he'd ever seen. In fact, he said Olam's fever was so high they could have literally fried eggs off him.

22:02 The next day, Halloween, Doctor Shaw's news is even worse for me. My new and unique strain of AIDS became so advanced there's no treatment available of any kind. He conducted other tests on me and determined I'm actually quite healthy now. I'm so angry to wear I shake at times. Doctor Shaw is right, though I ain't feeling sick in any way. When it came to Lawrence Olam, he's much worse now. Doctor Shaw didn't want to show me, but I insisted. The bastard looked like he ain't eaten in several days. I mean, I could literally see his bones.

22:50 I knew doctor Shaw was holding something back. When I demanded he tell me, he nodded. As it turned out, Olam was not only infected with his disease, he also contracted something in return from me. Since he was unprotected when he raped me. The anti cancer h sium bonded to the disease inside me immediately and got into him in return. This caused the virus in his body to mutate quickly too. Unlike me, the mutated strain in him is killing him much faster than the AIDS virus that's still out in the world ever could. Doctor Shaw said Olam would die tomorrow at the very latest, if not today. Again, there's not even so much as a single treatment for my new strain. As for me, Doctor Shaw believes I'll continue to be completely asymptomatic in theory. However, until a treatment or cure can be found for me, I can never be sexual with anyone. I'm still trembling with rage, knowing I went out of the frying pan and straight into the fire. Doctor Shaw said I can never leave mere In Technologies now, saying I risk the possibility of

24:22 the virus turning against me and killing me. After all, I know deep down I'll never be normal again. There'll never be a treatment or a cure for me. I'm doomed to carry this new strain of AIDS until I die, all because of some man with no regard for women who raped me. I've been sitting here in the shower all day, letting the water rain down on me as I sob and cry, knowing I'm a prisoner here at mere In Technologies, and it makes me tremble with anger even more. I wish I could have died of my two cancers rather than live this way. I just wanted to live. And then I have a sudden epiphany. Life is actually starting to look really good right now. You know what, Why should I have to live here like a prisoner for the rest of my life? It was a lab assistant here who raped me and infected me. Right, maybe I'll die soon, and maybe I won't, but I'll be god damned if I'm spending what time I've got left here at Mirran Technologies, especially knowing I'll never have a normal life again. I think I'm going to my Halloween night after all. I turn off the water and

25:56 dry myself. Then I make some modification on my princess costume, giving it more sex appeal. After putting it on, I look in the mirror. My reconstructed breasts sure look great in this top. I smile, a deadly smile, and no revenge wouldn't be any sweeter for what I got in mind this Halloween, for however long I live. After tonight, with doctor Shaw's key card in hand, it was easy to escape Mirror Technologies. Unfortunately, I got a little bit of his blood on my clothes. I had to kill Doctor Shaw to get his card. After those months inside Mirror Technologies, I am free. It didn't take long to find a car in the parking garage. Me how some people don't lock up their cars, and that they also leave their keys where they can easily be found. I got on the road and soon reached a freeway. I was long gone from Erie City. In fact, I knew exactly where I wanted to go for Halloween.

27:24 Did you hear that? Better check the locks on your doors weekly, Spooky, We'll be right back. I heard so many things about this wonderful village of Strickfield regarding Halloween. I heard people here saying trick or treating was last night too. Truly, this village is a dream for Halloween. People really can trick or treat here without age discrimination. I already got so much candy hell, I'll be able to live on it for a little while. So far, I'm feelin jest fine. After tonight, I'll leave Strickfield and stay on the run. One way or another.

28:10 I am going to remain free. I won't go back, even though I know my fate. I'm actually having so much fun on Halloween night. I can't believe I'm tricker treating again. After all these years when people would say I was too old here in Strickfield, absolutely nobody told me I was too old or turn me away. As for merean technologies, I doubt they'll find me in a big hurry. I don't have any tech on me to where they can track me unless they somehow put a device inside me and I didn't know it. Anyway. I switched cars a couple of times. I even hitchhiked. Could Mere and technologies really track me all the way to Strickfield?

29:04 You'd think they wouldn't be able to? But still, I know. I said I'd keep running, But how long can I run? I decide to just stay right here in Strickfield and continue having my Halloween night. If I get caught. I get caught, then my mind goes from one extreme to the next. I gotta go trick or treating now. I want to go to a Halloween party. I haven't been able to do any fun shit since being diagnosed with cancer, so I'm going to live it up tonight. It isn't long before this car pulls up beside me. I'm looking for a date. Honey, Does this asshole think I'm a hooker?

29:55 I guess I do kind of look like one with my modified princess costume. So he wants a date? Huh? Okay? I go and lean in the open passenger side window. Yeah, let's go on a date, you and me, I tell him. Then I open the door and get in his car. I can tell he's been drinking from a few empty beer cans on the floor. He's not completely drunk, but enough to where he's letting himself go. It ain't long before he brings me to his house. Wow, he lives in a decent looking cul de Sac neighborhood. My my parents ain't home, he slurs. We got the whole place to ourselves. I let him bring me into his house.

30:49 As soon as we are in his bedroom, we face each other. I immediately remove my top and show him my perfectly reconstructed breasts. As he kisses me and feels me up. We get each other naked and get on his bed. I know perfectly well what I'm going to do when I let this guy fornicate with me. Technically, he's the first guy I'm willingly sleeping with. Lawrence Olam raped me and took my virginity. But I'm having actual sex with this guy and taking something far more precious than virginity revenge. After we finish screwing, the drunken guy falls asleep. You see, I'm guessing that what happened to Lawrence Olam will happen to this guy, to any guy I sleep with from now on. In four to five days, this asshole is going to be dead. That's how long any guy I sleep with is going to have to regret thinking only with their useless peeps. When I get off the bed, I gasp when I notice someone else is in the room. Okay, no, it's actually a full length mirror. Wow, look at you, Mary Garner. Ain't you

32:23 to die for? And then that's when I get another idea, another awful idea. After I get dressed, I pull my lipstick out of my purse and decide to leave this guy a little something to remember me by. But what I remember Lawrence Olam and know exactly what to leave him to every guy I sleep with from now on. Then I start writing. When I'm finished, I smile devilishly.

33:04 I couldn't have planned this any better. When the guy I just screwed wakes up, he'll be wishing he'd never met me at all when he reads Welcome to the Wonderful World of Aids. He's snoring soundly when I finally leave his room. I really want to be here when he wakes up. But it's still Halloween night, and I said I wanted to go to a party. I do some more tricker treating and ask around about places to party.

33:44 A few people said there's one going on at a bar called Shakers. Others say there's plenty of Halloween parties at Strickfield University, which ain't too far from where I am. After getting directions from an eager man who can't keep his eyes off my cleavage, I walk to Strickfield University, collecting more candy along the way. I walk into the frat house and see plenty of people wearing costumes. Yeah, there's plenty of drinking going on here. I walk right to the bar and wait for the bartender to come to me. After drinking about three or four of these things, I'm feeling hot and nasty. After I order another beer, this guy comes to me and strikes up a conversation.

34:41 When I get my next beer, the guy takes firm hold of my arm and brings me over to where he's got a friend waiting. I'm definitely tipsy, but can understand what these guys are saying. They're fraternity boys from Delta Omega Kappa here at Strickfield U. Then I think about Lawrence Olam one more time and wonder if he ever attended any campus parties in Erie City. I mean he learned to be a rapist somewhere right. I knew I was in the presence of potential rapists. Now find by me a rapist forever changed my life. So I am going to return the favor and have some deliciously sinful fun along the way.

35:38 U sh it was only the wind, your safe weekly Spooky will be right back. Maybe Miran Technologies will find me, and maybe they won't, but not before I spread my new aid strain to other men. As far as I'm concerned, men can all die just like Lawrence Olam. I'll bet he never once thought about what he did to me when he was getting sick from that shit he gave me after it mutated inside of him. I'm all too eager to go to wherever these guys want. I want to have sex with these guys. In fact, I'll have sex with any man who wants me. I don't care anymore. I'll keep going until Miran Technologies either captures or kills me or I die free, whichever comes first. As we're leaving the party and going upstairs, one of the guy's belches and then tumbles back downstairs. Guess he won't be getting any of me tonight. That leaves this other delta Omega Kappa brother.

36:58 As he brings me into a bedroom and closes the door. When he sees me getting naked, he thinks he's so studley like the guy who picked me up earlier. I fuck his goddamn brains out, and like the previous guy, he falls asleep when we're done. That's when I get dressed and find another full length mirror. I got plenty of lipstick left when I write Welcome to the Wonderful World of AIDS three years later. I definitely killed a lot of men with my disease. But here's the kicker.

37:52 Lots of other men in Ohio died, mostly in Strickfield, in the same way I kill men. The bigger kicker not all of them were me. Since I haven't been in Strickfield for a while now. Still, every single guy that was found was dead from my strain of AIDS. In fact, I'm reading all about it on the Strickfield Journal's website, and guess what. Even Strickfield University has something about these murders on their own website. Nobody seems to know what I look like. I'm guessing Miran Technologies never leaked anything out. Makes perfect sense, since they wouldn't want it becoming public knowledge that one of their experiments got out and is carrying a lethal disease. It sure would make people wonder what they're doing in there behind closed doors, right.

39:02 I'm figuring Mirror Technologies is either still hunting me or they've completely washed their hands of me. Also, it turns out those fraternity boys who died in Ohio with my strain all had variations of my original message on their mirrors written in lipstick. Like I said, it wasn't me. According to what I'm reading, the bodies look the same way victim zero Lawrence Olam looked when he died. It seems my mutated AID strain found its way into other women with an axe to grind and is asymptomatic in them like it is me. One such person was Mary Ann Wright from Strickfield. Hey, since I'm the first with my killer AID strain, that makes me patient zero right? Oh, I almost forgot I have a name all my own now.

40:12 According to the Strickfield University website, I'm now known as aids Mary. Guess Mary must be a common name, but the site sure got what I do right. So if you're a guy and you meet me or one of the others and you happen to get laid, then you'll know you're as good as dead when you wake up in the morning and read some lipstick on a mirror to the extent of Welcome to the wonderful world of Aids. From there, live the rest of your life to its fullest.

40:57 You may only have five days at best. And that was the story of Aides marry Patient zero, a legend born of tragedy and revenge, leaving scars no one can ignore. Thank you so much for joining us for day four of thirty one days of shows here at Weekly Spooky to guarantee you enjoy your Spooky season. Make sure you're subscribed for tomorrow, but be warned it's a little different. Sometimes something strange slips into our fee. Stories that don't come from us, voices from somewhere else. Press play if you dare, and you'll hear of guilt that can't be hidden, a fortune poisoned by greed, something crawling where it shouldn't, a goblet no one should drink from, knives made for betrayal, and a pattern you can't under see, So tune in tomorrow if you dare, just don't ask me to explain how it got here. And if you love what we're doing here at Weekly Spooky as we head into our sixth year, Headweeklyspooky dot Com slash join and for as little as one dollar a month get bonus episodes and our undying gratitude. And speaking of I want to say an extra special thank you to our Patreon podcast boosters, folks who pay just a little bit more to hear their names at the end of the show, and they

42:28 are Johnny Nix, Kate and Lulu, Jessica Fuller, Micas Schuey, Jenny Green, Amber Hansford, Karen Wee, met Jack Kerr, and Craig Cohen. Thank you all so much, and if you want to hear your name at the end of every episode of Weekly Spooky, just head to Weeklyspooky dot Com slash join and sign up at the fifteen dollars a month or higher tier. It really helps us keep on bringing the show, which we haven't missed a week in six years. Plus you get bonus stories and exclusive audio books. But now it's time for me to get out of here and get back to work. So for myself, for my executive producers Rob Fields and Bobotopia dot Com, my producer Dan Wilder, and of course my composer Ray Maddis, I'll talk at you later.

43:12 Thank you for listening. Make sure to find your way back next week, but for now you are safe. Trust me,