Author, a former small-town child physicist and scientific prodigy, fights to re-bottle the genie he helped create as a young doctor working with the allies during World War II. Under a now constant threat of death from the government, and now living off the grid, he struggles to gather his research in hopes of destroying it. Only to learn, the classified information had been perverted into something else entirely. Causing an infection that spreads out of control across the globe.
During his efforts, he stumbles upon some experimental test subjects that have somehow survived the awakening phase of the testing.
He learns of some unfortunate side effects from this devastating plague. Destruction of cognitive processes resulting in total memory loss and an insatiable appetite for living tissue. Usually resulting in death, this pandemic is spreading throughout the world. Threatening to metamorphose society into tribes of rage filled beast. Creating human specters decimating major cities worldwide.
For a small group of people, the infection transforms them. Giving them enhancements beyond that of normal humans.
Meanwhile, something ancient stirs from its solitary existence, due to this intellectual incompetence.