J W Becker

1918 When the World Shook with Fear J W Becker

The year 1918 brought with it a Pandemic that would kill approximately one-third of the worlds population. Gunda Michelsen was eight years old and handling the responsibility of an adult. She cared for her siblings while her father, a grave digger, buried the dead. Her mother was little help because she found her escape in a bottle. The Michelsen's lived in a old three flat building on Chicago's north side. The family of eight shared the three bedroom flat, and like the rest of the world they were forced to shelter in their home to escape the Spanish flu. While the flu epidemic raged on another type of death emerged in the form of a serial killer who walked the deserted streets of Chicago. Gunda couldn't understand why the people of the world were dying while the sun continued to shine. For the young child the world had become a confusing and deadly place as she struggled to keep her family safe.