Deadly Eyes

A divorced high school teacher and basketball coach who confronts a brutal rat infestation while trying to protect his students and family. Resourceful and stubborn, he drives the human response as the crisis unfolds from a suburban setting to the subway tunnels. His leadership and determination keep hope alive as the city fragments under the attack.

A health department inspector who partners with Paul to investigate the outbreak. She brings practical public health know-how and a sense of urgency to stop the spread, even as the situation grows more perilous. Her actions anchor the bureaucratic response amid chaotic events.

A high school cheerleader involved in the unfolding events; a youth figure swept up in the danger. Her presence represents the vulnerable civilians caught in the crisis, and her arc underscores the human cost of the infestation.

A professor and rat expert who provides scientific context for the outbreak and helps identify the source of the mutation. His expertise frames the tension between observation and action as the city tries to respond.

A health department field inspector who encounters the rats in the sewer and becomes a key figure in the attempt to understand and stop the outbreak. His role underscores the dangers faced by public safety workers during the crisis.

Paul's friend and ally, a professor who contributes to the discussion around the outbreak and supports the scientific effort to explain the rats’ mutation. He represents the academic network involved in addressing the emergency.

Paul’s son, who is part of the family unit navigating the danger and the fear that the infestation induces in daily life. His presence emphasizes the stakes and the family’s resilience.

A family member who supports Paul during the crisis, providing a human anchor amid the escalating chaos. Her role highlights the personal side of the disaster.

A medical professional/doctor figure who appears within the outbreak narrative, contributing to the response and public health discussion surrounding the crisis.

One of Paul’s students drawn into the peril as the crisis spills from schools into the wider city. His presence marks the broader impact of the infestation on youth and education.

A student/observer who becomes part of the urban tapestry of witnesses and participants as the danger grows. His perspective adds to the sense of a city-wide ordeal.