the abyss

Ooze are humans who have mutated after contracting t-Abyss, a Group VI retrovirus engineered as a bioweapon. This mutation inserts genes advantageous to deep-sea fish into the human genome, such as the increase in water retention in cells to deal with water pressure. In the lower-pressure environments humans reside in, Ooze take the form of waterlogged corpses, and shed water continuously in the form of slime. To survive, they are driven to drink massive quantities of water. Ooze will prey upon other animals, including humans, to replenish their body's water content.[1][excerpt 1]