Chapter 8 Doomsday Madness

I convinced them to go to our house first before meeting up with Papa. I didn't want to risk getting infected and passing it onto others with sticky blood splattered all over my body.

As we entered the gate, I noticed all the lights were off. When I stepped inside the house, I gulped and started to sweat profusely. I wasn't used to the oppressive darkness that enveloped the space. Our helpers must have evacuated, just like the rest of our neighbors. They should have, because if not, that meant they were dead or in danger.

The moment I crossed the threshold, a horrible sight greeted me: blood smeared across the walls and furniture, along with bullet holes punctuating the halls. My mind raced with possibilities; it seemed likely that after we left, an attack had occurred.

I didn't waste any time lingering on the gruesome scene. I dashed up to the second floor where my room was located. Rummaging through my closet, I grabbed two sets of loose and comfortable t-shirts and jogging pants for Caite and me. I also picked out two hoodies, just in case the clothes I chose wouldn't fit her. I crammed all of these into my one and only backpack.

I lasted less than five minutes inside our house before returning to the car. I let Caite choose what she wanted to wear. After that, we gave each other privacy to change clothes.

We left our residence just past ten o'clock in the evening. However, we quickly found ourselves stuck in heavy traffic due to the number of vehicles crowding the streets.

What's more frustrating is that none of these people wanted to give space; they just tried to overtake as much as they could until they clogged all the roads with cars and hovers. What should have been a fifteen-minute drive stretched into nearly forty.

Finally, as we passed through the traffic jam, a policewoman approached us with her flashlight raised. She seemed ready to demand us to get out of the car, but then she recognized me and exchanged a glance with her partner. They stepped aside and glided their light sticks, indicating we could pass through the checkpoint now.

"You and your perks," Vino snickered, shaking his head.

What can I say? We're that powerful. Might as well use it while it lasts.

* * *

The moment we set foot out of the car, police patrols escorted us to the plaza just outside the district hall. The same thing happened to other individuals.

Blaring sirens and red-and-blue lights illuminated every inch of the vicinity. The buzz of chatter filled the air. The way it was jam-packed with people tells me that officials had somehow managed to establish some control over the situation here.

But how long would it last? If the dead crept into the highlands, would they still be able to hold it secure?

"Jane! Vino!"

All of us-even the police guarding us-turned around at the sound of her voice. I seemed to lose my voice when she greeted me with a tight hug.

"I'm glad you're both safe!" she whispered as she kissed my forehead.

I don't know why, but tears filled my eyes again. Maybe it was because it had been a while since she hugged me like this again. "I'm glad you're safe too, Mama."

"Did you get bitten? Did someone scratch you?" She broke away from the hug and wiped away her tears.

I shuddered at her questions, which made her cry even more. She looked up at the sky. "Thank the Gods!"

Her attention shifted to Vino as she approached him and grasped both his hands. "Thank you for saving my daughter, Vino. We owe you so much."

"Actually, ma'am, it was Caite who saved her," he replied shyly while pointing at Caite standing beside him.

"Caite?"

Mama turned toward Caite with wide eyes in surprise. "Iha, I didn't realize you were here!"

"It's been so long! How have you been?" She embraced Caite warmly again. "Did someone bite or scratch you?"

"Okay lang din po ako, tita." Caite sheepishly smiled at her.

"Good!" Mama finally released her and looked away for a moment. I caught a glimpse of her reddening eyes before she gazed back up at the sky again, letting out a brief sigh. "You've grown so much, iha. I'm sorry for being too emotional; it's just that you have the splitting image of Elis-may the Gods bless her soul."

The last time I saw Tita Elis was during our sixth grade sports festival. That was before she was diagnosed with cancer. After that, their family kinda disappeared. It's one of the reasons why we grew apart. She was my best friend and now we became strangers.

"By the way, where's your father?" Mama asked as she eyed our surroundings. "Does Artie know you're here?"

There was a long silence before Caite replied, "My father died years ago."

My mother and I shared a flabbergasted look.

See - even Tito Roberto's death was not known. No wonder why our families truly lost contact to each other.

"Oh... I didn't know. I am truly sorry to hear that."

Caite simply nodded in response.

"Your siblings... how are they?"

"They're living at La Primo po. Our family friend takes care of them."

Mama seemed about to ask more questions when suddenly Caite's phone rang loudly in her hand. "Speaking of... may I excuse po? I just need to take this call po."

"No worries," Mama replied.

I glanced at my own phone and noticed there was signal again!

Mama tapped my arm lightly, drawing my attention back to her. "Why didn't you tell us that your second cousin is also here in the highlands?"

Vino fell silent when I shot him a look.

"I have no idea," I admitted honestly. "I've only known this now."

Call me childish, but I didn't really care about what she was doing in her life. Yes, I hated her guts so much that I entirely ignored our kinship ever since she... y'know what? Never mind; I don't want to recall it now. The past is enough; our survival is more crucial for now.

"By the way, Ma, do you know what is happening? Did the mayor announce something?"

A shift occurred in her expression as she responded gravely, "The mayor escaped before the bombings; he seems to know what is happening right now."

The three helicopters earlier flashed through my mind.

'Tss. I knew it was him!'

"Where did he go?"

"No one knows; that's why everything's a mess right now."

"The bombings... Did the police spill some details about it?"

"Yes, but only limited." She took a deep breath before continuing. "They said someone tipped them off; that's why they've been inspecting every corner of town since earlier today. They found many bombs but couldn't pinpoint their last exact location; it turns out some bombs weren't even in town."

"Nasa perya..."

"Hindi nila masabihan 'yung mga pulis na nakatoka sa perya dahil nagkaroon ng problema sa signal. Kailangan pa nilang pumunta roon kaso huli na ang lahat."

We fell silent as a woman wearing a shirt with my mother's organization logo approached us.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Raquella? Sir Xy has something he wants you to know," she said while pointing toward a group dressed similarly in white shirts gathered around a pickup truck full of food supplies nearby-they were in charge of distributing relief goods.

Mama and I exchanged glances; she seemed poised to protest when I took hold of her hands gently. "Ma, it's fine; people need your help."

* * *

As more people gathered in the plaza, our exposure increased significantly. I found myself walking through the next block to distance myself from everyone else and went straight to our car. I leaned myself to its bumper.

I had been trying to call Rina, Gabby, Shae, and Britt but kept receiving automated voice messages in return.

Vino approached beside me, carrying bottles of water, food supplies, and face masks-so that's where he had disappeared earlier!

I immediately drank from one of his bottles of mineral water due to the overwhelming stress. When I looked back at him again, he was holding my phone and had seen all my texts that hadn't gone through.

I held it back and tried calling again.

"The number you have dialed is not available; please try again later."

I pressed the end call button and dialed once more..

"The number you have dialed is not available; please try again later."

And again.

After doing that repeatedly for more times I could count, I could feel my hope slipping away from me fast.

"I'm scared..."

"We'll find them." He held my hands to reassure me. "We just need to inform the authorities who can help us."

Taking a deep breath helped me prepare myself again to go back to the plaza. Suddenly, a blinding light shone on our faces.

My eyes squinted against the brightness as a deep voice called out: "Anong ginagawa niyo riyan?"

"Teka," he added with an inquisitive tone.

I first noticed his badge and blue uniform when my vision adjusted; his handgun was aimed at us too-instinctively raising our hands in surrender.

"Chief Policarpio," I greeted him nervously as he holstered his gun and lowered his flashlight.

He frowned deeply at me before shifting his gaze toward Vino: "Jane Fortalejo? Vino Isidro?"

"Lintik na mga bata!" He stepped closer and inspected us closely from head to toe before pointing at us accusingly: "Sa inyo ba 'tong mga 'to?" He gestured toward all the dark blood on our hands and faces as we shook our heads in response.

"Saan ba kayo galing kanina? Alam niyo bang kanina pa kayo hinahanap nina Kela at Aron?"

"Outskirts," I whispered weakly while adding: "We were on Night Cirque when those explosions happened-Rina, Gabby, and Britt went missing while Shae and Trixie are dead."

My gaze lifted toward him once more: "And I know you have far more important things to do right now but we badly need your help, Chief."

"Pa... patay na sina Trixie at Shae?"

He rubbed his face tiredly while massaging his temples gently.

"Kasi nasa Red Zone kayo kanina?"

His brow remained furrowed deeply as silence enveloped us. "I just tugged him along. I'm the only one to blame here.."

"Lalong sumasakit ang ulo ko sa inyo." Chief Policarpio rubbed his forehead again while heaving out a deep sigh. "O, siya! The important thing is that both of you made it back here alive."

He directed his flashlight toward officers who had been watching us closely from afar all this time.

"PO2 Ilagan!" he called out sharply.

"Sir?" A female officer straightened up immediately upon hearing him call for her attention.

"Take these two upstairs."

"Yes, sir." She approached us and held us by the arms.

We hadn't walked far when the Sheriff spoke again, "SPO3 Perez and SPO2 Katindig, gather volunteers. We will be conducting a large-scale rescue operation and raid party."

I felt Vino's gaze on me, so I looked back at him. For the last time, he gave me a reassuring smile.

We stopped walking and found ourselves in front of a large door. The woman instructed us to head up to the second floor and listen carefully inside the committee room. Vino and I didn't mind where we were going in this vast building.

I felt like a wilted vegetable as I climbed each step of the staircase. I could easily be mistaken for one of them if it weren't for my brown skin.

A few eyes turned toward us as we entered the committee room. We were the only ones looking disheveled compared to the neatly dressed individuals sitting calmly with fresh appearances. The room was surrounded by polished mahogany wall panels, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere that felt worlds away from the bloody reality outside.

Their judgmental stares quickly faded when I met each of their gazes in return. They resumed listening to my father's announcements.

"My fellow citizens of Alatus District," his authoritative voice rose above the clatter surrounding us. "I know that the events of the past few hours have been frightening and overwhelming. But I want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to keep you safe."

Silence fell over the crowd as a man whispered something to my father.

I recognized his familiar black cane and his uneven gait. Mr. Taizu, my father's friend from the bottom city. He must be here to attend the supposedly three-day festival in Alatus District.

My father cleared his throat and adjusted the microphone again. "We have contacted the officials in Woodpine Valley. They assured us they would reach us and provide assistance by tomorrow."

"Bakit bukas pa?" asked someone from the audience, drawing everyone's attention toward the officials of Alatus district, especially my father in the middle.

"I understand that the lack of immediate assistance from neighboring districts may be concerning," my father said. His gaze sweeping over the anxious faces in the crowd. "But please know that we are doing our best to reach out to them and coordinate efforts to contain the outbreak."

Another pause followed, filled with murmurs of uncertainty from the crowd. "We will not rest until we find a solution to this crisis and restore order to our community."

"In the meantime," he urged, "I ask you to remain calm and vigilant. Stay together with your loved ones and follow the instructions of our officials. We will get through this together and emerge stronger than ever before. Thank you."

He then passed the microphone to the leaders of the local government units and non-government organization, which included my mom and a man named Sir Xy. They were looking for volunteers to help raid supplies.

As some members of the audience raised their arms, my mom encouraged them, "Please step forward and follow us outside to get ready."

The next speaker was Chief Policarpio, who was also seeking volunteers for search and rescue operations at the hospital. They needed to rescue any remaining healthcare workers and patients trapped there.

Vino raised his arm up, but I shot him a look of protest. "Vino, no-"

But he was resolute. "We can't just sit here!"

"I agree," Caite chimed in. I didn't even notice she was here. "That's why I'm leaving too. I need to go back to La Primo; my brother needs me."

She quickly began typing on her phone. She also mentioned she would catch a shuttle outside heading to the bus terminal.

"It's not safe to go back, Caite," Vino said seriously, making her pause.

"Volunteering yourself isn't safe either," she retorted, fingers still flying over the screen.

"At least I have company, unlike you. You only have yourself," Vino shot back, frustration evident in his voice.

I couldn't stand by any longer. "Enough!" I snapped, stepping between them. "Both of you are being reckless!"

They fell silent, the tension thickening the air around us. I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "You can't just throw yourselves into danger like this! Think about what you're doing!"

Caite's expression softened momentarily, but determination flickered in her eyes. "I have to go. If everything goes back to normal..." She hesitated, then added with a hint of a smile, "I'll treat you both."

The word "normal" felt like a distant fantasy; so many had perished without understanding why. But sure, Caite-the ever so cheapskate-would treat us someday. I looked forward to it.

"Uy, kahit 'wag na," Vino replied dismissively, which made me frown at him. I gently hit his arm in annoyance.

Caite smiled at him, undeterred. "I insist! Just promise me you'll be safe." With that, she opened the door and stepped into the chaos outside.

"Gago, nakakahiya ka!" Vino exclaimed at me after she left.

I focused my attention back on Caite as she walked away. She stopped in her tracks and turned back one last time, waving goodbye with a bittersweet smile.

* * *

I approached my parents as soon as I found the chance. It looked like Chief Policarpio had already informed them about the deaths of Shae and Trixie.

Vino and I stood before them. "Ma, Pa," I began, my voice trembling slightly. "I'm so sorry for not saying this earlier but Trixie and Shae's dead."

Mama nodded slowly, her expression calm yet pained. "We're just glad you're safe, Jane. That's what matters most right now."

Papa leaned forward, his brow furrowed in concern. "Can you tell us what happened? We need to understand."

My parents listened intently, absorbing every detail without interruption. The calmness in their demeanor was almost surreal

As I recounted the events, I noticed their eyes reflecting gratitude rather than anger. They didn't seem bothered by my decisions; it was as if they understood the necessity of my actions.

"Did they became one of...them ?" Mama started but hesitated, glancing at Papa for support.

"Yes," I replied softly, feeling the lump in my throat grow. "I saw them... Shae and Trixie."

"Thank you for being brave," Papa finally said, his voice steady.

"Take a rest now," he said and tap my shoulder. "Kami na ang bahala rito."

I nodded and attempted to sleep afterwards, but every time I tried to close my eyes, the horrific images from earlier flooded back. Deep breaths escaped me as I fought back tears.

Then, I decided to walk alone down the wide hallway.

Vino had already inbound with the group of men earlier to help with the rescue operation. They planned to search for survivors with medical knowledge at the only hospital in the Alatus district. Meanwhile, my parents were busy with their work-protecting all the citizens here and figuring out how to resolve the chaos that had ruined what should have been a joyful festival day.

Different kinds of fear and sorrow filled my senses as I descended toward the great hall. Many were screaming in pain from their injuries. The stress was evident on the faces of those tending to them, as the earlier volunteers who had gone out to find painkillers and medkits had yet to return.

If not for Trixie at Shae, I wouldn't go to the temporary infirmary of those who were wounded and infected. It's insane to admit that their ghosts kept haunting me in my sleep. I may not hear their inaudible voices, but I could feel their rage. They're probably cursing me to death because of my selfishness - that I cowardly saved myself and abandoned them for dead.

I know the cops are the ones who are supposed to tell their families, but that would take a while since they've been busy with the whole situation. Their families deserve to know the truth now. I don't care if they would be mad at me or punish me for what I did. I just need to release everything.

I just couldn't handle the nightmares and my anxiety anymore. The nauseous feeling drove me dizzy, urging me to gag. My entire face crinkled when I swallowed back the sour liquidy texture.

"Miss okay ka lang po ba?" A male nurse approached me. He attempted to assist but I stepped away from him.

"Upo ka po muna," he said while pointing toward an empty foldable bed nearby.

He must've noticed my hesitation so he added reassuringly: "Okay lang po 'yan; wala naman pong nagmamay-ari niyan."

I finally sat down there. I felt even more dizzy because of the people surrounding me. It was too hot and overcrowded; I was struggling to breathe again.

"Would you like some water?" the nurse asked me again. I didn't say anything and just nodded.

He handed me a small bottle of mineral water, which I drank and finished it in one go

Before he could continue her next question, a woman screamed loudly.

She was one of the responding nurses. Out of curiosity, I joined the crowd that had gathered around the scene.

"What's happening?" I asked someone beside me.

"They said he's having a seizure," came their distracted reply. I followed their gaze and saw through a small gap between the people blocking my view how the nurses adjusted the position of the writhing man lying helplessly.

I gasped when I saw his face.

'Tyler ... Trixie's older brother.'

Dark, bloody foam spurts out of his mouth. It took only seconds when he stopped moving. All of us knew he was dead.

I guess we all saw it happen before. He's going to turn just like the woman from the stage.

The nurses could only flip his body over and put him under the bedsheets. As for the girl beside Tyler's deathbed, ran away from the scene in disbelief. Most of the audience did the same. Until I realized I was left here alone.

One of the nurses let out a scalpel and stabbed him in the back of his head.

I bowed my head as black blood began seeping through the white sheet covering him.