Chapter 1
The Rat
"Saan na tayo lilipat ngayon ng matutuluyan?" Lara asked. She's standing in front of us— arms crossed.
I'm eating in front of a bonfire with Clyde. This is the only thing that serves us a light.
"We'll stay here. Just for a bit while," Clyde answered as he chew on that raw luncheon meat.
As expected, Lara stomped on us in dismay. She even rolled her eyes because of what he said.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. She's a baby in a big-ass body.
Unfortunately, yes. She presents herself to us that way. She's old though, like old old. Some parts of her face is wrinkled; she has creased forehead; she's easily annoyed; and yes she's not fun to be with.
Although, she seems to be beautiful in her younger years. It's just that, she's already out of her golden years.
"Then I'll just go upstairs— at the rooftop. Sana— sana lang talaga may tumulong sa 'tin at iligtas tayo sa putanginang paghihirap na 'to," Lara said as she took a deep sigh and rolled her eyes for the second time.
She then turned her back away from us.
As you can see, we don't have enough resources. There are few things that we have right now: tree branches, matchboxes, canned goods, knives, axes, and few guns. And we're almost out of food, so we got to find another place with a lot of stuff that can fill our little stomachs.
Yup, you guessed it right. I'm talking about convenience stores...
"Punyeta, wala na tayong kakainin nito after few weeks. Tanginang buhay 'to," he said, but not to loud. Just enough to let me hear it.
And yes, of course, I didn't hesitate to say what I currently have in mind.
"I was just thinking. If ever you don't have any plans yet. Don't you think it's good to stay in a convenience store or something similar to that? I mean, we can survive there for long if we guard it out well."
I was so proud that I voiced it out because first, I think it is a very good suggestion; two, we can survive there for long; and three, im pretty sure it's a good idea.
"Tingin mo ba hindi ko naisip 'yan?"
He gleamed at me, furious and mad. Did I say something wrong?
I thought... it was good?
I gave him a silent treatment. I really don't know what to say because I was just voicing out my suggestion.
After that, he turned his eyes away from me.
"I know that, okay? I'm not dumb to not have an idea like yours," he said.
"Oh."
I finally knew what was wrong.
"I'm sorry if I offended you by giving you suggestions. I was just trying to help," I said, in a mannered way. I felt guilty for suggesting something that unexpectedly drag his ego down.
"Don't worry, I'll keep everything to myself," I added.
"Oh, come on! I didn't say that! Ang sa 'kin lang, naisip ko na 'yang sinasabi mo," he said.
"The problem is, where?"
"May nahanap ako!"
Our conversation were crashed by Zack who is continuously shouting and is running towards our direction.
"Ano?"
Clyde stood up to see what good would Zack give him this time.
"Makakatulong 'to sa 'tin. Sa tingin ko, marami pang mahahanap dito."
I was excited to see the thing that he found, but then...
It turned into a disappointment.
"Sa'n mo naman nahanap 'to?" Clyde asked him. I'm pretty sure he's disappointed too.
"Sa second floor. May kwarto ro'n na bukas. Nakita ko kasing nakasabit 'to do'n kaya kinuha ko na."
I'm trying to sustain my composure, but I just failed and bursted out laughing in front of them.
"Ha? bat ka tumatawa?"
"It's because, that underwear is mine. Isinabit ko 'yan do'n dahil nabasa ng ulan kagabi sa rooftop. Inilipat ko lang 'yan don panandalian." Clyde said.
I bet he's a little embarrassed now that his underwear is exposed.
"Ah, gano'n ba," he chuckled. "Pasensya na. Akala ko kasi walang nagmamay-ari. Suotin ko sana."
Clyde raised his palm in the air and frowned.
"Joke lang p're, 'to naman."
This is by far, the best thing that happened to me. It was a good short time, but it eases my anxiousness for a little while.
So I stood up and fixed myself.
I don't want to be a burden to them. I need to move my muscles and find something that would help us.
"Is there anything you want me to do?" I asked Clyde. He sat again in front of the bonfire after being disappointed with Zack. He grabbed his do-it-yourself weapon and tried tweaking it again.
He didn't respond to my question. Maybe he's still a little embarrassed about that underwear thing.
So me, being myself, asked him the same question. But with passive-aggressive attitude.
He looked at me, frowning. His eyes are gleaming again. But this time, I felt like a prey.
That cold, deadly stare, sent shivers up and down my spine.
It's very nerve-wracking.
"Try to find something useful. Alam mo naman na siguro kung ano ang mga mahahalaga sa mga hindi, tama?" he said, then he turned his gaze back on his weapon.
What is wrong with him? It's the second time that he refused my suggestion. It is very disrespectful.
I tried my hardest to control my temper, until finally— realization hit me.
Maybe he's on his period.
So I started walking away from the bonfire. I don't want to ruin my mood and also my optimism. I need to burn my energy doing something productive rather than being aggressive to what is not helpful at all.
I was about to take a step with my right foot on the stairway when Venus called me.
So I paused.
"Where are you heading at, siz? Kase I can accompany you if you want."
I looked around to find where her voice was coming from. I saw something move in a room just across the stairs. So I voiced out if it was her or not.
"Yes, siz. The one and only."
I took a deep breath when I finally made sure that it was her.
"No, no. I'm okay. Thank you, though."
"You sure, siz?"
I nodded, then I continued walking up to the second floor.
As far as I know, this building has five floors including the rooftop. Each floor has an approximately three rooms with beds. As much as we want to stay in the rooms and lay on those soft beds— we can't. We're worried that something might go wrong while we're all sleeping in our different rooms. Clyde said that it is better to stick up so we decided to sleep at the first floor.
So what we did is that, we took the mattresses down at the first floor so we can have something to sleep on.
I was just walking around while my mind was floating in the cloud nine. I don't really know where I am headed at. Until I stumble across a door with wood carvings in it. There are some symbols that I have seen on those horror movies that I watched.
"I've seen those symbols in the church."
I was appalled by the sudden voice that came from behind me.
"What the hell are you trying to do?!" I furiously said in front of his face.
I was already scared by the thought of it being a haunted room, and now I am frightened because he creeped me out by sneaking in my back and started talking as if I knew he was there.
"Ha? Nagsalita lang ako?" he said out of confusion.
I don't know if he's that dumb to not know that I almost had a heart attack because of him.
"Stop being so childish! We are not here to play games, and when I say 'we', that includes you, Zack!"
I don't know if I have the rights to do that but he nearly put me to my grave. And I am not even kidding!
"Hala, si ate. Pasensya na kung gano'n 'yung naisip mo."
I saw sincerity in his eyes and I think he didn't really mean to do it. I was just a little paranoid.
So I brushed it off and focused back again on the door.
Actually, I don't really know if I am going to open the door even before when Zack wasn't there behind me.
But why am I still hesitant to open it when I have someone accompanying me?
"Ate, okay ka lang ba? Bakit hindi mo pa buksan 'yung pinto?"
"I actually don't know if it's a good thing to open this door."
"Bakit naman?"
"Because..."
I am scared that something might jump out of that door.
"Nevermind. Do you mind if I let you do it?"
I finally gave up and let Zack do the honors.
So I stepped aside, and let Zack be in front of the door to open it.
At first, it won't budge, so he needed some force to open it. But it still won't budge.
I can't help myself from overthinking on why the door won't open. It could only mean two things: there's something dangerous inside, and something very much important is in that room.
I'd say we'll go with that second option.
"Shit, ba't naman ganito?" he sighed in disappointment as he can't open the door.
Zack moved back a little bit. "Wala na tayong choice, ate," he said then he kicked the door simultaneously.
After few powerful yet hurtful kicks, he finally budge the door.
"Does it hurt?"
"Hindi, okay lang," he said, then he smiled.
He said he's okay, so that means he can go first.
"Okay, then go ahead."
He nodded as a sign that he agrees.
So finally, he went in, as I was behind him. It was pitch dark in the room, so I don't really see him. I just know that he's in front of me.
A rattle sound echoed around the room. I panicked and started asking where Zack was because I can't reach him by my hands.
"Nandito lang ate."
I continued asking and I am not planning to stop unless I touch or see him.
"Wait lang."
What does he mean wait? Is he going to leave me here, unattended??
Then suddenly, a light pops up in front of me.
I covered my face as it was so bright and blinding.
"Ate oh, may flashlight akong nakapa rito. Gumagana pa naman. Tsaka..."
I moved my feet towards him, and grabbed the flashlight that he's giving me.
"Tsaka ate, ito oh."
He showed me some medical kits and some...
Guns!
"Why were all of these hidden here? And why didn't we see this when we roamed the room when we first arrived here?"
"Hindi ko rin alam, ate. Baka hindi lang natin napansin na may pinto rito. Nakita lang talaga kitang naglakad papunta sa dulo kaya sinundan kita."
That's weird. How the hell did we skip this room if we checked all of— oh wait!
"Who's tasked in clearing this floor?"
"Hindi ko na po maalala eh. Medyo matagal na rin po tayong nandito kaya hindi ko na maalala."
It could be that old woman again! But it doesn't matter, now that we have enough guns and medical kits to supply us for the next house hopping.
"Okay, then just carry these guns downstairs. I'll carry the rest."
He nodded.
I was still bothered by the fact that I stumbled across that door without even realizing it. And also the fact that there's plenty of supplies in that room. Who would've left it there? It seems like it's well protected and sealed. There might be some other people who stayed here before us.
Anyhow, that's already in the past. What's important now is that we own these medical kits and guns.
I was about to carry the rest of the medical kits when I heard a scream coming from outside the room.
I rushed out to see who and why were she screaming her lungs out.
It turns out that it's the old woman.
"Why are you screaming?" I asked her.
"May daga! May dagang nakapasok!"
This old woman is such a pain in the ass.
Why the hell would you scream your lungs out just because of a rat when you have seen rotting people, walking towards you to eat your flesh?
"Don't worry, it won't bite that hard."
She looked at me with a worried look.
"You don't understand do you?" she asked.
She might be hungry and tired.
"Come on, Lara. It's just a rat. You should go downstairs and get some rest. It's been a rough day, right?"
She looked down, seems like she's brooding or something.
"Just go, okay? I need something to do here. Go ahead. I'll go after you."
She slowly turn her back away from me while looking down. Why is she acting weird lately?
Maybe she's on her menopausal stage.
I waited for her to reach the stairs, and when she did, I went back inside to get those things I left in the room. I picked all of them up and brought them down.
It didn't take much time walking until I reached the first floor. I dropped all of the things I got from the room and sat down in front of the bonfire.
On the left side of my peripheral vision, I can see Clyde looking at me.
"Im glad you found something."
I looked at him with a resting bitch face
"Is it a compliment or something that would likely to annoy me?"
"Aba, of course it's a compliment. None of us found that door. Ikaw lang. You should take credit," he said.
I saw him smile— sheepishly. I don't know if he wants to annoy me or what. But I didn't pay him any attention.
All of them are talking, enjoying the heat that's coming from the bonfire, while me, I don't feel so well.
I think I'm just tired. It's been an exhausting day after all.
So I went to my mattress and lie down.
I was just wondering, what are the odds of finding the cure in all of this mess? I mean, everyone's turning into a walking dead, and none of us know how to stop them. We don't have electricity; we don't have signals; we don't have a safe place to stay.
How are we supposed to live in this kind of world?
"Everything will be alright," I whispered.
•••
I woke up in the middle of the night because of a head pain. My head hurts so bad, I feel like it's going to explode. But I didn't pay it attention because the surrounding is getting dimmer.
I need to get tree branches to feed the fire.
It is Venus' duty at this time and there she is, sleeping like a baby. Maybe it's a good thing that I had a severe headache to wake me up.
So I stood up, enduring the pain that I am experiencing at the moment because my first priority is the bonfire. I'll just drink medicine after I feed the fire.
I searched the entire floor with my eyes, and since it's pretty dark, I can barely see anything
"Where did they put it? I can't remember."
I don't really remember, and the fact that my head hurts like hell is a pain in the ass.
So I decided to roam the floor to find the tree branches. I grabbed the flashlight and started walking around.
I feel like I've been walking in circles now, and yet I walked away from my mattress and it's just about a minute or so. Since the light is getting dimmer and dimmer, it makes it more harder for me to find the tree branches.
But I need to find it as soon as possible.
I was walking near the staircase when I heard a creak coming from upstairs. It's just a small sound so I disregarded it.
Maybe it's the rat that Lara was referring to earlier.
So I continued searching the floor. And finally! I found the tree branches. But before I could grab one, the fire went out.
It is pitch black in the whole floor, making it impossible for me to see and go back even though I have a flashlight.
But I still decided to grab some tree branches and slowly went back to the bonfire.
As I walk pass by the staircase, the creaking sound is getting stronger. It's weird because the sound feels heavy too.
So I took some time to flash the light in the staircase, and— motherfucker.
I started moving backwards as I saw a rotten person walking down the stairs. I started panicking— and so I screamed as loud as I can.
I screamed so loud, that the rotten person is now walking faster in my direction.
I don't have anything to protect myself. I am very vulnerable at this point and I still have a severe headache.
What am I gonna do?
Tears started flowing down in my eyes. I am scared. I have nothing else to do.
"I don't want to die yet. No, not yet."
And suddenly, on a very untimely situation, I had a breakdown. I turned off the flashlight. I crouched down, arms aiming forward, hoping that the rotten person would not bite me. I know it's stupid, but I don't know what to do!
Somebody pulled me by both of my arms and I thought...
I thought I was going to die!
And so I screamed my lungs out, only to find out that I was wrong.
It was Zack who pulled me.
"Huwag kang maingay ate, tahimik ka lang," he whispered.
I covered my mouth to avoid any unnecessary sounds. It was still pitch black, but a loud ripping sound echoed around the floor.
"What was that?"
I stood up and opened the flashlight. I pointed it in front of me and I was surprised to see Clyde covered in thick blood.
"Okay ka lang ba?" he asked.
I am the one who should ask that, but okay.
"I'm just a little scared. But I'm fine."
Then I smiled.
"Thank you."
He winced and said "That's what we do. Pamilya tayo rito, 'di ba?"
He picked up all of those tree branches that are now scattered around the floor.
"We're not safe here anymore."
He then walked towards us.
"Fix yourselves, we're leaving when the sun rises."
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