Estella had just finished her late dinner at the news station. She was famished and her large bowl of rice with toppings was almost not enough, if not for the large glass of ice cold Coke that she chased it down with. Estella burped her contentment and her colleagues in the office who heard it saluted her.
"That's explosive, Estella," one said.
"As explosive as your exclusive news," another added.
"Did somebody record that?"
And everyone in the room laughed, including Estella herself. She was enjoying their company, bringing her a much needed relief after a very long day. What they said were true. Estella delivered another awe-inspiring report during the evening news program. Through Sonny's help, she was able to gave her audience a detailed coverage about what were being done inside the isolation camp, including the hardships the medical team had to face each day, as well as the pathetic conditions of the patient.
To add more interest, she made comparison about how people were healed through Loduvico's miracles. The footage they showed in the program was astonishing as the large crowd of Loduvico's followers queued while waiting to be touched by their idol. Before her report ended, Estella revealed that Loduvico had not been healing the sick for two days already. It was not because he was sick but because he was gone. His absence was confirmed by the interviews they did that afternoon.
Estella sighed and slumped on her chair. She rested her eyes and did a power nap. When she had woken up, everyone in her office had already left, leaving her alone. Immediately, she packed up her things. She was about to leave when her telephone suddenly rang. She felt something fishy about the call so we she let it ring and ring. Yet, the caller was not giving up so after a few whiles, she answered the call.
"Who is this?" she asked.
"I know where the boy is."
"What do you mean?"
"He may not be safe right how but I know where he is."
"Tell me."
"He is inside the Silverio Alvarado Medical Suites."
Before Estella could make another inquiry, the call was suddenly ended. Confused, Estella stared at the phone for quite a long time.....
*****
Meanwhile, Tara was feeling sick again. The doctor had given her some supplements when be dropped by the isolation camp in the afternoom. At first, she was feeling good - her energy came back, her visions were clear, and her muscle pains were gone. But when she came home, her body felt hot and exhausted. She was about to go inside her room when the telephone rang.
"Be careful," the voice said and quickly hang up.
Tara was startled. The voice kept playing inside her mind so that she had a restless sleep that night....
*****
Loduvio forced himself to sleep soundly that night. Sleeping became a struggle for him as his wounds and sores were too painful. Just a small movement could trigger unbearable pain.
After for what seem like hours0, Loduvico finally slept. Almost immediately, his dreams came again. Loduvico was delighted. He searched around his dreams, and finally, he saw someone in a distance. He ran up to the figure.
*****
After spending the previous night at the local police station, Mang Tomas was tired and terrified. He went home right away after being released. He laid on his bed until he fell asleep and dreamed.
"Mang Tomas, please help me," Loduvico yelled from a distance.
The man was running towards him. As he got closer, Mang Tomas saw the wounds covering his arms, legs, and neck. He was horrified to see him that way.
"Please find me."
*****
Dr. Alvarado watched his wife sleeping in their bed. He loved her so much, but not enough to make him tell her about any of his plans.
"You must stay innocent, my love," he whispered.
He walked towards a mirror and stared at himself.
"You will be the greatest man in Subangdaku," he whispered again and laugher silently. .
****
In another house, a young girl was having difficulty sleeping. She shared the bed with her mother. After a while, her mother stirred and asked her.
"It's already late. Can't you sleep?"
The girl shook her head and embraced her mother.
"Someone is gonna die," she told her mother.
"What are you talking about?"
She did not answer, she just cried.....