Barracks Office (7:20pm)
A sudden knock heard by Romel and Bazil.
"It's open." Romel reacted.
Romel and Bazil were surprised when they saw Bats entering.
"Sh*t, Bats! How come you're here? Guys, guys. Look who's here!" Romel excitedly shouted.
The door leading to their room suddenly opened. All of Bats's companions rushed coming out. They started smiling and laughing.
"Hahaha, F*CK! Bats, how come you're here?"
"Did you bribe the guards? Those guards at the gate were strict. They do not let outsiders coming in here."
"Yeah right, how did manage to enter?"
His companions were curious and kept asking questions.
Bats smiled,
"I did turnover my company ID but I forgot to turnover my construction site ID when I resigned. I still have my construction site ID here. Hehe"
"Owww, that's why. Haha"
"So, what's up? You surprised us."
"You manage to visit us. But why didn't you inform us?"
"We could have prepared something."
Bats slowly looked all of them,
"Didn't I say that I'll come back here again?"
Romel had a sudden flashback,
"Yeah, yeah that's right! I remember. Today's the day, Dec. 01."
After minutes of talking, Bats began to talk on something. All of them sat facing each other.
"Good timing, 7:29 pm. One minute left. Guys please check your phones or open one of these computers. Open YouTube, then search WW NEWS."
His companions were curious so they began to open their phones.
[ BREAKING NEWS! LIVE!]
The reporter was panting,
[ There has been an incident happening here in one of the biggest city in Justice Country. As you can see people, it's completely chaos out here. People began looting and destroying places. Many military trucks were coming inside this city. The has been a speculation, the people believe it to be a virus outbreak. Scientist and Doctors are still studying whether it is a virus outbreak or not. The officials are now sealing this city and gave an emergency notice. Please don't leave outside and lock all your doors.]
[ Hey, hey. Excuse me Sir, may I ask you some question. Excuse me.... Sir]
[ Run, run. Dead people, dead people. They, they are alive.... Run!!!]
[ Sorry about that. I don't get what he meant by that. He started running away.
Someone's coming, quick show it to the camera. Sir, would you like to be interviewed? Let's get closer. ]
[ Sir, what do you think is happening? Do you think it's a virus outbre.... Ahhhhh, geett, get lost. Why are you biting me. Help, help... Cameraman helllp me...]
- 'I got the power'- Is this real? -
- 'Groot'- This must be fake right? -
-'Noobmaster'- I have a cousin in that city. He said the people started going crazy, they bite and eat anyone they see near them. -
- 'ILOVEYOU5000'- My girlfriend told me that she saw dead bodies began rising and started attacking people. I hope she's okay. -
Seconds later the live news lost signal.
The companions fell into silence for a second.
"Is this gonna be another virus outbreak?"
"People biting and eating? This is crazy."
"Bats, is this true? This must be a prank right? You're pranking us right?"
Bats looked at them seriously,
"I'm afraid to say this but that news isn't fake."
Romel was suspicious how Bats know of this,
"Bats, how did you know? Did you know in advance about this? I'm starting to get suspicious, you told us before that you're coming back here and that day is today. You know in advance of this right?"
His other companions became curious and began suspecting how Bats know.
Bats just smiled,
"You're right. I'll explain it when the right time comes. Now, for the main topic."
"You must know that this virus outbreak will soon reach our country. Our government were already aware of this but will blocked international news from coming to avoid people from panicking."
"Inform all your families or love ones. Tell them to start packing their things up. Especially both of you Adrian and Sir Mike. Both your families were in Visayas part, you better start calling them to book online plane tickets. Tell them to come here in Manila. I'll handle the rest."
After hearing those words from Bats, the companions became anxious and started calling their families.
"Hello, Mom. Mom, are you all at home? Yes, that's good. I have an urgent news. Please put it on loudspeaker....."
"Dad, are you at home?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
That night, the companions hadn't slept.
Next Day (8:00am)
The companions started checking their social media and saw their news feeds full of topic about the end of the world.
-The end of the world is coming. Repent for all your sins.-
-Yes, my boyfriend and I watched it but it got interrupted. We're going to buy food supplies from now on. We're getting anxious.-
-Hahaha, I bet that news is fake!-
-There are many people inside the supermarket. This is crazy.-
"Bats, do you have a place we can stay?"
Project Manager- Sison asked anxiously.
Bats smiled,
"Yes, you'll see soon. Tell your families to go to Finest Hotel, I had rented the whole 2nd floor. Let them rest there for a while, there will be a bus arriving soon."
"The only problem is for the families of Adrian and Sir Mike. They both said the flight will be at the afternoon, they'll be arriving at night."
(The soldier said back then that the outbreak reached our country via plane here in Manila and a cruise ship in Visayas. We must depart before that day arrive.)
Bats phone suddenly rang. He saw messages from Gwen.
-Hey, did you open your Facebook app? It's going crazy. Do you believe there will really be an apocalypse?-
-Can you protect me? I'm getting scared.-
-Please reply, I've been thinking of you this past days.-
-A detective from the investigation department is looking for you here at the hotel, I told him that you were in Manila and will be coming back later.-
Bats was about to laugh but when he read the last message.... Following that, his dad called.
"Hello Dad. How is it?"
"I already told all the villagers, I even showed them the news from last night just like you told me. They are now gathering their things and began evacuating. Are you ok?"
"That's good. I'm ok Dad. I'll be back soon. Let Ricardo and Christian handle the security measures on our fortress. And remember to not let anyone get inside except only for our villagers. Dad, if an outsider starts breaking in , use your airgun as a warning."
"Okay son, be careful on your way."
Next day, Dec. 03, 2024
All families of Bats's companions arrived at the hotel. Time is ticking so Bats told them to get on the bus. The families were confused and were asking questions.
"Love, is there really a zombie apocalypse coming soon? Your all acting strange."
"Dada, how about let's go back home. The government officials said it was just a fake news made by the international terrorists."
"Mom, I'm scared."
"Babe, are you sure about this? Maybe your friend over there is crazy. I bet he's one of those Doomsday Fan."
After an hour of asking and arguing. They all went on the bus. Some were confused, scared, happy as they thought it will be a vacation, angry, and others don't have a single idea of what's happening. The buss was full and started departing. PM-Sison and PIC-Sermia were on the Bus to let them manage and calm the situation of the people inside. While Romel, Bazil, Mike and Adrian were on Bats's pick up.
On the way,
"Hello boss. Yes boss, the GenCon made a letter when they heard about the stampede going in the city. There will be no work for the whole December, the letter was just sent yesterday via Telegram and Email. Okay boss."
Project Manager-Sison hanged up the phone.
Bats phone rang again then he used his bluetooth earphone. He saw an unknown number.
"Yes hello, who is this?"
"Hello, I'm detective Canon from the investigation team. Is this Mr. Bats who I am talking to?"
"Yes sir, this is Bats. How may I help you?"
"We would to invite you for a testimony or an explanation about the incident happened in a shooting range area here in Baguio. If you could please tell us your location so we may go there."
"No need Sir Detective. I'm already driving going to Baguio. Please send me the address of your department, I'll visit once I arrive."
"Okay Mr. Bats. Thank you for your cooperation. I'll trust that you're coming to visit us. I'll hang up now and send the location."
(Sh*t! Do they know that I'm the culprit behind? No, that's impossible!)
(Nah, the apocalypse will be coming soon anyway.)
Bats didn't mind it. After 2 hours of straight driving, they stopped to a Jollibee. The people inside the bus were hungry so PM-Sison contacted Bats via radio. It took at least an hour to order worth 50 people, that was because there were also many people ordering.
Bats took the chance to contact the manager of the hotel he was staying in Baguio. He told the manager to rent 8 more rooms near his room in advance.
After 2 more hours of straight driving, they arrived at the hotel. Arthur noticed the crowded people in the lobby.
"Why are there so many people today? Wait, is that Bats? He's talking to them. Do they know each other? I'll better inform Gwen about this." then he rushed running to the elevator.
"Babe, babe. Bats is here. I just saw him at the lobby." Arthur was panting.
Gwen's eyes suddenly lit up,
"Really? I'll go and wait outside his room, I better not missed this opportunity."
10 minutes later,
"Why are there so many people? Wait, aren't those Bats's companions? Yeah, they were his workmates. I remember them." Gwen muttered to herself.