Albert's attention was suddenly diverted by a faint cry in the distance. "Did you hear that?" he asked Daniel, his senses on high alert.
Daniel frowned in confusion. "What is it?" he asked, straining to listen. Albert's eyes narrowed as he focused on the sound.
"I think there's a child crying nearby," Albert replied, his voice tinged with urgency. He motioned to two of the rescue team members who had accompanied them. "Come with me. Let's investigate," he instructed.
Together, they traced the source of the cry to a pile of rubble. "I think it's coming from here," one of the team members said, pointing to a gap in the debris.
With bated breath, they carefully began to remove the rubble, their hearts pounding with anticipation. And as they worked tirelessly, their efforts were rewarded with a faint whimper from beneath the rubble.
"There!" Albert exclaimed, his voice filled with relief. "It's a child!"
With renewed determination, they continued to clear away the debris, their movements fueled by the hope of rescuing the trapped child.
"Go ahead and lift that up!" Albert instructed, urgency lacing his voice. The team swiftly complied, revealing a sight that filled Daniel with shock. "That's the child," he exclaimed, his eyes widening as they fell upon the little girl of around five years old, crying with her eyes tightly closed.
Albert wasted no time. He scooped the child up into his arms and carried her to a clear space. "Calm down, please, issh--- sorry, What's your name?" he asked gently, but Isabella continued to cry, her sobs echoing in the dimly lit surroundings.
"What's the name of your mother?" Albert persisted, but Isabella's cries only grew louder.
Daniel interjected, voicing the grim reality they faced. "With so many people dead, are you sure her parents are still alive?" he questioned, his tone tinged with concern.
Suddenly, the air filled with menacing shouts, and Albert and Daniel turned to see enraged families brandishing weapons and charging towards them. Fear gripped them, and one of the rescuing team members urged, "Please, you two have to leave now, sir. Please. It seems the residents are coming."
Albert wasted no time. He swiftly gathered Isabella into his arms as he and Daniel made a hasty retreat. The rescuing team, unfortunately, faced the wrath of the angry mob and met a tragic end.
"Get in!" Daniel shouted urgently as they reached the car, and Albert wasted no time in complying.
With Daniel at the wheel, they sped away from the chaos behind them.
As they drove, Daniel couldn't contain his surprise. "Where are we going now?" he asked, glancing at Albert for answers.
"Just keep driving, or take us to the police station," Albert replied tersely, his focus on the child in his arms.
"Why?" Daniel questioned, with confusion.
Albert explained, "We can't take her to Manila. We have to drop her off at the police station."
Daniel was taken aback. "You took the child? Why did you do that?" he asked incredulously.
Albert's gaze remained fixed ahead. "Come on, Daniel. You don't expect me to leave her there. You saw how angry those people are. They might kill her," he reasoned, his voice tinged with concern for the child's safety.
As Daniel continued to drive, Isabella's cries filled the air once more. Her tiny hand reached out into the air, her voice trembling as she called out, "Mama... Mama... where are you?"
Albert observed Isabella closely and noticed something concerning. "Seems this child is blind," he remarked to Daniel, who glanced at him through the rearview mirror, puzzled. "What do you mean?" Daniel questioned.
Albert gestured towards Isabella. "Look at her. I don't think she can see," he explained.
Daniel turned to look at Isabella and shook his head in disbelief. "How could a parent bring a blind child to the market?" he wondered aloud.
They arrived at the police station, they were met with a chaotic scene. Crowds of people clamored outside, demanding justice for their loved ones. "We want justice! Arrest the CEO of A&T Home Of Decor Company now!" some shouted, while others pleaded for information about missing family members. "My wife is still missing, please find her for me!"
Daniel voiced his concern to Albert. "Are you sure we can go in there with those angry people? They'll kill us," he worried.
Albert's gaze shifted to Isabella, still crying softly in his arms. "Then what about this child? What should we do?" he questioned.
Daniel hesitated before replying, "Just put her down. Her family might be among those people."
Albert considered Daniel's suggestion but couldn't shake his concern for Isabella's safety. "She's blind Daniel! And what if her family are dead?" he pondered aloud.
Daniel shrugged. "So? She'll have relatives since she's from this province. What are you thinking, Albert?" he pressed. "We need to leave this province now before those people notice us," Daniel stated firmly.
Albert exhale, "then let's go to Manila right now!"
Daniel's frustration boiled over. "No, Albert! This is not right! We're already in a mess; don't add to it! We can't take this child to Manila!" he objected vehemently.
Albert remained resolute. "No, we take her along," he insisted, unfazed by Daniel's protests.
Daniel's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you crazy, Albert? What if they accuse us of kidnapping? Do you want to ruine our image totally?" he exclaimed.
Albert brushed off Daniel's concerns. "Nobody can do that. I have the power and money to defend my name. Besides, we might take her to the police station in Manila and ask them to locate her relatives," he reasoned confidently.
Daniel's anger flared, and he shouted in frustration. "Can you listen to yourself Albert! This is a bad Idea! Just drop this child please."
Albert shot Daniel a warning glance. "Can you keep it down? Those people are looking at us. Don't draw their attention," he cautioned. "And if I drop this child here, it will only make matters worse. So, drive this damn car now, Daniel!"
With a deep breath, Daniel shook his head and started the car, the engine roaring to life as they sped away from the chaos outside the police station.