ith Papa. I didn't want to risk getting infected and passing

o sweat profusely. I wasn't used to the oppressive darkness that enveloped the space. Our helpers must have evacua

s the walls and furniture, along with bullet holes punctuating the halls. My mind ra

ng through my closet, I grabbed two sets of loose and comfortable t-shirts and jogging pants for Caite and me. I also picke

urning to the car. I let Caite choose what she wanted to we

ng. However, we quickly found ourselves stuck in heavy t

tried to overtake as much as they could until they clogged all the roads with cars

eemed ready to demand us to get out of the car, but then she recognized me and exchanged a glance with her p

s," Vino snickered

at powerful. Might as we

*

s escorted us to the plaza just outside the district

buzz of chatter filled the air. The way it was jam-packed with people tells me th

ead crept into the highlands, would

e! V

ound at the sound of her voice. I seemed to los

afe!" she whispered as

be it was because it had been a while since she hugge

scratch you?" She broke away from

h made her cry even more. She look

him and grasped both his hands. "Thank you for

aved her," he replied shyly while po

ai

wide eyes in surprise. "Iha, I

en?" She embraced Caite warmly agai

o, tita." Caite shee

efore she gazed back up at the sky again, letting out a brief sigh. "You've grown so much, iha. I'm sorry

ore she was diagnosed with cancer. After that, their family kinda disappeared. It's on

Mama asked as she eyed our surround

before Caite replied, "

shared a flabb

not known. No wonder why our famil

now. I am truly s

ly nodded

ings... ho

rimo po. Our family fri

Caite's phone rang loudly in her hand. "Speaking of.

es," Mama

phone and noticed th

n back to her. "Why didn't you tell us that you

ent when I sh

mitted honestly. "I've

d her guts so much that I entirely ignored our kinship ever since she... y'know what? Never

w what is happening? Did th

ed gravely, "The mayor escaped before the bombing

ers earlier flashe

knew it

did h

's why everything's

the police spill so

ff; that's why they've been inspecting every corner of town since earlier today. They found many bo

pery

a perya dahil nagkaroon ng problema sa signal. Kail

ing a shirt with my mother's o

e pointing toward a group dressed similarly in white shirts gathered around a pickup

ed to protest when I took hold of her hands g

y. I found myself walking through the next block to distance myself from

y, Shae, and Britt but kept receivin

s of water, food supplies, and face masks-

the overwhelming stress. When I looked back at him again, he was h

k and tried c

aled is not available;

call button and

aled is not available;

ag

e times I could count, I could feel

scare

to reassure me. "We just need to inf

self again to go back to the plaza. Sudde

ghtness as a deep voice called o

ed with an inq

my vision adjusted; his handgun was aimed at us

im nervously as he holstered hi

shifting his gaze toward Vino

oe before pointing at us accusingly: "Sa inyo ba 'tong mga 'to?" He gestured to

Alam niyo bang kanina pa kayo

n Night Cirque when those explosions happened-Rina, Gabb

now you have far more important things to do

na sina Tri

iredly while massagi

Red Zone ka

lence enveloped us. "I just tugged him

his forehead again while heaving out a deep sigh. "O, siya! T

officers who had been watching u

" he called

htened up immediately upon hea

ese two

proached us and he

Perez and SPO2 Katindig, gather volunteers. We will be

oked back at him. For the last ti

structed us to head up to the second floor and listen carefully inside the co

step of the staircase. I could easily be mistaken

o the neatly dressed individuals sitting calmly with fresh appearances. The room was surrounded by polished mahog

met each of their gazes in return. They res

rounding us. "I know that the events of the past few hours have been frightening and overwh

rowd as a man whispered

aizu, my father's friend from the bottom city. He must be here

"We have contacted the officials in Woodpine Valley. They assu

rawing everyone's attention toward the officials of

ng," my father said. His gaze sweeping over the anxious faces in the crowd. "But please know t

ty from the crowd. "We will not rest until we find a sol

ether with your loved ones and follow the instructions of our officials. We w

units and non-government organization, which included my mom and a ma

arms, my mom encouraged them, "Please step

ers for search and rescue operations at the hospital. They needed t

but I shot him a look

lute. "We can't

e she was here. "That's why I'm leaving too. I n

he also mentioned she would catch a shut

k, Caite," Vino said ser

fe either," she retorted, finge

You only have yourself," Vino shot b

ugh!" I snapped, stepping between th

a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "You can't just thro

in her eyes. "I have to go. If everything goes back to normal..." She

erished without understanding why. But sure, Caite-the ever

smissively, which made me frown at h

t promise me you'll be safe." With that, she op

a!" Vino exclaimed

away. She stopped in her tracks and turned back one

ance. It looked like Chief Policarpio had already

my voice trembling slightly. "I'm so sorry for no

et pained. "We're just glad you're safe,

wed in concern. "Can you tell us wh

very detail without interruption. The cal

titude rather than anger. They didn't seem bothered by my deci

?" Mama started but hesitated

g the lump in my throat grow. "

brave," Papa finally

id and tap my shoulder.

I tried to close my eyes, the horrific images from earlier

o walk alone down

with medical knowledge at the only hospital in the Alatus district. Meanwhile, my parents were busy with their work-protectin

e screaming in pain from their injuries. The stress was evident on the faces of those tending to t

admit that their ghosts kept haunting me in my sleep. I may not hear their inaudible voices, but I could feel their rage.

ince they've been busy with the whole situation. Their families deserve to know the truth now. I do

The nauseous feeling drove me dizzy, urging me to gag. My enti

urse approached me. He attempted to

while pointing toward an

added reassuringly: "Okay lang po 'ya

cause of the people surrounding me. It was too hot

e nurse asked me again. I didn'

of mineral water, which I dr

ue her next question,

. Out of curiosity, I joined the cro

ng?" I asked so

their gaze and saw through a small gap between the people blocking my vie

when I sa

Trixie's ol

uth. It took only seconds when he stop

efore. He's going to turn just

s for the girl beside Tyler's deathbed, ran away from the scene in disbelie

a scalpel and stabbed hi

ood began seeping through t