The Beginning of The End

Chapter 11: Death Is Painful

Death is painful

My eyes are fixed on Pierce's huge hand on mine. Nakabuntot ako sa kanya habang papababa kami ng hagdan.

His hands were warm, rough, but it gives me a safe feeling. Napalunok ako nang tinignan ko ang malapad nyang likod. Pakiramdam ko'y sumasakit ang tiyan ko pero hindi ko maintindihan at hindi rin ako sigurado.

Nang tuluyan na kaming makababa ay lumingon sya sa akin. Our eyes met before his eyes went to my hand that he's holding. His mouth went agape for a second before he slowly let go of my hand.

He cleared his throat before his gaze fixed on me.

"Are you ready?" He asked in a cold tone.

Tumango lang ako. Lumingon ako sa itaas at nakita kong pababa na sina Aki at Millie kasunod nito ay ang kapatid ko. Mabilis na bumaba si Law at lumapit sa akin.

"Mag-iingat ka, Ate. I'll be waiting." He said before leaning for a hug.

I pouted my lip and hugged him tight before letting him go. Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Lory. She has a blank expression on her face. It was brief then she turn her back and went back inside the studio.

Nakaramdam ako ng lungkot dahil sa inasal nya. Millie bid goodbye to Kate and they hugged each other bago tuluyang bumaba si Millie. Of course, she'll be coming with us. There will be four of us this time.

Huminga ako ng malalim at pinakawalan ito. Fear started to creep in me but I chose to shake it away by making sure that my guns are on my body. May punyal at pamalo rin ako.

Sumunod kami kay Pierce. This time ay sa pinto na malapit sa hagdan kami dadaan. Not on where we entered but on the separate door that leads to a hallway. Kung makakalabas kami sa pinto na ito, wala ng magbubuklod sa amin sa labas pero kampante kami dahil hindi nila kami agad makikita sa hallway. I guess this door was really intended for the kitchen studio's occupants. This door is locked when we came in. Madali lang itong buksan mula sa loob.

Before we come back, they will cover it with something para hindi makita ng mga infected o tao, kung may mga tao pa man, sa labas na may mga tao dito sa loob.

Warm air kissed my skin the moment we stepped out. Agad na isinara ni Timo ang pinto nang makalabas na kami. Nagsimula ng bumigat ang paghinga ko at lumakas na rin ang tibok ng puso ko.

Maingat kaming naglakad sa hallway. Nauna si Pierce at Aki sa amin, sumilip muna sila sa dingding. Nilingon ko ang pinto na pinanggalingan namin. They're watching us but are slowly covering the glass with an old curtain so that they won't be seen inside.

I can hear low growls that made me slightly shiver.

Millie had already instructed the two on where we are supposed to go. Although Millie knows the way and can lead us straight to her home, Pierce would still be the first one on the line. Aki trusts him too.

Nang lumingon ako kay Millie ay nakita kong namumutla sya.

"Millie, just relax. Everything will be alright." I assured her.

Nagpakawala siya ng hininga bago tumango. "Thank you for this, Zori."

I smiled.

Lumapit na kami kina Pierce at Aki na nagmamasid sa paligid. Sumilip rin ako ng kaunti at nakitang ang mga infected ay hindi ganoong kalapit at nakatalikod rin sila sa amin. Nagkalasog-lasog na ang kanilang mga katawan, yung iba ay natuklap na ang mga mukha at buhok. Some are on the road, their limbs have already failed but they still growl.

"We will slowly walk towards that red car over there." Ani Pierce.

"W-Walk?" Si Millie.

Tinignan ko ang itinuro ni Pierce na sasakyan. Nakabukas na ito. Maybe it would still function. I hope the battery still works. It's a small car but it would be enough for me and my brother.