Rise Of The Living Dead

Chapter 4

Another Night

People often hope or wish that the world could change into something better. Into something that we feel comfortable with. They expected the world to become more kind, humane, and with a proper definition of equality. But no one expected it would be like this. That it would be this crazy. That's right. This world has changed into something scary, brutal...terrifying.

The street lights don't work anymore. No traffic and too less people. They couldn't see the ordinary anymore. No busy streets. But here comes the hungry zombies.

"How are we going to find them?" Ask Chloe. Nilingon siya ng nakatatandang kapatid. "Paano natin malalaman kung nasaan sila... o... kung buhay pa ba sila-"

"Shhh... Don't think like that. Buhay sila, okay? Dad wouldn't let Mom get hurt. I'm sure he's with her. We just have to believe it." Aniya sa kapatid. Pilit niyang pinalalakas ang loob para dito, para hindi ito mawalan ng pag-asa. Kahit siya takot. Kahit siya, naiisip rin ang bagay na 'yon dahil may posibilidad na baka nga... hindi na nila makita ang parents nila. But for them to move forward, they need to believe. They need to be brave and think they have made it. He doesn't want to asked himself those 'what if's.' Dahil panghihinaan lang din siya. At iyon ang ayaw niyang ipakita sa kapatid.

"He's right, Chloe." Wika ni Alexandra na humarap sa back seat para makita silang makapatid. "Your brother is strong and smart for such age. I know your dad's core is at it too. Even more than Chandler. They can make it."

Tumingin si Chandler kay Alexandra at nginitian lang ito. Sa tingin niyang 'yon ay nagpapasalamat siya sa dalaga sa pagpapagaan ng loob kay Chloe.

"Where did you learned that poise?" Si Jennifer naman ang sumagot.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're just... you can be scary at first sight but also can be trusted with those almond eyes."

Napangisi lang siya. Si Chloe rin ay napangiti sa tanong nila. That is a compliment. "Yan din ang sinabi ni Dad sa kanya dati. At first look, he's cold... steady. Then 15 minutes after you talked to him, he's the warmest person you'll ever met."

"I bet you're the school heartthrob or something." Pagkantyaw nila Jerome. Nagsitawanan lang sila.

"He is. But he's not interested in dating."

Walang komento don si Chandler. Nagtanong sila kung bakit pero ayaw niya na itong sagutin. They have to normalize that when someone doesn't want to date at the moment, no need to ask why. Because for some reason, it's obvious. They just have to think. Dating is easy to do but the actions, the sincerity, respect, and love — those are the investment for dating to become real. You don't just date for fun and leave that person because you just want the experience.

You date for marriage. For commitment.

Naging tahimik na muli ang byahe. Na-guilty tuloy siya dahil parang siya ang sumira ng mood. When he is about to bring a new topic, the car stopped. Nagtataka silang tumingin kay Jennifer na siyang taga-maneho.