The Start of the Fall

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

IZELLE'S POINT OF VIEW

"How is her condition?" I asked my mother as soon as I enter the confinement room.

The room we are currently in is reserved for Lj. She is inside a cube made of thick glass for easy monitoring. Different wires and apparatuses are connected to her body.

The authorities agreed to give a special treatment for her since she might be the key to finding the cure for the virus. Given that she's responding well to the treatment we have given her.

"It hasn't changed much, but we've noticed some improvements. Mas bumabagal ang pagkalat ng virus sa tulong ng maliliit na dose ng antidote na ibinibigay namin sa kaniya kada oras," tugon ng aking ina ng hindi lumilingon sa akin. She's busy scribbling something on a piece of paper.

"Seems like her body is reacting well to the antidote," I said.

My gaze went back to Lj. She has been asleep ever since the incident. Despite being motionless, her face would contort from time to time showing signs that she's in pain. Her body is still pale and almost half of it has dark veins on it.

Our family and friends are not ready to see her in this state.

My mother shook her head. "We can't assure yet. May instances na bigla na lang bumibilis ang pagkalat ng virus at maya-maya ay bumabagal. We remain at the edge of our seats everytime we monitor her."

I put both my thumb and pointer finger under my chin as if I'm thinking. "I guess it would be better if we will give her a drug that will further boost her immune system. It might help her body fight off the pathogens," I suggested.

"I'll consult the others about your idea. Hindi tayo pwedeng basta-bastang magpasok ng panibagong kemikal sa kaniyang katawan dahil baka ma-overdose siya. It will just make the matters worse."

I nodded. "You have a point."

I sat down to silently watch my mother as she was doing her work. I sometimes lend a hand when she needs it.

This has been our set up for the past few days but it still amazes me by how dedicated she is to save my friend from death's grasp.

My mother has been working tirelessly after she was given a brief parole in exchange for her cooperation in creating the cure. I don't know what happened back then that made her this dedicated but this somehow helped her move on from her mistakes. She's been holding herself accountable for her mistakes by correcting it instead of imprisoning herself in regret.

We are all victims of the apocalypse after all.

"Nasaan ang anak ko?!"

Napatayo kami ng biglang magkagulo sa labas. We were wearing PPEs so we changed first into our normal clothes and sanitized ourselves before heading outside.

I thought it was another zombie attack but it was actually Lj's mother. I heard her name was Louisa. Hence, Lj's name stands for Louise Josephine, her real name.

Lj's family is in front of the confinement room including her aunt and her cousin Desirene who is with Zalder. Our other friends are nowhere to be found.

"Papasukin niyo ako! Gusto kong makita ang anak ko!" Mrs. Louisa is fuming in anger.

"I'm afraid that would be impossible, Ma'am. The patient is an infected, thus we cannot allow just anyone from visiting her. It is to prevent the virus from spreading," explained by one of the scientists responsible for monitoring Lj.