Z Apocalypse: UNTIL WE SURRENDER

SURVIVAL † 2

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II: FLESH

My eyes were settled on the soccer field thinking about our flight later. I am with my friends here at the University. At dahil break time, sa isang bench na malapit lang sa soccer field kami nag merienda.

Micha gave me an hour to say goodbye to my friends and here I am, still waiting for the right time to open that topic to them. Elaine is smiling widely, ogling at her soccer player crushes while Arian is busy talking with her sister on her phone. Maisip ko lang na sabihin sa kanila ang tungkol sa pag-alis ko ay kinakabahan na ako. These two are my companions and partners in crime making it difficult for me to leave them.

Leaving this country means never going back. Makakausap ko parin naman sila through online pero dahil sa magkaibang oras na meron kami ay mahirap. Mahirap makahanap ng libreng oras. I would understand them if they will feel upset and hurt by my sudden news but I need to. I need to talk to them and properly say my goodbye especially now that the time is running.

Ilang minuto na lang at siguradong babalikan na ako ni Micha upang pilitin na umalis na. She just dropped me here before driving to her friends house to say goodbye.

I blink twice when Elaine tapped my shoulder. Hindi ko napansin na sobrang lalim na pala ng iniisip ko. I almost forgot that I am sitting beside them.

"You ok Belle?" Nag-aalala na tanong ni Elaine.

I gave her a sweet reassuring smile and sighed. I think this is already the right time that I should talk to them and there's no turning back.

"Actually I-" A shriek stopped me from talking.

Mabilis na napatingin kami ni Elaine sa kay Arian. Her face is screaming with a shock and fear while looking at her phone.

"Arian what is that? What happened?" Elaine holds Arian's shoulder.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay nito habang tulalang nakatitig sa phone niya. Mabilis kong inagaw ang cellphone para malaman kung ano ang dahilan sa takot at gulat ni Arian.

I just saw an end call from her sister. Is she somewhat shocked by their conversation?

"Arian, what happened?"

Arian suddenly burst in tears making both Elaine and I become stiff. Mabilis siyang niyakap ni Elaine habang ako naman ay lumuhod sa harap niya.

"Hindi. H-hindi totoo yung n-nakita ko Belle."

I hold both of her hands and worriedly look at her. Arian is a half Filipino that's why she's mostly comfortable around me. Elaine on the other hand is a hundred percent Australian who only understands some basic tagalog words that we have taught her.

"No? What's, no?" Elaine asked, confused.

Patuloy pa rin ang daloy ng mga luha ni Arian kaya pinunasan ko ito gamit ang dala kong panyo.

"Anong nangyari Arian? Please tell us."

Arian breathed in and out to calm herself before she spoke. "Nag uusap k-kami ni ate sa v-video call. She's walking towards a b-bench to take a s-sit when a person behind her was suddenly a-attacked by someone. T-the person stumbled down a-and that someone w-who attacked bite the person's shoulder then r-ripped the flesh out. Tutulong sana si a-ate nang biglang may tumalon na tao sa kanya. I-I could hear my sister's scream and groan from pain when that person b-b-bite her f-face. I-I saw how the w-woman continued on attacking my sister l-like a carnivore until I couldn't r-recognize my ate's face anymore. Her f-face is wreak and B-blood is a-a-all over."

Shocked and confused. That's how me and Elaine feel hearing what Arian said.

"I-I see how m-my sister closed h-her eyes after the call went out. B-Belle I am confused and scared as hell now! Hindi ko alam kung ano ang g-gagawin. That's just a j-joke r-right? A-ate is just p-playing r-right?"