-CHAPTER 2-

JAKE: ESCAPE

MONDAY. FABIAN HIGH SCHOOL, MANILA. THREE HOURS LATER….

It is now ten o' clock in the morning. The 3 of us are still at the rooftop hoping that some help from above would arrive. I'm not talking about the Almighty God to save us from this mess. I expect helicopters but, all I can see are birds flying around probably laughing at our faces. I keep watch at the barricaded door in case "THEY" would get out. Clarisse has finally calmed down while Raymond was looking for something all over the rooftop.

"Hey guys! Let's go at the storeroom!" Raymond finally saw the storeroom that would put us to safety.

"I'll check first!" I went first to make sure "THEY" are not inside.

"Be careful!" Clarisse is worried at my act of bravery whatsoever.

I opened the door and entered the room. No sign of "THEM". At least that is not one of our worries.

"Nothing here! It's safe to get inside!" I told them while I look carefully.

"Alright! Clarisse, let's go!" Raymond called Clarisse.

"OK." She replied.

We go inside the storeroom. We calm ourselves first before we made our next move.

"Well, the good news is that there is no sign of THEM below the emergency exit." I said to them.

"What are we waiting for? Let's get out of here! I don't want to see those monsters!" Clarisse said.

"She's right! Is there something you need here?" Raymond asked me for a reason.

"I'll find something useful here first other than this axe." I told them as I started searching at the shelves. I found a gas operated nail gun at one of the shelves. "Here, use this for now." I gave my axe to Raymond. "Why are you giving me the axe?" He asked me. "That baseball bat won't work against THEM." I replied. "What are you going to do with the nail gun?" Clarisse asked.

"Can't you tell? I'm using this as a gun." I checked for extra nails and gas canister. I found only one canister and 2 clips of nails. This should be enough.

"Alright, I'm lock and loaded. Let's go!" We go outside the storeroom and headed our way to the emergency exit, knowing well "THEY" are everywhere in this school.

We checked the emergency exit one more time to see if there are any signs of "THEM" around. I went ahead first to see the area. "All clear." I told them. We lowered and go down the ladder. Suddenly, I hear the barricaded door opened. "THEY" have penetrated the barricaded door. I can say now that there is no turning back (or going up, I think). "SHIT! Hurry!" Raymond said. We go down as fast as we can so that "THEY" won't notice us. We thought that going down through the emergency exit is the best idea, actually it's WORST. What we see at the school grounds is 100% HELL! "THEY" are swarming all over the school. "Guys, run as fast as we can to the gymnasium." I told them. We ran like hell to the gymnasium. "THEY" followed us like an angry mob. We don't want to become the next happy meal for "THEM". I shot "THEM" at the head using the nail gun to buy some time. We entered and locked the door at the gymnasium. "Whew! That was close!" I said. "I didn't know that THEY will follow us in a group. Do THEY have a strong sense of smell?" Clarisse asked me. "THEY react to sound." I noticed it upon shooting one of "THEM".

"I'll use it sparingly from now on." I told Clarisse. A noise coming from the storage room startled us.

"Don't tell me! THEY were here before us, aren't they?" Clarisse started trembling in fear.

"I'll check it out! Raymond, stay with Clarisse." I said to them. I walked in the court carefully. There is no sign of dead bodies, even "THEM", scattered around the court. It was clean like it was never used. My heart starts to beat fast. Fear rushed in me as I was getting closer to the storage room. "JAKE!" Raymond shouted at me. "GAH!" I startled at his voice. "Dammit, dude! Don't scare me like that! What do you want?" I shouted at him. "Let's check it out together." Raymond told me. "Fine! Clarisse, stay sharp." I said to her. All of us approached the storage room cautiously. I knock the door but there is no response. "Alright at the count of three, Raymond, you open the door." I said to him. "Are you crazy? Don't be a hero!" Raymond said. "Look! I'm not playing G.I. Joe here. I'll be fine." I'm fully aware of what will happen next. Clarisse, however, firmly holds my arm.

"Don't worry. I'll be alright." I kissed her forehead to calm her down. She still didn't let go of my arm.

"Sheesh! What will I do to calm you down?" I asked Clarisse.

"Ummm…I want you to…"Clarisse shyly replies.

"To what?" I asked. The noise is heard again from the storage room.

"Just wait here." I told her. Clarisse releases my arm.

Raymond started to count "Ok here we go! 1…2…3!" He opened the door fast.

As I point my nail gun, something or someone jumped onto me fast and embraced me tightly. Clarisse started to attack this someone. "WAIT!" I stopped her as I recognize this someone. I looked at her and no doubt: it's Jessica Vasquez.

Jessica Vasquez is the most popular girl in our school. She won the Ms. Fabian High School beauty pageant when we were in 2nd year high school. She is the next in line captain of the cheerleading squad for the basketball varsity. She is the best friend of Clarisse and, yes, she is the one who dumped Raymond's courtship. She cries and trembles in fear just like Clarisse but, Jessica is very scared because she's not good at horror stuff. "Jessica, it's okay now. We're here." I said to her.

"B-B-B-But…I…I..." She embraced me tightly. She's still scared at what happened in the past 3 hours.

"O-O-Okay. But first, let go of me. I can't breathe anymore." She's crushing me like a wrestler using a bear hug. Raymond starts to get jealous.

"I said, let go of me!" Jessica starts to let me go.

"I-I'm sorry." She apologized. We're so happy that one of our classmates is still in the club of the not infected. I thought that only the 3 of us are the ones singing koom-bah-yah out of here but then again, the more the merrier. "By the way. Jessie, how did you end up here?" Clarisse started to ask Jessica.

"It happened all of a sudden. I was outside the clinic. I looked at the window and I saw…M-M-Mr. Nograles…he…he…started to bite Ms. Ancheso's neck and then…he started…to bite the nerd, Andy. And then…Ms. Ancheso suddenly woke up and…bites Mrs. Guevarra. I-I don't know why…or what…is happening here. Mr. Nograles…saw me…and…he is going to chase me but I ran as fast as I could to the gymnasium." Jessica can't explain it properly due to the trauma she experienced.

"Mr. Nograles? So…this massacre is somewhat related to the outbreak." Raymond concluded.

"Outbreak?" I asked him.

"I watched the news last Friday about a disease outbreak. Doctors still can't confirm what kind disease is this. My dad, also a doctor, thought it was Dengue Fever." Raymond said. "Clarisse, do you remember when Mang Igno was not around in Thursday?" Raymond started to ask Clarisse, still related to the "something strange" topic. "Yeah, I remember. Ms. Ancheso said that Mang Igno called in sick. What about it?" She asked. "W-Wait, wait! Are you telling me this "disease" you're talking about is related at what is happening outside? That's impossible!" Jessica interrupted.

"She's right." I agreed at Jessica. "If this is Dengue Fever, how can you explain the "rising up from the dead" part? Surely that was strange." I added.

"I didn't say THIS is Dengue Fever. Dad THOUGHT it was. Besides, I said it already that those doctors still can't identify or confirm this disease. Jake, YOU saw what happened to Mang Igno eating a student, right? And Clarisse, YOU saw him eating a cat yesterday, right? And Jessica, YOU saw Mr. Nograles bitted Ms. Ancheso, right? If this is Dengue Fever, THEY will not bite or eat the living because those are not manifestations of a person with Dengue!" A loud noise was heard at the gym doors causing Raymond's explanation got interrupted. "THEIR" hands are knocking the door loudly.

"We've talked too much already. We must find a way out of the gym." I told Raymond.

"There is a car park garage that can get us out of the school at that door." Raymond said, pointing the door at the right beside the storeroom where Jessica was hiding.

"A garage in the gymnasium? I didn't know that!" I was surprised.

"We use that to cut classes. Didn't you remember?" Raymond said.

"I thought that was only an old storehouse?" I asked Raymond.

"C'mon! Let's go! I can't stand this place!" Jessica starts to get scared again.

"Alright, let's go! Raymond, lead the way. I'll watch your backs." I said to them.

We enter the door beside the storeroom. The room we just entered used to be an old storehouse but, thanks to the budget hidden from our "good" teachers, this became a path that leads to the locker rooms, gym staff office and of course, our ticket to our escape, the car park garage. We locked the door and find anything to barricade the door to prevent "THEM" from breaking through the door. Sweat and tears from fears running through each of us. All 4 of us run as fast as we could. Clarisse and Jessica stop by first at the cheerleader's locker room door. "What's the matter?" I asked both of them.

"We can't run properly because of these long skirts! We need to change them." Jessica said.

"Look here. You don't need to change your outfits anymore because the club is disbanded PERMANENTLY. W-Wait! Are you going to cheer for us?" I asked Jessica with humor.

"We are only changing our skirts and NO, we're not cheering for you! Are you dumb or something?" Jessica pissed off easily. "Jess! Sorry, Jake. She's not in her good mood today. Just wait here, ok." Clarisse said. The two girls entered the room. From the way Jessica replied, now I know the reason why Raymond was dumped. I think that once you hit on the school idol, humiliation is guaranteed. Well, compared to Jessica, Clarisse is very approachable. Yeah, she may also be the school idol but, there is something about her that really makes me attracted to her when I was in second year. Speaking of attraction, when Clarisse found out I have a crush on her, she never stopped spreading the news all over our class that she is my future wife. That is what makes the two of us getting to know each other because of our classmates' teasing. I don't know if I'm happy or angry about it.

"Hey." Raymond starts to call me. "Yeah?" I replied while waiting for the girls.

"Do you like Clarisse?" He started to ask me about Clarisse.

"Well…yes…ever since 2nd year." I answered.

"How about right now, do you still like her?" He asked again.

"Yes, even now. Wait a second! Why did you ask that?" I answered.

Raymond puts a sigh on my answer. "I wish Jessica is like Clarisse. Ever since she won that pageant last year, she has changed. As if, she is very proud on herself or she became arrogant." He replied at my question.

"I can see that on her. Well, as for Clarisse, I'm comfortable when she's with me." I said to him.

"Pare, take it from me, you won't go anywhere from school idols." Raymond advised me.

"Pare, I know that but, at what's happening right now, they're not school idols anymore. They are now part of the "walking happy meal" club for THEM. Hahahaha!" I said to him jokingly.

"You're right! Hahahaha!" Raymond starts to laugh also.

Despite the horror at school, we still put a smile on our faces to ease out our fear and think positively. I still believe that there is a way to end this nightmare. I knock at their door to check up on the girls.

"Are you girls done now?" I asked them.

"Almost finished!" Clarisse replied. We wait again for another 5 minutes. While we wait for the girls, I checked the windows to make sure "THEY" won't enter from it. Lucky for us that "THEY" won't break through the window no matter how much "THEY" hit it using their hands. Looks like God is on our side from the beginning. The girls finally finished their change of clothes as they exited the locker room. They didn't change their blouse. The cheerleader skirts are similar to their school uniform but shorter, probably about 2 inches above the knee. Thigh meat exposed guaranteed. Raymond and I stared at them like crazy.

"Guys, stop staring! We have to go now!" Clarisse is getting shy.

"Ahhh…yeah…r-right." I was the first to be astonished at her real beauty.

"C'mon. Where is the exit from here?" Jessica asked.

"Calm down. We're almost there." Raymond said. Clarisse starts to cling at me again.

"Clarisse. Why are you clinging again to me?" I said to her.

"I don't want to lose you!" Clarisse said to me.

"Don't worry. We'll get out from this." I replied.

"This is not the time for the two of you to do your love-love business! LET'S GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" Jessica shouted at the two of us. The noise gets also louder. It seems that "THEY" are desperate to enter. Jessica started to get scared again. "RULE NO. 1: Keep your voice down." I say this to all of them. "THEY react to sound, right?" Clarisse said. "Yes." I replied. "OK. Let's get out of here. To the car park garage." Raymond says it with courage. Jessica starts to keep quiet.

All of us go on our way to the garage. I check first before going. 4 of "THEM" are in the garage. Raymond and I started to attack "THEM". I shoot one of "THEM" in the head using my nail gun. Raymond released his anger, for Jessica to dump him, by killing another one of "THEM" using the axe I gave to him. The girls are surprised at our "change" as they saw us enjoy the killing of "THEM". 2 of "THEM" remaining, one is going to attack the girls. Clarisse stabbed it, using the sharp tip of the mop, at the head. Jessica starts to shout but Clarisse pulled Jessica to a safe place. She joined the fight after pulling Jessica to safety. One of "THEM" remains; Raymond killed the last of "THEM". The car park is now safe from "THEM". "Well, that's finished!" I told both Raymond and Clarisse. "Hey. Are we supposed to drive one of these cars?" Clarisse asked.

"Hmmm. Jake, you're the only one that can drive a car amongst us. Can you do it for us?" Raymond said.

"Pare, I can drive but I only have a Student License. I don't have a Non-Pro License." I said to him.

"It's fine. Because of this chaos, the police are full of their hands at work. They won't even bother you or any criminals as long as you're not one of THEM." Raymond said.

"OK. I'll find the car keys at the guard office. Where is it anyway?" I asked.

"The guard office is right beside the car park exit." Raymond showed me the office.

I go to the office while Raymond, Clarisse and Jessica are waiting for me. Jessica saw a familiar figure facing the wall.

"Hey, guys! Isn't that Sir Jason?" Jessica pointed the figure.

"You're right. It is him." Clarisse said. Jessica was so happy to see Sir Jason. She called him from afar.

"Sir Jason! Sir Jason, over here!" Jessica starts to approach Sir Jason.

"Hey! Wait up!" Clarisse and Raymond followed her. Just as Jessica approaches Sir Jason, Raymond saw blood dripping on Sir Jason's left arm. He realized that Sir Jason is one of "THEM".

"SHIT! JESSICA, LOOK OUT!" Raymond went ahead of Jessica and stops Sir Jason by using the axe to hold off Sir Jason. Jessica was shocked at what she saw. "RAYMOND! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Jessica said. Clarisse pulled out Jessica again. "CLARISSE! NOT YOU TOO!" She said as Clarisse stops her from going near Sir Jason. "HE" started to hold Raymond's shoulders and takes him down on the floor.

"WHAT THE? His strength is so…GAH!" Raymond is fighting in full strength to prevent himself from getting bitten. "SIR JASON! PLEASE! PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!" Jessica is trying to put Sir Jason in his senses. Raymond is resisting Sir Jason with all of his strength.

"I found the keys…OH SHIT!" I saw at what's happening. I ran to them as fast as I could. I shot Sir Jason using the nail gun at the neck. Raymond got out from Sir Jason's grasp.

"NOW! HIT HIM!" I shouted at Raymond. "NO! DON'T!" Jessica is stopping Raymond by holding his arm. "HE" got up quick and going to attack us. Raymond pushed away Jessica and made the final blow at the head. "GRRAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Raymond continuously attacked Sir Jason until "HE" is not moving anymore. Raymond's action stopped as his hands are full of blood.

"Are you okay? Were you bitten?" I asked him.

"I'm fine…I'm fine…I'M FINE, GODDAMMIT!" Raymond is still trying to calm himself down.

"WHY? WHY DID YOU DO IT? ARE YOU REALLY OUT OF YOUR MIND?" Jessica starts to shout at Raymond.

"WHY DID I DO IT? YOU ALREADY SAW HIM TURNED INTO ONE OF THOSE…CREATURES! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO IS OUT OF YOUR MIND!" Raymond shouts back at Jessica.

"I…I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO HIM!" Jessica said at Raymond.

"YEAH, YEAH! Like sorry I killed your boyfriend! I killed him because you and Sir Jason are going out! Happy now? You think I'm stupid for not knowing the truth?" Raymond revealed the truth in which Clarisse and I didn't know about it.

"WHY? WHY ARE YOU ALL DOING THIS? I...I wanted our lives to be normal. What made you kill him? This…this is…I don't understand anything anymore! If he will turn into one of THEM, then I should have turn into one of THEM to join him!" Jessica said to all of us crying.

"I don't think he will like that." I replied.

"SHUT UP! DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! SO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!" I was offended at her reaction. Clarisse is more offended at Jessica's reaction. She approached Jessica and slapped her face with all of her might.

"W-W-WHY DID YOU SLAP ME? I THOUGHT YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND!" Jessica was shocked at what Clarisse did. "BEST FRIEND?" Clarisse reacted. "Sure, I'm your best friend! But, say that again to Jake, I will be your worst enemy! Don't you ever think for a second that this doesn't hurt us or we've done this on purpose. Jake and Raymond suffered more than enough than you do!" She added.

"But still…But still…" Jessica, even now, did not believe at what Raymond and I have done.

"FINE! Stay here! Going with us will only cause you problems. If you want to join him, I don't care! Raymond, Jake, let's GO!" Clarisse pulls my arm to the car leaving Jessica all alone. Raymond will try to comfort Jessica but, then again, he realizes that it won't help her. He also decides to leave her alone.

Jessica looked at Sir Jason's dead body one more time. She can't stand anymore at the sight. She finally decides at what she must do: to survive.

"W-WAIT! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!" Jessica starts to catch up and embraces Raymond's back. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean what I said so, please, let me come with you guys! I…I'm really grateful at what you did for me, Raymond. So, please, let's go together!" Jessica embraces Raymond tightly.

"Well, what do you think, Jake?" Clarisse asked me if she can join us.

"Ok…She can come with us. Raymond, stay with her." I told Raymond.

"You heard what he said. You may be grateful for what I did but, that doesn't mean I'll forget about what happened earlier. You should thank Jake and Clarisse for this." Raymond still won't forgive Jessica. Because of what happened in the past before this chaos, it will take time for Raymond to forgive her.

"I-I'm sorry." Jessica said to Raymond. "Enough! Let's go!" Raymond catches up at the car with Jessica.

The car key I found is for the SUV that uses an automatic transmission. Well, at least I don't have any difficulty driving. All four of us get into the car. "Now, what are we going to do next?" Clarisse asked.

"Of course! WE'RE GETTING THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" I revved up the car and stepped the gas pedal. The exit is far from us but "THEY" are in the way. "HANG ON TIGHT, GUYS!" I slammed the gas pedal and hit "THEM" out of the way. At last, we escaped the school. All of us are so happy that we got out of "THEM". The escape was a success but our battle for survival has just begun.