-CHAPTER 3-

JAKE: CHAOS

It's 11 o' clock. I've been driving for 30 minutes. The road is too wide for us to drive. Clarisse and Jessica saw cars with bloodstains and corpses scattered all over the place. "THEY" feed themselves on these corpses and the corpses rises up becoming one of "THEM". The girls can't stand the scene. As for me, I realize that the world is slowly coming to its end just like what fortune tellers, psychics and "wannabe" psychics predicted in the future. The girls started to pray. Raymond joined them. I, however, did not pray with them. My mom told me that praying would save us from disasters but, for me, it's not working at this time. Why? I don't want to die waiting for salvation. I would rather follow my instincts to survive. Come to think of it, I haven't called my brother for the second time. I reached my phone and called him again. "THE NUMBER YOU HAVE DIALED IS OUT OF COVERAGE AREA…"

No response again. Dammit! This is getting irritating. Wait…now I know where we can stay.

"Guys! Let's go to my place. We can be safe in there." I told them.

"Really? At your house?" Clarisse asked.

"Yeah! That's a good idea!" Raymond said.

"So, where is your house?" Jessica asked.

"It's in Carlos Palanca Sr. near the Pasig River. It's just straight ahead from this road." I answered.

The three are so happy about my idea. "However, don't let you guard down! I cannot guarantee that the place will be safe forever." I advised them.

Traffic lights blinking all over the road, I didn't worry traffic rules being violated. Amidst the chaos created by "THEM", we saw some criminals and bystanders stealing the good stuff such as food, money and expensive items like laptops or jewelries that they can't afford from stores. I don't know if they are thanking "THEM" or not. But, then again, the goods they stole won't help them to survive; except for food, of course. Cars are also in the way, left behind by its owners. I have a feeling that it's the end of the road as I saw more cars piled up at the bridge. Police cars piled up at the other side of the bridge, creating a roadblock to prevent "THEM" breaking through. The police are also at the other side to protect the citizens. Well, for us, this is a sign that our luck ran out. We arrive at the city. Houses and stores are empty like a ghost town. I stopped driving and turn off the engine.

"Hey! Why did you stop?" Jessica asked.

"Guys, let's get off the car. We can walk from here." I told them.

"W-Wait! What if THEY attack?" Jessica was not sure about my decision.

"Look around you. There are cars blocking our way. Besides, we're almost there." I told her.

"Well, we can't stand here. There's no other choice. Jake, lead the way." Raymond agrees at my decision. "Why are you always agreeing with Jake all the time?" Jessica reacted. "Because of him, you're still alive. If you got any complaints, we're leaving you behind." Raymond said.

"N-No. It's not that I complain…" Jessica explained.

"THEN JUST SHUT UP AND START WALKING!" Raymond gets angry again.

"Ok. I'll walk. Geez, what's wrong with you?" Jessica complains again and never stops talking. I noticed that one of "THEM" starts to attack behind Jessica. I shoot it behind Jessica without warning. Jessica was startled at my sharpshooting skills and noticed that the zombie is dead right behind her. "HYAAAAAAHH!" She shouted in fear and ran quickly to us.

"I told you. RULE NO. 1: Keep your voice down." I told Jessica with a smirk, sarcastic smile.

"O-O-O-O-OK!" Jessica is still shaking in fear. Clarisse help Jessica get up.

"So what's rule no. 2?" Clarisse asked.

"Still thinking. C'mon, let's go." I'm still thinking the no. 2 rule while walking.

We walk for 2 minutes until; at last, we arrive at my home. There is nothing special at my house if you ask me. There is a gate that can prevent "THEM" from breaking in. Barb wires surround the top of the wall. Yep, my house is like a fortress. It really suits my brother's taste. I take out my house keys and open the gate door. We entered the gate and close it quickly. All of us were very exhausted from the school as we sit down at the sofa.

"Make yourselves at home, guys. If you want to watch TV, make sure don't put the volume too loud." I told them. "Hey, Jake! Can we use the bathroom?" Clarisse said as the girls decided to take a bath.

"Sure. Just a minute, let me get some of my mom's old clothes." I replied.

"Are you sure it's okay? I mean, those are your mom's clothes. Won't your mom get angry?" Clarisse is hesitant to use my mom's clothes. "My mom…is not with us anymore." I said to Clarisse.

"I-I'm sorry!" Clarisse apologized. "Anyway, it's better than being naked. The towels are in the bathroom." I told her.

"Can I use it first? I'll wash my face and hands only. I'll be quick." Raymond said.

"Ray, you can use the kitchen to wash." I told him.

"Oh, silly me. Hehehe." Raymond smiles at his mistake as he goes to the kitchen.

"Ok, we'll go take a bath. Please excuse us." The girls entered the bathroom.

I went to my parent's room and take out some of my mom's old clothes in order for the girls to use it. I have no problem lending or using my parent's clothes since I have no parents anymore. My dad ran away with another woman. My mom died from cancer when I started to enter high school. Only my brother acts as a father to me. We didn't give a damn about our father anymore as long as we brothers have each other. After I prepare the girls' clothes, I turn on the TV to check the news. The TV has no signal. Is this really the sign of the "end of the world"? I remove the cable at the back of the TV and switch it to antenna. Raymond finished washing himself and sits at the sofa.

"Hey, Raymond! Can you help me here?" I asked for his help. "Sure! What should I do?" Raymond said.

"Check the TV if there is a signal in any channel." I made him check the TV.

"Channel 2 has the strong signal even in cable. You don't need to switch to antenna." Raymond replied.

"Dammit! What's the use of this goddamn antenna?" I was irritated at my stupidity.

Raymond and I put back the cable at the TV. We switched it to Channel 2. The regular programming has been changed to a live special news coverage regarding the riots and chaos happening at the NCR and its surrounding areas. Both of us are very freaked out. We continued to watch.

It says: …NCR, mainly in Manila, is declared under state of calamity by the President. It was declared after DOH stated that the disease spread all over the NCR and its surrounding areas. The areas affected are: Quezon City, Caloocan City, Navotas City, and some areas of Marikina City. These affected areas are under quarantine by the DOH. Civilians from these affected areas are not permitted to go out in order not to spread the disease. Experts from DOH still can't identify what kind of disease is this but, DOH promised that they will give information to the press once they confirm the epidemiology of this disease….Wait! This just in! It seems that Makati City is also affected by the disease…..What?...Are you sure about this?...OK! This just in again! Regarding the riots in Manila, this is not involved rebels against the government or party list activists. What you about to hear are very disturbing; these "people" are eating the living while those who die rises up and doing the same…..I can't believe this! Stay tuned for updates regarding these "riots". We'll be back after some commercials.

Both of us really freaked out about the news. It seems that Raymond's "something strange" topic has become "something worst" that even the government cannot handle.

"Hey, let's change the channel at World News Channel maybe." Raymond suggested.

I switch the channel at the World News Channel. Nothing appeared.

"We can only count on Channel 2 perhaps." I told Raymond.

I switched it again to Channel 2. Perfect timing, the news has resumed.

It says: Welcome back to our special coverage. During the commercial, we received a lot of reports regarding the riots, the quarantine, and the areas added to the quarantine. First, the areas before the North Luzon Expressway boundary are included in the quarantine list. Same also affected before the South Luzon Expressway boundary. This means that the areas outside the expressway are blocked off both by the military and the air force in order to prevent infection spread. The military is holding off all people including our correspondent, Nikki Vias. She has a live report regarding the situation in NLEX. Nikki, please come in…..

The live news in the area appeared on the screen:

Nikki: We are here live at the North Luzon Expressway entrance. The tension between the military and the passengers gets higher after the order has given out to the military that no one will be permitted to get pass the NLEX. The military not just surrounded the NLEX entrance, they also blocked off alternate routes and shortcuts. Passengers are getting angry at the situation. Behind me are different party lists are making a rally regarding the…..

Man: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

The cameraman pointed the camera at the scene. A man was bitten at his neck by another man. Panic has caused the rally into a stampede. A soldier shoots the man who was turned into one of "THEM" at the head using his M16 rifle in semi-auto mode. The news team is freaked out at what they saw. The soldier called paramedics for treatment of the man. One soldier, however, stops the paramedic.

Soldier: Don't do it. He won't live that long.

Paramedic: But, Sergeant! He's wounded! We can't….

Sergeant: Choose. Save him or save yourself? You know what happened to Roy when we're in Caloocan.

Paramedic: But still he's alive.

Sergeant: Alive, yes! Human, no!

The man bitten rises up and becomes one of "THEM". It's getting closer to the paramedic. The Sergeant shoots the head of the zombie using his handgun. The camera is still rolling.

Nikki: Tonnio, did you get that?

Cameraman: Yes, ma'am.

The news scene goes back into the studio: We are cutting off temporarily the live report of Nikki Vias live at the NLEX due to scenes not suitable for other ages. Meanwhile, Eric Taberna has a live report from Marikina City. Eric, please come in….

The live news, this time in Marikina, appeared on the screen:

Eric: Is the camera on? IS THE CAMERA ON? SHOW IT TO ME QUICKLY, NOW! OK, I'm reporting here live at the rooftop of a condominium. Things are not good here in Marikina. The city is completely in chaos. You can see at my left some houses and cars are on fire. This is due to the riots happened about four hours ago. Terrorists, rebels nor soldiers are responsible for this chaos. I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES! These creatures, zombies or whatever you want to call them, they are attacking those who are running for their lives and…and…Oh my God!...they…they bite and chew their victim's necks, the guts were eaten…and…and those who die rises up doing the same to others! This so called "disease" claims men, women, the children and the elderly becoming one of those…those…things! We haven't got the doctors thoughts regarding this disease so we have no idea where it really came from. I don't know what will happen to us and the rest of the survivors here in Marikina. I don't know when we will be safe from here either. If I were you, do not go here in Marikina to pick your relatives up! All roads, buildings including where we stand right now is barricaded! Communications here are cut off so you can't contact them by cell phone or telephone! Electricity is also a problem. I don't know when this live feed will last. All I advice to all of the people who are watching now is don't go out from your houses. If you see suspicious people, don't approach them. If they see you, either run like hell or...

The live news on Marikina was cut off. It goes back into the studio: Eric? Eric? We just lost our communication from Eric Taberna. It's what he said…these creatures…are responsible for the riots around Marikina City and probably also other areas…Let's just pray for their safety…We'll be back after commercial breaks.

I stand up from the sofa while Raymond is still watching. "Hey! Where are you going?" Raymond asked. "I'll check on the girls and I'll prepare for our lunch." I told him. "Okay." Raymond said. I brought the change of clothes for the girls. I knock the door to check up on them. "Are you done? I'll leave your change of clothes here." I said to the girls. "Almost done! Just leave it at the door. Thanks!" Clarisse replied. There was a table near the bathroom. I put the clothes at the top. I went to the kitchen to start preparing our lunch. I look into the food cabinet and take out 1 Corned Beef canned food. I also check the refrigerator if there are leftovers yesterday. Well, the leftover is the Chicken Adobo that my brother cooked. I started first to cook the rice by measuring it enough for the four of us. We don't have any rice cooker so I cook it in a pot. I get some garlic and onion and chopped it to sauté it for the corned beef. While I work on the kitchen, someone puts a hand on my shoulder. I reacted quickly using my knife, thinking that "THEY" will get me. I grabbed the hand and faced behind. It was only Clarisse, finished taking a bath.

"PHEW!...Clarisse! Don't scare me like that! I almost killed you!" I told Clarisse.

"You're the one who scared me! Calm down!" Clarisse is trying to ease my tension.

"I told you that if you need anything, just ask." I resumed my work.

Clarisse suddenly embraced me from behind. "Now what?" I asked her.

I felt from her arms that she is shaking in fear. I stopped first my work.

I embraced her in order to comfort her. I'm not really good at romance stuff, but with Clarisse I'll learn how to love. "Sorry, Clarisse. Did I scare you?" I caress her beautiful, long hair to calm her.

"No. I want to calm myself down. I still remember what happened at school." Clarisse answered.

"Oh, yeah. About what you said at the gym, what do you want me to do to calm you down?" I asked her about her request at the gym. "Embrace me tightly." Clarisse said.

"I already kissed you at the forehead. Is that not enough?" I asked her though she is still not satisfied.

"But, it's not enough. I'm still…scared." Clarisse can't forget the horror at the school. Well, a girl is a girl.

I embraced her tightly and kissed her soft, warm lips. Clarisse answered back my kiss and closed her eyes as I passionately kiss and hold her like a very delicate doll. We stopped kissing after a minute.

"Wow! You're so…quick. I said embrace me tightly." Clarisse said smilingly after we kissed.

"Well, you're persistent." I replied.

"I told you. I'll be your girl. I'll…do anything to be with you." Clarisse said with gentle eyes staring at me.

"When did you start falling madly in love to me?" I asked her.

"When we were in 2nd year until now. I overheard what you and Raymond talked about." Clarisse said.

"Hey. Eavesdropping is bad, you know. But, compared to you, I'm nothing." I told her.

"What do you mean?" Clarisse asked about this "nothing" I'm talking about.

"Well, you're beautiful and born from a rich family just like Jessica. What will you gain from someone like me? I mean, you can just date any cool guys at school. Comparing to me, I'm no athlete just like Mario and Raymond, and I'm not rich just like you and Jessica. Why still you chose me?" I asked her despite of all the comparisons in order to hear her reason.

"I don't need a reason. Girls like guys who are brave enough to risk their lives just like you did. When we were in 2nd year, I remember that you singlehandedly take down Mario and his friends without any help. I also remember that you defended me against other girls who are trying to bully me around. For me, you're my knight in shining armor. So that's why…I…fall in love to you." Clarisse finally said the truth.

"I…uhhh…umm." I was speechless at what she said. Clarisse smells the rice cooking.

"Ah! Are you cooking? I'll do it instead. So, just relax. It's the only way for me to make it up for the things you did for us." Clarisse volunteered for the cooking.

"Are you sure?" I asked her.

"I'm an excellent cook you know! Just watch the news, ok." Clarisse said and gives me a quick kiss at the lips before she continues the cooking.

"Ok, just call me if you need anything." I said.

"Ok." Clarisse smilingly replied.

As I go back to the sofa to watch the TV, I saw Raymond and Jessica still not talking to each other. I say, some things never change even in this chaos. I continue to watch the TV. The news is still about the chaos. This time the live news is in the bridge near the Pasig River, the one which was blocked off by police cars on the other side of the bridge.

The live news says:

Annette: This is Annette Reyes live near the Pasig River. Police authorities have blocked the bridge in order to prevent entry of those who were affected by the killer disease. Police are doing what they can to protect the citizenry even though they have difficulty of decreased manpower. The PNP has already dispatched almost all of their men from different precincts, even from Camp Crame. Citizens here in Pasig are also complaining regarding their families still trapped at the other side of the bridge. At my right, a prayer rally is on going. According to one to the participants, the purpose of this prayer rally is for this chaos to end. They believe that the end of the world is here just as predicted in the holy bible. Meanwhile, the police are still on patrol and waiting for the official orders from the PNP Chief whether the priority is the evacuation of the citizens or remaining to hold their position. Back to you, Tony…

The news is back into the studio. From the looks of it, things are also going bad. It says:

Tony: Thanks, Annette. I just received an advisory from DOH. It seems that this "disease" has spread all over NCR. Regarding the quarantine, DOH has advised that…..

A noise was heard at the studio. The news caster stopped.

Tony: What's going on?...I SAID WHAT'S GOING ON?

One staff approaches the news caster and whispers at his ear. The news caster is shocked at what the staff said.

Tony: Viewers, this is our last broadcast. It seems that those creatures have penetrated this station. We advise that whoever is out there please, you must fight for your lives, pray for your safety, and do whatever it takes to escape from this nightmare. May all of you take care of each other…This is Tony Nodalos saying thank you and good luck….

The news was cut off permanently.

"This is not good anymore!" I was shocked as I turn off the TV. "Yeah, all of the network stations are infested by THEM. What's the use of the police if they are focused on just following orders? It's up to us to fight for our own survival." Raymond said. "Say, can I borrow your telephone or cellphone? I'm going to call my parents to check if they're alright." Jessica asked. "The phone is beside the sofa. I'll check on Clarisse at the kitchen." I told Jessica. "I'll check the window to see if THEY are outside." Raymond said. "Ok." I replied. I check the clock, it's now five minutes past 12 o'clock. I went into the kitchen. Clarisse is done cooking the food.

"Oh, the rice is almost done."Clarisse asked.

I looked at what she cooked. The corned beef has sliced tomatoes on it. The Adobo is heated but cooked in butter.

"Wow! You really are a good cook." I said to her as I smell the good aroma of the food.

"Thanks! So, do you want to eat now?" Clarisse asked.

"We'll eat at the sofa. That way, Raymond and I will keep an eye at the window. I'll help you bring the food at the table." I said to Clarisse. We brought the food and water to the sofa. Raymond still looks at the window. Jessica still calls her parents via telephone.

"Guys, eat up." Clarisse called them. Raymond joins the table. Jessica stops calling and also joins the table. All of us are enjoying eating our lunch as if nothing happened. After eating our lunch, I checked the clock. It is now quarter to 1 o' clock. Clarisse arranges the plates. Raymond continues to observe at the window. Jessica calls her parents. As for me, I'm preparing myself to be ready for the worst. There is no news broadcast at the TV. Proof enough to see that the end of the world is here. By the way, aside from us, are there also survivors at the school? I wish that they also made it out alive.

This is the end of the first plot for Jake's scenario. As for the next chapter, I will introduce another character. Please enjoy! And thanks for the comments. I'll do whatever I can to give more action and more drama. Take care! ;-)