-CHAPTER 4-

MISHA: DECLARATION

MONDAY. FABIAN HIGH SCHOOL, DURING JAKE'S ESCAPE…..

My name is Misha Elaine Salvador. I'm 4th year high school and Fabian High School's Student Council President. Judging from what is happening at school, this is not what is supposed to be a normal everyday life for us high school students. My classmates and teachers, one by one, are turning into zombies or the walking dead. Before this "massacre" happened, I watched the news last Thursday regarding an outbreak of some unknown hemorrhagic disease that causes death in the cities of NCR and other surrounding areas. On Friday, news about a bizarre murder incident happened somewhere in Manila was on the headlines. On Saturday, the disease has reached its number of fatalities from tens to hundreds. On Sunday, the number increases from hundreds to thousands. Different hospitals were experiencing the same cases of this disease and, at the same day, murder incidents increased rapidly.

Now, this murder incident turns into a massacre here at school and riots which causes chaos here in the city. I equipped myself with a steel pipe which I found lying around the student council office. The pipe is good enough to fit at my grip and at my Kali martial arts. I already killed 4 of these zombies by hitting them at the head. These 4 zombies were used to be my classmates at my section. Now, their souls rest in peace. Oh, yes. Where am I right now? I'm at the cafeteria along with the other survivors.

"Are you hungry? Here, have some bar cake." A tall, handsome man gave me his snack.

"Thanks, Paolo! You're such a sweetie." I thanked him.

His name is Paolo Buenaventura, also in 4th year. He is my boyfriend and captain of the basketball varsity club. We're in this relationship for 2 years. My parents and his parents were in good terms in business so our relationship is arranged. I love him not because my parents want me to. I love him ever since childhood. He also practices Kali since we trained together under the same master; his own father. I checked the time at my wristwatch; it is now 10:05am.

"What's the situation outside?" I asked Paolo while I'm opening the snack he gave to me.

"Not good, we can't get out from the main gate with those monsters around." Paolo said while opening the bottled water.

"How about the gymnasium? I know that there is a parking garage in that area." I said.

"There is, but, those monsters are everywhere. Even if we go outside from the right entrance, we'll end up getting killed." Paolo replied.

A girl came to talk to me while Paolo and I are still talking.

"Umm, Ate Misha? Can I interrupt for a while?" The girls asked me for some time.

"Sure, Nina. What is it?" I asked.

She is Nina Andrea Hoshikawa. She is a half Japanese half Filipino. She is a master of Soujutsu (spear fighting). She is a 3rd year and the Student Council Vice President. She told me the situation about the concerns of the survivors. A total of 15 students from all year levels, including us, managed to survive. Mr. Santiago, our Religion teacher is the only person in this messed up school managed to survive. He told all the students to pray hard so that this chaos ends. He believed that this is "divine punishment" to all of the sinners of the world. For me, however, he is convincing us that they must not accept this "reality".

"Mr. Santiago is inviting us to join his prayer vigil." Nina said.

"*sigh*…What's the matter with them? Can't they just fight instead of praying? This is not like in the horror movies! They're not even ghosts!" Paolo irritatingly replied.

"Praying calms their mind and soul. But, that doesn't mean it will be effective in this situation." I agreed at what Paolo said.

"S-So that means…you're not joining the vigil?" Nina asked me.

"Fine, I'll join. How about you, Paolo?" I asked Paolo if he will join.

"I'll pass. I'll keep a close eye on things here." Paolo said.

"Love, join me please? I don't like Mr. Santiago. I think he is going to use these students by using this prayer vigil to organize his own cult. He will use me in this also. Do you like that?" I told Paolo.

"OVER MY DEAD BODY! He'll pass through me first!" Paolo replied.

"Are you joining as well, Kuya Paolo?" Nina blushed.

"Isn't it obvious? Of course I'm joining! I'll put my foot on his ass if he lays a finger on my darling!" Paolo is all fired up.

"Ok, let's go. Calm down now, love." I said.

The 3 of us went to the center isle where the prayer vigil is held. Almost all prayers were recited by the students. Mr. Santiago leads the prayer vigil. He paused praying when we arrive.

"Oh, look everyone! Our president has just arrived. Will you lead the prayer vigil for us? I'm sure these poor students need your help to end this chaos." He arrogantly told me.

"No, thank you. Please continue your prayers." I told him clenching my hands to calm down.

"*sigh*…What a pity. If you don't join us, you'll end up becoming ill just like that student at the corner. He doesn't believe in God so look at what happened to him." He said while pointing the student at the corner.

I noticed a student was very sick. There is a paper sticking at his head inscribed as DEFILED. One 4th year student stands up and he is going to bully the sick student.

"Hah! Serves you right for standing out! You better know your place!" The bully said.

"Enough already! He's sick!" Paolo said.

"What's your problem? Are you going to stick up to this loser?" The bully starts to pick a fight.

"He didn't do anything bad at you." Paolo defends the sick student.

"What you say? That's it! I'll teach you a lesson for messing with me!" They bully said as he approaches Paolo. Before the bully attacks, Paolo gives a straight right punch at the face causing the bully to lights out. All of them were shocked at what they saw.

"Hmph! Maybe you're the one who'll know your place now!" Paolo was relieved in teaching the bully a lesson.

"Buenaventura! You're making a bad example for these students! Shouldn't you be a role model for your lower years?" Mr. Santiago starts to call upon Paolo.

"Sorry, Mr. Santiago! But, I'm not interested at joining your "prayer" bullshit or whatsoever!" Paolo replied harshly to Mr. Santiago.

"How dare you say that! Haven't you learned some good manners from your parents? You're a very bad student!" Mr. Santiago said.

"How about this student you labeled as DEFILED? Is that the "good manners" you are teaching to these students? I saw some of these "poor" students of yours beating him up after school! Don't you dare say that he deserves it!" Paolo said furiously.

"What did you say? I'm your teacher! You have no right to say that!" Mr. Santiago replied.

"ENOUGH ALREADY!" I shouted with full volume loud enough to cause a commotion outside. Those zombies reacted to the sound I created. The labeled student starts to cough.

"Are you okay?" I approach and asked him.

"Don't…*cough*…worry about…*cough* *cough*…me. You…should…*cough* *cough*…save…yourselves." The sick student said.

"Rest now." I told him.

"Dammit!" Paolo clenched his fists.

"Paolo, calm down. I know that you are concerned about him but, arguing won't help at this time." I said to Paolo.

"You're right. Sorry." Paolo apologized.

"Mr. Santiago. We're not here to join your prayer vigil. I just want to say that from this day, I'm no longer the SC president. Paolo, Nina and I decided to leave the cafeteria and go on our own ways to survive. Thank you for your guidance." I said to Mr. Santiago.

"Resigning? You can't! Remember that I'm your teacher! I won't allow you three to put yourselves in danger. Salvador, these students need your leadership for them to endure these hard times. Are you going to leave them alone?" Mr. Santiago refuses to let us out.

"That is for them to decide! If they are what you called "talented", shouldn't they use those talents for them to survive? Besides, our normal life is dead already. We're not here for some Holy Crusade every October. We already decided to leave, while they decided to stay with you." Paolo decided to leave.

"Hmph! I'm still your teacher! And I say, you three will stay here whether you like it or not!" Mr. Santiago still refuses.

The sick student suddenly vomited lots of blood. Blood also flow from his eyes. His coughing continuously worsens. This is a sign that he is dying. "S…s…stay…*cough* *cough*…away…from…*cough* *cough*…me…GUAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" The sick student vomited blood again, underwent seizure, and died. All of us were shocked at what happened.

"DAMMIT!" Paolo, however, gets a frying pan from the kitchen because he already knew what will happen to the student. Mr. Santiago approaches the student putting an example for his preach.

"See? This is what happens if you did not believe in God!" Mr. Santiago said.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET OUT FROM THERE!" Paolo said to Mr. Santiago upon his quick return.

The student suddenly grabs and bites Mr. Santiago's right leg. "GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Mr. Santiago screamed in pain. The remaining students panicked as the student continues to chew on the meat of Mr. Santiago's leg. "AAAAHHHHH! GET AWAY FROM ME!" Mr. Santiago pushes out the undead student.

Paolo rushed to Mr. Santiago and hits the student's head using the frying pan. The impact caused the head to splatter and drop blood, brain meat, eyes and teeth. The undead student drops down dead permanently. The girls screamed and started to cry. Some boys started to vomit because of the gruesome scene.

"AAHHH! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! BLOOD IS GUSHING OUT! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!" Mr. Santiago panicked like a terrified child. I can't believe at what I saw at Mr. Santiago.

"Quick! I need a cloth or a handkerchief!" I asked one of the students.

Nina gave me her handkerchief. Some of the students gave me theirs. I used the handkerchiefs to wrap the wound of Mr. Santiago.

"Th-th-thank you, Salvador." Mr. Santiago thanked me.

"Don't get the wrong idea." I said.

"W-what do you mean by that!" Mr. Santiago asked.

"Since you were bitten by that student, it won't be long that you will also turn into those monsters. You believe that this is divine punishment but, for me, this is your karma. Instead of leading us for our escape, you waste your time leading this vigil and blaming your heretics or atheists. Now that you have been bitten, you're time is running out. I'm doing you a favor; whether to die like a man or die becoming one of these monsters. Choose wisely." I said to him directly.

Mr. Santiago begs for his life. "W-w-wait! Please, help me! You're the president of the student council! You should…"

"I told you, I resigned myself as the president. There is no Student Council anymore. I had enough of your schemes either. If you want to survive, do it on your own. That is what adults do." I interrupted.

The students were shocked at my response, or should I say my resolve. Nina gets a floor brush near the vending machine, preparing herself for the worse. Paolo starts to grip the frying pan tightly, waiting to hit Mr. Santiago if he turns into a zombie.

"W-w-w-wait! Let's t-t-talk about this! I-I apologize if I offended your decision to leave. If you want to leave, you're free to go. Just please save me!" Mr. Santiago is desperate for my help.

"You're the teacher. Why are you seeking help from me? Why don't you seek help from your "disciples"? Even though you seek help from either one of us, we're just high school students that you can manipulate." I answered.

"W-W-WHY YOU….GUH. GUAAHH!" Mr. Santiago started to vomit blood.

The students started to get scared again. Nina removes the pole stick from the brush; she will use it as a spear. "Hey! Can't you do something about this? You'll be expelled if you kill a teacher!" One student reacted. "And become one of these monsters? Go ahead and tell this to the principal, if he is still alive that is." Paolo answered. "HEY! What do you know about this? I just want to go home! Don't get us involved here! I'll tell my dad about this! He is a congressman!" A pretentious 4th year student suddenly asked. "What do we know? WHAT DO WE KNOW? ALL WE KNOW IS THAT WE ARE FIGHTING OUR ASSES OFF AGAINST THESE MONSTERS! IF YOU WANT TO GO HOME, JUST GO HOME! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN IF YOU ARE A CHILD OF SOME SHITTY POLITICIAN, YOU BIG SPOILED STUPID PIECE OF SHIT!" Paolo shouted at the pretentious student that caused all of the students to shut up.

Mr. Santiago, continuously coughing blood, started to think this was a dream. "This…this can't be *cough* cough* happening! This is only a dream! *cough* *cough* Yes…Just a *cough* *cough* dream!"

I agree at what Mr. Santiago said but, for me, this is a real nightmare. I can't lose hope. I must…no, we WILL survive. Not to escape from school but, to find a safe place.

Paolo approaches and asked Mr. Santiago. "So, have you made up your mind?"

"N-n-no! No! No, no, NO! Th-th-this is…this is just a dream! This is just a dream! THIS IS JUST A FUCKIN' DREAM! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YES! THIS IS JUST A DRE-GUAAAAHHHHH!" Mr. Santiago went insane first before vomiting blood, going unto seizure and dies. The same fate he went like the sick student. Paolo knows what to do as the students are backing away at the now dead Mr. Santiago.

"This is not happening!" Nina said, grasping her stick tightly. Mr. Santiago rises up as he now turns into one of "THEM".

"Yeah, this is insane. But…IT'S ALL REAL!" Paolo replied and hits Mr. Santiago's head using the frying pan, putting him to his demise.

The students screamed at the scene. Nina saw the undead trying to break into the entrance door and windows. I started to hold my steel pipe and stand at the table to declare my speech.

"Everyone! If all of you want to survive, I suggest that you equip yourselves with all you can find that suits as a weapon. We have to clear a path to our escape! We must fight from now on! Those who can't fight, it is the same as accepting to become those monsters without a fight! We need all help we can get! So, STAND UP AND FIGHT!" I announced it with all of my authority as the former president. Some students didn't show hesitation as they look for their own weapons such as knives, pipes, sticks and broken mirror shards. Nina put a knife at her stick by taping it tightly. Paolo whisks off some blood out the frying pan. Indeed, the battle for our survival starts. Divine punishment or "outbreak", I declare that this school is now a warzone.