Stay Awake (ORIGINAL DRAFT)

Chapter Ten: The Perks of Being Awake

Chapter Ten: The Perks of Being Awake

I lose consciousness for a short while.

I know it's just for a second because when I woke up, nasa loob pa rin ng kotse yung mga kasama ko at hindi pa rin nakaka-recover sa nangyari.

"Everyone okay?" I ask them. Thankfully, walang nawalan ng malay sa kanila.

I step out of the vehicle slowly, my head throbbing. Tinulungan ko ring makalabas yung mga kasama ko. Their faces are white with shock, clearly scared out of their minds. Well, muntik na kaming mamatay so it's normal to feel that way, right?

Nang makalabas na kaming lahat sa kotse, sabay-sabay naming pinagmasdan yung wreckage.

The front of the convenience store is completely destroyed, as well as the rear of my 2017 Honda Pilot. There are bits of glasses scattered everywhere. If I hit the brakes a second too late, baka namatay na kaming lahat.

"Well, damn," Andre says, disappointed. "Wala na tayong gagamitin na kotse."

Holly gives him a glare. "Magpasalamat ka na lang dahil buhay ka pa rin."

Yes, I'm really thankful that I'm still alive. Pero nang mawala na yung initial shock at nag-sink in na sa utak ko kung ano talaga yung nangyari, one thought remains: lagot ako kay Dad. Isang buwan pa lang simula nang bilhin niya yung kotseng ito. I'm sure that when he wakes up, he will be so mad.

Bigla akong kinalabit ni Felicity. "Jared?"

Paglingon ko sa kanya, something warm drops from the top of my head down to my cheeks. I don't need to touch it to know what it is.

Nang makita ni Felicity yung mukha ko, biglang nanlaki yung mga mata niya. "Oh my God, Jared, You're bleeding."

I quickly fish out the handkerchief inside my pocket and use it to wipe the blood from my cheeks. Then I give Felicity a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me. I'm completely fine," I say.

Pero umiling lang siya at hinawakan yung chin ko. She tilts my head to the side, bringing her face closer to examine my wound. Agghh. Bakit biglang bumibilis yung tibok ng puso ko?

"We need to treat your wound," she says. Her face is so close to mine I can practically smell her minty breath. Not that I'm complaining, though. She looks at me straight in the eye, patting me on the cheeks lightly. Ugh. She's so damn beautiful.

Lumapit sa amin si Ian. "We're lucky because our car crashed in a convenience store," he says, looking around. "I'm sure there's some medical supplies lying around here."

Inilayo ni Felicity yung mukha niya sakin, and I almost sigh with disappointment. Mabuti na lang at biglang nagsalita si Holly.

"Let's find those medical supplies, then. Ang hapdi na ng sugat ko," reklamo niya while caressing her right hand. May gasgas ito sa bandang palad at mukhang natanggal din yung kuko ng thumb niya. Ouch.

Despite the damage that we've done at the front, the back of the convenience store is still pretty much intact, including the counter where a female cashier is currently sleeping. Nakita namin yung medical supplies sa likuran niya.

"Uhh... Guys? Do you think this is a good idea?" Andre asks, his face full of concern.

"What do you mean?" tanong ko.

Kinamot niya yung likod ng ulo niya. "Well... We're basically stealing," he says, giving emphasis on the last word. "Shouldn't we...you know, pay or something?"

Holly huffs. "The entire humanity is asleep, Andre. We're the only ones awake and we're trying to save this damn world. Siguro naman okay lang kung magkakaroon tayo ng certain....perks, right?"