After a few minutes of walking, I found myself in front of a luxury brand boutique. May ilang infected sa loob, but I easily lured them outside. I also closed the glass door to prevent them from going back in.
They weren't a threat to me anymore, but their horrible appearance, awful smell, and terrifying groans still bothers me, mas mabuting solo ko ang lugar na 'to.
Hindi ko na pinansin ang magulo at makalat na paligid. Pati ang mga bakas ng dugo ay inignora ko na rin. Halos ganito na ang itsura ng bawat parte ng mall, I should get used to it.
I sauntered towards the rack of clothes and rummaged through it. Kumuha ako ng kumportableng pamalit. Binuklat ko rin ang mga bag na nakakalat sa sahig at naghanap ng pwedeng magamit doon. Nang may makitang wet wipes, hair tie, at suklay sa loob ay dinampot ko ang mga 'yon. It was unhygienic to use someone else's personal things, but since we're in the middle of apocalypse, hindi na 'yon mahalaga pa.
Dumiretso ako sa fitting room.
I was greeted by my reflection in the full-length mirror.
I instantly grimaced at the sight.
Puro talsik ng dugo ang suot ko, may nakikita pa akong maliliit na bagay na nakadikit doon na tingin ko'y lamang-loob. My skin complexion is paler than normal. My long dark brown hair is disheveled, some strands are sticking on my sweaty neck and temples. Dirt and dried blood stained my face. Dark circles underlined my tired eyes. And my lips are dry and chapped.
I looked like shit.
Napahinga ako ng malalim at mabilis na naghubad. Tanging undergarments lang ang tinira ko. Then I started to clean myself using the wet wipes.
Napatigil ako nang makita sa salamin ang kagat ko sa braso.
Walang nagbago do'n, nangingitim at namumula pa rin ito, bahagya ring naka-usli ang mga ugat na nakapalibot dito.
Napatiim-bagang ako nang maalala ang mukha ni Lily nang mapatingin siya doon.
She probably knew I was bitten from the start. Sinisisi niya na rin siguro ang sarili niya sa nangyari. And beneath her bratty and sarcastic attitude, I'm pretty sure that she's observing me on her own, kung magiging halimaw rin ba ako o hindi.
That kid... ni hindi man lang siya natakot sa akin kahit nakagat na ako. I could hurt her if I turned. And yet, hindi pa rin ito nagsalita tungkol doon.
Ngayon na nakita niya akong normal pa rin, mas lalong hindi 'yon magsasalita. She would conclude that I'm still okay. It's for the better I guess, lalo na't ayokong mag-alala pa siya, kahit na alam kong hindi talaga maayos ang kalagayan ko.
Pinagpatuloy ko ang paglinis ng mukha at katawan saka nagbihis. I settled with a gray racerback top, black jacket, black jeans, and black running shoes. Sinuklay at tinali ko rin ang mahaba kong buhok.
Nang matapos ay agad din akong lumabas ng fitting room.
Kailangan ko ng mag-isip ng plano kung paano ko madadala sila Lily sa ligtas na lugar... hanggat nasa katinuan pa ako.
In order to do that, I need to assess first the whole situation in this mall, kung gaano ba karami ang mga infected at kung saan-saan sila nakapwesto.
With that, I'll have more idea on what should I do next, it will also help me to devise the perfect plan for our escape.
And the best way to know everything that's happening in every corner, floor, and building of this huge mall is through the CCTV footages... I need to find the CCTV control and monitoring room.
Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras. Lumabas na ako ng boutique at nagsimulang maglakad. Nagpalinga-linga ako hanggang sa makakita ng directory, doon ko nakita ang lokasyon ng hinahanap.
Building B, 6th floor, dulo ng palapag, sa loob ng Management Office.
Lakad-takbo kong pinuntahan 'yon. Marami pa rin akong nakakasalubong na infected sa daan. Pero dahil hindi naman nila ako pinapansin, nilalampasan ko na lamang sila.
Nang makarating do'n ay bumagal ang mga hakbang ko.
Kasabay no'n ay ang pagkunot ng aking noo.
May mga patay na infected na nakaratay sa sahig, siguro'y lagpas dalawang dosena ang mga 'yon.
"Holy fuck." I whispered and examined all the corpses lying on the floor.
Mas lalong nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko nang may mapansin.
All of them were shot on their forehead.
Tanging mga eksperto lang sa baril ang may kayang gumawa nito.
They could be part of the security guards, or police, or military, or just some individuals who are good with guns.
Sa paraan ng pagkakahandusay ng mga infected, sigurado akong nagmula sa loob ng Management Office ang bumaril sa kanila.
May nauna na sa akin doon... at hindi sila ordinaryong sibilyan lamang, they have fucking guns!
I gritted my teeth and scanned the entire place. Napatitig ako sa CCTV camera na nasa sulok. My breathing hitched.
They're probably watching me right now.
Napalunok ako.
Paano kung kanina pa pala nila ako pinapanood? Paano kung nakita nila na hindi ako inaatake ng mga infected? Paano kung sa sobrang pagtataka nila ay pinanood rin nila ang ibang pinanggalingan ko at nakitang nakagat na pala ako?
They might also kill me once they've learned that I'm bitten.
Maybe I was just overthinking... but it wasn't impossible to happen.
Isa pa, my guts and instinct never fail me.
Those people inside could either be allies or enemies. But I can't risk my life from something so uncertain. Masyadong delikado, baka hindi na ako makabalik kila Lily.
Akmang aalis na ako doon nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng Management Office.
Bahagyang napaawang ang bibig ko.
Agad ko rin 'yong tinikom at pinakalma ang malakas na kabog sa aking dibdib, mataman kong tinitigan ang babaeng lumabas doon.
She has a gorgeous yet sharp features. Her body is well-toned. She's slightly taller than me. She's wearing a plain black shirt, black cargo pants, and black combat boots. Her hair is in high ponytail, and there's a dog tag hanging on her neck.
"Get in." ma-awtoridad na sabi nito. Her calculating gaze is directed at me. She even cocked her head on the doorway, motioning me to come in.
I didn't move, I just stared at her, trying to figure out kung ano ang balak niya o nila sa akin.
"We meant no harm." dagdag nito nang hindi ako gumalaw sa kinatatayuan ko.
I glanced at the gun on her right hand. That doesn't look convincing. One pull on the trigger and I'm dead.
Nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako do'n ay tinaas niya 'yon. "Ah, this?" she nonchalantly asked and pointed it towards me. "It's just for precautions." ngumisi muna ito bago ibaba 'yon.
I didn't flinch. Kumuyom lamang ang panga ko. She dared to threaten me and I refuse to show her that I'm scared.
"What do you want?" kalmado ngunit mariing tanong ko.
Napaangat ang isang kilay nito. "Get in and we'll talk."
Tinalikuran niya na ako at naglakad papasok. I let out a shaky breath before following her. Hinintay niya muna akong makapasok bago sinara at ni-lock ang pinto.
There's another door inside, doon siya dumiretso, at kahit nag-aalangan, sinundan ko pa rin ito.
"Brought the girl," halos tamad na bungad nito nang makapasok kami.
May dalawang lalaki pa sa loob. Nakasuot din ang mga ito ng plain black shirt, black cargo pants, black combat boots, at dog tag. Their guns are tucked on their holster belt.
Ang isang lalaki ay nakaupo sa swivel chair, sa tapat ng hindi ko mabilang na mga monitor kung saan makikita ang mga CCTV footages. Sinulyapan lamang ako nito bago binalik ang atensyon sa harap. May isa pang swivel chair sa tabi nito, doon umupo ang kaninang babae.
Nang ilipat ko ang tingin sa isa pang lalaki ay nahuli ko itong nakatitig na sa akin. Nakasandal siya sa lamesa habang nakakrus ang mga braso sa kanyang dibdib. At dahil nagtama ang mga paningin namin, hindi ko maiwasang mapagmasdan ito.
Perfectly angled brows. Piercing gaze. Pointed nose. Thin red lips. And a growing stubble across his chiseled jaw. His black medium-short hair is combed backwards, some strands fall on his forehead. Matangkad din ito at maganda ang katawan, all his muscles are on the right places.
One look from this man and any woman would instantly be on their knees, worshipping him.
Not me though.
I kept a straight face and equaled his gaze. Even when his lips curved into an amused smile, I didn't back down. I continue to peered at him with blank expression, as if telling him that his presence doesn't affect me.
Men and their egos. They always think that all women will fall on their feet. It would be an honor to prove them that they're wrong.
"She's really smart..."
Naputol ang titigan namin nang marinig na magsalita ang babae, sabay kaming napalingon doon.
"...but her demeanor is too arrogant, too smug, too full of herself, I bet she treat everyone around her as idiots." patuloy nito habang deretso pa rin ang tingin sa akin.
My lower lip twitched. Pinigilan kong sumagot. It's scary how well she can read a person's behavior.
"Parang ikaw lang pala, Raven." natatawang komento ng katabi nito.
She glared at him. "Shut up, Matthias."
So, the woman is Raven, and the man beside her is Matthias, 'yong isang lalaki na lang ang hindi ko kilala.
All three of them are good-looking and has a nice built. They're probably older than me for four or five years. And with their aura that screams power and authority, there's no doubt that they are soldiers.
Are they here to rescue survivors?
Pero bakit tatlo lang sila?
Nasaan ang iba?
"Have a seat." ani ng lalaking hindi ko pa kilala gamit ang malalim na boses nito, minuwestra niya pa ang isa pang swivel chair malapit sa kanila.
"I'd rather stand." ma-pride na sagot ko at nanatiling nakatayo sa may pinto, mahigit dalawang metro ang layo sa kanila.
Gumalaw ang labi nito na parang nagpipigil ng ngisi. "Suit yourself then."
"You obviously need something from me, what is it?" walang paligoy-ligoy na tanong ko. Hindi nila ako kakausapin ng ganito kung wala silang kailangan sa akin. At kung gusto nila akong patayin o kung ano man, dapat ay kanina pa nilang ginawa 'yon.
Saglit na natawa si Raven. "Told you, she's clever, she's quick to analyze things."
"We've been watching you since this morning... from the time you came out of the comfort room, to the moment you got here... we also saw that you got bit near the fire exit last night." saad ni Matthias.
My heart hammered on my chest.
Tama ang hinala ko... napanood nga nila ang lahat, alam na rin nila ang nangyari sa akin kagabi.
Hindi na rin naman kataka-taka 'yon dahil mukha rin silang matatalino.
"You're supposed to turn just like the rest of them, but you didn't... whatever this virus is, we have a hunch that you're immune..." wika naman ng lalaking di ko pa alam ang pangalan.
Napatitig lang ako sa kanya habang malakas pa rin ang tibok ng puso ko.
Was that the only reason why they're keeping me alive?
Kung gano'n... anong gagawin nila sa akin kung sasabihin ko sa kanilang mali sila?
Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago nagsalita. "I'm not immune."
Walang nagsalita sa kanila, kunot-noo lamang nila akong tiningnan, tila nag-aabang ng paliwanag sa sinabi ko.
"This isn't how immunity works." I pointed out.
"The infected only prey on humans, samantalang iniignora naman nila ang mga katulad nila... you've seen how they ignored me, it only means that I'm already one of them... kung immune ako, my body should have already developed antibodies that destroys the virus, at kung patay na ang virus sa loob ng katawan ko, dapat ay tinuturing na ulit nila akong tao at pagkain... but that wasn't the case, they still treat me as if I'm one of them..."
"In short, I'm just a ticking time bomb, I might lose control and start acting shit any moment now."
Silence stretched among us, nakatitig lang sila sa akin, tila pinag-iisipan ang mga sinabi ko.
"Gaano ka kasigurado sa sinasabi mo?" basag ni Matthias sa katahimikan.
"Trust me, it's better to expect the worst than hope for something you'll only get disappointed in the end." tanging nasagot ko.
Nilingon ni Raven ang lalaking di ko pa kilala, "What now, Trevor? If what she's saying is true, then it's now useless to ask for her help."
My brows slowly furrowed.
And when I realized what she meant by that, my jaw immediately clenched.
They'll probably use me to lure the infected para ligtas silang makalabas sa mall na 'to.
Mariin lamang akong pinagmasdan ng tinawag niyang Trevor. "She's still human, she's still capable to help us, and if she succumbs to the virus along the way... one bullet is enough to dispose her."
Rage instantly filled my system. I fought the urge to punch him. It was understandable to kill me once I turned, but he made it sound like I'm nothing but a dispensable being pagkatapos nilang pakinabangan.
"Fuck you." I snapped, glaring at him. "Kahit may oras pa ako, hindi ko kayo tutulungan. You're soldiers, so why don't you go out there and escape on your own? Hindi niyo ba kaya?" panunuya ko.
Hindi ko na dapat sinabi sa kanila ang alam ko sa kondisyon ko. I only told them that dahil ayokong umasa sila na ligtas akong kasama at para 'wag silang mapahamak. Pero ngayon, mas mabuti palang nagsinungaling na lamang ako.
Trevor only chuckled. "Don't underestimate us. The real problem here is their numbers and not our skills. Even if we stay quiet and thread carefully outside, it's still risky, there's no guarantee that we won't make any sound. One wrong move and we'll end up drawing all the infected towards us. And if we fight them, it would only create too much noise that would only attract the others. We will easily be outnumbered and get ourselves killed. We're not stupid to take that route... especially if there is someone like you who can freely do anything and go anywhere without worrying about them. You have all the advantage here... and we can make use of that."
"But of course, we won't ask you to help us for free... try to listen to us... you might realize that you will also benefit from us." he added and stared at me dead in the eyes. It's too intimidating that I almost cower in fear. It's like a reminder that he's way out of my league and that he's not someone I can mess with.
ang dami pa dapat nilang pag-uusapan sa chap na 'to kaso sobrang haba na kaya sa next chap na lang ulit!
p.s. dami ng characters, magbabawas na ko sa mga next chap chz HAHAHAHA
p.p.s. thank you so much sa mga nagvo-vote, comment, add sa reading list, and nagfa-follow, di ko na kayo ma isa-isa! thank youuu!
*hugsssss*