The plague was in full swing after that emergency alert system began ringing everywhere — from televisions, to gigantic local sound systems, radios, and even cellular phones. Everything seemed to be in slow motion as soon as Keisha and Jaden ran away from the peril that was currently happening outside. It was now ear splitting, that even the covering of one’s ears would not protect their tympanums from tearing apart because of the clamor generated by firing guns and grenade explosions.

The runaways had triggered their adrenaline as they flashed through the alleyways until they finally reached the cavity between the metropolis’s dead end and an unscathed forest. It’s moderately distant from the pandemonium happening there: here was in peace and in harmony. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be as peaceful for long because of the dangers of what’s deeper into the woods.

Grass rustles as they go, they finally enter the hushed bushes and the swaying trees. As they went deeper into the woods, Keisha abruptly felt that there were people following them. So carefully, she drew out the pistol that her father handed to her before they fled from the city; this was to protect her only sibling who doesn’t know how to defend himself. The bushes that are miles behind them created a sound. Thus, she already suspected that there were people hiding or patrolling in here. Her eyes moved to a direction where she saw the head of a man watching them as they meandered into this nowhere. Jaden hid behind Keisha’s back while holding a transistor for him to cry for help, just in case they were going to be chased by these lunatics. Keisha became motionless, not being able to move a muscle for a while — getting herself and her attentiveness ready for another sprint. She was definitely sluggish in running away, despite being a petite girl expected to be as swift as a hare; however, she was tense on her strategy as of now because she wasn’t one.

She whispered to her brother while making sure that no man would attack them, “Jaden, I need you to run as fast as you can, okay? Find the rest of our friends by switching channels on your radio.” Handed the firearm to Jaden with a cold hand, she said, “Hold my precious pistol for me, ight? And make sure that you will never look back.”

As the teenager handed the firearm to her comrade, she gave an outbreath of despair as she lured out her pocket knife given by her best friend. 

Ever wondered how and why they had the chance to obtain such weapons in a governance that’s different from the Americans’? Well, if you have the money, people would leave you alone. Most of the time in this country, the privileged and the so-called “crocs” were the only ones to have the chance to protect themselves and live longer. If it weren’t for Keisha’s parents’ hard work, they would’ve been at the bottom of the triangle. 

Habang may tatsulok at sila ay nasa tuktok. Hindi matatapos itong gulo. (As long as the triangle stands and they're the ones that stay on the top, the chaos will never end.)

“How about you? Aren’t you gonna come and find them with me?” Worriedly, her brother uttered, not being able to hold the firearm properly in his shaking hands.

Keisha stood in front of her brother while keeping her eyes focused on their surroundings until her impromptu plan executes. She spoke to Jaden, assuring him that everything’s going to be alright, albeit she’s trembling apart from the fact that they might get into trouble.

“I will see you there. But for now, you need to head there on your own. I can’t run at a fast pace as you do. So instead, I am just gonna stay here for a bit until Zhackary and the rest call. I’ll follow behind you, trust me.”

A racket came in startling them from behind the greenery; somebody’s on patrol around the woods all along. Because of this, Keisha acted up immediately to push Jaden to flee away. Kinsmen—particularly Filipino teenage boys— were the ones on patrol. One came out from the trees and the desolate lady realized that these men were not just random folks, but some people that she had known long before.

“Iyaz?”

The man in suit and tie, namely Iyaz Kenji Dimaunawa, was one of Keisha’s history causes; was this girl’s ex-boyfriend. He was holding a taser within his hand and was placing a cracked grin on his woman-like lips. Stood in a most presumptuous manner, he cracked a laugh, placing all his pity on the lone woman lost deep in the woods.

“You are late once again, Ms. Vista. The party has started but hasn’t ended yet. We are still recruiting for new partygoers. And if you want to, we are absolutely open, ‘specially if it’s you. Well, what do you say?”

Keisha scoffed at the young lad as if he’s a dangerous threat to anyone who would encounter him, “Don’t count me in your foolishness, Iyaz! We are done and you know that! And please, just stop smothering me. Or else-“

She was cut by Iyaz’s obviously fake laughter, “Or else what? You’ll stab me with your cute little vorpal blade?”

Keisha imitated the same laughter from Iyaz as she readied herself for another sprint, the tension’s noticeable. “Uhm… No… I’ll just run.”

She dashed as fast as she could, although she already knew that she was not going to make it. By any chance, she would make a quick SOS through her radio. However, the transistor was already low in power; she prayed in her mind that heavens would give her at least a minute or two.

As she ran, she pointed the microphone at her mouth for her to speak, catching her breath, “To whom can hear this message, I am being chased by insane people!” She gasped for her breath then spoke once again, “These dicks look like they’re after me, so I need to get separated from my brother. SOS bitches! I’m gonna die if no one comes quickly. Well… I certainly don’t wanna die though. But I could because we’ll die soon anyway.”

She slid through a heap of leaves wherein she could do a concealment, in order to hide herself from her stupid ex-boyfriend. Not any further she could run, and decided to hide instead of running. Well, it’s no use anyways, she would still get herself apprehended even if she fled; being short-legged and the one who dearth fortitude. 

*Meanwhile*

Jaden kept on interchanging frequencies until he found one that his sister’s crew often used back then. A feedback came in from the radio’s speakers and his eyes glistened in optimism that somebody could finally hear his plea. Also, catching his breath, he dashed through the deep parts of the forest while speaking in a decent volume.

“If anyone hears me at this hour, I am calling for help. My sister is in danger and she needs help from the strange men patrolling inside this forest.”

“Can *fzzt!* you please *fzzt!* state your name?”

Jaden’s voice grew hopeful as somebody from the other side sort of heard him, “I am Jaden Vista, and my sister is in trouble. I am lost in the middle of the woods where there are lots of ferns around. I certainly have no idea where I am.”

“Jaden?! This is Zhackary, your sister’s friend. Please stay right where you are. Shino is now on his way there and Jeffery and I will rescue Keisha.” A man named Zhackary said with a tone of concern after hearing about Keisha’s wild goose chase.

“I’m scared… What if she’s been captured? The way they chased us looks like they’re really after us.”, the young man cried, worried. Although, deep inside, he finally felt the relief of the fact that they’re going to be rescued.

Zhackary’s heroic response was heard with the radio’s static, with a tip of assurance, “I will make sure that we’ll find her, alright? I won’t let anything bad happen to your sister, you know that.”