After breaking down behind her apartment's closed door, Elaine wiped away her tears and put her eyeglasses back on. She stood up, taking a deep breath, and picked up the paper bag of her purchases, placing it carefully on the bed. The urgent call of nature, a reminder of her body's needs, still pressed heavily on her. Her bladder uncomfortably full, she made her way to the bathroom and flicked on the lights.
The sight that greeted her was disheartening. The bathroom was a picture of neglect, with filth and grime clinging to every surface. Mold crept along the floor, and a pile of used shampoo sachets, soap boxes, and old tampons overflowed from a trash can that hadn't been emptied in months. Despite the overwhelming mess, she had no choice. She sat on the toilet, finally finding some physical relief.
Afterward, she washed her hands at the sink, the cold water a small, sharp shock against her skin. She dried her hands with a towel that had seen better days and returned to the bedroom. Seeking solace, she reached for the handheld console she had bought from the mall earlier. She opened the box with a mix of anticipation and longing, hoping to find a temporary escape from her overwhelming traumatic experience in the outside world.
Elaine turned on the handheld console, the screen flickering to life as it booted up. While she waited, she opened the packages of the game cards she had bought along with the console. The excitement of a new adventure bubbled within her as she looked at the two game cards: Animal Crossing: New Horizons and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
She decided to test her new console with Animal Crossing, seeking the comfort of its gentle, welcoming world. She carefully inserted the game card into the console's slot, feeling a small thrill as it clicked into place. The game began to load, its cheerful music and vibrant colors promising a much-needed escape from her dismal surroundings.
Elaine had been engrossed in her game for what felt like hours, completely oblivious to the chaos unfolding outside. The world outside her apartment was gripped by fear and uncertainty due to the outbreak, but inside, she found solace in the virtual reality of her handheld console. Suddenly, her phone rang, jolting her back to the harsh reality.
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Isko, accompanied by his wife Lydia and their daughter Lucia, arrived at Everlasting Street on a motorcycle, pulling over outside Elaine’s apartment gate. Their faces were etched with tension and exhaustion, remnants of a harrowing escape from an infected neighbor.
"We're here," Isko announced as Lydia and Lucia dismounted the motorcycle. He pulled out his keypad phone and dialed Elaine’s number.
Inside Elaine's apartment, the ringing of her phone cut through the silence, yanking her from the virtual world. She glanced at the screen and saw Isko's number flashing. Confused but curious, she answered.
"Hello?" Elaine said.
"Hey, kid, it's me, Isko, the security guard from the mall, remember?"
"Mr. Isko? Why are you calling?" Elaine asked, suddenly recalling their earlier conversation about the virus. "Oh, I’m so sorry. I got caught up in my game and forgot about the favor you asked."
"No, no, please listen. We were attacked by an infected at our home. I know this is sudden, but can you let my family stay for a while? We’re not infected or hurt, but we need a safe place to stay," Isko pleaded.
Elaine hesitated, glancing around her cluttered apartment. "I—I haven't cleaned up yet. But okay, I'll come down." She hung up, grabbed her keys, and headed downstairs.
Outside, Isko and his family waited anxiously by the gate. Spotting Elaine, they visibly relaxed. Isko's eyes lit up with hope as he saw her.
"Hello!" Lucia greeted cheerfully, waving at Elaine, clutching the stuffed rabbit in her arm.
Isko introduced his family, "Elaine, this is my wife, Lydia, and our daughter, Lucia."
Lydia stepped forward and took Elaine’s hand. "Miss Elaine, thank you for helping my husband. We really owe you, but we have nothing to offer in return right now. We appreciate your kindness."
"Please, don’t mention it. I’m happy to help," Elaine replied, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Lucia hugged Elaine, looking up at her with gratitude. "Thank you, Ate Elaine."
Touched, Elaine patted Lucia’s head, initially hesitant but then feeling a warm connection. "Let’s get you guys inside. It’s not safe out here."
Elaine led them back to the building, locking the gate behind them. As they climbed the stairs, Elaine felt a mix of embarrassment and anxiety. She opened the door to her apartment, flicking on the lights and revealing the messy interior. She hurriedly cleared trash from the small living room table to make space for her guests.
Lydia, ever the meticulous homemaker, was taken aback by the state of the apartment. She couldn’t fathom how someone as young and beautiful as Elaine could live in such disarray.
"I’m sorry it’s such a mess," Elaine stammered. "I don’t have much time to clean; I’m streaming almost all day."
"You have a good place, kid. You just need to tidy it up a bit," Isko commented kindly.
"Would you like me to help you clean sometimes, dear?" Lydia offered. "Once this outbreak situation is over, maybe I can come by."
Elaine smiled, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude. "That would be great, Mrs. Lydia. Thank you. Do you guys need some water?"
"Yes, please," Lydia replied, placing their bags on the table.
Elaine fetched water and brought the glasses to the table for the family to drink.
…
Elaine felt a need to fill the silence, speaking her mind. "I don't have a television here. My generation don't really rely on TVs for news anymore, but I do have a computer. I can check the news online." She suggested, "We can also look up information about the spreading disease if you want."
"Anything we can use is good," Isko replied.
"Follow me," Elaine said.
…
Elaine led them to her bedroom and turned on her high-performance desktop computer. The monitor lit up the messy room as the system started up quickly. Elaine sat on her gaming chair, feeling a sense of control as she placed her hands on the mouse and keyboard. She opened her internet browser, navigating to a video streaming platform and her social media accounts to search for the latest news about the outbreak.
Stolen story; please report.
"Mater Lyssavirus," Elaine muttered, hearing the virus's name. "A quarantine zone?" The government's drastic measures shocked her. "Is the situation so bad that they can't stop the spread anymore? Are they hoping to contain it by gathering healthy people in one place?" A shiver ran down her spine, recalling how fast the virus had spread at the mall.
"I heard this on the radio before our neighbor attacked us," Isko said.
Elaine subscribed to the news channel and enabled notifications, ensuring she would receive updates as soon as they were posted. "We'll have to wait for their announcement about the quarantine zone," she said. "You and your family can rest a bit, sir." She stood from her gaming chair and picked up her paused game on her Switch. "The bed's here."
As she sat back to the gaming chair with her console, Lucia stood next to Elaine, her eyes wide with curiosity as she watched the colorful screen. "Wow, sis, what is this thing called?"
"It's called a Switch," Elaine smiled. "Wanna try?" Despite her social awkwardness, Elaine had a soft spot for children.
"She's right, you haven't had any rest since your shift at the mall, babe," Lydia said, gently caressing Isko's back and prompting him to lie down and rest on the bed.
Isko lay down, sighed, and closed his eyes, feeling the exhaustion catch up to him. The bed felt unusually soft and comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos and fear outside.
Lydia watched him for a moment, her heart aching for her husband.
…
"I don't know what to do," Lucia said shyly.
"Here, I'll teach you," Elaine offered, letting the child sit on her lap and hold the console. She gently guided Lucia's fingers on the controls, showing her how to play the game.
Lucia's face lit up with excitement as she started to understand the game. Elaine felt a warm connection growing between them, easing some of her own anxiety. Despite the fear and uncertainty outside, a small moment of joy and normalcy was shared within the walls of her cluttered apartment.
"It' looks just like Bun-Bun!" Lucia said relating to her stuff toy as she played and saw the rabbit character in the game.
Behind them, next to the bedside where Isko slept, Lydia watched her daughter enjoy playing the video game with Elaine. A soft smile formed on her lips as she observed Lucia’s excited expressions and Elaine’s patient guidance.
"She's really good with kids," Lydia thought, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude.
Elaine’s anxiety seemed to melt away as she focused on teaching Lucia the game. The room, despite its earlier tension, now held a sense of calm, punctuated by the occasional giggle from Lucia.
Lydia approached them quietly, not wanting to disturb their moment. "Elaine," she said softly, "thank you for this. It's good to see Lucia smiling again."
Elaine looked up, her own smile reflecting a bit of her regained confidence. "It's no problem, Miss Lydia. She's a quick learner and it's nice to have some company."
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As the clock struck 8:00 PM, the news stations began broadcasting the eagerly awaited announcement from the Department of Health. Elaine, who had been playing with Lucia, saw the notification pop up on her screen.
She let Lucia play the console by herself first and clicked the notification to open the news channel's livestream.
"Guys, here comes the news update," Elaine called out to everyone in the room.
"Babe, wake up, there's the news," Lydia said, gently tapping Isko, who had dozed off on the bed. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and focused on the screen.
In the news broadcast, Dr. Miriam Angeles stood alongside the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Camille Villafuerte, Director General Alejandro Sangalang of Philippine National Police, and the pathologist, Dr. Vincenzo de Luna, next to him is his lab assistant, Sophia Tamayo. Dr. Angeles stepped forward to address the public.
"Fellow citizens, we, the Department of Health, in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are announcing the procedures for evacuation to the designated quarantine zones. Firstly, individuals exhibiting symptoms are strictly prohibited from traveling to these zones. Secondly, it is imperative to remain calm and avoid panic, as it may lead to accidents and endanger other evacuees. Thirdly, as previously reported, the consumption of seafood products is strictly forbidden, and any attempt to bring such items into the quarantine zones will be considered an act of smuggling."
General Camille Fuerte Viento then spoke, her voice steady and authoritative. "All rescue operations are temporarily suspended due to the outbreak reaching a critical point, impacting our services. Regarding the legal framework for dealing with the infected, individuals are granted the right to protect themselves from those who pose an immediate threat. Actions taken in self-defense against the infected will not result in legal repercussions. However, it is crucial to understand that unnecessary harm to infected individuals, who are still human and suffering from an illness, will lead to prosecution. Any harm inflicted upon non-infected individuals will not be tolerated and will be subject to legal consequences."
"What? If there are no rescue efforts, no help will come to Inggo and his classmates!" Isko exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.
"Poor Inggo," Lydia added, her voice trembling. "We have to find a way to get him out of the school."
Dr. Vincenzo de Luna then addressed the nation. "Our research is ongoing, and as of now, there is no known cure for this viral disease. We strongly advise everyone to avoid contracting the virus, which spreads through bites, saliva discharge, and most critically, the consumption of seafood contaminated with Mater Lyssavirus."
Dr. Miriam Angeles concluded, "The quarantine zones are strategically located across the nation along Pan-Philippine Highway or Asian Highway 26 - AH26. The primary quarantine zones are situated along the Northern Luzon Expressway - E1, where we are currently stationed, and the Southern Luzon Expressway - E2. We urge everyone to proceed to the nearest quarantine zone relative to your location. Thank you for your cooperation, and let us all strive to survive this crisis together. Safe travels to all."
The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation sank in.
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Upon hearing all the necessary information to evacuate, Isko took Lydia to the living room, leaving Lucia with Elaine for a moment to have a private talk.
Lydia's face was etched with worry. "We have to get to the quarantine zone, but we can't just abandon Inggo."
"I can't leave him there. He's my responsibility. But I need to make sure you and Lucia are safe first. Here's the plan," Isko whispered, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "I'm going to take both of you to the quarantine zone, and then I'll come back and rescue Inggo myself. We'll all be together soon."
Lydia glanced worriedly at Elaine, who sat in front of the computer, her eyes darting across the screen as she monitored the latest updates. "What about her, babe?"
Elaine overheard and turned, offering an anxious smile. "Oh, don't worry about me, Mrs. Lydia. I don't plan on going out there. I'll wait for rescue once things have calmed down." She spoke with an air of false confidence, not wanting to burden their evacuation plans. Deep down, the thought of facing the outside world alone terrified her. "Besides, we can't all fit on the motorcycle," she added, stating the obvious.
"Are you sure about that, kid?" Isko asked, his concern evident in his eyes. "Will you be okay by yourself?"
"Yes, sir," Elaine replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I've always been alone. I'll manage."
Lydia walked over and enveloped Elaine in a reassuring hug. "Be careful, okay? I promise I'll come back and help you clean up your place," she said, holding Elaine's hands tightly.
"You too, Mrs. Lydia. Take care out there," Elaine responded, her heart heavy with unspoken fears.
"Thank you, Elaine, for letting us stay here for a while," Lydia said gratefully. She turned to Lucia, who was still clutching the video game console. "Lucia, let's go, we're leaving, dear."
Isko added, "Kid, thank you for helping us. I'm sorry we can't bring you with us. I truly am, and I hope we can repay you someday."
"Thank you, ate! I had fun playing the Switch with you!" Lucia said, smiling up at Elaine as she handed back the console, her innocent eyes filled with gratitude.
As the family gathered their bags and prepared to leave, Elaine led them to the door of her apartment unit. She stood in the hallway on the second floor, watching the Halili family exit the gate and mount the motorcycle. Lucia, from below, looked up and waved goodbye with a bright, hopeful smile.
Elaine waved back, her heart a mixture of heaviness and hope. She stood there for a moment, watching them disappear into the distance. As she closed the door, the weight of the situation settled in. She leaned against the door, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
Despite the fear and uncertainty that loomed over her, Elaine felt a small sense of comfort knowing she had helped someone in need. She walked back to her computer, the room now filled with a profound silence. Sitting down, she stared at the screen, feeling the isolation seep into her bones.