November 8, 2013
hours not recorded
TACLOBAL CITY, PHILIPPINES

Rain...

   Water...

       Garbage...

            Bodies...

               Flood...

It all happened so quick.

We were merely running for shelter on the evacuation centre in the next road but Juan got injured and mom was holding her tears in the midst of running.

We were almost there when we saw people running to the opposite direction with their families and anything they could grab. They were also crying but whatever reason they have, it would be big.

"Pare anong problema? San kayo pupunta?" Dad stopped one guy I don't particularly know.

"Pare, nasira na 'yung evacuation d'yan! Tumataas ang tubig!" He replied then started running with the flow again.

The water did increased and we decided to go to the opposite way.

But where?

"Uuwi tayo sa bahay." Dad announced and so we did.

The coconut tree was still there lying in the front yard. We got in but the water has crept fully inside. "Sigurado ka ba dito?" I heard my mom whispered.

"Wala tayong ideya kung sa'n sila pumunta. Mas mabuti siguro dito na lang tayo." Dad was right. They escaped our sight so quickly trying to save their own lives and their family but how will we even survive this catastrophic event that the water has risen up till my waist?

Dad aided Juan to the top of the stairs before reaching for my mom's hand not to slip. I passed them the bags which is starting to get heavy with the absorbed flood.

I took a step to the second platform of the stairs but I slip and hit my forehead on the fourth stairs. My clothes and body fell to the flood and I rush to stand up. Klutz much?

"'Ne, ayos ka lang?" I felt dad's arms pulling me up.

I gripped one hand to my painful head as I let dad lead me on the stairs.

"Medyo masakit po, 'Tay.." sagot ko.

"Umupo ka na muna. Wala tayong magagawa sa lakas ng ulan."

My mom gave me a towel and pat my head then went back to my brother to mend his wound. I sat beside Juan feeling dizzy. I looked at my brother and he was pale to the bones. His eyes were flinching with pain.

"Kuya, ok ka lang?"

It took a few seconds before he replied "Oo... Kakayanin ko. Ikaw ba?"

"Hm... Ok lang din. Masakit lang ulo ko."

"Pag hindi naman 'yan sumakit sa impact e... Alien ka na talaga." I slapped his shoulder lightly. He's already injured but still found a way to kid around.

Suddenly, more sounds from houses wreck in the place. Dad checks the roof and he said our house is now damaged. The water was still rising up and it was hitting my toes now. I screamed when the ceiling by the stairs flew away and we were basically holding on to the two pillar of the house.

Dad was with Juan since he couldn't stand properly and mom and I hugged the other pillar. All the appliances were now drenched and the frames hanging on the walls banged themselves because of the wind passing by.

The wind was immensely strong and the water was still going on.

"'Nay!" I cried and she hushed me not to give up. The water seemed to be pulling me off as it reach my neck and the wind was tearing me down. God, please... I don't even know how to swim!

I cried myself not letting go of the pillar but then...

The flooring I was standing on collapsed and my hands slipped away.

"Nene!!!!" They shrieked as the water pulls me.

I was able to grab mom's shirt but the water was got into my lungs so fast and the pain in my head throbbed killing me that mom's hand wasn't able to hold me still.

"'Nay!!!" I cried.

"Kumapit ka, 'Ne!!!" Dad shouted with tears. I tried holding on to the frame or the wall but it was all wet and slippery.

"Kumapit ka, Nene!!!" I heard Juan say gripping tightly.

"'Taaaay!!!!" My hands gave in.

I can't think of anything but ask myself 'why is this happening?'

It felt like I was in an expresstrain when I was pulled outside through one of the broken windows here in the second floor. So, the flood is this high...

I grabbed one of the tree trunks when my eyes widened with disbelief with what I saw in the midst of this strong typhoon...

Two bodies tangled and flowing facing the deep flood.

Oh, God...

Please tell me that they're not dead yet...

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A/N: Next chapter will be the last so I'm wishing I could hear your thoughts on this short story. comment it down! Also, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MATTER?

My opinion about this matter: With all the news about the typhoon, a lot of people go with theirs and the crowds instinct. Thinking that whatever they do will be fine but I believe they should be asking themselves this: "What good will it bring to the survivors to steal and loot after the crisis? What good will it bring the government to hold the wait when help is the one approaching us?" I mean, yes, they were hit but they shouldn't be complaining that they could only receive sardines and simple everyday supplies... I'm not against any of the sides as everyone has a point- The survivors, the government and the international help received- and it is saddening to know of the loss and destruction nrought by Typhoon Haiyan but all we can do is MOVE FORWARD.

News travels fast but at least rather than sitting and waiting for help they could have started moving the bodies near them into one place for respect aswell and not let it stink and rot which could have gotten them sick. They could have also helped out in cleaning the debris in the roads so that help COULD access them and arrive on time. People who do not know Filipinos and some Filipinos themselves have judged the survivors thinking that they were uneducated but it is also wise to remember that sufficient, easily understandable, accurate and efficient information didn't arrive on them regarding the storm surge and all... But we should be glad that help is still arriving but hopefully none of the people trying to say that they are helping will use this catastrophic event as an excuse to earn more money.

That was long! Haha! I have always these thoughts going on... oh, well. Thanks for reading!

♥ PrincessThirteen00