All of them stilled as if frozen as they look at the horror slowly heading to their place. Ni hindi rumehistro ang takot sa unang segundo dahil tila tumigil ang kanilang mundo.

The men who are near the bridge are clearly stoned. Their sore muscles from work were forgotten as they silently stare at the terror presented in front of their faces. Walang nangahas gumalaw, walang sumubok na sumigaw. Unti-unti ay umakyat ang takot sa kanilang sistema nang paunti-unti'y narinig ang nakakakilabot na palahaw ng mga nilalang na 'yon.

A man facing the bridge paled. The wind blew his hat away but he did not flinch. He remained watching the troop of rotting limbs. The man can't figure out a way to describe the terror but he's perfectly aware of the scent of death filling his system. He swept his eyes on them once more.

Just a little far from the middle of the swarm is a man wearing torned workout clothes who's trashing wildly as he slowly advance. Not too far from it, he could make out a silhouette of a kid, the same age as his sweet little boy, dragging his body and trying to get ahead the others as if he wants to get the first bite. Then, a lady who's missing her arm. A huge man with an axe lodged on his chest. A saleslady with a thick rope wraped around her neck. Another kid. Another man. Another woman.

Too many to count. There's too many of them.

They are still far from them but the scare has reached him immediately. It nearly knocked him out. Suddenly, his mind wandered back to their place where his son and two daughters should be playing safely by now. Terror strikes his body like lightning.

Oh, heavens.

We're all going to die today.

Somebody. . . save us.

"Anong hinihintay!? Pasko!?"

All of them almost jumped from their places, startled by the loud voice that broke them from reverie. The pale man loooked back and watched the approaching figure from behind.

"She said gather and prepare, mga inútil! Ramon, Dex, at Bastian! Bring your knives and follow me!"

Tablo struts pass the pale man and went straight to the bridge. He starts to arrange his long hair into a tight bun in a hasty manner. Kagat niya ang isang patalim habang naniningkit ang mata sa mga nilalang na nasa kabilang dako ng tulay.

A jawless woman is leading the parade. Her tattered and shredded, used to be, white dress is now a mixture of red, dried mud, and some flesh. Tablo doesn't even want to know if it belongs to her or to her poor victims.

Disgusted, he rolled his eyes heavenward. Kaagad na sumunod sa kaniya ang mga tinawag na tao.

From the watchtower, Jiyo eyed the unfolding scene. Contrary to what is happening, the wind caress her face gently. Mahigpit pa rin ang kapit niya sa kahoy na poste. Pumikit ang dalaga upang kalmahin ang sarili. When she opened her eyes, her gaze is unwavering and clear.

Mabilis na nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa mga ito. From the lady who's leading the troop up to the zombies at the back who blindly follows what's in front. Hindi maubos-ubos. Hanggang ngayon ay may lumalabas pa mula sa kakahuyan. Too many. If they continue to advance in that number, they'll be in deep shit.

Lumipat ang tingin niya sa tulay. She saw four figures, one of which is Tablo, who are climbing in suprising speed. Walang inaaksayang segundo para marating ang tuktok, kasing tulad ng walang pagaaksaya ng oras ng mga nilalang sa kabilang dako upang makalapit sa kanila.

The distance and the bridge can be both their strength and weakness. Ang kalahating kilometrong patag sa kabilang dako ng tulay ay aabutin ng anim hanggang pitong minuto para lakarin ng isang normal na tao. But for these zombies who slowly drags their whole weight using broken limbs and fragile bones, it might take eighteen minutes tops for the first zombie to reach the bridge.

That's not much but enough to make a defense or two.

Minatahan ng dalaga ang kasama sa watchtower maging ang nasa kabila. Tablo's marksmen. Ang sindak sa mga mukha ay naroon pa pero alam nila ang dapat gawin. They already have their bow and sharp arrows ready to fire.

Tumingin siya sa ibaba at nakitang abala na ang lahat. Two people are tending to the alarmed horses. Seven are lifting some crates out of the small shed feet away from where she stood. Inside are stored firearms and ammunition solely reserved for this area. And to say that this area has plenty of it is an understatement.

Nakita niya ang hinahanap na nakatayo malapit sa lamesa ng mga baril.

"Hey, Norman!" she called the blond's attention. His emotionless blue eyes looked at her. Unlike any normal day, Norman's hair is well kept into a nice half bun today. Nakasuot ito ng kupas na pulang damit at kaparehong kupas na pantalon. Dali-daling bumaba si Jiyo at nilapitan ang lalaki.

"Did you bring your horse?" she asked.

The blond merely nodded.

"Great. I have a plan."

Ipinaliwanag niya agad ang nais sa lalaki. It might look like he's not listening but Jiyo knows that he is perfectly absorbing everything well. Nang matapos ay walang segundo itong sinayang at mabilis na bumalik sa loob ng shed dala ang tatlo pang tao. Within seconds, they emerged out carrying the things she needs.

Muli siyang humarap sa kabilang panig ng tulay. The zombies haven't travelled far. Malayo pa sa kalahati ng kanilang distansya. Fifteen minutes till they reach them.

A man stumbles in front of her. Ang mga dalang kahon ay nahulog mula sa pagkakahawak nito. Jiyo reached for the box that lands near her. It's a box for shotgun shells.

"Here." Inabot iyon ni Jiyo sa lalaki.

The man reaches for the box. "Salamat, Jiyo." Mabilis itong naglakad palayo.

Bago iyon, napagmasdan niya ang mukha ng lalaki. It's Paolo from Tablo's men.

Halatang hindi mapakali ang lalaki. It may be a small movement but she saw that his hands were shaking when he reached for the box. Maya't maya ang tingin nito sa paligid at sa kabilang dako ng tulay na parang sinisigurado ang distansya niya mula sa mga nilalang na 'yon.

Jiyo cursed. Of course, this isn't his first time seeing zombies. Being part of Tablo's team, Paolo is very much accustomed in seeing zombies on a daily basis. On a normal day, he would situate his self on a nearby elevated space and shoot some zombies down with precision. He's one of those who are gifted with good marksmanship.

She can totally understand the terror registered on the faces of everyone in this area for she was also shaken by the turn of events. Her squad had took down a group of seventy nine zombies and by the records, that was the highest number all of them, even Alice, had seen. Not once were they able to see this number of terror, of those damned creatures, gathering in one place.

The count must be hundreds!

But this isn't a normal day. None of these things are fucking normal to begin with. And to say that, everyday, you have to expect the unexpected is not completely wrong.

Something nudges her back. Nang lingunin ay nakita niya si Kindness na dala ni Norman. The sweet horse stayed silent amidst the chaotic surrounding.

"Good girl, Kindness." Puri niya sa hayop.

Nang makitang ayos na ang pinagagawa niya, agad siyang sumakay sa kabayo. A wagon is now attached to the horse. Inside are the barrels she requested, arranged nice and neatly. This might be heavy and uncomfortable for the horse, she thought. Pero nanatili itong kalamado at tahimik. Jiyo reached and caress Kindness, praising her more.

Norman rode another horse. The animal is dressed with the same wagon as Kindness'. He is watching the other side of the cliff silently. An emotion passes his eyes briefly that made his grip on his gun and on the horse's rein tighten.

Jiyo gently nudged Kindness and maneuvered her to the bridge. The wagon rolled and followed them. From below, she can see Tablo and his men busy cutting thick ropes above. It was only a brief moment but their gaze met and she saw how Tablo stilled on his place. Before he could react, Jiyo ordered Kindness to speed up.

Halos malapit na sa kalahati ang distansya ng mga zombies mula sa kanila. As they approach, the growls and the screeches pierced her ears like it was coming from a big ass speaker. Sa kabila no'n, hindi nagpatinag ang dalawa at mas lumapit pa.

Tablo could only curse from a distance when he saw how close Jiyo and Norman are aiming at. What on earth are they thinking!?

Hell! He knows that Norman follows any order given to him, not caring if it costs his own life, but Jiyo is on another level of thoughtlessness. While Norman needs to be ordered before he moves, Jiyo acts on her own and on what she knew must be done.

When somebody is needed to go to a dangerous area and wipe it out clean, she will gladly volunteer to offer her life with whip cream and cherry on top. She'll add sprinkles, too. That's how gladly she'll offer her life.

And that's what she learns with all the time she's spending with another, and the ultimate, suicidal maniac namely Alice! Tablo wants to pluck his long hair out.

Hindi nalalayo ang ugali ni Jiyo sa kaibigan nito. It is not a secret that both are willing and dying to lay their lives for the good of others. All of them knows that and Tablo learned that fact in the most sudden time of his life.

Halos mahulog siya sa kinatatayuan nang makitang ilang metro na lang ang layo ni Jiyo sa nauunang zombie. Sa kabila no'n, walang balak huminto ang babae.

"That bitch is crazy." he whispered. "You hear me!? You are fucking crazy!"

Tablo's scream were only muffled by the increasing and more terrifying screams of the undead.

Jiyo and Norman pushed further. The swarm of zombies are slowly advancing without a hint of stopping too. Their growls and snarls continue but louder this time. While Jiyo and Norman's gazes remained unyielding.

The zombie lady who's leading has its one arm stretched, ready to grab Jiyo once she's near. There's a few meter distance between that zombie and the horde she's leading. Mas lalong pinabilis ni Jiyo ang pagpapatakbo kay Kindness. Nang halos katabi na niya ang zombie na iyon, inasinta niya ito gamit ang kaniyang crossbow. She pulled Kindness' rein just in time of the zombie falling back on the ground.

And as if a rioting mass who witnessed the brutal murder of their leader, the zombies charged at her with extreme rage.

That's their cue to execute the plan.
She exchange glances with Norman. They turned their backs from each other and rode the opposite direction.

Matalim na pinagmamasdan ni Jiyo ang pulutong ng mga zombie sa kaniyang kanan. Their slow movements seems even more slower in her eyes. But she can perfectly hear the loud and raw screeches and growls they make. She remained mindful about her distance from them, keeping a good ten meter gap.

Jiyo took her small knife. The hollow barrels in the wagon made louder noise as they bump with each other. Hinigpitan niya lalo ang hawak sa ryenda ng kabayo.

"Be gentle, my girl." she whispered to Kindness.

Isang pasada pa muli sa mas lumalapit na patay na masa ang ginawa niya bago lumipat sa kariton. Jiyo balanced herself on the wagon. Nakahawak siya sa gilid, mariin ang titig sa basang kahoy ng kariton. Meanwhile, Kindness continues to gallop fiercely yet with grace as they travelled west even without a rider.

As soon as she regained balance, Jiyo kicked the wagon open. Using her knife, she cut loose the rope holding the barrels together. It didn't took her long for the first barrel to break free. Agad niya itong kinuha at sinipa palabas ng kariton. With a thud and a burst of dust, the hollow barrel rolls away from her. Sinundan niya ito ng tingin. Jiyo reaches for her gun when the barrel travelled the path she meant it to go.

Its rapid roll halted on the foot of a rotting man. A police officer based from his tattered uniform with numerous bullet holes in it. There's a huge bite on his face that tore off his left cheek, deep enough to show his teeth. That must've hurt a lot, she thought.

A loud explosion took her attention off of the zombie. Napaharap siya sa pinaggalingan no'n. Norman also took his position inside the wagon. He kicks another barrel out of it. When it reached the target, he shot it immediately. The explosion wiped out the zombies nearby, leaving traces of flesh and blood. Although, it only damage the dead army's vanguard.

Dahil sa ingay, napabaling ang karamihan sa mga zombie mula gawi ni Jiyo. Hindi nagustuhan ng babae ang nangyaring iyon.

She huffed. "Oh no, you little pieces of shits."

Jiyo aimed at the barrel. Walang pagdadalawang isip ang dalaga nang pasabugin niya ito. She watched decapitated body parts flew in every direction without so much blinking an eye. And because of that recent explosion, the zombies returned their attention there.

The explosion is not enough to eliminate a chunk out of their arrangement but it is just right to blow five or six of them into pieces. Although, that's only a plus.

The plan is to weaken their formation. As much as possible, there must only be a couple of dozens left to march forward. If they advance in numbers that are far more greater than the bullets and arrow they release each round, these zombies will reach the bridge and the old infrastructure might not take it and collapse.

They can't afford to lose one of their way in and out of the town.

Tinuloy nila ang plano. Jiyo and Norman alternated and sometimes went synchronized into blasting and catching the attentions of the zombies. And as they move further and further away from the center, the once whole army of zombies slowly parts to three.

The right rear marched towards Norman while the left charges at Jiyo. Both rear stray further and further away from the middle as the pair continue to bombard their paths. Because of this, the middle thinned and now has only less than a hundred.

Jiyo just pushed the fifth barrel when the wind blows her hair wildly. Napaharap siya sa unahan at nakitang nalalapit na siya sa pakay. With that, she went back in shooting the barrel that stopped near a girl wearing a school uniform with lots of bullets on her chest. The blast caught her leg and she stumbled forward. Dahil do'n, natumba ang mga sumunod na zombies sa kaniya.

There's one remaining barrel inside the wagon. Muli niyang pinagmasdan ang galit na mga nilalang na pilit humahabol. They are livid and obviously hungry for the flesh who blasted their comrades into pieces. Walang sawa ang mga ito sa pagsunod kahit na iika-ika ang karamihan sa kanila.

Carefully, she crept back to riding Kindness. Jiyo settles and holds the rein tightly. Hindi siya nagpapatinag, maging ang kaniyang kabayo, kahit na palapit sila nang palapit sa bangin.

Her sharp eyes went back and forth between the approaching cliff and the nearest zombie when she noticed something. From the horde, a single man with a torn red shirt and a black short stood out. Nangibabaw siya hindi dahil sa kutsilyong nakatarak sa kaniyang balikat. The zombie stood out because he's parting the swarm with the way he advances. He moves a bit faster than the others. Not running tho. Just close enough to be considered jogging. Only that it's bloodier and more gruesome than your average jog.

I see. We have an irregular here. Just my luck.

Although he sways every now and then, Jiyo has no doubt that he can touch the wagon sooner. Lalo na at nakalabas na ito ngayon mula sa pulutong ng mga zombie. Nakatuon ang paningin nito sa dalaga. He's set to chase her down and take a big bite out of her flesh. Jiyo grips her gun.

This is not new information. An irregular comes in their way sometimes. May mga pagkakataon na nakaka-engkwentro sila ng isa o dalawa ng ganitong klaseng zombie tuwing magpa-patrol. They only move a bit faster than the usual ones but then a certain someone thought it might be beneficial to call them irregular and take note of their behavior.

Turns out he's right.

"Male. Around thirty to thirty five. Red shirt and black shorts. Knife on shoulder." Jiyo mumbles to herself while she watch the approaching zombie. "Left leg."

#IR27MLL. Noted.

Gamit ang patalim, agad na pinutol ni Jiyo ang isa sa tatlong tali ng kariton na nakakabit kay Kindness. The wagon swayed slightly. Matapos no'n ay muli niyang sinigurado ang kanilang distansya mula sa bangin.

Anytime now.

Walang inaksayang oras ang dalaga. She fished out a small lighter from her pocket. Jiyo groaned a bit when she saw its metal case. This is one of her favorites. What a waste.

The zombie who's nearing her screeched. It pierced her ear sharply and she momentarity lost her cool because of that. Iritang napabaling si Jiyo rito.

"Ah. I see you're dying to die, fucker." She glared at him. "Hindi mo na kailangang mag-antay pa."

She lit the lighter on. The flame danced wildly but wasn't put out by the wind. In a blink, Jiyo let go of the lighter. It went straight to the wagon, setting it on an instant blaze. This is because the wagon's doused with gasoline at the very beginning.

Kasabay nito, gamit ang isang kamay, sabay niyang pinutol ang dalawang natitirang tali ng kariton. Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang ryenda ni Kindness. The wagon detaches from the horse and runs over the zombie who dared to hurt her precious ears.

Jiyo heard a satisfying splat before the wagon broke in pieces. Mas lalong lumakas ang apoy nang nasilaban ang natitirang lalagyan sa loob. It's filled with gasoline. Inabot din ng apoy ang irregular na zombie at tila naging panggatong ito para mas lumaki ang apoy.

She's satisfied, alright.

Nang muling humarap ay nagulat siya kung gaano na sila kalapit sa bangin.
The violent raging water muted the terrifying screams and growls of the undead behind her. She's so close into falling off the cliff and Kindness still doesn't have any clue of stopping.

With urgency, she drifted the kind horse barely two meters before the cliff. Dust and some rocks went flying because of that sudden move. The lady saw how a small rock fell down the cliff. That would've been them if she acted a moment late. Suprised, Kindness suddenly rears and Jiyo holds the rein for dear life. She tries to sooth and calm the animal which worked instatly. Then, without getting instructed, Kindness gallops furiously away from danger.

Jiyo puffs a deep breath. Habang palayo ang dalaga, hindi nawala ang tingin niya sa likod. Nakatuon na ang atensyon ng mga nilipon niyang zombie sa apoy. They blindly charge at the fire still with those angry eyes and snarls. The fire won't kill those abominations instatly. Pero sapat ito para pukawin ang kanilang atensyon.

Years of observing, they noticed two worth remembering things. One, they are drawn to anything that is emitting heat. Burning wood, light posts, machine. Set something on fire and they're out to get it. This theory was first hypothesized last year, when a group out for patrol reported that zombies suddenly charged into a burning building downsouth.

Hinahabol raw sila ng mga ito noong una pero nang madaanan ang nasusunog na gusali, agad na nawalan ng interes sa kanila ang mga ito at agad na sumugod doon. They said there were no people inside and if there were, they are most probably dead. Mas napatunayan ang hinuhang ito nang paulit-ulit nilang ginawa ang isang eksperimentong kahit si Jiyo ay ayaw makipagkoopera. The experiment is a work of another lunatic that Jiyo wished she never met.

Two, and the most important one, these zombies can barely see. But that weakness is muffled by their hearing abilities being sharp as a blade. Kahit anong tunog ay makakaagaw ng atensyon nila. Even a tiny crunch of a dried leaf is enough to snap their attention towards it.

Paano pa ang dumadagundong na ingay na nanggagaling sa rumaragasang tubig sa ilalim ng bangin?

With a satisfied grin, Jiyo watches as the irregular, now in flames, who was dedicated into chasing her just seconds ago, staggers forward trying to find where the sound is coming from. Palayo siya nang palayo habang palapit naman nang palapit ang zombie na iyon sa bangin. Then, after another step, the irregular fell down and Jiyo never heard his screeches anymore.

Jiyo and Kindness scale the path near the cliff, leaving just enough space for safety. The purpose is to mask the sound of Kindness' gallops so that the zombies hearing will focus on the raging waters. Kahit si Jiyo ay bingi sa pagtakbo ng kabayo pero ramdam niya ang malawak na ngiting nakapaskil sa kaniyang mukha habang pinagmamasda ang isa-isang pagkahulog ng mga zombies sa kanilang katapusan.

Nang balingan ang kabilang dako ng lugar, nakita niyang palapit na sa kaniya si Norman. The guy is not even looking back to watch his pursuers meet their ends. Diretsyo lang ang tingin nito sa daan at nananatiling walang emosyon ang mukha.

Now, what's left are the less than hundred zombies still advancing forward. May ilang metro pa na natitira bago marating ng mga ito ang tulay. She urges Kindness to speed up when Norman did the same. Madali lang nilang naabot ang tulay dahil wala nang nakakabit na pabigat sa mga kabayo.

Two of Tablo's men are waiting on the foot of the bridge. Pabalik balik ang tingin ng mga ito sa kanila ni Norman at sa papalapit na mga nilalang. She sensed the urgency on their faces and saw that they are fidgeting and sweating. Despite that, they only watched the both of them approach.

"Can't you fucking speed up!?"

A high pitched voice echoed. Hinanap niya ang pinaggalingan no'n kahit kilala naman niya ang boses. Tablo's perched on top of the bridge. Naka-dekwatro pa ito at pinapaypayan ang sarili gamit ang makulay nitong pamaypay. In his other hand is Nobility, his favorite assault rifle. Beside him is another guy stepping down on a roll of metal net.

"I don't know if you can see but we have unwanted visitors here!" He kept on shouting. Matalim din ang tingin nito sa kaniya nang isara nito ang pamaypay. Naparolyo naman si Jiyo ng mata.

"Alright. Alright."

Nauna sa kaniyang makapasok sa tulay si Norman. Just moments after she went in, cross-linked shadows draped over her and she heard a loud thud. Lumigon siya at nakitang nakaharang na ang bakal na net sa labasan. The men who were initially outside are now in to seal the entrance.

Nakasalubong niya ang ilan pang kalalakihan na tutulong sa dalawa. Kindness slows down to a halt near the shed. Bumaba siya sa kabayo. Hindi pa man nakatatayo nang maayos ay may humila na agad sa kaniyang buhok.

"The fuck!? H-hey!" Napangiwi ang dalaga.

"Ingrata ka! This is exactly why Alice hates going on patrol with you!" Tablo shakes her head irritably. Gigil na gigil ito sa kaniya. Holding her hair tightly, he drags her accross the area.

"Teka! T-teka nga! Aray!" He threw her at the weaponry table. Halos matapon naman ang mga armas na naroon. People who saw them backed away and avoided their gazes.

"Are you really out of your mind, Jiyo!? 'Yang kagagahan mong 'yan ang papatay sa'yo, alam mo ba 'yun!?"

Matalim na bumaling si Jiyo kay Tablo. Kumikirot ang anit niya sa ginawang pagsabunot nito.

"I'm not being gaga! I was trying to help! Fuck you!" She shouted.

"Attitude ka, girl!?" Tablo shouted back. Napasabunot na rin ito sa sariling buhok.

Jiyo tries to calm down. "Tablo, we are in the middle of some dilemma here. Can't this wait?"

"Normally, I would've just let you go prance up and down."

"Kaya nga. So what's the big deal now?"

"Normally, Jiyo! Normally!" Muling bumaling sa kaniya ang mataray nitong mga mata. "Was there any ounce of normality out there!? May nakasalubong ka pang irregular! "

"Bitch, please! Everything's not normal to begin with!"

Napairap si Tablo. "Same words, different mouths. Kambal nga ata kayo ni Alice."

"She said the same thing?"

"Only the latter part."

"Oh."

Tablo sighed. "What I'm trying to say to your feeble mind is that can't you be more careful out there, Jiyo? Dinamay mo pa talaga ang kaisa-isang tao na hindi hihindi sa kahit anong utos."

Inayos ni Jiyo ang nagulo niyang buhok. "Well, excuse me but there wasn't enough time to make a grandiose plan, Tablo. Ginawa ko lang ang unang pumasok na plano sa isip ko. Isa pa, nakabalik naman kami nang maayos. What are you fuming mad for?"

"Oh, I don't know! Maybe I just want to point out your suicidal tendencies? Nang baka matauhan ka? My gosh!"

Jiyo can see that Tablo's holding back to slap the hell out of her. But what can she do back then? They were running against time. It's up to her to call the shots, being the leader of this patrol. She had to make quick decisions.

"Come on, Tablo. Let's focus on what's ahead. 'Tsaka na lang natin pag-usapan 'to."

"Yuck! You sound like Alice." Naparolyo ng mata si Tablo. "Tsk. Anyway, my archers are alreading handling the situation pretty w-" Napakunot ang noo ni Jiyo nang matigilan si Tablo. She follows his gaze.

Una niyang nakita ang natigilang mga tao sa itaas ng tulay. Walang gumagalaw ni isa sa kanila. It's almost like their frozen states minutes ago. Tablo's archers are stoned where they stood.

The same way the remaining zombies stood motionless one meter away from the bridge.

Jiyo heard a strained laugh from Tablo. "Fuck this. So much for fucking normality."

---
I am back from the dead! How are you guys during this quarantine? I hope everyone's doing well.

Please enjoy this somehow long chapter. Click that star and let me know your thoughts about this update!

Stay safe, everyone!