The setting sun paints the area a mix of two warm tones—orange and red; the latter color continuously dominates as minutes passes by, like a constant reminder of what might stain these grounds once the sun dipped below the horizon.

Once they make the wrong move.

A pool of murky blood floods at the foot of the metal fences where more than twenty thrashing and jerking zombies are now skewered. None of the zombies behind tries to detach themselves from the sharp pole pierced through their bodies. Instead, they drive forward impaling their rotten bodies as well as the one in front even more on the pointy metal rod.

Jiyo and Tablo managed to pull the fence, despite its now multiplied weight, just enough to create the gap they wanted. Tahimik na nagmasid ang dalaga, pinagmamasdan kung alin sa tatlong naguunahang nilalang ang unang makararaan. She didn't have to wait more further.

A man, although bloodied and missing an eye, found his way through the small space. It struggles as it tries to break away from the grasps and pulls from the skewered zombies—as if asking for help to let them out of the metal trap. Determinado naman ang lalaking zombie na makalayo at makalapit sa pwesto ng dalaga.

Although once he lined up with the burning pile of planks, a flash resembling a lone shooting star, came hurling at the zombie's direction. The bottle with a burning cloth shatters on impact with the zombie's head. Mist of droplets pours from his head down which immediately caught fire and sets the zombie's rotting body ablaze. Hindi na nagkaroon ng pagkakataon pang makabawi ang zombie dahil matapos yo'n ay isang bala ang diretsyong bumaon sa dibdib nito na naging dahilan upang bumagsak itong tuluyan sa lupa. Only the dancing flames swayed by the wind is the movement coming from the dead body.

The information that unfolds was instantly noted on everyone's mind who saw the fall of the zombie. And to test the hypothesis, another Molotov came crashing to the next zombie, who's barely walking, after it reached a good distance away from the bridge. Gaya ng nauna sa kaniya, matapos bumaon ang isang bala sa dibdib nito ay agad itong bumagsak. Walang galaw. Wala nang buhay.

The earlier confusion, Tablo unable to take down a zombie after multiple shots, still lingers on the minds of those who witnessed it. But Jiyo's proven theory of these irregulars' weakness has gradually lessen their fear, especially as more and more corpses fell into death's floor after fire bottles and bullets were fired.

Amidst the success of taking down these zombies, Jiyo remains unsatisfied. With the setting sun and the flaring flames illuminating the remaining zombies behind the barricade, she can perfectly see the unwavering grin plastered on one particular zombie that remained standing behind the metal curtain.

Tila ba nangungutya. Minamaliit ang hakbang na ginagawa nila.

Just wait 'till these frontline motherfuckers burn into ashes and I'll personally tear that rotting mouth off of that equally rotting face of yours. An unspoken oath was made on the spot Jiyo is standing.

"Gumagabi na." Tablo noted.

His squad has taken the liberty to light up the torches they've planted on various places of the run-down area. Burning arrows swoop through the air landing on their respective targets, bringing the dead, dilapidated buildings back to life. Soon after, faces after faces of their comrades are slowly resurfacing from the shadows as each torch catches fire.

Without the moon shining upon them nor stars to witness the event, torches and the increasing bonfire serves as their light after the sun completely sets. Shadows flickers here and there every time the night wind decides to howl silently. A shiver would run down on the spine of Jiyo's comrades, though some of them knew it wasn't because of the wind.

Matagal nang tumigil ang pagbagsak ng mga katawan sa tulay. All of the zombies are now either skewered on the fence, or waiting in line to be burned into ashes by one of the hurling Molotovs. Either way, their growls and screeches did not falter.

"Nineteen." Jiyo silently whispered after a female zombie sporting a broken arm catches fire and fell backwards after a bullet passed through her heart. Her body added to the mass of rotten bodies serving as firewood, immediately eaten by the huge flame.

At this point, Jiyo and Tablo couldn't make out the remaining zombies because of the aggressive flame. It seems that it is also the same as those men who were firing the Molotovs because they only fired after another zombie slowly emerged from the wall of fire. They may able to conserve some of their fire bottles since the increasing fire can bit the staggering zombies walking pass it. With this progress, they might be able to go back before midnight falls.

Sa naisip, agad na naalala ni Jiyo si Paolo. Ilang oras na ang lumipas mula nang umalis ang lalaki. By this time, he should've alerted the outpost and is on his way back to base. Kunot-noong bumaling ang dalaga sa madilim na daan patungo sa kampo.

Rica and Geoff are competent leaders and followers. They always heed her request and are smart enough to assess situations. That's why this unusual delay of response from the both of them is making Jiyo anxious. Idagdag pa na si Serge—isang sibilyan, ay naroon at walang kaalam-alam sa nangyayari.

How she wish she pressed more further into sending him back!

"That's the twenty-first." Mula kay Tablo.

Napabaling muli ang dalaga sa harapan. Indeed, two burning bodies are laying just inches away from the last one she noted. Di rin nagtagal bago ang huling zombie, isang matangkad at umaapoy nang katawan ang muling lumakad palabas sa mataas na apoy. Unable to identify the gender of the burning mass, Jiyo just noted how it sways and staggers as it walks forward. Because of that movement, it took three bullets before its heart got shot. The impact and its wobbling legs were enough for it to jerk backwards and fell on the ground.

Twenty-second.

"Fire is still their number one enemy." Saad ni Tablo. "I'm so glad that didn't change."

Jiyo slightly grinned. "Mga naglalakad na panggatong na lang sila sa puntong ito."

The small smile forming on Tablo's lips immediately disappeared. "Alam mo, Jiyo, kumpara sa nangyari kanina," Tablo faced her. "this is a bit uneventful." Tila ba dismayado pang sabi nito.

Jiyo would like to joke back some cliché sayings, but she undestands Tablo's concern. Totoo ngang masyadong malayo ang nangyayari ngayon kaysa sa nangyari kanina. Hell! If their eyes weren't tricking them, they even saw these zombies managed to climb the metal drape! Kaya naman ang kakaibang kabagalan nang kaganapan na nangyayari ay tunay na nakababahala.

"I know." Nanatiling nakaharap sa apoy ang dalaga. The orange glow paints their body as well as the surroundings. Ramdam din ng dalaga ang init na dala nito kahit na ilang metro ang layo nila roon. "Still, this is progress."

Both of them see another burning body fell.

Kung eestimahin ang bilang ng mga natitira sa likod ng umaapoy na pader, maaaring nasa humigit-kumulang dalawampu na lang ang kailangan nilang patumbahin. Sobra sobra pa rin ang armas na mayroon sila. If this continues, they'll be able to wipe out this wave of irregular zombies in no time.

"Hmm." The long haired pondered. "We won't be needing a back-up then."

At the mention, Jiyo faced Tablo with her brows clashing. "Alam mo, iyan ang ipinagtataka ko. Bakit hanggang ngayon, wala pang nakakarating na back-up mula sa kampo?"

"Oh, so you did ask for a back-up." Manghang saad ni Tablo, saglit na inisip kung kailan nakahanap ng oras ang dalaga para humingi ng tulong. "Who did you left in charge?"

"Rica and Geoff."

Maging si Tablo ay napakunoot na rin ng noo. He also knows the capabilities of Jiyo's best archers.

"Now that's sus."

"Right? This," Jiyo pointed at the large flame. "would've been enough to alert them. Maayos ang lagay ng teleskopyo roon." She added, pertaining to the telescope situated on one of the tree houses. Siya mismo ang tumingin sa kondisyon ng mga gamit doon nang dumating sila kahapon. Gamit 'yon ay matatanaw ng kung sino man ang ilaw galing sa lumalaking apoy rito.

The sound of a bottle shattering on impact followed by a gun shot was not enough to break the confused look between the two.

"Well, I can go and check."

Umiling si Jiyo. "I'll go. There's something I need to do as well." And that is to send Serge back to base, pronto.

"Okay, I'll take over."

Jiyo agreed and moved away from their post, but not before glancing one last time at the wall of fire where she caught the sight of a falling body. Twenty-fifth.

While walking down the ragged road of the abandoned town, she signals at four people who are standing near the horses. Reading her order, they silently guided five horses, one of which is Kindness, and followed her at the end of the town—towards the blackened open space.

The absence of the moon, as well as the stars, makes the path in front of Jiyo darker, more colder. The last torch flickers a good fifteen meters away from their backs, its warmth no longer reaching them. None of them were dressed to fight the irregular cold blow of the wind nor the icy feeling freezing the pit of their stomachs as they stare at the endless blackness ahead.

Hinarap ng dalaga ang lalaking katabi. Jastin passed Kindness's strap to Jiyo silently. The sixteen year old's black eyes mirrors the darkness behind her. Kaibahan lang ay ang bahid ng takot at pangamba na lumalangoy sa itim na mga mata ng binata habang pabalik-balik ang tingin lagpas sa balikat ni Jiyo. She eyed the rest of the group, the same emotions dulled in their eyes.

"Pupunta tayo sa kampo." Panimula niya. They listened. "Aalamin natin ang lagay ng mga naroon. Kapag nasa ayos ang lahat, nais kong maiwan kayo roon bilang dagdag na seguridad. Is that understood?" Tanging tango ang sagot ng mga ito sa kaniya.

She stared at them curiously. Then it clicked. "Miguel, Jastin, Karl, at Adeleen, tama ba?"

Four of the nine youngest members in this patrol. Aged fifteen to seventeen. Maybe inexperienced unlike the rest, but bold and brave enough to list their names in this mission. They were slightly taken aback by the fact that she knows their names. All of them murmured 'yes', trying to keep their tone from being delighted.

Her smile is patient. "I know you guys. You're Eli's batchmates." They nodded again. "But unlike her, you guys paid attention to training. That's very good." She smiled approvingly.

The four members almost forgot their situation as they slowly show admiration and amazement to one of their leaders. Acknowledgement isn't something they wish to achieve by taking up trainings and listing in this mission, but it sure does feel good to be noticed by one of the people they look up to. And as everyone knows that Jiyo is Alice's right hand man, the praise was worth more than it seems.

Pero mabilis na nawala ang mumunting ligaya na naramdaman nilang apat nang mawala ang ngiti ni Jiyo.

"Listen, as I've said, I want the four of you to remain there to guard the premises if, and only if, things are fine. First sign of danger and all of you better gallop away with your horses back here in a snap, understood?"

Her tone was commanding and they can't help but feel stiff. Their uniform nod is enough for Jiyo to turn around and guide Kindness towards the pitch-black field. Once she saddled up, Adeleen lined up beside her, now on her own horse, and handed her a torch. Both of their blazing torches in front, the shadows ahead seems to retreat a few meters back showing them the grasses and uneven road it ate just seconds ago.

"Arrows ready." Jiyo heard two seconds of shuffling behind her after she said the command and then the intensity of the light surrounding them grew. She waited and, "Fire." came her order.

Two burning arrows flew above her landing roughly seventy meters away. Both stuck on the ground and illuminated a huge spot on the dark field, casting away shadows. Scattered rocks, soil, and dead grasses greets them. The fire spreads in that spot after it caught some of the dried grass. Dahil don, mas lalong lumiwanag ang daan na iyon. Her eyes scanned the illuminated area. Satisfied, Jiyo nudged Kindness forward.

"Let's go." aniya.

She led the pack towards the light. The wind pushes strands of her hair as they advance. Halfway through, she signals the trio behind to fire another round of burning arrows. Segundo lang ang tinagal bago lumipad sa itaas niya ang dalawang nagliliyab na pana. Muling lumiwanag ang daan sa kanilang harap nang tupukin ng apoy ang mga tuyong dahon kung saan ito bumagsak. Hindi naman lumayo ang apoy at naipon lang sa pwesto na iyon.

They continue to light their way as they gallop towards the camp, leaving a trail of fire behind. Jiyo continues to give order as to what direction should they fire. The infinite darkness is enough to confuse them to where they should go, especially because they don't have any point reference at all. And Jiyo only relies on memory and the way the wind blows to navigate their way through darkness.

It's almost impossible, of course, to just guess their way out of this situation. Iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit sa puntong ito, at kung babasehan ang minuto nang itinakbo nila mula sa lumang bayan, dapat ay natatanaw na nila ang unang senyales ng palatandaan na malapit na sila sa kampo. Jiyo believes they have travelled far enough to reach the middle distance between two points. A beacon of light, around a hundred meters from their current position, should have been lighted up to guide them forward. Pero ilang segundo na ang lumipas sa kanilang paglalakbay at nanatiling madilim ang daan sa harapan.

One of the arrows that flew after her next command strays to the left. Nagkaroon ng pagitan ang dalawang umaapoy na pana. Nang tumigil sa paggalaw ang apoy, hindi ganoon katindi ang liwanag na nabuo sa binagsakan nitong pwesto. Jiyo was ready to order another arrow to light the in-between when she noticed it.

The still flame suddenly danced—disturbed, as if something ran pass it.

Jiyo wordlessly ordered a halt. Malayo pa ang distansya nila mula roon at halos aabutin pa lang nila ang naunang pares nito. But she feels that whatever that was is coming towards them in haste.

She handed her own torch to Adeleen, who squints her eyes trying to find what's wrong. Sa kabila ng kaba, tahimik na inabot ni Jastin kay Jiyo ang palaso at pana ni Karl. They weren't stupid not to notice Jiyo's alarmed stance. Lahat sila ay sabay-sabay na humawak ng armas at nag-abang nang tahimik.

Jiyo hovers the arrow over the fire, but her eyes did not leave the spot ahead. It could be just an animal, she hopes it is. But when she heard that unmistakable sound of heavy, continuous footsteps, she hoped no further.

Jiyo positioned to fire.

The first thing she saw that stepped on to the light is a mud stained foot. Walang nang inaksayang segundo ang dalaga para alamin pa ang kabuoan ng kung ano man na papalapit sa kanila. She fired without even blinking.

That's why she witness how the arrow misses her target.

Not because she fired inaccurately. Jiyo would never. It's because her target dodged the arrow. No, not dodged. Biglang napaupo, tila ba nawalan ng lakas ang inasinta niya. And now illuminated by the fire, Jiyo saw it wasn't what they were expecting.

It's Theo, the boy who takes care of this patrol's food supply. The young boy looks back to where the arrow landed and looks back at them with a terrified look.

Jiyo's initially shocked and confused as well, but it turns to something more bothering as she question his presence here. She waited no longer and commands Kindness forward. Pinipilit na tumayo ni Theo sa kabila nang panginginig ng mga binti nito dala nang mahabang pagtakbo. Habang papalapit ay mas lalong napagmasdan ng dalaga ang kalagayan ng binata. Both of his shoes are gone. His clothes are stained brown as if he rolled— tripped more than once on the ground and his hair's a mess. Tagaktak ang pawis ng binata at habol din niya ang kaniyang hininga. Nang makatayo ay muling tumingin si Theo sa pana sa kaniyang likod.

His messy state is nothing but a red flag to Jiyo, making her grip Kindness's rein more tighter.

Napalitan ang emosyon sa mukha ng lalaki nang makalapit at makita siya nito nang mas malinaw. Jiyo asked him immediately.

"Theo, anong nangyari sa'yo? Bakit ka nandito?"

He steps forward. Naalarma naman ang mga kasama ni Jiyo sa ginawa ng binata. They were on high alert the moment he stepped on the light and even more after they saw his state. With sore muscles, Theo tries to raise his arms in surrender when he saw them raising their weapons at him.

"H-hindi po ako nakagat... P-please... I swear." sagot niya sa mga ito sa kabila nang paghabol sa hininga. He looks behind him after.

They eased for a bit. That wasn't the same as Jiyo who tensed at his answer.

"What do you mean you're not bitten?" She asked slowly, studying his reaction. "Anong nangyari sa kampo?"

As if remembering something, the raven haired boy whipped his head again to the blackness behind him before looking at her with the renewed terrified expression.

"W-wala po tayong oras. K-kailangan nating tumakbo palayo..." he heaved a deep breath.

"Tumakbo?" Bahagyang tumaas ang boses ng dalaga, dahilan para mapapitlag ang kausap. "You can explain now, Theo. Nasaan si Rica? Sila Geoff at ang iba pa?"

He did not answer. Isa pang sulyap sa likod ang ginawa niya. She followed his eyes.

Jiyo realizes that he wasn't looking at the arrow she fired. He's looking beyond it—at where the camp is, and he's alarmed. Natanto niya rin na hindi nakadirekta ang takot ng lalaki sa pana. Theo is scared of something else far more terrifying than having an arrow almost pierce his head.

His labored breathing filled their small space as Jiyo waits for an answer. Isang segundo lang ang lumipas at may iba nang narinig ang dalaga.

Jiyo heard shuffling, that familiar scraping on the ground followed by a faint hiss.

She froze and the sudden instinct to flee kicks in. Panandaliang nalito ang dalaga sa takot na naramdaman. It's an all familiar sound, one she heard just minutes ago in the old town. Sanay na dapat siya sa tunog na ito. Then, why does she want to run away from that sound?

Despite being confused, Jiyo still recognized the threat. Hindi na niya inantay ang sagot ni Theo. Tahimik na nagbigay ng utos ang dalaga para umatras. A flick of her finger and the horses of her comrades shifted towards where they came from. Inabot niya naman ang kamay kay Theo upang makasakay ito kay Kindness.

However, what Jiyo failed to notice was the silence that followed after the hissing. It toyed her mind, telling her she just imagined—misheard. Pero ang umaalingaw-ngaw na sigaw mula kay Miguel na pumalit sa nanahimik na paligid ang nagpaalala sa kaniya na tama ang takot na naramdaman niya.

Jiyo whipped her head in lightning speed. Una niyang nakita ang kabayo na dala ni Miguel. Its rider gone. Hindi kinailangang magtanong ni Jiyo matapos sundan kung saan takot na nakatingin ang mga kasamahan. Jiyo first saw a pair of legs before it quickly disappeared, rapidly dragged into the blackness. The remnants of Miguel's scream travels in the still air.

"Shit!" her loud curse echoes.

Dali-daling nagpaliyab ang dalaga ng isang pana at walang seremonyas na pinakawalan iyon kung saan tingin niya'y naroon si Miguel. The burning arrow cuts through the dark veil as it flies. Jiyo accurately pinpoints Miguel's location as the arrow lands close enough to show his mangled face, his neck's bent at an odd angle. The seventeen year old boy's unmoving, lifeless.

This time, it was Adeleen's scream that echoes after the sight of their dead comrade greets them. Mas lalong naestatwa sa pwesto si Karl samantalang hindi napigilan ni Jastin ang pagsuka. Miguel was just in front of them seconds ago, leading the retreat. But just like that, he's gone.

For a moment, Jiyo is petrified. But she didn't waste a second to pull them back to their task of retreating after realizing that whatever attacked and killed Miguel wasn't there with him anymore. And it sent chills to her spine, warning bells ringing to the new found threat.

"Move!" She reared Kindness to alert the other horses. Walang nagawa ang tatlo pa niyang kasamahan kundi igiya ang mga naalertong kabayo patungo sa direksyon ng inabandonang bayan. They furiously galloped away from Miguel's bleeding body, his horse forgotten as it continues to paw the dry ground somewhat clueless of the death of its rider.

"What the fuck was that!?" Jiyo's heart pounded the same beat as Kindness's furious gallop.

"H-hindi ko po alam! It just came out of nowhere! Geoff tried to kill it but... " Theo trailed. She caught his tone but hoped she misunderstood what he's trying to say.

Nang marinig ang sinabi ng binata ay mas lumalim ang kunot sa noo niya.

"At si Rica!?"

Theo hesitated. "She was killed first."

Fucking hell.

Jiyo's frustration sky-rocketed. Naghalo ang galit at takot. First. Rica was killed first. That means many more followed. Labing-dalawa ang naiwan doon kasama nila Geoff at Rica. All were trained and well-versed on the nature of their patrols, on what they deal with during each of it but fuck.

At si Serge! Shit! If those who she knows are able to help themselves in this kind of situation didn't survive, what more of a civilian like him!?

As if a young boy's death wasn't enough to crush her, this news came rushing to ram Jiyo. She took small breaths to stabilize the rapid beating of her heart. Walang makapagpapabago ng mga nangyari. All she has to do right now is to temporarily push aside any emotion she's feeling, both for her own sake and those around her.

Jiyo's eyes are frantic, trying to get a grasp of whatever's around her. Halos lokohin siya ng utak niya dahil sa walang katapusang dilim sa paligid nila. Para bang kahit gaano kabilis ang takbo nila ay hindi sila umaalis sa pwesto. If it weren't for the torches lighting different patterns on the ground she would've thought they are in an endless loop of galloping, with an unknown predator circling them, waiting to pounce.

Hindi naman nabawasan ang panginginig sa katawan ng kasamahan ni Jiyo kahit nang matanaw ang lumang bayan. Although granted by the comfort of finally being able to see what's around them, Jastin secretly hopes that they won't have the chance to see whatever killed their friend. Not at least tonight where he believes they are against the odds of surviving. He thought that Jiyo, Tablo, and a couple of veterans present in the town won't be enough to raise that probability.

Naputol ang iniisip ni Jastin nang makarinig ng sunod-sunod na putok. Iilang distansya pa ang layo nila sa bayan at siya ang nauuna papalapit dito. Pero sigurado ang binata na lahat sila'y narinig iyon nang malinaw. He further proves so when a dark blur passed by him in a snap. Tanging nakita ng binata ay ang mabilis na takbo patungo sa bayan ng kayumangging kabayo na sakay si Jiyo at Theo.

Maybe there's a chance after all, the young boy thought while watching Jiyo head straight into danger. Maybe, just maybe, we'll live another night.

Jiyo spats all the curses she knows after hearing rapid fires of bullets as they approach the town, clearly a sign that the horde broke through. And if so, how many are still left that there's this much of ammunition being fired? Sumagi sa isip ng dalaga ang bagay na pumatay kay Miguel. No, it's too far behind them. There's no way that it has arrived here faster than us.

Her holster quickly became empty as soon as Kindness steps into the vicinity. Bumaba siya at inabot ang tali kay Theo kasama ang isang baril. 

"Get on the roof! Quickly!" agad na sabi niya sa binata. She quickly looks to where Karl and rest of the group stops. "That's an order for all of you."

Gripping her crossbow, Jiyo left them and rushes to where most of the shots were fired. Tulad nang hinala niya, nanggagaling ang halos lahat ng tunog na 'yon sa direksyon ng tulay. Her eyes raked the area as she runs. Tanaw ni Jiyo ang isang grupo na nakapwesto sa daan. IIlan na lang ang din ang nakita ng dalaga na nasa itaas ng mga gusali. The few who stayed on the roof are positioned near to where the unrelenting shooting is happening. She then spots one guy standing on a balcony.

"Andrew!" The guy turns to her with a startle. A fleeting moment of panic flashed in a pair of brown eyes behind his worn out glasses before he was able to recognize who called him. "Report!"

"Miss Jiyo!" He shouted over the loud shots. Jiyo need not squeeze in her way through the people as they parted when they heard her name being called. Lumakad ang dalaga at ilang segundo pa ay kasunod na ang lalaki.

"Nasa loob na sila. Fifteen was the last count and Sir Tablo and the others are handling what they can at the frontlines. Hindi nasira ang harang at umakyat lang sila galing sa likod. We have four people dead.. as of reporting." Andrew's voice wavered, never gotten over the disturbing feeling of adding the last bits but it's necessary.

Jiyo doesn't see the need to correct him about the numbers. Hindi alam ng dalaga kung ilan ang kabuoan ng bilang ng mga nasawi sa kampo, daang metro ang layo rito. But the pressing truth is that his count was way off, alarmingly so.

They reached the small open area by the time Andrew concluded his summary.

Isang pasada lang ng tingin at agad na napagtanto ng dalaga na hindi maganda ang lagay nila. The orange hue coming from the bonfire burns brighter and Jiyo could make out additional bodies in there. Magandang senyales sana iyon kung hindi lang nakita ng dalaga ang mas nakakaagaw pansin na kulay pula na nakakalat sa lupa.

Two bodies of her comrades lay not too far from where she stood. Magkatabi at halatang dinala patungo sa pwesto nila ngayon. Their bodies were horribly mangled, a work clearly done by more than one zombie. Aside from that, both of them have holes on their foreheads. An act of mercy.

"How's our ammo?" she asked Andrew after memorizing the faces of the fallen.

"Our projectiles are running low. Sila Fe ang umubos sa mga naunang umakyat kaya madaling kumaunti ang mga pana. However, we can last a few more rounds with firearms. Sir Tablo also ordered us to hold." She requested a gun which he immediately gave to her. Inilagay niya ito sa lalagyanang nabakante.

Hinanap ng dalaga si Tablo. It didn't took long as she immediately see his long hair whipping madly in the air. Four zombies are approaching him and Norman. Parehong may hawak na patalim at kapwa hinihingal. Norman backs off from the two zombies approaching his direction while Tablo attacks the walking corpse on his right. Sa ginawang pag-atake, sumugod din ang isa pang zombie sa kaniya. Agad na itinaas ng dalaga ang dalang armas at unang inasinta ang susugod na zombie kay Tablo, matapos ay sinunod ang natitirang nilalang sa gawi ni Norman matapos nitong patumbahin ang isa.

Tablo's confused eyes went to her immediately. Lumapit ang dalaga sa binata nang makumpirmang ligtas ang paligid.

"We have a big fucking problem." Inunahan niya itong magsalita. "Something's out there. I don't know what the fuck it is but that 'it' just fucking wiped out the outpost and killed Miguel in front of me."

Kasabay ng paghabol nito sa kaniyang hininga ang pagsalubong ng kilay ni Tablo. "What the fuck are you talking about? The outpost is.."

"What I mean is," she paused to raise and aim at the staggering zombie approaching Tablo from behind. Tinira niya ito sa dibdib malayo pa man sa kanila na agad namang bumagsak. "We have to prepare for something to come and attack us anytime. Nauna kaming dumating dito, Tablo. But there's no way in hell that it's not heading this way."

And as if to fuck them more, a rumbling was heard all of a sudden. Sabay silang tumingala sa madillim na kalangitan at sabay rin na napamura.

"We'll seek cover in the forest." Agad na suhestyon ni Tablo. "We cannot stay here in the open and those buildings can't hold any much longer."

From their left, collective gun shots were heard. Tuloy-tuloy ang pagbaril ng ilang kalalakihan sa pitong nilalang na papunta sa kanila. Malulutong na mura ang nanggaling kay Tablo dahil halos kalahati ng mga bala ay walang tinamaan. 

"These motherfucking shitshots!" 

Jiyo called his attention again. "Lead them into the forest. I'll look after the rear." 

The moment the first drop of rain fell, most of their comrades have entered the woods. Gamit ang kakaunting liwanag galing sa mga sulo, mabilis nilang binagtas ang kagubatan tungo sa kumpol ng mga naglalakihang puno sa gitna nito. Jiyo was left guarding the rear, with four more people in tow. Together they saw how a burning zombie aimlessly wanders 'till it bumped on to the dilapidated building nearest to it, setting the old wooden building into fire. Mas lumiwanag ang pinanggalingan nila kaya't kitang-kita nilang kung paano tuluyang nakapasok ang mga natitirang nilalang sa likod ng harang.

One zombie tries to follow their trail and enter the forest. The smartest move would be to shot it with her crossbow to avoid making noise however, the young man on her left let fear cloud his rational thinking. He fired three times and only hitting the damned corpse on his last bullet.

Tangang napatingin ang dalaga sa lalaki ngunit wala na siyang oras para pagsabihan ito nang sabay-sabay na bumaling sa kanila ang mga natitirang nilalang. The rain poured hard in that instant, dousing half of the torches they've brought. Isang malutong na mura bago inutusan ni Jiyo na magmadali sa pagtakbo ang kanyang mga kasamahan. 

The muddy forest soil almost made their run impossible as some of her comrades kept slipping on the ground. Madilim na ang harap nila dahil malayo na ang karamihan ng may hawak ng sulo. Isa sa nauuna niyang kasamahan ang biglang natapilok dahil sa ugat ng puno. Dumaing ito ngunit sa dilim, at marahil na rin sa takot, ay hindi agad ito natulungan at nilampasan lamang ng ibang mga kasamahan. Jiyo completely saw what happened as she can still see traces of their silhouettes.

Agad niya itong dinaluhan at hinila sa braso. "Stand up! Tiisin mo ang sakit at tumakbo ka! Kung hindi ay iiwan kita rito para mamatay!" banta niya sa lalaki at saka ito inakay nang matulin.

Dumagdag pa ang malakas na buhos ng ulan sa pagpapahirap na makita ang daan sa kanilang harap. The guy muffled his pained groan by biting his left arm. Pinilit nitong tumakbo sa kabila ng nararamdamang sakit at takot. Hirap man ay mas lalong inakay ng dalaga ang lalaking halos ibigay na ang buong bigat sa kaniya. 

When additional growls were caught by her ear, she immediately readies her crossbow and pushed the guy off her.

"Run. Run as fast as you fucking can! Huwag kang lilingon!" she shouted her orders. Agad namang nakuha ng lalaki ang tono niya at mas pinilit na tumakbo.

Saglit lang na pinagmasdan ng dalaga ang lalaki bago agad na bumaling sa pinanggalingan ng tunog. What's catching up on them are definitely irregulars, the fucking runner kind. Her head throbbed just by the thought. There are different classification of these corpses now. Alice would throw a freaking huge party once she finds out, she thought.

That is if anyone of them survives the night.

Jiyo immediately loaded her crossbow with two arrows. Tingin niya'y nasa tatlo ang tumatakbo papalapit sa kaniya base sa nagmamadaling yapak ng mga ito sa putikang lupa. Bukod doon ay alam niyang marami pang kasunod ang mga ito. She would basically take a chance and blindly fire in the dark as there's no source of light around her anymore, relying solely on sounds and the shadows she can barely see.

When the harsh running came close and the shadows in front of her is disturbed, she didn't hesitate to fire the arrow where she guessed their weak points would be. Hindi pa rin tumitila ang malakas na ulan ngunit hindi nakatakas sa pandinig niya ang malakas na tunog nang pagbagsak sa lupa. With a grin, she hops back to load the next round of arrows but her lips immediately sets on a thin line when she only felt three long sticks in it.

"Putangina. Kung suswertehin ka nga naman." Jiyo calmy loads two more arrow leaving her with one. She still has her gun, fully loaded she hopes so. These are just enough to buy Tablo and the rest some time to get further away and settle somewhere safer.

Agad na dumating ang pangalawang tumatakbong zombie sa gawi niya. It went so close she managed to see its full silhouette. A female, judging by its body shape, most likely a teen. Pero ikinagulat pa rin niya ang matinis nitong tili nang makalapit sa kaniya, tila ba galak na nahanap siya sa gitna ng madilim na kakahuyan. Jiyo barely got enough time to fire the arrows because she was taken aback by that shriek.

Her ears rang and its probably the reason why she did not hear the frantic scraping and thud heading her way. Hindi rin ito nanggaling sa gawi na inaasahan ng dalaga kaya impit na napasigaw siya nang may humigit sa kaniyang kaliwang paa at sinimulan siyang kaladkarin. Her whole backside is being dragged along the muddy forest ground. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ng nilalang na ito sa paa niya na tila balak itong baliin at tanggalin. Her mind did not process what's happening until pain coming from below registered in her entire body.

With the little control she has on her limbs, she skillfully took her reserved gun. Her crossbow left her hands long ago and she doubts the remaining arrow's still in the quiver. No matter how unstable her aim now that she's being dragged, there was no hesitation left in Jiyo as she blindly fire at the hand digging on her foot. It took her three shots before the creature let go of her left foot and shrieked louder than the teen zombie back there. Jiyo rolled away from whatever the fuck it is and fired another to its spot when she thought she's out of its range.

Saglit na nailawan ang paligid nang bumaril siya. Mabilis ang tahip ng kaniyang dibdib dala ng pagkakahila sa kaniya ngunit para bang tinakasan ng hininga ang dalaga sa nakitang imahe. Jiyo fires another to confirm what she saw and with the millisecond light, she clearly see how the hunched creature tending his shot arm looks back at her at lightning speed. She didn't even know if its able to look as it has no eyes and only has a wide grin plastered on its faceless face.

Tila tinakasan ng dugo ang dalaga at pinanlamigan ng katawan. Hindi pa nakatulong ang walang tila na ulan sa kalagayan niya. It's it. The thing that killed Miguel and everyone in the base. It. And it's fucking here in front of her.

Her finger spasms and a bullet flew out of the gun. Light came first before its revolting shriek follows. Tinamaan ito, kung saan man ay hindi na makumpirma ng dalaga. Ito ang nagpabalik sa kaniya sa katinuan. Kumuha siya ng suporta sa katabing puno at inalalayan ang sarili sa pagtayo.

She has to go. Run! Her senses are warning her nonstop.

Limping, she tries to run away from the creature. Funny how at this moment the man she helped a while ago came flashing in her mind, then came Alice with her bandaged hand as she redressed it's gauze for the second time.

"I can help them, Jiyo."

"Yeah, you can. Pero parang awa mo na, kapag gumaling na lang yang sugat mo."

Holy shit. She's recalling memories. Is she gonna die here?

Hirap sa pagtakbo at tagaktak na ang pawis ng dalaga na humalo na sa patak ng ulan sa kaniyang katawan. Not even a few steps away when a clawed hand caught her shirt and pushed her forward. Muling napadapa ang dalaga sa lupa. But this time, she managed to stop her fall by her hand.

"Come on, Jiyo. Stand up. We have so much work to do."

Jiyo realized that it's not the faceless creature because of its small body. However, the sound of snapping teeth close to her ear made her realize that it's an equally dangerous threat. She reached behind and gripped the zombie's head before she forcefully pulled it to the side. Hindi agad pinakawalan ng dalaga ang ulo nito kahit na bahagyang napilipit ang kaniyang braso.

She finds its head amidst the darkness of the forest.

"No."

A shot.

"I'm not going to die here."

Then came another bullet to its heart.

Buong katawan na ngayon ang iniinda ng dalaga pero iwinalang bahala niya iyon nang matantong hindi lang isang klase ng panganib ang kinakaharap niya. She blindly reaches for her hidden knife and almost sang praises when she felt its handle on her boot. It's small but it will prove useful once she ran out of ammo.

Or so she hopes so.

Because not too long after, more than what she can handle on her current state rabidly rushes towards her in every direction. It is senses overload to Jiyo. Walang tigil ang dalaga sa paggalaw. Alternating from firing and slashing, attacking and dodging, Jiyo would've been a spectacular warrior if seen in daylight. If she's in a different situation, she supposed so. She could've flaunted a bit to Alice as well, tell her these moves she's improvising at the moment.

Pero mas lalong lumiit ang tyansang maipakita niya iyon sa dalaga nang tuluyang mawalan ng bala ang baril na hawak. Iritado, balewala niya itong hinagis sa dilim pero rinig niyang may tinamaan ito sa 'di kalayuan. Lucky for her, she does not feel any presence near to attack her. But that does not mean she's lucky enough to survive on this forest's muddy floor with just a bloody knife looking like it won't last another stab.

Heaving, Jiyo clawed the bark of the tree on her right. This better be a tall one.

Gamit ang natitirang lakas, pinilit ng dalaga na umakyat sa puno. She groans whenever she uses her injured foot to step on the tree. Jiyo wants to scream, and she did internally when the moment her hand gets a hold of the tree's branch, a hand grips her dangling foot followed by a growl.

"Pwede ba!?" Hirap na sa pag-akyat dala ng madulas na kahoy, hinila hila pa ng nilalang sa ibaba ang kaniyang paa. Pinilit niya itong bawiin. Nanginig ang kamay ni Jiyo na nakahawak sa puno kasabay nang matinding kirot sa paa niyang nakatukod din dito.

Just when she decided to let go of the tree to deal with the zombie below, the hand pulling her foot was suddenly gone. It was then followed by a loud thud as if bodies where continuously rolling down the mud. Saglit na napatigil ang dalaga bago tinuloy ang pag-akyat sa puno.

Walang tigil sa paghabol ng hininga ang dalaga nang makasandal sa puno. Temporarily out of danger, her adrenaline rush washes off and all of her senses shuts down. But the pain on her whole body, especially her left foot did not fade away. Instead, the pain intensifies with every heave she takes. A broken rib for sure.

She hears screeching from afar, a shriek too, or was it a rabid growl? Jiyo doesn't know anymore. She wasn't even aware when the rain stopped or when faint streaks of light entered her vision. She only uttered one word after she rolled her eyes at her helpless state.

"Shit."

It was the only word Jiyo repeated throughout the night.