CONTAGION

"I gave you enough time to do this and what? You're giving me this bullshit?!" our professor almost shouted.

We were given a group activity last week, but the results we submitted were... well... this.

"You can't even follow a simple format properly?" he added as he slammed our papers down on the table. "Guys, you are already in your second year of college and you still can't follow a simple format? You could have asked. I am always available, but no one asks me. If you don't know something, ask. That's better than submitting something careless and useless."

I froze in my seat because of nervousness, while the person beside me was silently praying-which only made me even more anxious. I took deep breaths to calm myself while staring at the papers on the table in front of us. I just wished that our group wouldn't be chosen to present in front of the class because we'd be doomed for sure. Even though I am not the one standing in front, I am already extremely nervous, what more if I'm the one up there?

Without a doubt, I can present but not when I'm being swallowed by nervousness. Why does Sir have to be like this? I just want to skip class right now, but I couldn't because this is a major subject.

When class finally ended, we all went home feeling completely drained because of our professor. Four groups were chosen to present, and thankfully, we weren't one of them. They were grilled one by one, which only made Sir angrier and more frustrated

"My stomach felt so bad..." my classmate said. She's that classmate of mine who keeps on talking to me even when we're not really close.

"You should've studied it more," I answered

"I did! But he asked questions I didn't study..."

"Well, that's unfortunate..."

"He's annoying. I hope he'll get kicked out of our school"

"He won't. He's an amazing teacher, it's just his attitude."

While we were talking about Sir Serrano, we ran into him. Our breaths hitched, and we froze, hoping he didn't hear us. Without a word, he shot us a sharp look before walking away. We closed our eyes and bit our lips. I was sure he would remember us from now on. He definitely heard us.

•

It was already night when I got home. The place is small, but it's fine since I live alone anyway. I tidied up a little and freshened up before sitting at the table to eat dinner while watching TV.

As I ate dinner and watched a show on my phone, a dull banging came from the wall. I barely reacted. The walls here are thin. Noise travels easily. It was probably my neighbor fixing something.

The banging continued. Slow. Uneven. Then it stopped. A scream followed. Then silence. Not the normal kind. Not the kind where someone drops something. The air in my unit felt heavier. I told myself it was nothing. There wasn't much I could do anyway. Knocking on their door wouldn't solve anything.

Then, a violent bang erupted, loud enough that I could feel it in my chest.

"HELP! HELP!" a man screamed.

My breath caught in my throat. A couple lived next door. Arguments weren't unusual. But this didn't sound like anger. It sounded desperate. I bit my lower lip. Getting involved could put me in danger. I'm only twenty-two. I haven't even graduated yet.

Another crash. I exhaled shakily and finally decided to grab my phone and dial the authorities. At the same time, I stepped outside, clutching a kitchen knife in my right hand. The hallway felt too quiet. I stood in front of their door and knocked once, then twice.

"Hello? I heard some noise... Can you please tone it down a little? It's bothering everyone," I called out, forcing irritation into my voice.

No answer. I steadied myself, my heart pounding so hard it made my hands tremble. The door slowly creaked open, and labored breathing slipped through the gap.

"H-help..."

A man stumbled into view. He was covered in blood. A deep wound tore across his cheek, exposing raw flesh. Another marked his shoulder. The edges weren't clean. They looked torn. Bitten.

"My... my wife... What happened to my wife?" he cried before collapsing to his knees.

When he fell, the doorway widened. I could see inside. Furniture overturned. Blood smeared across the floor and walls. And there she was. His wife lay on the ground, a wound in her head still bleeding.

But what unsettled me most wasn't the injury. It was her mouth. Of all the blood on her body, most of it stained her lips and chin. Smudged across her face. As if she had been eating.

My hands started shaking. The knife slipped from my grip and hit the floor with a sharp clang that echoed down the hallway. I don't think I will ever forget that sight.

Soon, the authorities and a medic arrived. I didn't know exactly what happened to the man and his wife after that, but they immediately guided me back to my unit, asking questions and probably checking my mental state after what I had just witnessed. Once they made sure I was stable, they began questioning me about my neighbor.

"I just heard banging... a loud one, then a scream," I said, my hand rubbing my temple.

"Anything else?" the police officer asked.

I took a deep breath, trying to remember. "Ah... he kept asking what happened to his wife. Something seemed... off about her. He kept mumbling about it until you arrived. Other than what I told you and what I saw, I don't know anything else."

The officer stood up. "Thank you for your cooperation, ma'am. Our medic will stay with you for the time being."

I nodded, my voice quiet. "Ah... yes, thank you."

The medic stayed with me, trying to calm and soothe me, though I'm sure even she could see how traumatized I was. That scene... It was horrendous, enough to leave anyone shaken. I assured her I was fine and said I'd go to the hospital if needed, eventually insisting she leave.

Of course, I wasn't fine. I couldn't sleep that night; the image kept flashing back into my mind. But despite that, I still went to school the next day.

Throughout the whole day, I couldn't focus properly. Everything felt distant, as if sounds were muffled in my ears, because that scene kept flashing in my head.

"...air... Sinclair... Ms. Sinclair..."

"MISS SINCLAIR!"

I jolted when someone snapped their fingers in front of me. When I looked up, I saw Sir Serrano. To my right, my friend stood, her toes shaking nervously. Of course. He probably remembered us from yesterday.

"Y-yes, Sir?" I stammered.

"I am interested to know what you're fantasizing about in broad daylight, Miss Sinclair," he said.

I bit my lower lip and slowly stood up. "I'm sorry, Sir..."

"I am not accepting any apologies, Miss..." He sat on the empty seat to my left, crossed his legs, and tapped his fingers on the desk. "How does RA 9178 income tax exemption interact with mixed-income streams that include royalties or licensing fees?"

I gulped. Laws, math or anything that relied on memorization were my weaknesses. I couldn't even remember what RA 9178 was. I froze, thinking.

"Can't answer?" he asked.

"If a BMBE earns both eligible income, like regular sales of goods or services, and..." I faltered and bit my lower lip, drawing a blank.

"That's enough. You can't answer," he said, standing. "And that's why you shouldn't fantasize about romance in broad daylight while we're having a discussion. Understood, Miss Sinclair? Your surname sounds too good for you."

He gave me one last sharp glance before turning away. As soon as he stepped forward, someone rushed into our classroom and frantically slammed the door shut. The boy looked outside in panic, holding the door tightly, as if running from something.

"Excuse me? Who might you be? We're still having our discussion," Sir Serrano called, but the boy didn't answer. "I am talking to you. Is something wro-"

Before he could finish, another student banged on the door frantically.

"Open the door! Please! Please! Open the door!" she cried, but the boy held it tight.

All of us froze. Sir Serrano tapped the boy on the shoulder.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

The boy, gasping for air, managed to say, "We... we shouldn't open the door... there's something outside... something..."

"OPEN THIS!! OPEN THIS! OPE-" the girl screamed, then suddenly stopped, glancing to her left. I saw her take a step and try to run, but someone lunged at her, followed by a loud scream.

The girls in the room screamed in shock. Then, suddenly, a group of students lunged at the window, one after another. They were growling, reaching for us. I grabbed my friend and pulled her away from the windows. They managed to grab someone, but one of our classmates kicked her hand free. Thankfully, the grilles on the windows prevented them from getting inside.

"What... what is that?"

"They... they look so... ugly..."

"Oh my God..."

Panic and murmurs erupted across the room. The boy who had rushed in quickly pushed the teacher's desk against the door, keeping his guard up while catching his breath.

Outside the window, we finally saw the chaos. People were lunging, attacking and biting others and those bitten suddenly became rabid and aggressive, attacking everyone around them. Screams, cries, and pleas filled the air. Blood and bodies were everywhere.

Then I saw it-a student biting another student's arm, flesh torn open. My stomach twisted. It reminded me of my neighbor... his injuries looked just like that, as if someone had chomped on him.

We grew quiet, watching the chaos unfold. Soon, everyone started calling their loved ones. Even Sir Serrano, who's usually so composed, looked panicked as he dialed someone on his phone.

While everyone was busy making calls, I quietly closed the curtains and sat down, trying to calm myself. I opened my phone and checked the news and my fears were confirmed. It's not just here. It's happening everywhere.

I clicked a live news to watch and they showed clips of what's happening, not just here, but in every part of the world.

"Authorities worldwide are reporting unprecedented violent outbreaks in multiple cities. Eyewitnesses describe individuals attacking and biting others, with those affected exhibiting aggressive, uncontrollable behavior. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and emergency services are struggling to contain the chaos. Governments are urging citizens to stay indoors, avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms, and follow all official safety protocols. Officials are currently investigating the cause of these incidents, which are spreading rapidly and showing no clear pattern of origin. More updates will follow as the situation develops."

"I am here on the scene and currently hiding in a convenience store... this is... I don't know what's happening anymore-oh my God! They are here! They are here! Ahh-"

The camera fell to the ground, capturing only a brief glimpse of the reporter before the screen went black.

The classroom fell silent for a moment. Then, many of us began crying, and those who hadn't been able to reach their loved ones yet grew even more panicked, frantically dialing again.

I turned off my phone. I didn't dare watch another report. I didn't want to make my classmates, Sir Serrano, or myself even more terrified than we already were

While everyone was busy crying and calling their loved ones, the boy who had run into our classroom suddenly stumbled, clutching his arm. He was breathing heavily, shaking his head, squeezing his eyes shut.

A bad feeling crept up my spine. I slowly stepped back, pulling my friend with me.

"Something's wrong with him..." I whispered.

"What?" she said impatiently. "Please, not now. I don't have time for your instincts today." She continued speaking into her phone.

I tried to pull her again, but she pushed my hand away. I didn't get mad. I understood the panic she was feeling.

Suddenly, the boy collapsed to the floor.

Gasps filled the room. For a second, he lay still. Then he woke up.

But something was different.

He moved too fast.

He lunged at Sir Serrano. Thankfully, Sir Serrano reacted quickly and kicked him away. The boy stumbled back but only for a moment. He sprang up again and charged toward us.

Everyone scattered. Everyone except my friend.

She was still frozen, phone in hand, too shocked to move.

He tackled her to the ground and I screamed as he bit into her neck.

Not just a bite. He tore into her flesh. He began ripping and chewing, blood spilling across the floor.