Terra Firma (Dry Land)

CHAPTER 1: THE BEGINNING

December 28, 2019

It is at noon when people are currently taking a nap and some are still in their respective jobs.

It’s Saturday afternoon and the Santos family are sound asleep when the afternoon drama was suddenly cut off and an emergency broadcast is seen on the television.

This is an announcement. A shocking and horrifying event is taking place in the country today.

“A man was arrested by the police this morning because they allegedly saw him gnarling and eating a beggar’s ear.

The beggar’s ear was cut off and they were startled by his shout so the people approached.

There were only a few people on the road so the police could easily control the situation.

But that is not the end of the story. The bitten man rushed in again and then bit the beggar’s neck and arm and chewed on the flesh obtained from it.”

A horrible incident. The man looked like a cannibal that has greed for the flesh of his fellow human beings.

“The officers took the man to the station after handcuffing and taping his mouth because he was biting them.

The beggar was rushed to the nearest hospital in the city.

The man is still being investigated to see if he is using a drug called ‘Flakka’.

Flakka or alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone is a drug from Florida, in the United States. It is a type of drug that causes an inexplicable sensation in the body that causes rage, anxiety, and loss control of one’s self.

People are advised to observe their surroundings and that when you see one or more people who have an inexplicable suspicious action, immediately move away and notify the police officers immediately.

There are also barangay officers and police rounding every barangay of the city to maintain order in the community. This is Arnel Clavio, reporting.”

That incident was very disturbing.

Claire immediately stood up and closed the windows and doors of the entire house.

Call her paranoid, but it is better to be careful during this time.

Many are addicted to bad habits, such as alcohol abuse, smoking, and especially drug addiction.

She peeked at what was happening outside their yard.

The gate is still open!

She hurried out to lock its iron gate.

It is heavy because their gate is high. It is doubtfully very quiet on the road. No one is on the road.

She was about to close the gate when suddenly a woman ran up to grab her.

Claire did not know what to do. She grabbed the woman by the neck and tried to get out of her grasp. It scratches her and pulls her hair. Trying to bite her.

The crazy woman is trying to bite and knock the living daylights out of her.

She saw a plastic bag stuck at the top of the gate. She tries to reach it with her right hand and her left hand is holding the woman’s face, trying to stop the bitch from biting her.

Just a little bit and she will reach it ... there is only a few inches away ... a little more ...

Finally! She reached for the bag and she successfully put the plastic on the woman’s head.

She quickly turned the back of the woman and pushed her out of the gate of their house with all her might.

She hurriedly closed the gate and locked the door as well as the back door of their house.

“Claire.” her mother greets her. “What’s happening?”

“Ma.” Claire sighed in haste as well as on her palpitating heart. This is the last event she wants to see. “I know it’s unbelievable but what we see in movies and TV, is already happening!”

“What? Why are you out of breath?” her mother could not understand the trace of concern and fear on her face.

Who would not be afraid of what she saw a while ago?

“Ma, there are zombies outside! I--I don’t know what they are but they look like zombies who want to attack their fellow human beings!” she dragged her mother into the living room to show what was happening on the television.

She looked around and made sure that all the doors and windows were closed, as well as the curtains. She had her mother sit in front of the television.

Her siblings and her uncle were still sound asleep on the living room floor. Ignorant of the events happening around them.

“What you see on your TV screens is the horrific incident in Manila. Everyone is advised to stay in their respective homes to make sure that no one else is hurt in this incident.” It seems that any time the female reporter who reports on the News Flash of the TV network will faint. Who would not faint in such event?

“Our president is currently meeting with the Philippine government agencies. The state agencies such as the DOH, PDEA, DILG, DSWD, and PNP. We are also thinking of meeting with the CDC to ask for their help with this matter. To conduct and help us prepare for this type of overall public health threat. Our government is asking the people to stay inside in your own households and the whole Philippines is under lock down. The 24-hour curfew will also be implemented in every province as well as in Metro Manila. As well as in the Visayas, and in Mindanao. Do not panic and do not do anything that would interfere with the work of our police and military personnel. I look forward to your cooperation in this crisis. “Said the president’s secretary.

“Is this true?” her mother asked her. Claire nodded and woke up her uncle and her two brothers who were sleeping on the floor.

“Brothers, get up. Get up.”

“Wait and I’ll see if we have more food stocks. We’re not ready for it!” their panicked mother said and hurried to the kitchen.

“Mom, what’s wrong with you?” Claire’s 27-year-old brother, Cole said.

“Why are there scratches on your arm? Even in your face? Did you get on a fight Claire?” Chito, the second of the siblings, asked.

“Open your phones. You can see what’s going on around the world.” said Claire to her siblings and woke up the uncle who was lying down and still snoring.

“Uncle Jim, wake up! The world is about to collapse, and you’re still asleep!”

“Oh God!” Cole was shocked at what he saw. “What’s going on? Is it true or just CGI? Is it part of the movie?” he showed the video that was posted on Facebook to Claire and Chito.

“That’s true, Cole. I locked the whole house. Our only problem is Coco who is still outside and at work. Call Coco, Chito.”

Claire’s POV

“What--How are my children? Tommy and Arabella are still at school. I’m going to go and get them!” Uncle Jim stood up and looked for a pair of his slippers under the sofa he had been lying on.

“Tito Jim, I will accompany you. We need to bring a shield and equipment that we can use against those zombies.” said Chito who was busy finding any sharp object or any weapon for defense.

“Cole, watch Claire and your mom here. After we get the kids, we’ll also go to your older brother Coco, so he can go home and we will also buy some of our necessities here. Come on Chito. Get the key of the car behind the door. I’ll just get something in the bedroom. ” Uncle Jim instructed Cole and Chito.

Cole nodded and went to Mama who was busy counting the cans and some food we have stocked for us in the house.

“Be careful Uncle Jim. Chito, call Coco while you are on the way. Be careful. Take the children home safely, Uncle Jim. Hurry up.”

Uncle Jim and Chito have left in a 2013 Ford Expedition EL owned by Tito Jim who have not yet paid the installment in the bank.

That was the only vehicle we could use. Uncle Jim is single so our mother offered to let his children stay with us. He is Mama’s youngest brother and Mama is the eldest. Their other sister died when they were very young.

Cole closed the gate and hurried inside the house. “The woman who was on the road,” he huffed and continued, “she was just circling there with the plastic bag that was on her head.”

“Cole, that was the woman who almost bit me earlier.”

“What? I’m so scared! What if we have to go out? I don’t think I can kill my fellow human.” Cole wiped his hands on his face because of the stress this crisis is causing on the human brain.

My heart was beating like a drum because of the fear that Uncle Jim might not see my nephews at school and Coco would not be able to go home safely.