Immortality (English)

Immortality

Chapter 1 

            It all started with one desire, one that caused immortality.

            But in all of it greed came causing only death. 

            For the last two years of my life the impossible happened. First, my boyfriend and my dad died in a tragic accident so gruesome their bodies disappeared into ashes. We had to mourn for them with empty caskets.  We had to burry them with memorabilia instead. Second, My Mom is grieving and I could say that she's losing it. All of her composure and all of her carefree attitude went out the window. She became protective and she started predicting things to happen. Indeed her stories-disturbing stories, ones you tell little naughty kids-turned out to be true. And lastly, a year after my father died something drastic happened. Beings, mostly found in stories became existent and they became somewhat uncontrollable. A war broke out, it started with simple attacks, but now it's spreading. A pamdemic-a virus of some sort was spreading slowly along with the war to every part of the globe, starting from the United States, it's now here in our country-the Philippines.

            Fifty years ago the United Nations mandated that every nation should build a shelter that can house their entire population. Politicians roared, but they lost the bout. Now the United Nation's efforts was rewarded. We had no choice but to be evacuated all remaining humans to the shelters, with its fifteen kilometer thick wall almost a million acres of lands formed the biggest dome in every country. The Government had no choice but to ensure the survival of the few who hasn't been infected-bitten-by other infected humans.

            "Bataan had fallen." That's our signal to evacuate the last remaining civilians in the lower provinces of Luzon-the upper portion of our country. Being an archipelago, one thing amazed me, our defenses held on the best fight it could possibly do. But still we succumbed. We can't fight vampires; one single bite can infect another human being. "Twenty -four hours evacuation for the remaining civilians to the Mindanao Shelter." The radio croaked. Vampire abilities are beyond our own. Strength, agility and speed are their assets, while weapons and the military are our only barriers against them.

            "Franchette?" my Mom called from across the hall way of our house. "Where are you going?" I was busy preparing for a little run and a bit of Martial arts practice.

            "Out Mom. I'm going to the Orphanage to set them up for EVAC." I said. Our family had been prepared for this event before it even happened. "I'll be back before you move out of the house."

            "You know they move in the shades. And it's also still dark out there." She warned me looking outside.

            "I'm still part of the military,  Mom. And I've been trained to handle this...even worst things. Worry about Jim. He can be a real pain in the butt." I said strapping my back pack on. She came near me shivering, and I faced giving her a brave face. "You'll be the first to leave. Dad made sure of that. Your escort will be here in an hour or so."

            "I know, but you." with eyes glassy and tears building up, her voice shook as she spoke. "Why can't you stay with us?" she held my cheeks with both her hands. I know how she wanted me to stay I was a miracle baby to both my parents. They had to wait for ten years before I was born. but then again a few years later, Jim popped out screaming and kicking. So much for being a miracle.

            "Mom, I can't stop what the law declared." I said shrugging. Fifteen-year-olds were mandated by the government to serve the Army for three years as their last requirement for graduating in High School. Most of the teens don't survive training or they end up in Psychiatric Facilities. But no matter how harsh that law can be it turned out to be beneficial now. "Stop worrying about me Mom, at least if I die I'm serving my country." I grinned and hugged her.

            " Don't ever think about dying!" she hugged me tighter. "Don't you dare die!"

            I shrugged chuckling. "I'm not a Major for nothing." I kissed her right cheek and left our hous with some supplies in may pouch. That would be the last time I'd be able to hold her that day. I'll be one of the last ones to leave out area as part of the military. I jugged almost four kilometers to reach the orphanage. I'm their martial arts teacher/volunteer/baby sitter if Alfonse needs to run an errand. I help them out mostly in getting ready for their pick up for the evacuation. I then checked the building perimeter, it's almost dawn, some of the kids are still asleep.

            The funny thing about this orphanage is that it was a militia base. The security and most of the equipment are still functioning. It's well maintained by Queencie, one of my best friends and also a genius with a wicked talent on stealing boy friends as she would say she is, but I doubt it. She never had a boyfriend since forever. I practiced for a bit with the punching bag on the second training hall which you can describe as a roofless room with four surrounding walls to provide privacy. We sometimes camp in there for Star Viewing Projects.

            I tried steadying the punching bag after giving it a hard kick. Nothing beats breaking sweat and getting your muscles stretched out for the whole day grind. And then I remembered that all my towels had been tucked inside the box for the evacuation. "Oh, Shoot." I chastised myself. But like the all knowing guy he is, Alfonse came in just in time to save my sweating butt, bearing a huge towel.

            "Here, you can use this." He said giving me the towel. He's been my classmate since elementary. "Thanks for the help." Unlike me, Alfonse was one of the privileged few who were able to skip the three-year training in the army due to his father's status and his medical condition-Asthma, which I doubt is still a hindrance now that his well built and is a famous runner. He now manages the orphanage with all the donations and his winnings which I can say that is very handsome. A foot taller than me with his sun kissed hair; I could say that he's a cookie for some ladies and the envy of men our age.

            "Thanks! I needed that." I said taking the towel from him. "Mom got all my things packed up." I was soaked wet from my sweat. "I think she's rather excited to go to the shelter." I said grinning.

            "Tell me about it!" he shrugged. "The kids think of it more like a summer vacation than an Emergency situation." At that moment a military helicopter flew by. We both looked up to it crossing the sky above us. "So early." He looked to his watch tensed up.

            "Why do we have to be in this." I couldn't hide the whining in my voice. "The US did this and now we're the ones suffering from their damn experiments."

            "There's nothing we can do Fran." He said. "One way or another our government is a b***h to them." He paused. "You heard the announcement right?" I nodded. "They've taken down Bataan, the only thing we got to do is to flee to the shelter."

            "That's the thing I hate the most Al." I said pissed off. "What'll happen to the kids after we go there? Would they be taught to hold guns and fire them? Their innocence would be spoiled in such early age."

            Alfonse held my right shoulder. "I won't let them Fran. They are our kids." He said protective of his family. I smiled at him and nodded. He has the charms of his father-our Governor, and the best thing about him, he knows how to keep his word.

            An hour later I was getting ready to leave. "Everything is set. Your time to be in the EVAC CAMP is at twelve noon." I informed him. "And I swear to wash and fold this towel you lend me."

            Alfonse grinned at my remark. "Yup! Got'cha!" Alfonse said setting his watch. "Take care Fran."

            "You too Al. Take care of the kids." I said starting to walk. "Call if you have any problems, we'll be here." Alfonse just grinned. "I'll send a whole battalion I swear Al."

            "Yeah, I know you would Fran." He said laughing.

            Not far from the orphanage I went through one of the high class subdivision to save my time walking. "Practice at the day of evacuation?" I heard Mushka said from behind me. She lives in the area. "There won't be any competition at the shelter Fran." The brat of our little clique proved to me that she can kick arse and be pretty in our training. 

            I rolled my eyes. "Hello Mushka!" I said grinning at her. "Why aren't you evacuated yet?" 

            "Duh! I'm military!" she said dramatically. "Every body knows we're the last ones to go! And you haven't answered my query yet." She said one of her eye brows higher than the other, like a Maldita that she is. She never changed 

            I shrugged. "A military in a mini skirt and high heels? Talk about saving the world in style." She rolled her eyes. I've always been a tomboy. And I'm proud of it! "Well, I enjoy Martial arts Mushka, you can try and stop me but I am in love with it." I said overly dramatic. "And besides Alfonse always watch! He loves chicks who gets down and dirty you know." I grinned at her wickedly and winked. "Why don't you try it? It'll make him fall for you even harder this time." I just know how to push her buttons. And just like that she snapped. 

            She held her left arm on her left hip and fanned herself vigorously. "I'm not desperate to have him and for your information, I AM NOT JEALOUS!" 

            I shrugged smiling. One point for Fran, Mushka ZERO! "I'm not saying that! And you are acting as if you are." I said matter of fact. 

            She sighed. Oh Yeah! That's her sign of defeat. "Well...I'm not like that." She said straightening herself. "How is he doing? I haven't had time to visit them lately. Fonse and I are friends, you know that Fran, ever since we're kids!" she calls Alfonse, Fonse...well that's what everybody calls him. I call him Al. 

            "Yeah, I know that Mushka. And I also know that you like him a lot. So much that he deserves to know it." I said sincerely. "We got your back on this...well...Chealsea and I does. Queencie is doing the moves on him." I said grinning. 

            "What?!" she shrieked. "How can she do that, when she is just a kid!" she was furious. 

            "Yep! Better do it, before she does!" I said pushing her. She really needs a little pushing. She's been keeping what she's really feeling for years now and honestly I can't stand her drooling all over him. I mean he's nice and good looking. But really, he is not my type! 

            "So what if I like Fonse?" oh boy, here comes the Royal, or should I say genius pain in the butt. "He's still not your boyfriend. And really available for the taking." Queencie, the five flat tall kid genius who graduated High School at fourteen years old, is a famous boyfriend thief who never really stole anyone...Yet! She has long and I mean very long dark chocolate hair and a weird set of round glasses to brag about her brain which almost everyone knows about. 

            Mushka's face, now scarlet was ready to pounce on the little git. "Don't bother arguing with a genius Mushka." Chealsea warned. "Trust me, it'll be scary if she'll lay down formulas about how she'll make him fall for her." But the two can never be stopped, they started arguing like kids wanting the same toy at a play house. 

            "Oh boy." I said watching them whilst scratching the back of my neck. 

            "They'll stop." Chealsea, the one who always reading, said. She lives and breath reading but she's a wicked aircraft specialist who had been flying since nine years old. Well, he father is the Region's Head Corp Commander therefore she can touch all the plains she wants and fly them. 

            "Things won't be the same again." I said catching a falling leaf. Miraculously Mushka and Queencie stopped arguing and they looked at me. "Everything will change the moment we step inside that shelter." I closed my palm saving the leaf for remembrance. "There's this big possibility that we'll all get separated." I wanted to be strong for all of us. But it's breaking my heart to leave this place behind. The dead silence bothered me. All the three girls are looking at me as if I'm crying which really embarrassed me. "Sorry!" I said grinning. "I didn't mean to be sentimental and all. I gotta go!" I excused myself. I know! Lame excuse to escape the Hot seat ,right? But I heard them talking before I got away. 

            "It's been two years since her dad and boyfriend died right?" Queencie asked. "I can't believe she haven't dated yet." 

            "Stop talking about dating! You're just a kid!" Mushka retorted. I didn't see it but I bet Queencie made a face which irritated Mushka that she made an annoyed grunt. 

            "Stop it you two!" Chealsea snapped. "Let's do our duties and get on our way! It's going to rain." 

            Indeed it is.