CHAPTER 1: LOCKDOWN
1960 Words
MR. PRESIDENT:
Due to the widespread unrest caused by the Stygian Virus, which originated in Egypt, I am announcing the closure of our airports and a halt to all transportation. A nationwide lockdown will be implemented immediately. I urge everyone to comply with these measures to help us combat this pandemic effectively.
The government will provide support for food, medicine, and other essential needs, and we are collaborating with international partners on vaccine development. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones during this difficult time.
I will do everything in my power to address this crisis and safeguard our nation. You’re understanding and cooperation with the forthcoming decisions are crucial for the greater good. Thank you, and may God bless our country.
George turned off the TV and leaned back on the sofa, reflecting on the President's announcement. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the details, and the impact was already being felt. He and his colleagues were no longer allowed to access the bank where they worked. As the Manager of KBI (Kwarta Bank Inc.), George had just received a memo earlier outlining the new directives.
“It’s terrible; this is how bad the chaos in our country is!” George’s mother, Linda, exclaimed, her voice filled with concern. His father, Ronel, sat beside her, both of them part of the Torres family from Valenzuela City. They hadn't yet experienced the full impact of the pandemic outside their home.
“Maybe they’re just exaggerating,” Aime, twenty-five and the second of the three Torres siblings, suggested. George, the eldest, was thirty, and Ralph, the youngest, was eighteen.
“Ate, you’ve seen the commotion everywhere. The entire country wouldn’t be locked down if it were just a joke!” Ralph retorted. “You’re just saying that because you don’t want to stay inside all the time.” (Ate is an endearment as respect for your elder sister)
Aime shot him a sharp glare.
“Mom, I’m invited to Maica’s birthday party later. I really don’t want to miss it. I can still go, right?”
“Isn’t there a curfew? Can’t you just postpone it? Your friend will understand,” Linda replied.
“The curfew is at eight o’clock. I’ll be home before then, and Maica’s house is nearby. Please, Mom?”
“No, Aime! You’re twenty-five, but you’re still so stubborn. What if something happens to you outside?” Ronel’s voice grew louder. “You’re staying here. Do you understand?”
“Papa!” Aime grumbled as she retreated to her room. Ralph laughed loudly, trying to provoke her. (Papa is an endearment to a father, like Daddy)
George glanced at his cellphone, noting that Ingrid had stopped texting him. He knew she was at work; as a call center agent, she was busy and not impacted by the commotion outside or the lockdown. They were considered essential workers, or front-liners.
“Ingrid isn’t answering your calls?” Ronel asked, a hint of frustration in his voice. “It’s unbelievable. The world’s falling apart, and they’re still working?”
“Dad, it’s necessary for the economy,” Ralph said, distractedly. “Didn’t you see the news? They’re releasing flying cars next year.”
“What do flying cars have to do with Ingrid’s job?” Linda asked, puzzled.
“Nothing. I just needed something to say,” Ralph shrugged, absorbed in his hologram game.
Linda threw a pillow at him in annoyance.
George’s cellphone rang, and he quickly got up to head to his room.
“Hon, the President has announced the lockdown. Can’t you delay your work?”
“Don’t worry, Hon. We had a meeting earlier, and we don’t need to go into the office. We can work from home. I’m heading back to Quezon City. I’m sorry, but I can’t leave my family there. So, we won’t see each other for a while. I’ll miss you.”
“Yeah, I understand. But let’s not focus on that right now. The important thing is that you’re safe. Don’t trust anyone and stay indoors, okay?”
“Yes, Hon. Same to you and your family. I’m on my way home. I love you.”
“I love you too. Take care.”
After ending the call, George quickly gathered the family in the living room. Aime, frowning, walked out of her room in response.
“This situation is unprecedented, but we need to adhere to the law,” George said firmly. “Aime, please don’t insist on going out. We can’t risk exposure to the virus. We need to take this seriously. Just look at what’s happening around us.”
“I understand,” Aime replied reluctantly.
“Good,” George said.
Linda added, “Tomorrow morning, we’ll head to the grocery store to stock up for the next month. There’s a chance of panic buying, so we need to be prepared. Aime, come with me.”
“Okay,” Aime agreed, still looking troubled.
Ronel jumped to his feet as the loud wail of an ambulance pierced the air. Their usually quiet subdivision was filled with chaos, and they could hear commotion outside. Peeking out the window, they saw neighbors brandishing pipes, trying to drive away policemen who were blocking the exit.
Aime spotted her friend Maica among the crowd. Desperate, she quietly slipped through the kitchen and out of the house.
“Maica!” Aime called out, but her friend ignored her and continued with the crowd. “Maica, don’t go with them! You’ll catch the virus!” Aime shouted again, but Maica didn’t even glance back. Torn between following her friend and staying safe, Aime hesitated, but Ralph grabbed her arm before she could leave.
“Ate, what are you doing? There’s a riot at the exit! You can’t go out there!”
“I need to stop Maica,” Aime insisted.
“It’s too late; Maica is out of her mind. I saw her eyes—they were dark. It means she’s already infected with the virus!” Ralph said urgently.
“Aime, come inside and lock the door!” George shouted as he and Ronel blocked the front door, preventing anyone from entering. “Hurry up!”
“Ate!” Ralph’s eyes widened in horror as a man with dark, vacant eyes stared at them. He was carrying a long tube and was slowly approaching.
They bolted back inside the house, but the man grabbed Aime’s hand. She yanked it free just in time to slip through the door. They quickly locked it and shoved the washing machine against it, bracing it with all their strength.
Panting heavily, they collapsed onto the floor.
“Are you okay, Ate?” Ralph asked, his voice trembling.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you,” Aime replied, still catching her breath.
Ralph stood up and extended his hand to Aime, helping her to her feet. Meanwhile, George had barricaded the front door with the sofa, and they had shut all the windows, hoping to keep the chaos outside from getting in.
George turned on the TV, and they were met with grim scenes: police firing at the infected who were violently attacking anyone trying to leave. The military was also engaged in intense fighting, some soldiers firing back at the out-of-control individuals. It was clear that this violence wasn’t confined to their subdivision but was spreading across the country.
The military was now shooting anyone seen outside to prevent further crimes.
“Oh my God!” Linda cried, sinking into the sofa in distress. Ronel quickly moved to her side, wrapping her in a comforting embrace.
“Everything will be fine,” he reassured her. “This will pass. We have brilliant minds working on a cure right now. Let’s have faith in them and be patient.”
“Mama, Papa, Kuya, Aime wants to leave the house again!” Ralph shouted as he tried to stop Aime from making another attempt to go outside.
The three rushed into the kitchen, where they found Ralph holding Aime tightly, trying to prevent her from leaving.
Aime’s eyes were darkening, and Linda gasped in shock.
George quickly grabbed some water and poured it over Aime. Her eyes slowly returned to their normal color. He approached her cautiously, then gently helped her into the bathtub, laying her down and soaking her in water. He also turned on the shower, directing the water over her to help cool her down. Meanwhile, he made Ralph stand under the shower to relieve the heat he was feeling.
“Mama, Papa, Kuya, Ralph, I’m so sorry!” Aime cried, covering her face. “I’m sorry for not listening to you. I’m sorry for being stubborn and causing trouble.”
“Shhh! It’s okay,” George reassured her. “I understand you were trying to help your friend. Just stay in the water.”
“Mama, Papa, Kuya, I’m sorry!” Aime cried and covered her face. “I’m sorry for not listening to you. I’m sorry for being stubborn and causing trouble.”
“Shhh! It’s okay,” George reassured her. “I understand you were trying to help your friend. Just stay in the water.”
“George, how did you know that water could help stop the virus?” Linda asked, her voice trembling.
“It’s not the water itself but the cooling effect that helps stabilize the symptoms,” George explained. “I read about it in some emergency protocols. It’s not a cure, but it can help manage the symptoms until we can get proper medical help.”
“I don’t know either, Pa,” George admitted. “I just knew that anyone infected with the virus feels hot, so I thought water might help. I’m relieved it worked!” He stepped into the shower himself. “But we can’t rely on this forever. What if we run out of water? We need to find a cure before it comes to that.”
“I hope it rains so that people outside can cool down,” Linda said, heading to get her cellphone. “Oh, we should let others know what we’ve discovered!”
She returned, shocked to find there was no signal. She could no longer send texts or make calls.
“Oh no! They’ve cut off the signal,” Linda said in dismay.
“What?” George exclaimed, realizing he wouldn’t be able to contact Ingrid as he had planned.
“Wait, let me grab your cellphone!” Ronel called from the restroom and retrieved George’s phone from the center table. “Here you go.”
George checked his phone but found there was no service. However, he saw a message from Ingrid saying she had made it home safely. He felt a sense of relief that she was safe from the chaos outside.
“Your Dad and I will go to the grocery store tomorrow to stock up on as much food and water as we can. Aime, please stay at home. We don’t blame you; we love you. No matter what happens, we’re here for you. It’s hard to see you like this, but we need to stay strong,” Linda said.
Aime wiped her tears and nodded softly. “Ralph, are you okay?” she asked.
Ralph nodded and sat down on the tiles, exhausted. He and George took turns sitting in the shower, having removed their clothes to cool down. Ronel brought ice from the refrigerator and added it to Aime’s bathtub, then handed some to George and Ralph. It was the best he could do to help his children affected by the Stygian virus.
Meanwhile, Linda prayed fervently in front of their altar, seeking solace and protection for her family.
- Writer
