YEAR 2050: RISE FROM HELL (ENGLISH)

CHAPTER 3: THROUGH THE CHAOS

Against the odds, the Torres family had managed to survive thus far. However, after five relentless days of defending their home, their situation had become untenable. Attempts to burn down the house and increasing threats from outside had made it clear that they could no longer stay safely within their walls. It was time for them to venture out in search of a new, safer refuge.

“Papa, where are we going?” Ralph asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Ronel was busy sharpening the knives they would use for protection, while Linda prepared their remaining food and water, packing them into a backpack.

“Anywhere we can find safety,” Ronel replied firmly.

“But isn’t it more dangerous outside?” Ralph questioned; concern evident in his voice.

“It is, but we have no choice,” Ronel said. “We need to push through. Just follow the instructions, stay close, and we’ll manage. George will lead us, and we must stick together. Understand?”

“Yes, Papa,” Ralph replied, nodding.

“And you, Aime?” Ronel asked, looking at her.

“I understand, Papa. I’m ready,” Aime answered.

George grabbed the boots from their stockroom, used during the frequent floods outside.

“Hurry up! Put on the boots and fill them with water,” he instructed.

They quickly followed his orders, slipping into the boots and preparing for the arduous journey ahead. Their attention snapped to the door when they heard another knock.

“Damn it! They’re here again!” George exclaimed. “Faster, everyone!”

Each with a backpack in hand, the family moved cautiously towards the kitchen, preparing to make their escape. George carefully opened the front door, only to be met with the sight of an infected man grinning malevolently.

Without hesitation, George yanked the man into the house, causing him to crash to the floor. Seizing the opportunity, the family quickly slipped past him and shut the door behind them, locking it securely. With their path clear, they moved swiftly to make their way outside, determined to find safety.

“This way!” George shouted, sprinting toward the left corner. He gripped the baseball bat tightly, a knife secured at his side.

The streets were filled with the deafening sounds of explosions and the wail of alarms.

“Let me know if you start feeling too hot,” Aime called out, ready to add water to their boots as needed.

The family moved quickly, staying focused on George’s lead despite the chaos surrounding them.

They all nodded in agreement.

They reached the highway, where the scene was apocalyptic. Bodies were strewn across the road, painting a grim picture of the chaos and destruction that had unfolded. Aime vomited when she saw the human parts scattered everywhere.

“Oh my God! It’s like hell out here!” Aime cried.

“Mama, we don’t have time to stop!” George urged. “We need to keep moving!”

They sprinted along the side of the highway, urgency driving their every step. The distant wail of sirens grew louder, signaling the imminent arrival of the military, and the threat of stray bullets added to their desperation.

Are there any other survivors out there?" George wondered aloud, his mind racing. "Are there people like us fighting against this virus?

As they ran, the weight of the water-filled boots slowed their pace, making each step a struggle. Yet, remarkably, they felt less exhausted than they would have expected. Could the virus somehow be affecting their stamina, giving them a strange burst of energy?

The sirens’ blare continued to intensify, and their concern for their safety heightened with every passing moment. They pushed forward, driven by the hope of finding safety and the possibility of others who might still be resisting the chaos.

“Brother, look ahead!” Aime shouted, her voice tinged with panic.

“It’s okay. Trust me,” George reassured them.

In front of them were armed, infected individuals carrying see-through plastic bags filled with stolen money. The chaos from the robbery had likely triggered further military alerts.

“Maybe we’ll get hurt if we go near them!” Ralph protested. “Let’s just go back, Kuya George.”

“Let’s trust your older brother,” Ronel said, positioning himself at the rear to keep an eye on any potential followers. Linda stayed in the middle of the group, offering her silent support.

George raised his right hand, signaling for everyone to stop. He carefully removed his feet from his water-filled boots.

“We only need ten minutes to get to the other side,” George said. “Aime, keep your boots on and be ready to refill them for us.”

Aime nodded, swallowing nervously.

Linda, Ronel, and Ralph followed suit, removing their boots and forming a protective circle around Aime. As their eyes began to darken, they struggled to maintain control amidst the chaos of the infected people on the road.

By the time they reached the middle of the highway, the military had started firing.

“Hurry up!” Aime shouted desperately. “Please, hurry!”

Miraculously, they made it across the highway and ducked into a nearby alley. Aime quickly helped Linda put on her boots and poured water into them. Ralph, now struggling with the virus’s effects, clutched his head and growled, while Ronel pounded the wall in frustration.

Once Linda had regained her composure, she assisted Aime with Ronel’s boots and poured water on him. They followed Ralph through the alley, relieved to have made it just in time.

“Brother George…” Aime whispered, noticing George’s eyes had turned completely black.

“Son… it’s us, your family. Do you still recognize us?” Ronel asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Ingrid. I need to find Ingrid!” George said, trying to turn away.

Ronel quickly grabbed George’s arm to prevent him from leaving, with Ralph stepping in to help him regain control.

“Ingrid… Ingrid…” George mumbled repeatedly; his focus fixated on finding Ingrid.

Aime sprang into action, opening a bottle of water and pouring it over George’s head. Linda hurriedly put the boots back on George and added more water.

“Please, son, come back to us!” Ronel pleaded, gripping George’s shoulder tightly.

Linda embraced him, her voice trembling. “George, we are your family. Remember us.”

“Mama…” George’s dark eyes gradually returned to their normal state.

They leaned against the wall, George fighting the urge to leave and find Ingrid.

“Thank you,” George said, his voice filled with gratitude.

As they recovered, a loud explosion from the highway echoed around them. Aime, overwhelmed by fear, began to cry. George extended his hand, signaling them to move.

“Let’s find a safe place to stay,” George said, his voice steady despite the chaos.

He glanced across the street at the market they used to frequent. Beyond it, he noticed small alleys where hidden inns might offer refuge. That’s where he intended to head.

As they began walking, George raised his hand when he heard a gunshot.

“Are you infected?” a man shouted, aiming his gun at the Torres family. It was clear that there were still uninfected people who wanted to avoid the virus at all costs.

“We’re not infected!” George called out. “We just need a safe place to stay.”

“You can’t stay here. The place is already overcrowded. Find somewhere else,” the man said firmly.

“Okay, we understand,” George replied, stepping back and leading the family to the other side of the street.

“Kuya, look over there!” Ralph pointed towards a large house with a high wall, but with its gate standing open. “That’s the house of my rich classmate!”

The house appeared to be a promising option for shelter.

“Let’s go!” George urged, and they hurried into the large house. Ralph quickly closed and locked the gate behind them.

“Is there anyone here?” George called out, gripping his baseball bat tightly. “Hello? Anyone home?”

Ralph gasped as he spotted his classmate Kevin floating lifelessly in the swimming pool. “Kevin!” he cried out. Aime, horrified, covered her mouth and turned away, unable to look at the grim sight. Their anxiety mounted as they opened the door and discovered Kevin’s parents’ bodies lying on the floor, each with gunshot wounds. It was clear that an infected person had broken in and killed the family, though nothing else in the house was disturbed.

“Aime, go upstairs and check for safety. Linda, you go with her. Ralph, we need to dig in the backyard to bury the bodies. I’ll take care of Kevin,” George directed.

“I’ll help, Papa!” Aime offered, determination in her voice.

“Are you sure you can manage?”

“Yes, I can,” Aime replied firmly.

Ronel nodded. “Alright, Aime. Go and assist Ralph.”

George dove into the pool to retrieve Kevin’s body and carefully laid him on the poolside. He stayed in the water for a few moments to cool down before stepping out, putting his boots back on, and searching the house for a cellphone.

Finding one, he immediately tried dialing Ingrid’s number, but the call didn’t go through. The cellphone services were still down.

“Damn it!” George muttered in frustration.

Linda turned on the large TV in the living room, hoping to get updates and reduce the family's growing anxiety. The news might offer some guidance or solace amid the chaos.

**BREAKING NEWS**

Mr. President: “I am deeply sorry for the unprecedented crisis we are facing. I admit that we have fallen short in protecting our people. We are working tirelessly to address the situation. For those who remain uninfected, we are establishing safe zones.

The military will soon be conducting door-to-door checks to provide assistance and ensure your safety. Please remain in your homes until they arrive. We are committed to bringing aid and developing a vaccine as quickly as possible.

Cooperation is crucial during these trying times. We are not your adversaries; we are all in this together. Let us unite to overcome this pandemic.”

The broadcast cut to images of military personnel preparing for their new mission and a map highlighting the areas where help will be provided.

Ronel nodded and cautiously descended the ladder into the hidden basement. The others followed, their nerves taut with both hope and fear. The basement was dimly lit but surprisingly well-stocked, with shelves of canned goods, bottled water, and even a small generator in one corner. It seemed to be an emergency shelter, a secret refuge for someone who had anticipated trouble.

“Wow, this place is well-prepared,” George remarked, surveying the supplies. “This could be our safe haven.”

They set up a makeshift camp in the basement, gathering the food and water. Aime and Ralph began organizing the supplies, while Linda sat quietly, tears still in her eyes.

“Mom, we need to stay positive. This basement might be our best chance,” George said, trying to reassure her.

“I just don’t know what to do,” Linda whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “What if we can’t get out of this? What if they find us here?”

“We have to stay strong,” Ronel said, his voice steady despite the strain. “This place gives us a fighting chance. We’ll make the most of it. We need to stay hidden and keep our heads down.”

The family took inventory of their resources and made plans for how to ration their supplies. They also discussed how they would manage the generator to ensure they had power when needed.

As night fell, they took turns keeping watch. The sounds of distant chaos from outside were a constant reminder of the danger they faced, but for now, they had a small measure of safety.

“I know it’s hard,” George said as he looked around at his family. “But if we stay here and stay smart, we might just make it through this.”

Linda wiped her tears and nodded, drawing strength from her family’s resilience. “We’ll get through this together. For now, let’s make sure we stay safe and keep our spirits up.”

As they settled into their temporary refuge, the Torres family clung to the hope that help would come and that they would find a way out of their dire situation.

Ronel and the family huddled around the computer, their eyes glued to the screen as the video played. The footage showed a chaotic scene in Egypt, where enormous, grotesque creatures wreaked havoc. The Basilisk and Cerberus, as Ralph identified them, were monstrous entities with multiple limbs and terrifying, otherworldly features.

“The Basilisk and Cerberus… they’re like something out of a nightmare,” Ronel muttered, his voice trembling. “These creatures look like they’re straight out of a myth. It’s no wonder the virus spread so rapidly.”

George, still shaken from the discovery, glanced around the basement. “This lab… it’s not just a refuge. It’s a key to understanding everything. We need to find out more about what Dr. Vergara was working on.”

Aime, who had been watching intently, took a deep breath. “The video is clear that these creatures are a major part of the outbreak. But what about the virus itself? What’s its origin?”

Ronel looked at the remaining files on the computer. “Let’s see if there are more documents or research papers. We might find clues on how to combat this virus or at least understand it better.”

Linda, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. “I don’t think we can just stay here forever. We need to find a way to stop this from spreading further, or at least ensure our safety.”

Ronel nodded. “We need to gather as much information as we can. Dr. Vergara’s research might hold the key to a cure or a way to neutralize the threat.”

They spent the next few hours poring over the files and documents on the computer. The lab was well-equipped with research materials, data logs, and detailed reports. As they sifted through the documents, they began to piece together a picture of how the virus was engineered and how it had evolved.

“The virus was intentionally engineered,” George said, reading through one of the reports. “It was designed to be highly contagious and to cause severe mutations in its hosts.”

“Mutations?” Aime asked, her voice shaking. “What kind of mutations?”

George continued, “It seems like the virus causes a range of physical and psychological changes. The infected develop heightened strength and aggression, but it also deteriorates their sanity and control.”

Ralph added, “And those creatures… the Basilisk and Cerberus. They must be products of the virus’s mutations.”

Ronel’s eyes narrowed as he read further. “Dr. Vergara was working on a countermeasure, but it looks like the research was incomplete when everything went wrong.”

Linda glanced at her family; worry etched on her face. “What do we do with this information? We’re still trapped here, and we don’t know if we can get help.”

Ronel looked determined. “We need to keep this research safe and figure out a way to get it out. If we can find a way to contact the authorities or someone who can help, we might be able to use this information to develop a cure or at least understand how to protect ourselves.”

George nodded in agreement. “For now, let’s fortify this place and continue to gather any useful information. We need to stay hidden and keep our heads down.”

The family worked together, securing the basement and organizing the research. They knew their situation was dire, but the discovery of Dr. Vergara’s lab gave them a glimmer of hope. They were determined to use the knowledge they had uncovered to fight the virus and protect themselves from the chaos outside.