Harvest of the Dead: Chapter 2

7 months. If people had the time to talk and analyze, people would've thought it was impossible for the world to end in just seven months.

But it did. It happened. It was so sudden that, to some, it would sound absurd. But this wasn't like the movies. It wasn't like any games. This was real. It wasn't just a simple lockdown where the world would pause for a moment. No. There wasn't time to adjust. One day the world was turning as usual. The next, it was already over.

And it all started because of rice.

Rice. The symbol of survival and daily labor.

The food that countless people consumed, a necessity for many, especially in Asia. The food that stood as proof of livelihoods, a necessity in the global market through import and export. People thought scientific experiments or atomic bombs would usually be the reason an outbreak would happen. No one expected this to become the downfall of humanity.

It wasn't obvious, which was exactly why it was so dangerous. It was too normal, too common to ever be suspected. It was too ordinary for anyone to realize the scale of what was happening until it was already too late to control.

The Growth Enhancer XXXX, a microbial biostimulant, was something that the majority of the agricultural industry had bought and applied to rice. People believed it was a breakthrough, something revolutionary for the food industry. It caused higher yields and increased rice production. It worked. It was real. At first, everything was fine—fine enough that the world accepted the product, and it quickly became popular. Businesses sought after whatever was profitable.

Now imagine the horror of it. The global trust placed in it. Humanity's own food supply—the very thing meant to sustain life—became the first domino that brought civilization down. No one realized that by the time a new batch of the growth enhancer was produced, an unknown microorganism had contaminated the culture. Standard quality tests failed to detect it because it closely resembled harmless microbes already present in the product. No one noticed. It was distributed, applied to the crops, and mass production continued. No one knew the terrifying outcome until the farmers were the first to show signs of infection. By the time people realized what had happened, the rice had already gone through the market. The tainted rice had already reached dinner tables across the globe.

The majority of humanity ate rice.

And so the majority fell.

That was the start of the end. No one knew which country had the very first case. To the world, it seemed to happen all at once. Those who had consumed the rice produced using the enhancer... were the ones who turned. They became the first infected, and the sight was gruesome. This was a nightmare that escalated rapidly because of the sheer number of consumers. The infection spread with terrifying speed.

A nightmare once thought of as nothing more than the plot of a movie people would line up to watch in cinemas had become reality.

And all that knowledge? All those thoughts of being prepared for a zombie apocalypse? Some people might have because of paranoia, but the majority? Fiction could never prepare anyone for how difficult and different reality truly was.

7 months into the Apocalypse, communication had already been cut off, especially with many third-world countries. And those with massive populations? That... that's something people couldn't even imagine now, could they?

There was still food. People could survive by hiding and scavenging. Electricity and water were still available in some places. Resources weren't immediately scarce despite the panic. It was the number of Zombies that prevented people from moving. People selfishly barricaded their own territories. Survivors stayed hidden, while others built shelters in an attempt to preserve some form of society. Yet, just like history itself, communities rise... and communities fall.

"Jhino... Jhino... Please... please be alive..." Senen thought in panic as he rushed inside. He ran past survivors, pushing through the crowd. The settlement they had been staying in—the subdivision in Tandang Sora—they had believed it would be safe. It was heavily guarded, a whole community that had managed to hold its own. He didn't know what had happened. Everyone was running, already fighting back. Of course there was no explanation. How could there be when chaos had already taken over? He dodged people while gripping his crowbar tightly, making sure not to get caught or pulled down. Falling would've been a death sentence, either by the Zombies... or by being trampled by the panicked crowd. He needed to get back to the house where he and Jhino had been staying alongside several other survivors. A townhouse—the last one at the corner of the street.

He managed to arrive just in time. His heart dropped the moment he saw the front door standing open, blood already staining the floor inside. He immediately stepped in, his crowbar raised, ready to strike at the first thing that moved.

"Sen..." Jhino called weakly, making Senen glance toward the living room.

There, Jhino was on the ground. Beside him, his wheelchair had tipped over, clear evidence of a struggle. Next to him lay a Zombie, its head buried with a knife. A long metal pipe rested a few feet away.

It was Jhino's first kill.

Their days had been filled with running, hiding, and staying behind others. Thank God... he had managed to survive before it could get him.

"Jhino!" Senen immediately rushed over, setting the wheelchair upright before helping him back into it.

"The others... left... before I could join them... Good thing it was just one Zombie that got inside..." Jhino said as he gripped the armrest, wincing slightly from the pain.

But that was just how it was.

You're on your own during a zombie apocalypse. When life is on the line, morality and decision-making begin to blur. Even if it means leaving someone behind... people will choose survival.

"D-don't worry, pre. Andito na ako, tara na, alis na tayo." (Don't worry, bro. I'm here now. Let's leave.)

Senen hurried to grab Jhino's backpack, only to freeze when he realized it was gone... stolen.

He slowly looked back at Jhino.

Jhino simply shook his head.

That alone was enough to answer the silent question.

"Kailangan na natin umalis." (We need to leave.)

Senen immediately grabbed the wheelchair's push handles, ready to move.

"Wait..." Jhino said.

The sound of footsteps

It came from the still-open front door—the very path they needed to take.

Senen tightened his grip around the crowbar, preparing himself to strike at any moment.

"Jhino... Jhino... Please... please be alive..." Senen thought in panic as he rushed inside. He ran past survivors, pushing through the crowd. The settlement they had been staying in—the subdivision in Tandang Sora—they had believed it would be safe. It was heavily guarded, a whole community that had managed to hold its own. He didn't know what had happened. Everyone was running, already fighting back. Of course there was no explanation. How could there be when chaos had already taken over? He dodged people while gripping his crowbar tightly, making sure not to get caught or pulled down. Falling would've been a death sentence, either by the Zombies... or by being trampled by the panicked crowd. He needed to get back to the house where he and Jhino had been staying alongside several other survivors. A townhouse—the last one at the corner of the street.

"Kuya Mack?"

Senen immediately grabbed the older man's shoulder. In the middle of the chaos, one thing caught his attention before anything else.

Jhino's backpack.

It hung from Mack's shoulder. His eyes widened as he instinctively yanked on it.

"Kuya Mack, si Jhino? Asan si Jhino? Bakit hindi mo kasama?!" (Kuya Mack, where's Jhino? Why isn't he with you?!)

Panic crept into his voice, but before Mack could answer, Senen noticed it.

The brief flash of guilt in his eyes.

"...Sorry..."

That was all Mack managed to say before pulling away from Senen's grip and disappearing into the crowd.

Senen froze. His mind struggled to process what that apology meant. Then it clicked.

"No..."

Without another word, he immediately turned and sprinted back toward the townhouse.

"Jhi—!"

A pair of hands suddenly seized both his shoulders, stopping him in place.

"Nababaliw ka na ba? Huwag ka nang bumalik!" (Are you crazy?! Don't go back there!)

Ding, one of the survivors they had been staying with, wrapped both arms around him, desperately trying to drag him away from the street.

"Putangina! Bitawan mo 'ko! Babalikan ko si Jhino! Bakit niyo iniwan si Jhino?! Bakit?! Mga walanghiya kayo! Iniwan niyo si Jhino!" (Fuck! Let me go! I'm going back for Jhino! Why did you leave him?! Why?! Bastards! You left him behind!)

Senen struggled violently, trying to break free. He pushed, twisted, and pulled with everything he had, nearly dropping the crowbar clenched in his hand.

"Tumigil ka nga, Sen! Wala nang pag-asa 'yon! Ang dami nang zombies doon! Malamang patay na 'yon! Kinain na siya!" (Stop it, Sen! There's no hope! There are already too many zombies there! He's probably dead! They've already eaten him!)

"Hindi! Hindi! Tangina! Bitawan mo 'ko, sabi eh! Kailangan ako ni Jhino! Iniwan niyo siya!" (No! No! Damn it! Let me go! Jhino needs me! You left him behind!)

His voice cracked as panic overwhelmed him. Around them, survivors shoved past one another, desperately trying to escape. Some screamed for their loved ones. The infected had already mixed with the fleeing crowd, making it impossible to tell who was still alive until it was too late.

Still, the man refused to let Senen go.

Perhaps it was guilt. After leaving Jhino behind, saving Senen had become the only thing he could still do. As if rescuing his life could somehow compensate for abandoning the other, easing the unbearable weight of the decision they all made.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down Senen's face.

"Sabi nang bitawan niyo 'ko! Tulong! Tulong!" (I said let me go! Help! Somebody help!)

He no longer cared who heard him. He no longer cared if the zombies came.

He only prayed that...

Someone—

Anyone—

Would help him get back.

"Jhino needs me...Please...I have to get there before it's too late..." he thought.

Every passing second only made the fear inside him grow.

---

Meanwhile, Jhino took a deep, shaky breath as he tightened both hands around the long metal pipe. His eyes never left the open front door the other survivors had rushed through.

They hadn't even bothered to close it. They had simply left. Not once had they looked back. They took whatever they could carry...

Even his backpack.

The camaraderie they had built over the two months they had spent living together inside that townhouse crumbled like dry crumbs scattered by the wind.

He almost laughed bitterly.

Should he be grateful?

At least they hadn't taken his weapon.

At least they had left him something to defend himself with.

At least they hadn't taken him outside only to abandon him in the middle of the street, where he would've died without even reaching cover.

Jhino knew going outside now would be a dead end. Staying wasn't much better. Both choices led toward death.

But between the two...

Staying gave him the better chance.

"Senen will come back."

He believed it without hesitation.

They had made a promise to each other long ago. No matter what happened...

They wouldn't leave the other behind.

If there was one person Jhino believed would return for him...

It was Senen.

A low growl echoed from outside. Jhino tightened his grip around the metal pipe as another scraping sound followed.

Slow.

Heavy.

Dragging.

The sound of decaying feet smacking against the tiled floor grew closer with every passing second.

He instinctively patted his pocket.

The knife was still there.

Good.

If the pipe wasn't enough...

He still had one more chance.

The footsteps grew louder.

Closer.

Closer.

His breathing became shallow as the figure slowly revealed itself through the doorway until it finally stepped into the living room.

A woman.

Or what was left of one.

Deep bite wounds covered her shoulder and neck, chunks of flesh brutally torn away as though someone had ripped them apart moments ago. Fresh blood continued dripping from the open wounds, forming dark pools across the floor beneath her dragging feet. Muscles hung exposed beneath shredded skin while loose strips of flesh swayed with every uneven step she took. Her clothes were stained and torn beyond recognition, clinging to what remained of her body. One ankle bent at an unnatural angle, twisted so severely that every limp looked painful—if pain still meant anything to the dead.

Her mangled body painted a horrifying picture of how the woman had met her end.

"Grrrr..."

The zombie let out a guttural growl. Its lifeless eyes locked onto Jhino.

Jhino slowly raised the metal pipe, holding it high enough to bring down with all the strength he had once it came within reach.

He had never killed a zombie before.

Ever since the outbreak began, he had survived by hiding.

By staying behind.

By letting others go outside to scavenge, patrol, or run errands while he waited for them to return.

Today...

No one was here.

His eyes never left the approaching zombie.

Then—

Another growl.

His grip immediately tightened.

The sound came from the doorway.

Another set of dragging footsteps.

"...Two..."

His heart pounded so violently it drowned out almost every other sound around him.

One was already difficult.

Two...

Or perhaps even more...

With his condition...

He didn't know if he could survive.

Jhino bitterly grimaced.

"I can do this...I have to...I need to...I can't die...I'm not letting myself die...I won't..."

Yet despite every attempt to steel himself, a small voice continued to whisper beneath all that determination.

Will someone come?

Will anyone help me?

Will Senen make it back in time?

The first zombie limped closer.

The second slowly began entering through the doorway.

Jhino steadied his breathing, tightened his grip around the pipe, and prepared himself.

Both men desperately needed help. Both were struggling to survive. One was desperately trying to make it back in time. The other was desperately trying to buy enough time.

When the world ends. Our morals are tested. Our dignity and the order within society.

The world was never truly fair. But now that it had become lawless, it was as if Lady Justice's scales were being balanced by survival rather than by right and wrong. It was only natural for people to lose control. The reins that once held humanity together, the very things that kept society functioning, no longer did.

Jhino and Senen had barely escaped the settlement they had stayed in over the past two months. It had been overrun by zombies. They didn't know what caused it—whether someone infected had slipped inside, or if a zombie had somehow breached their defenses. Everyone had simply panicked, ran, and before they knew it, zombies were already within the crowd. It wasn't like those movie scenes where you somehow knew what happened to the main characters. This was reality, where questions weren't always answered, where theories, assumptions, and countless thoughts were left unheard, wanting answers that would probably never come. You didn't know what truly happened unless someone saw it or told you. Or perhaps, if you were a gossiper... maybe you'd know a little more.

The two never saw another survivor from the subdivision they had stayed in. They had simply run, just like how their lives had always depended on it. They chose to keep moving farther away, knowing it was the safest decision. If they happened to meet another survivor they recognized, that alone would already be considered a miracle in the apocalypse. If not... then all they could do was pray that whoever they met was a decent person.

Prayers had become a mask of comfort that people clung to. Yet, just as it had always been for those who believed, some prayers were answered... and some weren't.

And that prayer? To meet someone decent during the apocalypse?

That one now felt less like faith... and more like luck.

And for the two?

Luck... wasn't on their side.

It started out fine. The two managed to stay inside a Jollibee franchise. They found it oddly ironic, almost like a small mask of normalcy. They played along with the thought of how complicated working in the fast-food industry must've been, how busy the place once was, and now it stood completely empty. They looked around at the happy meal toys, the abandoned meals, and even peeked toward the kitchen they had always been curious about, a place normally reserved only for employees. They teased each other, pretending to be workers for a few minutes. It was a quiet moment of fun, just two teenagers acting as if the world hadn't ended, as if it was simply another ordinary day after Senior High classes, stopping by to grab something to eat.

They looked around and managed to scavenge a few sauce packets. Clearly someone had already looted most of the place, but the two didn't mind. What they truly needed was somewhere safe to rest. They already had food, water, and their bags containing everything they needed. It would've stayed that way if only they had ignored the knock coming from the glass entrance they had barricaded with chairs. A woman stood outside, pleading that she had noticed them, begging for food... begging for help. They hesitated. Senen wanted to help, while Jhino remained wary. But the moment she revealed that she was pregnant...

That became their mistake.

Trust was difficult during the apocalypse. Pity and kindness weren't always met with sincerity. One act of kindness could save a life... but another could bring nothing but misfortune.

"W-What..." Senen reacted the moment the woman stepped inside and pointed a gun directly at them.

Whether it was real or loaded didn't matter. How were they supposed to know? Especially two teenagers who had never handled a firearm before. This wasn't some movie where everyone suddenly knew how to use guns. No. They were simply naïve teenagers who had fallen for a trick because they chose to hold onto their morals. The closest either of them had ever come to seeing a gun was through online games.

"Don't hurt us, please," Jhino said, slowly raising both of his hands.

The woman kept the gun trained on them. Moments later, several men entered behind her and immediately began searching through their supplies.

"That's it?" one of them asked. "These are all you've got?"

"Yes," Jhino lied.

There was more. Hidden behind one of the counters were plastic bags filled with what little food they had managed to salvage from a nearby 7-Eleven. Unfortunately, the group already knew. They had been watching the two from afar and had seen exactly what they carried inside.

Jhino's eyes widened as the man suddenly punched Senen hard across the face, forcing a painful wheeze from him.

"W-What?! Why would you— Stop! Don't hurt him!" Jhino shouted.

Senen groaned as he tried to shield himself and fight back as best as he could, but the other men quickly restrained him, tightening their grip until all he could do was endure the blows. His desperate cries for mercy echoed throughout the restaurant, making Jhino tense even more. The woman silently looked away.

It had to be done. They needed food too. The boys were simply unlucky. Because that was the order of life now.

Be the predator... or become the prey.

"Oi, cripple. I asked if that's it," the man repeated.

Jhino immediately pointed toward the cabinet where they had hidden the rest of their food.

The man walked over, inspected it, and hummed.

"Nice... plenty."

He returned to Jhino.

"Anything else?" he asked once again.

"N-No... there's nothing else. You have everything..." Jhino answered. "Please... stop hurting my friend. Just let us go."

Senen coughed as he felt himself growing dizzy from the repeated punches. His stomach throbbed with pain. Blood slowly dripped from his nose while bruises had already begun swelling across his face. He struggled to stay conscious. He couldn't pass out now, not when Jhino was handling everything alone.

He couldn't move. He couldn't fight back. Even if he wanted to. It was three against one. Four, if the woman was included.

He wasn't used to pain. He wasn't used to fighting. He and Jhino were just ordinary students. They went to school, hung out with friends, went home afterward, never mixed with the wrong crowd, never joined a fraternity, never trained in martial arts.

They were simply... normal.

His eyes drifted toward Jhino, whose fists had clenched tightly as he desperately tried to think of a way for them to escape, searching for any plan that could put the situation back on their terms.

"That's all we have... please... just let us go," Senen begged.

The men exchanged glances and were just about to leave when the groans of zombies echoed from outside.

"Fucking loud mouth," one of them muttered, glaring at Senen.

"Give them to the zombies," Erwin ordered, as if sacrificing the two would buy them enough time to escape.

Jhino and Senen immediately tensed.The woman stared at him in disbelief.

"What? Erwin, that wasn't what we planned! We were only going to take their food!"

Her conscience couldn't bear the thought of leaving two teenagers to die.

"N-No... no..." both of them panicked.

Fear took over. Desperation pushed them into acting without thinking. Jhino immediately pulled out the knife he had kept hidden and drove it into Erwin's knee.

"FUCK!"

Erwin screamed in agony. Without thinking, he lashed out and kicked Jhino's wheelchair, sending it tipping over and throwing Jhino onto the floor. He kicked it again, even harder this time, sending the wheelchair crashing violently into the wall before glaring furiously at him.

"You fucking—"

He quickly wrapped a piece of cloth tightly around his bleeding knee, barely containing the wound.

"We have to leave, now," the woman urged, clearly worried after seeing Erwin's injury.

"Drag them," Erwin growled.

"Erwin... come on..."

"I SAID DRAG THEM!"

The two men obeyed and immediately began dragging Jhino and Senen toward the entrance.

"No! Stop!" Senen shouted, desperately grabbing onto anything within reach.

"Don't you have a conscience?" Jhino yelled as he reached toward the hand dragging him.

They were nearly at the entrance of the Jollibee.

Outside, more zombies had begun gathering across the parking lot, drawn by all the shouting.

Is this the end?

As he was dragged against his will, Jhino quickly scanned his surroundings.

Hoping. Praying. Waiting for a miracle.

For someone... anyone... to save them.

When the world ends. Our morals are tested. Our dignity and the order within society.

The world was never truly fair. But now that it had become lawless, it was as if Lady Justice's scales were being balanced by survival rather than by right and wrong. It was only natural for people to lose control. The reins that once held humanity together—the very things that kept society functioning—no longer did.

Jhino and Senen had barely escaped the settlement they had stayed in over the past two months. It had been overrun by zombies. They didn't know what caused it—whether someone infected had slipped inside, or if a zombie had somehow breached their defenses. Everyone had simply panicked and run, and before they knew it, zombies were already within the crowd. It wasn't like those movie scenes where you somehow knew what happened to the main characters. This was reality, where questions weren't always answered, where theories, assumptions, and countless thoughts were left unheard, all longing for answers that would probably never come. You didn't know what truly happened unless someone had seen it or told you. Or perhaps, if you were a gossiper... maybe you'd know a little more.

The two never saw another survivor from the subdivision they had stayed in. They had simply run, just as they always had whenever their lives depended on it. They chose to keep moving farther away, knowing it was the safest decision. If they happened to meet another survivor they recognized, that alone would already be considered a miracle in the apocalypse. If not... then all they could do was pray that whoever they met was a decent person.

Prayers had become a mask of comfort that people clung to. Yet, just as it had always been for those who believed, some prayers were answered... and some weren't.

And that prayer? To meet someone decent during the apocalypse?

That one now felt less like faith... and more like luck.

And for the two?

Their luck was being tested.

The day started out fine. The two managed to stay inside a Jollibee franchise. They found it oddly ironic, almost like a small mask of normalcy. They played along with the thought of how complicated working in the fast-food industry must've been, how busy the place once was, and now it stood completely empty. They looked around at the Happy Meal toys, the abandoned meals, and even peeked into the kitchen they had always been curious about—a place normally reserved only for employees. They teased each other, pretending to be workers for a few minutes. It was a quiet moment of fun, just two teenagers acting as if the world hadn't ended, as if it were simply another ordinary day after Senior High classes, stopping by to grab something to eat.

They managed to scavenge a few sauce packets while looking around. Clearly, someone had already looted most of the place, but the two didn't mind. What they truly needed was somewhere safe to rest. They already had food, water, and their bags containing everything they needed.

Nighttime was, as always, tense. Even after barricading the front entrance with chairs, one of them remained on watch while the other rested. They had inspected every corner of the restaurant, including the back service entrance, making sure everything was secure. After all, being cautious in the apocalypse was what kept people alive. It was never wise to lower your guard, no matter how safe a place seemed.

They kept every light off. Darkness concealed them just as much as it concealed everything else. Even the faint glow of a flashlight could attract unwanted attention—from zombies... or from other survivors. They weren't willing to risk either.

It was Senen's turn to keep watch. Even if he was a scaredy-cat, he never complained.

It was comforting knowing Jhino was nearby.

Jhino rested on the floor beside his wheelchair, lying on a makeshift bed they had put together using their bags as pillows and a jacket as a blanket.

Suddenly...

A faint noise echoed from the back.

"Tangina... multo..." Senen muttered. (Shit... a ghost...)

For a brief moment, he forgot they were living through a zombie apocalypse. It almost reminded him of the nights when he and his family watched horror movies, only for him to wake his cousins later because he was too scared to go to the bathroom alone.

"Tangina, Jhino. Gising, gising... natatakot ako, gago." (Fuck, Jhino. Wake up, wake up... I'm scared, idiot.)

"May kaluskos sa likod." (There's something moving at the back.)

He shook Jhino harder, causing him to lazily swat Senen's hand away before finally opening his eyes.

"Taena, ayan ka na naman sa multo. Malamang daga lang 'yan." (For fuck's sake, you're scared of ghosts again. It's probably just a rat.)

"Paano kung hindi daga?" (What if it isn't a rat?)

"Edi hindi." (Then it isn't.)

Senen helped Jhino into his wheelchair. The two quietly grabbed their weapons.

Instead of using a flashlight, Jhino lowered his phone's screen brightness to its minimum, using only the faint glow to guide their way through the darkness. It was just enough to see where they were going without drawing unnecessary attention.

"Kapag daga talaga 'yan, sapok aabutin mo sa'kin. Inistorbo mo pa tulog ko." (If that really is just a rat, I'm smacking you. You interrupted my sleep for nothing.)

Senen quietly stayed behind him.

"Gagi, malay mo... may multo dito. Hindi porke't Jollibee 'to, 'Bida ang Saya' na, hindi na pwedeng multuhin." (Dude, you never know... there could be a ghost here. Just because it's Jollibee and 'Bida ang Saya' doesn't mean it can't be haunted.)

The two slowly made their way toward the kitchen.

The joking disappeared the moment they realized the sound wasn't coming from inside.

It was coming from the back door.

"Jhino..." Senen whispered.

The sound was unmistakable. It wasn't a zombie. Zombies pounded on doors without rhythm or patience.

This... This was someone carefully trying to open it.

A person.

Jhino remained silent, hoping whoever was outside would eventually leave. But the rattling continued. And persistence was dangerous, especially in the middle of the night.

Senen hesitated, waiting for Jhino to decide.

Jhino carefully weighed the consequences before taking a slow breath. They were safe inside. As long as they didn't open the door... Whoever was outside couldn't get in.

"Who are you?" Jhino asked calmly.

"And what do you want?"

Medicine.

A luxury.

The more complicated someone's illness, the harder it was to find treatment in the apocalypse. The rarer it became. The more desperate people became. Once, it had been available to everyone. Pharmacies, hospitals, even simple clinics within neighborhoods.

Yet, as often portrayed in visual media...

Hospitals became the pinpoint of nightmares. A place where the people who healed the living, helped in recovery, and stood in the battle between life and death worked tirelessly to prolong life, save lives, and welcome new ones into the world.

A symbol of hope and comfort.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, every medical worker. The hardworking people who had sacrificed so much for others.

They were the ones on the front lines during the pandemic...

And unfortunately...

They were also among the first to stand on the front lines when it all began.

People panicked, rushing to hospitals, hoping their loved ones could still be saved. Hoping someone could answer the countless questions that had thrown the world into chaos. The emergency rooms of every hospital became overwhelmed. Far more patients arrived than they could ever accommodate.

It wasn't the police who had been the first to encounter the infected.

No.

The first real battlefields were at hospitals.

One of the earliest and most devastating fronts of the outbreak.

It was those whose hands had been devoted to preserving life through medicine... who were forced to become the first hands to strike them down... the first ones to protect those who could no longer protect themselves, making sure the infected wouldn't reach the rooms that... we're horrified to even imagine.

Too cruel to describe. But you can visualize the horror, can't you?

Their roles were often overworked and underappreciated... Yet valuable and necessary.

And in the apocalypse?

They became the kind of people everyone needed. Everyone wanted. Yet it also became a role that placed them in even greater danger, especially when captivity became a possibility.

Now, the chances of finding someone knowledgeable in the medical field were slim. And to get sick in the apocalypse? That alone was terrifying. A simple illness could be thought of as a death sentence...

The older a person became, the weaker their immune system grew. Those with chronic illnesses. Those with disabilities. Those with compromised immune systems.

Some were shown mercy. Some weren't.

If they were fortunate... Perhaps only a quick, painless death.

"Close your eyes, Senen," Jhino said as he held his hand. Senen closed his eyes and held Jhino's hand tightly.

The two clearly weren't used to death despite the months that had passed since the apocalypse began. Death wasn't always common.

Usually, when a family member died, families gathered at the funeral, played cards together, and reminisced about the one they had lost.

A proper burial. A resting place.

Now... It's somewhere. Anywhere.

As long as the body wouldn't be eaten.

Whether by zombies... or by humans.

Death was once a time to be remembered. A time to be bid farewell by the people who remembered them.

Now...

Only a lucky few were able to die beside a loved one or have strangers kind enough to bury them.

"Rest well... Tay Kano," Senen said.

He heard it. The sudden growl... Then the sound of a slash.

After the settlement had fallen, the two hid from one place to another, traveling cautiously, until they were saved by {{user}}'s group before a horde of zombies could overrun them.

They didn't know much about each other.

Just a duo that became four.

And now...

A trio.

They didn't know one another on a deeper level. But Senen's heart still ached. After all... Tay Kano, the one who had gotten infected, was an elderly man in his early sixties. That alone was enough to remind Senen of his grandparents. He couldn't help but wonder how they were now.

"Rest well," Jhino said quietly. The rain soon began to pour. Almost ironic, as if the world itself were crying... though in truth, it was simply rain. Making it harder to hear the zombies. But also harder to be seen.

At this time of year...

People would've known what storm had entered the Philippines.

But now?

There was no way of knowing.

The two waited for a couple of minutes, finally glancing toward Tay Kano's body... along with {{user}}.

"What... now?" Jhino asked {{user}}.

Waiting for their answer.

Where are we heading?

Because once Tay Kano was buried...

Reality settled in that the two who had only ever truly relied on each other were now placing their trust in someone they barely knew.