Through Rough Times - A Zombie Apocalypse Adventure (alternate-timelines.com Edition)

Chapter 110: Home...At Last
February 17, 2019 (Z-Day +123)
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

The Philippine Airlines plane touched down the runway serving the Queen City of the South. It was cleared to land despite the congestion of civilian airliners and military aircraft coming from the PAF, Australia, the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Philippines was receiving assistance from its neighbors and surviving USN/USAF aircraft in the Pacific that were ordered to rally up to the nearest ally they can. This day marked four months since the start of the outbreak and the "Dead War" as the media called it was going into the favor of the United Nations. It was all thanks to the experimental bioweapon deployed jointly by the Americans and the Russians that caused roughly 60-70% drop of Infected worldwide. The bacteria did its work of eating through rotten flesh and brain matter so by the time of the global offensive, most of troops only encountered slower shuffling, Infected. Many were reduced to crawlers or even immobile stragglers, only being able to claw at nearby survivors. Still, everyone had to be careful as fresh outbreaks can still start.



"We're home." I said.

"Not for my family and I though." Gabrielle said. "...but we're closer now."

The flight from Guam was pleasant. I remember seeing how beautiful the island looked like from the sky. A lush green tropical island surrounded by blue-green turquoise waters. It would have been great if we could have swam on the beaches or explored the island but again we weren't on vacation. We were refugees waiting to be repatriated back to the Philippines. The situation was the same in Hawaii. We couldn't swim nor enjoy because the beaches were closed. I shared the same disappointment with Gabrielle. Knowing her from college albeit briefly, she's the type that would love to explore new places.

Honestly, this was one hell of a vacation if you call it one. A simple trip turned into an adventure of life and death. If this was the trip of the lifetime, I would definitely not argue anymore.

Maybe I should turn this to a book one day? I thought. Who knows? It might be turned into a series or a movie.

You could be rich dude. My brain told myself but I put those thoughts aside at first, I just wanted to see my family and my friends and tell them I am alive. I haven't talked to them for the past four months. They probably assumed I was just another casaulty. My mother and father would have been dead worried.

Entering the tube that led to the terminal, I could see several SWAT and airport police patrolling the hallways. Sniffer dogs were deployed to sniff out anyone that might be Infected. There was no margin for error. We were then led to another screening room where blood tests were taken before it turned out negative. It was the same procedure when we boarded the USS Makin Island that ferried us to Hawaii. The same procedure that was tested again in Hawaii and Guam. It was out of necessity. No one was taking chances here.

Once we were cleared to pass, we then headed to the luggages to pick it up. Many overseas Filipinos that were stranded abroad were in the area. Once I got my bag, I waited for Mike and Gabrielle along with her family. When they were finished, we exited the airport headed to the taxi stands. The area was filled with police, SWAT, and military personnel just providing additional security.

Gabrielle's parents turned to Mike and I.

"Hi, before we part ways, I'll say this for the hundred time. Thank you for ensuring my daughter's safety." Her father said.

"As always, we are forever in debt to you. If you need anything please don't..."

"No need for that sir, we did what we can to survive. We worked as a team. We ensured everyone would make it though sadly we had casaulties along the way." I replied.

"Well, I can say I'm happy my daughter has a boyfriend like you." Her mother said.

Gabrielle slightly blushed hearing that.

"She's lucky to have met a group of supportive people." Mike replied. "The common sense of survival and working together was what kept us alive."

"Are you still in contact with the rest?" Her father asked.

"Jules returned to France, from what I heard he is serving the French Army now. Spencer and Angela remain in Hawaii for the meantime along with the others. His Marine friend named Trevor might be redeployed with the Marine Expeditionary Force for the retaking of southern California." I replied back.

"God bless them wherever they are." Her father added back. "We're gonna go ahead now. Let's keep in contact."

Gabrielle then embraced both of us. "Thank you too."

We then kissed each other.

"See you my love. Text, call, or chat to me once you arrive home." I said. "Stay safe boo."

"You too. Bye now, my love." Gabrielle said as she entered the taxi with her parents. The taxi sped-off away from view.

"Hey buddy, thank you for staying with me too. This where we go our separate ways." I told Mike.

"Yeah, one hell of a trip dude." Mike nodded in agreement.
****************************​
We then waved each other goodbye as we entered our respective taxis. Inside, I still had long way to process how the past four months have been. I was struck a casual conversation with the taxi driver. He told me how parts of Cebu City was still on lockdown especially in the slums were the Infected concentration was at its worse. Many Cebuanos living in the metropolitan areas were evacuated to the countryside, to the hills, or the surrounding islands before the reclamation began. When he asked him my story, I told him everything. He had a hard time believing it. I literally took the long road home. He agreed with me that my story was some form of movie material.

Driving through the bridge, we noticed several blockades set-up by the police and the military. They were still not taking any chances. I saw parts of Mandaue City still under decontamination and reconstruction. Some buildings had the biohazard symbol on them, meaning they were not yet safe to enter.

After 15 or 20 minutes, I arrived back home. The neighborhood was surprisingly well. With only one entrace and exit, it was barricaded with cars and appliances. Several empty lots were converted to grow crops and vegetables while makeshift farms were created to accommodate poultry and swine. I then reached my home and rang the doorbell.

As the door opened, my mother was surprised along with my father. They stood motionless for a while as if they saw a ghost.

"Mom, Dad. I'm home."

Troubled Waters - New Orleans (LA) Part 12 : Back to Life
October 21, 2018 (Z-Day + 4)
Sorrento, Louisiana

Karpov was holding the stick of the M4 torn from the Klansman firmly. Jonah walked silently, big tears rolled down his cheeks but he did not sob as Karpov had ordered him to be silent.

The journey on foot was dangerous especially with such individuals on the roads. The road at least was too calm. It was necessary to pass by the village of Sorrento to continue the journey. Strangely the place had suffered little or no damage, the houses with high roofs were next to the old houses with wooden porch. Not a cat on the horizon and Karpov wondered if there had indeed been people who lived here so much a sort of silence had been imposed.

Karpov advanced under cover and under cover, watching for each movement.

A house in the shelter of trees presented a singular decoration: the flag of the United States, the state flag of Louisiana, and that of the Marine Corps. A thick fence partitioned the front door.

Karpov approached silently to find that a scent of death had descended on the small village that seemed so peaceful, which contrasted so much with the appalling night that the two heroes had experienced. Looking out the window of the barracks, Karpov saw with disgust that bodies were piled up without the main room. The darkness of the room did not hide anything . These people had committed suicide or had revived. The inspection of the other houses revealed a terrifying observation, they were no longer on the edge of the territories still controlled by the living, but they were waist deep in dead territory!

Thirst and hunger tormented them and pushed them to inspect each house, each time the observation was the same.

As a human, one had to eat and drink well. Karpov and Jonah had to break into a little house with blood covered doors.

"Women and children had died here." A sickened said Jonah as he went to vomit outside while Karpov got some food.

There were other towns on the way, but Karpov suspected that the trip to Prairieville would certainly be his last.

Chapter 112: Closure
February 17, 2019 (Z-Day +123)
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines

Before the outbreak, Bohol was a peaceful province known for the Chocolate Hills and the white-sand beaches of Panglao. The threat of the NPA[1] ended in 2009 when the last communist rebel fighters surrendered. On October 15, 2013, Bohol was in the headlines around the world when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the island, destroying several centuries old churches from the Spanish Colonial Era. The most recent highlight for the generally peaceful island was on April-May 2017 when Islamic terrorists connected to ISIS encroached the island, the first time that ISIS activities expanded to Central Visayas, when these fighters usually operated in Mindanao. The town of Inabanga was the site of the clashes. At that time, the ASEAN trade talks were ongoing. It was obvious the foreign delegates were the targets to be kidnapped for a large ransom. Due to quickly and heavy response by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard, the terrorists were defeated. A month later, the Battle of Marawi would occur. It would be the deadliest urban conflict the AFP encountered, taking five months to clear the city from Islamic terrorists. Due to these incidents, security around Bohol was increased over the years. Though the Killer Pandemic was nothing in compared to the preparations by the authorities which were meant for smugglers, drug couriers, and terrorists, it did provide a slight resistance to the Infected. Any resistance is better than none.

The two-hour boat ride was nothing compared to the desire wanting to know the safety of her younger sister. That was what Gabrielle thought. Upon arriving in the provincial capital of Bohol, the small island province was still subject to tight security at its seaport and two airports. They were sniffed by K-9s that could detect the virus and had their blood checked before they were allowed to exit. It was just protocol but again there was no chance to be overconfident. Once they were cleared, they hitched a ride to their home.

The main roads had several roadblocks and checkpoints set-up by the local AFP garrison and the PNP. There were also militias patrolling the rural roads for roaming Infected. The province still had 5-10% of the Infected left. They often found themselves wandering around farmlands and properties before being shot by .30 caliber round from an M1 Garand or an M1 Carbine or alternatively having their heads split open by a bolo.

Upon arriving, Gabrielle and her parents noticed the yellow police tape along with the biohazard sign. There was a notice "DO NOT ENTER" on the front door but there was no-one guarding the place. It seemed deserted. Checking around the windows, they saw what remained of the house. It looked to be in mess. There was a sign of struggle.

"Oh no." Gabrielle thought.

She entered the house. Save for the sign of struggle, it was empty. There was dried bloodstains on the floor but there was no body around.

"This can't be hers..." Her mother thought. They were unsure.

"No, please Lord..." Her mother begged.

However, there was a sign of good news. As they searched around the house, they saw some of the photo albums and pictures have been removed.

"She made it out." Her father replied.

Beyond that, they were clueless. They needed to find her, quick. At least know of her whereabouts or current status.

"She's alive, I know it." Gabrielle said.

She then went back out of the front door and noticed a crude note that was somehow obscure by the "DO NOT ENTER" sign. The paper had discolored over the four months it was exposed to the elements of nature. The words written on it were faded but Gabrielle could still make it out. The note said:
Papa, Mama, Ate

I'm in Anda. Meet me there. Nanny didn't make it.

~Alexandria​

"Mom, dad, I know where she is right now. She left this note on the door!" Gabrielle shouted.

"Where?" Her father asked with a tone of concern and excitement.

"The town of Anda."

"It's four hour drive but let's go!" Her father said.
*******************************
It was already nighttime when they reached the coastal town of Anda. The four drive was grueling but that did not matter to Gabrielle and her family. It was that her sister Alexandria was there or not. It was a shot worth taking. They did not know of the status if that refugee camp was still active or dismantled (if it was indeed overrun with the Infected) but they had to take the chance.

Upon entering the town, they had to pass another police checkpoint as they were screened. Gabrielle's father explained to the authorities they were looking for a relative that was separated at the time of the outbreak. They were then led to a crowded refugee camp guarded by the PNP, AFP, and a small contingent of UN Peacekeepers. The camp was large. Looking for Alexandria was going to be a needle in a haystack.




They were then led towards another "tent city" set-up inside a sports complex. It was even more difficult to find. Gabrielle and her parents then called out for her name. There was no response. The refugees, composed of a mix of healthy individuals and the elderly, disabled, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Many gave confused looks as to who they were looking for.

Gabrielle was starting to get worried. Please Lord, please give us a sign that she's alive. She said to herself. It would take a miracle or luck or whatever one believed in fate or destiny if her younger sister was really here. She continued to call her name out, hoping that should her sister be here...
********************************
"Ate, ate[2], is that you?" A familiar voice called out.

Gabrielle turned around and made eye contact with the person she was looking for. They exchanged looks for a while. Gabrielle stood stunned while the other person had the same reaction.

"Alexandria...You're alive!" Gabrielle shouted, running towards her younger sister as tears of joy fell from her eyes.

She then knelt down and embraced her younger sister. She embraced her tightly as if never to let her go. Four months of being separated and now they were back together.

"Mom, dad, she's here!" Gabrielle called for her parents who came by running and embraced their youngest daughter together. She thanked God for keeping her sister safe and alive while she was gone for four months.

"I was so scared." Alexandria cried.

"Us too. We're so sorry for not being here." Her parents said, also crying. "Please forgive us, Alexandria."

"I'm sorry too sis." Gabrielle said.

It was a heartwarming family reunion. They were now reunited. Some of the refugees and security forces saw the site of a family member being reunited after being separated for so long with a look of relief and sympathy. Countless refugees in the Philippines and around the world were not so fortunate enough.

"Let's stick together from now on." Her father said. "Come let's go home."

As they walked to the car, Alexandria asked her sister: "How did you know I was here, ate?

"The note you left on the door." Gabrielle said, smiling through her tears.

"Ohhh." Her younger sister said. "I cannot express how happy I am you are alive."

"Me too Alexandria. I love you so much." Her older sister replied as they walked toward the car that would bring them home. They were one family again.
**************************
"Ohh that's good to hear Gabrielle!" Gillan replied. "Happy for you! Thank God she's safe!"

"I'll tell the others."
**************************
A few days later
11,121 km away...
Suburbs of Paris, France

Jules was in the military camp set up by the French military. They were now slowly entering Paris from the outskirts. The situation around the world was getting better. With the Infected being reduced to even slower shamblers and majority falling to rot and decay, the levels of reclamation was faster than what the Army Chief of Staff envisioned.

In the tent, he was getting a rest and relaxation when a beep came from his Facebook Messenger (which has been restored using emergency servers). It was from Gabrielle. The news was great: she was able to reunite with her sister.

"Good for her." Jules said with a smile.
**************************
8,763 km away...
Honolulu, Hawaii

"Thank God, her sister is alive!" Angela said. She felt happy and envious at the same time. How she wished her family was still alive.

"Gabrielle's younger sister?" Spencer asked.

"That's great to hear." Trevor replied. "Can't wait to slot some Infected a few days from now."

The Marine was going to be redeployed for the reclamation of Southern California in a week. Planners among the Pacific Command coordinating with NORAD in Colorado and the Raven Rock Complex in Pensylvannia were going to begin a large reclamation campaign among the West, Gulf, and East coasts of the continental U.S. Simultaneous landings were to occur in San Diego, California; Bremeteron, Washington; Miami, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; and New Orleans, Lousiana. From there the military would relief some stranded forces that would soon rejoin the rest of the Armed Forces in reclaming the country. In fairness not all of the continental U.S. had fallen to the Infected. There were numerous safe communities along the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, the Rocky Mountains in the Continental Divide, the Deep South where guns were plentiful, and the Appalachians were numerous survivalists and military forces have established temporary communities.

"Time to send Z packing" Trevor said.
**************************
Author's Notes:
[1] NPA - New People's Army
[2] Ate - older sister in Filipino

Chapter 114: Homefront
March 20, 2019 (Z-Day + 154)
Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

We heard on the news from offshore stations, restored TV networks, and the Internet that the major powers of the world were slowly reclaiming their countries. Most of the Infected have badly decomposed at this point. Others are trying to wait it out but the U.S., the UK, France, Russia, Japan, and other countries went on the offensive. The Philippines is a mix of those. With a geography of 7,107 islands, some are just waiting it out but some provinces choose to go on the offensive.

I heard that my friend named Trevor, the U.S. Marine, took part in the Battle of San Diego. Jules was involved in the reclamation of Paris. Gabrielle was finally reunited with her sister after four months. I could never imagine how worried she was with her parents being separated by over 9000 miles or 11,000 km. I was in constant contact with my girlfriend on the island across. She told me she was safe and their house had been fortified as a precaution. To my knowledge, Spencer and Angela remained in Hawaii along with Tamara, Nathan, and Keith. Francis remained in Hawaii to volunteer for the security forces while Jim had a new prosthetic leg.

Here in Cebu, the provincial government is urging citizens to take up arms to bolster the AFP Central Command and the PNP in battling what remains of the Infected in the island. They were giving a monetary amount of PHP 1,000 for every Infected killed by a civilian volunteer as form of compensation and incentive. I was wondering why they are offering money since that became useless when the outbreak began. However, I then remembered that the economy was slowly being restored. Money was now something that can be used again rather than something for burning or toilet paper.

Of course I initially wanted to join this. I wanted contribute to my country as well. I already had killed several Infected when I was stranded in California. Battling the in Cebu should be now different.

The problem? My parents weren't so supportive and I saw the reason why.

"For almost four months, we thought you were dead." My mother said. "We would pray and cry for almost every night that you were alive and now you want to join this militia?"

"Mom, Dad, I'm 22. I'm old enough to make decisions for myself. I know you two are still disappointed with me for quitting medical school after a year. Now this is something I can contribute to. Think of it. I'll be able to earn money. The pay is good."

"But your safety is at risk." My father bluntly told me. "We don't want to lose you again."

"I have to join this. I'm contributing to society for once."

After arguing for quiet some time, my parents finally relented. They must have finally realized that I'm old enough to decide. I could not blame them for the concern of my safety. That trip to Los Angeles would have been a death trap itself. When they relented, the only thing they said:

"Please be safe."
*******************​
Four days later
March 24, 2019 (Z-Day + 158)
Outskirts of Cebu City

I signed up to be a clean-and-sweep volunteer. That is a term I better stated than "pretend soldier." To be honest, I never really wanted to be in the ground infantry. I felt better joining the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Air Force since they would not be the first to be sent into combat. Ever since my brush with death in SoCal, I've been terrified to die. However, I have my closest friends Mike reminded me that enlisting in the military, one must not be afraid to die.

I was here with a group of over a 100 or more volunteers that wanted to sign up. The AFP didn't have enough resources to get feed, train, and clothe new recruits so desperate times called for desperation measures. Anyone male or female aged 18+ that was fit, knew how to aim and shoot, and follow some orders were encouraged to take part in these "local defense militias". There were also those competition shooters and firearms enthusiasts in the crowd. At this point, anyone with a gun was welcome to contribute in the clean up of Cebu.

The Philippine Army and PNP SWAT were there, overseeing the distribution of surplus and some newer rifles to the men willing to clean up the province from the Infected. I did see some of familiar faces amongst the crowd. Some of them were my classmates in high school and college. I was surprised countless of them survived. For fact I know, some people I know didn't make it during the initial stages of the outbreak.

Several SUVs and pickup trucks were waiting as men dressed up in paramilitary attire. Most of it were more for fulfilling their civic duty, majority wanted revenge on Zack, while some were just doing it for the money and the rewards.

One of those of my college friends I recognized came to volunteer too.

"Glad you made it Gill. I thought you were among the statistics." Franz said.

"I was one of the lucky ones that made it."

We then walked towards a trio of people whom Franz seemed to recognized. His friend was flanked by two big armed men. One of them had an AR-15 while the other had a scoped hunting rifle.

"I would like you to meet Grant, Gill." Franz.

"Nice to meet you Grant." I said. Grant had two other friends with him that came in a black Land Rover.

"Guys, this is Pete and Samuel." Grant introduced us to them. Two scary looking guys but were actually gentle giants.

Those who did not have their own guns lined up towards the makeshift armory. Franz got himself a Remington R4A3 that was left in surplus. It looked like a tasty rifle indeed. Grant was handed down a Glock 17 with a RONI SMG conversion kit while I got something older but effective: a WWII-era M1 Carbine. This one has been described by Max Brooks as one of the most effective anti-zombie weapons due to it being lightweight, reliable, and accurate.

"Always wanted to get my hands on this." I said, remembering the time I held my uncle's M1 Carbine from his rifle collection.
*******************​
The group I was with was wondering how I managed to survive being on the other side of the globe.

"I'll tell you later. Just heads up, this is not my first time killing the Infected." I said.

"When and where was your first?" Samuel asked.

"You won't believe it." I told him. "I was stranded in California then Hawaii. I was with my friend Mike and some other survivors and we had to shoot our way to Hawaii. I would be stranded for roughly four months in Hawaii before I returned here to the Philippines."

"That's some story bro." Pete replied.

"Worthy of a book." I joked.
*******************​
We then boarded our cars and hunted for the Infected from the safety of our vehicles. There were crackles of gunfire and cheers coming from the militia.

I aimed my M1 Carbine at an approaching group of five Infected individuals. I was surprised on how accurate I was with this piece of antique. Five shots equalled to five neutralized Infected. Othesr went on foot but kept a safe distance while they engaged the slow Infected.

This patch of ground was soon cleared of Infected. A total of 246 bodies were piled up. No casaulties were repoted. Unlike the gun enthusiasts of Texas, the hillbillies of Alabama or the rest of the American Deep South who did this for sport, here in the Philippines were more of putting these poor Infected out of their misery. The chaplain corps of the AFP was there present to give the final rites of the dead bodies before they would be burned in fiery pile.

At the end of the day I got my cut. I killed 10 Infected so I got a total of PHP 10,000, The M1 Carbine was mine to keep for defense. I finally felt I contributed to society.

When I got home, my parents were happy to see me that I'm safe. The only questions asked was why I kept the Carbine with me.
*******************​
Author's Notes:
Inspirations of this scene include The Man in the High Castle Season 2 when Thomas Smith self reports himself to Reich health authorities and in Season 4 when Alternate Thomas enlists in the Marine Corps. The zombie hunting scenes are inspired from Dawn of the Dead (1978) and Night of the Living Dead (1968/1990).

Troubled Waters - New Orleans (LA) Part 13: End of the Journey
January 5, 1995
Grozny, Chechnya

The complaints and the cries of the conscripts of the Russian army being operated was not new for Captain Volodine. This veteran of Afghanistan did not even hear them any more. On the other hand his attention was particularly turned to the young Lieutenant Karpov, obviously still very surprised to have escaped death by an intervention of fate. In this case that of the special forces, many of his compatriots had had no luck and this damn battle of Grozny was already beginning very bad for the Russian Army.

For the umpteenth time, Lieutenant Karpov again told the officer how he had been captured after the destruction of his platoon.

Karpov remained fixed on the death of the young woman he had shot.

The Captain said to him: "Stop inflating me with this bullshit, Durak! It's war, what do you expect?"

What could have added was that the Captain had participated in the cleaning of an entire Afghan village after an ambush on a convoy of food.

The captain continued: "And then shit, take this, you'll forget".

He then handed him a bottle of vodka.

"By the way, welcome back to the world of the living!"
*****************​
Present day...
Outside Prairieville, Louisiana

The horde of Infected was larger than he thought. The Russian man aimed his captured M4 and used his soldier skills to aim for the head. One shot and one went down. However, for every one he killed, five more would take his place. He was running low in ammunition.

"Jonah, you have to go now!" Karpov instructed the African-American teenager.

"What about you, sir?" Jonah replied. Karpov could see the face of fear and concern on the teens face.

"I'll delay these mu-daks. Head to Prairieville and find my daughter!"

"I don't know how she looks like!"

The Russian took a photo from his pocked of a young Caucasian woman with blonde hair and blue eyes and passed it Jonah.

"Use this! This will be helpful!" The Russian then handed an M9 he captured from the Klansmen he killed earlier.

"Make every shot count."

The horde of Infected was beginning to close on them.

"GOOOO!" Karpov yelled.

At first Jonah hesistated, tears running down his eyes. Then he nodded and ran towards the tree line where Prairieville would be at.

"I won't let you down, Karpov.

The Russian held his ground, even when he ran out of ammo, he used the it as a club, cracking skulls as he swang. That was last thing that Jonah saw him until he heard a boom. He had a mission to do: find the Russian man's daughter regardless where she was.
*****************​
May 23, 2024
Prairieville, Louisiana

Two smart-dressed men approached an African-American in cafe. The man had agreed to meet the two men for their interview. The two men were inspired from Max Brooks' best-selling novel 18 years ago. Together, they gathered in for lunch consisting of Louisiana's famous steaks, crayfish, grilled oysters, and jambalaya.
***********************​
"Karpov could not hope for anything when he saw the horde of infected blocking the passage between Gonzalès and Prarieville. Emergency vehicles and other vehicles piled up preventing any movement in other directions, regardless of whether they had a car or not, that would not have changed anything on this tragic day. Karpov desperately tried to get us out of there, you know even today I still find it hard to believe that this man died while saving me. He died fighting. It might be crazy, but I think saving myself was his redemption. You know I met his daughter for a second time, Olga, last year in Moscow. She told me that her father was always obsessed with what he had lived during the Chechen war."

"So Olga [1] survived?"

"Yes, you have to believe that some people have resources. She hid in the sewers after the massacre at her wedding ceremony. When the army arrived to finish the work on the bombs. What was going on is I came face to face with a then-22 year old Russian girl armed to the teeth. Feeling the sewers...I went back to the city of jazz and blues. That where she was. She wasn't here in Prairieville as her father and I thought."

[He laughs]

[His tone suddenly changes, you can guess a kind of sadness]

"Karpov never knew that his daughter had survived, you want to know that is the real tragedy."

"What can you tell me about Karpov, what were your relationships?"

"I met Karpov just a few days before his death. I was with a group that practiced looting and organized crime. I served them as a steward and slave. my meeting with Karpov was mainly accidental but it allowed me to discover someone who felt the same feelings as me. "(

[He starts to cry]

"If you don't want to pursue these questions, I would understand."

"No, it's going to be alright. After all it's all in the past, right? I blamed myself for the death of my mother. I worked at university and I did not want to go home because my family had never supported me in my choices, a bit like Karpov. I still find it crazy that Karpov threw himself into the horde alone so that I had enough time to save myself. I never knew he strapped some dynamite or grenades on to himself on that night. He made the Zeds pay for every inch and even as they swarmed on him, he got take a handful of them with him. Karpov was a hero. Say what you want, he was not one of these politicians or a great soldier but an ordinary man ready to do anything to save his soul."

Interview of Jonah Lawrence, Jr., [2] in Prairieville, Lousiana in 2024 by J.L. (Ishtar) and G.B. (Swordfish).

[1] She survived the Dead War hidden in the sewers beneath New Orleans with a group of other survivors and was rescued by the U.S. Army in March 2019. Her fiancé was presumed killed. She is now working for the Russo-American Association for the 2018-19 War. We had tried to contact her but she rejected the offer, arguing that people much more important than she deserved a place in our book and our project.

[2] Jonah is currently working as an engineer in the Mercedes Benz New Orleans Superdome reconstruction project.

Epilogue #1: The Beach

You were the shadow to my light
Did you feel us
Another start
You fade away
Afraid our aim is out of sight
Wanna see us
Alive

Where are you now
Where are you now
Where are you now
Was it all in my fantasy
Where are you now
Were you only imaginary
Where are you now

Atlantis
Under the sea
Under the sea
Where are you now
Another dream
The monsters running wild inside of me

I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost
I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost
I'm faded​

- Alan Walker - Faded (2015)




April 25, 2020 (Z-Day + 551/H.V.D[1] + 255)
On the way to Tabuelan
Cebu, Philippines

On an early beautiful summer morning, a large pickup truck speeds through the northern highway of Cebu on the way to one of the famous northern towns known for its white sand beaches. The pickup truck flew the Philippine Flag on one of the corner and a Gadsden flag on the other. It would be an a strange seeing the symbol of the Tea Party flying in the Philippines. Most Filipinos do not even know what it meant. To them it's just a yellow flag with coiled-up snake that says "DON'T TREAD ON ME." However its pressence is symbolic, meant to symbolize the human race's victory over the Killer Pandemic.

I was with my original batchmates from USC Mountaineers, Inc. from November 2016. They all managed to miraculosly survive the outbreak. James - our leader - was there. Marco was there, so was Justin, J.J., Simon, Alex the Papuan national, Leigh, Happy, Aubrey, and Tresha. A few of our friends weren't so fortunate. Many of our acquaintances fell victim to the KPV. While I did invite my best friend Mike to come with us, he had work to do. His was filming a documentary with his colleagues about soldiers, policemen, medical frontline workers, and dozens of survivors on their testimonies on the outbreak here in Cebu.

Instead, I brought my tech-savvy friend named Albert while the rest accountancy graduates brought two guests. One was a Filipina-Chinese girl named Christine Nicole and this aspiring beauty queen named Guia. The latter was one of the survivors my GF's group. When I asked what happened to the rest, I learned they didn't make it. I didn't ask anything further. That was the price of war.

The guests were introduced to the main group. Everyone was curious on how Gabrielle and I survived Los Angeles all the way to Hawaii then finally back here to the Philippines.

"Oh my God, that's horrible." Aubrey said.

"What did you guys do?" Leigh asked.

"Are you really writing a book with that French soldier you told us about?" Marco asked.

"Guys, I'll share during the socials later tonight. Just a heads up, yes I'm writing my experience about it. It's gonna be published soon." I replied. "Also, I'll probably introduce you to this French soldier and some of the Americans we met along the way via videocall."

"Give us a discount okay?" Tresha jokingly asked.

"Do you guys have any weapons?" J.J. asked. "Just in case you know...one of those things washes up on shore."

"I got my trusty old carbine here." I said, showing him eight magazines of .30-06 Springfield rounds. "This is a reliable one. Light and accurate."

"I got this." Albert showed his Glock 17 with the RONI kit.

"Need I say more." Marco showed his civilian MP5. It was semi-autmomatic version with an Aimpoint sight. Not exactly what a wannabe Rambo would want, but would do the job the nonetheless. After all it only takes one shot to the head to kill an Infected, no need to go full automatic. It would just waste precious ammunition.

It was J.J. who offered his large pickup truck for us to join in, even though Marco and Albert had their own cars. This was before we boarded his pickup truck. Most of the women stayed inside while Justin, Marco, Mike, Albert, Alex, Guia, Christine, Gabrielle and I at the back as the two flags flew with the wind.

"How's your flag collection going?" Justin asked.

"All I can say it is increasing. When I was in California, I managed to get my hands on the state flag. Then Gabrielle gave me the Hawaii state flag during Christmas when we were refugees in Honolulu." I said. "Too bad we were not able to swim on the beach or even hike on the hills of Oahu. That's something she would have liked to do so."

"I can never imagine how it must feel to be stranded abroad." Marco added.

"Trust me, you'd never wish you were in it. Especially if you are trying to escape an enemy that wants to bite your face off. An enemy that's not even supposed to exist."

"Well, my country was badly affected by the virus." Alex replied. "Because Papua New Guinea is poor and has a small military, we had to ask help from the Australians and the Americans. However nature took its course. The humid climate turned them into bones faster and the deadly animals had a field day of what to eat. I'm sure all of you saw that video of saltwater crocodiles mauling those rotters in that beach?"

"Yeah, we did. Those crocs had a field day." Albert replied.

"How about you Albert? What's your story?" I asked.

"My family and I fled to the mountains. We were housed in a mountain resort for the duration until it was safe to return back to the city." Albert replied. "Was supposed to leave for Canada last August. I guess that's delayed."

"Where in Canada?" Gabrielle asked.

"Surrey. Just outside of Vancouver." Albert replied.

"And you Guia?"

"Well I was about to graduate that December when the outbreak began on October. Classes were suspended indefinitely until September 2019 and that's when I graduated exactly a year later. I was supposed to join two beauty paegents but the outbreak cancelled it. It made me bitter. I picked up a gun and started killing the Infected that went in my way, even if it was some of my classmate's in high school and college. It's good thing I learned how to shoot when 15." Guia replied.

I then nodded in approval.

"I'm sure you can now join another one this year or in 2021 now that the outbreak is over." I said. "We'll support you."

"Thank you." She replied.

I then turned towards the Filipina-Chinese in our group. "How should I call you? Christine or Nicole?" I asked.

"Any. I'm fine with both." The Asian girl said.

"Alright Christine. So what's your story?"

"I'm from the same batch with Gabrielle, Happy, and Aubrey. We graduated in 2018 and became CPAs on the same year. I was supposed to begin work in Manila but then this outbreak cancelled it. I guess I was lucky or else I would have been stuck there or even worse, killed. I heard countless stories cities became a nightmare with the likes of New York or Tokyo. I heard Manila was worse."

"Yes, Gabby and I can attest how Los Angeles was like." I replied. "So where did you and your family escape?"

"Bantayan Island. That was before the Navy and the Coast Guard didn't let anyone from neighboring Leyte, Samar, and Masbate in. I guess we were one of the lucky ones."

"Life is precious. Value it." Marco added.

"So what you doing now?" Justin asked.

"Working as an auditor in one of the companies here in Cebu. I'm planning to start a food blog soon." Christine added.

"Can you cook for us tonight, Christine?" Gabrielle asked nicely.

"Sure. I can. Please don't blame if it is bad LOL." Christine joked.

The environment was peaceful and serene as we drove through the lush green countryside. There were still police and military checkpoints in between. They only checked our IDs since some of us were carrying weapons for self-defense. It was permitted now because a guy with a gun would neutralize a straggler Infected faster before the police would be able to respond. In this new era, speed and quick reaction time is the new normal.

"Wake me up when we get there." I told Gabrielle.

"Sure thing, love." She then kissed me on the forehead.

I found it surreal how just roughly two years ago Gabrielle, and I were in the same situation riding a pickup truck on our way down to San Diego from Huntington Beach. I wish my bestfriend Mike was here. He really wanted to come to this trip but him and his film crew had work to do. Almost 18 months had passed? Wow times flies. I thought. And now we are here in the same situation. Even better was this batch reunion occurred at long last, something I never expected would have happened. This is once in a blue moon.

By noon, we arrived at The Tree Sunset Beach Resort. Our group rented a tree house to serve as a precaution when we sleep at night. Again, no one could afford to put their guard down.
***************
The whole day was spent setting up our cook set, the campfire, and the folding table. We cooked our meals for the night while we swam in the blue-green waters of Tabuelan. We also took underwater shots. Squad goals. Memories were made. I finally made up lost time with my mountaineering group. An opportunity that was taken from four years ago. Now it's here. It is true what one missed will be given back greater in return.



"It's beautiful." I said.

"When was the last time we saw something like this?" Gabrielle asked.

I finally had someone to chase sunsets with. Our relationship had been full of challenges for the past 18 months or so. It's never those you see on TV or soap operas.

"Want me to take your photos guys?" Albert asked. It was also his hobby aside from computers and electronics.

"Go on, I don't mind." I replied.

Oh I need one last thing. I then opened my bag and got some surplus binocular night vision goggles.

"I want to look like an operator with these bad boys on." I told Albert.

"Whoah, where did you get that?" He asked.

"One of our cleaning missions. We saw a warehouse full of milsurp supplies. Had to get my hands on this Sightmark. Too precious too pass."

"Man, you and you're crazy ideas." Gabrielle laughed.

"He can be crazy at times. That's why I love him."
***************​
When night fell, we prepared the camp fire and our group meal along with the drinks. The meal consisted of rice, grilled fish, pork belly, and barbeque. It was sumptuous and hearty. I never felt this way for along time. Seeing the camp fire and hanging out with some good friends, I felt fullfilled at last. After this batch abruptly parted our ways in March-April 2017 without even saying a proper goodbye to each other, I accepted with a heavy heart that I would never see them again. Now it happened, we were here and complete. I guess life really has a weird way of bringing people together, the same way how I met Gabrielle again in Los Angeles at the time of the outbreak. After a month of staying together as refugees in Hawaii, her and I were on.




Gathering around the campfire, I then kept my promise to tell my story. They all wanted to here it like how grade schoolers want to here a horror story. I began my narration from the start of the year in 2018, which was the time Aubrey, Gabrielle, Happy, and Christine earned their CPA titles after passing the boards. Then I narrated how medical school broke me then I was to go to an exchange program in Los Angeles with my friend Mike, to the part we were given liberty off as the outbreak came. Then the looting and then how I bumped into Gabrielle and her former boyfriend. Everyone gasps and was shocked.

"Woah, what were the chances of that?" Guia asked.

"Small world indeed." James added.

"1 in 1,000,000,000 Guia." I replied. "Los Angeles is a big city. To be honest, it was pure timing and luck."

"And now she's yours, Ayee." Tresha joked.

"One true pair." Christine added.

"You two look really cute together." Guia added.

"We just bonded as Marco would say." I replied.

"So what happened next?" J.J. asked.

I then continued. How I put down her boyfriend who became the Infected, bluntly stating she would not be alive right now if I wasn't there. From there, I continued telling how the three of us escaped to an apartment and drove towards a park where the chopper took us to LAX where a safezone was established. I then narrated my near death experience once LAX was overrun just as we were saved on the nick of time by some LAPD SWAT. From there, I told about our journey to San Diego, the stopover at Huntington Beach, the tragic tale of what happened once we reached Angela's home, then how we linked up with more survivors, then the sudden death of two SWAT officers when riots gripped the city, then me being shot, the evacuation, life at sea aboard the USS Makin Island, our stay in Hawaii for four months, Jules' return to France, then our return to Philippines by stopping by at Guam then finally what lead to this reunion at the beach.

"Woah, I can never imagine." Ann Therese added.

"I'm amazed how you still remember all these." Leigh added. "You're always good at remembering events."

"That's one hell of story dude." Justin replied.

"That's movie material already." Alex added.

"I would never imagine getting shot." Aubrey said. "I killed 20 Infected when I went back home when Cebu was placed under lockdown. My mother trained me when I was younger but I'd never imagine when the enemy would be pointing a gun back at you."

"Trust me Aubrey, it's terrifying. It made me realize that how precious life was when I thought was gonna die twice during that trip. This isn't a video game anymore where you can restart. Death waited at every corner." I bluntly told her.

"You're a fighter, dude." Simon commented. "You survived because you chose to fight rather than roll over and cry."

"I did what I can to survive."

"Will you a write a blog about it?" Happy asked.

"Oh speaking of that. Not a blog, rather a book. Yes, I submitted to the published already." I replied. "Probably will be out this year or next year."

"You're gonna be rich my man." J.J. added.

"Believe me guys, I'm not in it for the money. I believe that all the stories should be published and heard, you know for the future. My friend Albert here believes in open access and freedom of information. What I receive is just compensation but I am not in from that, I just want to let my strange story be heard."

"How kind of you." Tresha said.

"Just like how our grandparents shared their stories of the Second World War, I believe we should share our stories while millions of us survived this dark moment in human history. For the next generation to learn and so on. Only way to prevent another outbreak besides bullets and vaccines of course."

"Congratulations Gill. We're proud of you and we're happy for you." Tresha said. James then filled all the cups with beer and alcohol and gave one each to everyone.

"Cheers for this reunion guys!"

"One moment, I forgot I should introduce you to the Frenchman and my two other friends." I said, taking out my smartphone, opening messenger, and tapping the videocall option. Jules replied the a few seconds later. The live feed showed the Frenchman with a beret. He was in some sort of camp. Behind him was the French tricolor flag and his FAMAS standard issue rifle.

"Bonjour, my friend." I said. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. Still in the Army. They'd pay for my college hence why I chose to remain. How about you?"

"Currently at the beach with some friends. Remember the group I told you in the LAX safezone I met in 2016, I'm with them. They're all alive. Mike's here too along with two other guests."

"Oh that's great."

"Anyways I promised to introduce you to them--Wait hold up, I got someone on the line."

It was Angela, she wanted to join the videocall. I pressed the "Accept" button then the blonde's face appeared, beside her was Spencer.

"Oh hey there Angela and Spencer. How are you two?"

"Doing fine here in Illinois." She replied. "Hey Jules, bonjour."

"Repairing my arcade stuff and my pinball machines." Spencer replied.

"Well, I'm amazed you got to adjust easily coming from the West Coast then moving to the Midwest. What are you doing right now?"

"I'm studying for an education major. I want to be an middle school teacher."

"Awee that's so nice of you. How about you Spencer?"

"Taking up electronics. I want to repair machines destroyed by the outbreak or even innovate new ones."

"That's great. By the way you three, I'm with a group of friends and I promised to you guys I would introduce you guys to them."

"Nice dude! I'm always excited to meet new people." Spencer replied.

I then went over to my batchmates and showed them my phone.

"Ahh guys this French soldier is Jules and this is Angela and Spencer. These are some people I met along the way when I had to shoot my way down to San Diego. Go on and say hi. Wouldn't hurt." I said.

They then introduced themselves to the survivors I met. The world became smaller once more.
Later close to midnight, my friends were still gathering at the campfire, talking and singing songs while Marco played the guitar. Gabrielle and I decided to take a stroll by the shore. One of the moments that finally happened.

"Hey careful out there dude, there may be Infected in the dark." Mike said.

"Don't worry, we won't stray too far." I said, slinging the M1 Carbine to the front of my chest.

"One day when this is over, we'll be at the beach again with our batchmates." The line echoed in my mind.

We held each other's hands like teenage lovebirds. It was a beautiful night. There millions of stars that were blinking above; the result of being in the rural areas which meant less light pollution. To make the moment even more magical, there were fireflies. Everything symbolized hope remains strong.

"How beautiful." Gabrielle said.

Looking over the sea, I could see police boats and small Coast Guard craft patrolling the low tide with their searchlights on. They were looking for any seaborne Infected that might have been tangled among the seaweed or seagrass or those that managed to live on. The threat has been minimal ever since but everything was just a precaution.

"Hey Gill, just wondering?" Gabrielle asked. I turned to face her. She looked as beautiful as ever as the sea breeze gracefully blew her hair, just like that night in the balcony of the condo we stayed in Huntington Beach. God, I really can't wait to marry this girl. I maybe looking too far towards the future but hey be positive right. Should we ever have kids, I'm definitely telling them about this.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Is it true that this whole thing is really gonna be over? As in all the Infected would die out?" She asked.

"The WHO estimates that the remaining ones would be extinct by 2021. That should be hopeful. They can't win against nature. We've heard reports of animals feeding on the Infected. The rot too, but slower than the average dead body. I could not see them lasting either for years. Thank God for the laws of nature."

"But the virus, what if it comes back or what if it mutates?"

"Well the vaccine would probably be in development and I'm sure who ever is in charge of overseeing it would ensure that it could also cover against potential mutation."

"And should it come back? What are we gonna do?"

"Same as ever. We rebuild, we rearm, we fight, we kill them all, and we learn from our mistakes."[2] I said optimistically.

"I'm ready for that if the time comes." Gabrielle added.

"Me too. Both of us became fighters the moment we had to escape LA. Come on let's head back now."

Both of us then returned back to the campfire where our group was. Surprisingly, no one was sleeping. As we sang our hearts out, we looked forward to a hopeful future while enjoying this unforgettable moment just as the embers of the fire lifted up towards the night sky full of blinking and shinning stars.




[1] Human Victory Day which was declared on August 8, 2019 by the WHO.
[2] Reign of Fire (2002) reference wherein Quinn (Christian Bale) says the following quote:
If they come, they'll burn, we'll build. Or maybe I'll just kill 'em.