280 The Fleeing Crystal, An Unusual and Very Unexpected Encounter (1/2)

Day 41 – 9:40 PM – Barangay Gumian, Infanta, Quezon

Situated beside the main road, the Famy-Real-Infanta Road, that connected several municipalities in the Quezon Provice were the three compounds of South Luzon State University – Infanta Campus, Tohongin National High School and Claro M. Recto Memorial Hospital. Before the apocalypse, this area was highly populated especially with high school, college students and the families of the patients confined at the hospital. When the outbreak came, it became one of the most dangerous parts in the province.

Fortunately, the situation was contained due to the fact that the main road was frequently used by the military. Thus, the area was mostly cleared of danger although the infected and evolved animals would still wander around this area from time to time. Previously, this place had been used as an ambush point by the outlaws but with their defeat several days ago, the place returned to being an empty dilapidated area.

Now however, almost all the rooms that could be found in the buildings of the three compounds were occupied with people, as for those that were not, those rooms were being used for other important things. The facilities of the buildings in the three compounds were not even enough and tents and temporary dwellings were built at the grounds.

Soldiers from the military consistently patrol the open compounds to provide security and protection. It was despite the bad weather and the time. The temperature was cold and the ground was muddy but that did not stop the upright soldiers from performing their duties.

These three compounds beside the main road and near the entrance of Marcos Highway were where the people from Port of Real Settlement evacuated due to the threat of the storm. This place was about six kilometers away from the settlement and was further away from the sea. Although the place was still within the area affected by the storm, they were away from the threat of the storm surge and the emerging sea creatures.

In the compound of South Luzon State University – Infanta Campus, people from East Port Settlement temporarily settled. Still, most of them were still confused because of the ups and downs they suffered and the strange events they experienced. After all, they were almost caught by the people of Death Valley Settlement and were surrounded by a very large number of infected. And yet, they were still alive and intact. They even managed to reach this place and finally able to rest.

They fought the people of Death Valley Settlement and even Karlene and Alana joined the fray after securing the safely of Miracle and the [BloodChildren]. However, when they prepared the bloody fight against the infected after the men of Death Valley Settlement started to retreat, a miraculous sight awaited them. The infected ignored them and went after the escaping criminals leaving them all with dumbfounded expressions.

After that event, more people were injured and the march became harder. Due to that, Karlene tried to contact her father for assistance and luckily made contact despite the choppy communication. Soon, the military vehicles came and transported the injured, children, women and elderly first while the others continued to march the rest of the way but with the assistance of the soldiers that stayed behind to help.

Inside the main building of the college campus, Karlene was currently spending time with her father that she had not seen since she left with Mark several days ago. Together with them were Alana and her uncle who was pestering her for her finds when both girls spend the past days with Mark. Of course, both the girls did not say anything unnecessary. Well, even if they wanted to talk, there was really nothing to say. After all, Mark did not reveal his vital secrets to them and the two were not privy about it either.

All they could talk about was Mark's amazing base. Although Mark forbid the others to mention anything about the base, that did not include Alana and Karlene. It was along with the fact that the military should already have an idea that Mark had somewhere to settle about, a base of his own. As long as it was not about things that could potentially harm the base, they could speak about it.

Still, the faces of the two looked anxious. Not only them but majority of the people in the evacuation site saw that huge lightning strike. The brightness that overturned day and night in less than a second was really bad for the faint of heart. Not to mention the deafening roar of the heavens that followed after the strike.

TOK! TOK!

A knock was heard from outside.

”Come in.”

Major Bautista let the person from outside the door to enter. The person was a soldier who looked hurried. That expression made the atmosphere inside the room rather tense. They did not know whether it would be a good or bad news.

”Major. The General was calling for you.”

The soldier saluted and told his business.

Hearing that, Major Bautista was confused. The Major had been busy running about because of the evacuation and was finally able to rest with the permission from the general. Yet, the general was calling for him in his free time. It could only happen if something very urgent occurred.

”Did General Faustino tell you why?”

”Yes…”

The soldier seemed to hesitate.

”Say it.”

Major Bautista urged.

”Actually Sir, it might sound unbelievable but we just received a report.” The soldier took in a deep breathe. ”Death Valley Settlement is destroyed. Apparently, the person with Miss Bautista and Miss Garces, Sir Mark, appeared there and was likely involved in its destruction. This news was received from our spies there.”

”HAH!”