17 Summer of Chaos

The third shake was even more powerful than the first. The facade of the mall gave way. From the desperate cries of people, it looked like some people were hit by it. The people's cries were even more terrifying than the earth shaking. The cries pierced through my mind and heart. Justine held my hand so tight. I heard a loud cry. Someone hugged me.

"Via!" I was so relieved to see her. Then another one and another one.

"Marion! Mel!" We hugged and cried. 'Thank you, Lord. Thank you!'

Karlo went to Justine and put his arm around his shoulder. After a while, Victor found us too. Even Jane managed to get to our location. There was some bleeding on Victor's forehead. The bodyguards checked him. Fortunately, It was just a shallow cut. I still had my small backpack with me and I rummage it for possible useful items. I found wet ones and band-aids. Mel cleaned Victor's wound and put band-aid on it.

"Where's Alexis?" asked Victor. Justine answered him with a silent despair. Jane realizing what the silence meant was horrified. She turned to talk with the bodyguards. Victor bolted out and ran to enter the mall. B2 ran after him.

Several agonizing minutes after, B2 came back with him in tow. Apparently, the management of the mall was able to station guards in the entrance that prevented people from entering. The bodyguard also got information that firemen from a nearby station had arrived and were sweeping the mall to help people get out.

Marion continued crying. She was worried for her mother Auntie Aida who opted to stay in the condo. We also wondered where Uncle Danny was. B1 volunteered to accompany Marion to look for her mother in the open areas near the condo. Mel and Karlo went with them.

I overheard Jane reporting to Mr. Huang through the radio. He talked lengthily to B2 and gave him several instructions. He also talked to Justine. He assured him that he would do everything in his power to find his brother. He also told him that his Grandpa was already appraised of the situation. He further said that Grandpa Anton and his team were preparing to fetch us. I almost cried just hearing Grandpa's name. It gave me a tremendous sense of security.

Jane informed us that she would leave us to do some missions as instructed by Mr. Huang. We protested for her to stay. She said it was her decision to still do her duties. She assured us that she was trained for this. She begged us to please stay close to the two bodyguards. She reminded us that this was not the time to be stubborn. Via clung to me. She apologized repeatedly to Justine for losing his brother. Justine assured her it wasn't hers or Marion's fault. He said if there was someone to blame, it was Alexis himself. He said Alexis could really be hardheaded and selfish. Victor gave him a sharp look. I hushed him and reminded him to get Alexis' side first. Justine hugged me in response.

Marion and company found Auntie Aida. They also found Uncle Danny. We were so relieved. We cried with joy, hugging. Auntie Aida checked each of us for bruises or wounds. When it was my turn, Auntie Aida gasp looking at my thigh. I didn't notice there was a crimson spot on my pants. Actually, no one noticed it. Auntie Aida gently pressed it and I winced with pain. Justine kneeled down near me to check on my thigh with guilt on his face.

"Hey, it isn't your fault, okay? Stop blaming yourself, please." I pleaded with Justine. Karlo and Victor patted him on the shoulder. Auntie Anita asked for scissors. Uncle Danny managed to get one. Auntie Aida gently cut part of my pants that covered the red spot. It revealed a small but most likely deep cut judging from the blood that oozed from it. Auntie Aida found a clean small towel in my bag and told Justine to press on it. I knew Auntie Aida could have asked one of the girls to do it but he specifically asked Justine. It was to distract him from thinking of Alexis.

Sirens of ambulances and firetrucks filled the air. There was still no news of Alexis. Uncle Danny was blaming himself for not coming with us kids to the mall. He said if something happened to Alexis, he wouldn't be able to face Grandpa Anton. He fussed over Justine asking him repeatedly if he was okay. Justine sat stoically leaning on my shoulder while still pressing the towel on my wound.

A group of volunteers started distributing blue tarps, carton boxes and some ropes. They must have gotten them from the big hardware store nearby. People started to build makeshift tents. Evening was approaching and there was still no news of the extent of the damage. This was further hampered by the still down mobile networks. Only satellite phones were working. That was why Mr. Huang managed to contact Granpa Anton.

Karlo took charge of our group. He assigned tasks for everyone. Survival skills that were just child's play in the farm came in handy. We built our tent. We made mats out of the carton boxes. We gathered every useful item we had in our bags. Fortunately, we had managed to bring our small bags of knick-knacks with us. We had some water and snack foods.

Victor and B1 alternated with Uncle Danny and B2 in going around to look for Alexis. Victor saw a Red Cross station and the boys brought me there. My wound was cleaned. It needed two stitches though. Justine held my hand as the procedure was being done. He teased that except for him, no one would want me now because my beautiful leg was ruined. It lifted my spirit that at least Justine could still make a joke.

Back in our tent, everyone was succumbing to fatigue and exhaustion. Justine urged Auntie Aida and Uncle Danny to sleep assuring them that we were okay. They got out of the building through the stairs from the 40th floor so we could imagine how tired they must be. Justine suggested to us to take turns sleeping so there was always someone awake in case Alexis turned up. Karlo agreed and assigned turns for sleeping. The adults were amused by his leadership but they let him be. Even the bodyguards praise him for taking in-charge.

I had barely slept when I woke up with a start. I was disoriented at first. I noticed that Justine was not beside me. I started to panic. I was getting out of the tent when one of the bodyguards tapped my shoulder and pointed to the edge of the park. Justine was standing several meters away from the nearest tent. I quietly limped up to him. I stood by his side and took his hand. He hugged me tightly. Then he cried.

"I really pray that Alexis is safe, Nina. I can't lose him too. I can't. God, I really miss Mom and Dad," he said sobbing.

I hugged him back and silently cried with him. 'I got you baby, I got you…'

We stayed that way for some time. When he had calmed down he said, "I'm such a crybaby, right? I hope I didn't disappoint you."

"Don't you know that according to research, real men cry?" I said.

Justine laughed softly, "I'm so glad you are with me, Nina. I don't know how to bear this without you." He sighed deeply.

We noticed a commotion in our tent. Justine and I walked back briskly. My heart was beating wildly. A group of men approached our tent. Mr. Huang found us!