The Decision

25th December.

Christmas Day is one of the joyous events celebrated by many people around the world, but this year it is quite different. One of the local channels airs a talk show that tries to relate Christmas day and the Doomsday. The news about the doomsday has started to give concern to many people all over the world, but it is not enough to create panic and chaos. The people who believe it and some paranoid people have already started stockpiling supplies, there are even some that took their family and move out from the big cities. Another result is that some organizations are rushing to build a mini fortress and begin on stockpiling weapons. As a result, the Christmas day this year is a lot busier than usual.

Alex and his group took a morning flight. When the plane arrived, Alex had just enough time to have a Christmas service with his family. As for Aria and Jerry, they both returned to the main base.

Something was bothering Alex's mind ever since he came back. His actions last night served it purpose, those who wanted to take his stones by force already got the message. Alex also managed to get additional 22 sacrifices for the amulet, however, it was still not enough. If he added the people he fed to the amulet from Mexico, the amulet had an overall of 37 sacrifices. Alex tried to sense the amulet's power and he felt that not even half of the amulet's power had been restored. He needed more, much more.

Here he was, sitting in a church, but thinking about where to sacrifice more people. What an irony. His mind was in conflict between what is right and what is wrong. It was pretty easy to murder the person who tried to kill you, but where else could he find more of them. Where can he get more? He could not kill innocent people for the sake of his daughter, could he?

Innocent that's the keyword, there is one place he can find guilty lowlife human --- the prison.

He put this thought on hold at the moment, his main concern right now is his family. This morning he saw his wife and two daughters, they went to church together and had lunch together. Things seemed to be normal, but he knew there was something unsettled between him and his wife. But probably not the best time to discuss it right now.

After lunch, although Alex wanted to spend more time with his family, he left for a more pressing matter. Alex went to the police headquarters in Bali. He met with two people; Colonel Jaka, the third-ranking person of the police forces in Bali, and Major Sandi the one in charge of the Densus 88 police special forces.

There are 15,000 police officers in Bali, but most of them are traffic and administrative officers. Half of the Indonesian police officers in Indonesia look more like a civil servant than a security officer. Many of them are overweight. Not many of these officers are reliable for Alex. However, this Colonel Jaka is one that he believes he can count on. He was recommended by General Rico.

Although Bali can be considered a small sized city, the security is on a higher standard due to the many foreigners that live here. There were 10 squads assigned in different places around Bali. Major Sandi is the leader of two battalions of special forces. Alex came to familiarize himself with these police officers, in the future, he will rely on them once the doomsday start. As of now, Alex doesn't have much influence with the police because General Rico doesn't have much authority to control any of them, unlike the Regent and the army.

Alex briefed them about the doomsday threat and how the army had been preparing as a precaution. He told them what to expect and shared his base's location which could act as a refugee shelter. Alex also left them a two-way radio as a way to communicate between Alex's base and the police headquarters which was located in Denpasar, Bali's capital city.

There's one more special agenda that Alex requested as a favor, the information on all jail houses and prisoners that were held in Bali. For these small favors, they are willing to assist.

There are six prisons in Bali, but the five of them are small or temporary jailhouses. There is only one that can be truly called a prison, the main prison is a place called Kerobokan prison. It has a capacity of 350 prisoners, but there are 1,400 prisoners being kept in there.

Alex went to visit the prison accompanied by one of the police officers. He could easily get a tour since he was acquainted with General Rico. There were only 14 guards keeping watch on 1,400 prisoners, it's the worst prison ever. It's very easy to infiltrate. Alex went around checking the blocks and cell while reading the prisoners data.

Cell Block Q, this is the one Alex came looking for, the note says that this block is the one full of prisoners with the heaviest crimes. The murderers, terrorists, and rapists. These are the world's scum, nobody will miss them. Although seeing the data and the cell, Alex feels a little disappointed. There are only 25 of them. Alex can tell this is not enough. Alex walks to the next block second to Cell Block Q. Cell Block P, inside are robbers and drug dealers there are about 60 of them. Alex stares at their faces and their profiles. He can tell some of these people did their crimes out of a desperate situation, some of these drug dealers could probably be friends with the Black Snake Gang. Alex has mixed feelings about this.

One of the prisoners is skinny old man who looked into Alex's eyes. Alex can sense the regret and sadness in his eyes. Alex is hesitating, his heart is heavy... to choose between her daughter life and these strangers should be easy for him, but Alex still finds himself doubting on what he should do. Alex decided to leave the prison and return back to the hotel.

In front of the hotel, Alex met a friendly face, Theo the Priest, one of his oldest friends. 'This guy likes to show up right in the worst moment,' Alex thought. Alex went for tea with Theo and had a chat about conscience and death. This guy, Theo, have always been a friend he can talk to. Alex heard his friend's counsel, but with what is at stake, it only made his mind more troubled. Alex told him about the doomsday and the base he set up. He told him whether Theo believed him or not, Alex wanted him to move to the villa in the bay city before the end of the year.

Alex returned to the hotel room with a heavy heart. It's already late in the evening. The kids were already asleep. Alex sat down next to Tiffany and stared at her while she's sleeping. There was no guarantee that the Amulet of the sun will work, but there is no other way he could think off other than to proceed with the slaughter.

A figure moved slowly and stood next to him. It's Devita, his wife.. she said, "Let's talk…"

Alex decided to be as open as possible to his wife. He told her the same information as the one in the event in Singapore. He said he had a glimpse of the future and told her the disaster that would happen in 5 days, the tragic end of Tiffany and what will follow soon after with his wife and Tiarra. Alex told her about the disease that has no cure and the amulet with its sacrifices.

Devita took this news very seriously, she had a couple of days to think about it. When the world is in chaos, most people will always think of family... family comes first...

Devita firmly said... "Do what you have to do to save this family."

Alex hugged his wife and kissed her forehead. He walked away and then he left the hotel in the middle of the night.

The air felt a bit colder that night...

The next morning there was local breaking news about the horrifying deaths of Kerobokan prisoners. 85 bodies were found in a terrifying condition. The locals suspected a disease or virus outbreak. No evidence or witnesses can be found.

Watching the news Devita felt uneasy but there was a slight smile that could be seen on her face.

Alex stayed in Bay City's villa, today, he was going to start his last preparations for the two bases. Before leaving, Alex took out the Amulet of the Sun, a total of 122 life had been sacrificed. Alex can tell that the amulet is finally alive. It was as if the key had been inserted and it is now activated. Alex focuses his mind to open up its power, slowly the amulet turns brighter and brighter. It shines as bright as the sun and the light slowly condenses into a small shiny pill.

Success...

Alex could feel that the amulet would need a few weeks before it could create another pill. This one pill will be the only chance Alex have to cure his daughter.

Hopefully it will work...