Chapter 24

The next morning, mom has finally been discharged of the laboratory. But she did not leave without some device attached to her left wrist. It looks like a high-tech bracelet but it also look like it's surgically attached. Mom said it's so they can keep monitoring if any changes occur to her body and so they can easily come to her aid or...if needed, terminate her.

She came out of the building with a cane. She's severely weakened but she assured that with proper rest and diet her strength will be back soon. And when she's strong enough, she'll train alongside us. Upon hearing mom's plan about training with us, Jarren shyly admits his disinterest in becoming a soldier like mom. Mom didn't asked why but she asked him what is he planning on doing to contribute as everyone has to make a contribution or simply called work. My brother has yet to decide of what he should do, luckily mom did not press on. However, she said that he's got to figure it out soon as everyone from ages 14 and up has to work. Yes, as young as that to earn their right to eat. Mom said everyone that was rescued has the right to stay in the shelter but food and other items has to be worked for. All those that are 21 below, male or female, are strictly IW's. The only excemption is the OW post guards which is my job, they don't leave position so younger soldiers are allowed to take the job. Often times it's used as a training job for rookies. Once rookies are promoted, they can choose to be an IW or OW.

There are 3 types of OW soldiers: Expander, Gatherer, and Protector.

The Expanders are the most lethal of all the soldiers both IW and OW. They are the first to explore unexplored places to expand safe grounds. They are the ones who jump into danger first. And because of that, they are the smallest in numbers. Mom is an Expander herself. Rescuing is also a part of their job as the nature of their work is mainly exploration and securing new safe grounds.

The Gatherers are pretty much self explanatory, they gather stuff. They gather useful stuff or scavenge for food and water. Out of the OW jobs, theirs is the safest.

And lastly the Protectors, they're job is to protect either a Gatherer or a survivor. Out of all the OW soldiers, they're the most numerous.

I registered myself to become an Expander. Once I turn 22, I'll have the same job as my mom.

Jarren and I helped mom pack her things up. Mom is still very weak and she's not hiding her frustration about it. She's nagging about unable to carry stacks and stacks of boxes. And because of her weakened state, she can't do much other than instruct us on what we'll take home. Also, the driving of her L3 Van is gonna be taken care by Aunt Etil. By afternoon, we left to head to Cainta.

On our way to mom's hometown, there was not a single infected on the way. The road was clear and barely any car roaming. And since the streets were pretty clear, it was a short drive. In more or less than 30mins, we've arrived in front of Mom's house. It was huge. She told us that she only took the house for herself because it's unoccupied. She then told us to take our stuff out of the van but not unpack it. She said unpacking will be taken care tomorrow, today we are to meet the Ogram family.

After taking out the boxes, mom lead us to a circular neighborhood. Horseshoe Drive street. We walked out way to her childhood home and there we met more than just the three faces we saw yesterday. Mom's got a big family. Mom then introduced my brother and I to everyone. The Ograms welcomed us. But the mood in the house changed when mom asked the rest of her family.

"Where's mom?"

"In her room, she hasn't been able to get up from bed two weeks ago. She's gone...very weak due to old age." said Uncle Lolu.

Mom then went to the master bedroom. All of us in the living area was quiet. To break the silence, a boy my age approached me.

"Hey, I'm Vol Ogram."

"Nigel Ogram."

"Jarren Ogram."

"Yeah, that's Aunt Pheene said, silly. I know your names." Vol laughed. "Frodery Ogram's my daddy and Tema Ogram's my mommy. This is Telly my younger sister. And right there is Mat, Uncle Donny's son. I'm 17, Telly and Mat are 12. How old are you?"

"I'm 17 too."

"I'm 15."

"17? What month is your birthday?"

"March."

Vol gasped.

"Guess you're no longer the oldest," Uncle Donny chuckled.

"I was born on September! No fair!" Vol pouted.

Jarren and I couldn't help but smile.

The door to the master bedroom opens and our little chat was put to a stop.

"Nigel, Jarren, come in. Grandma wants to meet you." Mom said with a sad smile.

Jarren and I looked at eachother and we walk towards her. We entered the master bedroom. There was a massive bed where an old woman is lying on her back. Mom then helped her to sit up.

"Mom, these are my boys, the older one is Nigel and the younger is Jarren."

"Come to grandma, don't be shy." Grandma outstretched her arms towards us.

Jarren and I sat on two different sides of grandma. Me on the left while my brother on the right. Grandma wrapped her arms around us and we sat there awkwardly in her bony arms. Mom then got off the bed and left the room. Grandma then started chatting with us, asking us questions here and there like our age and where we came from. Like our mom, grandma don't seem very talkative too as often times there will be a pause in between our conversations. Though if there's something different between the two of them, grandma smiles more.

The entire evening, we stayed at mom's childhood home for the rest of the night until after supper. While we were there, we felt very welcomed like we've been a part of their family for a long time. As if we weren't adopted at all. We were told funny stories about the siblings when they were younger. We also learned that they have one more sister, Aunt Etah who's in Pampangga. They avoid talking about her as they have yet been able to reach her. Mom explained to us that the only areas that have been fully reclaimed was Cainta, and Taytay. The places that are in progress are Marikina City, Quezon City, Pasig City, Antipolo City, and Angono. And Pampangga was way up the map while all the places mentioned is located in Southern Luzon. But according to mom, she and grandma still hasn't lose hope. She says Aunt Etah is strong and strong willed. But for the most part, Aunt Etah was barely part of the evening talk.

After supper, the three of us head back to our permanent home. We all have our own rooms. Mom told us that we will redecorate the house by tomorrow. The house has more than enough rooms. Three of the rooms will be occupied by us. There are still two extra rooms. Mom said the two extra rooms will be used as storage, one will be armory. The other she has yet to decide if it's going to be a gym or library.

Mom said she got my schedule covered, my service is transferred to Manggahan Pasig City as it's the closest area to us that is still in process of reclamation like in QC. My service was moved by mom in two weeks from now.