Virulent Epidemic in History

28 May 1918

I went back to Tikaban and fetched Lolita but still - she's waiting for her son and lover to come back. I sniveled beside her and begged in multitude, but she was very silent with sullen eyes. Instead, she told me to return to where I was hiding because there were only a few more around who remains alive. The datu and kapitan del baryo informed everyone to self-quarantine in their houses and refrain from roaming around to avoid risk. It was enough to leave the sack of food I brought for her. Appallingly, she also informed me that there was one soldier who came, looking for 1Lt. Krause and left a letter. Then àfter I bade goodbye to her, I took the letter and gave it to the soldiers when I reached back in the secret place. The American soldier was so down, knowing the woman's husband has died in Manila due to Spanish flu and that his family were on a special list as alleged host of the said disease. The soldier opened it up to the wife and she was terrified on what she'll do with her Filipino-German children without his husband. I was in a state of shock and forcibly stayed side by side with them.

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03 June 1918

Tension is everywhere due to the Spanish flu. So we seriously shared ideas with the American soldier that formally introduced me his name as - 1Lt. Edward Krause. On this morning hay day we seated on a grassy streamside, he divulged that he's Chuck's bestfriend. With a sudden madness, I stood up and fuming but he was so straightforward to kneel and apologized in behalf of his bestfriend. When I calmed down a little, he explained to me about Chuck and his ill wife. Interestingly, he assured me that he'll be the way for George to return to us. I looked into his eyes and it seemed there's hope. Edward, 1Lt. Edward Krause. I can sleep tight tonight with a smile.

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" It's our surname now. Ever since, Dad was already a saviour, hey Dad, wherever you are right now, come back for us. I miss you so much." Albrecht whispered to himself.

A little while Baldur came, bringing a bowl of porridge for Magee.

"Hey guys, I'm not so much with food so just cook on your own. I only had one bowl for Mag and I'm pretty sure its salty or whatever." Baldur said and everyone laughed.

Magee had her lavish dinner and when done, she slowly walked off to the bathroom while aided with George, listlessly.

He has heard Magee's waters and its squelches inside that brings him to the present.

" Hmm...I forgot to mix it with boiled water, great heavens!"

" Grrrr....I'm in the North pole right now George. Why you did not tell me, haha!" She was literally chilling.

" Will I boil some, sorry I forgot, I was thinking of so many things, sorry."

" Its alright, I'll cross the bridge but I need to shout, otherwise I'll die."

" Oh my...no! don't, just wait a second. I can boil right away. Wait a second. Don't shout, I'm telling you." George warned her on his gritty voice.

"Uh yes! I'll wait." She replied sheepishly; wrapped around her towel and hunker down on the flinty ground.

While George was instantaneously putting some firewoods underneath the kettle he thought.

" Its possible that my name is still a registered Filipino citizen here, the baptism date entry in the journal shows its in triplicate copy. I'll find it out soon or maybe after the war, God grant if I'm still alive."

Then the firewood began to boil the water in the kettle. He then transferred it in a bucket and knocked on the bathroom's door.

" Just place it on the doorway."

" Its heavy." He said.

" Don't worry, I'll just pull it here."

" But your wound." He insisted.

" I'll handle it, just place it on the doorway." Then she smiled to herself while lighted by the oil lamp.

He then backed off and waited outside. Still thinking of the journal.

" He could have been a great father. But for me, he's counted as one of my Dads now. Unfortunately, I saw him between September to December but had no idea about all these secrets, "Amá," he wants that to call him, I should have personally thanked you for craving to see me. I'm George! your little boy before." It irks his heart again.

The bathroom's door was opened and she emerged bringing the oil lamp and the towel.

" He immediately took from her the oil lamp and offered his shoulder for a walk back to the bedroom.

When they returned Albrecht and Baldur were laughing while holding and reading the entries of the third journal.

" Hey, what's up?" George smiled.

" We're here in the third journal, mostly our funny childhood experiences around were recorded. I even wanted to rip some of them." Albrecht smilingly said.

"No way, Magee and I will still read them, we're still within the entries of the second journal.

Knock! knock! Albrecht opened the door.

Its Amado and would like to talk to George outside. When they were already beside the stream, Elias came and spoke with the help of Amado.

" We're ready for tonight Sir, only the four of us with Narciso, Elias, me and you. The handguns and grenades are ready." Amado reported. Elias also said that there's just around ten Japs to beat then Amado handed to him a newspaper, 'The Daba Times Newspaper.'

"Good! where did this newspaper come from? Its March 29, 1942, Sunday. Its yesterday. El, thank you."

" He said its from one of the settlers in the hills. By the way Sir, he found some Filipinos hiding in the mountains of Gabok.

" But how did he reach that place when the bridge was already disconnected plus there's that strong current of water?" George asked.

" That's another update, Sir. The people he said residing there built a bridge through pieces of ropes and they also cut a very long tree that took them four days to bend, crossing it to the other side - going here. The ropes then horizontally crossed the bridge, tied beside the said tree. They were civilians turned out guerillas but they never knew the group of Edmund and Guida.

George then took the newspaper and tapped Elias shoulder. Good job Elias! Amado, thank you very much too. Give me three hours to prepare my things and nap a little. We'll depart around 2300 hrs. "

" Yes, Sir." Then both of them quickly left quickly going to their bahay-kubos.

He noticed Baldur outside and talked to him silently.

" We'll depart in 2300 hrs, only the four of us will go. Now, here. We don't know if who betrays us around so we better move ahead of their plans. I don't know if this mission going to the Japs had leaked already but we'll find it soon." Then he continued to discuss to Baldur regarding the setup they need to perform in order to test the credibility of his men on that mission. Outright they separated with a huge plan. George went inside their bedroom and locked the door while Baldur went upstairs and whispered to Albrecht the plan.

"What? Albrecht was flustered.

" Yes. Just sleep a bit. I'll wake you up later when its time." Baldur calmly said.

" Okay." Then the older brother cannot do anything against the plan but just abide.

George took the journal out of her hand and he sat on her bed, facing her.

" Mag, you have to sleep early and I'll give you some antibiotics now. We'll continue reading that tomorrow, okay?" Then he kissed her forehead and gave her the shot on the shoulder.

Outright, She slowly closed her eyes and he put his arms around her head to carefully lie on her pillow. Then seconds later he blew off the oil lamp and he seemed knew where to get the things he would need in the absence of light. First, he grabbed the socks and placed them on her feet. A thicker sleeve shirt and he doubled her pants. Likewise, he placed all the journals of Sr. Sibal inside her bag. Moments later, he opened the door and let Baldur came in. Also, Albrecht was sitting on the long wooden chair, facing the main door and religiously guarding. Then inaudibly, George carried Magee going outside the bedroom with a thicker blanket around her and Baldur just tapped Albrecht's shoulder.

The house had a fox hole that directs them to around 80 meters away from the house. When Baldur opened the door above them he turned off the flashlight and they were already facing toward the smiling Buccaneer's danger zone sign.

"Wow!" George whispered.

On his freezing feet, Baldur carefully covered the door with soil and some dry grasses. Then off they proceeded towards the safest cave. It was too dark inside but George lighted a candle and placed her on a thicker blanket on the ground. After which, he sat to relax.

" She might kill me tomorrow for doing this, hah!" He spoke slowly then Baldur smiled while squatting comfortably on the ground.

" This lady gives you a terrible life here. Hmm...this maybe odd but you have to be honest. Are you two living together as a real husband and wife or what?"

" Ah, Baldur, its difficult to answer because I'm in a state like I'm still courting her. But its okay, she's right, there's no need to rush. However, everything's interesting. I tell you." George smiled.

"Brother, just deal with your destiny one day at a time." Baldur smiled.

" Shh....there's a voice outside this door facing the sea." George blew the candle light immediately and eavesdropped his ears from a little opening.

" Get that Magee alive." A woman's voice instructed.

" Ows...its a sore in my ears. Who wants my wife will I bury in this place." George took his dagger and got out.

" Good heavens! Protect him." Baldur whispered as he closed his eyes.