Chapter 3

A day hasn't even passed ever since the incident started, but I can't help but feel like it's been going on for so long. There's too much to process. There are so many things I don't know. The only lead I have right now is that the animals began to act aggressively, and the only reason why there are so many of them in the city is because of that stupid invention. It turned my fucking life around.

I crouched beside the dented door of my car and carefully pulled it open. After finally getting in, the need to hear from the authorities hit me. I pressed a button behind the steering wheel and an obese lady in business attire appeared on my windshield. "This is Emily of Reagan City, reporting to you live. To the people who are watching or listening to this message. We have not yet discovered the reason as to why the animals have become vicious." Short clips of animals attacking and chasing people around the city played on the screen. "We request for everyone to stay in the safety of their own home and to avoid going outside as much as possible. The animals could be anywhere, but the numbers are reported to be higher in urban areas. Meanwhile, We advise all to avoid any contact with animal blood and refrain from hunting until we confirm that it is safe to do so because the information we have about the effects of their bites on humans is limited. It is recommended that you wash your wounds thoroughly and observe for any unusual symptoms. As of now, there are 67 deaths and counting, 11 of the bodies were severed and unidentifiable. We do not yet have any updates from the government but they hope for our safety and well-being. We will be reporting from time to time. Keep safe, everyone, and stay tuned." 

Bleep.

And she's gone. Exasperated, I bumped my head on the steering wheel. "Why isn't there anything about Reagan's statements?" He should have said anything by now because it's his fault. Is he that guilty that he's decided to keep us in the dark? I turned my head sideways, Nan's figure was visible from the store across the street. "She's going to be okay." 

The sun was about to rise, so I took a deep breath and sat straight, remembering to put my car in silent mode. It's going to be easier this way. 

I thread the road easily, like a leaf gently blown by the wind to whichever direction I steer my wheels at. I'm about to leave a quiet place and face a different level of crazy, so I need to prepare myself. Blocks after blocks and I've only seen a few animals. Weird. I shrugged. Fewer animals? Good. Thanks to the silent feature, I'm saving myself some battles.

I slowed down and turned to the left when a blond guy with a big backpack bumped at the hood of my car. I yelped. He looked at me in panic and back to the direction where he came from, then back at me again. He ran to my window in a scurry, "Let me in, please. Please, let me in." 

Not knowing what's happening, I looked at where he came from and there, ran seven animals from a distance. My heart raced. He hit my window and pulled at the door handle, but I have it locked. "Please!" I don't know this man. I looked at him and back at the animals, then back at him and back at the animals, when all of a sudden I heard a baby cry. 

I turned to him and my eyes darted at a cat stalking him from behind. "BEHIND!" I scurried, trying to unlock the door. The cat pounced at him but he immediately whipped his arms around, hitting the cat mid-air. Oh my god, his backpack. It's a baby carrier.

He opened the door to the passenger seat and hopped in, locking it immediately. "Are you out of your mind?!" He howled at me, breathing harshly.

 "I'm sorry, I really am. I- I'm having problems dealing with- with- I'm sorry!" I grabbed my head. Dogs pounced at my car, barking, then a pig and a goat, and a cat. They've finally caught up. "Drive!" the man yelled at me, shushing the baby on his arms. A pack of dogs, a drove of swine, a trip of goats, a pack of wolves, and a herd of sheep appeared from a distance. "Holyshit!" I stepped on the gas and drove.

"Where to??" I asked, holding my breath. When I turned to the right of the building, hundreds of different animals were blocking the whole street. I hit the brake immediately.

We stayed quiet in the car, observing the animals that haven't noticed us yet. It felt like walking on top of a cracking frozen lake. "We need to find ourselves a place. Quick." He whispered to my ear. I nodded rapidly. "My apartment building is a few blocks ahead, we can stay there," I breathe, looking at my rear-view mirror to reverse the car.

Clank.

Every eye darted at us.

"GO!"