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Jordan
Whenever my mind is in chaos or my body is burning from any kind of pain, I run to sleep for comfort. However with what's going on right now, sleep will only mean death for me and the people around me.
"You can do this. Just stay awake," I whispered and looked up at the shower above me, welcoming the hot water pouring down my face. The water felt relaxing, but as it hit my wounds and scratches, all I could feel was pain . . . which I welcomed wholeheartedly, knowing this pain is what will keep me from falling asleep completely. What will keep me from turning into a violent sleepwalking being.
The spiked water bottles were simply just a theory. For all we know, there's another way for the virus to be transmitted. In the end, all of us could be infected, we just don't know it yet. I don't want to risk it, so I will just stay awake.
All of a sudden, memories from the massacred orphanage suddenly came flooding back my mind. I took it as my cue to turn the shower knob off, dry myself, and put on the fresh set of clothes that I packed inside my bag before heading out of the house.
Dressed in my baby blue shirt and brown shorts, I opened the bathroom door and saw Masha sitting on the bed while staring blankly ahead.
"You don't like the clothes I brought?" pabiro kong kuha sa kanyang atensiyon sabay turo sa suot niyang white turtleneck sweater at shorts. "Sabagay, black turtleneck na 'yong suot mo kanina. But hey, the shorts are very comfortable whenever we're running for our—"
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay," she cut me off and smiled reassuringly.
"Good." I grinned and pointed at the first aid kit box sitting on top of the bathroom sink. "Now, get in here and put first aid on my cuts."
Nakunot ang noo ni Masha. "Kay Arnold na lang kaya? 'Di ba medic siya noong high school tayo tapos doktor pa raw ang mama niya."
"Arnold's out there giving first aid to all of the guys," giit ko naman. "Baka mamaya makatulog 'yon sa sobrang pagod."
Masha sighed before standing up from the bed.
***
"Konting tiis, okay?" halos bulong na sambit ni Masha habang nilalapatan ng paunang lunas ang sugat sa gilid ng labi ko.
Bahagya akong tumango. Napakahapdi man, kahit papaano ay nagpapasalamat na rin ako kasi dahil dito ay nawawaksi ang antok na nararamdaman ko. At this point, pain is a friend that will keep us alive.
"Huwag ka ngang gumalaw," mahinang reklamo ni Masha. Nakakatuwa kasi kahit nagrereklamo, napakalambing at malumanay pa rin ng boses niya.
"Mas magalaw ka kaya. Tingnan mo, o? Nanginginig pa ang kamay mo," biro ko sabay baba ng tingin sa kamay niyang nanginginig habang marahang nagdadampi ng bulak sa sugatan kong labi.
