Cosmic Dawn (Where Monsters Rise)

"Bring those over here." Rayne said softly as he focused on preparing the supplies needed for Ate Naomi's childbirth. Ang boses niya'y kalmado pero puno ng tensyon, ramdam kong hindi siya pwedeng magkamali sa ganitong sitwasyon.

We were in a dark room, with only the faint, flickering light of a gas lamp swaying in the cold breeze. Ellie and Maximus were with us, both quiet but clearly anxious. I had just arrived after helping Gelo settle the children in the other room.

Si Ellie, kahit nanginginig ang mga kamay, ay sinisikap linisin ang mga kailangan, gamit ang alkohol. Ako naman ay bitbit ang malilinis na kumot at damit na tela, kulang pa dahil wala kaming mahanap na lampin. Halos walang masabi si Rayne nang abutan ko siya ng mga iyon; mabilis niyang kinuha at tinakip ang kumot sa kalahati ng katawan ni Ate Naomi, na nakahiga na sa kutson.

Nakabuka na ang kanyang dalawang hita, hubad na ang pang-ibabang bahagi, habang namimilipit na sa sobrang sakit. Ang kanyang mga hikbi ay mahina ngunit nagdadala ng bigat sa buong kwarto at ang pawis niya ay tumutulo sa kutson. None of us said a word, but it was clear we were all silently praying for her to make it through.

Sa ilalim niya, maingat na inilagay ni Rayne ng underpads upang masalo ang dugo at iba pang likido. Nag-iingat siya sa bawat galaw, ngunit mababakas sa kanyang mukha ang tensyon that one wrong step could make things worse.

"Is this all we need, Rayne?" I asked as I placed the last blanket down. He froze, surprised to hear me address him by name. He gave a small, fleeting smile, but his eyes remained serious.

"Yes, this should be enough. Thanks." he replied shortly, before returning his focus to checking Ate Naomi's cervical dilation. His movements were precise and firm, the actions of someone who had dealt with emergencies like this before.

Napalunok ako at agad na umiwas ng tingin. Ramdam kong pareho rin ang ginawa ni Maximus sa tabi ko. Kahit anong pilit na lakasan ng loob, hindi namin kayang tingnan ang ganoong sitwasyon. Ang kaba, kahihiyan, at pangamba ay nagsalubong sa aming mga dibdib.

While Ellie, on the other hand, stayed by Ate Naomi's side. She held her hand tightly, trying to steady her own trembling while suppressing the fear evident on her face. Her red, tear-streaked eyes betrayed her struggle to remain strong.

The heaviness in the room grew with each groan and sob from Ate Naomi. Every passing minute felt like a shadow of cold death creeping closer to all of us. Yet there was nothing we could do except wait, pray, and hope for the best for her childbirth.

Rayne adjusted his mask, his movements calculated and steady, then carefully checked Ate Naomi's private area with his gloved two fingers. "It's only eight centimeters," he murmured. "We need to wait for the right measurement before the baby can come out. Let her body do the work."

But as his words barely had time to settle when a series of rapid gunshots cracked through the air outside. The sound was sharp, chaotic, and far too close. My heart skipped, my body tense as my head snapped toward the door.

"What's going on out there?" I asked, my voice trembling as dread crawled up my spine.

Rayne didn't even flinch. He stood, pulling back slightly. "It's nothing new," he said grimly, his tone "They're clearing the area."

"Clearing the area?" Maximus asked, his deep voice heavy with suspicion. "What does that mean?"

"Ano pa ba? They're killing zombies," Rayne explained, his voice low and measured. "Making it 'safe.' But sadly not for us, not for you."

I frowned, confusion settling over me. "Ano?"

Rayne's dark gaze locked onto mine. "I don't have time to explain everything. But you need to listen to me very carefully." His voice dropped to a whisper, carrying the weight of urgency. "After this, you have to leave this place immediately."