That moment, our lives changed forever. The world descended into chaos, hatred, and fear that no one could escape... "Sharmel, baby, listen to me!" My mother was scared, warning me of incoming danger. "You and your brother will have to-"

*BOOM!!!*

A loud bomb hit the ground. Guns fired, killing many. People stabbed each other like predators. No one survived. My world was ruined, buildings unrecognizable. Mom grabbed us, but Dad... gone.

"Gabriel, Sharmel!" Mom's grip broke. My brother and I were torn from her. He pulled me into a ruined building. Hiding, we saw THEM. Two powerful beings landed on Earth - they started all this.

"I smell hatred and blood!" The woman laughed mechanically. "War's everywhere. This is how I like it! We'll bring death to this world!" The man smiled wickedly. "Kill everything. Leave no one." The other man nodded, "Let's finish this fast." The long-haired man exhaled cigarette smoke.

and there, watched in horror as they slaughtered everyone, sparing no one. my world was already down to despair and the things we need to do right now, is to survive.

We hid. "Who are they?" "They're... The Horseman and Horsewoman of Apocalypse..."

Heaven Secret: The Horseman of Apocalypse

The Earth, once a peaceful place, was now consumed by war, chaos, despair, hunger, and death. The Horsewoman's arrival brought destruction, and she had the immortals infect humans with a deadly virus.

The disease spread, and people turned against each other in hatred, killing one another. My brother and I tried to escape, but it was no use. Until we were captured.

"Helena, take the kids and go!" Dad's voice was urgent. Mom's face was etched with fear and sadness as she looked at him. He smiled at us, his final moment with us.

"I love you," he whispered, charging towards the immortals. I tried to follow, but Gabriel stopped me. "Sharmel, no!" Mom called out, grabbing Gabriel and pulling us away. I looked back, and Dad fell to the ground, surrounded by blood, his eyes on us as we fled.

The world around us went silent, like I was trapped in a vacuum. Then chaos erupted. Mom, Gabriel, and I were outside the store. People screamed, attacked each other, bodies lay dead. What's happening? Who's behind this?

A rally surged, pushing us apart. "Sharmel!" Mom called, but I couldn't find her. Gabriel reached for me, but the crowd pulled me away. I stumbled, ended up by a broken restaurant window.

I hugged my knees to my chest, backing into the wall. People killed each other, blood on their hands, faces twisted in hatred. No mercy. I covered my ears, closed my eyes. This is a dream... it'll end...

It was normal... until the immortal started this, worlds fell to chaos and darkness.

USA, California

Three days ago, before the Apocalypse happened

Sharmel Theresa Laviña Sharma

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We're almost there at the California, I request the flight attendance to go to their seats and please fasten your seatbelt for your safety. I hope during in our fly you enjoy our flight through our journey. Thank you" the call of the pilot went down as everyone started preparing to fasten their seatbelt. My brother, Gabriel took of his headphones and tap me on the shoulder "Mel, I have something you wanted to eat" I take my gaze off to the window view and look to my brother. "Really? Why now kuya? I ask you before that"

Kuya - Brother

- Simply put, "Kuya" is used to address an older male relative or friend (especially one's own brother), and means "brother".

Gabriel smile and said: "because I thought I can eat it. But now it's yours. I feel sick after the flight that I might not able to eat this" I laugh slightly and snorted "well I guess your chocolate bar is mine now" hearing my cheerful voice, my brother took the chocolate bar from his bag and give it to me. I thank him and he went back to his business. I open the chocolate bar and eat it while looking back to the window. I wonder how my sister is doing? she was in England since she got accepted in their school. I miss my ate.

Ate - Sister

- "Ate", is in reference to an older female relative or respected friend (especially one's own sister or kapatid), and means "Sister".

When we reached the California, our parents brought a house, my brother and I were surprised how they managed to have kind of money to buy such a house. My dad says because of the job offer that they give to him, since he accepted the job, the owner pays the house for us and it has already things that we need, just like what mom said to us.

No wonder mom told us to bring only few things that is important to us and the rest will be left behind. The four of us checked inside the house and started to look around. "Wow...." That was the word that came out from my mouth.

"Nay, where I can put all of these?"

Nanay, Ma, Mama, Inay or Nay - Mother

- Filipino culture allows us to experience an expanded meaning of the word Mother (Inay, Nanay). Inay (Mother) can mean a lot of things to a Filipino child. She's the "ilaw ng tahanan" (light of the home) who birthed and molded us to become who we are today.

Mother look at me seeing the boxes that I carry and she looks around "there, dear, put those at the living room, at the couch." I followed what mom said and headed to the living room, my brother saw me so he insisted to helped me carry one of the box. "Sharmel, can you help me please?" I turned around and I smiled to see dad with more boxes in his hands. "Yes Pa, I'm just about to go there with you and of course to help you as well" 

Tatay, Pa, Papa, Itay or Tay - Father

- Tay is short form for Tatay which means father. It is used when answering in affirmative because "opo" is yes in respectful manner of answering ones elders, a Filipino tradition being practiced and taught to the younger generation.

I heard my dad chuckles as I walk to him and take some of the boxes from him. "My girl is so kind, just like her sister and her brother" dad ruffles my hair and I smiled warmly "awww, thanks Pa." I give him a hug and dad use his other arm to wrapped it around me and pull me closer. "My dear daughter is growing up. It's like yesterday when you and your brother were born" dad said softly and gently pull himself away "now let's get back to work" I nod and keep working.

I went upstairs while dad, mom and my brother are busy tidying our things. When I was upstairs, my eyes caught three rooms. And one of them has my name and I smile in confused way. curious what's inside, I went to the room and open the door just to see a aesthetic bedroom that already has design and things that I need inside. I gasp and looked around.

My eyes were caught to something. There were two windows. One on the ceiling and the other is on the wall, and it's huge. "I can't believe what I'm seeing. This must be attic room...oh how lovely." While I looked the room in mesmerized, dad comes in and pats my shoulder "do you like it?" He asked softly and I turn around and smile "yes, I did. The room is beautiful." Dad smiles to my answer and he also looks around "I choose is design for you. I know you love green and aesthetic look. So I ask to design your room like this. I'm glad you like it"

"Wait, you did?! Thank you pa!" I hugged while I jumped and dad laughs. We heard my brother's voice outside my room and we went to see him. "Oh wow, this is cool! Thanks mom!" When dad and I was in his room, I was surprised. He has the same attic room as mine but not as too much aesthetic compared to mine.

"Wow Kuya, your room is not bad." My brother give me a smile "yes, not much more aesthetic as yours" he chuckled and I frown "and what's so wrong about being aesthetic???" My brother shrug and thinks for a moment before he replied "nothing, too much aesthetic is not good." "Hey!" Mom and dad laugh at us and Gabriel takes a light punch from me. "Alright my dears, that is enough now. Let's all go down for dinner."

To Be Continued...