Chương 4: One Minute To Salvation
Ayid's grandmother slowly rolled off his back, her eyes filled with a deep concern. She began to gently rub his head, trying to soothe his frustration. "Oh, Ayid, we'll find a way out of this. We always do," she said, her voice trembling with reassurance.
Ayid covered his face with his hands as tears streamed down his cheeks. "I'm so useless! The world is ending, and I can't even move! I'm supposed to protect you, Grandma, but I can't even protect myself!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking with despair.
Imelda gazed at her brother with sympathetic eyes, then turned to survey the ruined cityscape around them. "Is this really the end of the world? Is this what they meant by Armageddon?" she asked, her voice laced with concern and fear. "I never thought it would come so soon..."
Ayid's grandfather, still murmuring prayers to himself, caught his attention. Ayid felt a pang of guilt and regret. He had always admired his grandfather's faith, but now it seemed like a futile attempt to cling to hope.
Imelda's voice cut through the wind, filled with a mix of emotions. "You know, Ayid... when everyone was panicking and running to safety, I was scared because I thought you left us to save yourself. But when you came back for us... I was beyond happy. You're so cool, big brother. You always put us first, even when it's hard." She forced a smile, but her eyes betrayed her fear and uncertainty.
Ayid's grandmother added, her voice barely above a whisper, "We're in this together, always".
Ayid felt a surge of determination for his family. He knew he had to keep trying, no matter how impossible it seemed.
He couldn't believe he was thinking of giving up.
Firmly placing his hand on his ground, sitting up straight. Ayid held his grandmother's hand and looked in the eyes with certainty "I won't give up, Grandma. I promise. We'll make it through this, together."
Just as Ayid and his family were standing firm, a massive shockwave reverberated through the city, unleashing the mightiest earthquake they had ever seen. The ground beneath their feet began to shatter and crack open, sending tremors through their bodies.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Imelda cried out, her voice trembling with fear.
Ayid's eyes widened in horror as he watched the crack in the ground get closer and closer. He tried to stand up straight, but his body refused to cooperate, his legs trembling beneath him.
"Grandma... Grandpa... help..." he stammered, his voice weak and desperate.
His family watched in horror as Ayid struggled to even stand, his body racked with pain and weakness. Imelda's eyes filled with tears as she reached out to her brother, but she couldn't move either, frozen in fear.
His grandfather's face contorted in anguish, "Ayid, my boy... I'm so sorry..."
The ground continued to crack and shatter, the fissure creeping closer and closer.
Ayid slammed his fist against his forehead, willing himself to think of a solution. 'We can't die here, not now! Come on, think!' he muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the desolate landscape for anything that could aid their escape. Every second counted, and he knew it.
Just as all hope seemed lost, a screeching sound echoed through the desolate landscape, followed by the abrupt halt of tires. Ayid's head whipped around, his eyes locking onto a black van that had pulled up directly in front of them. The engine was still running, and the headlights cast an eerie glow over the crumbling ground.
The stranger who had helped him before emerged from the driver's side, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. "Looks like you're not going to make it out of here without my help... again," he said with a smirk.
Ayid's eyes widened in disbelief. "You... why did you come back?" he stuttered, still trying to process the sudden turn of events.
The stranger rolled his eyes. "Just get in, kid. We don't have time for questions."
Ayid didn't need to be told twice. The cracks in the ground were spreading fast, and he knew they had to leave - now. "Come on, guys, let's go!" he shouted to his family, who were staring at the van with a mix of relief and gratitude.
As the black van sped through the chaotic streets, the ground threatening to split open behind them, Ayid's urgency was palpable. "Where's the little girl?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
The driver, Officer Cavan Dulles, didn't take his eyes off the road. "Boy, you worry a lot for your age. She's safe, if that's what you want to know."
Ayid breathed a sigh of relief, his tension easing slightly. But before he could ask another question, his grandmother spoke up from the back seat.
"Ayid, do you know this young man?" she asked, her tone tinged with surprise.
Ayid hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Grandma, it's kind of a long story..."
But Officer Dulles intervened, his deep voice calm and authoritative. "My name is Officer Cavan Dulles, but you can call me Mr. Cavan. I work at the police force department. I met your son during the start of this apocalypse."
Imelda's eyes widened as she turned to gaze at the middle-aged officer, his serious expression a stark contrast to the chaos outside.
Ayid let out a sigh of relief as the van sped closer to their destination. They were going to make it. Just a little farther and they'd reach the safe zone. But his relief was short-lived, as the same alarm blared to life once more, broadcasting a dire warning: "One minute remaining until complete evacuation."
Ayid's heart raced as he thought, "No, no, no. We can't be this close and not make it." His tension was palpable, and Imelda noticed his distress. "Ayid, what's wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
But before he could respond, the van screeched to a halt. A massive, deep hole stretched before them, blocking their path. Ayid's mind raced. "We can't turn back now. We'll never make it in time." His eyes scanned the area frantically, and that's when he spotted it - a wooden pole lying across the chasm, a makeshift bridge.
"We have to cross," Ayid said, his voice laced with urgency. "It's the only way."
Officer Dulles nodded grimly. "I know. Let's move, quickly!"
Ayid's sister clutched his arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Ayid, is it safe?"
"We don't have a choice, Imelda," he replied, his voice firm but gentle. "We have to try."
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