Its already 5"oclock in the morning and its only more than 30 soldiers and guerillas left, including Henry, Amado, Baldur, George and Fr. Matias who, then, were still awake piling up the corpses. With such incident, Baldur was busy writing on the journal all names of the murdered soldiers, guerillas and civilians inclusive of the murderer. In a moment, Edmund and Guida got out from their "bahay kubo" and were shocked from what they saw. Guida just blankly knelt and sobbed. She noticed that most occupants from the northern part of the place were 99% slaughtered. The southern part where the soldiers and guerillas stayed were saved especially those who slept early after the formal celebration - including the newlywed on their honeymoon. Those who were drunk and slept under the tamarind tree have tragically died. Around 6"oclock, George and company slept, those who just woke up continued the cleaning bloodstains and digging for the ma.s.s grave.
The place began to look like the way it was found. A sad episode of their war story stuck with it and many lives were wasted. Still - it was due to that war.
The remaining few had to start all over again. The smiles of the civilians they have just rescued faded, their dreams of facing the bigger sunrise together was not anymore realized but all"s forgotten, beginning that sad brand new day with more than 100 deaths wad such a history.
George was saddened again when he woke up. He felt incapable of his leadership.
"If only I listened to you, on not to overdrink. We maybe can rescue the civilians before they"re butchered." He cried in front of Magee who was just very silent sitting so blankly next to him.
" George, its not your fault. Their time has come, this all about time. As I observed, even if all of the soldiers were not drunk, still the number of deaths would be the same. The murderer just did the crime so calmly and even bowed his head before he killed them all, one by one. That"s how I see it. At first glance, I was not even sure if he really had killed those people, he even knocked the doors respectfully. George, this is in connection to what you have told me, its about trust issue. This is a war. Manong Balaslao maybe had suffered from a war shock that turned him that way and ruined his mental state. The loss of family, children per se is never a joke. By which he was also triggered by the joyful noise while he was in pain. Yes, those who have died never thought that they"ll not be murdered inside in this safe grounds. I guess, it is something that we need to instill to people next time. Limit the trust at warzone. This place is paradise but all who joined us here have seen killings and tortures so they"re already in trouble of their psychological states. Many have survived and partly moved on like Guida and Edmund, but beyond what we see are scary ones. Things like that George.
He bowed his head and smiled.
"Thanks for saving us. For pulling the three of us put me into shame. You should have yelled over our weaknesses." George shamelessly admitted.
" The world is round and I don"t own a day as mine. Next day, I don"t know how many will lay their lives for me too. Besides, we are a family. " She smiled.
Momentarily, Albrecht was running, informing George that everyone outside is ready for the send off so they all went out, excluding Magee.
In front of the ma.s.s grave, there"s a humdrum silence coupled with tears. A ma.s.s for the departed souls was officiated by Fr. Matias and he barely made his voice louder due to stress and stomach pains but still he made it through the end. Apparently, they burned some of the coconut husks and all of them had to step over it before they can go back to their places.
Narciso approached George and boosted his leader"s courage to man the remaining few.
" Sir, I still have the confidence to continue with our fight. I stay faithful under your command." He smiled and tapped his droopy shoulders.
" Narciso, thank you, I honestly need it."
"