Before Thursday night ended, more aweful deaths happpened in Subangdaku. In one private clinic, a young woman died due to complications in childbirth. Days before her labor, she was diagnosed with mild pneumonia, but it turned acute as the days progressed. When she was about to give birth, her lungs caved in and she expired.In the public district hospital, two deaths were recorded - a man in his late 50s and a woman in her early 30s. Both had cancer of the lungs and in terminal conditions. When the outbreak started, conditions in the hospital became bad as doctors and nurses were occupied round the clock. With less medical attention, the two succ.u.mbed to death.
The deaths reached the late night news program. It sent more panic and fear to the people. Estella heard about it from her news channel. So Friday morning, she set out early with Sonny to search for news.
"So many deaths yesterday," Sonny commented. They had just departed from their office and was heading towards Subangdaku.
"And it"s because of some meteor dust," Estella said mockingly. "What"s our itinerary for today?"
"Well, we will visit first the clinics and hospitals where the deaths happened yesterday. After that, maybe we can take a look at Dr. Alvarado"s new clinic, and then the isolation camp."
"Alright, that"s good. I hope we can come up with some useful information. I still have doubts about this outbreak."
"Well, to ease your doubts, the official autopsy reports from the first two deaths came early today. You can find them inside my bag."
Estella turned about and reached for Sonny"s bag at the backseat. She hastily scanned the doc.u.ments.
"First death is a 72-year old woman," Estella began summarizing facts. "Cause of death was diffuse pneumonia with concomitant fibrinous pleuritis, severe pulmonary edema and hints to septicemia. Woman was street vendor for more or less fifty years."
"Life must be too hard for her," Sonny remarked.
"Well, the second death is an 81-year old man. He has history of tuberculosis, severe anthracosis, and chronic bronchitis. Construction worker for the last forty years."
"Wow, life is even harder for him."
"These look like normal deaths for me."
"Except they happened during this outbreak which everybody now calls as the Falling Star Plague."
"Exactly. If they happened under ordinary times, they would not reach the headlines."
"So you mean that these deaths were being sensitionalized to make the outbreak really terrifying?"
"Or the outbreak is simply a make-believe."
"Who would do that?"
Estella shrugged her shoulders. She was guessing it was none other than Dr. Alvarado. Sonny also shared the same thought but they could not be too vocal about it. The man was a celebrated scientist in Subangdaku and for the people, he was some kind of a savior, especially with him putting up a new medical facility.
The duo visited the private clinic and the public district hospital where the three deaths occurred. However, the nurses and staffs were reluctant to receive them. After giving them information sheets about the victims, they sent them away immediately. Estella kept pushing her inquiries but the people were always calculating their responses.
"Suddenly, they evaded the media," Sonny said as they went back to their black car. "Are they scared?"
"Probably," Estella answered. "Some media men tend to exaggerate the news, just like what the tabloid did."
"Sometimes, it is better to be scared than to be complacent."
"But in this outbreak, we need straight facts. People"s reluctance can cause more harm than help."
"We can"t blame them. Fighting the unknown is scary."
"All the more reason we need to cooperate."
They became silent as they went inside their car. Sonny started the engine and the black car navigated through the streets of Subangdaku.
"For the last two weeks, a lot of developments happened in the district," Sonny finally spoke.
"Yes," Estella said, "it feels like Subangdaku is embracing changes. After the second meteor crash, plenty of people came here to study the phenomenon, including foreigners."
"Where there are foreigners, there will also be money."
"Look at this one," Estella said and pointed at a newly-opened convenience store. "This was an abandoned building before, but now it was rehabilitated to become a one-stop store."
"And that one, too," Sonny pointed at an establishment. "From being simple diner, it becomes a nightclub by night."
"Really? How did you know?"
"Well, boys will be boys."
Estella laughed. By then, they already entered a busy street.
"In a way, that"s an advantage to the people in the district, " Estella said matter-of-factly. "This development opened different opportunities for them."
"Yup, there"s plenty of job for everyone," Sonny responded. "How about Dr. Alvarado"s new medical facility?"
"What about it?"
"Do you think it will bring advantage to Subangdaku?"
"Maybe, especially when all clinics and hospitals become full," Estella answered. "However, my guts tell me that some sinister secrets are being kept in the facility, something than meets the eye."
"I"ll agree on that. Dr. Alvarado is too clean to be true."
They entered the market street and traffic was worse than they could remember. Cars were b.u.mper to b.u.mper. Pedestrians in face mask were busily walking, some were carrying their packs of groceries while others were just starting gathering theirs.
"I guess terrible traffic is the disadvantage of the recent development, " Sonny said and laughed at his words.
While slowly moving through the traffic, the two discussed their news reports for the evening program. These included the current deaths, a tour of Dr. Alvarado"s facility, and a follow-up on the isolation camp.
"We have plenty for tonight," Sonny remarked.
"Yup. The isolation camp will be our greatest exclusive."
Sonny nodded. Their car was almost leaving the marketplace area when Estella spotted the Biker Brothers roaming through the sidewalk.
"Those boys again," Estella said. "They are complete now, though their friend still looks sick for me."
"And why are they out in the streets? It"s cla.s.s holiday."
"Silly, they are not in their uniforms."
Estella continued staring at the boys as they approached someone who looked like a prophet....