29 A Test of Faith

The Biker Brothers woke up with a renewed heart on Sunday morning. The night before was overwhelming as they finally sealed their friendship. After coming up with the official name of the group, they made a promise of protecting each other, that they would not hesitate to help a friend in need, especially that there was potential threat from their discovery.

They made some sort of blood compact. Since they could cut their wrists and sign some sort of contract with their blood, they performed a simpler and less painful version of it. Tonton got a needle from his box, which he always brought in his bike, and each one pricked his pinky finger with it. It was getting dark already in the river by that time and it made the struggle even more exciting and 'manlier'. After a drop of blood appeared in each one's finger, they touched their fingers altogether and recited an oath of friendship.

\"I, state your name,\" Jamie led the oath which everyone followed, \"from the sunshiny district of Subangdaku, do thereby solemnly swear to be loyal member of the brotherhood. As a devoted member, I will do everything for the best interest of one another and will not speak ill of anyone to other persons. I will give each one the same amount of respect, love, and trust. I will treat each one's dreams, successes, and hardships as mine. In all situations and conditions, I will be a friend and brother unconditionally. Signed, state your name.\"

\"This is fun, \" Kiko spoke up, \"though it's kind of gross mixing our bloods.\"

\"I feel that, too,\" Bogart said while laughing, \"but we are brothers now so we become one blood.\"

\"Friends and brothers for life,\" Jamie added.

\"For life!\" cheered Tonton.

The thoughts of last night's events indeed brought a sweeter smile to the boy's morning. After eating their breakfast, they dressed up and went with their families to the local church. They met each other on the church and simply waved hello as they looked for their own seats.

While waiting for the service to start, people were anxiously talking about what had just happened in Subangdaku.

\"I told you, it's a meteor,\" a woman said to her seatmate. \"We are lucky the impact was not strong.\"

\"What is happening to our place? \" a man asked another. \"Has a curse fallen in Subangdaku?\"

\"Are we safe now?\" another woman expressed her worry.

\"Let's keep praying so no more evil happens here.\"

\"Don't you think it's better to leave this place now?\"

\"They say that the meteor is bringing bad luck to the district.\"

\"We should seek a fortuneteller.\"

\"For now, we should be really thankful what we all get a chance to live.\"

Different noise gathered in the small church. But when the bell rang and the congregation lined up to start the service, everyone became solemn and participated in the worship and rituals. The service was strained as people dared not talk about the incident again. Yet, when the priest delivered his sermon, he touched the subject and offered message of peace and hope to his listeners.

\"In these last few days,\" the priest said, \"we have seen how Subangdaku was ravaged with calamities - the meteor impact, earthquake, and fires. We have seen the destruction, but through everything, we have remained strong and faithful. We have remained to be full of hopes of better tomorrow for our place.

Whatever happens from this point on, let us all keep the peace, hope, and joy in our hearts. The government may have found the meteor but still there is no assurance that we are finally free and clear from any possible danger. Yes, there is no assurance but with God, we can find rest and safety....\"

The priest choked on his words and began to cough softly. However, he was in front of the microphone so the sound still echoed inside the church. He cleared his throat and immediately continued with his preaching.

\"Some of us fears the unknown. We do not know the future and this makes us afraid of what is ahead. We do not know what the meteor impact brings to our peaceful district. Still, let us remain calm and steadfast. Let us listen to authorities and not just rumors and hearsays. People might appear and suddenly claim of things to happen, as if they are gods who know the future. But we are mere humans and we do not hold the future. Yet, we have the holy writing and only through its words that we can find peace and hope.... \"

The people listened intently to the priest's words. They were touched and felt their faith was strengthened. After the service, each one left and proceeded with their day's plans. Some went to eat lunch at some fastfood joints, others went home immediately to do their laundry and clean the house.

The Biker Brothers once again met at the gate and while their parents exchanged brief talks, they discussed the priest's sermon. They soon bade goodbye and when they were about to leave, Mang Tomas suddenly showed up. He seemed out of his mind and was whispering words to himself. People stayed away from him as he was not looking his way while walking. But when he was in front of Tonton, he stopped walking and whispering; instead, he looked at the boy long and hard.

\"You saw it,\" he shouted at Tonton and pointed at him. \"You should have told everyone.\"

Scared, the boy went up to his mother and embraced her. Mang Tomas was relentless and stood up on a concrete platform near him. He breathed hard, closed his eyes and lifted his hands. When he opened his eyes again, people were already crowding before him.

\"This is not the end yet,\" he began his speech. \"Greed will take over the hearts of some, bringing doom to many people. Fear will cover the land as darkness builds. Soon, a crippling chaos will happen.\"

The people gasped at his words. Some women began to cry already. Mang Tomas looked at the crowd with scorn in his eyes.

\"I ask everyone to stay at home. Stay still and be vigilant for what can happen next. Many will come out, claiming to be saviors. Watch out, for some are true but most will be false....\" Mang Tomas became quiet for a few minutes while people waited for his final words.\" Go home. Be safe. It is happening already.\"

His last sentence sent shock and chill to the listeners. Immediately, the crowd dispersed, bringing along worry and fright in their hearts. For the Biker Brothers, they could only believe the man's words. He had been correct before, he could not be wrong now. But one question lingered inside their head: What was happening already?