50 The Isolation Camp

Several white trucks arrived at the school grounds. The team leader, donned in white overalls with transparent shield protecting his face, proceeded directly to the principal's office and after less than thirty minutes, he went out and signaled the trucks. Immediately, the personnel in similar protective suits unloaded the paraphernalia from their respective vehicles. They performed it with precision and agility as instructed by the higher ups.

Medical supplies, apparatus and instruments were temporarily stored in the vacant room near the principal's office. Other personnel swiftly put up the tents. They began by erecting the metallic posts then assembling the plastic sheathings that served as walls and partitions. Portable air-conditioning units were also put in many tents. They would accommodate the medium- to high-risk patients, while the minor cases would have to stay in the non-airconditioned tents. However, patients with severe cases would only be accepted in the isolation camp if there were no more available rooms in the clinics and hospitals.

The personnel stayed in the school premises until late that afternoon to ensure that medical tents were properly put up, apparatus and instruments were suitably in place and working, and assigned medical frontliners were correctly briefed with their respective tasks.

Despite the activities in the school grounds, classes went on as usual as there was no advisory that classes were suspended. That raised worries from many parents. So even before the bell rang one last time that afternoon, mothers, fathers and siblings rushed to the school to fetch the children. Yet, the school was strict in following protocols that they stayed outside the school fence until the right hour. And while passing the time, they could not help but expressed themselves to one another.

"This is making me tense," one mother protested. "Why are there classes when all these medical things are being placed? "

"True, this is disappointing," another mother agreed. "Our children could get infected while they are doing this."

"I took leave from work this afternoon just to get my son," a father said. "How careless can the government be?"

"These morons could not be thinking right," another father remarked.

While they were busy chattering, a black car approached the school guard and after an initial argument, it was permitted to go inside. With the establishment of isolation camp, going inside the campus became more strict.

"This could just be the beginning," Estella commented. "In the days to come, visiting buildings could become more difficult."

"I agree," Sonny responded, "especially when we are dealing with the unknown."

Earlier that day, the duo was frustrated by how a local tabloid delivered the news update about the meteor, especially with their malicious commentaries. What was more intriguing was that they were the only news outlet who knew about it. They visited their office but the chief editor only told them that an anonymous individual gave them the news which they verified at the local office of the National Science Center.

Estella also called the concerned office but they also told them nothing new - that there was a new substance extracted from the meteor and further details about it would be published in due time in an appropriate medium. Unknown to Estella and Sonny, and to the woman behind the line and all other inividuals in the Center, there was something going on inside their facility that only a few people know. Even Dr. Alvarado who manned the team that salvaged the alien was not thoroughly informed of the agency's activities. Thanks to his "eyes" that fed him bits of information.

They also visited the private clinic where the second death occurred. Since it happened early that morning, the body was already delivered to the morgue when they arrived. They talked with the doctors and nurses and gathered a few details only. With celerity learned from their experiences, they taped a report to be aired on the evening primetime news.

After which, they shared a late lunch at a small restaurant. They were enjoying a hot soup when the breaking new appeared on TV. It was indeed a nerve-wracking news as a plan everyone feared had come to reality. Hurriedly, they finished their meal and went to the school.

"I hope this plan would not endanger the school," Sonny presently said.

"Not only the school but also the surrounding community," Estella added.

Sonny spotted a vacant spot near one of the large medical trucks and immediately parked in it. They gathered their stuffs and talked with the school principal and the head of the medical team. After their brief interviews, they went to the tents, did their own inspection of the facilities, and talked with random individuals who were busy with the ground works.

"Well, this isolation camp seemed to be perfectly in place," Sonny said.

"There should be no mistakes on this," Estella agreed, "or else, the community suffers."

They taped another report of their excursion. In a while, they would send the news coverages to their news chief.

"We should get back here tomorrow and do a follow-up," Estella said as they were packing up.

"Agree," Sonny seconded. "Once patients will be here, it will be very interesting."

"How about Dr. Alvarado's clinic?" Estella asked upon remembering what they saw earlier on the way to the campus. "The construction and renovation has started when we passed by the old building."

"Alright, that will also be interesting as we have doubts about Dr. Alvarado."

Estella smirked at his answer. They headed back to their car and on the way, the school bell rang. Immediately, the doors in the buildings opened wide and children rushed to go outside. Most were curious of the commotion on the ground and went that way, only to be stopped by the medical personnel. A cyclone fence was put up around the perimeter of the isolation camp to limit people going inside. Hence, the kids simply stared at the camp through the fence. Others, especially those who were fetched by their parents, hurriedly headed to the school and out to their waiting loved ones.

"I hope these kids will be safe while the district is under quarantine," Estella said.

"I really hope so," Sonny agreed.

They entered their car and was about to head out of the school when they saw three young boys boarding their bikes.

"Those boys again," Estella said. "I wondered what happened to their friend. He was terribly sick the last time we saw them."

"Let's hope he is just alright," Sonny added. "We need the truth which they knew about."

"Silly."

They chuckled. And even while they were going out of the campus, Estella could not help but look at the three boys....