The early evening sun sets over the bustling city of Manila. The streets are full of the usual hustle and bustle. At a local hospital, a tired but determined nurse, "Mia", is finishing her shift. She is exhausted from a long day of tending to patients, but there is a sense of fulfillment in her work. However, the reality of her job's low pay constantly lingers on her mind. Mia dreams of working abroad to provide a better life for herself.
---
[ HOSPITAL – NURSES' STATION – EVENING]
Mia stands at the nurse's station, her hand holding a stack of paperwork as she takes a deep sigh. She exchanges goodbyes with a couple of her colleagues.
"Goodnight, Mia. Take care!"
"Thanks, you too. See you tomorrow"
"Don't forget, we're planning a little get-together this weekend. Join us if you can!"
'Maybe. But I've got some things on my mind'
She thought while grabing her things and heads toward the exit, walking down the familiar hallways, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the quiet hospital. She walks outside into the busy Manila street. The noise of honking horns, chatter, and the city's hustle fills the air.
[MANILA STREET – EVENING]
Mia begins walking home, her small apartment not far from the hospital. She passes by vendors packing up their stalls, children playing in the streets, and cars zipping by. Her body aches, but the thought of finally reaching home keeps her going.
As Mia walks, her mind drifts, the weight of the day sinking in.
MIA(P.O.V)
Working as a nurse here in the Philippines… It's fulfilling, but it's also exhausting. The hours, the patients, the constant pressure. And for what? Low income? It's hard to imagine building a future here. Maybe working abroad... maybe that's the answer.
She walks down a side street, turning a corner when she suddenly notices a child running toward the road. A mother is nearby, distracted by her phone and unaware of the danger.
'Oh no...'
Her instincts kick in. She doesn't even think—her body reacts before her mind can process. The child is just steps away from the road, and a truck is speeding down the street. Without hesitation, Mia rushes forward, pushing the child out of the way.
"FUCK"
"Kian! No!"
Shouted by the mother
But it's too late. The truck is too close, and before she can step away, the vehicle slams into her with brutal force.
Thump! Crash!
She feels the jolt of pain, her body thrown against the truck. Her vision goes blurry as her body crumples to the ground. The last thing she hears is the frantic cries of the mother and the screech of the truck's brakes.
"MOTHER… fucker ...that hurts"
She mutters
Everything fades to black.
---
[FOREST – NIGHT]
She slowly regains consciousness, her head pounding. She blinks, trying to focus. She looks around, her eyes wide with confusion. The world around her is unfamiliar—an eerily quiet forest bathed in moonlight.
She sits up, her body aching. She feels something on her shoulder—a heavy bag. She grabs it, pulling it into her lap.
'Where am I...?'
She thought while looking around, but there are no signs of life, no roads, no vehicles, just dense trees and the eerie silence of the night. She stands up, clutching the bag, trying to make sense of what's happening.
'Was that… a dream? No, it couldn't be. The truck… the child...'
Mia's hand trembles as she brushes her hair back, still trying to process. She opens the bag, finding only a few strange items: a bottle of water, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, a map, her wallet, and some strange white and red balls. She looks at the map for a moment, her brows furrowing.
"Where the heck is this … " She talk to herself
Her heart races as she slowly begins to take in her surroundings. The wind rustles through the trees, and the distant sound of something unfamiliar echoes. Mia holds the bag tightly, her confusion growing into a sense of dread.
"I… I was just trying to help. What happened? Where am I?"
The sound of footsteps in the distance grows louder. Mia turns her head sharply, her breath catching in her throat. Something or someone is approaching.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…