As an aging dinosaur, my daily routine is filled with monotony. However, even in the most ordinary of days, unexpected events have the power to transform them into heart-pounding experiences. Little did I know that a local McDonald’s would become more than just a place to grab a bite to eat. It would become a place of potential death for myself and everyone inside.
The events leading up to this alarming situation were quite unremarkable. It was a regular day, and after running errands with my mom and older sister, we decided to have a meal at a nearby McDonald’s. It was bustling with customers, and finding a table took a good ten minutes. Being the youngest, I took on the task of gathering everyone’s orders and waiting in line at the cashier. Waiting didn’t bother me; it gave me a moment to zone out and go on autopilot.
I found myself in line at the second station on the right, near the fire exit. The area was cramped, especially because the lines were moving at a snail’s pace. The station next to mine, closest to the fire exit, was barely progressing. The chaos behind the counter and the noise from the tables began to overwhelm me, so I focused my attention on one specific area. There was a man who caught my eye as he entered through the fire exit. He stood out because of his suspicious appearance and his forceful behavior of pushing people in line towards the center of the establishment. I wasn’t the only one who noticed him; a middle-aged woman next to me was equally intrigued. Our attention was quickly diverted when white smoke started to engulf the line at the first counter. The woman next to me was the first to react, letting out a scream. Soon, others joined in, and the chaos became a blur. It all happened so quickly, with people desperately trying to escape. My mom’s screams, calling out my name, made me realize the severity of the situation. If not for her fear-filled cries, I may not have fully grasped the danger. It was a lack of survival instinct on my part. I clung to my mother while my sister held on to me tightly. I even grabbed onto the plastic bags my sister was carrying, afraid of losing the things we had bought. I can’t recall what was in the bags, but I remember thinking that losing them would make this day a complete waste. Everyone was desperate to flee, but the lack of space made it nearly impossible to run. All we could do was hold on and wait for the bomb to explode or multiple gunshots to ring out from the suspicious man earlier. We were all waiting for it. Outside, the chaos continued, as everyone rushed to escape the danger. It was darkly amusing how once we reached the exit, every “victim” became a curious spectator, eager to know what was happening. Human curiosity prevailed over human survival.
As the smoke slowly dissipated and the panic subsided, it became clear that what initially seemed like a potential act of terror was actually caused by a faulty fire extinguisher. My family and I laughed at the absurdity of the situation. People quickly moved on, as if nothing had happened. I couldn’t wait to share our “near-death experience” with our family and friends when we returned home. However, by the time we arrived, it seemed like my mother and sister had already forgotten about the event. There was no media coverage of it either. So, I decided to keep it to myself, until now.
I must admit that my focus on the suspicious man had more to do with my prejudice than his choice of clothing. I unfairly judged him based on societal stereotypes perpetuated by the media. I won’t describe his appearance, fearful of reinforcing dangerous stereotypes that already plague our society. But I challenge you to imagine it anyway. Fear is easily ignited, and hysteria spreads effortlessly. We live in a society where anyone or anything can incite terror. It doesn’t take a trustworthy source to make us afraid; we are naturally inclined to be terrified. Moreover, our exaggerated reactions only amplify our suffering. Once panic is unleashed, it becomes difficult to control. How many activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens have lost their lives due to their beliefs and advocacies? How many have been killed because someone labeled them as enemies? The villain in your story can be anyone or anything. Even a fire extinguisher, designed to save lives and prevent accidents, can become an instrument of terror. Convince people enough times that a group of serial killers is targeting victims with fire extinguishers, and they will start fearing firefighters. Years later, here I am still a dinosaur, waiting for my time to pass. My only aim is to navigate the mundane existence of everyday life. But sometimes, situations arise where danger becomes a constant companion. I never expected to find myself in an industry known for highlighting horrors. Yet, alongside that, I also live in fear of being engulfed by its curse, where I may find myself facing death alongside others. I can only hope that we learn to rein in our nightmares by then.
Allyana Isabel Barrios, a 21-year-old undergraduate student majoring in journalism at the University of the Philippines Baguio.
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