Chapter LXIV: Godspeed
As Liz sleeps, she drifts into a vivid dream. She finds herself standing in Bennett's room, the familiar scent of old books and candles surrounding her. The soft golden light from the window bathes the space in warmth. Suddenly, the door creaks open, and Bennett steps in, his presence both comforting and surreal. In his hands, he holds a palm leaf and a book.
Liz furrows her brows and asks, "What are those for?"
Bennett simply smiles. "It's nothing," he replies, his tone light, but there is a depth in his eyes that makes Liz suspect otherwise.
She moves closer, but before she can inquire further, Bennett gently pulls her into an embrace. The warmth of his arms engulfs her, and for a moment, everything feels right. As they pull away, they share a soft, lingering kiss.
But then, Liz notices something strange. She gasps and covers her mouth, her eyes widening in alarm. Bennett's fingers—once warm and full of life—are pale, almost faded, as if they are disappearing.
"Bennett… your hands…" she whispers, fear creeping into her voice.
Bennett lifts his hand, examining it briefly before shaking his head with a small smile. "It's alright, Liz. Don't be afraid."
Tears pool in her eyes. "No, it's not alright! What's happening to you?"
He steps forward, cupping her face in his hands. "Liz, listen to me. You need to prepare everything for tonight. But you must do it discreetly. There are eyes watching, and we can't afford any mistakes."
Liz sniffles, nodding slightly. "Bennett… where are you?"
His eyes soften. "Closer than you think," he whispers.
He then takes a deep breath and says, "If you and the others enter the old chapel and you find any numerilocks, the passcode is 160823. Remember that."
Liz nods again, committing the number to memory.
Bennett then kneels before her and clasps his hands together. His voice is gentle yet firm as he begins a long and heartfelt prayer.
"Lord, Almighty Father, I call upon You in this hour of great need. Guide those who seek me, bless their path with courage, and shield them from harm. Let Your light be their beacon in the darkest of moments, and may Your wisdom fill their hearts.
Father, strengthen Liz, who stands with unwavering resolve. Let her faith be steadfast, her will unbreakable. May she walk without fear, knowing You are with her. Surround her with Your angels, that no harm may befall her. Give her clarity in times of doubt and patience in moments of despair.
Bless those who fight for justice. May their hands be steady, their minds sharp, and their spirits unwavering. For we seek not vengeance, but truth. We seek not conflict, but resolution. We seek not darkness, but light.
Lord, I surrender all to You. In Your hands, I place my fate, my soul, my life. If it is Your will, let me return. If it is not, then may Your plan unfold as it must. But I ask, with all the love in my heart, that You watch over them. Keep them safe. Keep them strong.
In Your mercy, I trust. In Your grace, I believe. Amen."
Liz trembles as tears stream down her face. She looks at Bennett, her heart aching with emotions she can barely contain.
"Bennett…" she chokes out. "If we find you… I promise I'll always be by your side. I will support you in everything you do, just as you have always supported me. I swear, I'll never be mad at you again. Not for anything. I won't let the past repeat itself. I won't let my pride get in the way. I just want you back. I want you safe."
Bennett watches her intently, his expression unreadable at first. Then, slowly, his lips curve into a tender smile.
"I remember when you said something similar before," he muses. "When you confessed to me, you made a promise to always stand by my side. And now, you're saying it again."
Liz nods vigorously. "Because I mean it, Bennett. I love you."
Bennett reaches out, wiping away her tears with his fading fingers. "I love you too, Liz."
A wave of warmth envelops her as his words sink deep into her heart.
Then, just as she reaches out to hold him again, everything fades.
Liz's eyes snap open. She gasps, sitting up abruptly. Her heart pounds against her ribcage as she processes everything. She turns her head to the side, spotting Wyn still asleep beside her.
She glances at her phone—2:50 PM. Almost the Holy Hour.
Knowing that it's nearly time for the Divine Mercy Chaplet, she gently shakes Wyn awake. "Wyn, wake up. It's almost three."
Wyn groans softly before stretching and rubbing her eyes. "Already?"
Liz nods. "We need to pray."
Wyn sits up, still groggy, but nods in agreement. Before stepping out of the tent, they both double-check that the bag containing their supplies for the night is locked securely. Once satisfied, they exit and make their way toward the quadrangle.
At exactly 3:00 PM, the Holy Hour, Bro. Padilla walks to the center of the quadrangle, calling all the servers together. "Come, let us pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet."
Liz and Wyn join the gathering, their hearts steady with purpose, knowing that tonight, they will find Bennett.
As the Holy Hour concludes, the servers of Colegio Metropolitana de San Pablo transition seamlessly into the next devotion: the Holy Rosary to St. Joseph. This unique procession takes them through the school grounds, with each mystery of the Rosary stationed at different points. Liz and Wyn join at the back of the line, silently taking in the solemnity of the moment.
Bro. Padilla notices them lagging behind and gently gestures for them to come forward. "Come in front, sisters," he says warmly. The two glance at each other before moving ahead, now fully immersed in the sacred procession.
The prayers echo softly against the walls of the campus as they pass through each station. The golden hues of the setting sun bathe the school in a warm glow, and as the final mystery is recited, night slowly blankets the sky. The last words of the Rosary fade into a peaceful silence, and soon after, Bro. Padilla makes his way to the center of the quadrangle.
With careful movements, he lights the campfire once more, its flames crackling in the middle of the courtyard, casting flickering shadows on the gathered servers. "Dinner is ready," he announces, and a collective murmur of appreciation spreads among them.
Before heading to the quadrangle, Liz and Wyn pull out their phones and make a quick call to Adrian.
Meanwhile, Adrian stirs awake at his friend's house. The room is dimly lit, and the scent of home-cooked food lingers in the air. He rubs his eyes groggily, still adjusting from his nap, when Martha's teasing voice greets him.
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
Adrian blinks at her and shakes his head. "It's good evening. It's already dark outside."
Martha laughs, but before she can tease him further, his phone vibrates. He checks the screen—Liz and Wyn. Answering swiftly, he listens as they confirm their plan. "I'm on my way now," he assures them.
Before leaving, he turns to Martha. "Thanks for letting me stay. I owe you one."
"Stay safe," she replies with a smirk. "And don't mess up."
With that, Adrian heads out, quickly hailing a tricycle to take him to Colegio Metropolitana de San Pablo. The city lights blur past him, his mind now fully alert.
Back at the colegio, dinner is being served. Tonight's meal comes from McRonald's, a treat that brings a bit of excitement to the campers. The officers efficiently distribute the food, and Bro. Padilla blesses it before everyone digs in.
As Liz and Wyn finish their meal, their phones buzz with a message from Adrian. "I'm at the northern gate."
The two exchange looks, knowing it's time. Just as they stand, Bro. Padilla makes an unexpected announcement. "Due to some technical difficulties, the pageant is canceled. We'll all be sleeping early tonight."
Liz and Wyn nod, hiding their relief. This makes their task easier. Quietly, they return to their tent, retrieving the dummies they had prepared beforehand and positioning them under the blankets. Satisfied that the illusion will hold, they slip out, heading toward the bathrooms.
Under the guise of brushing their teeth, they quickly change into their black overalls. Their hearts race, but they remain calm, focused on the mission ahead. The night is still, the dormitories growing quieter with each passing minute.
With careful precision, they retrieve their bag from the tent, its contents secured. They move like shadows, blending seamlessly into the darkness as they make their way to the northern gate.
There, Adrian waits, his figure barely visible against the iron bars. With quick, silent movements, Liz and Wyn unlock the gate just enough for him to slip inside.
"Are you ready?" Adrian whispers.
Liz and Wyn nod, determination set in their eyes.
"Then let's begin."
And with that, they step forward, vanishing into the night as their mission officially commences.