Chapter LXI: Suspendit
As Liz wakes up, the morning light filters through the thin fabric of their tent. She turns over and sees Wyn still fast asleep, her breathing steady and peaceful. Without hesitation, Liz nudges her gently. "Wyn, wake up. We have things to do."
Wyn groans and stretches before blinking awake. "What time is it?" she mumbles.
Liz grabs her phone and checks the screen. A message from Adrian, sent thirty minutes ago, catches her attention. "Adrian texted. He went out to the city for coffee and will be staying at a friend's house for a while. He said he'll be back at school tonight."
Wyn sits up and unlocks her phone, finding the same message. Along with it, Adrian had sent a photo of himself and the other servers who had been trapped in the old admin building.
Liz studies the image, her mind racing. "I wonder if there are still more servers stuck inside that place."
Wyn shrugs as she begins folding her blanket. "Maybe. Adrian wouldn't leave without making sure he got as many out as possible."
The two girls start organizing their bedding, packing their belongings neatly into their bags. Once satisfied, they grab their toiletries and head to the bathrooms to freshen up.
As they walk, Wyn glances at Liz and hesitates for a moment before speaking. "Liz... something happened last night."
Liz looks at her, concerned. "What do you mean?"
Wyn sighs. "Blue dela Pena. He tried to harass you while you were asleep."
Liz's heart races. "What?!" She stops walking, her grip tightening on her towel.
"Relax, it's taken care of. I handled it," Wyn assures her. "Blue was sent home immediately. I fought him off before anything happened."
Liz exhales, her shoulders loosening. "Thank you, Wyn. You always have my back."
Wyn smirks. "Bennett was right about you, you know. You're stronger than you think."
Liz smiles slightly. "Yeah... he always sees the best in people."
After washing up, they return to their tent to change into fresh clothes. Once dressed, they head to the hallway where a water dispenser stands, ready to get their morning hot cocoa.
Wyn suddenly pauses. "I forgot something in the bathroom. Be right back."
Liz nods and continues to the dispenser, filling her cup with the warm, comforting drink. Just as she lifts it to take a sip, she notices someone moving toward the narrow hallway.
Ivan.
Her instincts tell her something is off. Casually, she lowers her cup and watches as he walks, his movements quick and purposeful. Quietly, she follows, careful to stay out of sight. She peeks around the corner just as Ivan pulls out his phone and starts speaking in a hushed voice.
"Yes, don't worry, sir. We will deliver it there tonight. It's very authentic and very antique."
Liz narrows her eyes. What is he talking about? She strains to hear more, but before she can get closer, she hears footsteps behind her.
Wyn.
Panicking, Liz spins around and hurries back toward the dispenser. In her rush, a few drops of cocoa spill onto the tiled floor near the hallway.
"Hopefully, Ivan didn't see me."
Wyn arrives, holding a small pouch. "Got it! What's up?"
Liz leans in and whispers, "I overheard Ivan on the phone. He said something about a delivery tonight. Something 'authentic' and 'antique.' I think something sketchy is going on."
Before Wyn can respond, Brother Padilla's voice rings through the hallway. "Come, everyone! It's time for breakfast and the morning prayer."
Liz and Wyn exchange glances before nodding. Whatever Ivan is up to, they will have to figure it out later. For now, they join the others, keeping their suspicions close to their hearts.
The early morning breeze brushes against Liz's skin as she slowly opens her eyes. The sky, a soft shade of blue, hints at the start of a new day. She shifts in her sleeping bag, rubbing her eyes before glancing to her side. Wyn is still sound asleep, her chest rising and falling steadily. Liz nudges her gently.
"Wyn, wake up," she whispers.
Wyn stirs, groans lightly, and stretches her arms before blinking at Liz. "Already?" she murmurs sleepily.
Liz nods and sits up, reaching for her phone. As she turns it on, the screen lights up with a message from Adrian, sent thirty minutes ago. She quickly reads it:
I'm heading out to the city for a cup of coffee and crashing at my friend's place for a bit. I'll be back at school by nightfall.
Liz furrows her brows slightly, processing the message. At the same moment, Wyn's phone vibrates. She picks it up and notices Adrian has sent a photo. Curious, she opens it and gasps.
The picture shows Adrian standing beside a group of servers, all wearing worried expressions. Liz leans over to look, and her heart clenches. "These are the ones who were trapped inside the old admin building?"
Wyn nods. "Looks like it. I wonder if there are still more of them inside."
Liz lets out a small sigh, tucking her phone away. "We need to hurry. Tonight's the night."
The two girls quickly organize their beddings inside the tent before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. As they wash their faces and brush their teeth, Wyn hesitates for a moment before speaking.
"Liz," she begins carefully, "something happened last night."
Liz glances at her through the mirror. "What do you mean?"
Wyn takes a deep breath. "Blue dela Peña tried to harass you."
Liz freezes. Her hand, still holding her toothbrush, stops mid-motion. "What?" she whispers, her heartbeat accelerating.
"Don't panic," Wyn reassures her. "I fought him off and made sure he was sent home. It's under control."
Liz exhales shakily, gripping the sink's edge. "I… I don't even remember."
"That's because you were asleep," Wyn says. "But don't worry, I wasn't going to let anything happen to you."
Liz swallows, feeling a mix of fear and gratitude. "Thank you, Wyn. Bennett was right about you."
Wyn gives her a reassuring smile. "Of course. You're my best friend."
After finishing up, they return to their tent, change into fresh clothes, and head to the hallway where the water dispenser is. Liz pours herself a cup of hot cocoa while Wyn realizes she left something in the bathroom and runs back to retrieve it.
As Liz sips her drink, she notices Ivan slipping into a narrow hallway, his posture rigid. A sense of unease settles in her stomach. Quietly, she follows, making sure to stay out of sight. Peeking around the corner, she watches as Ivan pulls out his phone and speaks in a hushed tone.
"Yes, don't worry, sir," Ivan says, his voice barely audible. "We'll deliver it tonight. It's very authentic and very antique."
Liz's grip tightens around her cup. What is he talking about? Before she can think further, she hears footsteps behind her. Wyn has returned. Startled, Liz moves quickly but accidentally spills a bit of cocoa on the floor near the hallway entrance.
"Let's go," she whispers to Wyn, leading her away.
Once they're safely back at the dispenser, Liz explains what she just overheard. Wyn's eyes widen. "You think he's talking about…?"
Liz nods. "Something's off. We need to keep an eye on him."
Before they can discuss further, Brother Padilla's voice echoes across the quadrangle. "Everyone, gather for breakfast and morning prayer!"
Liz and Wyn exchange a determined glance before heading toward the center of the quadrangle. The other servers are already gathering, sitting in small groups on the grass. Brother Padilla stands before them as breakfast packs from McRonald's are distributed. The familiar aroma of burger steaks and eggs fills the air.
As the officers hand out the food, Brother Padilla clears his throat. "Before we eat, I want to address something that happened last night. It has come to my attention that a serious incident took place."
The servers murmur among themselves.
"One of the boys was sent home due to inappropriate behavior," Brother Padilla continues, his tone stern. "I will not name the individuals involved, but let this serve as a reminder to always be respectful and look out for one another."
For a brief second, his eyes flicker toward Liz and Wyn, who exchange a knowing glance.
As everyone begins to eat, Brother Padilla asks, "How was your first night camping?"
A few servers respond with enthusiasm, others with tired grumbles. Some mention they barely got any sleep.
Suddenly, Ivan appears beside Brother Padilla, his usual cocky demeanor intact. Liz and Wyn shoot him a side-eye glance when he isn't looking. A moment later, his phone buzzes again. Liz leans slightly forward, trying to listen in.
"Yes, sir," Ivan murmurs into the phone. "That authentic and fine item is from our old chapel."
Liz's stomach drops. What item?
Wyn notices her reaction. "What's wrong?" she whispers.
Liz's mind flashes back to a memory of Bennett. They had been on a trip outside the city, driving past Immayosan-Agua Bridge. She had asked him if there were any heritage sites there. He had told her about a ruined chapel in the sitio of Bulalaan but assured her that there were no new chapels in Immayosan.
The memory fades, and Liz's suspicion sharpens. "Wyn," she murmurs, "he's lying. He's talking about the old chapel in the Colegio. There is only 1 chapel in their place, and the nearest old chapel there is 5 km away and it's on a different place."
Wyn's expression darkens. "You think whatever he's delivering is Bennett?"
Liz nods slowly, a lump forming in her throat. "We need to act fast. Tonight's our only chance to find him."
Wyn places a reassuring hand on Liz's shoulder. "We'll move quickly. After breakfast, we'll message Adrian and tell him everything."
Liz exhales and gives a determined nod. They bump fists in silent agreement.
As breakfast wraps up, Brother Padilla stands again. "Let's bow our heads in prayer."
Everyone falls silent, closing their eyes. Brother Padilla begins:
"Heavenly Father, we thank You for this new day. We ask for Your guidance, strength, and protection as we go about our duties. Let our hearts be filled with kindness, our actions be just, and our spirits be vigilant. Watch over us, Lord, and may we find comfort in Your presence. Amen."
The servers murmur, "Amen."
As they lift their heads, Liz tightens her grip around the crucifix in her pocket. Tonight, everything changes.