Chapter 5: V

What danger lurks feeds a life?

Is it the silence of acceptance or the clamor of judgment? Anytime a careless mouth can spit a poison of harsh. And a meal of sweet lies into death sentence.

Would you eat alone or take a toast to fit in?

° ° °

YEAR 2016

The sound of poured champagne in a glass of wine is only she can hear. Her eyes were glued on the liquid, as laughter echoed in her surroundings. She saw a reflection of a girl whose soul has been trapped in judgment.

She diverted her gaze at the surroundings, they were in a private bar owned by one of her famous so-called friends.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" A group of teens started singing, high-pitched and lively. She diverted her gaze to the flame of the candle on a red velvet cake.

"Blow your cake, loser!" A girl shouted and waves of laughter filled the room again. Their sharp gaze is like an embrace of a demon in her soul. She knows that moment feels like hell.

They are the only people in the bar. Thirteen of them.

She blows the candle on the cake, and a warm whisper of the wind embraces her body.

"We have a present for you. Look!" A video was played on the screen.

Two naked bodies appeared and were being intimate.

Her eyes widened and her whole being has been shaken. A droplet of tears flow from her eyes the moment she saw the girl. It was her.

"S-stop it!" She begged the girl.

"Wtf! That's disgusting!"

"You really deal with this loser, Kal? Such a loser."

"Kalvin, did you enjoy it?"

"The worst I've ever experienced," Kalvin respond.

Shame devoured her existence.

Peals of laughter filled the room as if it was a sound of music

that echoed navigating from ear to ear until it stuck in the head.

Tears were overflowing from her eyes.

She endured every word she received, she faces her fear of people to fit in but what they gave her was a nightmare of being alive.

A woman approaches her again, and she wiped her tears.

"Don't cry! You're just proving to us that you're a loser," She smirked and raise her brow, "You know Kalvin won't love you, he just uses you for us to have fun." She caressed her face.

"Make a wish, loser!" she softly said.

"S-stop it!" she begged. The woman laughed with her friends.

"That's your wish? Okay wish granted, my dear."

The poor girl turned to the screen while tears are still dropping from her eyes as she watches the video stopped playing.

"Cheers for the birthday girl!" They all take a toast of champagne.

The girl turned to those people who take the champagne, and a smirk was carved on her face.

"Guys? I don't feel good." Another woman said while looking at her glass.

"Me too."

"I feel dizzy."

Some reactions were heard from them. Their glasses fell on the ground.

"What did you do, Kara!?" The woman who is the leader of the group exclaimed.

Kara stood stiff while tears from her eyes are still dripping but a big smile painted her face, she watched them lose consciousness.

"I want to take my wish. Do you know what my wish is?" The girl started to breathe hard. She was having a hard time grasping her breath. "My wish is to see all of you... " She releases a deep sigh and wipes her tears and continues her words, "Dead."

She laughed. "I may be silent, but I'm not a fool." A cryptic smile formed on her lifeless face. "Goodnight. Sleep well," She added as she watches her friends fall into consciousness.

She lost her sanity and started her evil plan. She gathered her friends on the nearest circular table and tie them. She gets a thread and a needle, she then started to sew their mouth one by one, 12 of them, while they were unconscious.

Bloods covered her hands. A once pure innocent hand is now tainted with sin. The thread penetrated the flesh of their mouth, blood constantly flowing in her hands. She mercilessly pierced it through the skin thinking it was like the words that cut deep they throw at her.

After an hour of doing such evil and inhuman act, she arranges the food they prepare for her, and she gets each one of them a glass of wine and put it in front of them.

She filled it with their blood that came from their mouth. She then put a deadly poison on it. She gets straws from her bag and put each one of them in their mouth. She left a small hole in their mouth for the straws to occupy. And, once they sip it, death will welcome them.

The leader of the group awakens in great pain. She terrifyingly and helplessly cries in pain.

Kara came to her and caressed her face, "Shh. Don't cry! You're not a loser, right? Losers only cry. Do you want to see yourself as a loser?" Kara giggled. Another woman wakes up frightened and although she can't scream you can feel her torment.

"I really admired your beauty, Liv. I thought seeing you in your full makeup with red lipstick is already beautiful in my eyes but seeing your face with the makeup of blood was gorgeous..." Kara said playfully, "You always said that whatever I would do to fix myself will never be enough... I will never be beautiful." All of them started to wake up.

Nothing will be heard in the place but the cries of pain.

Kara stoops at the center of the table, facing all of them.

"I'm glad all of you are awake," she greeted, and a creepy smile was carved on her face. "How does it feel that once in your life all your mouth is shut?" She asked with happiness seen in her.

"For me, it was a relief because finally, I can't hear anymore the clamor of all your judgement." She laughed evilly.

"I became the slave of the group, I wholeheartedly received every painful word you throw at me,

it became a poison in my chest, and it slowly kills me..." Tears started to flow from Kara's eyes, every word she said are full of pain.

She continued, "I did everything to fit in but being good isn't enough to be accepted."

"I don't want your fake acceptance. It just kept me silent. I know you will all do this to me."

She yawns loudly. "As I said, I may be silent but I'm not a fool."

She diverted her gaze to Kalvin who is also sweating in pain.

"And, for you Kalvin..." She stood in front of Kalvin and undress him, "You take away my innocence now I'm taking away your impurity." She grabbed a knife and said, "Enjoy your manhood!" She smirked and cut his manhood.

Kalvin was helplessly tortured in pain. All of them were frightened and helpless, nobody can help them. There's no chance that this would stop.

Kara sat on the chair and poured champagne into her glass.

"I prepare a special meal and drink for you guys!" She laughed. She raised her glass.

"Cheers everyone!?" she shouted happily, after that she drink it.

"The best birthday ever!" she added as she quenches her thirst. "Oh? Why aren't you drinking?" She playfully asked. "Oh, I'm sorry I forgot!" She sarcastically laughed. "You can sip it. I bet your own blood tastes good." She smiled.

Everyone is crying in fear. They can't do anything but accepted their death.

"Oh? Why are you guys crying?" She asked. "It just made you guys a bunch of losers!" She exclaimed. "Don't worry it's just poison, it will not hurt you. You'll just die peacefully."

Hours had passed. It's close to midnight.

Everyone still does their best not to sip it. All of them lose blood too much especially Kalvin who is now unconscious.

Kara stands up and checked him. She gets his pulse, making sure if he is alive or dead.

A creepy smile formed on her face when she heard no pulse.

"My poor, baby, died too early." She goes back to the chair.

She sighed, "My birthday is about to end,” she said as she looks at the watch. "You guys won't take a toast with me?" She uttered.

Some of them didn't take it anymore and sipped the blood and it poisoned them to death.

The only people that are left is four of them, two men, the leader of their group, Maddie and Liv.

"You don't want to die peacefully? Then torture yourselves in pain. I don't think it will last long, you all will die eventually."

She grabbed the car keys and before she could leave, she stood next to Maddie. Maddie's fear is terribly freaky, her eyes almost got out because of great fear and pain.

"Thank you for throwing a birthday party for me. My wish granted!" She whispered to Maddie.

"Goodnight."

Before she could leave the bar, she takes a last glance at them.

"Now, who's the loser?" She said and locked the door.

Nobody knows what happened that night, a freaky Friday birthday fun turn out to be a bloody nightmare.

KAMPO MORTE | DAY THREE

I am in no phase staring blankly at the tent while lying. It's 3 in the morning now and my unwanted thoughts won't let me sleep. I was still thinking about what happened earlier, especially at that moment I lost my mind. The fact that I said those to Haliya made me scared of myself. I know for a fact that my heart doesn't want it, but my mind is capable to do it. It just justifies the fact that minds are really powerful.

This whole scenario scares me.

Habang ako ay nagmumuni-muni, nakarinig ako ng hikbi.

Ang aking mga balahibo'y nagsitayuan at nakaramdam din ako ng kirot sa tiyan na para bang ako'y nalipasan ng gutom, marahil ay dala ito ng kaunting takot na namumuo sa akin.

Hindi ako gumalaw at hindi ko na sinubukan na lumingon sa paligid baka pagsisihan ko lamang ang aking makita. Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata, para mabawasan kahit paano ang aking takot. Patuloy lang ito sa paghikbi at habang tumatagal ay nagiging pamilyar ang naririnig ko rito.

Iminulat ko ang aking mga mata at walang pakundangang tumingin sa gawing kanan at doon napagtanto ko na ang babaeng umiiyak ay hindi supernatural na bumabagabag sa aking isipan kun'di ay totoo.

It was Haliya.

"Haliya?" Napansin ko ang agad-agad na pagpunas ng mga luha nito. Nagkunwari pa itong tulog, akala niya siguro hindi ko napapansin.

What she did was understandable... and relatable at the same time. We can't deny the truth that we practice that often, we cry silently in bed to release the burden of our minds and our hearts, it's tiring how unwanted and negative thoughts eat our minds, it's like a poison that slowly kills us, and crying is our only escape. And it's not that we don't want them to know, it's just that we don't want them to get involve and worry about us.

"Don't scare me with your cry... " I said, almost in a whisper, as a way to not wake the others. "I know you're awake." She slowly turned to me and get up. She hugged her knees.

"Sorry, Alakin," she replied and get her eyeglasses.

Tumango lang ako.

"I can't just take the fear anymore," she said.

"What are you afraid of?" tanong ko.

"N-natatakot ako sa mga posibleng m-mangyari sa atin dito. Paano kung magkamali ulit tayo? Naaalala mo ba ‘yong nakalagay sa rules? Nakalagay do'n 'Failed to do so. Must face the biggest consequence of life'..." Tinanggal ulit nito ang mga salamin niya at pinunasan ang mamumuong luha sa mga mata. She continued, "And, what do you think is the biggest consequence of life? It's death... what if–"

"They won't kill us," I interrupted.

"How sure are you?"

"The school knew that we are here. Our guardians knew we are here. They know the consequences if they kill us," I said.

"Paano kung kasabwat nila ang school?"

"There's no way a respected institution would be part of this unfortunate treatment."

"They're already part of it the moment they let us join in here and the way they force you and Elyt to join is already suspicious and proof that they know something... that they're hiding something from us," wika nito. I'm actually glad Haliya observed that.

"Then everything goes well according to plan," I softly said and smirked. Haliya looks at me suspiciously.

"A-alakin? W-what do you mean?" nauutal na wika nito at ang mukha niya ay hindi maipinta dahil sa pagtataka.

"When something is mysterious, curiosity bugs us. It leads us to be hungry for answers. If we can't find answers, we find it ourselves to feed our curiosity."

"Just say it straight to the point," usal nito.

I smirk and divert my gaze to the three who were asleep.

I gazed back at Haliya, "I created a blog about this camp... " Haliya was astounded.

NIGHT BEFORE THE TRIP

"Alakin, ijo! Excited ka na ba para bukas?" tanong sa'kin ni Sister Anne habang inaayos ang mga gamit na dadalhin ko, hindi ko siya pinansin nakatutok lang ang mga mata ko sa iPad.

I am busy researching on the net about Kampo Morte, and anything related.

"Basta, ijo. Mag-enjoy ka roon. Alam kong magiging masaya ang buong linggo niyo roon."

Patuloy lang sa pagsasalita si Sister Anne, habang ako ay patuloy pa rin sa pananaliksik. Kung saan-saan na akong website na napunta ngunit ni isa ay wala akong makitang impormasyon tungkol dito. Kung mayroon mang related kapag iki-click nakalagay naman ay 'This website is restricted.'

Ilang araw na akong 'di pinatatahimik ng aking kuryosidad. Hindi ko alam kung anong mayroon sa camp na ito at bakit pilit nila akong pinapasali. Nakakapagtaka at nakakapagduda.

"Nawa'y sulitin mo ang mga oras mo roon sa pagnilay-nilay at nawa'y makilala mo pa ang sarili mo roon."

Napatigil ako sa sinabi ni Sister Anne.

"Po?"

"Ijo, ang ibig kong sabihin, panigurado marami kang makikilala sa camp na 'yon at alam kong malaking tulong sila na maging bukas ka sa iba at lalo na sa iyong sarili." Tumango na lamang ako kay Sister Anne.

Sandali pa ay naka-isip ako ng isang ideya. Agad-agad akong tumayo para palabasin si Sister Anne.

"Sister ako na po. Salamat po," sabi ko at dali-dali siyang pinaalis sa kwarto.

"Yung mga gamit mo, ayusin mo a’."

"Opo," tugon ko.

"Matulog ka ng maaga. Huwag ka nang magpuyat." Huling bilin nito at saka ko sinara ang pinto.

Agad-agad naman akong nagtungo sa upuan at binuksan ang Computer.

Nang bumukas ay pinuntahan ko agad ang website ng aking sariling blog na ‘Night Stroller’.

Isa itong pribadong website at ang may mga access lamang ang nakakakita at nakakabasa. Parang isang deep web. Dito ko nilalahad ang lahat ng misteryosong kwento na bumubuhay sa aking kuryosidad.

I started typing.

www. nightstroller. com

Night Stroller Blog

Kampo Morte: A camp of unknown

Weeks have passed since an unknown invitation came across our door. It seems interested at first but the moment I opened it, three words were only written 'You are invited.' The moment I saw those words didn't make me think twice to waste my time. It was nonsense. It was that day it started, the next days the same exact invitation was on our door. I thought it was just another prank or whatever, but it was not.

I found out that the school was part of it. Hence, they keep convincing me to join. What made them think that I wanted to join a camping program? I was just a normal student; nobody knows who I was. I don't have good performance in school because I am lazy. So, why include a weird guy who only knows ignorance above all?

Their actions lead me to my deepest curiosity. What's special about this camp?

Tomorrow I will join the camp to find out what adventure awaits.

If I cannot update everyone in a week on what happened in there; or maybe what's in there. I guess that's the sign that something happened to me. Something must be wrong.

You know the drill. Leak this message and find out the truth.

I click the button and a 'Posted' sign appears. Seconds have passed and someone commented already.

@onlinecreeper: What an interesting adventure you're into. We'll wait for your update.

@dyedie: Stay alive!

@frshn: I want to join! xxx

@crsed: We'll take note!

Some comments I read. I close my computer.

KAMPO MORTE

"So, that means you are already suspecting that something is wrong in this camp?" Haliya questioned.

"Like what you said, the way they force us to join is already suspicious. I know there's something in here. And we need to find it out," I answered. "If something will happen to me in here, the message on the blog will be a leak. Many people will know about Kampo Morte... I don't think they want to be exposed," I added and smirked.

I heard a sudden groan beside me. I didn't bother to turn to him, it was Dem.

"Bro, ‘di ko na talaga kayang pigilan, ang sakit na ng tiyan ko," bulong nito habang hinahawakan ng kaliwa niyang kamay ang braso ko at ang kanan ay nakahawak sa namimilipit niyang tiyan.

"What?" I asked in a lifeless tone, kahit na narinig ko naman ang sinabi niya.

"Natatae ako!" usal nito.

"What do you want me to do? Pull out your poop?" I answer. I heard him whisper, "Kung p'wede lang e’." I look at him seriously.

"Samahan mo ako, natatakot ako sa labas ang dilim-dilim baka mamaya may humila sa ano ko... pagkalalaki ko," wika nito at ang mukha niya ay parang ewan, natatakot na natatawa. Napangiti na lamang si Haliya sa sinabi niya.

I took a deep sigh.

"I'm going to sleep," sabi ko at bumalik sa pagkakahiga.

"Alakin, bro sige na please?" pagmamakaawa nito habang namimilipit na sa sakit. Hindi ko siya pinansin.

Suddenly a familiar sound was heard, and an unexplained odor just suffocate our nose.

"What the hell, Demyr!?" I exclaimed and got up, covering my nose. Haliya did the same.

"Tara na kasi!" Hinila ako ni Dem. Habang papalabas sa tent doon ko lang napansin na wala pala si Tril sa higaan.

"Where's Tril?" I asked Haliya habang hinihila ako ni Dem papalabas.

"Nasa labas sabi niya magpapahangin lang daw siya pero kanina pa siya naroon e’," sagot naman ni Haliya.

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa kasi nasa labas na kami ni Dem. Pumunta kami malapit sa falls, malamang doon siya maglalabas ng tawag ng kalikasan.

Nagmadali na ito kasi halatang ‘di na niya talaga mapigilan. Tumalikod na lang ako at lumayo ng kaunti.

What am I into? Really!

While waiting for Dem to finish I saw Tril nearby. She was sitting on big stone, and I noticed that she was burning something. Nakatalikod ito sa'min kaya ‘di ko alam kung ano talaga ang ginagawa niya at hindi niya rin kami napansin.

Since Dem was still in nature calls, I decided to go near Tril and approach her. It's just near. Dem would be fine, I guess.

"Tril!" Nagulat ito at napansin kong tinapon niya ang halos abo na bagay na sinusunog niya.

"A-alakin!? B-bakit nagising ka? May problema ba?" nauutal niyang sambit. She looks tense though. I bet something is bothering her.

Tinuro ko ang direksyon kung saan naroon si Dem.

"Nature calls," I said.

"Tss, okay. Napakaduwag talaga." She chuckled.

I diverted my attention to the unidentified thing she burned into ashes and threw.

"What's that?" I asked. She looked at it, arms crossed, and sniff.

"Some stupid stuff," she answered.

"What?" I question again. I don't receive answers like that; especially when it leaves me curious.

She sighed and faced me, "The invitation. I burned it."

"For what reason?"

"I don't find the purpose of what we're doing anymore, Alakin. The more I think of it, the more I find it nonsense. Like... what are they really up to? Why did they bring us into this stupid exploration? We only gain fear here. It was only them who benefited from us… " she ranted, "obviously, they are playing with us. This camp is a playground."

"If they want games, we'll play with their games. Let's prove to them that we are not kids anymore," I advised.

"Do we have a choice?" she replied and get a stick of cigarette from her sock. She lit it up with her lighter. I'm about to speak up but she stopped me.

"I know what you're going to say. It won't help me from stress. I get that, okay? But you know something bad sometimes feels good," wika nito.

"Your life your choice," I replied. She just chuckled.

Nabaling ang tingin ko sa lighter na hawak niya.

"Tril, can I ask?"

"Kapag talaga matatalino ang daming tanong 'no?"

"I don't think it's about the intellectual capacity of people that made them question of something, it's about the curiosity of the mind to learn something unknown to them," I said.

She smirks. "Binigyan pa talaga ako ng malalim na sagot."

"I'm just clarifying things. Because, it became a stigma today," I insisted.

"You have a point. Anyway, what's your question?"

"I found runes on your lighter, can I know what it means?" I asked, she immediately looked at her lighter.

"Ahm… ito? ‘Di ko rin alam e’, ‘di ko alam kung ano’ng ibig sabihin nito. I just find it cool kaya binili ko," sagot nito.

Tumango lang ako.

"Bakit mo nga pala natanong?" she asked.

"I just find it interesting," I said. As a person who's fond of discoveries, I am always interested in what's unknown to me.

"Hoy!" nagulat kaming dalawa ni Tril ng biglang may magsalita sa likuran namin. Napalingon kami. It was Dem.

"Bakit mo ako iniwan?" tanong nito sa'kin habang papalapit.

"You're really a curse in my heart, Dem!" Tril exclaimed and slap Dem on the shoulder.

"And my love is the only spell that can cast that curse away." He winked at Tril. It made her feel disgusted.

"Cringe,” I said, Dem look at me surprisingly. Tril laughed at him.

I'm about to leave them but I noticed something. It was a cloud of smoke. Someone is burning fire. Maybe, it came from the other campers or maybe from the bonfire on the campsite.

Hindi ko na sana ito papansinin at babalik na sa tent ngunit tinawag ako ni Dem.

"Alakin, bro sandali!" Lumapit ito sa'kin.

"May kailangan kayong makita." I looked at him seriously. He just stares at me and Tril.

Naglakad ito at walang pakundangan naman namin siyang sinundan. The pathway was full of dead leaves and the fog made the way invisible while the cold breeze embrace our skin. The only light we have is the flashlight.

"Kanina habang tinatanaw ko kayo ni Tril na nag-uusap, may napansin akong nakamasid sa inyo. May hawak-hawak siyang maliit na torch. ‘Di ko gaanong maaninag ang mukha kasi nakamaskara sila," he said while we are navigating the way and the splash of the water from the falls is still heard.

"Wait, I think they are the people who wanted to burn us to death in the ruins," dagdag naman ni Tril.

"Mukhang sila nga," sagot ni Dem.

"Napansin ko kung saan sila patun–" Dem made us stopped and signal us to keep quiet. He turns off the flashlight and then pointed at something.

Lumapit kami ng dahan-dahan para ‘di kami mapansin. Nagtago kami sa kakahuyan at pinagmasdan namin sila.

It was the masked people. They are circling up and they are talking. Despite the noise of the waterfall, their conversation was still clear to us because when they speak a generated voice was heard.

"We are still searching for Kampo Dos," that person with a cat mask spoke.

"How about Kampo Uno? What did you find out?" Asked by their leader I must guess.

"Kampo Uno is a threat." The three of us exchanged looks the moment we heard that. "They started to wonder. All of them are smart enough to handle the situation, especially the Serverse." It made me more curious when I heard my name. The corner of my eyes observed Tril and Dem stare at me.

They continued, "They have plans."

"Then we need to do something before they get to us."

"What should we do?"

"Take an eye on them. Know every action of them."

Before they could finish their conversation, I got my senses. "We need to get out of here now," I whispered.

We immediately leave the scene without any noise.

"Anong balak nilang gawin sa'tin?" Dem asked while we navigate the way back.

"I don't know, but whatever they're planning is no good."

"Ano’ng gagawin natin, Alakin?" Tril also ask.

"I don't have any idea right now. The best we can do is get rid of them. We need to tell Haliya and Elyther about this," I answered.

Mabilis kaming nakarating sa tent, doon naabutan namin si Haliya at Elyt na natutulog.

"Elyt! Haliya! Wake up!" Dem shouted, maybe because of the tension.

"Dem, your voice!" pagsuway ni Tril.

Nagmadali na akong nagligpit at nag-ayos ng gamit. Kailangan namin makaalis agad dito at makalayo sa paningin nila. It was the only way to keep us all safe until we unveil the truth.

Ilang sandali ay nagising na rin ang dalawa at bakas sa mukha nila ang pagtataka.

"What is happening?" Elyt asked while scratching his eyes.

"Guys, you need to get up and fix everything. We need to leave immediately. We'll tell everything later," I told them.

Agad-agad naman silang nag-ayos ng mga gamit at ‘di na nagtanong pa.

Ilang minuto rin ang nagdaan bago namin mailigpit ang lahat ng gamit namin pati na rin ang tent na aming tinutulugan.

"Let's go!" I said.

We are about to leave but our bracelets suddenly sound and the screen appears on our wrists.

CAMPERS

Be ready for another exploration!

Exploration begins now!

All of us were startled by than unexpected announcement.

What the hell is this? It's 3 o'clock in the morning and this hell exploration already started?

"Putangina!? Seryoso ba sila?" Dem asked, his aura was obviously pissed.

"What is really happening!?" Elyt confusedly asked, he continued, "Ano ba kasi ang pinag-gagawa niyo?"

Hearing those words from him sounded like he was blaming us for what was happening right now. Does that mean... he thinks that if we did something weird and strange it had to do with the sudden announcement?

"We did nothing, Elyt," mariing sabi ko. His sharp gaze strikes me. "You sounded like you're blaming us," I added.

"Guys, the time is running." Hindi namin pinansin si Haliya, nagpatuloy pa rin kami sa diskusyon.

"I'm blaming no one," he replied and offer us a cold expression and after that, he looks away.

"Don't get me wrong but from understanding your point of perspective, I guess you think that what we did has something to do with what's happening right now?" I asked. He looked at me seriously.

"I did. Does it make sense now?” he responded.

"Therefore, you are really blaming us," I said with a fake smile.

"Does one sentence isn't enough for a wise man?" Hinawi nito ang buhok niya, at hindi mapakali. A gesture of being pissed I must guess.

"Okay, chill lang, mga bro," sambit ni Dem.

Elyt yelled, "Didn't you hear what I just said!? I'm blaming no one! I'm just asking out of fear and curiosity because we are not only talking about three lives in here but five! Every action we do reflects on us."

"Guys! Stop it!" Tril interrupted us.

"Ano mag-aaway ba tayo rito?" She looks at us back and forth. She continued, "Since we are talking about five lives in here, that means we matter. So, can you both also listen to us? We are not tolerating blaming arguments here. We are a team, we should work together. If any of us did something reckless, we fix and face it together. This kind of argument will only put a barrier on our team. So, please end this!" She diverted her gaze at Elyt.

"Elyt, sorry if you think we did something wrong." She tapped Elyther's shoulder. She then looked at me and signaled me using her eyebrow. Based on my understanding of that signal, she want me to make peace with Elyt.

"Sorry. But believe it or not. We did nothing. It's just that... there are these weird people who are keeping an eye on us. We need to get away from them," I explained.

"The bracelet," Haliya interrupted, kaya napalingon kami sa kaniya.

"Something appeared on the bracelet. Look!" We immediately took a glance at our bracelet. A number just appeared.

13:14:17:19:7

Obviously, it was another cipher. I just don't know what kind. The knowledge I have on codes and ciphers is only limited.

"Does anyone know what it is?" Tril asked. Haliya, Dem and Tril gaze at me. Habang si Elyt napansin kong nakatitig lang sa kaniyang bracelet. I bet he has something in mind.

"I'm not familiar with this one," I said. After they heard that, they look at Elyt in synchrony.

Elyt faces us. "I think it's a clock cipher," he said.

"How does it work?" I asked.

"Each number on the clock can be represented with a letter. In this case, we should follow the 24-hour clock or what we call military time. We should start in Ante meridiem or AM, AM is equivalent to the letter A, therefore 1 o'clock is equivalent to B, the letters go on just follow the clockwise direction. On Post meridiem or PM it starts on 13 based on military time and that is equivalent to the letter N, still, the letters go in a clockwise direction and the last letter Z represents PM. The colon in here is just a letter separator," Elyt explained. Well, thanks to him I got another knowledge.

"If we decode this it is equivalent to NORTH. We should take note of the colon (:) as a letter separator so 13 is N, 14 is O, 17 is R, 19 is T, and 7 is H."

"It's a direction?" Haliya question.

"I guess," Elyt replied.

"How do we know if where is north? We don't have any compass," Haliya complained.

"May compass ba kayo sa phone niyo?" tanong naman ni Dem.

"I don't have," I said.

"Wala rin ako." Tril.

"My phone is already out of battery." Elyt.

"Mine too." Haliya.

"Lahat pala tayo wala." Dem released a deep sigh.

Silence for all of us.

"Alam ko na!" Dem suddenly shouted.

"Your voice!" pagsuway ni Tril.

Dem look up to the night sky, it was clear, and the moon and the stars twinkles so brightly.

He started picking up longer sticks he found from finding on the ground.

"Ano, ng gagawin mo?" tanong ni Tril.

"May naalala ako noong nag-camping kami... hindi ganitong klaseng camping a’, kasumpa-sumpa 'to e’," saad nito at tinutukoy ang kalagayan namin sa camping na ito. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita, "May nalaman akong survival tips sakaling maligaw ang isang tao." Tumayo ito sa gitna namin at sinimulan na niyang gawin at ipinaliwanag.

"Alakin, punta ka sa harap ko. Elyt, ikaw naman sa likod ko. Haliya, ikaw sa hanay ng kabilang braso ko. Tril, sa kanan ka. Kayo yung magsisilbing direksyon." Sinunod naman namin ang mga sinasabi niya at 'di na umimik pa. May malaking maiaambag din naman pala ang lalaking 'to.

Nagpatuloy siya sa pagpapaliwanag, "Kapag cloudless malaking tulong ito, magbaon ng stick sa lupa hanggang ang dulo nito ay nasa antas ng ating mga mata. Sa likod nito, magbaon ng isang mas mataas na patpat at siguraduhing ang mga dulo ng mga stick ay nakahanay sa isang maliwanag na bituin, habang tinitingnan mo sila. Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto, lalabas na gumagalaw ang bituin ngunit alam natin na hindi gumagalaw ang mga bituin sadyang ang Earth ang umiikot. Kung ang bituin ay tila gumagalaw ... sa taas, nakaharap ka sa silangan. Pababa, nakaharap ka sa kanluran. Kanan, nakaharap ka sa timog. Kaliwa, nakaharap ka sa hilaga."

Nakapokus ito sa pagtingala sa mga bituin.

"Where are we then?" I asked.

"Sa hanay mo, Alakin. Pataas ang galaw ng butuin. Nasa silangan tayo."

"It's East. So, that means where Haliya stands is the direction to North?" I asked again.

"Yes." I smirked.

"Good job, Dem!" I said to him. He smiled at me.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go?" paanyaya naman ni Elyt.

Before we could leave, Tril stopped us.

"Wait!" Tril interrupted.

Inobserbahan namin siya, may hinahanap ito sa lupa.

"What is it?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Got you!" Kumuha pala nang sanga ng kahoy.

She used her lighter to light it up to make a fire. She then gets her phone.

"Tril, we should not use a torch, they will see us," I said.

"Of course, we will not!" She exclaimed. I gave her a confusing look.

"Kailangan natin silang iligaw," she explained. That's a witty idea. I didn't think about that. "We need to leave traces of us in that way to mislead them," she added and pointed to the South direction. "Pahingi ako ng hindi niyo na kailangan na gamit, kahit dalawa lang," saad pa nito.

"What will you do?" I asked in confusion.

"Malamang itatapon sa direksyon na 'yon, kunwari nalaglag natin para magkaroon sila ng ideya na roon tayo pumunta," sagot nito. Tama nga siya.

Ako at si Dem ang nagvolunteer na magbigay ng gamit. Binigay ko na lang ‘yong panyo ko.

"Ito akin o’." Napatingin kami sabay-sabay kay Dem ng mag-abot ito ng brief.

"Lakas ng trip mo, 'no? Akin na!" Tril get it from him as if she has a choice.

Pumunta na siya doon sa direksyon patungong South at itinapon ang gamit, pinatay niya rin ang apoy ng torch at tinapon ng malayo sa direksyon din na 'yon. Pagkatapos no'n ay bumalik na siya. At agad naman kami umalis at nagtungo na sa direksyon pa Norte.

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas at nakalayo na rin kami sa lokasyon namin kanina at sinigurado namin na 'di kami nasundan ng mga taong may balak na masama sa amin. Ang timer sa aming bracelets ay patuloy na tumatakbo.

It's our third day of exploration, I hope we'll have enough time to end this unveiling of mysteries before it will end us.

While we are descending the wilderness, I saw a woman in my peripheral view. She was wearing a white dress and she was hiding in a mahogany tree.

Napahinto ako at nilingon ko siya. I didn't hesitate to approach her.

"Alakin, bakit?" tanong ni Tril. Napansin siguro nila na tumigil ako. Hindi ko pinansin si Tril at patuloy lang sa paglalakad patungo sa babae. She seems scared. Her face isn't visible since her long hair covered her face.

"Miss? Are you okay?" I asked.

"Alakin, tara na!" Dem called. Hindi ko sila pinansin.

"What are you doing? You're making us slow!" ani Elyt.

Nilingon ko silang lahat.

"Someone is here. I think she needs our help," sabi ko sa kanila. They all stare at me cluelessly. What kind of look is that? Did they lose humanity already?

Lumapit sa'kin si Dem.

"Bro, ano ba ang ginagawa mo? Wala namang tao d’yan," saad ni Dem. Kaya nagtaka ako. What did they mean? Are they blind enough to see a woman?

I turned to the woman who was hiding only to find out that all of them are right. No one is here.

Did I just saw a supernatural entity? Ang mga balahibo ko ay nagsitayuan. Halos mabunutan ako ng tinik dahil na naman sa takot na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"I-I'm serious... s-someone is really here," giit ko.

"Bro, ‘wag mo naman akong takutin ng ganyan, alam mo namang 'di ko kakayanin ang mga usapang ganyan," he utter in between of fear and joke.

"I'm not scaring you, it's rea—" My words cut off when we heard a man's scream nearby, it made us stop. Napatingin kami sa isa't isa. Our faces were drawn in startled.

"What is that?" Tril asked. Bakas sa mukha nito ang kaba.

"Sabi ko na ayoko talaga ng ganito e’," hindi mapakaling saad ni Dem.

"W-we need to get away in here now," nauutal na sabi ko.

Mabilis kaming nagsitakbuhan para makalayo, hindi na kami lumingon-lingon pa. Para kaming nasa scary movies na hinahabol ng isang killer.

While running, I suddenly bump onto something to the point it made me fall. I was now lying on the ground. That was a hard hit.

"Alakin!" I heard them calling my name.

Agad-agad akong tumayo at hinawakan ang balikat ko.

"Who are you!?" I asked the person who I accidentally bumped. Wait, I know this guy. He's my schoolmate, that one who always bullies me.

It terrifies me when I saw him na wala sa sarili, hindi ito mapakali, palingon-lingon ito sa paligid na para bang may tinatakasan siyang kamatayan. Ang dungis niya rin tignan. He was in great fear.

"Ano ba ang problema mo?" tanong ni Tril sa kaniya.

"T-they a-are k-kill—" pautal-utal nitong sabi habang natataranta.

"What?! P’wede ba umayos ka?" naiiritang tanong ni Elyt.

"They are killing us!" sigaw nito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata namin sa narinig. It looks like the time slowed.

"Ano? Hindi ka namin maintindihan! Who will kill us?" Tril interrogate him. He pushed Tril and she fell on the ground. Tumakbo ito papalayo at sobrang takot na takot.

"They are coming!" He shouted before he vanished from our eyes.

Dem helped Tril to get up.

"What the f*ck is wrong with that guy!?" inis na sabi nito habang inaalis ang mga tuyong dahon na kumapit sa kaniya.

"Did you heard what he said?" Our attention diverted to Haliya. Nakakatulalang tanong niya sa amin.

"They are killing us!" she exclaimed.

"That means our suspicions are true?" Tril asked.

"If that's the case, I'm not playing with their f*cking mysteries anymore!" galit na wika ni Elyt habang sinisipa ang mga dahon. "We need to do something to get out of this place!" dagdag pa nito.

"We need to finish it," I said.

"Para saan pa?" tanong nito.

"To guarantee of our lives," I replied.

Elyt chuckled. "Do you think if we finish this? They'll let us out? After knowing what really this place is?"

"Tama si Elyt, Alakin," Tril agreed. Habang nagsasalita si Tril nakaramdam ako ng init sa wrist ko. She added, "The more we unveil something, the more it put our lives at risk."

"Does it ever come into your mind, Alakin? What if those mysteries they want us to unveil is the stories of their victim?" Elyt has a point. I never thought about that. I wanted to tell them something, but I cannot focus due to the pain I'm bearing right now. Sobrang init na niya.

"Whatever they are planning to, I don't want to end up as another story of their victim." Paalis na sana ito ng bigla itong sumigaw. Elyt lay on the ground in pain, he was holding his wrist. Suddenly, I also fell to the ground, I can't take the pain anymore. It feels like something is electrocuting us. It came from our bracelets. We all screamed in pain lying on the ground.

Pilit namin itong tinatanggal pero hindi ito matanggal.

"Stop, please!" I shouted.

A generated voice spoke from our bracelets.

⚠️ KAMPO MORTE'S RULE MUST RULE ⚠️

It repeatedly speaks.

"Okay! We will continue unraveling!" Elyt yelled.

The bracelet didn't stop but I can feel that the pain lessens.

Paulit-ulit lang ang salitang naririnig namin. It repeatedly echoed in my head until a sudden realization hits me. Kampo Morte's rule must rule. We break a rule.

"We broke a rule!" I shouted.

"Ano!?" tanong ni Dem.

"R-rule no. 2!" Haliya shouted.

"Don't talk unless you were in the same group,” I shouted again, I continued, "We just talked to that guy from Kampo Dos!"

"F*ck!" Tril groaned in pain.

It lasted for a minute until the bracelet stop.

My heart beats so fast. I can only hear my heavy breath. Our energy was consumed. My vision becomes blurry until I black out.

I woke up because of the sudden noise of a song that is playing.

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

A birthday song repeatedly played. I open my eyes to see... where am I? When I opened my eyes I saw a big circular table in front of me, it was full of food. I was sitting and I was... tied.

I looked at the surroundings, to identify the setting I'm in. There's a bonfire on every corner and we are surrounded by trees. We're still in the woods.

I heard a groan; I look at them. It was them. Elyt, Haliya, Dem and Tril.

What is going on? Where are we? What did they do to us?

Is this something like punishment for breaking a rule? Or it's just another justice to unveil?