Chapter 1: I
In a world where justice has been forgotten, will the traces of death be remembered?
Will the verdict of the vile prevail?
Or this is a wonted version of justice denied?
```
Trust became the matrix of life.
An ethereal validation to welcome.
Would you choose to trust if it already thrust you at the beginning?
```
YEAR 2018
In the downtime of summer, the darkness folds and heaven's tears damp the dry soil of the earth. The rage of heaven flashes lightning and a roar like a wild beast traverse into the ears. Droplets are falling on the window ceilings. The music 'Monster by Ruelle' plays and echoes in the house. A woman was running for her life, hiding, and seeking to survive. She was frightened, her right leg was injured, smeared in red. Her sweat continues pouring with the mixed blood. She has a hard time holding her breath. A shadow of someone is approaching carrying a knife. Thunderstorms are still roaring. The music still playing.
She keeps silent for a while until she was found. She was pulled on her hair and pushed to the floor.
"Of all people, why you?" she asked anxiously, "I trusted you… I loved you," she continued with the hope of survival.
"That's the biggest mistake of your life," the killer replied.
"Please, I'm begging you, don't kill me!" Even if there's no hope of survival, and the chances of dying are certain, she never stopped begging.
"PLEASE NO!" A helpless scream echoed while the night sounds scary. Blood flows on the floor and is scattered on the wall. Her eyes were wide open with tears flowing while she was stabbed multiple times on her body. The music keeps louder and louder.
PRESENT DAY
I open my eyes and turn off the music. The sound of the siren wakes me. I gazed outside the window; I saw the driver's face being irritated while holding his head out of disappointment. Nabaling ang tingin ko sa mga estudyante na nasa loob ng school bus. Twenty-five students including me, we're having a special trip exclusive only for those who got the invitation from different universities. The noises of these students chattering are annoying. I just don't mind them; I go turn on again the music. Suddenly, I feel a sudden touch on my shoulder. Someone approached me. I turned off again the music.
"Hey, Alakin the great. What happened to you a year ago? We heard you were in a coma. What really happen Alakin?" this man asked. I don't know his name--even a single person in here is unknown to me. Probably we're in the same school because he knows me, and we have the same logo on our uniforms. I pull on my earphones.
"Sorry? What?" I pretend I didn't hear anything he said. He just hissed.
"Never mind, weird boy," he said. I just looked at him and he leaves me alone. I put on my earphones again and mind my own business. I didn't turn on the music this time. I heard them talking about me being weird and laughter was circulating in my head. Yes, I'm weird, since I'm in a coma last year I don't remember that I have friends. I don't talk too much. I'd rather be alone than deal with a bunch of shit people.
A woman stood in front of the bus.
"Students, listen! We have trouble. We encountered a flat tire." I heard everyone complain.
"Ano ba naman 'yan, ilang oras tayong bumiyahe sa tubig tapos tatlong oras na tayong nasa kalsada!" The guy who has that weird mustache holding a book, irritably said.
"What the f*ck! It's so annoying! I think I got to need a makeover after this." The sassy woman complains, holding her mirror while putting on her lipstick.
Some complaints I heard from them.
"Okay, quiet! Quiet! Don't worry it would only last for minutes. Just stay in here while we're fixing the inconvenience," she explains.
Out of the blue, I raised my hand to ask some questions. The attention is on me.
"Why are we here?" I asked her.
"Mr. Serverse, you didn't read the invitation?" Ibinalik niya sa akin ang tanong. I get the invitation from my shoulder bag.
"The invitation has only 3 words 'You are invited!'" I show her the invitation.
"Well, I guess that's the reason you are here. To find out, why are you here?" she said. I want to ask her some more, but a random guy stood up.
"Ma'am!?"
"Yes?"
"Can I pee?"
The woman sighed. "Go. Those who need to pee, you have a minute." She grimaces at her watch and gets out of the bus, leaving me without answers.
Sumunod na rin ang ibang mga estudyante. I sat and looking nowhere. Thinking why did I even joined in here?
Silence.
I get my iPad in my bag. Honestly, I'm a technology-addicted person. I spend most of my time on the internet and playing video games. While scrolling on a portal full of the news article, I saw an interesting headline— Woman found dead leaving a love letter to the killer. I click on the article, and I saw the date. It happened a year ago and they haven't given justice to it yet and weird cause the killer might be the love of her life. I sighed, showing my sympathy to the woman. I pray for her soul.
"Hey!" Someone called me from the back. I turned to her.
"Did you know where we are going?" she asked while still reading her book.
"Are you talking to me?" I asked her, and she closed the book and focused on me.
"Yes, I am. Do you know?"
"Do you think I know? I don't even know why I'm joining here?" I spoke.
"Well, I know." She smirked.
"Then why are you asking me?" I irritably replied.
"Ang seryoso mo naman. Ayaw mo bang malaman?" I just gave her a confusing look.
"So, ito na nga. We are going to a camp tapos maghahanap tayo ng chismis." She giggled.
I put on a serious face. "Informative! Thanks!" I muttered and went back to my thing.
"Ang sungit mo kaya wala kang kaibigan e'!" I heard her said, I turn to her again.
"I wonder if you have?" I sarcastically said while looking at her book. Apparently, she's a nerd, and as far as I observed she doesn't have friends also.
I heard footsteps and familiar noises coming from the students. Pumasok na sila.
"Everyone we are good, buckle up and we're ready to go!" The woman earlier announced, who I think is one of the coordinators.
Some students scream in excitement. Some, because there are weird students here, count me in. I close the article and put on my earphones again. I don't want to hear the annoying sounds on this bus. I lifted the cuff of my black hoodie and look at my wristwatch. The time is 4:45 in the afternoon. I decided to take a nap.
A flash of a blurry girl looking at me and laughing with me in a slow movement. It was beautiful.
I heard voices whispering in my ear.
'Alakin'
'Alakin'
It was a beautiful voice until it slowly turned into a deep creepy voice.
'ALAKIN!' I feel a sudden touch on my shoulder. I woke up, frightened. I'm sweating. I fell asleep.
"Mr. Serverse, finally you're awake. Are you okay?" It was the coordinator.
"Where are we?" I asked her and she smiled.
"We are now here." I looked outside and I saw the sign 'Kampo Morte'
I looked at my watch. An hour had passed.
"Let's go? Your mates are waiting for you." She gave me an untrustworthy vibe. Well, everyone looks untrustworthy to me.
Bumaba na siya at sumunod na ako. Ako na lamang pala ang naiwan sa loob ng bus. Pagbaba ko, I observed the students are lining up already. Boys and Girls are separated. I came last. There are also many people in here, guards and most of it I guess were coordinators.
"Welcome to Kampo Morte, students!" A different woman with a bob haircut wearing an all-black uniform like a commander in a military (looks like in her mid-40s) announcing on the center, walking back and forth. "All of you are invited and gathered here for exciting fun and games of exploration—"
"Excus—"
"Don't ask questions unless I allow it!" she strictly yelled. Nagulat kami sa inasta niya. "You are here for a purpose. One of them is to teach you discipline. I hinted one. The rest are on yourselves to find out." She smirked. Looks like this lady has a mood swing. "Now, I know most of you are unfamiliar with each other. You came from different universities and all of you will be in a group, each having 5 members from different universities. Pick your color," she explains, while a black bowl with color bracelets passed one after the other. I pick the black one with a gold-plated sign of 'Kampo Morte'
"Everyone, raise your bracelets!" All of us raised our bracelets. Different emotions are seen in the students... happiness, excitement, nervousness, and others don't give a damn. I am pertaining to myself to that last line. "Those with the same colors are your group mates. Go to your mates." My group gathered.
"Hi, I'm Haliya Urdeva, from Hillside University." She excitedly offers us a shaking hand. A typical nerd girl who always has that braided hair but has a cheerful personality. None of us shakes her hand. She takes it back awkwardly smiling but the other girl grabs her hand and shakes it.
"Tril. Tril Deguio. Westview University." This girl has so many tattoos etched on her body. Her hair was tied up and half of it was braided from the scalp to its ends. I guess a badass wannabe. Haliya smiled at her. She responds with a smirk.
"Now, listen! I want every one of you to call me Lady Mori!" she said. I saw some random guy and girl gossip and chuckled.
"Miss Patreo and Mr. Echaves, did you find my name funny?" mataray na tanong nito sa dalawa.
"We're sorry ma'am," paumanhin ng dalawa sabay napayuko.
"I guess you didn't even try to pay attention." She sighs. "Everyone, what should you call me?" She crossed her arms. Nobody answers her. "Answer me!" she yelled.
"Lady Mori!" mahinang sagot nila at halos pabulong na. I just open my mouth pretending I said her name.
"I cannot hear you!" sigaw ulit nito kaya nilakasan ng lahat.
"Lady Mori!" We shouted in unison.
I don't think I would like to be in here.
"Good!" She smiled. "Since all are good in here. Welcome to Kampo Morte, where exploration awaits!" sabi nito at saka pinapasok na kami sa camp.
Habang pumapasok kami patuloy lang sa pagsasalita si Lady Mori.
"Each group will stay in a cabin. Boys and girls aren't separated that's why discipline is a must in here," pagpapaalala nito. "All the things you needed are in the cabins, so I expected you won't ask any questions," dagdag nito.
Huminto kami saglit. Nasa gitna kami ng Kampo at pinalilibutan ng mga puno, each trunk of the trees has a painted number on them. Medyo dumidilim na rin. The big bonfire lights up the camp. I saw the cabins, nakapalibot din ito ngunit malayo ang pagitan nito sa bawat isa.
Each cabin has name. Kampo Uno, Kampo Dos, Kampo Tres, Kampo Kuatro, and Kampo Singko. Each has a guard. Lady Mori gave each group a key and each key tells us where our distinct cabin should be. We got Kampo Uno.
"Everyone go to your distinct cabins. Take a rest because when you wake up an exploration awaits!" she announced excitedly. She then left us; the coordinators followed her. The murmur of the students can be heard now.
"Grabe naman 'yon napakataray. Pinanganak siguro 'yon na may galit sa mundo," the woman said and chuckled.
"Kung alam ko lang na ganito pala, sana natulog na lang ako sa bahay."
"Ano kaya ang gagawin natin dito?"
"I think this is exciting!"
Iilan lang 'yan sa mga naririnig kong sabi at reklamo nila.
"I already miss partying and getting drunk," sabi ng isang babae.
"Hey, I got a tequila in here, let's go and have some party at our cabin," the guy whispered at her and show her the bottle of tequila from his bag. She excitedly giggled.
Nilapitan na kami ng mga guard para papuntahin kami sa kaniya-kaniyang cabins. Habang papunta kami sa cabin, I observe the guy who approached me on the bus and call me a weird boy is in the same cabin in Kampo Tres with two of his friends who laughed at me, and that nerd girl who also asked me in the bus is on Kampo Dos.
I just don't mind them at pumasok na ako sa cabin namin.
"This is cool!" the guy who has that long ash gray hair uttered and smirked.
The cabin is just good for the five of us. May kaniya-kaniya kaming higaan at may nakahanda ng t-shirt na nakalapag sa higaan namin. May cabinets din para paglagyan ng gamit namin. I picked the shirts on the bed, it has a lettering design of Kampo Morte, the color of the t-shirt is black same color for our bracelets. I looked at it for seconds.
"This is my first time joining a camping. I didn't even know why my parents allowed me to join in here. Kayo guys? Nakasali na ba kayo sa mga event na ganito?" tanong ni Haliya. May pagkamadaldal talaga itong babaeng 'to. As usual, wala na namang sumagot sa kaniya.
"How old are you, Haliya?" Tril asked.
"I'm 19," Haliya softly said.
"That's great. Do you have friends when you grow up?" she questioned and sit on her bed crossing her legs, she lifted her pants and get something from her socks. It was a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She gets one.
"M-Meron, siguro, hindi ako sigurado kung nagkaroon ba talaga ako ng kaibigan," malamyang pagkakasabi nito. While Tril lighted her cigarette, I saw one of this guy smirks and looked impress on Tril. "S-sandali hindi ba bawal 'yan?" nauutal na tanong ni Haliya habang tinuturo ang sigarilyo. "Baka mahuli tayo at mapagalitan?" pag-aalala nito habang nakatingin sa labas.
"Mahuhuli kung magsusumbong ka. Magsusumbong ka ba?" Binuga nito ang usok and she smirked.
"I won't do that. We are a team here so we should work together," Haliya replied and smiled looking at us.
"But I guess our boys don't want us to know them. Unless they have some balls to tell us at least their names?" she sarcastically said and lean on the wall of her bed while still smoking. Medyo nailang naman si Haliya.
"You're badass." He smirked "I'm Elyther Ortega. But I hate to call that long, so call me by the name Elyt. From Seacoast University," that long ash gray-haired, introduce.
"Elyt. I like that name," Haliya complimented.
"Since I don't want you guys to think that I don't have balls. I am Demyr Naveda. Dem in short. From Northbound University," he introduced. Among us, he was the manliest when it comes to physical appearance. The most masculine-looking guy.
"Ghad dem! Thanks, you have balls," Tril jokingly said.
"Of course, I have. You'll probably swear if you… nevermind." He chuckled. Tril get up from bed. Lumapit ito kay Demyr habang patuloy na hinihithit ang sigarilyo, ibinuga nito ang usok sa mukha ni Demyr. Pagkatapos ay hinulog nito ang sigarilyong ubos na at tinapakan, she then crossed her arms.
"Let's be friends then." She smirked. While the scene is slowly getting intense here, nabaling ang tingin nila sa akin nang tanungin ako ni Tril. "How about you weird guy? Do you have balls?" Tril asked in a mocking tone at humarap sila sa akin.
"I don't have time for this nonsense. I am Alakin Serverse, from Oakwood University," sabi ko and gave them a serious face.
Biglang nag-ring ang bell. We are all shocked when our bracelets light up and a screen appears on our wrists. It's a smart bracelet. The Kampo Morte sign first appears on the screen and then followed by
ATTENTION
All campers must wear their designated camp shirt.
After that, it turned off.
"What the f*ck!? This is awesome!" mangha- manghang sabi ni Elyt.
An announcement was heard all over the place.
CAMPERS GATHERED OUTSIDE IN 50 SECONDS
"Ano kaya ang gagawin natin?" nagtatakang tanong ni Dem. Kinuha ni Haliya ang camp shirt nito sa higaan niya.
"Guys, time is running out," sabi nito sa'min at papasok na dapat ng CR nang biglang maghubad si Tril ng damit, nakatalikod naman ito sa amin. She wears a sports bra, so it wasn't a big deal for me, I don't know about them. I tilted my head to shift the view, medyo nagulat kami roon. This set up is so awkward.
"What?!" tanong ni Tril na humarap kila Haliya, Elyther at Demyr. The corner of my eyes is just observing them. "Ngayon lang ba kayo nakakita ng naghuhubad sa harap niyo?" taas kilay na tanong nito.
"Ibang klase ka talaga!" Dem chuckled. Elyt just smirked at tumalikod ito at saka hinubad ang damit. Haliya just smiled at pumasok na ng comfort room. I don't have a choice but to wear the camp shirt. Naghubad na rin ako, halos lalaki naman ang mga tao rito and I guess Tril doesn't give a damn.
The sound of a ticking clock was heard all over the camp.
I put on my black hoodie jacket, unzipped. I get my iPad and put on my earphones; to escape the deafening sound. While I'm vibing on some 'Ruelle' song. I love her music so much. Suddenly, I heard a glitch in the music.
"Aw!" I pulled the left side of the earphone. I don't know if it was in my head or just in the music itself. I heard someone calling my name. "I'm fine! Stop calling my name!" I suddenly shouted.
"Hoy! Alakin? Okay ka lang ba?" I looked at the girl who just asked me. It was Tril.
"I said stop calling my name!" I was a little bit irritated when someone is calling my name.
"Sinasabi mo? I just called you one time," Tril insisted and looked at Elyt and Dem to agree with her. Both of them just chuckled. I stopped for a second.
If it wasn't her? Then who said that? Haliya is still in the bathroom.
"I'm sorry," 'yon lang ang sinabi ko. Lately, I just heard some weird voices calling my name. Maybe, I'm just hallucinating.
Lumabas na rin si Haliya. I was a little bit frightened when I saw a dark shadow behind her. What the hell is happening with me? Am I losing my mind? Hindi na lang ako nagpahalata na may nakita ako.
"What happened?" nagtatakang tanong niya. Everyone just looked at me.
"Nothing," sabi ko. Ayoko nang pinapahaba ang usapan.
"Hmm... okay. Guys let's go?" pagyaya nito.
Umayos na kami. You can easily recognize each one of us based on our fashion styles. Elyther has ash long gray hair, tacked his marled Henley jacket underneath his camp shirt on his trousers with his leather shoes. Dem has that wavy hair with a bandana on, his camp shirt sleeve was folded and tacked on his jeans with a belt and paired with rubber shoes. Haliya as usual the typical nerd girl who had that two-sided braided hairstyle and eyeglass, she just wears the shirt plainly and jeans with her rubber shoes that's been graffitied. Tril, of course, she's a badass wannabe so you can clearly recognize her kind of style. She tied the camp shirt to make it a crop top, her tattoos on her stomach are visible, and she also has piercings on her belly button. She then wears a leather jacket cuffed up to her elbow and pairs it with cargo pants and a chunky boot and has a wide leather cuff bracelet on her right wrist. And of course, my fashion style is common. I always wear a hoddie, kahit mainit o malamig wala akong pake. I always tacked my shirt on my jeans with a belt and of course, simple leather shoes would fit in. Lahat kami suot-suot ang isang sling bag na may logo ng Kampo Morte.
Lumabas na kami ng cabin. The guards don't give a damn about us. They were just standing beside our door; you can see nothing in them but their hollow faces. We already saw the students gathered in the center. There's a big rectangular wooden table prepared with so much food already. Kanina wala pa 'to rito. Yung bonfire nariyan pa rin at nagsisilbing ilaw. Napansin namin na nakaupo na ang mga estudyante. Naka-separate pa rin naman ang bawat grupo. As we are near approaching and that made all of their attention diverted on us. Para bang may pinatay kami.
"Kampo uno, late for 2 seconds!" sigaw ni Lady Mori. "What's the number one rule in Kampo Morte?" Ang mga kilay nito ay halos magkadikit na sa sobrang galit. This woman has anger issues I must guess.
"Discipline is a must." We utter in a lifeless tone.
"You guys are late for almost two seconds! Now, where's the discipline!?" she yelled.
"Nasa dictionary po," pamimilosopong sagot ni Demyr. Halos lahat kami sabay na napalingon sa kaniya. Pati 'yong ibang estudyante nagpipigil ng tawa. Lady Mori's eyes widened the moment she heard that.
"All of you squat right there until midnight! You are not allowed to eat for three days, two days for that two-second violation, and a day for Mr. Naveda disrespecting me!" She turned to everybody at the table "And that would happen to a rule breaker! A mistake of one is a mistake of everyone you are acquainted with!" she announced.
"With all due respect, Lady Mori. You said we are here for a reason but I'm sure we are not here to be deprived of our rights," I protested. I know that discipline is really a must, but true discipline doesn't take on the boundaries of our rights. Ang hindi kami payagan na kumain ng tatlong araw, can be considered a disciplinary sanction? That's abuse.
"Mr. Serverse, did I hear it right? You are talking about deprivation of rights? What did you know about rights, Mr. Serverse?" I can see her mood changed.
"You heard it right, Lady Mori. Can you consider that a disciplinary sanction? You are starving us for a portion of violation. We are just new here, we don't know too much yet," I replied. She smirked.
"All of you are under my rights now. Kampo Morte's rule must rule. No buts. No questions," she said. I only gazed at her whining mouth. I can't clearly hear her voice because a deafening sound echoed in my brain.
'ALAKIN.'
I heard someone's calling my name again. Dahan-dahan kong iniangat ang isa kong kamay para pakiramdaman ito.
"Do I make myself clear, Mr. Serverse?" 'yon lang ang tanging mga wikang narinig ko galing kay Lady Mori. I just nodded my head as a response. The deafening sounds slowly faded. "I'll make your sanction, not eating until midnight," she said and turned to everyone. While we are still doing the squat. "Everyone enjoy eating!" and then vanished.
"Punyeta! Bakit ba kasi ako sumali sa walang kwentang camp na 'to!?" Dem complained.
"Sino ba kasi ang may sabi sayo na sumali ka rito?" tanong naman ni Elyt.
"Akala ko kasi parang boy scout lang. Hindi ko naman alam na ganito pala rito. Napakataray pa ng babaeng 'yon. Maganda sana kaso mukhang nahulog siguro sa pagkakahele 'yon no'ng bata pa kaya ngawa nang ngawa. Ang ingay!" He chuckled.
"Stop complaining. You are one of the reasons why we are here... in this position!" pangsisisi ko sa kaniya. Tril and Haliya just stared at us.
"Sorry naman. Don't worry guys, next time dadagdagan ko pa." He laughed. "Kidding!" he quickly added. All of us just nodded our heads and just hissed. Suddenly, a peel of a banana touches my face. Someone throw it, it was from that guy who always make fun of me.
"Bull's eye!" I heard Tril whisper. I release a deep breath and just ignored those guys. The tip of my eye observed my mates just looking at me. People at the table just laughed at us. But we don't give a damn about them. I guess I'm with a group of people with a hobby of ignoring.
After an hour. Everybody was finished eating. Nag-announce na rin na bumalik ng cabins to take a rest, but we are excluded. Isang oras pa lang pero ramdam ko na ang ngalay ng tuhod ko. Talagang mapaglaro ang oras.
Sobrang bagal ng oras sa tuwing nakakaranas ng pagsubok.
Lumipas pa ang mga oras. I can feel my knees and hands are about to give up. We are doing this for 5 hours now. I can see my mates struggling now especially Haliya. Nangingitim na ang mga labi nito at halos nakapikit na ang mga mata habang ang tuhod nito'y nanginginig na, pero buti na lamang at ilang minuto na lang ay alas dose na.
We heard a loud bell ring. Muling gumana ang aming bracelets. All of us look at our wrists as the screens appeared. Kampo Morte sign first appeared and then followed by rules and regulations.
Morte's Games rules and regulations
1. In Each game campers must wear the designated camp shirt.
2. Don't talk. Unless you were in the same groups.
3. You are not allowed to go back to the campsite unless you discover something.
4. Find the clue and go unravel. You have a week to unravel.
Failed to do so. Must face the biggest consequence of life. Your fate lies in you.
Best of luck, campers!
And then the screen flashes.
MIDNIGHT CAMPERS
Brace yourselves.
Explorations begin in 60 seconds. Good luck!
"What the hell is this?" Tril asked curiously. All of us were so confused now. Nagsimulang maglabasan ang ibang estudyante sa bawat cabins. They were all confused looking at their bracelets.
A timer started to appear on our bracelet.
10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1
Exploration begins!
Nagulat kami ng biglang nagkaroon ng fireworks na nagpaliwanag sa buong camp. Everyone is chattering now. Is that a starting signal? I never felt so confused in my whole life before. Suddenly a light flickered. A lighthouse just appears out of nowhere. It was so near here, and you can clearly see it.
Patuloy pa rin ang pagputok ng mga fireworks, sobrang liwanag ng paligid lalo na at full moon.
"Guys! Look at your screens." Napatingin kami kay Haliya. She was also confused, and her sweats are dripping down her face.
I looked at my watch. Words appeared on our screen.
Follow the brightest light.
"It must be a clue," Haliya said and looked at us.
"I get it. We must follow those lights," Elyt, agreed.
"So, ano pa ang hinihintay natin? Tara na?" Tril interrupted while holding a torch. She lights it from those bonfires.
"This is exciting!" Dem exclaims. Sa lahat sa amin siya lang ang sobrang excited. Paalis na kami nang maobserbahan kong sa ibang direksyon pumupunta ang ibang grupo.
"Alakin? Let's go." Tril tapped my shoulder. I looked at her at sumunod na sa kanila.
We jogged to reach the lighthouse. Tril was holding the torch that serves as our light along the way. Medyo masukal ang dinadaanan namin at sobrang dilim.
"Guys, wala naman sigurong nangangain ng buhay rito 'no?" Dem asked and you can clearly hear in his voice that he was scared. Ang laki ng katawan siya pa yung takot.
"Bakit natatakot ka?" Tril asked in a mocking tone.
"Syempre baka mamaya may magpakita na multo rito o zombies. O, 'di kaya may sumulpot na killer tapos pagtatagain tayo. Kagaya sa mga horror movies 'di ba ganitong-ganito 'yon e'." Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako sa lalaking 'to o maiinis. He's so illusional.
"Kakapanood mo 'yan ng movies." Elyt laughed at him.
"Guys, please stop it. Natatakot na ako!" Haliya interrupted and she was really frightened.
"Are you guys afraid being murdered?" tanong ko kaya napahinto sila.
"I'm afraid of being murdered by my thoughts," Tril answered. She has a point. It's scary to be murdered by no one but your own thoughts. The mind is so powerful; without control, it can kill you. "Kaya kayo tumigil na kayo sa kakaisip ng kung ano-ano!" she added.
We continued to jog until we reach the lighthouse. The lights flicker. Minsan mabagal, minsan mabilis.
"Here we are. So, ano na ang gagawin natin dito?" Dem questioned. Elyt checked the doors. It was locked.
"Guys! Look above the door," sabi ni Haliya. We looked up at may nakita kaming carved na 'Follow the brightest lights.'
May napansin din akong mga mga numbers sa mga pader nakapalibot ito sa lighthouse. Malalaki siya kaya kita talaga. Then I realized something. Hindi kaya mali kami?
"I guess we followed the wrong lights," Haliya said. We looked at her curiously.
"Wait, don't tell me that it was the fireworks?" tanong ni Demyr.
"Kaya siguro halos lahat sila doon pumunta," Tril said, she also observed what I've seen. Lumayo si Elyt sa'min at tumingala sa taas. Ang isang mata nito'y nakapikit, dahil siguro sa ilaw, habang nakapamulsa ito.
"It's either we've been trick or we seek it," sabi nito habang patuloy na nakatingala. I guess he thought what I was thinking.
"What do you mean?" Haliya asked.
"We're on the right track," he said.
Out of the blue, nagsalita ako, "I agree!" They all look at me.
"Those fireworks are only a way to trick us. Yes, among the two, the fireworks produce the brightest lights. They thought it was the clue but it's not. The lighthouse is the clue," he explained. I'm right he was thinking about what's in my mind.
"Wait, can you enlighten us?" Tril asked.
"Those flickers are not normal. Mostly the lighthouse light goes around or is just static. Kapag ganito may pinapahiwatig ito. It's either a message or something," sabi nito and looked up again.
"The light that flickers are Morse codes, are they?" tanong ko kaya nakuha ko ulit ang atensyon nila.
"I'm glad I'm with a great mind." Elyther smirked at me.
"Guys, you both are smart!" Haliya exclaimed. Lumapit ako sa tabi ni Elyt at tumingala. Sumunod na rin sa tabi namin ang tatlo. Haliya was beside Elyt. Tril was beside me and Dem was beside Tril. We all look up.
"Are we all aware of what Morse codes are?" tanong ni Elyt. Haliya and Tril answered with a yes.
"Sandali? Ano ba 'yon? Ako lang ba bobo rito?" Dem questioned.
"It's an alphabet or code in which letters are represented by combinations of long and short signals of light or sound. It is mostly known for dots and dash," I explained.
"Oh, okay." Tumango- tango ito. "Hindi ko pa rin gets." He laughed. All of us just looked at him seriously.
"Just observe the lights. Kapag bumilis siya, it represents as dots. Kapag naman mabagal o naging static yung ilaw, it represents a dash," Elyt continue to explain while looking above.
"Let's start decoding this," saad naman ni Tril.
"Ganito kapag dots we should say flick at kapag dash we should say static. Someone takes a note," sabi ko.
"Wait, I have a book in here. We can use it." Kinuha naman nito ang libro sa bag niya nang may bigla itong narealize. "Nakalimutan ko wala pala akong ballpen." Napakamot ito sa batok. Napansin kong may mga pantal ito ng kalmot sa leeg niya. Hinayaan ko lang ito.
"Problema ba 'yon? Ang lawak ng lupa o'!" Dem interrupted. Sa wakas may ambag na rin siya.
"May kwenta ka rin naman pala," sabi ni Elyt dito.
"I'm a smart guy. Don't touch me!" pagmamayabang nito habang pinapagpag ang t-shirt.
"Akala mo naman may hahawak sa'yo. Mukha kang germs," pang-aasar ni Tril. Natawa naman si Haliya. Elyt just smirked at ako wala paring emosyon na bumabalot sa mukha ko.
"Hoy! Below the belt ka a'! Ang ganda-ganda mo ang sama ng ugali mo. Pinsan mo ba si Lucifer?" Nakapamewang ito. Tril just give him a middle finger. Actually, as a man, Demyr has an attractive look, he looks like that heartthrob in school na palaging tinitilian kapag dadaan sa hallway.
Bago pa man mag-asaran ang dalawa, I interrupted, "Stop that nonsense. Time is running out."
"Let's do it," Elyt added. Nagsimula nang maghanap si Haliya ng sanga ng kahoy para gawing pansulat. Elyt and I started to recite, salitan kaming dalawa.
static, static
flick, static
static, flick
static, static, static
static, static
flick, flick, flick
flick, static
static, flick, flick
flick
static
flick, flick
flick
flick, static, flick
flick, flick, flick
Napahinto kami kasi biglang umikot na ang ilaw ng lighthouse. I guess it's a sign na hanggang doon lang ang codes.
"Wala na?" Napatingin sila sa'min.
"Tapos na," sabi ni Elyt.
"What have we got?" I asked. I looked at the ground. The codes look like this;
[ -- .- -. ... .. --- -. -... - .. . .-. --- ]
"Wait guys, paano natin ito made-decode? 'Di natin alam kung anong letters 'to kasi magkakadikit?" Haliya asked.
Tama si Haliya, we can't decode it.
"We need to separate it," Elyt suggested.
I heard someone calling my name from a distant. Napalingon ako at may nakita akong shadow ng babae. Nakatalikod ito kaya 'di ko maaninag, naglakad ito sa likod ng lighthouse hanggang sa mawala. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng takot. Am I seeing a ghost?
My body froze for a second. Hanggang sa may humawak sa braso ko kaya medyo nagulat ako.
"Hoy! Alakin, nakikinig ka ba?" It was Tril.
"A-ah oo." I pretend.
"Kanina ka pa namin tinatanong. Wala ka na naman sa sarili mo. Sigurado ka bang okay ka lang?" tanong nito.
"I'm fine, don't mind me," I insisted.
"So, ano na may idea ka na ba?" tanong ni Dem. Tumingin ulit ako sa bandang gawi kung saan ko nakita yung babae at may napansin ako rito.
"The numbers," sabi ko kaya napatingin silang lahat sa'kin.
"What?" they all questioned in unison.
"There are numbers on the walls. Nakapalibot ito. I think we can use it to separate those codes. Kaya siguro the lights started to spin, because it was the clue," sabi ko at tinuro ang mga numero.
"Ang galing mo, Alakin!" Dem exclaimed.
"I'll go get the numbers. Stay here." Tril volunteered, since siya naman ang may dala ng torch.
"Tril! Sundan mo lang ang direksyon sa pag-ikot ng light. I think it would be the sequence. Be careful!" Napahinto ito sabay tango sa'kin. Besides, I'm worried. What if she sees the ghost? Or maybe I'm just illusional again.
Pinagmasdan lang naming siya hanggang sa makalapit siya sa wall ng lighthouse. She memorized every number, habang papaikot ito sa likod. Now we can't see her, but the light of the torch is still visible. Ang tagal niya roon.
"Ano na kaya ang nangyayari kay Tril?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Haliya.
"Hoy, Tril! Humihinga ka pa ba d'yan?" Demyr yelled. We get no response kaya nakakapagtaka. Suddenly, we heard her scream. Agad-agad kaming sumunod at pinuntahan siya.
"Tril!?" tawag ni Haliya rito. Pagdating namin sa likod, nakahandusay ito, kaya kinabahan kami.
"Hoy! Tril!" Lumapit sa kaniya si Demyr at tinignan kung humihinga ito, nang bigla itong tumawa ng napakalakas kaya napaatras at napaupo si Demyr.
"I got it!" sabi nito at bumangon.
"Gaga ka! Papatayin mo ba ako sa takot?" he exclaimed, habang nakahawak ito sa puso niya.
Tinawanan nito si Dem na sobrang takot na takot ang mukha. Nakakainis 'tong babaeng 'to, puro kalokohan lang din ang alam. Kung hindi lang masamang manakit ng babae talaga.
"Gosh! Tril we thought something happened to you. Pinag-alala mo kami," Haliya said at halatang takot na takot pa rin.
"Pinag-alala mo kami sa wala. Tumayo ka na d'yan," I added. Tumayo na ito habang pinapagpag ang damit nito.
"Kumalma kayo! Tinignan ko lang kung may pake kayo kung sakaling may mangyari sa isa sa'tin. Baka mamaya iwan niyo na lang e'. I'm glad I'm with a group of people who has a heart of gold," sabi nito at tumingin kay Demyr na pinagtatawanan niya pa rin. Tinarayan ito ni Dem at bumalik sa pwesto namin, sumunod na rin kami.
"What did you get?" Elyt asked her. She started to write on the ground.
[ 22232323112133 ]
"Are you sure this is correct?" I asked. Tumingin siya sa'kin.
"Wala ka bang tiwala sa memorization skills ko?" tanong nito.
"Wala," I replied. Nanlaki ang mga mata nito.
"Ang sama talaga ng ugali mo," sabi nito sa'kin. I gazed at her.
"I know," I respond, she just smirked.
"Guys, I think I knew it. I will now decode it. I will put the corresponding letters," Elyt interrupted and started to separate the codes. It looks like this. Note that " / " is just a separator.
[ -- /.- /-. /... /.. / ---/ -. /-../. /- /.. /. /.-./ --- ]
[ 2 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 2 / 3 / 2 / 3 /1/ 1/ 2/ 1 / 3/ 3 ]
That means this is the decipher.
M --
A .-
N -.
S ...
I ..
O ---
N -.
D-..
E .
T -
I ..
E .
R .-.
O ---
"The code is MANSION DE TIERO," Elyt said and turned to us.
"What does that mean?" tanong ni Demyr.
"We should go in there," Elyt replied.
"But we don't know where that is?" Tril asked.
"That's right and we don't know what's in there!" Dem mumbled at mukhang takot na takot. Napakamatatakutin talaga ng taong ito.
"Duwag ka lang e'," pang-aasar ulit ni Tril.
"'Di ako duwag, natatakot lang ako sa p'wedeng mangyari. We don't know what's in there," giit nito.
"We have no choice but to go in there," I insisted. Napabuntong hininga na lang ito.
"But how?" tanong ni Haliya. Kinuha ko ang iPad ko at sinubukan kong i-search ngunit wala itong signal.
"We need to find it ourselves," I suggested. They just agreed at naglakad na kami. Hindi namin alam kung saan kami patungo. We go to the west.
Ilang oras pa ang nakalipas. I was exhausted, all of us, I guess. I'm so thirsty too. Tapos kumakalam pa ang sikmura ko sa gutom. I don't even know why are we doing this?
"Guys, wait. Tigil muna tayo. Napapagod na ako," Haliya requested. "Naiihi na rin ako. Sorry," dagdag pa nito. Napatingin kaming lahat sa kaniya.
"Doon ka na lang umihi." Sabay turo ni Tril sa madilim na parte. I don't know but this is really awkward. Tumalikod na lang kami. Maya-maya pa ay narinig namin na sumigaw si Haliya. Lumapit si Tril sa kaniya.
"What happened?" rinig namin ang bawat salita, kasi kami lang naman ang narito bukod sa ingay ng mga hayop na bumabalot sa gubat.
"Guys! Come here!" sigaw ni Tril. Lumapit naman kami.
"Look!" Tinuro niya ang lumang welcome sign na natatabunan ng mga dahon. Kinuha namin ito at doon bumungad ang sign na 'Welcome! Mansion De Tiero'.
Sinundan namin ng tingin ang direksyon na tinuturo nito, at may nakita kaming isang maliit na cabin. It was abandoned. Luma na rin ito, natatabunan ito ng mga dahon. Kaya siguro mahirap siyang hanapin. Lumapit kami rito. Sa totoo lang nakakatakot ang lugar na ito.
"Guys, sigurado ba kayo rito?" tanong ni Demyr at mukhang kinakain na naman ito ng takot.
"We're already here. There's no turning back," sabi ni Elyt.
The moment he opened the door, all of us screamed. It echoed around. Namatay rin ang torch namin.
A body just appeared in front of us, it has a knife on her back and multiple wounds can be seen on her body.
"Sandali! It was fake! It's a mannequin!" sigaw ni Tril at nilapitan ito. Akmang hahawakan na niya ito, but I noticed something.
"Don't touch it!" She stopped and they all gazed at me. Lumapit ako rito. Her eyes are wide open, and she was looking in a certain direction, sa loob ng bahay.
Pumasok ako nang walang katakot- takot at sinundan ang direksyon ng titig niya.
"I need lights!" Lumapit si Tril sa'kin, and she used her lighter to give a light. Binasa namin ang naka-vandalize na sulat sa hagdan. I don't know if it was blood or just paint.
"I need justice!" Tril and I exchanged looks. Tapos may nakita akong date naka-carved. 06/12/18.
Lumapit sa'min ang tatlo.
"Don't tell me we are here for this?" Tril asked me.
"I think that answers our question, 'Why are we here?" sabi ko. "Have you heard of the saying, 'The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is a duty of the living to do so for them," I added, and they all look so strange at me. We all diverted our gaze to the fake body that is lying dead, but her eyes were so creepy as if it was alive and wanted to tell us something.
"So, this is Kampo Morte!" All of us said in unison when that realization hits us.