Chapter XLIV: Lumena Semitae Meae
Liz steps down the stairs, the scent of warm soup drifting through the air. The morning light filters through the windows, casting a soft glow over the dining table where Dolores and Dominga sit. Their fingers run over a rosary with dark red beads, murmuring to themselves as they examine it closely.
Liz pulls out a chair and sits across from them. She watches as they continue to roll the beads between their fingers, their expressions shifting between curiosity and unease.
"This color," Dolores mutters, squinting. "It's like blood red. Don't you think?"
Dominga hums in agreement, holding the rosary up to the light. "Almost like Vlad's name. Vlad. Blood red. You remember him, Liz?"
The mention of that name makes Liz's stomach tighten. She grips her spoon tighter and exhales sharply. "Enough," she snaps. "The past is past."
Both women freeze. They stare at Liz as if she just uttered something unnatural. Their minds seem to drift elsewhere, lost in a thought neither of them dares to voice. No one else has ever said that phrase—not like that. Not with that certainty, that conviction.
Dolores tilts her head. "Where did you hear that?"
"Yeah," Dominga adds, eyes narrowing. "That doesn't sound like you. You always say the past will hurt and leave a permanent mark."
Liz sets her spoon down and leans back. "People change."
But her aunts aren't satisfied with that. They exchange a glance before returning their gaze to her, their curiosity piqued. Liz sighs. "Fine," she mutters. "I'll tell you why."
She grips the warm bowl between her hands, staring into the broth as memories flood her mind. The words that have echoed in her head for so long return to her now, forcing her to relive the moment when she first heard them.
She stands across from Bennett, frustration tightening her throat. The glow of her phone screen reflects off her face as she glares at the notification.
"Hey, did you friend Vlad on FacePage?" she demands.
Bennett furrows his brows. "No. Why would I?"
Liz shakes her head, holding up her phone. "Don't lie to me. I can see it right here! You added him!"
Bennett exhales, his patience already wearing thin. "I told you, I didn't. I have no reason to."
But Liz refuses to let it go. "Just tell me the truth!"
Finally, he stops walking. His hands clench into fists as his voice lowers, calm yet firm. "Believe those who have been open with you rather than those you know nothing about."
Those words. They cut through her anger like a blade. Something about the way he says them, about the certainty in his voice, makes her stomach sink. And yet, she believes him.
The flashback ends, and Liz stares at her aunts, her fingers lightly tapping against the table. "The more I think about it, the past is past," she murmurs. "It will only hurt more if you dwell on it negatively. But if you see how it shaped you, how it made you better, then it's not something to regret."
Dolores and Dominga exchange glances again, this time with a newfound respect in their eyes. A slow smile spreads across Dominga's face. "Well," she says, "that's new."
Dolores nods. "And we're proud of you for it."
Liz smiles faintly before finishing her breakfast. With no classes for the day, she heads upstairs and flops onto her bed, pulling out her phone. Her fingers move quickly as she types a message to Wyn and Adrian about the plan to go to Bennett's house.
Wyn responds almost immediately. "Are we still on?"
"Yeah," Liz replies. "But Adrian, do you know if there are any changes in Bennett's house?"
A few minutes pass before Adrian responds. "Yeah. The house next door—the main Querubin Family House—got renovated. But only up to one floor. Now it's level with Bennett's second floor, right next to his room."
Liz frowns, absorbing the information. "So, it's easier to access his room now?"
"Technically, yeah," Adrian replies. "And as his best friend since high school, I can tell you—he has a lot of things in that room. Treasures, even. But since you have permission to enter, he'll probably lead you through it in a dream."
Liz stares at the screen, thinking about the dream she had last night, about Bennett's instructions. She begins typing again. "Bennett already told me what we need."
"Yeah? What's the plan?" Wyn asks.
Liz takes a deep breath and starts explaining. "The credit card is the lock for the sliding window in case it's locked. The flashlight is to shine through the darkness and guide us to the room, where we'll turn on the lights. But the crucifix..." Her fingers hover over the screen as she hesitates. "We don't know what the crucifix is for yet."
Silence follows. Then Adrian responds. "The crucifix you got from the base compartment of the Mother Mary statue, right?"
"Yeah."
"It has to be important. If Bennett included it, then it has a purpose."
Liz nods to herself. She knows that. But what is that purpose? Why did Bennett insist she bring it?
As she ponders, her fingers unconsciously reach for the paper Bennett gave her in the dream. She holds it between her fingers, staring at it as if it will suddenly reveal its secrets.
"I'll figure it out," she whispers to herself. "Oh Wait, I got something to show you guys."
She remembers Bennett handing it to her in the dream, but how did it end up here? Her mind swirls with disbelief. She shows them the paper.
Adrian and Wyn lean in closer to the call, eyes wide with curiosity. "Wait, are you telling us that you woke up holding something from your dream?" Adrian asks, his voice tinged with amazement.
"That's insane! What does it say?" Wyn presses.
Liz hesitates, staring at the folded paper. "I haven't checked yet. I was too shocked to think about it."
With a deep breath, she carefully unfolds the paper. The handwriting is unmistakably Bennett's. A shiver runs down her spine.
Adrian and Wyn wait in anticipation, but Liz simply stares at the words, lost in thought. She decides not to read them aloud just yet. "Let's focus on the plan first," she says, tucking the note into her pocket.
The three of them quickly map out their approach. Wyn will serve as the lookout, ensuring no one spots them entering Bennett's house. Adrian will assist Liz in getting inside without drawing suspicion.
Once the plan is set, they silently agree that their mission is as much about finding answers as it is about reconnecting with Bennett's presence in some way. To solidify their intentions, Adrian visits the candle station in front of the cathedral grotto, lighting a candle for Bennett. Wyn does the same at home, whispering a quiet prayer. Liz, in her own way, follows suit, her flame flickering with the weight of everything she is about to face.
That night, Liz drifts into sleep, and just as expected, Bennett appears in her dreams. He stands before her, his expression calm yet urgent. "Liz, before anything else, I need you to reminisce about us. I have to reach someone tonight, and memories will guide you."
Confused but trusting him, Liz allows her mind to slip into an old memory. She finds herself standing beside Bennett in a shopping mall, the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery filling the air. They wander through stores, laughing at ridiculous items, before heading to the city zoo. There, they admire the animals, hand in hand, then move on to the botanical garden, where Bennett playfully tucks a flower behind Liz's ear.
As the memory plays out, the scene shifts elsewhere. Meanwhile, in the real world, Dolores and Dominga finish cleaning the table and head upstairs for the night. As they drift into sleep, something strange happens.
They find themselves in the same dream—a shared space, their minds intertwining in a way neither of them understands. A thick cloud swirls before them, curling like tendrils of mist, and in the center, a peculiar crozier emerges. It is adorned with three bars stemming from its staff.
Their hearts pound as a figure steps forward from the mist. The presence is powerful yet comforting, and as the light fades slightly, they recognize the robes—a bishop stands before them.
It is St. Ildephonse, the patron saint of Bantaoan.
Their fear grips them, but the bishop raises a hand in reassurance. "Do not be afraid, for someone is reaching you. Through my intercession, you shall find him."
In the blink of an eye, he vanishes, and the whirling cloud carries them to a familiar place—a room Liz and her grandmother know well. The family room with the sliding door.
Dominga and Dolores exchange nervous glances before moving toward the window. Outside, two arches stand prominently, one reading "Town of Esperanza" and the other "Brgy. Remedios."
A figure approaches them from the shadows.
"Welcome to my family room," Bennett says with a soft smile.
The two aunts stand frozen, unable to comprehend the reality of what they are experiencing. "Is this… really you?" Dolores asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
Bennett nods. "Well, I am trapped in the old chapel. Something mad and bad happened to me."
Dominga swallows hard. "What happened?"
Bennett's expression darkens slightly. "Liz will tell you."
They watch him, absorbing his every word. Despite his situation, there is a light in his eyes—a warmth they had once taken for granted.
"She has grown so much," Bennett continues, his voice full of admiration. "You may not see it clearly yet, but she is stronger now. And I am so proud of her."
The two aunts glance at each other. The guilt they carry from the past weighs heavily on them.
"Bennett," Dominga begins, her tone laced with regret, "we are sorry. We spoiled Liz too much, and when you tried to balance her, we treated you unfairly."
Dolores nods. "But the truth is… we always saw you as family. Not just Liz's boyfriend, but someone who belonged with us."
A silence lingers before Bennett smiles. It is a genuine, forgiving smile. "That means a lot."
Without another word, the three embrace. The warmth of the hug lingers even as the dream begins to fade.
Before they wake, they make a promise. "Stay safe, Bennett," Dolores whispers. "We will find you."
Back in the waking world, both aunts shoot upright in bed, breathless. Without hesitation, they step out of their room, light candles at the altar, and bow their heads in prayer.
Meanwhile, in Liz's dream, the memory of the zoo and gardens fades, and she finds herself back with Bennett.
"Liz, let's talk about the plan. You need to take one purple vigil candle. Have a priest bless it. Carry it when you enter my room."
Liz listens carefully, taking mental notes.
"The candle will be the light," Bennett says gently. "As if Jesus himself is walking with you."
Liz's heart swells with determination. "I will do it, Bennett. I promise."
A soft smile graces his lips. He pulls her into an embrace, their foreheads touching. The closeness between them feels more real than ever, as if time has folded in on itself. They linger in the moment, wrapping themselves in the comfort of their love.
Before the dream ends, Bennett presses a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Be careful, Liz."
She awakens, her heart pounding, her purpose clearer than ever.