Chapter LVI: Commutatio
As Liz wakes up with a sharp inhale, her heart still racing from the vivid dream. The weight of Bennett's words lingers in her mind. She turns her head and reaches for a framed photo of him on her nightstand. Holding it gently, she presses a soft kiss against the glass before setting it back down.
She forces herself out of bed and heads downstairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread fills the air. At the dining table, her grandmother sits with a warm smile, waiting for her.
"Have you found any clue about Bennett?" her grandmother asks, her voice laced with concern.
Liz shakes her head. "Not yet."
Dolores and Dominga exchange glances before one of them smirks. "Maybe he's just hiding somewhere, planning a grand surprise," Dolores jokes.
Dominga chuckles. "Or maybe he got tired of Liz and decided to play hide and seek."
Liz narrows her eyes at them. She isn't in the mood for jokes. The two immediately fall silent, awkwardly sipping their drinks.
After breakfast, Liz heads out, walking towards the school bus stop. The moment she steps onto the streets of Ciudad Fernandina, she notices something different. Colorful flyers hang from building to building, and large, vibrant banners drape across the entrance of the Catedral Metropolitana de San Pablo.
"It's the city fiesta," she mutters to herself, watching as vendors set up stalls and people gather in excitement.
As she arrives at school, the festive decorations continue. Bright streamers and small triangular flags flutter above the quadrangle, creating a lively atmosphere. Students chatter about the upcoming events, but Liz remains indifferent. Her mind is elsewhere.
Wyn greets her at the gate, but Liz only gives her a nod before heading straight to their classroom. Wyn frowns but follows closely behind.
Just as they approach the door, Brother Padilla walks past them and stops. "You two," he calls out. "There will be a camping event. Two days and two nights. You should consider joining."
Liz and Wyn glance at each other, uncertain. "We'll think about it," Wyn replies hesitantly.
As soon as Brother Padilla walks away, Liz exhales and leans against the wall. "I had another dream," she confesses to Wyn.
Wyn's eyes widen. "Again? What was it about?"
Liz recounts the details—the doves, the ravens, the saint's statue, and the ominous presence in the darkness. As she speaks, Wyn listens intently, occasionally nodding but growing visibly uneasy.
"That's… terrifying," Wyn admits. "And the timing of this camping trip feels suspicious. What if something happens while we're out there?"
Liz tightens her grip on her bag strap. "I've been thinking about that too. But then I remembered what Bennett told me in my dream."
Wyn frowns. "Which part?"
Liz steadies herself. "That we shouldn't let fear control us. I have a plan."
Wyn raises a skeptical eyebrow. "Oh? And what is it?"
"We'll give the spare key to the old chapel to Adrian," Liz explains. "While we're at the camping site, he'll go inside and rescue Bennett."
Wyn crosses her arms. "And what if Adrian is busy with his college work again?"
Liz pulls out her phone and starts typing. "I'll message him right now."
Before she can hit send, someone taps her shoulder from behind. She turns around, startled. Standing right there is Adrian, looking as calm as ever.
Both girls gasp in unison. Liz's fingers tighten around her phone as a sliver of doubt creeps into her mind. What if this isn't Adrian? What if it's something else?
She quickly sends the message and waits. A second later, Adrian's phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out, looks at the screen, then raises an eyebrow at her. "Uh, why are you messaging me when I'm right here?"
Liz exhales, her paranoia melting away. "Okay, it's really you."
Before Adrian can react, she lightly punches his arm. "Ow," he mutters, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"
"For scaring me," she huffs. "Now listen."
She and Wyn quickly explain the plan. Adrian listens carefully, his usual playful expression turning serious. When they finish, he nods. "I'll do it."
Liz blinks. "Just like that?"
Adrian sighs and leans against the wall. "There's something I haven't told you two."
Wyn tilts her head. "What is it?"
Adrian's gaze darkens as he recalls a memory. "A week before Bennett disappeared, we were hanging out. He told me something."
Liz and Wyn exchange glances but remain silent, letting him continue.
Adrian takes a deep breath and repeats Bennett's words. "'One day, if I'm ever gone—physically or spiritually—please take care of Liz and her best friend. You will be honored. If I can't watch them, who knows what evil will happen? Fear will keep us all in chains.'"
Liz feels a lump in her throat, and Wyn's hands tighten into fists.
"And what did you say to him?" Wyn asks quietly.
Adrian straightens his posture, his voice firm. "I promised him I would."
Snapping back to the present, he looks at them with unwavering determination. "So, I'll be watching over you during the camping trip. Whatever happens, I'll be there."
Liz's heart clenches at his words, but she quickly regains her composure. "Thank you, Adrian."
He shrugs. "You don't have to thank me. It's what Bennett wanted."
The first-period bell rings, cutting their conversation short. Liz and Wyn nod at Adrian before heading to their classroom. Adrian remains outside, watching them go.
As Liz enters the room, she glances at her phone one last time. She grips it tightly, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
They have a plan. They have each other.
And no matter what, she will find Bennett.
As the morning session comes to an end, Liz and Wyn chat Adrian, asking him to meet up at lunch. At lunchtime, they gather at the corner of the third floor of the High School Department.
"Ah, I still miss this department," Adrian says, looking around nostalgically.
"Well, it's still our department, and we are honored to be using it again after you and Bennett graduated from here," Wyn replies with a grin.
Liz clears her throat to get their attention. "Listen, Bennett told me in my dream that I need to have holy water, a crucifix, incense, and other sacred items—especially the sword."
Adrian leans against the wall, thinking. "What if the three of us go directly to the old chapel?"
Wyn nods in agreement, but Liz shakes her head firmly. "No, it's too risky. Since it's camping, I estimate that some altar servers will be present, and most likely, the officers will be there too. They'll definitely guard the old chapel."
Adrian crosses his arms. "Then what if you're the only one who goes camping?"
Wyn immediately shakes her head. "No way! I want to be there to protect Liz."
Watching their interaction, Adrian chuckles. "You two remind me of me and Bennett back then."
Liz and Wyn look at him curiously. Adrian continues, "We always had each other's backs, especially during the pandemic. Seeing you two now, it's like looking at a younger, gender-swapped version of us."
As he finishes speaking, Bro. Padilla passes by again and notices Adrian. His face lights up with delight. "Adrian! It's good to see you here."
The trio takes the opportunity to ask about the camping details. "So, Brother, when and where exactly is this camping happening?" Liz inquires.
"The camping will take place from the night of February 1 to the morning of February 3 before lunch. The venue will be at the quadrangle," Bro. Padilla explains before excusing himself to run some errands.
Once he's gone, the trio fist-bumps to seal their plan. Liz and Wyn then head to their classroom for their afternoon session.
At dismissal, Liz informs her grandma about the camping, and Wyn does the same with her mother. As they make their way home, they encounter heavy traffic near the Cathedral. They soon realize that a grand procession for St. Paul is taking place.
Later that night, Liz, Wyn, and Adrian video chat to finalize their plan. Liz and Wyn will participate in the camping while Adrian sneaks into the campus.
After the call, Liz kisses Bennett's photo, says a quiet prayer, and drifts off to sleep.