Chapter LVIII: Praesidium
As the campers gather around the crackling campfire, the night sky blankets them in its quiet embrace. Bro. Padilla stands before them, his presence commanding yet warm, ready to begin his announcement.
"Welcome, everyone, to our annual Altar Servers Camping Retreat!" His voice carries over the flickering flames, capturing everyone's attention. "This year's theme is Duc in Altum, meaning 'Put out into the deep.' As altar servers, we are called to go beyond our comfort zones, to serve with faith and devotion, and to discover deeper spiritual meaning in our journey. This retreat is an opportunity for all of us to reflect, grow, and strengthen our bond as a community."
The campers exchange glances, some nodding in agreement, others listening intently. Liz and Wyn sit close together, their senses heightened by the mission they must fulfill.
"Before we begin with tonight's activities, let's start by sharing our expectations for this retreat. What do you hope to experience, to gain, or to learn?" Bro. Padilla asks, scanning the group.
Liz raises her hand confidently. Bro. Padilla acknowledges her with a nod. "Yes, Liz?"
"I believe this camping retreat will be very productive and spiritual. It will help us grow closer to our faith and understand our roles better as altar servers," Liz says, her voice steady and clear.
Bro. Padilla smiles. "Very good, Liz. That is exactly what we aim for."
Wyn also raises her hand and shares her expectations, speaking about camaraderie and personal growth. Bro. Padilla acknowledges her words with appreciation.
"Well said, Wyn. Now, let's go over tonight's activities," he continues. "We will have dinner around the campfire, followed by a special treat—s'mores! And as for tomorrow, we have a series of festivities planned, including team-building exercises, prayers, and reflections."
Liz's eyes shift to the figure standing beside Bro. Padilla—the President of the Altar Servers Ministry, Ivan Legarda. A chill runs down her spine. She nudges Wyn and whispers, "Keep an eye on him."
Wyn subtly nods. Just then, they notice a server approaching Ivan and whispering something into his ear. Ivan leans in, listens carefully, and then whispers back before the server walks away—heading in the direction of the old administration building, where the old chapel is.
Liz and Wyn exchange worried glances. Wasting no time, they discreetly text Adrian, who is already making his way toward the building.
Adrian reads the message and immediately ducks into one of the classrooms, staying hidden as he observes the unfolding events.
Back at the campfire, the campers collect their packed dinners. Liz and Wyn take theirs and sit together with the other girl servers, determined to stay vigilant and protect them from any unknown threats.
A group of boys approaches them. One of them smirks and asks, "How old are you girls?"
The other boys chuckle, exchanging knowing looks. Liz and Wyn exchange glances but choose to ignore them.
Another boy leans in. "Hey, beauty, are you looking for a man right now?"
The girls beside them shake their heads, signaling not to engage with the boys. Liz clenches her jaw, ready to speak, but Wyn beats her to it.
"Back off, boys! Our privacy only!" she snaps.
The boys immediately quiet down, startled by her sharp tone.
Bro. Padilla, noticing the tension, walks over and sits among them. "Boys, behave yourselves," he says firmly before turning his attention to the group as a whole. "Let's talk about our duties and experiences as altar servers."
He goes around, asking each camper to share their experiences and thoughts. When he reaches Liz, he gives her an expectant look.
"Liz, you are wonderful, knowing all these things before anyone else did. How did you know, or where did you learn all this? Were—or are—you a server in a parish?"
Liz hesitates. A wave of memories crashes into her mind—memories of Bennett introducing her to the role of an altar server, of him explaining the deep significance of service, of their moments together, where he patiently taught her the sacred duties, the seriales, and the proper etiquette. She remembers his words about devotion, about renouncing her old ways to embrace the light.
A lump forms in her throat, but she swallows it down. She looks up at Bro. Padilla and, with a steady voice, responds.
"Someone special taught me. Someone who enlightened me, who showed me that serving isn't just about rituals, but about faith, love, and sacrifice. He made me see that true service is a reflection of one's heart, and through it, I found a purpose greater than myself."
A hush falls over the group. Some of the younger campers look at her with admiration, while Bro. Padilla nods approvingly.
"That," he says, "is an inspiring answer. Service is not just about knowing what to do, but understanding why we do it."
The campers nod in agreement. Liz bites her lip, holding back the emotions that threaten to surface. She knows she cannot reveal that it was Bennett who taught her—but in a way, his presence lingers in every word she speaks.
As dinner concludes, Bro. Padilla leads the prayer for after meals. The campers then join together in singing gospel songs, with Bro. Padilla playing the guitar. The melodies echo through the night, blending with the soft rustle of the trees.
Finally, they gather in prayer, reciting the night prayer before retreating to their tents.
Liz and Wyn reach their tent and secure the door, ensuring they are safe for the night. As they settle into their sleeping bags, they exchange a glance, silently acknowledging the challenges ahead.
With that, they close their eyes, knowing that the night is far from over.
As Liz and Wyn settle into their tent, exhaustion from the day's events quickly lulls them into sleep.
"Good night, Liz," Wyn whispers.
"Good night, Wyn," Liz replies softly.
The cool night breeze sways the fabric of the tent gently, and the soft murmurs of the other campers blend with the distant crackling of the dying campfire.
In the depths of slumber, Liz finds herself transported into a dream. She stands in an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar world, her heart pounding as she realizes the date displayed on a glowing panel in front of her—March 28. Eleven days after her birthday. Confusion swirls in her mind as she stares at the holographic screen, where a conversation is frozen in time. Her fingers tremble as she reads the harsh words she had sent to Bennett in this alternate reality. It was a simple message about an assignment, but the way she had worded it was cutting, unkind. The realization of her past actions weighs heavy on her chest.
Before she can process the depth of her emotions, a sudden shift occurs. The dreamscape distorts, and she is transported to Bennett's room. The warmth of the familiar space embraces her, but an eerie sense of urgency lingers in the air. Bennett stands there, watching her with a knowing expression.
"Liz, be safe," he says, his voice steady but laced with concern. "You are already exposed to the enemy."
Liz's heart clenches at his words, but before she can question him further, Bennett turns away. "Wait for a minute. I'll be out for a while. Just watch what's on the monitor," he instructs before stepping out of the room.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, the tranquility of their tent is disturbed. A shadowy figure inches closer, stealthily unzipping the tent's door. A hand creeps in, reaching for Liz's leg. The touch is cold, foreign. But as the fingers tighten around her ankle, she instinctively wiggles in her sleep, unknowingly evading the grasp.
Within the dream world, Bennett strides into another realm, where Wyn's consciousness resides. His voice echoes in her dream, sharp and urgent. "Gladius! At 7 o'clock!"
Wyn stirs in her sleep, confused by the cryptic message. The words resonate within her, but their meaning remains elusive.
Back in the real world, the shadowy hand persists, undeterred. It lunges again, this time gripping Liz's pajama, attempting to tug it down. However, Wyn, still deep in her dream, suddenly experiences a surge of clarity.
"Are you pulling my legs now?" Bennett's voice rings in her head, snapping her into awareness. She gasps, realization dawning upon her. The words were not just a cryptic puzzle—they were a warning.
Jolting awake, Wyn's eyes widen in horror as she spots the trespassing hand attempting to strip Liz. Rage surges through her veins. Without hesitation, she kicks at the arm with all her strength, her foot making solid contact. The hand recoils but remains persistent.
Back in Liz's dream, the monitor flickers to life, revealing a gut-wrenching sight. In the alternate reality where she is labeled a bogus buyer, Bennett suffers immensely. His body trembles as he coughs violently, blood splattering onto his hands. His resources are depleted, and the weight of his struggles presses heavily upon him. Liz's breath catches in her throat, tears welling up in her eyes.
"No... this isn't right," she whispers, the sight carving an unbearable ache in her heart.
Meanwhile, in Wyn's dream, she pieces together the warning. She jolts upright, adrenaline coursing through her system.
Back in reality, the hand makes one final attempt, gripping Liz's pajama tightly. Wyn doesn't hesitate. She lets out a bloodcurdling scream, startling the entire campsite.
Flashlights flicker on as the other girl campers rush toward their tent, their lights converging on the perpetrator. A boy, his face partially hidden in the dim glow, stands frozen in place. Recognition dawns upon them—Blue dela Peña, one of the servers.
Without a second thought, the girls unleash their fury. They punch and kick him, their collective rage overpowering his feeble attempts to shield himself. He stumbles, and they seize the opportunity to drag him toward Bro. Padilla's tent.
Bro. Padilla emerges, his face a mixture of concern and anger. As the situation is explained, his expression hardens. Without delay, he calls Blue's parents, instructing them to pick him up immediately.
As the commotion settles, Bro. Padilla turns his attention to Wyn, his voice calm yet firm. "You did well in protecting your bestie." He places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But next time, don't hesitate to call for help sooner."
Wyn nods, her body still trembling from the ordeal. Meanwhile, Liz remains in deep slumber, her consciousness still anchored in the dream realm.
Back in the dream, Bennett returns to his room, his presence offering an unspoken comfort. Without a word, he steps forward and presses a soft kiss to Liz's forehead.
"I'm sorry you had to see that again, Liz. But don't worry, I'm very much alive in this universe".
A warmth spreads through her, melting away the sorrow and fear clinging to her soul.
And then, just like that, she wakes up, not knowing what happened. She sees Wyn getting back from the outside.
"Where have you've been?", Liz asks.
"Ohh, uhm, I just went out to get some water", Wyn responds.
"Alright, let's continue sleeping then, Good night", Liz says to her and sleeps.
Wyn, asks herself if she's still going to tell her what happened earlier tomorrow, yet knowing the depth of the situation, she will soon tell her tomorrow about it.