Immortal City

Chapter 40

Chapter 40
Upper Hand

It's the fourth week of Level 1, and this is the most crucial stage. Ito na ang huling linggo kung saan kakailanganin namin makakuha ng points. Mamayang gabi ipapaalam ang second clue. Last week ay sa reception hall ipinakita ang una—ang 425466. But since this time Immortal City lang ang qualified, I'm not sure how they will inform us about the next clue.

This week is the battle for the last clue. It's the last time we'll be needing points because on the last day of this Level, only five schools will remain in the competition. We need to make sure Immortal City is one of it.

"Luna, can I leave you here for a while?" tanong ko sa best friend ko nang makapasok na kami ng dormitory.

"Oo naman," sagot niya. "Nandito na sila Riley, 'wag ka mag-alala may kasama na naman ako."

I smile. "Okay. Babalikan kita bago magsimula ang first period."

"Celestine, don't worry about me. Magpapasama nalang ako kay Xaniel."

"Are you sure?" Because I might actually need the time.

"I'm sure."

"Okay, then. See you in class."

Luna laughs. "I'm blind, but sure, see you!"

I break into a smile and shake my head at her sillinness.

Lumabas na ako at nagsimulang hanapin ang dormitory ng Easton. I have half an hour before our first class starts and I need to find Daimon Clyde. I still have to tell him about what I'll be needing him for. Yes, we were together the other night but we didn't exactly talk. It was all...

Shit.

Naaalala ko na naman.

I inadvertently touch my neck and I feel my face heat up.

Natakpan ko naman ng maayos, 'di ba? When I looked at it this morning, it was no longer red patches but purple marks. Some are even darker. Sinigurado ko na sinunod ko ang turo ni Lucienne bago ako makaalis ng bahay kanina so I shouldn't feel this conscious.

Speaking of our home, I figured there's something really strange going on.

Kahapon pagkaalis nila Lucienne at Luna sa bahay, umalis din si Mama, tapos si Zairus. I was left alone in our home and I saw it as a chance to unlock the room my mother forbids us from entering. Kagaya ng dati ay naka-lock pa rin ang pintuan, but I managed to open it after successive tries. Pagkapasok ko ay halos wala naman pinagbago ang kwarto base sa ala-ala ko. Nothing seems to be odd. That's what I thought when I entered. That's what it wants me to think.

It was as if someone deliberately wants me to see it as a normal room. And that only makes me think it's strange.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nakarating na ako sa dormitory ng Easton sa tulong ni Rina. It would have been easier if my innovative device can just straight up lead me to Daimon, but Rina can only do that if it has detected him near the vicinity beforehand. Now I'm standing in front of their dormitory's door, suddenly nervous. It feels like I'm walking into a lion's den and the lions are the boys from Easton Academy. Still, I muster the courage to knock on their door.

Ilang sandali ang lumipas bago bumukas ang pintuan. Then I'm greeted by the man I arguably despise the most.

"If it isn't Celestine Demafelix," Dylan Wright says with a disgusting smirk. "What brings you here, babe? You finally decided to crawl under my sheets? I would've loved to if only your school didn't pull off that nasty stunt with the rankings."