DETECTIVE FILES. File 1 (Published under PSICOM)

CHAPTER 26: BRIDLE VS ATHENA

"Hey, I have a bad feeling for today's activity. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi by section", wika ko sa kanila.

Napatingin naman sila sa akin. "I think so too. Is it by individual? Wag naman sana", Andi said.

"Good morning everyone! You might be wondering why you were not gathered by section, it's because you will not do the activity by section but as a whole", wika nito and everyone started whispering. As a whole huh? Ibig sabihin ay wala kaming kalaban?

Someone from the crowd raised his hands at nagtanong. "Does that mean na wala kaming kalaban sa activity na ito? Is this to measure our teamwork?"

Ma'am Mendez smiled at us. "Yes, this will measure your teamwork. This activity also measures your sense of responsibility, camaraderie, intellect and strength. But it doesn't mean that you have no opponent at all."

Nag-ingay ang bawat isa. Nagtataka ang lahat sa ibig sabihin nito. This isn't just a teamwork activity and we have an opponent? Don't tell me our opponent for the activity is the-

We heard cheers and chants na papalapit sa amin kaya napalingon kaming lahat sa pinanggalingan niyon.

"FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST! ATHENA IS THE BEST! FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH, TOGETHER WE WILL SHOUT! ATHEEEEEENA HIGH!"

Uh, them huh? Just as I thought! Lumapit ang mga ito sa amin at nagtipon din doon but they made sure that we didn't mix up. They take this seriously, eh? They booed at us ngunit hindi naman nagpatalo ang mga taga Bridle, gumanti ang mga ito.

"Okay, that's enough", wika ni Ma'am Mendez. "Just as you see, the activity is between the Athena High and Bridle. This activity is called the Olympian Obstacle. Since the campsite itself is named after the residence of the major gods and goddesses, we will assume that name in every activity. There's an obstacle course that you will be dealing with, and there are also series of questions or codes along the way na kailangan ninyong sagutan upang makalampas sa isang obstacle as a whole. There are envelopes na ibibigay sa inyo and after you passed all the obstacles, you have to arrange those letters inside the envelope to locate your banner and the first one to get their banner will be the winner, but there's a twist. Each one will have a scarf at kailangang nasa katawan ninyo iyon. Don't let your opponent get that scarf dahil paramihan ito ng nakuhang scarf ng kalaban. Once you lost your scarf, you are not allowed to continue the obstacle. Ang mga may pinakamaraming nakuhang scarf ay may reward. You will feast for dinner!"

Na-excite ang lahat. Sino ba'ng ayaw manalo? Nauumay na din kaming lahat sa mga ulam namin, we need a good dinner later lalo na at mahirap ang activity ngayon. We also don't want to lose against Athena! No way! Nagsimula na kaming bigyan ng mga scarf. We were given a blue scarves samantalang pula naman ang sa Athena.

"Athena will surely win the obstacle course because we got Khael!", the Athena students shouted. They cheered for their school and booed us.

Hindi rin naman nagpatalo ang mga taga-Bridle. "Nasa amin si Gray at Amber kaya kami ang mananalo! Kami rin ang may masarap na hapunan mamaya!", a Bridle student shouted at nag-ingay na rin ang mga taga-Bridle. They really think we're a big help huh?

"Okay, you may now start your planning within your team", Ma'am Mendez said at nagpulong na kami as well as the Athena students.

Gray stood up in front. "This is what we're going to do. As instructed, put your scarf in your body na madaling makita ng kalaban. Don't let anyone get that scarf at kunin niyo rin ang scarf nila. Wag kayong lalayo sa amin and listen to our instructions along the obstacle. Got it?"

Sabay na sumagot ang mga taga Bridle. "Roger!"

"Silvan, I guess this is a challenge for us. Good luck to your school, though you've got an advantage dahil nasa inyo si Special A, I wouldn't let Athena lose!", Khael shouted to us. Mukhang tapos na rin itong makipagpulong sa mga taga-Athena. Oh, what's with him calling me Special A in the public? It's embarrassing, lalo na't matiim na naman ang mga tingin ng mga taga Athena sa akin dahil sa tawag na iyon ni Khael.