Chapter XXXII: The First Clue
Liz drifts into sleep, her mind slipping into another dream. She finds herself walking through Escolta, the cobblestone street lined with structures made of bricks and lime. The air carries a nostalgic scent, a mixture of aged stone and history. The glow of street lamps flickers against the night sky, casting long shadows that dance along the pavement.
As she strolls, her eyes catch something intriguing inside a small souvenir shop. The wooden sign creaks slightly in the breeze as she steps closer, peering into the dimly lit interior. The shop is filled with statues of saints, each sculpted with lifelike detail, their glassy eyes reflecting the candlelight. The solemn expressions of the figures make her shiver, yet she feels drawn to them.
Her gaze shifts to a small shelf near the counter, where she spots something unexpected—a biscuit from the uplands, neatly wrapped and sealed. The sight of it sparks a distant memory, though she can't quite grasp it. She picks it up and walks towards the counter, placing it gently before the cashier.
"Is that all?" a voice asks from behind the dim light.
Something about the tone unsettles her. The shop is dark, and she can barely make out the cashier's face. A strange unease creeps up her spine. The cashier suddenly steps forward into the light, revealing a familiar figure with a mischievous grin.
Bennett.
Liz gasps and stumbles back. He bursts into laughter, his bright smile filling the room. Before she can react, the scene shifts in an instant. The walls dissolve, the shelves vanish, and suddenly she is no longer in the shop.
She finds herself inside Bennett's room.
Confused, she looks down and realizes her wardrobe has once again betrayed her, the attire she's wearing becoming more elaborate than necessary. Her face burns with embarrassment.
Bennett, still amused, snaps his fingers, and the extravagant clothes vanish, replaced by a simple house outfit.
She exhales in relief and moves toward the bed, letting herself sink into the familiar comfort of it. The air smells just as she remembers—warm, safe, and unmistakably Bennett.
He sits beside her, his eyes twinkling with something unreadable.
"Now that the eagle has been notified, the plan will be carried out."
Liz blinks at him, puzzled.
"The eagle? What are you talking about?"
Bennett doesn't answer directly. Instead, he waves his hand, and an image appears in the space between them. A large bust of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands before her, glowing faintly. Her breath catches as she stares at it, feeling as though she is being drawn toward something deeper, something she has yet to fully understand.
As she looks closer, a realization dawns upon her. In her hands, she holds a key. An ornate, intricate key that pulses with warmth.
Bennett watches her with quiet satisfaction.
"You see it now, don't you?"
Liz nods slowly. It all starts making sense.
He pulls her into a hug, warm and firm, a gesture that makes her feel anchored despite the mysteries surrounding them. Without thinking, she tugs him onto the bed, refusing to let go.
Outside the dream, in reality, Dominga and Dolores stand by Liz's bedside, watching in amusement as she clutches her pillow tightly, a small, contented smile playing on her lips.
"She's at it again," Dominga whispers, nudging Dolores.
Dolores smirks.
"Do we wake her up?"
Dominga crosses her arms.
"Let's give her a few more minutes."
They exchange glances before quietly slipping away, leaving Liz lost in her dream world, wrapped in the presence of the one she longs to find again.
Liz drifts deeper into her dream, wrapped in warmth as she nestles into Bennett's embrace. His arms are firm, yet gentle, and she finds herself confessing in the quiet hush of the dream world.
"I feel bad about everything," Liz murmurs against his chest, her voice barely above a whisper. "All the things I said, the way I treated you... I—I was selfish."
Bennett chuckles softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Liz, let it go. You're here now."
She sighs, her fingers gripping his shirt.
"But I hurt you."
"And yet, you're the one in my arms." He smiles, his voice light, teasing. "No more guilt trips. We've got work to do."
Liz exhales sharply, forcing a grin. "Fine."
"Good. Now, after you get the first one, you'll have to find the one in the garden. The one I planted there."
Before Liz can ask what he means, Bennett's fingers dart to her sides, tickling her mercilessly. She yelps, squirming under his grasp.
"B-Bennett! Stop!" she shrieks between laughter, but he only grins wider.
"Oh, you're in trouble now," he warns playfully, intensifying his attack.
Liz retaliates, fingers darting against his ribs, their laughter echoing through the dream world. But then—
She freezes.
Something wet seeps beneath her.
She glances at Bennett, eyes wide in horror.
"Tell me that's you."
Bennett tilts his head, suppressing a grin.
"It's not me, Liz. And if I were you, I wouldn't look down."
Her heart stops.
She wakes up.
Liz bolts upright in bed, breathless. Then she feels it—something damp beneath her.
No. No, no, no.
She whirls toward Dominga and Dolores, who stand at the foot of her bed, hands over their mouths, bodies shaking as they try to contain their laughter.
"You two—" Liz's voice is a mix of dread and fury. "Did you do this?!"
That's all it takes. The dam breaks.
Dominga and Dolores burst into full-blown laughter, doubling over.
"We—We couldn't help it!" Dominga gasps between wheezes. "You were—oh my gosh—you were cuddling and kissing your pillow like it was him! We just... we just gave you a little nudge!"
"A little nudge?!" Liz gapes at them, mortified. "I peed myself!"
Dolores wipes tears from her eyes.
"Not our fault you were so deep in dreamland."
Liz groans, burying her face in her hands.
"I hate you both."
They only laugh harder.
After a quick change and a rushed breakfast, Liz marches off to school with her grandmother. The embarrassment still lingers, but she pushes it aside. There's work to be done.
She spots Wyn waiting at the gate.
"We need to go to the cathedral."
Wyn blinks.
"Well, Good morning to you too."
"No time for pleasantries. Just trust me."
Wyn sighs but follows her without argument.
At the cathedral, they step inside and wander toward the altar. And then—they see it.
A large bust of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Just like in her dream.
Liz's heart pounds as she reaches into her pocket, pulling out the key Bennett had shown her. She steps closer, determination burning in her veins.
But just as she lifts her hand—
"Hey!" A voice rings out behind them.
An acolyte approaches, expression suspicious.
"What are you two doing?"
Liz hides the key behind her back, forcing a smile.
"Just... admiring."
The acolyte doesn't seem convinced.
"This area is off-limits to students."
Liz grits her teeth. They need a plan.
Back at school, Liz refuses to let the failed attempt deter her. At lunch, she pulls out her phone and messages Adrian.
Liz: Meet me at the cathedral after school. It's urgent.
No response.
She exhales sharply. "He's not replying."
Wyn leans back. "Give it time."
As the bell rings for dismissal, Liz makes a split-second decision.
"We're going."
Wyn groans but follows.
At the cathedral, they rush back to the bust. Liz grips the key, ready.
Then—
A voice. "Liz."
It's Adrian.
She spins around, relief washing over her. "You came."
Adrian smirks.
"I had a feeling I'd be needed."
The acolyte from before notices them and starts walking over, but Adrian steps forward, intercepting him.
"Hey, can you help me with something real quick?"
While the acolyte is distracted, Liz and Wyn spring into action. Wyn steadies the bust while Liz slides the key into the hidden lock.
Click.
The sound reverberates through the space.
Liz hesitates, then slowly lifts the bust's cover. Inside, nestled in the hollow compartment-A golden crown.
And a monstrance.
Liz gasps.
"Bennett, what are you leading me to?"
Wyn tilts her head.
"What do we do with these?"
Liz swallows, gripping the edge of the bust.
"I don't know yet. But I will."
They carefully close the compartment and step away just as Adrian finishes distracting the acolyte. He joins them outside, hands in his pockets.
"Well?" Adrian raises an eyebrow. "What'd you find?"
Liz opens her bag and reveals the two sacred objects.
Adrian lets out a low whistle. "This just got interesting."
Liz nods. "Bennett told me I'll figure out the next step in my dreams."
Adrian chuckles. "Then I guess we wait."
That night, Liz lays in bed, waiting for sleep to take her. When it finally does, the dream world embraces her once again.
Bennett stands before her, smiling. "You did good."
Liz crosses her arms. "I need answers."
Bennett steps closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're almost there."
Liz narrows her eyes. "What's next?"
Bennett's expression turns serious. "The next step will be hard."
Liz swallows. "How hard?"
Bennett sighs. "You need to enter the sacristy. It's heavily guarded."
Liz's stomach twists. "How do I do that?"
Bennett smirks. "Before that, you need to find the item in the bushes."
Liz frowns. "Bushes?"
He nods. "Trust me. You'll know it when you see it."
Liz exhales. "Fine. But you better not disappear on me."
Bennett grins. "Wouldn't dream of it."
He reaches out, tapping her forehead.
Liz jolts awake.
And just like that—the real hunt begins.