Chapter 1: Glimpse

On her way stepping out someone called to her. She got goosebumps along her spine when she realized she was the only person in the restroom. As she turned away, the same light that she had seen in the corridor shone on her. She even narrowed her eyes to get adjusted to the brightness until she recognized a pattern in the light that reminded her of the rock she found in camp. Her pupils dilated as she recalled the light. This light compressed and exited through the restroom's slightly opened door. Maxine instantly followed it, fearful that it was a danger. When she stepped outside, she was greeted by loud music once more. She looked around and went back to observe it again. When she returned to the party hall, however, the various types of lights began, and there was some initial dancing. Trembling creeps through her chest. Her heart appeared to be throbbing in her chest. She looked in his bag, hoping to find her phone however she found something. When she caught a glimpse of the thing, her heart swelled even more when she spotted the rock he had discovered in the camp. She was just stunned by what she saw because she knew she had not brought it to this party.

She embraced herself as she felt the sudden cold breeze. As she took another stride, she heard a peculiar chirp from behind her. When she looked around, she noticed a bright light, but it wasn't the moonlight. The eyes eventually get used to recognizing the source of light. When she became accustomed to it, she realized it was the stone she had just tossed. It floats in the sky, gently returning in the same direction. Instead of being terrified, she felt more at ease, as if she were at home. She cautiously raised her hand to grasp for the stone as it approached her. She felt her finger touch the rock, and she appeared to be scorched by it. Its brightness became even brighter as time passed, and the chirping sounded like music to her ears. She was stunned towards there, her eyes gleaming beside the blue streaks from the rock. This child is no longer aware that as if she has lost gravity because she's floating along with the rocks and shells on the beach. The stone's brightness and chirping were so loud that it was unparalleled in intensity. She knew she could no longer bear that light until she felt the darkness that is chasing after her.

Maxine woke up from a nap which is what she committed to a class session. A classmate of hers approached her to ask for some help. Since she had an advanced review on the topic it helped her to manage the given activity. Maxine Blaire Fortezz is a seventeen-year-old junior high school student that is a scholar under her Tita Emarene (Aunt Emarene). She was born and raised in a Filipino family that made her possess tanned skin, 5'4ft height, balinkinitan (average body), deep black eyes, black mid-waist long hair, with thick thighs, brave and very competitive lady. She was admired by her family and friends but her cousin Alscheya (Al-ke-ya) is the most precious for her. Everyone in the class is racing to finish the said activity as the teacher mentioned that the first 10 who can pass will receive plus grades. Most of their pens are scratching against their papers while the others were heard tapping the wood. The atmosphere is somewhat quiet but the ideas in their minds have been chaotic. Later on, Maxine finally finished the activity and decided to help her classmate out. She taught her just so she can also cope up with today's lecture.

“Times up!” the teacher screamed so that she can catch every student in that class' attention. 

Some of them passed the feeling of being satisfied, disappointed, tired, and neutral. However, Maxine felt honored for doing her best and helping out someone at the same time. As the teacher gathered their outputs, she has spoken again sharing an announcement.

“Soon, you will proceed to your upcoming senior year levels, right? Well, our school will be giving you a retreat to remember the days from this beloved school. Are you guys ready?” he said with his usual strict tone. 

The students agreed in unison which allow them to be fluttered and excited for that event. The class had dismissed and everyone packed their things so that they can prepare at home.

After few weeks, the day has come! Maxine woke up very early in the morning to pack her things for the said camp. While preparing for breakfast for her family, Alscheya walks slowly towards her with sleepy eyes. 

“Ate, how long will you be gone?” she asked.

“Aww, my pangga. Come here, sit on your favorite chair!” Maxine said while assisting the little kid to her favorite seat. 

She gives her a taste of the fried ham that she's cooking earlier. “It's just a short trip okay? What will you do while Ate Maxine is not yet home?”

“I'll give mama her medicines, and then I'll give papa his shoes whenever he got home. Then I will read the book you've given me so that you can buy me another one,” little Alscheya said while eating the crumbs on the plate.

“Hmm yeah right, hahaha! Anyway, can you please do me a favor? Wake up mommy, and everyone once I got out, okay?” Maxine said then gave her little smooches on her forehead. 

Little Alscheya nodded while showing her biggest smile to make her cousin the warmest farewell.

As she stepped out of the house, Maxine reminded herself that it's not gonna be long and gave herself a tap on her chest for relief. Her journey going to their school was guided by the cold morning breeze. As the sunrise is about to come up, she finally saw her classmates walking in the same direction as hers. Anyone in her way that she encounters received her energetic greeting. It is in her head that this day would be a very memorable one such as spending time with her seatmates, making the best yell she could ever think of, play around the bonfire if she gets the chance, and lastly hoping to hear her classmates assumptions about her. Teachers welcomed the moving up students as they are all entering the school premises and respective buses. A little while, it is announced that they should buckle up the seatbelts as their trip is about to start. Inside the bus, everyone is jamming to the song that is playing through the speaker. Cheering, screaming their hearts out, giggling, and make\ing the best out of the time. Suddenly, the happy mood was interrupted due to a small bump that they encounter. The bus driver mentioned that the vehicle must've been stuck in the mud because it is not moving any further. Most of the students start to express their disbelief while Maxine decided to take her moment to help the elders conquer the situation. She stepped up to suggest a possible way and would only be needing few tools. Fortunately, there are available tools in the back of the vehicle that can be used but not enough to lift the wheel. The others proposed creating a pulley, which Maxine agreed to do using the tools provided. She asked the boys in the class to gather the ropes around the wheel and tie them to a tree near them so that they could move it forward. Everyone gathers their strength to assist and pulls with all their might. Finally! The truck shifted slightly, allowing the driver to move. While the others began to chat and make a fuss about the ridiculous scenario, Maxine was praised for her tiny effort. Students stained their shoes and pants, but it was an interesting experience.

At the center, the teacher provided them with kits that included a map, a program guide, and other needs to help them find their rooms. They are instructed to get to the session hall thirty minutes before the program begins so that they can prepare their belongings and take a short break. Since these kids were excited about their activity, they decided to go to the session hall so that the program could proceed. Individual and team games are played, as predicted, while the players develop new acquaintances. Until the sun goes down, the next challenge is an exciting race that they are looking forward to. The mechanics were described by the teacher, who stated that each group included seven participants. The team's leader will draw their task at each station. Whoever completes all of the stations the fastest will be able to have swimming time and will be exempted for the next challenge. They chose Maxine as their leader because they felt her rational reasoning would get them through. She agreed knowing it may be a life-changing experience for her. The race had already begun, their squad dashed to the second station. Because the sequence of their tasks is determined by the number of people in the group, they rush there.

“Max, we have done 5 tasks and we are ahead of the others! Let's go to the next part,” said her classmate that is really proud to almost complete their tasks.

“Yes, where should we go again?” Maxine asked.

“To the garden! The map said that it is near the sea bay. Ooh! Can we drop by and take some time there? That would be awesome!” said one of her teammates.

“We can't afford to lose any time. Being ahead among the rest is good but it is not a reason to waste time,” Maxine said. 

Everyone agreed, so they proceeded with the assignment. Maxine felt nervous around her for no apparent reason, so she watched intently.

Their next mission is to locate the correct key to open the chest named after them. They were greeted by the facilitator, which then commanded them to began their search. It is claimed to be kept in a bag the same color as their chest, which is green. It was challenging for their group because it was a garden and could easily blend in. There's a chance they're plotting to hide the key of other teams they discovered somewhere else. Maxine was moved by a behavior throughout their hunt. Her gaze shifts to the path that leads to a little pouch. It was glowing, and she thought she heard some chirping from it. She often felt it was wrong to take something that did not belong to her but this time it was as if she was destined to have it in her hands. She was going to open the pouch when she was interrupted by a classmate's yell. They've already found the key which made the running towards the chest. Maxine quickly pocketed the item from her grasp and joined the group. When more groups came, they rushed to open the lock. One of their teammates was so certain that they were still in the lead that he encouraged them to spend some time at the sea bay. Maxine agreed because the majority of the members were very interested. When they arrived, the breeze was bitterly chilly. They were all calm and took advantage of every opportunity to gaze at the breathtaking scenery as the bright moon will appear any time soon. She didn't realize the time had passed until they heard another group fleeing from another station. Maxine, on the other hand, was taken aback by the moon's action due to its unusual shape. Her companions were urging her to leave, even though she was disturbed about it. She chose to simply shrug her shoulders and follow her comrades.

They manage to cope up with other groups until they are able to surpass all of their tasks. Unfortunately, another group found the hidden code earlier than they could. It has been decided which team wins. Their faces shown full of regret, Maxine gave hope to her fellow members that it was worth seeing the sea bay. They just hope to win tomorrow since who knows if the prize will be better. The teachers have instructed everyone to go into their respective rooms to rest because they will face many more obstacles the following day.

“Hey Maxine, you guys did great back there! I really hoped that I was one of your members though,” said one of her four roommates.

“Hmm it is fun.. but your group was amazing too, Chloe! I remember both of our groups got stuck in station four because the path was too rough, hahaha!” Maxine replied.

“Honestly, I hated it. Imagine all those little rocks leaving scars on my arms! Sometimes I wonder how did Jordan be able to get through that,” Gem said while wondering about Jordan who performed the fastest in every station.

“Same thought. But the real question is.. do you have a crush on Jordan? C'mon, admit it!” Maxine teases her while poking her side belly.

“Hey! I was just surprised that he can be so cool like that knowing he's a silent kind of a guy,” Gem explained while playing with her hands. Since Maxine also agreed to her thought, they decided to laugh it off and call it a day.

Some people are ready to go to bed, while others are still squirming in their beds. Maxine felt uneasy because she didn't have her smartphone, which was confiscated initially across the camp. She decided to leave the room for a minute to get some fresh air, so she checked to see if her roommates were sleeping. When it appeared that everyone was asleep, she got up to leave. She was ready to leave the room when she remembered she had forgotten to look at what she had found earlier in the garden, so she brought it with her. She put on a jacket and tucked the pouch into its pocket, hoping no one would notice. She walked slowly out and glanced around every corner to avoid being caught. During her tour, she was unaware that she had arrived at the session hall. Everything is neat and clean, and everything is ready for the next activity. She hides from the personnel of the retreat center while being on the outside. Until she found herself on her way to the sea bay. Where she can see the moon and stars shining brightly in the black sky. Maxine decided to pull the contents of the pouch she found in the garden this afternoon. Unlike before, it is simply a stone with various patterns carved into it. She was taken aback because she knew she had heard it hum and showed a bright light. She examined it from the bottom up, against the moonlight, and even at close range. She just gave up and sat down by the shore, regretting her decision. The stone that hit her has been the cause of her unfamiliarity ever since. She merely held her knees and stared up into the sky, wondering how little Alscheya was. She decided to get up and return to their room once she felt sleepy. Maxine had already thrown the pebble she was clutching into the clean sea as she got up. She embraced herself as she felt the sudden cold breeze. As she took another stride, she heard a peculiar chirp from behind her. When she looked around, she noticed a bright light, but it wasn't the moonlight. The eyes eventually get used to recognizing the source of light. When she became accustomed to it, she realized it was the stone she had just tossed. It floats in the sky, gently returning in the same direction. Instead of being terrified, Maxine felt more at ease, as if she were at home. She cautiously raised her hand to grasp for the stone as it approached her. She felt her finger touch the rock, and she appeared to be scorched by it. Its brightness became even brighter as time passed, and the chirping sounded like music to her ears. Maxine was stunned towards there, her eyes gleaming beside the blue streaks from the rock. This child is no longer aware that as if she has lost gravity because she's floating along with the rocks and shells on the beach. The stone's brightness and chirping were so loud that it was unparalleled in intensity. Maxine knew she could no longer bear that light because she already felt she would lose consciousness.