Chapter XLI: Fidelis et Amor
Liz drifts into sleep, her eyelids growing heavy as exhaustion overtakes her. The darkness of her slumber soon gives way to a strange vision. She finds herself in Bennett's room, lying on his bed. The air is still, eerily silent.
"Bennett?" she calls softly, sitting up. But there is no answer.
She glances toward the window, and a shadow looms outside. Her heart pounds. The figure shifts, its form barely distinguishable against the night. She grabs a flashlight from Bennett's nightstand, switches it on, and directs it toward the window.
Her breath catches in her throat. A devil stands outside, its skin scorched, its eyes burning with an unnatural glow. Its lips curl into a sinister grin.
Liz stumbles back, gripping the flashlight tightly. Fear grips her, but then Bennett's words echo in her mind. Do not fear them. Call upon His name.
She steadies herself, steps forward, and raises her voice. "In the name of Jesus, I REBUKE YOU!"
The devil shrieks, its body igniting in an infernal blaze. The flames consume it, and within seconds, it crumbles into ash, vanishing into the void.
Liz gasps, her body trembling. Then, from the shadows, a familiar voice reaches her ears.
"Liz."
She turns sharply. Bennett stands before her, his eyes warm, his presence soothing.
"Bennett…" she whispers, hesitating. "Is it really you?"
He steps closer, taking her hands in his. "It's me." He presses her palm against his chest, letting her feel the rhythm of his heartbeat. "You can feel me, right?"
Tears brim in her eyes. "Yes… I feel you."
Bennett smiles gently and snaps his fingers. The room melts away, replaced by a familiar scene. Liz looks around in awe.
They stand outside their school. The sun shines brightly, and the atmosphere is bustling with students. Liz turns her head and spots two familiar figures.
"It's us," she murmurs. "Our younger selves."
She watches as Younger Liz and Younger Bennett walk toward the Central Plaza, laughing and chatting. They settle at a small table with their lunches in front of them.
"I remember this day," Liz whispers. "It was just before we started tutoring sessions."
The past unfolds before them. Younger Liz hesitates, then shyly looks at Younger Bennett. "Would it be okay if I come over to your house for tutoring?"
Younger Bennett grins. "Of course. You don't even have to ask."
Younger Liz smiles, her cheeks slightly flushed. She picks at her food before softly saying, "I love you."
Younger Bennett pauses for a moment, then replies with a warm smile, "I love you too."
Liz watches in silent awe, tears slipping down her cheeks. Bennett wraps an arm around her. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he whispers.
Liz nods, unable to speak. The scene shifts once again.
They now stand outside Bennett's house. The front gate creaks open, and Younger Liz enters with her grandmother. They are greeted by Bennett's mother, who smiles warmly.
As the adults converse, Younger Liz wastes no time and hurries upstairs to Bennett's room. She bursts through the door and throws her arms around him.
"Let's start the lesson," Younger Bennett says, amused by her eagerness.
"I'm already sleepy," Younger Liz groans, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Wait," Younger Bennett says. He reaches for his phone and plays a video. The camera captures his face, and his voice fills the room.
"If you're watching this, Liz, I just want you to know… I love you. No matter what happens, you'll always be my best friend, my gf, my favorite person. You're the reason my world is brighter."
Younger Liz stares at the screen, her lips quivering. Tears spill down her cheeks as she sniffs and wipes her eyes. Younger Bennett places a hand on her back, rubbing soothing circles.
Then, in a sudden burst of emotion, Younger Liz pushes him onto the bed and hugs him tightly. "You're the sweetest, Bennett," she whispers.
Liz, watching the scene unfold, sobs quietly. "I miss you so much," she chokes out.
Bennett tightens his hold on her. "I know, Liz. But you'll find me. I know you will."
The vision begins to fade, and soon they are back in Bennett's room. The air is thick with emotion, but Liz's heart feels lighter.
She gazes into Bennett's eyes. "Please… don't go."
He brushes a hand against her cheek, his touch warm and gentle. "I'll always be with you."
Liz and Bennett remain in their embrace, the warmth between them comforting yet fleeting, as she realizes she is still within the dream. She clings to him, afraid to let go, but Bennett gently pulls back, looking into her eyes with a serious expression.
"Liz," he begins, his voice softer now. "I need you to listen carefully to what I am about to tell you."
Liz nods, her heart pounding. "I'm listening, Bennett. What is it?"
He takes a deep breath before speaking. "To reach the old chapel, you need to follow a certain path. But before that, there is something important you must understand."
Liz frowns. "What is it?"
Bennett squeezes her hands reassuringly. "The memories I showed you—they were not just for nostalgia. They hold the key to your next step."
She processes his words carefully. "So, there's something in those memories that will help me get to the chapel?"
Bennett nods. "Exactly."
Liz takes a deep breath. "Tell me what I need to do."
His eyes darken slightly, a hint of worry flashing across his face. "To see what seek, to take a peek, but none shall leak."
Liz repeats the phrase under her breath, trying to decipher it. Then, it clicks. Her expression changes. "You want me to go to your house."
Bennett gives her a small smile. "Smart as always."
She hesitates. "But… your parents. They're still upset with me. How am I supposed to get inside?"
Bennett places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That's why you need to obtain a few things before you go. They will help you."
Liz feels uncertain. "What kind of things?"
Bennett smiles slightly. "You have my permission to enter my room. The owner of that room allows it."
Her heart clenches. She knows what he means. "Bennett…"
"I know it's not easy," he murmurs, "but I need you to trust me."
Liz nods firmly. "If it's for you, I'll do anything."
Bennett's expression softens, and he pulls her into another hug. "I knew you would."
For a moment, they simply hold each other, letting the moment sink in. Then, Bennett steps back and gives her another clue.
"On the place I love to play, a melody harmonious is at bay. Don't get caught, or they will naught."
Liz thinks for a moment. She runs through all the places Bennett loved to spend time in. Then, realization dawns on her.
"The choir loft," she whispers. "Your music teacher's organ."
Bennett grins. "Precisely."
Liz raises a brow. "But why the organ?"
Bennett leans in slightly. "Play my favorite piece for the church of all time. Play it till the end, and something will spring out on thine."
Liz's breath catches. "Your favorite piece… 'Iesu Panis Vitae.'"
Bennett nods, pleased. "That's the one."
Liz's mind races. There's something hidden within that organ, something that will help her get into Bennett's house. She bites her lip, feeling both nervous and determined. "I'll do it."
Bennett smiles warmly and places a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I knew I could count on you."
Liz blushes slightly before looking into his eyes. "You always can."
He chuckles before leaning in to kiss her. Their lips meet in a tender moment, filled with longing and warmth. As they pull away, Bennett presses his forehead against hers. "Good luck, Liz."
Her vision starts to blur as she begins waking up. The warmth of Bennett's embrace fades as the dream dissolves, and the last thing she hears is his whisper.
"I love you."
Liz's eyes snap open, the early morning light filtering through her window. She takes a deep breath, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. It was a dream—no, more than that. It was a message.
Determined, she throws off her blanket and kneels beside her bedside altar, lighting a candle and whispering a quick prayer for Bennett's safety. Then, she hurries to her desk, grabbing a notebook and pen to write down everything Bennett told her before the details could slip from her mind.
She writes:
Go to the choir loft.Play 'Iesu Panis Vitae' on the organ until the end.Obtain the hidden object.
She stares at the list, her pulse quickening. Whatever she was about to uncover, she knew it was only the beginning.
Taking a deep breath, Liz clenches her fist. "Bennett… I will find you."