Chapter LIII: The Untold
Liz clings onto Bennett, her arms wrapped tightly around him as she buries her face into his chest. His warmth, his scent, his presence—all of it is real. She is here, in his room, in his dream. Yet, the memories St. Paul showed her still linger in her mind, pulling at her thoughts.
Bennett strokes her back, offering silent comfort, but Liz is restless. She looks up at him, her eyes searching. "Bennett," she whispers, "I need to know more. About what St. Paul showed me. About everything."
Bennett exhales, hesitating. Then, he moves towards the desk where a sleek monitor sits, its screen blank. He presses a button, and the screen hums to life. "Let's watch this," he says simply.
Liz sits beside him, eyes fixated on the monitor. A title appears in bold letters: "The Other Reality."
The screen flickers, and suddenly, the scene displayed is hauntingly familiar. Liz recognizes the place instantly—it is the other dimension where she had been labeled as a bogus buyer. The sight sends shivers down her spine. She presses the pause button, her hands trembling.
"Bennett... why is this happening? Why am I seeing this?" she asks, turning to him.
Bennett places a hand on her shoulder. "Hold onto that thought," he replies, pressing play once more.
The scene resumes. The Liz of that realm appears on the screen, but she is different—colder, crueler. This Liz is not just inconsiderate; she is ruthless, ordering countless items online without informing her guardians. The Dominga, Dolores, and Liz's grandmother of that realm scramble to cancel the orders, trying desperately to undo the damage before it is too late. But with each cancellation, the other Liz places more orders, over and over again, drowning them all in debt. Their house deteriorates from neglect, its structure crumbling. Eventually, they are forced to move into a rugged, deteriorated apartment.
Watching the events unfold, Liz's mouth goes dry. "This... this isn't me..." she murmurs, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Look what happens next," Bennett says, his voice solemn.
The scene shifts. It is the birthday celebration—Liz's birthday. The Liz of that realm laughs with her friends, surrounded by gifts and expensive decorations. But there is one person missing. Bennett. She did not invite him.
Liz gasps, clutching her chest as she watches the heartbreak on Bennett's face. His shoulders shake, his hands tremble, and his head bows low as if the weight of rejection is too much to bear.
Tears well in Liz's eyes, but the worst is yet to come.
The next scene shows the Bennett of that realm clutching his chest, his face twisted in pain. A heart attack. The other Liz stands over him, berating him for canceling her orders. He gasps for breath, struggling to explain that if she does not stop, the worst will happen.
But it is too late.
The Bennett of that realm collapses. His body goes still.
Liz lets out a strangled sob, her entire body trembling. "No... no, this isn't real... this can't be real!" she cries, turning away from the screen. She buries herself into Bennett's arms, shaking uncontrollably.
Bennett holds her close, his hand gently stroking her hair. "Again, as I told you before, know the consequences of your actions, Liz. You are not a little kid anymore," he says, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "That Bennett of that realm died, but much more than ever, like I am to you, he also misses the Liz that he once knew."
Liz sniffles, looking up at him with tear-streaked cheeks. "Bennett... why do you forgive me? I was horrible to you... I hurt you so much..."
Bennett smiles sadly, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Your father's traits—you must erase them. And yet you did. Because nurture is on your side. No matter how harsh you were, I forgive you, Liz. And I miss you. That's how I love you."
Liz lets out a choked sob and throws her arms around him again. She clings to him desperately, as if afraid he might disappear. "I'm so sorry, Bennett... I'm so sorry..."
Bennett hugs her back, holding her as tightly as she holds him.
After a moment, he reaches for the monitor's controls. "There's something else I want you to see," he says gently.
Liz pulls away slightly, her eyes still shimmering with tears. "Something else?"
Bennett nods and changes the channel. "Something you've never seen before."
Liz wipes her face and turns her attention back to the screen, her heart pounding with anticipation. What else could there be? What truth has she yet to uncover?
As the screen flickers again, she steels herself for whatever comes next.
The monitor flickers, its glow casting an eerie light across the room. Liz and Bennett watch in silence as a scene unfolds before them—a young boy enveloped in the warmth of a loving family. The mother hums a lullaby while the father smiles, ruffling the boy's hair as they share a peaceful evening.
However, as the boy turns five, the scene shifts. The father's demeanor changes. His gaze wanders, his attention drifts, and soon, temptation leads him astray. For a month, he secretly pursues another woman, spending his nights away from home. The mother, though heartbroken, remains strong for her son.
Then, one night, the tension in the house reaches its peak. The father returns home, his guilt manifesting as anger. A heated argument erupts between him and his wife, accusations flying in the dimly lit room. In the mother's arms, the young boy sleeps soundly, unaware of the storm raging around him.
As the father begins to swear in frustration, the boy stirs. Slowly, his eyes flutter open, and a radiant, inexplicable glow emanates from his face. He smiles—innocently, warmly. The parents freeze. The mother gasps, tightening her hold on the child, while the father stares, overwhelmed by something beyond comprehension. Overcome with emotion, he drops to his knees, his voice caught in his throat.
The boy, as if sensing the tension, drifts back to sleep, his small hands resting on his mother's shoulder. Silence falls upon the room. The father, shaken, reaches for his wife's hand, remorse washing over him like a tide. At that moment, he realizes his mistake, and with tears in his eyes, he begs for forgiveness. The mother, moved by his sincerity, embraces him. They wonder what was that and thought that it was like a Divine Intervention. That night, they reconcile, vowing never to let temptation tear their family apart again.
The scene fast-forwards, showing the boy as he grows. He learns to play the organ with remarkable skill, dedicating his life to prayer and unwavering faith. He becomes an altar server, traveling from community to community, offering his service to the church. His devotion catches the attention of Mr. Johann Florendo, a renowned organist in the city. Under his mentorship, the boy joins three of the seven choirs Florendo oversees, further honing his talents.
Years pass, and the boy matures into an acolyte, deeply respected for his service. Rain or shine, he remains steadfast in his duties, his commitment unwavering. His life becomes a testament to faith and dedication.
Then, the image on the monitor shifts, revealing the boy's face clearly. Liz gasps. Her breath catches in her throat as realization dawns upon her.
"It's...You" she whispers, staring at him with wide eyes.
Bennett turns to her, his expression calm yet earnest. "Yes, Liz. That boy was me."
Liz places a hand over her heart, struggling to process everything she has just witnessed.
Bennett continues, "Serving God is a comfort to me. I never did it for fame or recognition. Service to God and to the people is what truly matters. As His people, we must dedicate ourselves to Him, to the Almighty, and to His Son, Jesus Christ."
Liz lowers her gaze, shame creeping into her chest. She had been blind for so long, chasing materialistic desires and temporary pleasures. Seeing Bennett's devotion, his unwavering faith, made her feel small in comparison.
"I... I'm sorry, Bennett," she murmurs. "I never understood."
Bennett reaches out, cupping her face gently. "You don't have to be sorry, Liz. What matters is that you see the truth now. And if you wish to change, then do so—not for me, but for yourself. Yet I saw the change in you unlike the other reality. It brings me joy that you finally looked up to me, following in my footsteps."
He leans in, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead before embracing her tightly. His warmth, his sincerity, wraps around her like a protective shield, and Liz finds solace in his presence. She pulls away slightly, looking into his eyes.
"I did changed, I changed for what is progressive and good in life," she declares, determination burning within her. "Because no one else has ever inspired me more than you, my loving and loyal Bennett."
A tear escapes from Bennett's eye, and he smiles, his heart swelling with emotion. "Hearing that means everything to me."
As they bask in the moment, Bennett suddenly becomes serious. "Liz, about our visit to the old chapel... you have to be careful."
Liz furrows her brows. "Why?"
"The place is filled with guards," he explains. "We need to go at night, but it will be dark. We must bring candles, the ancient sword, incense, salt, garlic, a crucifix—anything that will protect us against the presence of evil."
Liz shivers at his words, but she nods, trusting him completely. "Then y'all be prepared."
Bennett cups her cheek once more, their faces mere inches apart. "Promise me you'll be careful."
Liz nods again, and Bennett closes the distance between them, sealing their resolve with a tender kiss.
As the kiss deepens, the world around Liz begins to shift. The warmth of Bennett's embrace fades, replaced by the cool air of reality.
Her eyes flutter open, and she finds herself back in her own bed. It was a dream, yet it felt more real than anything she had ever experienced. With a newfound sense of purpose, Liz rises from her bed, ready to embrace the path that awaits her.