Oculus of Time

Break of Dawn

Kara's POV

'Alpha'

I read the word encarved on the golden plate.

Napangiti ako.

I guess I'm the first one to arrive. I mean, I already packed my things and drove myself here the moment I received the letter yesterday.

The sun hasn't even rose yet... and I still need to prepare for the ceremony later.

I was about to open the door when I felt the presence of another demigod behind me. I turned around and looked at Dio wearing a casual outfit. He carried a knapsack on his shoulders.

He tilted his head. "I knew you'd be here first."

I raised my brows. "Really?"

Huminga siya nang malalim at nagbuga ng hangin. "You didn't answer my call, so I had a hunch you were already on your way here."

"Kilala na kita, Kara." Tinawanan niya ako nang mahina, saka siya lumapit at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. "From the way you stare, to the way you don't answer my call."

Sinenyasan niya akong maunang pumasok.

I squinted my eyes at him. "You called my dad, didn't you?"

He bit his lip for a few seconds and let out a sigh of defeat. "Okay, maybe I did."

Tinulak ko siya nang marahan bago pumasok ng dorm.

"I seriously don't know what to make of you-" Napahinto ako pagkatapos makita ang isang lalaki na nakatayo sa labas ng balcony.

All the lights inside the dorm were turned off but I could clearly recognize who it was.

Nakapamulsa siya habang nakatalikod sa'min. Nakatuon lamang siya sa kalangitang unti-unting nagkaroon ng kulay dala ng mabagal na pagsikat ng araw.

Pinigilan ko si Dio na nagtangkang puntahan siya.

For a few seconds, we just stared at him, until he finally felt our presence.

Bahagya niyang iniyuko ang kanyang ulo, bago lumingon sa gawi namin.

Pumasok siya at nginitian kami. "Dorm," sambit niya. "Inactivate vacation mode."

All the lights inside the dorm turned on at the same time.

"Chase..." I whispered his name.

Akala ko hindi siya makakapunta.

He rolled his eyes at us. "Huwag niyo nga akong tignan nang ganyan." Dumako siya sa kusina at nagsimulang maghanap ng makakain. "Hindi pa nga ako nakapag-almusal."

"Bro!" Binaba ni Dio ang kanyang bag sa sofa. "Bakit hindi mo sinabi na makaka-attend ka pala?"

"Aba, ewan ko rin," sagot naman ni Chase habang nakayuko sa harap ng nakabukas na ref. "Pinilit lang naman ako ng kumag na 'yon."

"Sino?" usisa ni Dio.

"Sino pa ba." May inilabas na styrofoam si Chase mula sa ref. "Eh di si Trev."

"You flew on your way here?" tanong ko.

Inilapag niya ito sa mesa at binuksan. "Mmm."

Inangat niya ang isang sandwich para ipakita sa'min. "Di pa naman siguro to expired, 'no?"

Umiling ako.

The Academy already knows some of us will be arriving before sunrise, which means they must have prepared fresh food or ingredients for breakfast.

"Ayos," puna niya bago kainin ito.