Operation: Helios

Chapter 3

It's d-day.

Today is our scheduled departure.

There are six of us and seven journals, since both Philip's (the fifth journal) and Rica's journals (the seventh journal) have lesser entries than the others, we decided to give it to Eiji.

Yven got his uncle's journal. Osmund got Fred's, Tanya got Amanda's, I got Leon's, and Katelyn got Camilla's.

Nabasa naman na namin lahat ng ito, pero mahalaga pa rin na kasama namin ito kapag pumasok ng Helios.

It's 5 am in the morning, I'm on my way to the meeting hall with Katelyn, we'll have one last briefing before we leave.

I entered the hall and saw Colonel Martinez and his assistant, the other four researchers, and two tall men in black.

"Let's start now that we're complete. First, you already know that there is no way of communicating with you once you've arrived on the Island. At the end of your 30-day operation you'll come back here and report your findings, it depends on that findings wether or not you'll be coming back to Helios, there's also the possibility of firing you and hiring others if we find you incompetent."

"We'll provide you  supplies just enough that it won't be a burden. Since you'll also bring guns and knives, I hope you didn't bring too much clothes, it'll only give you a hard time."

He said that last sentence looking at Tanya, who's holding 2 huge bags.

"Now let me introduce you to the two special agents who will accompany you on this mission. This is Agent David Sanders," he pointed at the guy in a bun, he looks like he's in his early 30s. "and this is Agent Cion Morgan." He's now pointing at the taller guy with a clean cut. He looks like he's in his late 20s.

Looking at the both of them, Agent Sanders looks more friendly and approachable, Agent Morgan looks very stoic beside him.

"If there is a life-threatening emergency, I gave these two a communication gun that'll send us a signal. Isang beses lang gagana ang mga baril na 'yon, that's why we gave one to each of them." He said.

"Lastly, you guys will be given a radio that will allow you to communicate with each other since you're in one area. That radio is very important so don't lose it." He paused and looked at us. "Now, we all wish you good luck" he said and gave us a salute.

They gave us the bag that contains the supplies, then we went up the helipad.

I kissed the pendant of my necklace.

This is it, I'm on my way to the most mysterious place on Earth.

Helios.

Show me your truths.

-

The feeling of excitement, nervousness, and the eagerness that I've been suppressing this past few weeks are all coming to me.

You can't blame me, as a child, I've watched my father drown himself in a mountain of files regarding Helios.

I got my curiosity from him.

"Selene, you know the rules." My father who caught me snooping at the door of his study room.

Pababa na sana ako kanina para pumasok sa eskuwelahan nang madatnan kong bukas ang pinto nito. I'm in third grade, 8 years old.

"Sorry daddy!" I said and kissed him on the cheeks before I went to school.

Daddy said I'm not yet allowed to go to that room because I'm too young, and there's a lot of things and photos in there that will scare a child like me. My dad is an investigator. So there's a lot of photos from crime scenes that he's working on. I understand why he wouldn't want me to see it.

Lately he's been fixated on a certain case. I heard it before, what was it? Oh! He calls it the "Helios tragedy".

Simula ng napunta siya sa case na'to, mas madaming oras na ang inuubos niya sa trabaho.

He also seemed more stressed.

About 3 years later, my father was away, trying to interview and find the people connected to the Helios case.

That's what he's been up to for the past 3 years.

My mom cleans the study from time to time, one time she asked me to change the curtain in daddy's study.

Pagpasok ko pa lang sa study ni daddy, amoy agad ng papel ang sumalubong sa'kin.

My father is a very organized person. Pero sa dami yata ng papel dito, hindi na niya nahanap ang oras para ayusin ito.

I changed the curtains and was about to head out when something caught my eyes.

It's a little antique wooden box on top of dad's table, it's open, it was as if daddy was looking at it before heading out on a rush.

The curious cat inside me couldn't leave it alone and checked it out.

I looked inside the box and found an old golden piece of metal. A key? An old key. Like a medieval key.

"Selene, are you done? Let's go eat dinner!" I jumped out of surprise!

I'm doomed.

Nahulog! Manipis lang yung box na 'yon, kaya naman madaling masira! Natapyas yung takip!

I took the box and the key with me! I'm sure I can search for a similar box and replace it with a new one! Daddy won't find out that way! That's right!

Dadalin ko bukas para hanapan ng kapareho. Ibabalik ko na lang dito bukas.

I ate with mommy as if nothing happened.

"Here, an early graduation gift." May inilagay na puting box si mommy sa table. "I'm proud of you baby." She smiled and kissed me on the forehead.

I will be graduating from elementary as class valedictorian next week! I smiled and thanked my mom.

"You're dad will be very proud of you when he comes back."

If I only knew that that will be the last conversation I would share with my mother, I would have hugged her so tight and never let go.

Nalate ako ng uwi nung araw na 'yon dahil humanap ako ng kaparehong box para sa susing nakita ko kahapon sa study ni dad.

Naglalakad ako pauwi dala dala ang bagong box  nang unti unti kong natanaw ang bahay namin. Napatigil ako.

I watched the flames engulf my home, with my mom inside.

My father who was supposed to be my only family died on the same day, on his way to us, after receiving the news of my mother's death.

I put my necklace inside my shirt when I saw the helicopter slowly landing.

I'm finally here.

Helios.