DEADLOCK [On Hold]

Chapter I

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Chapter I.

The school hallway buzzed with laughter and chatter, a chaotic symphony of youthful energy echoing off the lockers. Students gossiped, joked around, and playfully hurled cuss words at one another. Some debated whether to head straight home or swing by a nearby fast-food restaurant to hang out. It was Friday, after all, and the weekend beckoned with the promise of no classes tomorrow.

In the quadrangle, Shiloh, Achilles, and Claire huddled around a table, their bags sprawled across its surface as they waited for their other friends.

"So, sure na talaga kayo about the plan?" Shiloh asked, twirling a strand of her dark purple hair between her fingers as she half-scrolled through her phone. Her eyes flickered with apprehension, though her tone masked any worry.

Last night, they'd overheard whispers about a mysterious place hidden deep within the nearby forest-a perfect idea for their Saturday livestream on Clarkscene, the app where they shared their adventures. The thrill of exploration drove them, but the money from their viewers was a sweet bonus.

"Hell yeah!" Achilles exclaimed, leaning over the table with an exaggerated excitement. "I'm getting tired of abandoned hospitals. Finding that spot in the forest would be a great change of pace," he added, pouting dramatically as he flopped back into his seat.

"Mhm, parang mas bagay yata 'yung ganun sa branding natin as streamers," Claire chimed in, her light pink hair framing her face as she took a bite of her strawberry-flavored donut.

Shiloh glanced at them, excitement swirling in her stomach, tinged with doubt. "Should we surprise the viewers? 'Wag tayo mag-drop ng clue about the next stream, ganun." Her smirk hinted at mischief, earning a chorus of laughter.

"I second the motion! Once they're shocked, we might even break our 5k quota for the stream!" Achilles said, grinning widely at the thought.

As they laughed and shared their plans, Klein, Marcus, and Hans finally arrived from their class, their expressions already laced with exhaustion from the day.

"Overtime na naman si Miss, lagi na lang," Hans exclaimed in mock frustration as he dropped his bag onto the table, receiving a gentle pat on the shoulder from the red-haired Marcus.

"Like we have a say in that. Alam mo naman si Miss, dere-deretso kung magturo," Marcus replied, rolling his eyes as he joined the banter.

Achilles looked up, pausing before bursting into laughter as he pointed at the newcomers' faces. "What the hell happened to you three? Bakit may lipstick kayo sa lips?" His words barely escaped through his laughter.

Shiloh and Claire turned to look, their laughter soon joining in as they took in the scene.

"Oi, stop laughing! There's nothing funny about this!" Klein, ever the short-tempered one, muttered through gritted teeth, his irritation evident.

"Ark, nakita mo na ba sarili mo sa salamin?" Shiloh teased, still chuckling. Klein muttered a halfhearted "shut up" before slumping down into a chair, clearly not in the mood to entertain the joke.

"Miss Emi used us as examples for the recent topic she was discussing. Ayaw mag-volunteer ng girl students eh. Guess she had to improvise," Marcus added, chuckling at their predicament before turning to Claire, who was still laughing.

"May tissue ka ba?" he asked, pointing to his lips as if to wipe the lipstick off. Claire nodded, her laughter simmering down as she reached over to grab a pack of tissues from her bag.

"Thanks!" Marcus said, quickly wiping his lips, handing one to Hans and Klein as if trying to erase the evidence of their embarrassing encounter.