Dying Embers

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Four: Where We Burn Quietly

We were fixing our tents under the bruised sky, the last streaks of sunset fading into indigo. I honestly had no idea this was supposed to be an overnight event, Henry conveniently forgot to mention that part. I told him I wouldn't stay long, but he just laughed, saying I should at least try. And somehow, against my better judgment, I said yes.

I was with Jilliana and Nimbus, setting up the tent Jill and I would share for the night. All around us, everyone was busy, voices overlapping, laughter echoing in the cool air. Ang hangin ay puno ng halakhak at kwentuhan.

When we finally finished, someone suggested na sindihan ulit 'yong bonfire na ginawa nila kanina. A few guys started gathering dry wood, their flashlights cutting through the dim light. Within minutes, a small flame flickered to life at the center of the camp, slowly growing until its golden glow danced across everyone's faces. We formed a loose circle around it, drawn by the warmth and the hum of the night.

I sat next to Jill, hugging my knees close to my chest. The breeze carried the scent of smoke and damp sand, brushing against my cheeks like a whisper. Napasinghap ako nang bahagya, hindi ko alam kung dahil sa lamig o sa biglang katahimikan ng paligid.

A few seconds later, Psalm took the empty space beside me. He didn't say anything at first, but his presence was steady, like warmth finding its way through the chill. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chance sit a few places away, between Nimbus and Henry. He was laughing softly, the kind of laugh that made his eyes disappear.

Saglit akong napatingin bago mabilis na umiwas ng tingin, kunwaring nakatutok sa apoy. Kumabog ang dibdib ko.

"Do you drink?" Psalm's voice broke through my thoughts, low and unbothered.

I turned to him and shook my head, smiling faintly. "Nope. I don't."

Jill, of course, couldn't resist. She nudged me with her elbow, grinning like she knew something I didn't.

"'Wag mo 'kong simulan," I whispered, giving her a glare that only made her laugh harder.

"Game tayo!" someone suddenly shouted from across the circle. I recognized him as one of Henry's college friends, half-drunk already, judging by the way he swayed when he stood.

"How about truth or dare?" another voice chimed in, teasing.

"Ano ka, high school?" someone else joked, earning a round of laughter, but still, no one actually said no. The voice was familiar, though I couldn't quite place it. Maybe one of their old teammates from baseball back in high school.

I stayed quiet, watching the way the firelight flickered against everyone's faces. Truth or dare. It sounded childish... but maybe that was the point. Maybe we were all just trying to relive the versions of ourselves that weren't afraid to play with danger.

And for some reason, the thought of what could be revealed tonight made my heart beat a little faster.

I glanced around the circle, the firelight flickering against everyone's faces like it was trying to tell its own story. Psalm leaned back casually, elbows on his knees, that faint, knowing smile still playing on his lips. Nimbus was already laughing at some inside joke no one else seemed to catch. And then there was Chance, his face soft under the glow of the flames, eyes reflecting gold and ember. He wasn't saying much, just listening, quiet but alive in the way he observed everything.

For a split second, our eyes almost met, or maybe I just wanted them to. I looked away, pretending to adjust my seat, even though my pulse had already betrayed me.