Hell University-Chapter 6 - 5: Secret

Chapter 5: Secret

Zein’s Point of View

Within a few hours, through the subjects that passed, nothing unusual happened. It just felt like an ordinary day, there was no trouble, the surrounding was calm and peaceful.

"Good morning, class..." our teacher in Physics, Teacher Kath, greeted the moment she entered the classroom.

No one made an effort to respond to her, so I didn’t dare to open my mouth either. It’s so boring.

"Before anything else, I have a big announcement." Excitement was evident in her eyes.

That quickly got all of our attention. She looks happy, but why is it? I don’t feel good about this. Am I just being paranoid or is there really something on her announcement?

"It’s been a long time since this event happened. But now, we are happy to announce that there will be an Acquaintance Party!"

A deafening silence echoed in the four cornered room. The wide smile our teacher had earlier grew even wider.

Acquaintance party. It was an announcement that should have made everyone jump with excitement. But instead, it felt like a wave of dread had wrapped around each of us.

Now, can this still be called good news?

"Teacher Kath?" One of our classmates, whom others called Celine, stood up.

I just noticed it now, why do my classmates seem to be so close with each other, but they seem to be timid when it comes to us? Why?

"Yes?"

"I don’t think we should be celebrating it yet when it hasn’t even been a month since our late headmaster Dominique Valdez passed away," she said in a polite tone.

"Late headmaster?" Jerome whispered.

"I am sorry to say this but we can’t do anything about it. Madame Violet has finalized it and it will happen this coming Friday at the Wide Space."

"You can do something about it because you have the higher positio-"

"Enough, Celine. Okay class, let’s start." Celine couldn’t do anything but to sit again. The girl beside her tapped her shoulder to console her.

Why is that? Something feels off. Shit! They’re making fools out of us! What are they planning?

I found myself grinning without realizing it. This was the first time I’d ever felt this way, the feeling that they should be afraid of us too. You made a mistake, whoever you are behind this. We’re not that easy to deal with.

Whatever it is you’re planning, we’ll be ready for it.

•••

It’s break time. The HU has only one cafeteria, but it’s more than three times the size of a regular one. Unlike a typical cafeteria, it feels more like a restaurant since there are waiters who take your orders, and you don’t even have to stand to pay because they collect the payment themselves. All we had to do was sit. There’s also a take-out section, where you need to line up before getting your food.

"Matt, are you feeling better?" I asked Matt while we were eating spaghetti.

Mia, Vanessa, and Dave looked at each other while Jerome was grinning at me like a dog. He knows I have a crush on Matt. Psh.

"Ohh, yes. I’m sure the poison’s already gone because of the chili," he replied with a laugh, which made me laugh too.

Their brows knitted when they didn’t understand our conversation.

"So, guys, what now? When are we getting out of here?" Vanessa asked, frowning.

"Dave and I returned to the same path we took when we entered here but it was gone. There was only a tall wall there," Jerome said in confusion.

They’re really playing with us, not only us but all of the students here. They locked us in a cage where the only way out was hidden. They kept spinning us around, and I had no idea what they were planning.

"They are planning something..." Matt said out of nowhere.

"Something? What do you mean?" Dave asked him.

"Something that I can’t explain," he replied.

"I have a plan," I uttered. Everyone turned their heads at me. No one dared to speak or ask something because they were waiting for me to complete what I was saying.

"Don’t you guys notice? We entered HU without knowing anything. We didn’t know its history or who runs this place. They’re making fools out of us..." I began.

"What do you mean?" Dave asked.

"Matt is right, they’re planning something, and we might end up being part of it. We won’t be able to get out of here, so the only thing left for us to do is fight. Fight to survive. We have to get ahead of their plan. We need information," I continued.

If we don’t act and keep playing dumb, our lives could be at risk.

"Celine, she knows something," Mia seemed to be in deep thought. Our thoughts matched. Based on what happened earlier, it was obvious that Celine knew something, we needed to talk to her, to get an idea.

"How? They’re avoiding us like they’re afraid of us. How will we approach her?" Vanessa said.

"Leave it to me," I said.

"How about the gangs here? What should we do?" Matt asked.

Right, the two gang rivals in HU, the Black Blood Gang and Devil God Warrior. How did this group formed and what are they fighting for? But I only know one thing, it’s related to the history of HU.

"Don’t, don’t meddle with the gangs!" Our brows knitted on Dave’s sudden outburst, he looked so scared because of his shout.

"Everything that’s happening is connected, Dave. Once we uncover the history of HU, everything will start to fall into place, including the gangs," I said.

"Why are you overacting?" Mia scolded him.

"I-It’s not like that," Dave stuttered. "We need to focus on HU’s history first before getting involved with the gang," he added, and somehow, he had a point.

I suddenly thought of Nicky. She’s one of the BGG members. She knows more than anyone else, but I know it would be impossible for me to get information from her, and I’d probably end up a cold corpse, knowing how dangerous she is.

After our discussion, we didn’t waste any more time and split up to gather information. Mia and Vanessa headed to the library, while Matt, Dave, and Jerome walked around, hoping to pick up some clues.

I quickly stood up from the bench when I saw Celine walking with another girl. They stumbled back when they saw me standing in front of them.

"Wait! I won’t hurt you guys or anything. We need your help." I stopped them.

"D-Don’t come any closer to us. Or else you’ll get drag into it," said the girl with her, making me frown.

"We’re already dragged the moment we engered HU. So please, I need your help, Celine." I almost kneeled in front of them to convince her.

People were starting to stare at us, as if my conversation with them was really a big deal.

"Please..." I begged. Celine sighed before signaling me to follow her.

I followed her, leaving the girl she was with behind, who was full of worry. I entered their dormitory and she locked the doors, as if she was really scared someone might hear us.

We sat on the sofa, facing each other.

"I’ll ask you Zein, are you willing to trade your life just for this information?" She asked me seriously.

My chest tightened as I realized that the information I was about to get would trap me even deeper in this hell. I may not want to, but something is pushing me to do it.

"Tell me everything you know." I said bravely.

"You’re brave, Zein, but you’re just like them. It’s just your curiosity."

I couldn’t answer. Yes, I admit that BEFORE it was just curiosity that drove me, but NOW I know it’s not just that. This isn’t mere curiosity anymore.

"Hell University, this wasn’t the university’s original name. It used to be Philippine High University, more commonly known as PHU (FU)," she began.

From the very start, countless questions already flooded my mind.

"From the beginning, it was a prestigious university where only the wealthy and elite could enroll, until a greedy leader took control. He was a deranged but rich scientist, and through his cunning, he managed to seize the wealth of everyone inside. Then one day, everyone was shocked, there was no way out anymore. The leader had succeeded in hiding the university from the entire Philippines. It was never mentioned again on the radio, television, or in newspapers. Our parents could do nothing. It’s heartbreaking to think that I’m one of those trapped in this hellish school.

I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth. I could feel Celine’s sadness and anguish. What a greedy leader, but...

"Why did he close PHU?" The only question that makes me frown.

What was he planning by closing PHU?

"When PHU was closed, he changed the name to Hell University. We were deeply resentful of what happened, we were just kids when we were trapped in this hell, and we’re still here now. We couldn’t help but hold grudges against our parents for not doing anything. Many of us rebelled, and many gangs were formed, including the two that are clashing today: the Black Blood Gang and the Devil God Warrior."

I swallowed hard when I heard that. So the members in that gang are only the rebels? I couldn’t help feeling annoyed at them, how narrow-minded. Psh.

"That scientist is Dr. Quizon. He became so brilliant that he lost himself in the process. Before becoming the leader here, he had already created many medicines that the whole world coveted over. The answer to your question of why he closed HU is because he used all of us as experiments for a formula that, before succeeding, had cost many lives. The formula is a liquid capable of bringing the dead back to life."

A chill ran down my spine after hearing her words. A formula that could bring the dead back to life? Impossible. That being was a monster, his experiments were inhumane.

"Do you hear me, Zein?! Dr. Quizon succeeded! He managed to complete the formula."

"Is Dr. Quizon still here at HU?"

She shook her head.

"Dr. Quizon died without anyone knowing the formula. He never used it on himself, but there was one student back then who knew the formula. However, no one knows who that student is, which is why HU remains closed to this day, because the officials are searching for that person, wanting to obtain the formula."

Celine stared straight into my eyes, looking so utterly terrified.

"That is HU’s secret, the one they don’t want to get out. What I’m sure of is that the person who knows the formula is somewhere around us. Zein, that person is in danger. I’m certain now that the officials are close to finding out who it is. But do you know what scares me the most? If the demons get their hands on that person and learn the formula, they could use it for something evil.’"

I stood up because my head hurts so much. Everything still hadn’t sinked in.

"I’m leaving," I bid my goodbye. Celine grabbed my arm and looked at me as if I were a criminal.

"Now you know the secret of HU. You can’t ever leave this place, and you’ll die." I pushed Celine away from me, she was laughing as I did so.

"Zein Shion, do you know the person they’re looking for? If you know, stay away from them. You’ll get involved."

"Stop it! I don’t know them!"

I ran outside her room and yet I could still hear her loud laugh.

I collapsed behind a tree. It was as if my body had lost all of its strength suddenly.

HU’s secret is that they don’t want anyone to know about the formula, and they don’t want others to find it out and use it ahead of them. Shit!

"You really don’t know how to listen."

Suddenly, Nicky appeared in front of me. She was grinning, but I could tell she was annoyed. What’s her problem?

"I know everything now." I said which made her laugh.

She crouched down so we were at eye level. She leaned her face close to mine, as if she were about to kiss me, and stared straight into my eyes.

"Not yet, Zein, you only know half of the truth, not the whole. You’re so close to your death, Zein, you’re their next target. Be ready."