Tay and I were in the cafeteria, munching our food while the students from the other table were still talking about the news. Raymond might not be a popular student before, but now he was the main topic of the whole school.

"You know, I'm really curious why it took two months to finally declare him as a missing person case," I raised my concern to Tay who was busy digging on his food.

He raised his head and thought for a moment. "Well, based from what I heard, his text messages to his parents stopped one week ago. That was when his parent took it to the police and asked for their help."

"But don't you think, it was a bit shady to suddenly moved out of town in the middle of school year? I mean I don't officially know him, but it was just too sudden. Plus, how could his parents just accept those few text messages that he was okay."

Tay shrugged his shoulders at me. "I guessed they were holding to this hope that nothing worst happened to their child. That one day he will just popped back to their house and will return to his sense. But we don't know the whole story. I'm pretty sure that the police will find him," he paused for a few seconds. "I hope."

After finis.h.i.+ng our lunch, we still have enough time to spare before going back to our cla.s.sroom. We took our time strolling the hallway.

"Tomorrow is the Halloween Dance. And we still haven't decided what costume to wear." Tay reminded of the upcoming dance tomorrow. Most of the students who were lounging also in the hallway were also talking and planning what they will be wearing at the dance.

"Can we do something simple? Remember, I have my tournament tomorrow, so I will just go straight to the dance after it."

"Oh yeah. Wish you good luck for tomorrow! Hmmm. Since we're short on time..." He pondered for a moment, racking his brain what 90s icons we should wear tomorrow. Ever since we became friends, we always have a theme for our costumes. Last year, we both wore Lupin III costume despite the theme of last year's dance was Cartoons. Deena was fuming about our outfits, since she didn't consider Lupin III a cartoon. It was an anime. But Tay and I debated to her that she should be more precise on the theme, since some people considered anime as a cartoon. She simply raised her hands, surrendering to our argument.

"....let's do Matrix. We just need black clothes and shades. What do you think?"

"Anything is fine with me. Plus we're not aiming to be the winner of best in costume, right?" I inquired.

"Okay, so it's decided then. We'll just see each other at the dance tomorrow. The next thing left for us is to find some date that we will be taking to the dance."

"Whoah-whoah. Hold your thought there! This is not a prom, Tay. We're not required to take a date to the Halloween's Dance."

"I know. I know. But it'll be cool if we can get a date also. You never know we might find our girlfriends tomorrow."

"Yeah, girlfriend," I mumbled.

*****

After cla.s.s, I headed to the Fencing room and changed to my gear. Our coach wanted to do a last minute training for our tomorrow's tournament. All of the members of the club were present in the room. We were standing in a straight row, clutching our swords behind us. All eyes were on Coach Manuel listening to his speech.

"...I know tomorrow's tournament is a no bearing game to our ranks. But this will serve as an additional experience to us before going to the district game. The preliminary round for the district game will happen next month. So let's put our best effort tomorrow."

We all shouted, "Sir, yes sir!" monotonously at him, and coach looked satisfied after hearing our answer.

"To help us be ready for tomorrow's game, I invited someone who I think that can help us level up your compet.i.tiveness. He has been busy with his solo compet.i.tion despite not being part of our school's fencing team. It's my pleasure to introduce..."

Someone pulled open the door of the room, and all eyes turned to that direction waiting for this mystery dude who will help us for today's training. A man in fencing gears already entered the room and looked towards our direction. Then, he removed his mask.

"...Caden delos Santos," Coach Manuel introduced.

You've got to be kidding me, I thought to myself while resisting the urge to bolt out of this room.

Caden flashed his smile to us and stood beside Coach Manuel. He observed each of the players before him until his eyes met mine. He took a longer look at me then faced our coach.

"Caden, here had been winning small fencing games back in the big cities. Though to my shame, this humble guy here doesn't want to publicize his achievements over the year already."

He just simply shook his head at Coach Manuel while his cheeks turned red, probably blus.h.i.+ng from the compliments.

"Caden will be dueling some of you, so he can share his experience, tactics and moves that will help us win tomorrow's game. So Caden, you may choose among my players who'd you like to duel first."

He returned his glance to us while picking who will duel him first. And I have the feeling who would be the lucky guy.

"I chose him, Coach Manuel," Caden said while pointing his sword to that chosen person.

All eyes turned their direction to that chosen person which unfortunately was me. Surprise, surprise.

I nodded my head at him and stepped forward before him. I gave him my icy glare while in return he gave me his sickening smile he always flashed at me whenever we met.

We both steppend on the opposite side of the rubber piste, and at the same time put on the mask while our swords were pointing above, waiting for the go signal from Coach Manuel.

"Let's a make bet, Rayven," Caden offered.

"What made you think I will agree on your bet," I muttered while controling my voice.

"If you win, I will stop bothering you. But if I win, you owe me."

"What? Not forcing me to join your weird gang or brotherhood?"

"Owing me is much more fun." While his face might be covered by the mask, I could feel that he just sent a smirk at my direction.

"Fine by me," I answered. Let's hope I will defeat him.

I saw from my peripheral that coach stood beside my teammates. All of them were excited to witness this match between me and Caden.

"This will be best of three match under Foil Fencing, so no attacks beyond the torso area. En Garde! Begin!"

Upon hearing the signal of Coach Manuel, I immediately launched myself to Caden's direction and attacked him. But he successfully deflected my blow, and aggressively tried to aim at mu003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003ey torso. I expected this move and beat attack his sword. Caden disengaged from me, looking for other opening. But before he could lunge at me again, I made a fake attack (feint) just to provoke him which was successful. He raised his sword to block the attack, but to his suprise, it was a fake move. I lauched myself again and quickly found an opening to aim his torso. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003e"Winner for the first round, Rayven!" Coach Manuel announced. My teammates applauded my effort, and I felt a sense of satisfaction.u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003e"Next round is mine," Caden boasted. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eCoach Manuel shouted at our direction again, signaling the start of round two. We exchanged blows and parried at each other longer than the first round. But for this round, he was more aggressive. He used his sword like a whip, never giving me a chance to lunge at me. And the next thing I knew, I felt the end of his blade at my torso. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003e"Winner for the second round, Caden! Next is the final and deciding round. Do you both need a break?"u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eI nodded at Coach Manuel, and he let us a five minute break to refresh ourselves. I grabbed my water jug and drink from it. Caden did also the same while looking at me. Before going back in front, I took a deep breath and nerves were starting to get into me. I have to win this game or else Caden will have an edge on me. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eWe both returned at the rubber stage and put again our mask. Both of us looking at each other while waiting for the signal of my coach. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003e"En Garde! Begin!"u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eCaden continued his aggressive attack on me which I deflected every blows. But I couldn't be forever in defense. I have to be on the offense. Unfortunately, he was making it hard for me to launch an attack of my own. He was whipping his sword at me like a madman. He was really motivated to win against me. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eThe parrying continued until I felt the point of his sword this time on my chest, defeating me in this game. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eCoach Manuel clapped thunderously which I a.s.sumed for Caden's win against me. "And the winner is Caden!"u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eBefore going to coach's side, Caden removed his mask and moved closer to me.u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003e"I guess you owe me, Rayven."u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eI looked at him as he hugged Coach Manuel while my teammates showered him with praises. u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eWhy did I have this feeling like I just sold myself to the devil?u003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eu003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eu003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eu003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eu003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eu003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eu003c/spanu003e

u003cspan style="line-height: 1.66667;"u003eu003c/spanu003e