Serena's voice quivered with anxiety. "What's going on, Alex? Who is he?"Alex held her gently, a soft smile touching his lips. "I'll explain everything when I return from this mission.""Mission? I don't understand." Serena clung to him, her grip tightening. "It sounds dangerous.""This is what I do now, love.""Why do you sound like this? You've really changed.""Cosmopolis is in danger. I have to go," Alex said apologetically, gently prying her hands off him.He stood up, facing Agent Q. "Let's go.""Miss Davis," the agent announced, "my staff will take you home. Your parents are expecting you.""But I don't want to go without Alex," she protested."It's for your safety, ma'am," Q insisted, giving Alex a meaningful look."Oh, uh," Alex stammered instinctively. "I'll see you at home later, okay?""Promise?" Serena's voice was fragile, laden with helplessness.Alex nodded, kissed her hand, and quickly left with Q. Serena followed them to the door, watching as they stepped into the ele
‘’Why has Diego been looking all over campus for you?’’ a student asked.‘’I don’t know. Maybe he needs something,’’ replied Alex, both students walking along the campus lawn leading to the faculty.Deep down in his heart, Alex knew why Diego wanted him. He had kept a low profile for three days, in a bid to avoid him.But today, he had enough and decided to go to class and risk running into him.‘’I regret the day I met those three,’’ he murmured.''For years I've endured their humiliation. But today I'll no longer take it. I'm ready to pay the price,'' he said in defiance.''I do hope you have enough will to fight them off,'' the student gave him a worried look.Alex was quite decisive about what he wanted to be in future, right from an early age."I want to become an archaeologist when I grow up," he said to his mother one day.Years ago, a pregnant Isabella Rodriguez embarked on a long trip to Cosmopolis City. She was seeking refuge from the dangerous gang wars in her home country.
‘’I demand to know why final year students with only a few months left until graduation, are behaving like a bunch of teenage rascals?’’‘’ I can't believe it! This is unacceptable," Alice scowled.Dr. Alice Harper, a Professor of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Studies, was also the Dean of the Arts and Humanities faculty.‘’Sorry Dr Harper,’’ Diego apologized, dropping the bat.‘’He, he caused it,’’ he stammered, pointing at Alex.‘’Silence young man. Wait in my office. I’ll be having a word with your father about this, today.’’‘’Now will the rest of you get into the class for my revision lectures!’’Alex picked up his spectacles. He also grabbed the amulet, rubbed it against his yellow shirt to remove the dirt, and put it back in his pocket.Diego headed in the other direction. He dreaded his father and knew he would be in trouble if this incident was ever mentioned to the El Capo.There were suppressed giggles from the other students in the hall, as Alex, Tyler and Ryan marched
As he plummeted, memories of his life flashed before him—the moments with his mother, Serena, childhood adventures, and cherished loved ones—all converging in an instant.With a sickening thud, his body smashed against the unforgiving rocky floor with such devastating impact that he was mortally wounded. Alex was left all alone fighting for his life.There was a sharp pain in his back which began to spread. He opened his mouth to ask for help but blood gushed out, flowing into the sand.He gasped for air, his body wracked with agony as he struggled to stay conscious. "I'm hurt. I can't move. Help!". Silence.His voice waned to a feeble whisper as his life ebbed away. Just when he had lost all hope, the amulet began to emit a luminous green light, casting a glow in the darkened surroundingsThe last thing he remembered was a shadowy figure floating towards him.*****‘’Arise chosen one, Kukulkan commands’’ a voice thundered, causing the entire chamber to vibrate like in an earthquake.
‘’Alex! Alex!! Alex!!!’’Silence.‘’Where could he have gone,’’ Alice asked.‘’Who knows? Could be somewhere in these surroundings,’’ one student replied.A few hours earlier, the excursion crew were conducted around different areas of the ancient site. After the visit, everyone had converged on the bus, when Serena noticed Alex was missing.‘’I couldn’t find him at the top, or around the pyramid,’’ one of the tour guides replied.‘’My partner has also searched around this ancient site, with some workers here. No success.’’‘’Serena! you were with him when we left the bus, yeah?’’ said one of the students.‘’He told me he wanted to look around,’’ she replied.‘’Where?’’‘’I don’t know exactly. He just said he would explore the grounds. Excuse me.’’Serena hurried to the bushy area at the east side of the temple. All she could see was trees which stretched for miles. ‘’Could he have wandered into this jungle?’’ she thought.‘’Alex!She waded through the thick grass for a few minutes.‘
"The guardians had already revealed so much within a short period that Alex struggled to take it all in at once.He was still concerned as the amulet was giving off a red-coloured glow.‘’Someone very close to your heart is in grave danger,’’ Yum Wey said.‘’Concentrate. Listen.’’‘’To summon your powers, you must always look within yourself.’’Alex focused his energy for a few seconds. All he got were screams and noise. He paused for a few seconds to filter out all the noise. Then he heard it.‘’Serena?’’ his eyebrows raised. ‘’Oh, my goodness, she must be in trouble.’’‘’Go,’’ Cetzel declared, with a smile. ‘'We shall meet again soon.’’Nodding, Alex closed his eyes briefly and imagined himself on the upper surface of the temple. His body became transparent for a few seconds, flashed, disappeared, and reappeared in its normal form. He repeated the process twice but met the same disappointing end.‘’What am I doing wrong?’’ he asked in frustration. ‘’Why can’t I teleport?’’‘’Young M
Detective Luis Gomez of the Policía Estatal de Yucatán (Yucatan Police Department) sat behind his mahogany desk staring at the young man in front of him.Gomez was in his late thirties. Having served in the Mexican Fuerzas Especiales (Special Forces), he received rigorous training in counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, and direct action missions.His boss, the Chief of Police, had taken some weeks of sick leave, leaving him temporarily in charge of the police station.After listening attentively to the young man’s story, he still wasn’t very convinced.‘’You mean you just wandered into the jungle on your own without any idea about where you were going?’’‘’Yes, detective. I had always wanted to explore the dense tropical vegetation. But somehow I lost my sense of direction.’’‘’Hmm... Gomez nodded as he lighted a cigarette, his legs on the desk.’’‘’So how did you find your way back?’’‘’Well, I got lucky.’’‘’Lucky huh? Perhaps you’ll care to explain why your bag was found nea
‘’You were supposed to be dead,’’ Diego muttered, summoning some courage‘’How did he survive?’’ Ryan asked, surprised.‘’Maybe the hole wasn’t as deep as we thought.’’‘’Some guts you have coming in here all alone after all that happened, Alex,’’ Tyler sneered.‘’You think you’re some tough guy huh?’’‘’I bet he would yelp for help as usual. Maybe this time, that Serena girl will come to his rescue.’’All three burst into laughter.Alex looked unperturbed, not noticing their subtle threats.‘’Don’t you have nothing to say poor street rat?’’ Tyler teased.‘’Cat got your tongue, Indie?’’Alex cast a nonchalant gaze at the trio, then shifted attention to his wristwatch. ‘’You boys should find something better to do with your time. All the wealth you display belongs to your parents. Not you.’’‘’Just friendly advice,’’ he added, turning to leave.‘’What did you just say?’’ Tyler asked angrily.Silence‘’Hey, I’m talking to you, dummy.’’‘’Looks like good old Indie is high on some Mexica