Greenland County.
A beautiful sunset caressed the horizon spreading its orange glow across the sky. The peaceful and happy atmosphere smiled down upon thousands who had their homes there.
The huge auditorium was flowing with thousands of young people. They all looked happy and chatted loudly with one another.
Several teens made their way around in groups. Others could be seen standing in some spots, yet others walked around leisurely.
A few others already took their seats on the inner arena where their parents also sat.
It was nearly time for the start of the annual student talent search ceremony. The participants would be all students in the high schools within the entire county who considered themselves to be talented.
Most of the parents accompanied their children for the glory of the moment, especially when they expected their sons or daughters to perform exemplary. Furthermore, today's ceremony would be attended by the County Governor himself and other dignified people.
But not all students here had their parents accompanying them. Some were on their own, either because their guardians were too busy, uninterested or simply could not make it. Everyone had a reason for either attending or missing out.
However, it would be the greatest day for all the participants.
Just to get admitted into the ceremony itself was a great deal. Some students won't be lucky enough to secure more than a spectator card at the entry registration point. Nobody wanted to be a mere spectator considering that a chance to participate in the talent search could open numerous doors for any student.
"Are we done here?" Rob To asked the male registrar who was taking down his details.
"Certainly sir," the registrar answered.
"Here, your participating number is…!" he began while handing a card to Rob To but was cut short in his answer.
Rob To had snatched the card away from him.
"80027! I can see that!" he shouted as he walked away with a number of his friends.
"That man could surely waste our precious time! Nkt!" he clicked as he went. The others nodded in agreement with him.
"Yeah! And imagine the ceremony is about to start yet we haven't moved around Young master!" one of the boys with him said.
"Don't mind the time. We will move around until I am called to participate. I don't think that is anytime soon!" Rob To answered looking at his card number. No doubt there were numerous participants ahead of him.
They walked away from the registration booth at the entrance. His driver took their land cruiser Prado car to the parking as they strolled away.
"Brother Gad, so you finally showed up!" a cheerful looking student warmed up to Gad Pa, another student who just walked into the auditorium.
"Yes Ney Shu. But as I told you, am not participating!" said Gad Pa.
Ney Shu looked at him, unbelieving.
"You are kidding, right? Show me your card!" Ney Shu pressed.
Gad Pa revealed a blue card! Blue was for spectators and Yellow for participating individuals.
"Come on brother! Do you really believe that you lack talent? Nobody lacks talent in this world! You just have to find out what yours is!"
Ney Shu felt disappointed seeing his friend out of the competition even before it started.
"Don't worry Ney Shu! I will be your biggest supporter. I will cheer you the loudest!" Gad Pa said.
Ney Shu wanted to protest some more but his friend pulled him along.
"Come on! Let's find our seats, the opening ceremony is about to start!"
Ney Shu followed him. Soon they came to where stairs led up to several unoccupied seats in the second part of the huge auditorium.
"Look at that pretty lassie!" Rob To nudged one of his mates as he stared at a female student who was making her way past them towards the row of empty seats.
"I got to speak to her!" he said as he moved to block her way. The young lady noticed him just in time.
She moved the other way to avoid him and in the process bumped into Gad Pa. The two collided and her card and purse fell on the ground.
"Oh am so sorry miss!" Gad Pa quickly apologized as he bent to pick up the items. He handed them back to her.
"Thanks, but am the one who knocked you, sorry!" the girl said and apologized to Gad Pa. Her voice was sweet and composed. Her eyes were full of life and wisdom. She seemed to be around sixteen years.
"Out of my way you brat!" Rob To suddenly pushed Gad Pa away and stood again in front of the female student.
"Miss, you shouldn't waste your apologies to such freaks, come I will walk you to your seat!" Rob To rudely said as he went for the girl's hand.
Gad Pa moved aside.
The girl snatched her hands off.
"You are the brat and the freak around here! Mind your manners!" she retorted. Her voice was still calm but stern. Even Gad Pa was surprised.
"You, who do you think you are to speak to me like that? Do you know who I am?" Rob To was fuming as he blocked her passage further. His boys surrounded him on one side.
"I don't know and I don't care too! Out of my way!" she sternly said.
Rob To was about to make a move when suddenly four men in nice tailored suits and who appeared like guards surrounded the girl. Rob To and his friends moved a step back.
"Is there any trouble, Madam Mil?" one of the bodyguards asked.
"Nothing I couldn't handle!" the young lady answered her eyes fixed upon Rob To.
She turned once again to the direction of Gad Pa and was about to speak when she saw a blue card on the floor some meters away.
She picked it up and read the name on it.
"Gad Pa! Is this…?" she begun.
"Oh, seems I dropped my card too. That's me!" Gad Pa said and stepped forward to pick it up.
"Am sorry once again," the female student said as she gave back the card to Gad Pa.
"I am Su Mil!" she said and they shook hands.
He opened his mouth to speak but didn't have the opportunity to say a word since the lady had already moved away with her guards.
"Wow! Brother! Who is she?" Ney Shu asked surprised. Gad Pa didn't have to answer him. In that county there was only one family who bear the name Mil. She was no doubt the daughter of Mil Koto, their Governor!
Gad Pa was pondering about this when Rob To poked his fingers on his forehead, pushing him backwards.
"You filthy scoundrel!" he insulted, "Do you think you can win the heart of the Governor's daughter with these rags on you?"
Gad Pa just looked on, he sized up the guy in front of him. He did not feel afraid of him.
'This is just another bully!' he thought.
All his life, he has been bullied by many for so long that he had gotten used to it. In fact, he didn't care anymore.
"Let's go!" he said to Ney Shu and they walked away from the troublesome Rob To.
"Yea! Walk away you chicken head before I crush you!" Rob shouted after them.
They walked up the aisle and found empty seats on the last row of the arena. The sat down just when the auditorium was called to order.
The loud music was paused and bright dazzling lights were switched on.
The master of ceremony gave a big shout out and the stadium erupted in response.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to this year's edition of Students' Talent Search! We are here today to witness some of the most amazing talents in the entire world! Please give a big welcome to all our participants!"
Jubilation rendered the air. The music played to crescendo and flares of fireworks lighted up the dark sky.
"Before we proceed," the man on stage said, "Be reminded that his Excellency the Governor, Mil Koto will grace this year's event! We are expecting him shortly!"
More cheers and fireworks followed this announcement.
Right at that moment, all lights went off and the entire auditorium was thrown into pitch blackness.
Confused shouts erupted from all corners. At first people thought it was part of the organizers' display. Then they realized there was no single power on, even on the instruments for addressing.
"What's happening?" people shouted.
"Stay in your seats!"
"Don't move! You will cause a stampede!"
Everywhere people shouted and others could barely be heard amidst all the chaos.
"Aaaai! Something pierced me!" Ney Shu shouted and collapsed on the floor.
"Me too! Oouch! That was painful!" Gad Pa said as he too felt dizzy and a heavy blackness descended upon him.
He too fell on the ground.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Everywhere, everyone fell on the ground.
Unconscious! Everyone passed out.
Darkness.