Chapter 37: Linkage

"You m-must be Ryle..... My sister."

Hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko when Ryu grabbed and hugged me so tight. He buried his face on my neck at doon napahagulhol.

"Ryle....." The devil cried hard in front of me at bumalik sa alaala ko ang lahat ng mga nangyari sa pagitan namin ni Ryu mula sa unang beses na tutukan niya ako ng baril sa masquerade party nina Marion hanggang sa mga sandaling ito. I can't believe that he's my brother. Of all things, it's the least that I expected.

"R-Ryu...."

"Kaya pala may kakaiba akong nararamdaman para sa iyo. I thought I was like those other Vanders who've been falling for you but now it's all clear to me. You're my sister", he said while crying. He kissed my hair and hugged me more.

Nang bitawan niya ako kay hinarap naman niya si Mommy. "Mom..."

"Ikaw ang batang lalaki sa panaginip ko?", Mom said at napaiyak. "God, I really want my memory back. I guess I'll have to schedule another hypnotic session with Dr. Lorenzo."

Naiyak si Mommy at niyakap si Ryu. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang naging resulta ng cosultation niya kanina sa doctor but these things are getting clearer to her. To us.

Sa gulat ko ay lumuhod sa harapan ko si Rionessi. "My daughter...."

Tinulungan ko siyang tumayo. I can't believe that he kneeled in front of me.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry please patawarin niyo ako.... Sa ilang taon na hindi ko kayo nakasama."

As I saw him cried ay lumambot din ang puso ko. My father. My real father. "Patawarin mo ako Anak. Forgive me for pointing my gun to you..."

"O-okay l-lang po..."

"Sandali lang Tartarus! We can't be sure that she's Athena! Bakit hindi natin siya isailalim sa DNA testing?", suhestiyon ng isang babaeng nasa mesa. They were looking at us like we're taping a soap opera.

Pinulot ni Rionessi ang kanyang baril at itinutok iyon sa babae. "Don't you dare question me on-"

"Tama siya Tartarus. I also feel that this woman is my sister but we have to be sure", wika ni Cronus at ibinaba naman ni Rionessi ang kanyang hawak na baril.

"I'm open for it if that's the only way to answer all my questions. I always wake up next to my husband after seeing another face in my dreams", wika ni Mommy. Bumaling siya sa akin. "I always suspect your father of something, I mean Bernard. Para kasing andami niyang itinatago sa atin. Eventhough he's a good husband and father, nagtataka pa rin ako sa ibang mga ikinikilos niya. I don't know about his other transactions other than those in our business."

"Mom..." Mas lalo pang naglaglagagan ang mga luha ko. Naaawa na ako sa tearducts ko. Noong isang araw pa ito, it must be so tired by now for its nonstop task.

But if I'm Ryu's sister and we're Vanders, it means... Napatingin ako kay Cooler. Gone was his lively and positive mood. I neither see anger nor happiness in his eyes. All I see is a blank stare. If he's a Vander and so is Gray, it means that we're cousins! Sumagi sa isip ko ang halik na nangyari sa pagitan namin ni Gray.

What the hell? I'm all fucked up! My body and mind are tired and I cannot think right. Pero bakit?! Bakit si Gray pa? Did I kiss my cousin?

Naramdaman ko na lamang ang pag-ikot ng mundo and everything becomes blurry. I felt my body softened at bago pa man ako tuluyang mawalan ng ulirat ay nasalo na ako ni Ryu before I fell on the floor.

Nagising ako na nasa malambot na kama at nakatunghay si Ryu sa akin. The reapers Mnemosyne and Poseidon were there too at namataan ko rin si Cooler na nakasandal sa gilid.

"Ryle.... Are you feeling better now?", wika ni Ryu sa akin. I'm not used to him being sweet and gentle to me. He just called me Ryle.

"She's tired physically and emotionally, I guess she needs rest Apollo", wika ni Poseidon."Maybe let's leave her at bumalik na sa conference room."

"Wag mo akong diktahan sa gagawin ko Poseidon!", Ryu said in an authoritative voice. Like father like son eh?

"Why don't you leave me and my sister alone? Hindi naman kayo kailangan dito. Leave!"

"But Ryu-"

"I said leave. Ano ang hindi ninyo maintindihan doon Mnemosyne?", lalo pang lumakas ang boses nito kaya hinila na ni Mnemosyne si Red palabas ng silid.

"How about you Zeus? Malamang hinahanap ka na nila sa pagtitipon", wika ni Ryu. Lumapit si Cooler sa amin and he never left his gaze on me.

"The hacker is much important in the gathering than the transactor. Bakit hindi na lang ikaw ang pumunta doon Apollo and give me a little time with my cousin?", wika nito.

The word cousin rang in my ears. Yes. He's my cousin. I'm a Vander too so he's absolutely my cousin.

"I can't leave Ryle-"

"Okay lang Ryu", wika ko sa kanya at naupo sa kama.

"But-"

"I'm really fine. Maybe you should go to that gathering", wika ko sa kanya. "Where's my Mom by the way?"

"It's OUR Mom. She's with Dr. Fresco for DNA testing", sagot ni Ryu.

"Agad-agad?"

"Yes. The mafia has the power to put everything in an instant. Come on Apollo. I'll take care of Amber", wika ni Cooler.

Napatayo si Ryu at tumango dito.
"I'll leave you for a while, okay?", tanong niya sa akin at bahagya akong tumango. I'm really not used to him being this kind to me. Mukhang mas komportable pa ako sa paraan ng pagtrato niya sa akin dati.

Nang makalabas si Ryu sa pinto ay saglit na namayani sa pagitan namin ang katahimikan. I heard Cooler sighed bago ito nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na magsalita.

"I'm so surprised."

"So am I Cooler. Who would have thought that I'm living a fake life for eighteen years", wika ko sa kanya. I thought my life is just simple, but it's all complicated now. I'm raised by an enemy and my real family is actually the Vanders.

"I should say that you must be used to this. Nakakalungkot lang isipin na ang babaeng nagustuhan ko ay pinsan ko pala", wika niya at napatingin akong deretso sa kanya. Despite being playful, Cooler is serious at times too.

"I don't know how to react to everything. It's all so abrupt and sudden.... Magigising ka na lang isang araw na iba na ang musika sa buhay mo."

"We can't choose the music life gives us but we can definitely choose how we can dance to that music Amber. Being blood related is not what I'm expecting between us", seryosong wika ni Cooler sa akin. "If ever it's proven that your Mom is really Tita Sweet, what are you planning to do now Amber?"

"Hindi ko alam."

"Better decide by now."

"Hindi ko talaga alam Cooler", wika ko at unti-unti na namang naglaglagan ang mga luha ko. "Take me to Bridle please."

"But Amber-"

"Please Cooler. After all, I ditched school, I need to go back there. Tatawagan ko na lamang si Mommy. Please keep her safe", wika ko kay Cooler. I know that the Genesis will be after us kapag sinabi na ni Preciosa Vergara sa organisasyon ang tungkol sa ginawa ni Daddy- err I mean Copper. Or Rovan Allejo III.

"Fine. Halika na", wika niya at lumabas ng pinto. I jumped from the bed and immediately followed him. Nang makasakay kami sa kotse ay tinanong niya ako.

"What if it's really proven that she's Sweet. Babalik ka ba sa Daddy mo- I mean the one na nakalakihan mo?"

"I don't have a plan but I know the mafia will protect Mom."

"And you. What if puntahan ka nila dito? What are you gonna do? Maybe we'll have some reapers to look after you", suhestiyon ni Cooler. I don't know if he's anticipating any danger or what but having a reaper to guard me like 24/7 isn't necessary.

I know that those people from Genesis are evil. I could only imagine the salivating that they would do as they hunt me or Mom kapag nalaman nila ang tungkol sa amin. I hope Dad- I mean Rovan Allejo wouldn't be in danger too.

Cooler drove the car in a swift yet careful manner at hindi ko na lamang namalayan ay nakapasok na kami sa loob ng Bridle. Just like I thought, the guards became his best buddy kaya malaya itong nakakapasok sa loob. When I glanced at my watch, it's past four at malamang ay dismissal na rin ngayon. I would expect students would be passing the school grounds sooner.

"Are you planning to tell Gray about this now?", tanong niya. He stopped the car in front of the administration building but no one dared to step out the car.

"Hindi ko alam."

"Those are your most overused words Amber. When can you be certain of those things that you don't know?" He asked and I saw how his dark an expressionless eyes darted on me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Hindi ko alam."

A groan escaped from his throat bago ko binuksan ang pinto ng kotse at lumabas doon. Cooler did the same and he sat on the car's hood habang nakaharap sa akin.

"I'm not really comfortable of leaving you alone here Amber", wika niya. I can sense the protective feeling in him and I really appreciate him. He's one of those whom I know always got my back whenever I needed. He sighed, puffing out his cheeks. Like he has no idea what to do with me. Well, he doesn't have to do anything. I can take care of myself.

"Bestie!"

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Cooler sa direksyon na pinanggalingan ng boses ni Jeremy. Like I had expected, he wasn't alone and is with Math and Gray, who's darting his gaze suspiciously across me and Cooler.

"Hey Freezer! Gray's big bro!", Jeremy said with a grin. His not-so-funny words don't fit the moment but I guess I'll just let him. After all he's clueless with everything that's happening.

"He's Gray's big bro? Well I see the similarity", Math said with a smile nang tuluyan na silang makalapit sa amin. "It really runs in the blood eh? In the Silvan's blood."

"It's actually Vander", pagtatama ni Cooler. They already saw each other at Athena but they haven't talked since we left immediately with Cooler to chase the car where Phobie was. Bumaling si Cooler kay Jeremy and he smirked at him. "It's Cooler, not Freezer."

"Parehas lang naman na malamig," Jeremy said.

"I thought you're with your Mom? Kailan mo pa naging nanay si Cooler?", walang kangiti-ngiting wika ni Gray. He was bad at joking, I knew it.

"He-he-he", sarkastikong tawa ni Jeremy and he cleared his throat. "Ahemm.. Supportive friend here."

"Well, she did-"

"I'm not talking to you Cooler."

"Awww! I'm still older than you", wika ni Cooler. "Can you atleast give me some respect? I missed you baby bro, hug Kuya please-"

"What should I smash first, your car or your face?", Gray asked which made Cooler pout and Jeremy laugh.

"How sweet of you baby bro. May sasabihin pa naman sana kami ni Amber sa iyo. It's probably bad news for you-"

I heard Math shrieked. "Oh my God, you two are in a relationship?"

What the hell?

I'm too tired for this and I think we shouldn't be discussing this by now. When I looked at Gray, there was this new sensation inside my chest. It had sparked up when I saw him.

"We do", sagot ni Cooler and I saw Gray and Jeremy lost color. It's like I'm watching a milk bottle empty.

"Do I need an interpreter?", Jeremy nosensically asked.

"What?"

"But it's not just like what you think, it's actually deeper than that", Cooler said at mas lalong nawalan ng kulay si Jeremy at Gray. And it seems like Cooler is enjoying it. I can see in Gray's face that he wants to smack Cooler in the face and beat him up and smash him on the ground but Cooler laughed and I never had the chance to find out if Gray is capable of such a tantrum.

"Just kidding. Amber still 'doesn't know what to do' so I'll leave that up to her. I need to go back to the mansion and check for the results if it matched, I'll call you right away Amber", wika ni Cooler. He bowed at Math at nagpaalam sa aming lahat. He made a little salute before he jump inside the car and left Bridle.

"Hey Bestie, how's ditching?", Je asked and their eyes are boring into me like they just needed a testimony of my absence.

"Worst."

"Really? Umiyak ka ba Amber? Why do you look so- uh, wasted?", Math asked. And I really do. I'm all wasted after every revelation.

I don't want to talk about it right now so I pulled myself. "I'm tired. I want to rest", wika ko and I turned my back to them and walked towards the girls' l dormitory. I knew they are following me dahil ihahatid nila si Math, well that's their daily routine. Nang makarating kami sa bukana ng dorm ay bahagya akong ngumiti sa kanila at nagpaalam bago ko tinungo ang hagdan.

***

I woke up tired and unrefreshed. I laid all night on my bed yet I feel like I didn't sleep at all. I checked my phone and there were 21 missed calls from Dad. Hindi ko namalayan ang pagtawag nito kagabi dahil iniwan kong naka-silent sa locker ang cellphone ko. I read the three messages that he sent me.

"Hello Bumpkin! Do you know where your mom went?"

"Nak, hindi pa umuuwi ang mommy mo."

"Pick up the phone sweetie."

Nagtatalo ang kalooban ko kung magre-reply ba ako sa mensahe niya o hindi. After a while of hesitation, I sent him my brief reply.

"She's somewhere safe."

I tossed the phone in my bag and hurried down towards the stairs for school. Paglabas ko pa lamang napansin na sumabay ang langit sa mood ko. The sky is grey and gloomy, threatening to pour a heavy rain any moment now. I don't feel bad about the weather, in fact I found it very cooperative. I went straight to class and it wasn't long before the class started as the heavy rain poured. We were answering a seatwork when the teacher called my attention.

"Amber Sison, you got a visitor", wika ng guro namin. When I raised my head to see who it was, I didn't feel happy even if I am expecting his visit. Dati ay natutuwa ako kapag pinupuntahan ako ng taong iyon sa Bridle but now, it's different. I sighed before I raised from my seat and walked towards the door where Bernard Sison slash Rovan Allejo III slash Copper was standing. He kissed my cheek at pakiramdam ko ay ako si Kristo at siya si Hudas. It felt like it was a kiss of betrayal. We went to the indoor study benches at naupo doon.

"Sweetie-"

"I know everything Dad", putol ko sa kanya. Pumiyok ang boses ko habang kausap ito. After all he's been a good father even if I wasn't his child. He's been a good husband even if Mom wasn't his wife.

Napayuko ito at napabuntong-hininga. "I know, Andromeda told me. Good thing she kept it from the organization."

Tumulo ang luha ko kasabay ng pagsalita ni Daddy. See, it's a direct admission about all my previous confusions. I don't know how exactly I felt that moment. It seems that my heart was ripped off my chest and has been stabbed many times.

"Bakit po?"

"You will not understand it by now Bumpkin-"

"Please stop the sweet names. It's killing me", I said between my sobs. I feel crappy inside.

"Anak-"

"All this time I thought you're exactly what I imagined you to be Dad... No, Copper." Basag ang boses ko at panay pa ang hikbi.

"Makinig ka sa akin Anak. I want you and your Mom back. Let's start something fresh-"

"We can't. We're back to our original family and-"

Nawala ang kulay sa mukha ni Daddy. "What do you mean?" I know he already has an idea about what I am saying but he still chose to ask me about it.

"She's simply back to where she belongs." I don't know if Dad can perfectly understand my words in this state. My tears are still pouring like the rain.

"You know the Vanders?", he asked. "How are you able to find them?"

"I don't only know them but I have befriended them long ago. You should have been observant during my debut, there's actually three Vanders there. Maybe you failed to recognize them, after all they're the new generations of Vanders."

To my surprise ay napalitan ng galit ang mukha ni Daddy. He grabbed me by the arm and I flinched when his grip felt like it's breaking my bones.

"Pumunta ka sa lungga ng mga
Vanders?! Alam mo ba kung gaano ka delikado iyon-"

"Bitawan niyo po ako! Nasasaktan ako!", I said and he let go of my arms. A look of tenderness passed his eyes as he looked at the red marks forming from his grip.

"I'm sorry... Anak, please bumalik na kayo ng mommy mo sa akin..."

"I'm sorry but we won't. Alam niyo po, iniisip ko kung paano niyo naatim na kunin kami ni Mommy to satisfy your bereavement that moment not considering that you deprived us to another child and man!"

For my eighteen years of existence, I never talk back to Dad even once. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagagawa ko ito ngayon. I wasn't just talking back, I'm actually screaming on his face as we have this argument.

"Makinig ka muna sa akin Amber-"

"Tama na po please. Kapag may narinig pa akong kasinungalingan ay hindi ko na po makakayanan", I said and I feel so weak and languid by now.

Just then my phone rang inside my pocket. It was Cooler. Nagtatalo ang kalooban ko kung tama bang sagutin ko iyon but I decided to. Dad stared at me helplessly.

"Hello..."

"Amber, the results of the DNA were already here. And it's positive", wika niya at nabitawan ko ang cellphone ko dahil sa panghihina. It made a loud crashing sound on the concrete floor and I feel like I'll be bursting any moment from now.

"Amber... Please, makinig ka muna sa akin..."

"Umalis na po kayo", wika ko. I can hardly hear my voice at puro na lamang hikbi ang naririnig ko.

"Amber...."

"Miss Sison? May problema ba dito?", tanong ni Ma'am Saderna who passed that way at napansin marahil nito ang nangyari.

"Yes Ma'am. This man is bothering me."

"I'm sorry Sir, but you'd better leave by now bago ko pa ito ireport sa institution", wika ni Ma'am Saderna.

"Look teacher, my name is Bernard Sison, Amber's father and we're just having some misunderstandings here kaya iwan mo muna kami", sagot ni Dad dito.

"No Ma'am. He's not my father", wika ko and stared directly at him. Nagulat ito sa sinabi ko as pain and sadness passed his eyes. "Please call the security."

Ma'am Saderna got her phone and dialled a number. Nang tangkain akong yakapin ni Dad ay umatras ako. I really don't know what to do right now.

"Amber please mag-usap muna tayo", pagsusumamo nito. I want to runaway from that place. Hearing his voice cracked and seeing him in a weak state softens me and makes me want to hug him and escape from reality. This is too much to bear. My knees quiver and my eyes are cloudy nang makita ko ang dalawang guard na may dalang payong. They rushed towards us to check the situation.

"Ano ang nangyayari dito?", tanong ng head ng security. He looked at us with a questioning look.

"I guess that guy is bothering this student", wika ni Ma'am Saderna at tinuro si Daddy.

"Totoo ba Miss?"

Dad looked at me helplessly. His eyes plead me to talk to him but now that I got confirmation, I will not talk to him or atleast not now.

"Opo. Pakidampot po siya at ilayo dito. He's a threat to the school and to the students as well", buo ang boses na wika ko. I turned my heels on Ma'am Saderna and utter my gratitude for her help. Matapos magpasalamat ay tumakbo ako palayo sa lugar na iyon and ran towards the school grounds not minding Dad's pleading call.

A gust of wind sprayed me with freezing rain as I made my way to the open field. Wala akong pakialam kung nababasa na ako mula sa malalaking butil ng ulan. My tears warmed up my face but still the rain felt ten times colder. It felt like I was blasted in the face with frozen buckshot or whatever I imagine it to be. I walked on the ground not minding the puddle in the ground, permeating my shoes and soaking my socks in the cold water. The cold wind passed me and I don't have any regrets of running out there soaking myself. Wala akong pakialam kahit pa magkasakit ako. I just want to cry and let go of everything!

I slowly sat on a bench there kahit pa basang-basa na ako. Dirts were on my socks and I imagine what a tough voyage my shoes has been. I cried hard, letting the rain mixed with my tears. I let go of the whimpers that's been staying in my throat and cried like a child who was being robbed with her favorite toy by a playmate. I put my hands on my face and let my palm catch my tears.

Masakit sa balat ang ulan but I never mind it. It cannot compensate the pain that I'm feeling in my heart. Naramdaman ko na lamang na tila tumigil ang ulan sa pagtama sa katawan ko but it's still raining hard. Did the rain avoid me or my body just became numb? I looked up and saw a green ceiling of which I figure out that it's an umbrella. I traced who's carrying it and I saw a worried
face.

"Please leave me alone", wika ko sa kanya. I don't want him to see me in this state.

Soaked.

Wrecked.

Devastated.

"I can't Special A", wika niya. He continue holding the umbrella for me. "Just cry and pretend that I'm not here."

And just like that, I cried all along. Khael remained standing there, soaked and cold and still holding the umbrella for me. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong nanatiling ganoon. Naramdaman ko na lang na wala na akong maiyak. The rain had stopped too but there's still some mist in the
atmosphere.

"I'm sorry...", wika ko kay Khael. We're both soaked as we sat on the bench.

"Anong problema Special A? Can I help?"

I wish he can but as of now, nothing can help me. Walang makakatulong sa akin upang mawala ang sakit na nararamdaman ko.

"Khael... Anong ginagawa mo dito?", I asked him. Surely he didn't go from Athena to Bridle just because he had a premonition of me soaking in the rain and he must come to hold the umbrella for me. That's crap. I want to be less-selfish for now. I will set aside my worry and ask for whatever he came here for.

"I was about to ask you and Silvan to come with me to some school downtown. Do you remember Cynil? The one who's been calling me when you're still at Athena? I guess that was really a serious case. The school got an arsonist on the run", wika niya. "I want us to track who's the arsonist."

I breathed heavily. I doubt if I can think right in this state but I don't want to stay at Bridle either. If there would be records of my acts, I would have had a multiple charges of class ditching. Who cares about grades anyway?

"I can't help you but can I come?", tanong ko sa kanya. Okay, it's not that I want to be with them or not, I just don't want to be alone. Pakiramdam ko kapag mag-isa lang ako ay magiging tear machine na naman ang mga mata ko until they depreciate and reach its limit.

"Are you sure?", he clarified and I nodded. "Let's change clothes first. Baka magkasakit ka Special A."

He dialled Gray's number and told him about his case. Hindi nagtagal ay dumating ito and he had a worried look in his eyes as he looked at me.

What now dear cousin? Thinking I might get sick?

Cooler's confirmation about Mom being Athena relieved me. Atleast I can be assured that Mom will be safe from the Genesis.

"What's the matter Amber?", Gray asked as he tried to pull me towards him but I was able to move back. My heart started pounding in its unusual manner, the one that only Gray can made me feel. It's wrong. It's all wrong. The kiss that we've shared was unintentional, after all we're blind about the blood relation between us until now.

Oh, ako lang pala ang may alam. Maybe I should tell him sooner. It might be that Cooler gave me the liberty to tell Gray the news about me.

"I'm fine G-gray..."

Nagtatakang tiningnan niya ako. He might be thinking that I'm avoiding him like he got a freaking contagious disease. We headed to the dormitory to let me change and they also went to the boys' dorm for Khael to change. Few minutes passed and we we're already at the backdoor exit and getting inside Khael's car. I was wondering where Kuya Rex is now. After Khael reached the legal age ay ito na ang nagmamaneho sa kotse nito. It's so silly to think of such at this situation..

When Gray hopped in the backseat ay pinili kong maupo sa shotgun seat. I can't sat beside him, maybe until I tell him the truth. He's not dumb so he must have felt that there's something wrong between us but he just ignored it as of now.

"What's exactly the case Alonzo?", tanong niya kay Khael. Kanina pa kami nagsasagutan ng bahing and hopefully Gray wouldn't catch our virus.

"We're heading to St. Therese Academy. There was this fire case few weeks ago and the school reported an accident, short circuit to be exact but Cynil witnessed how a hooded man started the fire. She's not really sure if it's a man or a woman but she saw that the fire was deliberately started", wika ni Khael. He was driving slow along the slippery road.

"And? We're going to do a retrospective investigation about that case?"

"Nope, I mean yeah. Sort of Silvan. Few days later, Cynil called again and she told me about the death of a teacher there. She was tortured to death. When I say torture, her body is covered with burns."

"Now it's getting interesting."

"And she just called me that the principal and the secretary were found hanged after being tortured too", wika ni Khael and I felt angry. Whoever did it isn't human!

"Didn't they have it investigated?", tanong ni Gray.

"Private investigators. STA is a known catholic school and such news would ruin its reputation. But good thing Cynil got connections and she'll help us get inside STA to investigate. Ever heard of Detective Adler?"

I was thinking of Detective Sherlock Holmes' unforgettable woman, Irene Adler and I found it funny how a detective has that name.

"Yeah, that ass-head private detective who messed up our case with Detective Tross. Why? He's on it?"

"Right."

I saw Gray frowned and so did Khael. Looks like they don't like this Detective Adler.

It took a time before we arrive at STA where a pretty girl in her conservative uniform and umbrella was waiting. The rain isn't strong, just mist. I pulled the hood of my black sweatshirt and pressed my hands on the pocket of my ripped jeans.

"Kuya Khael!", bati niya dito as she leaned to hug him. Ngumiti siya sa amin nang ipakilala kami ni Khael sa kanya.

"Cynil, this is Gray and Amber", wika nito.

"I've heard so much about you Gray", wika ni Cynil. She smiled and guided us towards the entrance of the school. I was expecting a huge gate but we headed towards the bushes instead. Eh? Backdoor again?

Compared to Bridle's backdoor, STA's was more convenient because there was actually a door on the plant-covered wall. Nang makapasok kami doon ay tumambad sa akin ang isang hindi kalakihang campus. STA isn't as big and prestigious as Bridle and Athena but as of the catholic schools in town, it's in the first spot on the list. I saw some students in their conservative uniform like Cynil's walked through the ground. There was a burnt building at may mga nakatambak na hollowblocks at buhangin sa gilid, tanda na aayusin ng STA ang nasunog na bahagi ng paaralan.

"Pumunta na tayo sa SSC office", wika ni Cynil at sumunod kami sa kanya. I saw her smiling face on a big picture frame at the office with the position president when we arrived at the office. It was clean and cozy and we sat comfortably on the chairs there.

She got some envelopes and put it on the table infront of us. "Photographs and records of the previous cases. I'm almost caught that time but I was able to get every piece of information that the private investigator had."

"Pretty nimble", komento ni Gray at inabot ang envelope. He looked at the pictures alongside with Khael.

Cynil walked towards the cupboard and reached for the cups at kumuha ng kape mula sa coffeemaker. She handed those to us and I was thankful as I sipped the coffee.

"The wire's deliberately damaged. There's even a remnant of the lighter that was used. Wala ba itong naiwang fingerprints?", Khael asked and Cynil shook her head.

"Unfortunately, it's all wiped up", wika. Lumapit na din ako sa kanila at tiningnan ang mga larawan.

The next photo was the tortured teacher at puno nga ng paso ang katawan nito. I looked away since I cannot stand how dreadful it was.

The next photo was the hanged principal and her secretary. Gaya ng tinorture na guro ay kalunos-lunos din ang sinapit ng dalawa. The next sheets that we got in the envelope were the suspect files. There were two of them, the assistant Principal Mr. Jovanie Damian. According to the files, he was last seen in the office before the body was discovered, on the night that the teacher was tortured to death and as well as when the principal and secretary were hanged. It's also said that he's rooting for the position and not just being an assistant.

The next was the son of the principal, Niel Pullido who is incharge for systems information. He had an affair with one of the staffs na tinutulan ng principal. Ayon din sa files, the teacher who was tortured was the one who discovered the affair at possibleng nadamay lamang ang secretarya.

"Oh, Cynil do you have the list of the ones I asked you?", tanong ni Khael at lumawak ang ngiti nito. She hurried towards the chair where she lays her bag at naglabas ng isang memopad.

"All listed and sorted from the arson night to the latest crime and I came up with three students", wika niya at iniabot kay Khael ang memopad. Inutusan pala ito ni Khael na mag-obserba sa kung sinu-sino ang mga estudyanteng maaaring nadawit sa kaso.

There were three names there. Kurt Ford, Mary Smith and Emily Romualdez.

Napansin ko ang pananahimik ni Gray na para bang nahulog ito sa malalim na pag-iisip. He looks like trying to remember a song from his mind.

"Alonzo, do you remember a parody playground song that we used to sing when our tutors are away?", tanong niya with a puzzled expression.

"What song?"

"The one that Zywon used to laugh at everytime we sang it."

"I knew it! It's the burning of the school. Why the sudden reminisc- ah. I see! Good Lord! That's it!"

Parehas silang napangiti ni Gray and I was wondering what they were thinking. Nagkasulyapan kami ni Cynil, both wondering what's the two are up to.

"Kuya Khael, anong kanta ba yan?", Cynil asked.

"A playground song with the lyrics; mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school we have tortured every teacher, we have broken every rule- What's the other lyrics Silvan?"

"We plan to hang the principal and secretary too, our troops are marching on! Glory, glory, hallelujah. Teacher hit me with a ruler. Met her at the door with a loaded .44 and she bothered me no more", Gray started reciting the song's lyrics at nanlaki ang mga mata ni Cynil.

"By any chance, does it sounds like this?", Cynil asked and she started humming a melody.

"That's it!", Gray and Khael exclaimed. Mukhang nakakakuha na sila ng tamang lead regarding this case!

"Now it all makes sense! I heard someone sang that song on the night of the fire!", Cynil said at hindi na nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makapagsalita sina Gray at Khael when the door opened and a guy with a dominating presence walked in. Mahaba ang buhok nito at nakabraid which reminded me of the reaper Hermes. Dumeretso siya sa direksyon namin and Cynil grabbed the envelope and hide it behind her.

"The detective brats and Tross' buddies. Hello", bati nito kay Gray at Khael. The two stiffened and it seems that they don't like the guy's presence.

"Detective Adler, you should have knocked at hindi basta-basta na lamang pumapasok dito sa SSC office. You should have respected the council!", wika ni Cynil. So this is that detective huh?

"You're the one to talk Miss President. You shouldn't have stolen copies of the files about the case. You should have respected me as the investigator", wika nito, returning Cynil's words to her.

God, he's not a lovable person. I can feel it. I don't want to be acquainted to him if ever.

"Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi mo!", deny ni Cynil at tumawa ng malutong ang detective.

"Oh come on. I'm telling you, I'm not a detective for nothing. So you trusted these brats than me huh? Okay. Pakikinggan ko ang mga nakalap ninyong deduction tungkol dito", he sat comfortably on the chairs at hinarap kami. "Tell me."

"Bakit naman namin sasabihin sa iyo?", Khael asked. They were back to their usual states. Gone were the startled young detectives.

"So that we can compare deductions."

"Why should we?", tanong naman ni Gray. I can really tell by their voices that they don't like him.

"Because I really adore the two of you. I'd rather have you as my apprentices. I think we'll make a good agency rather than you, brilliant minds are sticking with Tross who's ... Nevermind."

"We don't trust you", wika ni Khael. The detective nodded slowly at napadako ang tingin nito sa akin.

"Is this the one na naririnig kong bagong alagad ni Tross?", his gaze ran down on my whole at pakiramdam ko tuloy ay kailangan kong magtago sa likuran ng kung sino man sa kanila, just to avoid this man's stare.

"Wala kang pakialam", wika ni Gray dito. The detective laughed again and it sounds more scary this time.

"I think I cannot force you. Then let's do it the other way. You will listen to my deduction and compare yours to mine?"

"Go ahead."

"Hindi ako ang tipo ng taong marami pang pasakalye. I'm telling you that the culprit is the student Kurt Ford. He started the fire while singing a song which is a parody of The Battle Hymn of a Republic. Basing on his records, he was under some psychotic illness pyromania. He's from Canada so hindi nakapagtatakang alam niya ang playground song na iyon and aligned his murders according to its lyrics-"

"On that case ay mali ka na. Pyromania differentiates from mental disorder, it's more of an impulsive act of stress relief. It's an impulse control disorder in which individuals repeatedly fail to resist impulses regarding fires. That's far different from torturers and murderers", wika ni Gray.

Mababakas ang pagkainis sa mukha ng detective but he let it passed. "I have obtained records of his acts as a pyromaniac. He burnt his own dog house, their garage and even his own room because of no apparent reason-"

"Another fallacy. Pyromaniacs start fire after their tension. It's their way to relieve it and for gratification", wika naman ni Khael. The detective's face tightened. Galit na hinablot nito ang envelope mula kay Cynil at napunit iyon, causing the photos and files to fall on the floor. Napatingin ako sa mga larawan at nangininginig na pinulot iyon.

"I'm going to prove to you that that pyromaniac boy started the fire, tortured the teacher and hanged the principal and secretary-"

"Yes, he started the fire", wika ko. It's the first time to speak about this case dahil nakikinig lamang ako sa kanila kanina but now I can't help myself from getting involed.

"Amber?"

"Kurt Ford, the pyromaniac started the fire but he didn't do the torturing ang murders. Someone did. Someone dangerous..."

I gave them the photo that I picked up. Hindi iyon kasali sa mga nakita namin kanina. It was the photo of the principal and her secretary with a big open cut in their tummy. It seems like something was stored there and being removed.

I know a certain organization who's capable of doing it. It could only be the Genesis.

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs.