REYNARD

THE PLOT thickened. I was engrossed in writing my latest article about the LEXECOM when a call unexpectedly came through. Hindi ko in-expect na tatawag ang taong 'yon sa 'kin dahil akala ko'y gusto niyang manatiling tikom ang kaniyang bibig. But for some reason, she finally decided to spill the beans. Yeah, it's a she.

"Are you sure it's not a trap?" Rie asked me when I whispered the update to her. She hadn't asked to be kept in the loop, but I chose to share with her anyway. "Baka malaman kong nawalan ka na naman ng malay mamaya, ah?"

"I don't think so." I shook my head slowly. "Masyado pang maaga para targetin ako at i-check ulit ang phone ko kung may bago na akong discovery. If I were them, I'd wait a month after classes resume."

"Basta ayaw kong makarinig ng masamang balita tungkol sa 'yo."

"Wow! Are you really that concerned about me?" I pressed my hand to my chest. "Medyo na-touch ako ro'n, ah! Don't tell me na napo-fall ka na sa 'kin?"

"Anong fall-fall ang pinagsasabi mo riyan?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "As your fellow campus journalist, we have to watch each other's backs. Kargo ng konsensiya ko kapag may nangyari sa 'yo lalo na't ina-update mo ako sa development ng iniimbestigahan mo—which I didn't ask for, by the way."

"I appreciate you looking out for me." I grinned broadly. If that's her preferred love language, I'd gladly accept it. "Don't worry! Kapag meron ka ring explosive exposé, you can count on my support!"

"Hopefully, it won't be as dangerous as yours." She lowered her voice after a sigh. "Maiba ako. Kapag nakuha mo na ang lahat ng mga detalyeng kailangan mo, what will you do with them?"

"Of course, I'll write an in-depth article about it! Then I'll submit it for publication gaya ng ginawa ko sa mga nauna kong exposé."

Sumeryoso ang timpla ng mukha ni Rie. May nasabi ba akong masama? "Sa tingin mo ba'y ipa-publish 'yon ng editors natin? Our managing editor is a CBA student. What if she's secretly supporting Esteban, 'tapos harangan niya ang article mo?"

"Why wouldn't they?" I squinted slightly. "If they were willing to publish my exposé on a university official and a college instructor, why wouldn't they publish an article about a college student?"

"'Sabagay." Umaliwalas na ang mukha niya. Wala siyang dapat ipangamba. Naniniwala akong walang kikilingan at poprotektahan ang mga boss namin. "Anyway, good luck sa meeting mo sa 'yong source. Mag-ingat ka."

"Thank you, Rie!"

"Call me Rie one more time, babawiin ko 'yong sinabi kong mag-ingat ka."

I waved at her before exiting the editorial office. I hit a snag last December, but this year was looking promising. If my source agreed to go on record, I'd finally have something concrete to work with.

AT SIX in the evening, I stood near the entrance of the Business and Accountancy building. I deliberately avoided wearing my navy blue Herald hoodie, but I realized I'd stand out regardless. How and why? Because nearly every student around was clad in a black blazer and yellow tie. Meanwhile, I was in a simple white polo and black pants, the standard attire for Journalism students. If we were playing Where's Waldo and I was Waldo, I'd be easy to spot.

Nang natanaw ko na ang aking ka-meeting sa 'di-kalayuan, humarap ako sa ibang direksiyon para hindi niya ako makita. Hinintay ko siyang lumagpas sa kinatatayuan ko bago ako sumunod sa kaniya. Binilisan ko ang aking lakad para magkapantay na kami.

Could I sense a trap waiting for me? Nope! But precautions were necessary, especially since the entire BA building was Alaric Esteban's territory. He might have eyes and ears everywhere.

"Good evening!" I greeted in a hushed tone.

"I told you not to meet me anywhere near the BA building, right?" Priscilla Mercado hissed. Yup, she's my source. "Paano kung may makakita sa 'tin na magkasama? It would give away the fact that we're in contact."

"Kaya nga hindi ko suot ang hoodie ko at nag-iba rin ako ng hairstyle," depensa ko sabay turo sa 'king buhok na sinuklay ko pataas. Lagi 'tong nakabagsak. "Look, no one would recognize me as Reynard from the Herald just by my hair."

"Whatever." She ducked behind a nearby flower bed, scanning her surroundings. "No one's following us, right?"

"Nobody." I had been vigilant since approaching their college building. I would have noticed a tail if there was one. "If you're worried about being seen with me, we could have talked over the phone. Puwedeng doon ko i-record ang mga gusto mong sabihin. We didn't need to play this game."

"I have nothing to tell you," she replied. "But someone I know might."

We resumed walking toward parking lot. Kinabahan ako no'ng una dahil wala masyadong tao rito. Security cameras dotted the area, but there were blindspots, too. Kung may gagawing krimen ang isang estudyante, puwede rito basta hindi mahagip ng camera.

"What changed your mind?" I asked as we passed rows of parked cars, mostly belonging to students with evening classes. "I thought you didn't want to get involved. And yet, here you are."

"Someone approached me the other day and said something controversial." She kept on glancing behind us. "I'm not the only who deserves to know the truth."

"And why am I here?"

"Because you're supposed to be neutral, unbiased. You're also from the Herald. Kung anuman ang malalaman o mako-confirm ko, mas mabuting alam mo rin para masulatan mo ng article. You're after the truth, right? This might be it."

"I must say I'm flattered."

She pressed a button on her car remote. A yellow sedan flashed its lights twice, indicating its location. She gestured to the shotgun seat as she went to the driver's side. Once inside, we fastened our seatbelts.

"Hindi mo naman ako dadalhin sa isang liblib na lugar at itatapon ang katawan ko ro'n, 'no?" pabiro kong tanong. I trusted she wouldn't harm me, but intrusive thoughts persisted, suggesting something bad might happen.

"Basta hindi mo ako guguluhin sa pagda-drive, you'll be fine." Priscilla started the engine. She reversed out of the parking space before leaving the lot. Minutes later, we were off campus. Lagpas alas-sais na kaya lubog na ang araw at madilim na ang paligid. Tanging streetlights and headlights ang gumagabay sa dinaraanan namin.

"Can you tell me where we're going?" I asked, discreetly unfastening and refastening my seatbelt, checking if she was trying to trap me. "I enjoy an evening drive, but I'd like to know our destination."

"Clark City Police Station," she answered, glancing at me. "Where Brandon Cabrera is currently detained."

Oh, so I'm hitting two birds with one stone tonight, huh? Lucky me!

The drive took fifteen minutes. She parked the car in front of the station, and we entered the precinct. The guard greeted us "good evening" before asking our purpose. Priscilla explained that we were here to visit a detainee.

We were led to the visitation room and instructed to sit at a table. Halos fifteen minutes din kaming pinaghintay ro'n bago bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang lalaking may familiar na hitsura. It had been almost three months since he was arrested for attempting to kill Priam Torres. Humaba na ang kaniyang buhok, at tinubuan na rin siya ng balbas at bigote. Mas pumayat na rin ang mukha at katawan niya. Prison life must be taking its toll.

"Pris!" His face lit up upon seeing his visitorm then turned slightly confused when his gaze fell on me. Kumaway ako sa kaniya. The guard chained his handcuffed hands to a horizontal bar on the table, just in case he became violent.

"Bran, kumusta ka na rito?" Naglalawa ang mga mata ni Priscilla habang pinagmamasdan ang namayat na mukha ng kausap. "Are you taking care of yourself? Parang mas pumayat ka, ah?"

"It's not easy being here, but I'm getting used to it," Brandon answered with a forced smile. If he just kept his cool, he wouldn't have landed here. "Mabuti't naisipan mong bisitahin ako ngayon. Don't you have classes this evening?"

"I've decided to skip the next one. Mas importanteng makausap kita ngayon tungkol sa isang importanteng bagay—"

"Before you continue," Brandon interrupted, holding up his palm and turning to me, "who's this guy? Boyfriend mo ba siya?"

"Ah, no!" Priscilla shook her head, her curly hair bouncing with the motion. "He's not even my friend. His name is Reynard Falcon, a reporter from the Herald."

"The Herald?" He furrowed his brows at me. "The student publication?"

"Hi, Bran!" I waved at him again with a friendly smile. Gusto kong maging comfortable siya sa presence ko kaya sobrang lawak ng ngiti ko at sobrang relaxed ng mukha ko. "You can call me Rey! Pleased to meet you!"

"Why is he here?" He lowered his voice. Kahit mas hinaan pa niya, maririnig ko pa rin siya dahil sobrang lapit namin.

"He's covering a story and has some questions for you—"

"My counsel told me not to talk to anyone without his presence," Brandon cut off his friend's words. Sumeryoso ang mukha niya na tila iwas siyang makipag-usap sa tulad kong reporter. "Nasagot ko na ang lahat ng posibleng itanong sa 'kin tungkol sa insidente. Wala na akong maidaragdag pa."

I was about to interject, but Priscilla beat me to it. "He's not here to write about what happened with Priam Torres. He's here for another topic."

"You better make it quick because we don't have much time." Brandon glanced at the round wall clock behind us. It's almost seven in the evening. "Malapit nang matapos ang visiting hours."

"But first, I want to ask you something," Priscilla's voice cracked slightly. "About Candice."

Brandon took a sharp breath. "What about her?"

"Were you aware that she was ineligible to run for president because of her residency issue long before it was used in her disqualification case?"

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "I did. Si Candice mismo ang nagsabi sa 'kin. She even considered backing out and suggested I run instead."

Now that's an exclusive scoop.

"Did you know what changed her mind?" Priscilla leaned closer, her voice softer. "Bakit itinuloy niya pa rin ang pagtakbo kahit alam niyang may issue siya?"

He shook his head. "She just told me everything would be fine and that there was nothing to worry about regarding her candidacy anymore. Why?"

Priscilla cast her eyes downward. "I heard from someone reliable that the reason Candice chose to run despite the eligibility issue... was because of Alaric."

"S-si 'Ric?"

She nodded slowly. "He convinced her to run in the last presidential election knowing Candice didn't meet all the eligibility requirements."

"A-are you sure?" Brandon's mouth hung open in surprise, mirroring my own astonishment. "Kung alam ni 'Ric na may problema sa candidacy ni Candice, dapat in-advise niyang huwag tumuloy at ipagpaliban muna ang pagtakbo no'ng 2021!"

"I share your thoughts exactly. That's why I need to know kung alam mo ba ang involvement niya sa pagtulak kay Candice na ipagpatuloy ang pagtakbo nito. I want to confirm what my source told me."

Brandon leaned back in his seat, staring wide-eyed at the wall. "So 'Ric knew all along and let it happen... but why?"

"My source mentioned that Alaric had been planning his USC presidential run this year since 2020," Priscilla revealed. "Kung na-postpone ang pagtakbo ni Candice no'ng 2021 dahil sa deficiency, malamang ngayong 2022 ang takbo niya. At kung sakaling tatakbo nga si Candice, kailangan siyang harapin ni Alaric para makuha ang nomination ng AEGIS. Mahirap tantiyahin kung sino ang mananalo sa dalawa."

Gusto sanang sumingit ni Brandon, pero inunahan siya ng kasama ko at itinuloy ang kuwento.

"My source's theory is that Alaric pressured Candice to run—win or lose—ensuring no obstacles for him in securing the nomination this year. And it played out exactly as Alaric planned. Now he's running unopposed in AEGIS and is set to become their nominee."

Halos huminto ang paghinga ko sa mga ibinubulgar niya sa 'min. Of course, I needed to approach her claims with a grain of salt, but if they were true... Oh, boy. Alaric was far more calculating and dangerous than I had initially thought.

"G-gaano ka-credible ang source mo?" naasar na tanong ni Brandon, parang 'di makapaniwala. "Posible kayang sinisiraan niya lang si 'Ric kaya niya sinabi ang mga 'yan? Malapit na ang student council elections, 'di ba? Magiging mas marumi na ang politika!"

"I can't disclose her identity, but she's a close friend of Candice," Priscilla hinted carefully. "They're close enough that she's furious with Alaric for dragging her friend into this mess."

The plot thickened further. I could take a guess at which female USC officer might be her source. It seemed pretty obvious. Only one fit the description of being close to the disqualified presidential candidate—a fellow tiger, no doubt.

Priscilla hung her head, her voice laced with uncertainty. "I've been so angry at Priam and his council all this time. I wanted revenge for what they did to Candice. But now I'm starting to wonder... was my anger misplaced all along?"

Brandon echoed the sentiment. "If 'Ric hadn't convinced Candice to run, she wouldn't have been depressed and tempted to take her own life. Dapat nag-aaral pa siya ngayon sa ElyU!"

"And you wouldn't be here either," Priscilla added. "You wouldn't have a reason to hurt Priam if it weren't for what happened to Candice."

"Damn it!" Brandon's fists slammed down on the table, startling the guard by the door. "So it's been him all along!"

An uneasy silence settled in the visitation room. I shifted my gaze between Priscilla and Brandon, sensing their guilt and regret. For nearly a year, they had been misled into blaming Priam Torres and the current USC for the turmoil. Now, it was clear the real culprit was one of their own—the alpha tiger.

"Excuse me?" I broke the tense silence to refocus their attention. Sabay na umangat ang kanilang tingin sa 'kin. "Mukhang nabubuo na natin ang picture base sa mga impormasyong alam na natin at sa mga bagong detalyeng nalaman n'yo quite recently. I want to write an exposé about it to bring justice not only to Candice and Priam, but also to both of you."

Priscilla and Brandon exchanged glances. The former gave the latter a nod.

"Para kay Candice," matapang na sagot ni Brandon bago napalunok ng laway. "Ano ba'ng gusto mong malaman pa?"

"Besides what you've shared tonight, there's one thing I wanna know." I took a deep breath, carefully choosing my words. "Did Alaric have any involvement in Priam's attack? Ilang beses nabanggit ng in-interview kong sources ang pangalan niya. Nakausap mo raw siya bago mo inatake si Priam."

Mariing tumango si Brandon. "No'ng pumunta ako sa campus fair, minessage ko si Alaric kung puwede ko siyang makausap. He asked me to meet him in a place that wasn't so crowded. Nagkumustahan muna kami bago naging seryoso ang usapan namin..."

I swallowed hard, anticipating his next words, and waited to confirm whether Alaric's involvement was true or if Michelangelo had misled me.

"He promised me beforehand na patatalsikin niya si Priam at ang mga umagaw sa pagkapanalo namin." Kumuyom ang kaniyang mga kamao, akala ko'y ihahampas niya ulit ang mga 'yon sa mesa. "Pero pumalpak siya. Siya pa nga mismo ang pumatay sa impeachment case, 'di ba? Naikuwento sa 'kin ni Pris ang ganap no'n. Since his attempt failed, I told him that I would seek justice my own way."

"Did he instruct you on how to do it? Did he manipulate you into doing it?"

"It was my plan entirely. He wasn't involved," Brandon admitted. The fire in me dimmed momentarily. That wasn't the answer I expected. "But he knew about my plan to harm Priam. Nabanggit ko sa kaniya habang magkausap kami."

The flame of my curiosity rekindled. "So, he knew you were gonna stab Priam? Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes."

"And he didn't try to stop you or advise you against it?"

"He only said I was on my own. Doon ko na siya iniwan at doon ko na ginawa 'yong..."

I leaned back in my seat, arms crossed. Alaric might not have orchestrated the plot, but knowing about it was damning enough! He could have prevented the worst, yet he chose to remain silent.

Could this bullet be enoughto shoot down the alpha tiger?

30

NEXT UPDATE: TEN CHAPTERS LEFT! Reynard plans to nuke the sh*t out of Alaric using his expose in The Herald.