CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains content that might be troubling to some readers, including, but not limited to, depictions of and references to death, self-harm and suicide, graphic violence, sexual assault, strong language and more.

Please be mindful of these sensitive themes and other possible triggers. Remember to practice self-care before, during and after reading.

LORELEI

WHERE WAS I? I could not remember how I got inside this dimly lit room. My eyes roamed around the forsaken place, but all I could see was the darkness. From the outside, I heard some vague noises, possibly from a popular Pinoy party song.

Wait a minute. What were these shadows moving in front of me? Hindi ko man makita ang mga mukha nila, ramdam kong nakatitig ang mga mata sa akin. I sensed nothing but malice in them. They were laughing and talking about something . . . or someone. About me? My seemingly clogged ears could barely hear anything.

"Ang kulit-kulit . . . kasi. Alam . . . hindi mo . . . binabangga . . . Queen Bee."

One of the men in shadows moved closer to me. Sinubukan kong kumilos, but my body would not budge! What's wrong with me? Kilos, Lorelei! Kilos!

"Tingnan mo . . . nangyari sa 'yo . . . Sa susunod, huwag . . . umastang detective, ha?"

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang lalo pang lumapit ang lalaki sa akin. If only I could, I would have stood and ran away from these guys. For some reason, my body was not cooperating!

"Tingnan mo . . . nangyari sa 'yo . . . Sa susunod, huwag . . . umastang detective, ha?"

As the guy got closer and went on to speak, I recognized his voice. Familiar. But my mind was so hazy that I got a hard time recalling to whom it belonged.

"Teka, sigurado ba . . . malakas ang tama . . . nilagay n'yo . . . inumin niya?"

Ano'ng balak n'yong gawin sa akin, ha? Get away from me!

"Don't worry . . . Kahit ano'ng gawin . . . sa kaniya, hindi na . . . matatandaan paggising . . . mamaya."

Please don't! PLEASE!

"LORELEI!"

Bumalikwas ako mula sa pagkakaupo, malalalim ang aking bawat paghingal. Tila muntik na akong malunod sa dagat. Salamat sa aking kasama, nailigtas ako mula sa kapahamakan.

I sat upright on the shotgun seat, looking at my reflection through a hand mirror. Those images . . . It had been a while since they haunted me. Maybe I was too preoccupied with solving cases left and right that I somewhat forgot about them.

"Okay ka lang ba, Lori? You look pale," may pag-aalalang tanong ni Alistair. Sandali siyang sumulyap sa akin. His hands were on the wheel while his eyes were focused on the road ahead. "Gusto mo bang mag-stop over muna tayo?"

I shook my head. His concern was much appreciated, but he did not have to worry about me. Minsan talaga, dinadalaw ako ng mga bangungot. May ilang alaala na kahit gaano ko kalalim ibaon para malimutan, babangon pa rin mula sa hukay para guluhin ang buhay ko.

From Clark, we traveled all the way to Manila, particularly to the St. Bartholomew High, our previous school. When Alistair asked me weeks ago kung gusto kong bumisita roon para sa cultural festival, medyo nag-alinlangan ako. Part of me wanted to go, part of me wanted to forget that place. Once you got scarred for life, you would wish that a part of you never existed. And a part of me existed in that school where I learned the warmth of friendship and value of camaraderie. I learned a number of lessons during my stay there.

After some consideration, I chose to go with Alistair and revisit my old second home. The past is a good place to visit, but not a good place to linger. It would only bring back memories that I wanted to forget.

Dahil na rin sa haba ng biyahe—halos dalawang oras!—kaya nakatulog ako kanina at napanaginipan ang nangyari noon. As I fell deep into that nightmare, Alistair pulled me back into present similar to what he did before.

"Sayang, hindi natin kasama sina Loki at Jamie," may panghihinayang na sabi niya habang na-stuck kami sa traffic. His fingers were tapping the driving wheel as he waited for the green light. "It will be probably more fun with them. Kailangan din nating mag-break. Masyado nang maraming nangyari the past few weeks."

Before we went to this trip, he invited Loki to come with us. But knowing my roommate, tatanggi siya dahil mas gugustuhin niya pang magkulong sa kuwarto kaysa pumunta sa isang school festival. Hindi siya mahilig sa mga ganitong event at ayaw rin niyang makipag-socialize sa ibang tao.

At dahil hindi siya kasama, hindi na rin sumama si Jamie. Parang package deal. She was looking forward to it when we brought up the topic. Pero agad na nagbago ang isip niya nang sabihin naming wala si Loki.

Baka nga mas mainam kung wala ang roommate ko rito. Baka may mangyaring krimen sa kalagitnaan ng festival. Sabi nga ni Inspector Estrada, tila sinusundan siya ng kamalasan kahit saan man siya magpunta. If his mere presence would only ruin the festive mood, I would prefer that he stayed in the apartment.

But our trip back to Manila was not only about visiting our old high school. Coincidentally, my father's advance birthday celebration was set the next day. Hindi ko pa alam kung dadalo ako dahil ayaw ko pa siyang makita sa ngayon. Some would tell me na mag-ceasefire muna kami, but our father-daughter relationship was not that simple.

We arrived at the campus entrance of St. Bart's at around nine in the morning. Mula sa malayo, kitang-kita na ang malaking tarpaulin at streamer kung saan naka-print ang mga salitang "WELCOME TO ST. BARTHOLOMEW HIGH'S 55TH CULTURAL FESTIVAL!" Na-miss ko tuloy mag-attend sa mga event dito.

Mukhang hindi lang kami ang pumunta rito para enjoy-in ang event. Kasabay namin sa pagpasok ang ilang outsiders na gusto ring makisaya sa festival. This was supposedly a grand showcase of what the school could offer, so they opened their gates to everyone. Kadalasa'y exclusive ang mga campus activity sa mga estudyante.

Oh, how I missed this sort of school events! Noong nag-aaral pa ako rito, I was always looking forward sa mga festival dahil talagang pinaghahandaan at dinaragsa ito maging ng mga taga-ibang school. Kaya ring tapatan ng Clark High ang mga ganitong pakulo, pero iba pa rin talaga sa St. Bart's.

Binuksan ng mga security guard ang iron gate at pinapasok ang kotse ni Alistair. Salamat sa sticker na nakadikit sa windshield niya, may easy access pa siya sa loob at labas ng campus. He drove to the parking lot and found a spot where he could park his white sedan.

"Let's go?" He asked, unfastening his seatbelt and unlocking the doors.

"Just a minute." I combed my long hair and put it in a bun. Maalinsangan ang panahon kaya hindi advisable na nakalugay ang buhok ko. Isinuot ko rin ang aking shades bilang proteksiyon sa nakasisilaw na sikat ng araw.

"Putting up a subtle disguise, huh?" My childhood friend smirked as he glanced sideways at me. He instantly saw through my motive.

He's right. Sinubukan kong mag-disguise gamit ang ibang hairstyle at sunglasses para hindi ako makilala ng mga estudyanteng makasasalubong namin. What happened half a year ago might still be fresh in other people's mind so I would rather take necessary precautions. Nahihiya rin akong makita ng mga dati kong classmate. I ignored their messages of concern since I transferred in Clark High. Seenzoned silang lahat sa akin. Imagine the surprised look in their faces once they saw their snobbish former classmate walking here in broad daylight.

Nang ready na ako, lumabas na kami ng sasakyan at naglakad patungo sa area kung saan nagtipon ang mga tao. Damang-dama ko na ang festive mood dito. Halos lahat ng mga tao rito'y naka-casual clothes. Mukhang hindi ipina-require ang pagsusuot ng uniform ngayong araw.

"I've told only Lionel that you will come with me," Alistair said. Maingay ang pinatutugtog na music kaya kinailangan niyang lakasan ang kaniyang boses. "Excited na siyang makita ka ulit. How long has it been since the last time you saw each other? Five or six months?"

Lionel was one of his friends here. Matagal-tagal ko na ring hindi narinig ang pangalang 'yon. They used to work together in a committee—Lionel was a responsible student officer while Alistair was a diligent student volunteer.

My eyes widened as I stared at the colorful booths stationed in every corner of the campus plaza. Napabalik-tanaw tuloy ako sa mga dating event na in-attend-an ko rito—ang mga creatively designed booth, ang mga makukulay na banderitas, ang kumakabog na sound system, pati na ang paos na announcer sa message booth. Parang nag-time travel ako nang ilang sandali sa nakaraan.

I sometimes wondered: What would have happened if I stayed here? Would my student life have been more peaceful? There was no Moriarty here, no Stein Alberts, no series of baffling cases. But if I stayed, I would not have joined the QED Club. I would not have felt the thrill every time that there was a case. I would not have met the two-faced Jamie and be intimidated by Luthor's cold aura. And most importantly, I would not have met Loki.

My head shook, shrugging off those thoughts. Nandito ako para mag-enjoy, para pansamantalang kalimutan ang mga pinagkaabalahan namin sa Clark High. I would not want to ruin a seemingly perfect day by retrospection.

"Let's visit Lionel first. He wants to meet us before he becomes too busy." Alistair's words brought back my consciousness wandering in the days of the old. We strode off to the high school building just straight ahead of us. Colorful banners and streamers were hanging by the rooms' windows.

"Teka, ano na nga bang posisyon ni Lionel dito?" Sa tagal ko nang hindi nakabibisita rito at dahil wala na rin akong update, I was totally unaware of what was happening here.

"He was elected vice president. But he has assumed the presidency since the president's resignation."

"Oh, really? Bale siya na pala ang boss ng student council? He deserves it anyway."

"Imagine him playing around the office chair while his fellow officers are cramming to submit liquidation reports."

I chuckled at the thought. Lionel had the makings of a good student leader, but he got some flaws. Ayaw niyang gumawa ng mga menial task. He would leave that work to his subordinates. Mas gusto niyang asikasuhin ang mga high-level decision.

Kilala pa ng security guard na naka-istasyon sa entrance ng school building si Alistair kaya hinayaan niyang pumasok kahit walang ID card. Ako nama'y sinuri ng mga nanliit niyang mata. My face might seem familiar to him, but he could not recall my name. He eventually gave up and let me in. In a way, mukhang effective ang not-so-obvious disguise ko.

However, the struggle was real when we walked down the hallway. May mga nakasalubong kaming estudyante at ilang teacher na pilit kong iniwasan ng tingin. I repeatedly chanted under my breath, "Sana'y hindi nila ako makilala."

"Relax, Lori. Everyone's busy with the cultural festival so it's unlikely that you will get noticed," my friend whispered to me when we turned left in the hallway. "Besides, walang nakaaalam na pupunta ka kaya hindi nila aasahang makikita ka ng mga nakakikilala sa 'yo rito."

That was what I had been hoping for. If I could go in and leave this school without being recognized by anyone, I would consider myself extremely lucky.

We stopped in front of the room with the STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICE signboard. Kumatok nang tatlong beses ang kasama ko at pareho naming hinintay na pagbuksan kami ng pinto. Iginala ko muna ang aking tingin sa paligid. Wala pa ring pinagbago ang parteng ito ng school building.

The door slid open, making me turn to its direction. A male student with curly hair greeted us with a tired face. Halata sa malalaking eyebags niya na kulang siya sa tulog. Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago nagliwanag ang mukha niya.

"Al!" Lionel shook hands with my friend, gave him a hug, and patted him on the back. His brown eyes sparkled with joy as they exchanged pleasantries. "Nandito na pala kayo? Akala ko'y mamaya pa kayo makararating!"

"I messaged you when we got here. Sobrang busy mo yata kaya hindi mo na na-check ang phone mo?" Alistair beamed at him. "Anyway, kumusta ang pagiging student council president mo, Lionel? Mukhang maganda ang takbo ng event n'yo."

"Oh, boy! It's d*mn exhausting! Late na kaming umuuwi gabi-gabi dahil sa preparation para sa event na 'to." He shook his head before shifting his gaze to me. Noong una'y kumunot ang kaniyang noo, pero muling nagliwanag ang mukha niya at nanlaki ang mga mata. His mouth gaped which later curled into a smile. "Lorelei, is that really you? It's been what? More than half a year since I last saw you! How are you doing?"

"I-I'm fine." I forced a smile at him. Medyo na-awkward-an akong makita ulit ang isa sa mga dati kong schoolmate. Kung ibang tao ang nakakilala sa akin, I might have run back to Alistair's car.

"Come in!" He opened the door wide before motioning his hand inside. "Baka napagod kayo sa biyahe. Magpahinga muna kayo sa loob. Don't worry, I'm the boss here."

I had been in their office before so I could tell that there were no significant changes. Halos kamukha nito ang mala-hotel lounge na layout ng student council room ni Luthor. The difference? Wala silang hiwalay na cubicle para sa conference room. May pabilog na mesa sa gitna kung saan nakakalat ang ilang piraso ng mga papel at folder. Sa kaliwang side ang pantry habang sa kanan ang mga couch. Sa bandang likuran ang desk ng president, may wooden nameplate ni Lionel.

"I expected you to be busy." Alistair walked around the room, gazing at the portraits of the previous presidents. "Parang napaka-relax mo ngayong umaga. Shouldn't you be overseeing the event?"

"I leave the legwork to my colleagues." Lionel jumped onto the couch and stretched his legs. "The president must only sign documents, deliver speeches, and make high quality decisions. Everything else, I leave to my officers. Oh, please take your seats."

Umupo kami sa couch na katapat ng kaniya. He somehow reminded me of Luthor who was always working behind the scenes and leaving the legwork to his subordinates. But Lionel never struck me as someone who was equally manipulative as Clark High's student council vice president.

"Al once mentioned that you two have joined a detective club in your new school." Lionel shifted his gaze between me and my seatmate. "Given what you two have done for St. Bart's, I think you have what it takes."

"I didn't intend to join, pero kinonsensiya ako ng club president para sumali," kuwento ko. Saglit na sumagi sa isip ko ang mga pinagdaanan ko noon. "We started with only two members. A few weeks later, another member joined us. Then, Al came along when he transferred."

"May nakita siguro siyang potensiyal sa 'yo." He craned his neck, staring at the white ceiling. "That reminds me. Ikaw ang nag-expose sa suspicious activities ng isang peer support group noon, 'di ba? Sinabihan mo ang student council tungkol sa fabricated club reports, which eventually led to an investigation and their club's dissolution."

I nodded before looking down at my shoes. That was the trigger which led to a series of unfortunate events in my student life here.

"You drew the ire of Regina who wasn't pleased with what you did," dugtong niya. Hearing the name of that girl made me clench my fists. "Halos isumpa ka niya noon dahil sa ginawa mo. She was your friend, wasn't she? 'Tapos naisipan ka niyang—"

Bigla siyang huminto sa pagsasalita. Nang iniangat ko ang aking tingin sa kaniya, he was looking in my seatmate's direction. My childhood friend must have told him in a non-verbal way to stop.

"May stage play mamaya sa auditorium, 'di ba?" Agad na binago ni Alistair ang topic. "Baka puwede mo kaming samahang manood?"

"I would if I could, but I can't." Naging seryoso ang mukha ni Lionel. "Something's been bothering me for a while. Ayaw kong pansinin no'ng una. Pero sabi ng gut feeling ko, hindi ko dapat i-ignore."

"May we know what that is?"

"Since you two are detectives, maybe you can help? Someone's planning to ruin the cultural festival. May natanggap kaming threat letter mula sa isang anonymous sender no'ng nakaraang linggo. Dahil wala pang nangyayari so far, we dismissed it as a prank."

"Can you tell us more?"

Napailing siya. "I wish I could, but I don't know the entire details. Baka puwedeng ipaliwanag sa inyo ni Vessy. She's the one who received the threat letter."

"V-Vessy!" bulalas ko.

"I appointed her as my secretary. Sigurado akong matutuwa siya kapag nalaman niyang nandito ka."

Sana'y gano'n nga ang maging reaksiyon niya at hindi siya nagtampo sa akin. She was one of my former classmates na sineenzone ko sa chat at text message. During the first few months of my transfer in Pampanga, she was consistently asking about my condition. Dahil gusto kong putulin ang koneksiyon ko sa aking nakaraan, I never replied to her.

"Baka gusto n'yong sorpresahin natin siya?" Lumawak ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Lionel. "Let's visit her sa kaniyang room sa dormitory. Baka magtatalon 'yon sa tuwa kapag nakita ka niya in person."

Ilang segundo kaming nagkatinginan ni Alistair. Through his eyes, he was asking if I was okay with meeting my long ignored classmate. Wala namang isyu sa akin. Nahihiya nga ako dahil ilang buwan ko siyang hindi pinansin.

I nodded at him, and the three of us decided to pay Vessy a visit.

The student dormitory was not far away from the high school building. Pagpasok namin doon, tinanong ng nakabantay na guard sa lobby kung sino ang aming pakay at sinabihan kaming mag-log sa record book. We rode the elevator to reach the sixth floor and walked down the hallway until we stopped in front of Room 606. May ilang estudyanteng dumaraan sa gilid namin kaya napatakip ako ng mukha. One of them might be an acquaintance of mine.

"Tingnan natin kung makikilala ka niya sa disguise mo," nakangising sabi ni Lionel bago kumatok sa pinto. After three knocks, we got no response. Tulog pa ba ang taong pakay namin dito? That would be strange. Merong event kaya dapat ay gising na siya para mag-assist. "Vessy? Vessy? Si Lionel 'to. Gising ka na ba? May emergency meeting tayo!"

Still, no one responded. Pinagtinginan tuloy kami ng ibang estudyanteng napadaraan.

"Vessy? Nasusunog na ang dorm n'yo! Lumabas ka na riyan!"

We waited for about three minutes, but still no answer.

"Weird," bulong ni Lionel kasabay ng paniningkit ng kaniyang mga mata. "Sabi niya sa 'kin kanina, magpapahinga muna siya sa room niya para may energy siya mamayang hapon. May pinuntahan kaya siya?"

Worried, Alistair held the doorknob and turned it. Surprisingly, the door was not locked. He slowly pushed it. Naunang pumasok si Lionel habang sumunod kami sa kaniya.

"Vessy? Naiwan mong bukas ang pinto! Vess—WAH!"

Napaupo sa sahig ang kasama namin, nakaturo ang nanginginig niyang kamay sa taas. Agad kaming lumapit sa kaniya para makita kung ano ang nakita niya.

My hand clapped over my mouth and my eyes widened at the sight of a body. Someone was hanging by the ceiling using a rope. When body turned to us, we recognized the face, making us gasp in horror.

Hindi ito ang reunion na inaasahan ko.

"V-VESSY!" sigaw ni Lionel. Pupuntahan na sana niya ang nakabigting babae nang hilahin ng kababata ko ang kaniyang braso.

"It's best to wait for the authorities to take care of her." Alistair shook his head as he tried to calm down the terrified student council president. "Can you call the police?"

Lionel nodded before pulling out his phone and dialing a series of numbers. He was stuttering as he explained the situation to the person on the other line. His hands were trembling and his voice was shaking. This must be the first time that he had seen a corpse in person.

Habang abala siya sa pakikipag-usap sa pulis, inilibot ko ang aking tingin sa kuwarto. I saw the foldable chair below Vessy's feet. Kung nagpakamatay nga siya, ginamit niya 'yon bilang tuntungan. But something did not seem to match here. Parang may mali sa scenario na ito.

Wait a minute! This suicide scene reminded me of what happened recently in Clark High, kung saan natagpuang nakabigti sa isang classroom si Benjamin Tenorio. Sa unang tingin, mukhang suicide 'yon. But as usual, Loki noticed that something was off: the gap between the tip of the victim's feet and the chair. Dahil kulang sa height ang biktima, imposibleng naabot nito ang noose ng lubid. Posibleng may ibang tumuntong sa upuan habang buhat-buhat ang katawan ng biktima.

"Did you notice it, too?" Lumingon sa akin si Alistair na nakapamulsa.

I gave him a nod. Mukhang pareho kami ng iniisip.

This might be a murder case, not a suicide. And the culprit could be someone who the victim knew very well.

q.e.d.