Title: KNOCK! KNOCK! WHO'S THE KILLER?
Written by: RuRuBree

Tick, tock—the sound of the clock can be heard. Tumatakbo ang segundo, ang oras nila para kumilos ay limitado.

The man looked at his wrist watch and a smirk was flashed. "Oras na."

Disguised men moved and walked to the location of their targets. They were effortlessly kidnapped. Sinong mag-aakala na may mangyayaring krimen sa gitna ng quarantine habang ang bansa’y namomroblema sa pandemya?

"Target #1: Success."

"Target #2: Success."

"Target #3: Success."

Parehas lang ang sinasabi nila, ang kaibahan ay ang mga numero. The kidnapping for the eight targets: successful.

"Gray Ivan Silvan: Abducted. Current status, unconscious in a van heading to South Lane Expressway. Approximate time of arrival: 3 o' clock in the afternoon. As of the moment, no problem has occurred."

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ng pasimuno. "Good."

When all the targets reached the destination, they were carried to the Function Hall of the mansion. Mabilis ang kilos ng mga lalaki sa pagtali sa mga biktima sa upuan dahil malapit nang magising ang mga ito.

The victims woke up feeling dizzy. They didn't know what happened after everything turned black when they sniffed something. However, they were aware that someone trespassed their houses. That's the time they realized that they were kidnapped. Sinubukan nilang gumalaw-galaw sa upuan ngunit malabong makaalis sila.

The girl student known as Amber Sison struggled on her seat despite the possibility of having bruises because of her fragile skin. "Pakawalan niyo kami!"

Jeremy Martinez, upon hearing the voice of her friend, shouted. "Bestie!"

"Jeremy?!"

Hindi mahanap ni Amber ang kaibigan sa dilim.

"Special A!"

"Khael?" asked Amber, suprised. "Pati ikaw?"

"Nasaan ba tayo?"

"Tulong! Tulungan niyo kami!"

Isa-isang may tumutok sa kanilang liwanag. Amber recognized familiar faces. Malayo sa kanya si Cooler Vander. Si Victoria Vera nama’y malapit lang at nagmamasid. Si Jeremy Martinez, ilang metro ang layo sa kaibigan habang si Mikhael Timothy Alonzo na kanya ring kaibigan ay malapit kay Jeremy. Aside from the five acquainted people, there were three foreign people.

Nang masanay na sa liwanag ay isang panibagong spotlight ang nagbukas at tumutok sa kabilang banda ng Function Hall. Sa isang magarbong upua’y nakaupo ang kakagising lamang na lalaking nagngangalang Gray Ivan Silvan.

Cooler and Jeremy called him. "Gray!"

"Abo!"

Mikhael's voice resonated. "Silvan!"

Gray adjusted his vision. Medyo inaninag niya ang mga kakilala. His gaze landed on Amber. Nagsimula siyang mag-alala nang makitang nakatali rin ito sa silya gaya niya. With the thought that he'd be able to free himself, he continued moving. Nananakit na ang balat sa kamay at paa ay sinubukan niya pa rin.

"Amber!" He cursed after learning that he can't undo the knots.

Struggling on their own seats, the mastermind has finally decided to start his game. Sa kabilang dulo ng Hall kung saan malayo si Gray ay nagbukas ang projector. A faceless image of a man who uses voice changer was shown.

"Welcome everyone!" he greeted. It fueled again the anger of detained people. "Silence."

The people went silent but not because of his words. It was because of his scary men who pointed guns to the civilians. Lahat ay biglang kinabahan sa pag-iisip na baka bigla silang barilin.

"Let's play some game. The game mechanics is simple. Find who is the killer. Familiar isn't it?" His devilish grin in the shadows managed to bring goosebumps to the people. "The question is: Who is going to be the victim among all of you?"

A creepy laughed echoed in the whole place.

"Of course, we will have twist. I don't like boring events. I love thrill. I love the challenges..."

"Nababaliw ka na," Amber whispered. Dahil sa sinabi ay mas lalong idiniin ng lalaki ang baril nito sa ulo niya.

"Let the game begin!"

Muling namatay ang mga ilaw. Sa pagbukas ulit nito ay napunta ang tingin nilang lahat sa isang bakanteng puwesto.

"Cooler!"

The projector turned on again and what flashed is the video of Cooler Vander still tied on a metal chair. Nakaharap ang likod nito sa kanila.

Nagtipon ang mga kalapati sa maliit na platform sa harap ng binata hanggang sa may lumabas na usok. Pagkawala ng usok ay lumitaw ang isang matikas na lalaki na sa palagay ng lahat ay isang magician.

"What's going on?" tanong ng babaeng modelo habang nanonood.

They were full of questions. Who's going to be the killer? Is Cooler Vander the first victim? Then, if he is, then the magician would be the obvious killer. Is the game that easy?

They fell silent when the magician begins to speak.

"I heard that you like magic?" tanong nito habang binabalasa ang mga card.

The excitement can be seen in Cooler's eyes. Sino nga bang may ayaw sa magic? It is fun. It is entertaining.

"Yes!"

"But first, I need my assistant." The cards in his hands disappeared.

The magician placed a circle of fabric above the small platform. Dahan-dahan niya itong inangat. Someone moved inside at nang ibaba ng magician ang tela ay isang magandang babae ang nagpakita. She's wearing a bright, pink cocktail dress.

Napapalakpak naman si Cooler sa kanyang nakita. Kumuha ang assistant ng deck of cards. Humugot siya ng isa at inabot ito sa magician. The magician wiggled his hand and in a swift move, wala na ang hawak nitong baraha. He turned to the other side and clasped his hand. Upon opening it, a deck of cards appeared.

The magician faced Cooler. "You must be thirsty, my dear."

Cooler shrugged. "Not really—"

"Oh, come on. You don't have to deny it."

He walked towards Cooler and put his right hand in his pocket. Sa paghugot ng salamangkero ay may nakuha siyang paperbag. Ipinasok niya ang kamay sa loob at paglabas ng kamay ay may hawak ng cup saucer.

"Wait, you need to have a table."

Pinatayo niya si Cooler. Ang hawak na saucer at paperbag ay inipit muna sa kili-kili. Gamit ang isang kamay ay may kinuha siyang itim na tela at ipinatong sa silyang kanina ay inuupuan ng binata. Pagtanggal nito ay isa ng armchair ang dati'y upuan lang.

Cooler clapped beside him.

The magician was amused by Cooler's reaction. "Well, it is small but at least, it has a table."

He placed the saucer on the armchair. Itinayo naman nito ang paperbag sa itaas ng cup saucer, ang bukana ay nasa ilalim. Unti-unti nitong inangat ang bag at makikita ang baso ng tubig.

"You can drink now."

Magrereklamo sana si Cooler kung paano iinom ngunit nakita niyang nakatanggal na ang tali niya sa kamay at paa.

"Faster because I need you for my next trick."

While Cooler drinks the cup of water, the magician entertains him through his magic. Nang matapos itong uminom ay tinawag na siya ng salamangkero. Big boxes were set-up and Cooler has an idea of what will happen next.

"Do you know what my next magic is?"

The young guy nodded.

"Can you explain me what it is?"

"The volunteer will lie inside the box. When all is set, the magician will thrust pointed weapons. The magic there is, the volunteer will not have any wound at the end," Cooler explained.

"Seems like you know it," the magician exclaimed. "I would like you to be my assistant for this one."

Cooler obliged. The assistant earlier helped him to fit his body inside the box. She handed some swords to the magician until the execution begins. The magician slowly pushed the long sword on the box until Cooler groaned.

The performer grinned. "Oops, sorry."

He got another sword and thrust it to the box. Cooler moaned in pain again that the magician found his suffering wonderful. He continued pushing swords to the box when Cooler coughed a blood. Doon mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ng salamangkero at ng katulong nito.

The strange magician advanced toward the camera and looked straight to it as if he can see the audience nervously sitting inside the Function Hall. Tila baliw itong humalakhak nang malakas. Sobrang lakas na nagdulot ito ng kakaibang kilabot sa mga manonood.

"Cooler Vander is dead. Who is the killer? Who is the next victim?"

His big laugh was scary... dangerous and at the same time, sounded insane. The live footage went off and the mysterious man appeared. The lights opened again.

"The next victim will be Sophia Fuertez," deklara ng lalaki.

Napunta ang tingin ng lahat sa isang babae na nag-umpisa nang manginig sa kanyang upuan. There's something about her that they can't pinpoint.

"Bakit mo pa sinasabi?! Ano bang plano mo?!"

Nanggagalaiti na si Amber. Hindi niya maintindihan kung anong silbi ng larong ito.

"Gray Ivan Silvan." Lahat ay nadako ang tingin kay Gray. "You will have ten minutes to determine what is your connection to Sophia Fuertez. Should you be able to solve this, Sonia will be free from death."

They were suddenly enveloped by darkness at sa muling pagbukas ng isang spotlight ay wala na si Sophia. The image of the projector changed from the no-face man to the live footage of where Sophia is. Bahagya itong nakayuko.

"The timer starts now."

Sophia's just sitting silently while people inside the room with her were moving. They prepared a table, chair, and arranged the foods on the table. There were five people—two men and three women.

"Sophia, tara na!"

A girl who is probably acting as Sophia sat beside a fine looking lady. Mahinhin umakto ang huli kaya hindi siya magawang daldalin ng kunwaring si Sophia. Ipinatong na lang nito ang dalawang kamay sa ilalim ng mesa.

"Magdasal muna tayo," wika ng isa na siyang ginawa ng lahat. Ito na ang nanguna sa panalangin.

"Ito ang para sa iyo." Naglapag ng pagkain si Sophia sa plato ng isang binatang lalaki. Gwapo ito at maayos ang tindig. Nagsimula na silang kumain.

"I'm glad you accepted Sophia's invitation," saad ng isang ginang. "Kagabi pa 'yan excited."

"Ma, ano ba!" nahihiyang saad ng Sophia, nanliit bigla sa kanyang upuan.

The lad shifted on his seat, uncomfortable but still managed to beam a small smile. "I think there's no problem with her invitation, Ma'am. It's just a dinner."

Umalingawngaw ang isang boses. "Five minutes left."

Their dinner's a little noisy because of their chit-chat not until when the man sitting at the end of the table clutched his neck like he is being strangled. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa leeg at hirap na hirap huminga.

"One minute left."

The tick of the clock reverberated inside the Hall. Unti-unti ng nauubos ang segundo ni Gray.

"Thirty seconds—"

"I am that young man." Naagaw ng boses ni Gray ang atensyon ng lahat mula sa panonood. Bumukas na ang lahat ng ilaw. Nalito naman si Amber sa sinaad ng binata. "That happened when I was still studying in Athena High. Her mother attempted to kill Sophia's father because of cheating. After being able to solve the case, Sophia invited me to hang out with her but I declined it."

"Ah, si Sophia!" sabat ni Khael nang maalala rin ito dahil kaklase niya noon si Gray.

The man showed himself again and clapped. He ordered his men to bring Sophia back inside the place. "As expected from the high school detective."

"What do you want?!" Anger was evident on Gray's voice. "How could you think of someone's death that easy?"

"Calm down, Silvan."

"Tama si Gray!" sabat ni Amber. "Una si Cooler. Ngayon ay si Sophia. If Gray didn't realize his connection with Sophia, then she would be already dead. Ang sama-sama mo!"

They were stopped by the man's laughter. "I may be bad but I am not the killer."

None of them spoke.

"The third victim lies in the hands of the great high school detective, Gray Ivan Silvan. If he will be able to find out who is next and the reason of the order, you will acquire three benefits. First, the third victim's death contract will be void. Second, the fourth supposed-to-be victim will also be out of my Death's list. Lastly, you will have an hour to be free from the knots and be able to have your advanced dinner. Who knows if one of you might die later on?"

One of the armed men put a table in front of Gray. He laid a paper which contains the clue.

E5: Victoria Vera
B7: Sophia Fuertez
A1: Cooler Vander
H5: Felixia Alfonso
D3: Calvin Jeremy Martinez
G7: Livitius Montabon
F5: Amber Sison
C2: Mikhael Timothy Alonzo

Gray read it all over before raising his head. Sinuri niya ang kasalukuyang lokasyon ng mga biktima at ang kanina ay pinupwestuhan ni Cooler. Kung sakaling buhay pa si Cooler ay ito sana ang pinakamalapit sa kanya. The coordinates are their places right now. Ang mga nakaupo mula sa letrang A hanggang D ay nakaharap sa kanan habang ang mula sa E hanggang H ay nakaharap sa kaliwa kaya malaya nilang nakikita ang isa't isa.

What confuses him is the number beside the letter. It is clear that the mysterious man follows the alphabet order. A for Cooler, B for Sophia, and C for Mikhael which means he is next.

The question here is, what is the basis for that arrangement?

Yes, it is their location according to their coordinates. They really looked like chess pieces. If to be examined Mathematically, the A is the x while the number is the y.

X and y...

Alphabets.

Alphabets?

"If 1 is the letter C in Cooler, 7 is F of Sophia's name, 2 is I in Mikhael, 3 is L in Calvin..." His lips curved into a triumph smile. "I know it."

The man appeared again, amused. "Really?"

"Yes," sagot ni Gray sa matigas na boses at hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngisi.

"Gray, I forgot to tell you..."

"What?"

"If you tell me the wrong reasoning..."

"Ano?!" naiinip na saad ng lahat.

"If you tell me the wrong reasoning, all of you will be dead here at once."

They shivered in fear.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes.

"You can explain it now."

"What written here was, E5: Victoria Vera. B7: Sophia Fuertez. A1: Cooler Vander. H5: Felixia Alfonso. D3: Calvin Jeremy Martinez. G7: Livitius Montabon. F5: Amber Sison. C2: Mikhael Timothy Alonzo," he began. "The letter and number is their coordinates right now—their location. You and I are the player right now."

"Uh-huh?"

"The order of death is based on the letter before their names. A is in Cooler that's why he died first," he said, bitterly. "B is in Sophia that's why he is the second. If we will follow the alphabet, C is the next and the person who is supposed to die next is none other than Mikhael Timothy Alonzo."

Napasinghap si Amber sa narinig samantalang nagsimula ng pawisan si Khael dahil sa kaalamang siya ang susunod kung hindi tatama si Gray.

"Fourth is Jeremy. Next is Victoria Vera then Amber. The sixth and the seventh are Livitius Montabon and Felixia Alfonso, respectively."

"Okay."

All remained silent as they listen to Gray.

"However, what bothered me was the arrangement of their death. Anong dahilan? The answer is the number with the alphabet. If we are going to look again..." He pointed the paper. "1 is the letter C in Cooler. 7 is F of Sophia's name. 2 is I in Mikhael. 3 is L in Calvin. The fifth in Victoria is O while R in Amber. The seventh in Livitius is U and the fifth letter in Felixia's name is X."

"So?" pang-aasar ng misteryosong lalaki.

"C, F, I, L, O, R, U, and X. Following A1Z26, the letters corresponds to 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24. That is where you get the order of who will be killed next."

Walang nagsalita kahit isa. Inaabangan nila ang sasabihin ng nababaliw na Game Master.

Seconds passed until it turned into a minute, the man has not yet spoken a word. Everyone is nervous of what he will say next.

Is somebody going to die?

Are they safe yet?

Is Gray right on his reasoning?

They held their breath the moment the man opened his mouth. "Congratulations Alonzo and Martinez, you are now safe. I am true to my words, you can now enjoy your food."

They are free from being tied but who is going to get happy if the grim reaper is just waiting to reap for their soul.

They were led to the Dining Hall. Tahimik sila. Hindi nila magawang basagin ang katahimikan maliban na lang noong pumasok ang mga naghahanda ng pagkain. Ang tanging ingay lamang na maririnig ay ang paglapag sa mga baso, pinggan, at kubyertos.

"Excuse me. Where is the CR?"

Amber was guided to the comfort room of the mansion.

Nang matapos ang mga tao sa paglalapag ng pagkain ay wala pa ring kumikilos sa kanila. Umalis na ang mga katulong ay hindi pa rin nila ginalaw ang pagkain.

"Mr. Silvan, do you know me?" asked Felixia. "I was put behind the bars because of you."

Gray pointed himself. "Because of me?"

"You don't remember?" Natawa ang babae. "Sabagay, sobrang tagal na no'n."

"What crime did you do?"

"Blackmailing my ex-boyfriend." She chuckled reminiscing her craziness before. "I don't hold grudge against you now. Don't worry."

Gray turned to the other guy who he doesn't know. "How about you, Sir?"

"Doctor Livitius Montebon," pagpapakilala nito. "I am the father of Cole. Siya iyong lalaking ipinakulong mo dati dahil sa may nabangga itong babae."

"Cole?"

"Cole Montebon. Sa isang highway malapit sa Athena High. Hindi mo maalala?"

Umiling si Gray. "When was that?"

"Two years ago, I guess?"

Muling umiling si Gray. Wala talaga siyang maalala.

Nabaling ang atensyon nila sa ingay na nagmumula kay Jeremy. He gave them an apologetic look.

"I am hungry, okay?"

"Wala naman sigurong lason 'to."

Napunta ang tingin ni Gray kay Victoria na siyang dapat na sunod na biktima pagkatapos ay sa hawak nitong baso.

Gray stood and grabbed the cup. Ipinatong niya iyon pabalik sa mesa. "I suggest you shouldn't drink this."

"What's wrong?"

Khael was the one to answer. "I feel that there's a poison in that drink. Sa iyong baso lamang ang nilagyan ng tubig. Haven't you noticed it?"

Victoria's eyes moved to the glasses of other people. Totoo ngang walang laman ang mga ito.

Amber returned and went to her chair na katabi lang ng kay Victoria. Her eyes shone. "Ah, water. Finally!"

Sa isang lagok ay naubos nito ang tubig. Huli na bago pa siya maawat nila Gray at Khael.

"Bestie!"

"Amber..."

"Special A!"

Amber held her chest tight at naubo. Lumapit sa kanya ang doktor at hinawakan siya. She suddenly fainted on the arms of the doctor.

"Anong pinainom niyo sa kanya?!"

"Help us, please!"

Para silang mga baliw na naghahanap ng tutulong. Pumasok ang mga katulong na may dalang kit. Tumakbo ito papunta sa doktor na pinahiga na sa gilid si Amber.

"Anong pinainom niyo sa kanya?" nanggagaliting tanong ng doktor, pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili.

The servant jumped in surprise. "May muscle relaxant po ang tubig na iyon na para dapat kay Victoria Vera. Nandito po ang mga gamot."

Nanginginig na inabot ng katulong ang lagayan sa doktor.

The doctor grabbed the medicine and injected the drug into Amber's bloodstream. Seeing that there's no reaction on her body, he touched her pulse.

Malungkot niyang hinarap sila Gray at napailing.

"What?! No, she can't be dead!"

Lumuhod si Gray upang damhin ang pulso ni Amber ngunit wala siyang naramdaman. Hindi niya alam kung mahina lang ba ang tibok nito o sadyang wala na talaga.

"I'm sorry, Gray."

"Amber! Gumising ka!" Inawat na nila Khael at Jeremy si Gray dahil sa pagyugyog nito kay Amber. "Hindi siya puwedeng mamatay! Bakit siya?!"

"Gray, tama na."

Pilit siyang hinahatak ng dalawang lalaki palayo pero masyadong malakas si Gray.

"Silvan, ano ba!"

Gray kept on struggling.

Amber can't be dead.

She shouldn't be dead.

Tear dropped on Gray's cheeks. Hindi na siya nag-abala pang punasan ito.

"Hindi, Alonzo! Hindi pa patay si Amber! Hindi..."

Gray broke down. Dinala na ng mga katulong palabas ang katawan ni Amber. Umiiyak siya ngunit walang ingay. Ayaw niyang iparinig sa mga tao ang pagkabasag ng puso niya sa nangyari.

He wasn't the only one mourning. Sophia Fuertez removed her wig. Nalaglag ang totoo nitong buhok.

"Maya," gulat na sambit ni Jeremy nang makilala ang babae. "Ba't ka nakasuot ng wig?"

"I was paid to pretend here."

"Pretend? Para saan?"

"The caller said he has a surprise for Gray and Amber. At dahil sa gusto kong makatulong man lang, tinanggap ko ang offer." Nabiyak ang boses ng dalaga. "I didn't know that the surprise here is Amber's death..."

Napahagulgol na sa sahig si Mathilde Corazon, kaklase at kaibigan din nila Amber, Gray, at Jeremy. Maging si Khael at Jeremy ay hindi na rin napigilang maluha sa kaalamang namatay si Amber.

"Who was the killer? It was you, Gray," bulong ni Math. "Can't you see that all people here inside have connection to you? Our death depends on your ability. If not, we will be dead. You will kill us by that..."

How many minutes have passed? They have no idea.

May isang lalaking pumasok sa Dining Hall. "Follow me."

Dinala ng lalaki ang mga tao pabalik sa Function Hall. Ang natatanging ilaw ay nakatututok sa gitna kung saan may isang katawang nababalutan ng puting tela ang nakahiga.

"Tingin ko'y dapat muna namin kayong iwan mag-isa," sabi ni Victoria. Hindi na siya nagawang imikin ng mga ito.

Naiwan sa gitna ang katawan ni Amber, sila Gray, Jeremy, Khael, at Mathilde. Ang doctor at si Victoria ay gumilid lamang. Sa isang iglap ay namatay ang tanging ilaw na nakabukas. Confused, they did not say anything. Pakiramdam nito ay may nakikiramay sa pagkamatay ni Amber.

One spotlight opened and it was pointing to them. One by one, the lights opened. The entire hall was illuminated at doon pa lang naging malinaw sa kanila ang disenyo ng kabuuan ng lugar.

"SURPRISE!"

Mula sa isang gilid ay lumabas si Cooler kasama sina Victoria at ang doctor. Ang mga katulong din ay naglabasan at pinaputok ang confetti popper.

"Cooler?"

Si Amber, mula sa pagkakahiga, ay nagkaroon ng malay at sinubukang bumangon. Gulat na napatitig sa kanya ang mga kaibigan.

"Amber..."

"Special A?"

"Bestie!"

For the second time around, the poppers roared inside the hall kaya napatingin si Amber sa paligid. Nalaglag ang isang malaking tarpaulin kasabay ng paglabas ng isang prominenteng tao.

"Mr. Arman Bridle?!"

Hindi sila makapaniwala sa nakita. Sa paglapit ng may-ari ng paaralan ay doon pa lamang sila natauhan.

"Surprise?" The man chuckled.

"Para saan ito?" nagtatakang tanong ni Gray. Nilapitan niya si Amber at inalalayang tumayo. Hindi nito inalis ang kamay sa bewang ng dalaga.

"A party to celebrate your near graduation. Malapit na kayong umalis sa eskwelahan na pag-aari ko."

"B-But Cooler..." nanghihinang wika ni Amber.

Doon lang lumapit si Cooler at ang mga kasama. "I'm not dead, Amber."

"Y-You... blood..."

He smiled. "Fake blood? Isa pa Amber, hindi niyo naman talaga nakitang nasaksak ako."

Gray's stared at Amber. "A-And you..."

The doctor spoke. "She really didn't drink a poisoned water. She lost consciousness when I pressed a point on her neck—"

"But she lost her pulse!"

"Ah, that's because of the adenosine I injected to her. You see, the right amount of dose can slower the heartbeat or temporarily stop the heart. Kadalasang ginagamit ang gamot na 'yon sa may irregular ang heartbeat."

"But—"

"I lied when I told you she's dead. It was to provoke you to touch her yourself. The reason why I only let you touch her once ay dahil baka bumalik na ulit sa maayos na tibok ang puso niya."

Everything seemed to be clear, they blew out a loud breath. Napangiti na lang sila dahil ang mahalaga’y ligtas sila.

“I told you I love the thrill and challenges." Mr. Bridle chuckled. "So, surprise?”

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