/9/
Abduction Case

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THE EARLIER buzz of excitement amongst the students of Castillo High was replaced with an uneasy terror as the campus was drowned in loud sirens and flashes of blue and red.

Dumating na ang Official Castillian Police, o mas kilala sa kanilang acronym na O.C.P.

The senior students watched as the police officers donned in their plainclothes uniforms, stepped out of their vehicles. Ang Official Castillian Police ay isang grupo ng kapulisan na nakasailalim pa rin sa Ylando Police District — established by Mayor Jerome Blythe Marquez, Jarrell's father. This was made to ensure that Castillo High's students would be safe and protected since the prestigious school was home to the children of wealthy families, political clans, and known celebrities.

Because of this, any cases related to the academe were always given to the O.C.P. To be a part of the organization, the guards of Castillo High are first considered to be apprentices, kung saan nakasailalim muna sila sa training bago maging opisyal na parte ng Official Castillian Police.

"Stuff is about to go down." Rein muttered as they watched the police come closer.

Tanging ang mga facilitators nalang ang naiwan sa center grounds kasama ang iilang mga propesor. All the school guards were also present, including Kuya Tino and his watch dog Gustav, who they had seen earlier.

But what intimidated them the most was that the academe's administration was also in the scene. Principal Lilia and vice-principal Leila who were collectively called as the Castillo sisters had grim looks on their faces.

It was already a quarter to eight in the evening and there was still no sign of Ria Vendeya anywhere kaya ipinatawag na ang O.C.P.

Dahil rin dito ay pansamantala munang kinansela ang ibang late-night activities ng leadership training, with the rest of the attendees and junior students instructed to stay put in their respective camping sites whilst the investigation was on-going.

Ang mga seniors at facilitators naman ay intasan na bantayan ang kanilang mga teams to ensure that no one else would go missing, much to the dismay of the students.

"So we just sit here and wait??" Jarrell groaned, throwing a pebble into a nearby bush of roses. Currently, they were standing outside two big yellow tents kung saan natutulog na ang kanilang team sa loob — five kids in each tent — as they observed the adults who were conversing from afar.

The only facilitator that wasn't with them was Tyra, who had become anxious and uneasy with the abduction case. Dahil dito, sinabihan muna nila ito na matulog sa loob ng isa sa mga tents kasama ang mga bata, habang sila muna ang magbabantay sa labas. 

"Shut up." Sera said sharply, raising one finger in the air as a signal for Jarrell to quiet down. "I'm thinking."

Ann rolled her eyes in irritation at Sera. Pursing her lips, she then folded her arms, eyeing the adults. "We saw that light with our own two eyes. Kailangan nating sabihin ito sa O.C.P."

Jarrell threw another pebble. "Yeah, but who would believe a bunch of kids like u—"

"I said shut up! I'm thinking." Sera snapped, glaring at Jarrell who raised both his hands like an arrested criminal.

Sera then turned her head back to the adults. She had a glint of an idea across her eyes as she watched one particular cop. It was a young officer who seemed to be an apprentice. He was wearing a pair of square glasses, had a buzz cut, a sharp nose, and an average built for an officer.

Bata lamang ito at mukhang kalapit lang ang edad sa dalaga.

Sera's lips curved into a smile as she eyed the officer who seemed to be straying away from the group of adults, looking around for clues.

The young temptress then glanced at the others who looked at her with creased foreheads.

"Anong klaseng ngiti 'yan?" Ann asked in annoyance. "What the hell do you think you're planning?"

"Watch and learn." The vixen winked. And much to their surprise, Sera walked straight to the direction of the young officer, pulling her hair tie until her long, flawless hair curled down her shoulders like waves.

"What the hell is she doing?!" Ann gawked, jaw-dropped.

Unlike Ann, the boys were amused. Napasipol si Jarrell at napangisi naman si Rein bago nag-apiran ang daliwa.

"Bro, she can seduce me like that anytime." Jarrell grinned, watching her.

"Would you rather that we base our main character off Sera?" Rein asked Ann innocently, which made the young girl scowl.

"She has every one of you boys wrapped up in her little finger and you allow her to." Iritadong sabi ni Ann. "Fools."

Despite her annoyance, the four watched Sera work her charm.

"Hey," Sera said sweetly, popping from behind the back of the young officer.

Medyo nabigla ang binata sa dalaga, at akmang maiirita sana nang bigla niyang nasilayan ang mukha nito.

"Oh, um, good evening ma'am." The officer said awkwardly, standing straight. "Ano pong maitutulong ko sa'yo?"

Sera flashed him a seductive smile, showing her perfect of set of pearly white teeth. "We're not used to having visitors here in Castillo High so I thought I'd come over to say hi."

She then stepped closer, making the officer turn beet red.

"I'm Nicole." Sera said, using an alias. "You are...?"

"Officer Alex Talyente." He puffed, trying to look good for the young lady.

Ngunit taliwas sa iniisip ng pulis ay nakikinig ang dalaga sa diskusyon ng mga nakatatanda na malapit lang sa kanila.

"Good evening principal Lilia." Captain Arturio Biña, the chief and head officer of the O.C.P. greeted as soon as they had come near to the group of Castillian professors, administration and guards.

"Captain Biña." The principal nodded in acknowledgement.

Sera glanced at the adults using her peripheral vision before giving her attention back to officer Talyente.

"But you can call me Alex." Ngisi ng binata. Sera playfully played with his uniform's collar, and Jarrell, who was still watching from the distance, scowled.

"Stand down Jarrell." Rein chuckled, stopping his friend from ruining Sera's plan.

"She's doing her seraphim spell." Ann remarked sarcastically, using the term associated with Sera's charm to lure people.

"Well Alex," Sera said in a low tone. "I'm glad to have made an acquaintance with a cute cop such as you."

She then played with the upper buttons of his uniform. "You must be as great in your field as you are good-looking." The young lady commented innocently, batting her eyelashes.

Dahil dito ay agad na lumaki ang ego ng officer.

"Well, it's nothing," the young man bragged, going on about how he became a police officer and was close to becoming a sergeant.

But Sera wasn't listening anymore.

"Captain, newly-hired Gab Magallano here is a witness." Sergeant Keano Valdez, the right-hand of the captain said, pushing forward a thin, lanky Castillian guard who had his head hung low. "Ayon sa kaniya ay may dumating na mag-asawang naka-kotse at hinahanap si Ria Vendeya. They claimed to be the parents of the child."

"And?" Tanong ng chief habang itinaas ang isang kilay.

"I took her to them sir." The guilty guard said in embarrassment.

"At pinabayaan mo lang yung bata na umuwi nang hindi nagpapaalam sa mga teachers at facilitators?!" Biglang bulyaw ng hepe, dahilan para agad na tumahimik ang paligid.

Agad na napatingin sa sahig ang guwardiya na para ba itong isang estudyanteng pinagalitan ng guro.

"Akala ko po kasi pwedeng—"

"Maraming namamatay sa maling akala, Magallano." The chief of the O.C.P. said grimly. "Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"

Captain Arturio let out a grunt before facing the principal who watched them quietly.

"Principal Lilia Castillo, my sincere apologies." Sambit ng hepe. "Hindi dapat kami nagha-hire ng mga pabayang tauhan na katulad nito." He said before grimly looking back at the guard who couldn't even meet his eye.

Magsasalita na sana si vice-principal Leila ng biglang napa-ubo si sergeant Valdez.

Lahat ay napatingin sa kaniyang direksyon, waiting in anticipation to what he was going to say.

"Tinawagan ko na ang mga magulang ni Vendeya." Sambit ng sergeant. "At tulad ng inaasahan, hindi nila kasama si Ria. Bagkus ay nasa kanilang opisina ang mag-asawa. Which means..."

Tumingin ito kay Gab Magallano na namumula na sa kahihiyan. "...The so-called parents who talked to you was a fraud." Sergeant Valdez said with a frown.

"Kaya bago ka umaksyon na akala mo kung sino kang tenyente, wag kang magpapalabas ng estudyante nang walang permisyon sa mga propesor. Naiintindihan mo?" The sergeant said, reprimanding the new guard. "Lalo na kapag hindi ka naman sigurado kung sila nga ba talaga ang totong mga magulang ng bata."

Hindi na nakasagot ang guwardiya dahil dito at tumango na lamang. He then glanced nervously at the chief, na binigyan siya ng isang matigas na tingin bago isinuot muli ang kaniyang cap.

"Magkakaroon tayo ng search party para kay Ria Vendeya. Keano, i-pinpoint mo lahat ng posibleng location na malapit sa Castillo High kung saan pwede nilang i-hostage ang bata. With luck, we might still find her. Alive." Officer Arturio said dryly at agad na tumango si sergeant Valdez, with him and the other O.C.P. following their chief back to their vehicles to start the search party.

"Oh, and principal Castillo." The chief said, momentarily halting. "We will see to it that his badge will be removed." Pangako nito sa principal na napatango.

"This will be his last night as a guard here in Castillo High." Captain Arturio Biña promised before leaving the professors, administration and guards.

"And that's how I became part of the O.C.P." Sabi naman batang pulis kay Sera who chuckled, mentally noting all the information she had just heard.

"Isn't that dashing." The seductress commented, her eyes twinkling.

"Well I guess you need to go now." Sera then pouted, to which the officer immediately glanced back at his chief.

"Ah, shit!" He cursed, before pulling out his phone and handing it to Sera.

"Can I get your number?" Ngisi ng binata which made her giggle like a dewey-eyed schoolgirl.

"My pleasure." She smirked, before inputting random numbers into his phone.

"Got to go. I'll see you soon!" He yelled to her as he ran back to his group of fellow O.C.P.

Sera chuckled, waving back. "Call me!"

As soon as the Official Castillian Police had left the premises, Sera then turned around, returning to the group with a smug grin on her face.

"How was my performance?" Sera smirked as soon as she had come near to her batchmates.

"Fantastic." Rein grinned, making Ann scowl once more.

"Why don't you ever seduce me like that?" Selosong tanong ni Jarrell, which made Sera roll her eyes.

"So?" Ann interjected, obviously irritated. "Fill us in with the info."

Sera flashed Ann a victorious smile and shrugged as she filled the group in regarding the information that the O.C.P. will investigate outside the academe.

"Well that's stupid." Komento ni Rein na napaisip sa desisyon ng kapulisan.

Ann let out a snort. "Tell me about it. Dapat sinigurado muna nila na wala talaga dito si Ria Vendeya sa Castillo High."

"So? Ano pang hinihintay natin?" Sera disgruntled. "C'mon. We'll be the ones to search the school instead."

Each one of them gaped at Sera in astonishment.

"You surprise us every time, Madrigal." Rein said with a smirk.

"Please." Sera scoffed before changing her voice into a flirty tone — stepping closer to Rein. "Call me Sera."

"Nabaliw ka na ba?" Simangot ni Jarrell dahilan para umirap nanaman si Sera. "They told us to specifically stay here."

Ann nodded furiously with crossed arms, agreeing with Jarrell. "Besides, Tyra's inside one of the tents — sleeping next to the kids." She hissed. "She'll report us to the admin pag nakita niyang wala tayo rito sa labas."

"Fine, cowards." Sarkastikong sabi ng dalaga. "Stay here. But I'm going to go because I feel responsible as both a facilitator, and a student council officer."

"Besides," Sera grinned. "I like a little adventure once in a while."

Ann let out a loud snicker. "You're not even the facilitator of Team E." She pointed out to Sera who raised an eyebrow at her.

"So sayonara, sister!" Ann said sarcastically. "Have fun scaring yourself."

Just as Sera was about to open her mouth in retort, Rein had suddenly spoken up.

"I'm going." Sabi ng binata, with both Ann and Jarrell turning their heads towards him in a snap.

"What?!" The two shouted as Rein shrugged.

"It's the perfect experience for writing mystery." Tahimik na sambit ng binata whilst giving Ann a knowing look — as if he was coercing her to join them.

Sera let out a victorious snigger before turning to Ann who couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Aww, why? Are you scared of a little adventure, or are you scared of ruining your perfect reputation, Annaliese?" She grinned, blatantly mocking Ann who glared at her, letting out an unbelievable scoff in reply.

Agad itong humalukipkip. "China-challenge mo ba ako??" Iritadong tanong ni Ann.

Sera shrugged her shoulders before smirking. "Might as well take it."

Ann stared hard back at Sera who seemed to be taunting her. "Fine." Ann spat out in disgust. "I'm always up for a challenge, Seraphim."

Without another word, Ann then walked past Sera, kung saan sinadya ng dalaga na ibangga ang kaniyang balikat rito.

"Would you look at that." Ngisi ni Sera habang kasabay si Rein na sinundan si Ann. "I successfully pushed little miss perfect's buttons. Who would've known she had an attitude?"

"You kinda took it too far." Rein responded quietly at agad na nauna upang hindi makasabay si Sera, who immediately frowned.

"You're one to talk!" Sera shot back as she followed Rein and Ann. "Considering na ikaw 'tong laging umaaway sa kaniya!"

"Iiwan niyo 'ko?!" Sigaw ni Jarrell, turning around to see that he was now all alone. With a loud sigh, he then ran after the others, forced to join them.

"Hoy! Hintayin niyo 'ko!"

---

The night was late and deep now. Darkness surrounded every corner of the campus as the soft sound of crickets could be heard in the background. Ngunit bukod roon ay wala nang ibang maririnig kundi ang pag-yapak ng kanilang mga sapatos, and the eerie whistling tune that Rein was making.

"Will you cut that out, Maccio." Ann snapped as they passed through the dark hallways of the junior high school building.

"So, ako lang ba yung nakapansin na may out of place dun sa kaso?" Tahimik na tanong ni Jarrell, wary of their surroundings as he shone their way using the flashlight of his phone.

"May utak ka pala sa ilalim ng maskuladong katawan na 'yan?" Sera, who was now leading the group, remarked; na siyang dahilan para sumimangot si Jarrell.

"I get what you're saying." Sambit naman ni Ann at saka napatingala sa madilim na langit. "There was a flaw that the officers took no notice."

Napatingin ang tatlo sa dalaga, waiting for her to express her observation.

"Ano 'yun?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Rein.

"I just think it's odd." Ann pursed her lips. "Hindi ba dapat makikilala ni Ria kung magulang niya ba talaga 'yun o hindi?"

"Diba?!" Natuwang sambit ni Jarrell habang itinaas ang kaniyang kamay para i-apir ni Ann. "Kami talaga ni Ann ang magka-tandem."

Ngunit hindi ito pinansin ng dalaga at nagpatuloy lamang sa paglalakad, much to Jarrell's dismay.

"Baka 'di napansin ni Ria kasi naka-disguise sila or something." Suhestiyon ni Sera na napakibit-balikat.

"But that's why we're searching the school remember." She then added impatiently, rubbing her arms to give herself a little warmth from the cold night. "To find answers to our questions."

As soon as she said that, natahimik muli ang apat, with Rein placing his hands in his pockets. He then glanced at Ann who raised an eyebrow at him. Parang may gustong sabihin ito sa dalaga, except he was hesitating.

By the time the four had turned to another dark hallway, biglang nakarinig sila ng kakaibang tunog.

"Stop." Rein said darkly, holding out a hand to stop the others. "Jarrell, turn off your flashlight."

In the silence, the four listened attentively.

Sa una ay wala silang marinig kundi ang mga kuliglig. Until there it was again. A weird wheezing sound.

Agad na napalingon ang mga ito, looking around their surroundings.

"What the hell was that?" Sera hissed with perked ears, trying to find the source of the sound.

But the hallway was empty except for the four.

Nang muling tumunog ang kakaibang ingay, hindi mapigilan ni Jarrell ang mapatalon. "There it is again." Rein muttered under his breath as Ann pressed her ear on a wall.

"It seems like it's coming from the walls," Bulong ni Ann. "But I don't exactly know where."

As the weird noise continued, Ann felt the walls of the hallway, moving forward until the sound seemed to be getting louder and louder.

"Wait." Ann said sharply as they all halted. Pinakiramdaman niya ang parte ng dingding na ito and jumped when she felt something similar to a breeze.

"What the hell." Sera murmured, carefully stepping next to Ann and feeling the breeze as well. Kasabay ng tunog ang hangin na gumagaling rito.

"Wait." Jarrell suddenly said grimly, opening his flashlight. "Okay, now move."

The two girls then stepped out of the way as Jarrell shone the light on the wall. To their surprise, it was a vent with metal grills.

Dahan-dahang lumapit ang binata rito, squinting his eyes at the vent.

Nang naka-adjust na sa liwanag ang apat, Sera let out a little shriek. Inside the vent was an unconscious petite young lady who was wearing a shirt and jeans. Around her neck was the familiar I.D. lace of a Castillian student.

It was Ria Vendeya, squished inside the vent.

"We need to call the cops." Ann breathed, feeling a sense of anxiety and dread.

"We need t—"

But before Ann could finish her sentence, a mysterious figure suddenly took hold of her and clamped a hand over her mouth.

Sera let out a high-pitched shriek.

"Walang. Gagalaw." The figure said in a low, deadly tone.

The three froze at his voice, and a shiver ran through Ann's spine when she felt the cold metal of a gun against the temple of her forehead.

---

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To the old readers, how's the revised chapters compared to the old novel? And to the new ones, what do you think of the characters so far? Comment down your thoughts!

Also, have you guys watched Netflix's Trese? Alexandra Trese looks awfully similar to Ann and I find it amazing. Captain Guerrero and Sergeant Tapia reminded me of Captain Arturio Biña and Sergeant Keano Valdez, too!