Detective Rivalry

Chapter 32: Decimate

Felicine

"Okay ka na ba talaga?" I asked Eudyame who's laying down on a bed.

Nasa loob na ako ng infirmary at binabantayan si Eudayme. He just woke up.

"Medyo masakit lang ang buong katawan." Sagot niya sa akin pagkatapos ay tinakpan ang mukha gamit ang kumot. "It's embarrassing! Hindi mo dapat ako nakikita na ganito ang itsura."

I crossed my arms across my chest amd sighed. The nurse went out for a moment, leaving me and Eudayme inside the infirmary. Cali was nowhere to be found, hindi na siya bumalik pagkatapos niyang iwan ako sa labas.

Cali mentioned to me earlier that the nurse is the sister of her late friend. As far as I remember, the nurse's name is Cyrene Santiago. So, Santiago ang surname ng late friend niya. Pangalan na lang ang kulang.

"Felicine!" Napalingon ako kay Eudayme nang tawagin niya ako. Nakakunot ang kanyang noo at tsaka nakatingin sa akin. "Puntahan mo na lang kaya si Cali?"

"Why?" I asked in return.

"Ewan ko." He chuckled then scratched his nape. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Eudayme, paano ka pala nakatakas?" I asked. This question has been bugging me since I saw him in his weak state. "At tsaka saan ka nila dinala?"

He touched his chin, remembering the events that has just occurred. "I have a mini knife under my sleeve. I never knew that it would come in handy." He pointed at his left sleeve. "But I lost it while heading to the recording room. As for the place, sa likod ng school. Meron kasing abandoned warehouse sa likod ng school."

"Paano mo nalamang nasa recording room kami?" I asked next.

"I heard it from the two man. Nakasuot sila ng mask na kulay itim tsaka may gold na design sa gilid." He said then sighed. "They both hit me very hard. Also, I got my phone from them."

He showed me his black phone with his wide smile. Parang wala lang sa kanya ang nangyari ngayong araw.

"I know where Cali is." He said. "Nandoon siya sa kung saan nangyari ang unang krimen. He texted me."

"Eh paano ka?" I asked him with my brows furrowed. "Ligtas ka ba dito? Baka mamaya may umambush sayo dito sa loob."

"You worry too much, Felicine." He said then chuckled. "You must not worry about me, instead, worry about yourself. Just go. I'll be fine here."

"Sure ka?"

"Yeah! E-enjoyin ko muna ang aircon dito." Sabi niya at tsaka nahiga. Ipinatong niya ang kanyang ulo sa kanyang dalawang kamay sabay pikit ng kanyang mga mata. "Inform mo na lang ako kung anong nangyari ah."

I sighed then went straight to the door. I reached for the doorknob and turned it. I took a last glance at Eudayme before closing it completely.

I started walking heading toward to where the first crime has occurred. Ano na kaya ang nangyayari doon? May nakuha na bang lead si Cali? Hindi ko na kailangang mamroblema sa iba dahil alam ko naman na binabantayan sila ng mga pulis. 

The school campus is very quiet. Obviously because the classes are starting. And today, I skipped classes again. Sana nga lang ay hindi nito maapektuhan ang grades ko. 

From my distance, I can see people wearing police uniforms gathered in a single place. Nagmadali akong pumunta doon at tsaka binati ng mga seryosong mukha. Agad namang hinanap ng aking mga mata ang lalaking matangkad at may magulong buhok. Hindi naman nagtagal ay nahanap ko rin siya.

Kausap niya sina inspector at officer Suarez. They were all looking at a girl who's wearing a black cap with gold lines on the side. She's a familiar fellow.