FDA 4: THE GIRL THAT GOT AWAY - COMPLETE

Kabanata 6

"DAY 2 OF 49 days," basag ni Balti, "and you say na nawala ang important memories ni Sanna?"

Thad nodded. "We talked earlier. She couldn't remember any of her childhood memories, but she was sure naalala pa niya 'yon kahapon."

"What memories have she retained?" asked Vier.

"High school, specifically noong una naming pag-uusap noong Intramurals and there was a gap after that." Kumunot ang noo niya sa isipang 'yon. Kanina pa niya iniisip na parang sinadya na alisin ang mga taon na kung saan wala siya. "Then fast forward sa pangalawang beses na nagkaroon kami ng chance na magkausap then present niya - 'yong araw ng 18th birthday niya sa past."

"Sanna only retained her memories of you," ni Balti. "The rest na hindi ka involved ay nawala. That's odd."

"Same thought," he agreed.

"And those memories are the things that Sanna hid from the three of you," dagdag ni Vier.

Nagkatinginan silang tatlo nila Jude at Simon. Pareho lang ding may seryosong ekspresyon ang mga mukha. Sa gilid ng mata niya ay napansin niyang nakatutok din ang atensyon ni Iesus sa kanila. He was just listening and observing them.

"Naisip ko lang." Natuon ang atensyon ng lahat kay Balti. "Habang nauubusan tayo ng araw ay isa-isa ring nawawala ang mga impormasyong puwedeng makatulong sa atin sa paghahanap sa totoong Sanna."

"The lighthouse set some rules this time," ni Vier.

"What do you mean?" seryoso niyang tanong.

"It's just weird na ang parola mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para sa'yo." Nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Vier. "Walang missing item na involved so far. Kung nagkataon na mayroon, either nasa sa'yo or na kay Sanna 'yon."

"But it's possible na may missing item na involved," ni Iesus.

"Yes, it's inevitable, Sus," sang-ayon pa rin ni Vier. "Probably a missing item that has the power to time travel."

"May pinaghihinalaan akong isa," dugtong ni Balti.

"Ano?" sabay-sabay nila.

"Sus, remember the watch I've told you?" Tumango si Iesus. Balti has a determined look this time nang ibaling ulit ang tingin sa kanila. "It's a pocket watch with a unique design of moon, sun, and mechanic parts. I cannot tell if it's a curse one or not, but it can be both, considering how powerful it can do."

"Anong kaya nitong gawin?" asked Simon.

"That item can create a time loop."

"A time loop," ulit ni Vier.

"Yes, but it can only be controlled by one person. Kaya nga ako nagdadalawang-isip kung ito nga ba ang involved item or not dahil kailangan nasa possession siya ng may-ari."

"It can't be with Sanna," ni Juan. "The item should be owned by Thad if that's the case."

"Who was the owner? May nakuha ka ba?" asked Simon.

"A certain man named Lebbaeus." Natahimik ang lahat. The name does not ring a bell to him - probably sa kanilang lahat din. "But that name was not listed in the logbook who boarded the de Dios ship."

"May iba pa bang item na time travel ang power?" asked Jude. "Kasi kung wala, most likely, 'yan na nga ang item."

"Hindi ko pa tapos 'yong iba, but so far, sa tingin ko 'yon lang ang item na may time travel."

"Pero ang tanong dito ngayon," ni Jude. "Kung wala kay Thad ang item at wala rin kay Sanna. Who is controlling the item?"

"That's part of the things that we need to find out aside from Sanna's existence," sagot ni Vier. "And we have to act fast before we run out clues again."