"Bakit niyo ako pinatawag? Sana kahapon na lang since day off ko naman tapos ngayon ura-urada kayong magpapatawag ng meeting." reklamo ko habang tinatanggal ang gloves ko.
"Sus, nagreklamo pa, pupunta rin naman." aning Vj, isa sa nga kasamahan ko rito sa Cona.
International Protection Cona Agency or mas kilalang Cona ay isa sa mga agencies na nagco-conduct at nag-h-hire ng mga tao upang maging agents who go for undercover missions.
I encountered Cona when I was in tenth grade, with Vj. Long story short, I'm a Cona Agent now.
"'Pag ba um-absent ako, may mangyayari ba?" baling ko, ''T'saka boring rin sa firm. May nangiwan nga ng note kahapon ro'n."
"Ay, anong klaseng note? Death threat ba?" tila ba sobrang saya nitong makatanggap ako ng death threat.
"More like a death clue. A picture if an arrow. Ewan ko nga kung papaano mako-connect 'yon. It is very odd."
"Yes, it is." Geremie, our boss and head of the agency butted in. "But be careful, some people can decieve you easily. Even the nearest ones."
I nodded. His message was deep. I mean, he does talks serious every time and lacks so many humor but I've never felt him so serious before.
"Anyways, we've got a report from the US. Serial killers are spreading from place to place. " he stated and flashed something on the big screen.
"Serial killers and murders are nothing new, to be honest." Alex, one of our co-agents just arrived.
"You're late." I told her. "Nothing new either."
When we heard Ger fake coughed, we looked at him, "As I was saying, serial killers have spread. But this time, its quite different...and odd."
My forehead creased, "Why? I mean, there are several groups of serial killers, does that define its difference?"
"Unfortunately, it's not." he distributed three folders for each of us. "That case happend yesterday at Albany in New York. It seems that the suspect has a big anger for this man."
"True enough, and the killer must be a complete psycho." I smirked, "I wonder why did they cut this victims dick."
"The suspect was named Ruth. They believe that the suspect is a girl." he added. "The victim has not been identified yet."
My curiousity began to arise, "How so?", I scanned the image, the face of the victim was sliced—chopped. Flesh was visible and skin was peeled.
"It appears that many files point to different kinds of identities. One face, many files. It's quite hard."
"How about the finger prints?" Alex asked, I nodded agreeing with her.
"Burned. The culprit really made sure the victim wouldn't get identified. She peeled the skin, even the blood has disappeared."
"We're still not sure. I'll give you an update soon. You may now go."
I was eating my lunch peacefully while reading the records and repost given to me when my phone rang.
It was an unknown number. "Hello?"
"Delivery po para kay Brielle Morson?" I frowned, wala naman akong naaalalang may in-order ako.
"How much po ba 'yan?" tanong ko.
"Wala po. Paid na po." I nodded. Mabuti na ring gano'n. Wala akong gagastusin.
"Sige po. Asan na po kayo?"
"Nasa baba po ng CONA building ma'am. P'wede po bang i-pick up ninyo?" he asked. I drew a deep breath.
"Sir, nasa Ramirez Apartment po kasi ako, pu-p'wede niyo po bang i-deliver rito? I'll pay 100 for additional delivery fee po."
"Ah, sige po, Ma'am." he ended the call and I proceeded to it. Hindi ko ma-alis sa utak ko kung ano 'yon.
Bakit ba ako kinakabahan?
Ilang saglit pa ay may nag-doorbell na sa may gate kaya naman lumabas na'ko. Ang ini-expect ko ay motor ang paparada sa harapan ngunit gulat ko nang isang van ang dumating.
"Akala ko naman maliit na package lang kuya." ani ko nang makitang bumaba si kuya mula sa sasakyan.
May sinabi pa si kuya na hindi ko ma-intindihan dahil naka-mask ito. Tumango lang ako at sumagot ng "Opo," kahit gusto ko na lang ngumiwi.
When they already placed the box inside mg apartment, I handed then a one-hundred peso bill.
When they left, my face fell. Bigla akong kinabahan uli, pero bakit?
Agad na kumalat ang masangsang na amoy nang buksan ko ang kahon. Ang styro foam ay may kulay pulang malagkit.
Dugo?
Bigla akong kinilabutan. Parang ayaw ko nang buksan ang package at itapon na lang ngunit may parte sa'kin na nagsasabing buksan ko ito.
I opened it and almost puked on what it revealed. Laman loob. Balat ng tao. And a letter written in bold blood letters.
MISSED HER?
The letter contains the same content as the report from Ger gave. Pero ano namang kinalaman ko rito?
Na-miss ko siya? I don't even miss anyone aside from my sister and mothe—holy shit!
Is it possible?
The though of it made me shiver. Goosebumps. I hate this.
Ayaw kong mag-overthink pero what if, if, si mama ito?!
No, no, it can't be!
Tears started to fall from my eyes, damn.
Biglang pumasok sa utak ko ang case na inaral namin kanina. Lalake ang nakalagay na kasarian nito dahil naputulan raw ito ng ari.
Ang natanggap ko ay hindi ko maalaman ang kasarian, ayaw kong malaman.
