The Reaper In White Shirt

Prologue

Gerous City is one of the five minor cities in the Country of Exousia.

At a shabby-looking pub located downtown of Perigo District, there is currently news playing on the television hanging in the corner behind the counter.

"Breaking news: A recently convicted serial killer escapes from the local prison just before his transfer to the maximum prison in the capital. Local police issued a warning to the public to be careful at any time, especially at night. If someone encounters a suspicious person, report it immediately to our local police. Here is an image of the serial killer on the run." A picture of a middle-aged man was posted on the television.

After the news, it resumes the teleserye that was playing before the breaking news. A cliche teen love story.

It also resumes the bustling noise inside the pub.

"Lachita, siguraduhin mong hindi na lalabas ang mga bata ng alas sais ng gabi," ani isang matandang lalaki na madalas tumambay sa pub tuwing hapon.

Lachita, who is currently pouring a beer for a customer, nodded. She turned her head sideways to look at a seven-year-old child hiding behind the counter, sitting on the ground while playing a game on his laptop. "Alam mo ba kung nasaan ang ate mo, Faust?"

Faust shrugged as he focused on what he was doing. "Hindi po ako sigurado. Baka nasa school pa po siya."

Lachita looked at the time on her wristwatch. It's almost six in the evening. She started to worry.

"Bakit hindi mo tawagan? Tutal may cellphone naman ang pamangkin mo," anang isang lalaking kasing edad ni Lachita na katulad ng nagsalita kanina ay isa ding suki na costumer sa pub.

After hearing what the man said, Lachita didn't hesitate to call for someone to take over her job at the bar counter.

"Gracie!" Tawag niya sa isang babaeng nagse-serve ng alak sa mga parokyanong naka-upo di kalayuan sa may bintana.

Lumingon si Gracie nang marinig ang kanyang pangalan. She found out that it was the owner who called her kaya dali-dali siyang naglakad pabalik sa may bar counter pagkatapos niyang ma-i-serve ang mga order ng customers.

"Yes, ate? May kailangan ka?" Tanong niya sa mabait na may-ari.

Tumango si Lachita. "I have to call someone. Ikaw muna pumalit dito sa bar counter." Nagtataka man ay tumango si Gracie at sumang-ayon sa sinabi ng kanyang amo.

"Faust, you stay here while I call your sister," ani Lachita sa batang parang walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa kanilang lugar.

Faust did not answer and Lachita didn't mind.

Binuksan ni Lachita ang pinto sa kusina at pumasok. Pagpasok nya ay binati siya ng mga empleyado niyang naka-assign sa kusina. Ngumiti siya bilang tugon sa kanilang pagbati bago nagtungo sa isang pintuan na nagdudugtong sa pub at mismong bahay niya, binuksan niya iyon at pumasok.

In the living room, Lachita sat down on the single sofa while she picked up her phone that was placed on the center table. She opens her messaging app and types a message.

"Where are you, Che?"

She then hit the send button.

In the pub, Faust, who was sitting on the ground behind the counter, is chatting with his big sister while a live CCTV footage that he hacked is currently playing on his laptop.

"Big Sis, hinahanap ka ni Auntie Lachita. Did she message you?"

Clear live footage in the school gymnasium where his big sister is currently at the moment is showing what she was doing.