Exchange Gift

Chapter 3 : Atrocious

"Elyza, are you okay? You seem like you're about to blow up from depression" What is she on about... Great sense of humour, I guess. "Just thinking about stuff. I never thought of becoming a detective. I wanted to live a happy life, not investigate some brutal and horror cases. I hate this so much." Elyza looks at Ain, "You didn't think of this too, right?" Ain looks away, crossing her arms.

"All I want to be is happy and die peacefully. However, fate is always making a comeback and destroying our dreams. In this situation, this job is only leading us, detectives, into a gruesome death. We can neither escape from fate nor reality. So, I want to live my fullest with this job." Elyza chuckles at Ain's response.

"Oii! No more lazing around! We're going right now." Abyana yells at them. "Oh come on. I'm TIRED." Ain groans at her. "No excuses." Abyana rolls her eye. "Bozos" Ain scoffs at Abyana.

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All 5 of them arrive. It is either a success or a death failure. Let's hope they can make it. Evalya stands frozen in front of Haiqal's house. Evalya felt nervous. What if we got no proof? What if there's nothing there? What if we're too late? What if-

"Hey, you okay? Got a broken bone or something? I can knock for you instead." Putri rescues her from deep thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine. You're somewhat spirited about this." Evalya notices Putri being very excited about this. What is she up to? "Yes, we can finally get proof this time." Damn, is she that mad about Haiqal? You'll never get to see her like this every day.

"Proof about what?" Hey, that scared Evalya and Putri to death. It's Haiqal! Eavesdropping the whole time. "P-Pr-Proof about that you're a genius! I like genius people." Putri awkwardly enlightens Haiqal's question. Haiqal chuckles. "I'm not that genius but thanks! Come on in, friends."

Elyza raises her eyebrow, did he mean that or was just being sarcastic? Whatever it is, they just let it go. "Welcome to my castle. I'll prepare some tea for our new students. Make yourself comfortable," How in the world will they be comfortable with A LITERALLY MURDERER? NOT ONLY THAT A PSYCHOPATH?

"Oh! Let me help you, I'll prepare some food as well." Evalya volunteers herself to help. She grabs Putri's hands and runs to the kitchen. "Excuse us. Feel free to explore the house but don't go inside the blue door though! I hope you don't mind a little bit of privacy, yeah?" Haiqal winks at Abyana.

Ew.

Abyana sets down school textbooks on the living room table, just in case. "To the blue door, quietly," Abyana instructs Ain and Elyza to the blue door.

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"What kind of tea should we make?" Evalya holds two packets of tea. "Wild berries should be fine." Haiqal grabs the tea and starts making the finest tea. "You could start by chopping some fruit if you like. I'll join later." Evalya salutes Haiqal, and then she turns to Putri, who silently staring at the knife she's holding.

"Don't tell me you're planning to kill him so soon? You'll ruin the plan! Remember, wait for them to return, okay?" Evalya whispers to Putri, and she replies with a nod. "If everything goes wrong, I'll kill him myself. I don't care if I die, I just want him to get what he deserves." Putri tightens her grip.

"I understand but let's just put all the hard work into the detectives, okay? Please hold yourself together before things get slightly messy." Putri sighs and starts cutting up. Such relief can be heard in Evalya's breath.

"Evalya, can you bring some more fine bone china tea cups? Some of these cups need to be repaired. I have to redo my tea now." A disappointed look can be seen on Haiqal's face. "Sure, coming right up!" Evalya giggles.

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A blue door with 3 people waiting outside to get inside. "Ready up. We might see something we don't like." Abyana barely opens the door but the smell of blood can be sniffed. "Blood. Pretty sure Zafirah's body is still in here." Ain whispers to Abyana. They walk in with no torchlight, not expecting it to be pitch dark.

"I found the light switch. Behold, the amazing art of Haiqal." Ain switches the lights on but to their surprise, someone is doing something suspicious to somebody's body. "What are they- Oh my god, they're eating the body!" Elyza covers her mouth in shock.

"Cannibalism. Pretty normal for people who live in dungeons." Ain shrugs it off and kicks the person's head. "Why don't you just kill me already? I won't tell you anything about- wait, you're not Haiqal." It is revealed that it's Zafirah, eating a human body. "Abyana, Ain and Elyza? What... are you doing here? No. More importantly, you have to get out of here. Arrest Haiqal and expose his crimes. GO!" Zafirah grabs Abyana's shoulders.

"What happened to you...?" Ain being furious head she is, finally becomes a bit serious when it comes to her old friend. "Please go before I'll make you go by yourself." Zafirah takes a few steps back. "No, listen. We're here to rescue you-" "I don't need to be rescued. Not after what people think of me and have done to me."

Zafirah gives them a cold look. Elyza hides behind Ain, it seems it has something to do with them. "You're not Zafirah. Zafirah doesn't make that kind of face. WHERE IS THE REAL ZAFIRAH?!" Ain shouts at Zafirah?

"You caught me." Zafirah tears her face out, revealing another person laughing. "She's upstairs but there's nothing you can do anymore. You're stuck with me." Haiqal shows a big grin, leaving the 3 detectives speechless.

"I saw it coming. Your little chit-chat should've been in school, darling." "You and Zafirah... work together?..." Elyza speaks again, holding a knife behind her back. "It's more like I work for her. She's a good actor and probably far more than a good murderer but for now, let's settle this with your heads and throat opened, shall we?"

Elyza gulps and can barely hold a knife confidently. "Bring it on. You had no idea who you were trying to kill." Ain dares Haiqal, only making him laugh even more loudly.