To All The Boys I've Killed Before

IX - Exposure

Carrie

I thought I had seen the worst when it comes to having dead people right in front of my face.

I was wrong.

"May bangkay raw na nakita sa campus!"

When we heard the news of someone's body getting discovered at the trash area, I didn't dare to come near it. Even when Jasper insisted, I stopped him. Alam kong wala na akong oras para bigyan pa ang sarili ko ng panibagong trauma.

Tinanaw na lang naming apat mula sa isang bench malapit sa gate ang kumpol ng mga estudyanteng nakikitingin sa krimen dahil wala pa namang klase.

Moments later, four forensic examiners clad in navy blue emerged amidst the crowd while carrying a stretcher covered in white sheet. I can already see the red strains slowly growing larger due to the seeping blood. I breathed deeply.

"Gagi, dadaan ba sa harap natin?" tanong ng katabi kong si Jasper nang mapansing papunta sa direksyon namin ang mga pulis. I had the same question. Napasulyap ako kay Kold na walang imik habang nakatingin lang din.

"Most probably. The ambulance is back there," sagot naman ni Chantal sa kaliwa ko na tumuro sa likuran namin kung nasaan ang university road. Nandoon nga ang ambulance at police cars sa bandang kaliwa.

I was about to suggest that we should leave already since I don't want to be near the body, but it was too late. When it was exactly in front of us, destiny decided to be a little mischievous.

The wind blew so strong that it caused the white sheet to fly away. Then, the time seemed to stop the moment I saw it.

The corpse had been wearing a pair of red sneakers when he met his demise. I thought the shoes were familiar. Then I saw the worn-out khaki pants, the green plaid shirt, the black vest, and as my sight hovered to the...

I cringed and closed my eyes as it briefly captured the horrendous, vile-I cannot choose the words. It was... too petrifying to describe. It made my chest tighten and my hair raise. I was only sure of one thing: it was an image I would never want to see again.

"De Guzman, ano ka ba? Kunin mo!"

"Aaaahhh!"

"Carrie, don't look." Chantal's palm covered my already closed eyes, but she was too late to save me from the scene. At the same time, Jasper being the man he is, shrieked and further added to the shock and dread I am feeling inside.

"Ethan..."

Napamulat ako nang marinig ang pangalang 'yon kay Kold na ngayon lang nagsalita. Nakita kong nakatitig siya sa nasa harapan namin.

I gasped.

No.

"Wait, Chan." Ibinaba ko ang nakaharang na kamay ni Chantal sa paningin ko at nakaramdam ng kakaibang tapang para tingnan ulit ang katawan.