Murder On Call (Murder Case Series #3)

PROLOGUE

Answer your phone, please.

As I anxiously wait for the other end to answer my call, my lips quiver and my hands tremble with anticipation. Despite my third attempt, no response comes through, leaving me feeling desperate and helpless.

"Please, just this once," I implore, "Answer my call. I need your help right now!" The urgency in my voice matches the intensity of my emotions.

As moments pass by, my breathing becomes labored, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. Suddenly, I hear the door of the room I am in creak open, and my hope is reignited.

"I want to inform you that this number belongs to a private individual. Any unknown calls are automatically declined."

Frustrated with the situation, I curse under my breath.

Suddenly, a soft voice interrupts my thoughts, "Where are you, my darling?"

I immediately cover my mouth to stifle any noise, trying my best to remain hidden. I wince as the pain from my waist wound resurfaces.

"I'm talking to you. Don't try to hide from me! I despise people who can't follow simple instructions."

Fear consumes me as I bite my tongue, realizing my mistake of coming to this place. If only I hadn't acted impulsively to save someone's life, I wouldn't be in this predicament, facing a psychopath.

Regrets flood my mind, but it's too late to turn back. All I can do now is accept my fate and face whatever lies ahead. Whether I survive or not, I am determined to meet my end with dignity.

One, two, three... He's very close to where I'm hiding. Only a cabinet and a curtain stood between us.

God, save me from this madman.

As I clutch my midriff to stem the flow of blood gushing out of the wound, my eyes fixate on a door in the distance. It appears to be the exit door.

My focus on the door is so intense that I fail to catch a vase that is knocked over. It crashes onto the floor, producing a loud noise. I stand frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.

Suddenly, the man yanks my hair and shoves me against the wall, causing my right temple to slam into the cabinet. The excruciating pain leaves me gasping for breath, and for a moment, my vision blurs.

"No!" I scream, trying to fight back the pain. But the man remains relentless, and my situation seems to be growing more and more dire.

"Tsk, why did you rush into my house unarmed? Do you think I'm that weak?" he calmly asks.

I taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth and my left eye throbs with swelling.

"Spare me, please?" I plead, my voice quivering with fear.

We are silent for a moment, but it is quickly shattered by his wicked laughter, echoing through the room.

Bahagya itong lumayo at tumalikod sa akin. Once I retrieve my dropped cell phone, I proceed to redial Agent Persephone's number.

"Kapag nasa panganib ka anak, just call this number. Persephone will come to save you. Just be kind to her in return. She seems like a brat but she has a golden heart. Magka-edad lang din kayo kaya sigurado akong magkakasundo kayo."

Mapait akong natawa. Ito ba ang sinasabi mong may ginintuang puso, Dad? Ni hindi niya nga sinasagot ang tawag ko eh.

Napatigil ako nang mapagtanto kong nagre-reflect sa glass window ang naging galaw ko. Kitang-kita iyon ng lalaki.

Katapusan ko na, Dad.

"Oh, so you're still trying to get some help huh? Right in front of me? How dare you look down on me, bitch!"

Sa isang iglap lang ay nagawa ako nitong saksakin sa dibdib. Naramdaman ko ang pagkabaon ng kutsilyo hanggang sa kaloob-looban ko.

Walang ingay na nagsilandas ang aking mga luha dahil sa nakakawalang hiningang sakit na nananalatay sa aking sistema

As the man catches sight of the blood-soaked phone in my hand, he demands, "Who did you call?" His voice is deafening as I writhe in pain, unable to bear the pressure of the knife still lodged in my chest.

I focus all my remaining energy and hit the delete button with lightning speed, preventing the man from seizing the phone from me.

Muli kong sinulyapan ang cellphone na nasa sahig na ngayon. Hindi ako sigurado pero mukhang sinagot ng kabilang linya ang tawag ko bago ko nai-delete ang number.

"Did. You. Just. Delete that fucking number!" nakakabinging singhal nito. Dinampot nito ang aking cell phone at itinapon kung saan.

Tumawa ako habang masama ang titig na ibinibigay sa lalaki. Nagsalita ako gamit ang aking natitirang lakas. "Do you really believe that killing me would make you a winner? Think again, you cold-blooded fiend! This is not the end of the line yet."

Dahil sa naglalagablab na galit sa mga mata nito ay alam kong ito na ang huling hininga ko. Ito na ang katapusan ko. Wala na akong takas pa sa kamatayan.

Tumayo ito at buong lakas na sinipa ang dibdib kong nababaonan pa rin ng kutsilyo. Narinig ko ang pagkaputol ng ilan sa aking mga ugat, pati na rin kung paano nanlaban ang aking puso na siyang napuntirya ng patalim. 

No matter how much I gasp for air, I can't endure the pain any longer. My strength ebbs away, and my vision starts to dim.

I feel the most excruciating pain that eventually causes me to close my eyes.

I still hold onto my father's words about you. Even though you don't answer my call, I'm certain this news will get to you. I can't find peace until you put an end to this man, Agent Persephone.