Seals of Altrana [Completed]

Chapter 23: A Backpack and Two Orders of Soup

"HINDI sila pinatay ng sino man. Talagang iyong asawang lalaki ang may pakana ng lahat."

Ipinapaliwanag ni Inspector Charles kay Ingrid ang lahat. Kinumpirma ng inspektor sa dalaga na tama talaga ang hinala nito.

Napag-alaman nila na ang asawang lalaki talaga ang may pakana ng sunog. Nalaman niya sa kaniyang anak na ang mahal nitong ina ay may dinadalang ibang lalaki sa bahay. Ang masaklap pa ay ang mismong kapit-bahay din lang nito ang kabit. Sa sobrang inis ay pinosasan niya ang asawang babae sa kama, at sinunog ang bahay bago siya tumabi sa babae at pinosasan din ang sarili't nagpakamatay.

Nangyari ang lahat ng iyon na ang nag-iisang anak nila ay nasa eskuwelahan. Walang kamalay-malay sa nangyari sa kaniyang tahanan. Umuwi ang bata na sunog na ang kaniyang mga magulang at kaniyang munting bahay.

Ingrid just shook her head in disappointment while she was sitting on the bed, listening to the inspector.

Donovan and Chase on the other hand were fencing because they got so bored. None of them wanted to watch the television because there was nothing interesting on any TV network so the two of them just took out their fencing swords they brought to keep themselves active.

Galen on the other hand was kind enough to peeled the tangerines for Ingrid and put them on a plastic bowl. He offered it to Ingrid before they all heard the door suddenly open.

Gusot ang mukhang pumasok si Archer at saka naupo katabi ng bag niya na nasa sahig. Natigil naman si Donovan at Chase sa ginagawa para pagmasdan ang kanilang ikalawang nakatatandang pinsan.

"Take out your fencing sword. Let's play." ani Donovan na agad namang pinandilatan ni Chase.

"He doesn't play, you know that! Whenever I yield, he still hits me!" reklamo nito na agad namang ikinangisi ni Archer.

"Fucking weakling." He then took out his fencing sword from his bag and did not even bother wearing any gear to protect his body. He pointed his sword to Chase then stood up to challenge him before Donovan moved away and removed his headgear.

"Thanks. But I really wanted the papaya. Do you have a knife?" tanong ni Ingrid kay Galen na agad namang umiling bilang tugon.

"Hindi mo ba sila sasawayin, Nene? Baka matamaan ka nila o may masirang gamit dito." nag-aalalang sabi ni Inspector Charles bago ngumuso sa dalawang naglalaban na parang hindi magkadugo.

"Sanay na po ako, tito. Madalas naman pong may binabaril si Dada sa bahay kapag nahihirapan sa kaso niya o walang magawa."

Nanlaki bigla ang mga mata ng inspektor bago nalipat ang tingin niya kay Galen na ngayon ay inilabas na ang papaya mula sa basket.

"Did any of you here bring a knife?"

Archer swiftly swung his sword to Chase's and it flew over the top of Inspector Charles. Thankfully, the man was fast enough to duck down before the sword could even hit him.

"I brought one."

"Putang Ina!" malutong na mura ng pulis bago naupo nang tuwid at hinanap kung saan nahulog ang espada.

Archer went to his bag to take the knife he happened to bring to give to Galen. But when he saw the papaya, he instantly knew that he was going to peel it for Ingrid.

"I brought this knife to kill her. Not to let her enslave you."

"What in the words 'shut up' can you not understand?"

Archer just threw the knife on the table before he turned to Ingrid who was just looking at him blankly.

"Are you happy a royalty is preparing your food for you?"