PROLOGUE
"Tangina, buti nalang last na natin 'to!" maingay na pagrereklamo ni Charmaine habang nag-aayos ng mga upuang gagamitin dito sa gymnasium. "Lakas makadecide ng program, 'di sinabi kahapon para mas napaghandaan! Hindi ganitong nira-rush tayo!"
"Tanga, takbo-takbo ka as SSG officer tas kapag may program, lakas magreklamo." Sagot naman ng kaibigan nitong nag-aayos rin ng lamesa. "Lakas mong magreklamo, 'pag andiyan si Ma'am 'kala mo ikaw pinakamasipag."
"Uy, marinig kayo ni Ma'am diyan, lagot kayo." Saway ni Charise.
I stood there at the side and watched them spit unnecessary things while finishing the whole set-up. If they just focused on their work, they'd be resting now like me. I refused to go and help them out after finishing my task. They spent their time bickering at each other so... And they're so loud. So irritating like her...
"Sino ka?! Pakawalan mo na ako, parang awa mo na!" She cried. "Ano bang atraso ko sa 'yo?!"
I smirked at the sight. I typed on my phone, using the word application, I encoded there what I wanted to tell her and let the app generated voice read it for me. I can't be recognized or else, onc1e I let her go, she'd report me for sure.
"Go and keep on talking to me that way and I'll cut your fucking tongue,"
She trembled like a cat and cried more. Poor you. You shouldn't have messed with me. Now, your life is in my fingertips. You can't do anything but do what I say so. Now, our world has turned. It's now you who should listen to me.
"Pakawalan mo na ako, please. I assure you, I won't report it to anyone!" she desperately pleaded.
No. Fucking. Way.
Why do victims says such ridiculous things anyways when kidnapped or when their life is at stake? Don't they know it sounds so boring and overused? From books to films, they use it by and by. Do they think the one they're talking to is dumb and clueless of things? Just born yesterday?
"Where is she, Mrs. Dancel?"
She reacted right away after hearing my question. The anger within me woke up again and all I just want to do right now is to push her head on the wall, hard and forceful, until she bleed and die.
"H-Hindi ko alam ang pinagsasabi mo," her voice trembled. "S-Sino ka? Please let me go,"
By the way she asked it, I knew my name is already at the tip of her tongue. I need to shut her off for now. I can't risk-
'C-Charise..."
I was about to put her to sleep when she mumbled that name. My forehead creased and confusion got me. How the hell did she even have the gut to suspect that woman? What did she do? What does she know? Was she... also there when it happened and it happened that she saw her? And did she saw me, too?
"Uy, sino kaya ang first ngayong finals?"
"Pustahan tayo, p're? Ano?'
"'Yong sa Versatile kaya?"
"Perseverance yan, p're. Sure ako,"
I rolled my eyes from that conversation I just overheard. They keep on talking about it day by day as the graduation comes near. They keep on watching the competition of the tops of the batch instead of worrying about their own grades. Poor stupidos.
The program went on after an hour of preparing. My eyes darted at that on particular seat that's unoccupied and I know who's already missing. And I have a bad feeling about it. I want to check if my deduction is right but I can't leave this place, damn it.
They talked about the disappearance of Mrs. Dancel first and it gave me chills whenever I remember my last visit which is just yesterday. She wasn't there. She's gone missing. I'm not afraid that she might escaped because I know she won't and she can't after our last talk.
"Tallianna Camille Suan," Mrs. Romero announced through the microphone and our classmates roared with different reactions.
It was loud but not loud enough to shut off the scream coming from the senior high compound. Everyone stopped and was alarmed. They shut their mouth off after it, like they're testing if they heard it right. And yes, Talliana's scream resurfaced and everyone went wild.
Teachers tried to calm everyone down but they didn't. The scream was contagious, like she's too much scared to even stop and if she did, it's just to catch her breath. I didn't even hesitate to run first. I ran as fast as I can and just second later, I know Charise is already behind me.
"Too much care for your new found friend, huh?"
She didn't cast even a single glare at me. She continued her fast pace until we're both panting as we reach where Talliana is. In front of her is the bloody and lifeless body of Mrs. Dancel. I froze at where I was. I clenched my hands from the deep anger I'm feeling. My mind refused to believe what I was seeing.
No, this can't be. I haven't found her yet! No, no, no!
Everyone flocked at the crime scene. If not gasping, some are crying and panicking. There's something wrong right here. No. Someone is behind this. My inside trembled when a thought effortlessly entered my mind.
I looked down at the Tallianna being comforted by many. They are trying to hush her. Our eyes met and she cried more. I know what are those cries for. I started this game but I didn't expect I was also being played. I believed I was in control but turns out I was used.
