Unsolved Mystery (Nilacabb Series #1)

02

Disclaimer: This chapter contains scenarios that are not suitable for young audience. If you are not used to violence, please immediately leave the story.

TW: language, violence, blood

I couldn’t move. Parang nawala lahat ng lakas ko habang nakatayo ro’n—paralisado sa hilakbot ng nasa harapan ko.

A cold shiver crawled up my spine. Nanlalamig ang buong katawan ko. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong uunahin—ang tumakbo palayo o ang intindihin kung ano ang nasa harapan ko.

Then, I saw it.

Katawan ni Aya.

Walang ulo.

Duguan.

A strangled breath escaped my lips. Nanlabo ang paningin ko, nanikip ang dibdib ko. My stomach twisted in knots as my mind refused to process what I was seeing.

The thick, metallic scent of blood filled the air. Hindi tumitigil ang pag-agos ng dugo mula sa kaniyang leeg—kung saan siya tinanggalan ng ulo. It pooled beneath her like an offering to something monstrous.

Paanong nangyari ‘to? Sino ang may gawa nito?

I felt a lump in my throat. This wasn’t just a murder. This was a message.

"What the fuck?!"

Hazel’s voice cracked as she cursed, her grip tightening on the hem of my uniform. Her hands were ice-cold, trembling. Then, in one swift motion, she hid behind me.

"What happened b—"

Kyra’s voice rang from the doorway. She never finished her sentence.

I turned just in time to see her face twist in horror. The color drained from her skin. Her mouth opened—then shut—like she couldn’t find the words.

"Oh, gosh. No..."

She shook her head, stumbling back. Her fingers latched onto the doorknob, knuckles turning white. Tears threatened to spill from her wide, unblinking eyes.

"That's not my Aria."

Chescka grabbed her arm—tight, desperate. Her breathing hitched.

"Fuck no," she whispered, voice barely above a breath. "Fuck, no... No..."

She didn’t move. Couldn’t.

Even her head refused to turn, as if looking directly at the scene would make it real..

Si Kyra, na kanina pa nakatayo, biglang nanlumo. Para bang nawala ang lakas sa katawan niya.

Napasalampak siya sa sahig.

Hindi alintana ang dugo na kumalat, gumapang siya palapit kay Aya—halos hindi makahinga, nanginginig, pilit inuunawa ang bangungot sa harapan niya.

"Aya..."

Mahina, basag ang tinig niya. Para bang umaasa pa rin na magigising ito—na hindi totoo ang lahat.

"No, no... Aya, wake up," she whispered in between her cries. She was calm, but the pain on her voice was heard. "Aya... W-where's your head?" Masuyong tanong nito.

"Kyra, t-the sink," Hazel speaks, pointing at the sink. Alam ko kung ano ang ine-expect kong makita roon, pero hindi ako handa.

Tumayo si Kyra ay tinanggal ang blue na scarf na tumatakip sa isang bagay. She was shaking, but still eager to found what's covered by it.

I gasp when I saw it. Napa-atras si Kyra at napa-upo sa sahig. She was soaked by blood now. Sumigaw siya na naging dahilan para lumapit sa kaniya si Chescka at yumakap.