Erudition of Doyle: Volume One

CHAPTER 45: CASE VIII - THE MYSTERIOUS FRIENDS OF LITTLE SLYVIA

Junko Ito: This chapter contains themes and scenes that may be disturbing to some readers, including references to mental illness and unsettling behavior. Reader discretion is advised.

Case 8: The Mysterious Friends
of Little Sylvia (The Beginning of
the Night Chapter, Part Ten)

ROSALINDA

Many things have happened, and they seem connected to my father's work. That's what Doyle told me, but I can't seem to believe it. Should I begin reading his works? Also, about the map that Baal mentioned—even though I’m in denial, I can’t hide the fact that everything seems to be connected.

About the seven tapes, I still can't believe what I've seen. But if I remember correctly, according to Baal, everything on the tape lies behind it. But, where are the lies?

I have to watch it again and be more observant as I gather more information about the tapes. It will surely give us progress in searching for the lies within them. It seems that Lilith really likes filming a lot because of what Baal said in the last tape, I believe. But, why is she filming? I doubt she’s doing it just because she likes it—could there be another reason?

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad. No, I shouldn't be the one investigating the tapes, gathering information, or finding evidence to claim that the tapes are merely an act, that they actually happened, or to uncover the lies within them. That’s the police's job, not mine, so I'll leave that work to Detective Joshua.

Before I could enter my room, a tall student stood in front of me. Bahagya akong napaangat ng tingin para sipatin siya kung sino man ang humarang sa'kin. It's Dmitriy. Based on his determined face, with worry in his eyes, he seems to need help.

"Do you need something?" I asked, calmly as I faced him more properly.

"Rosalinda, pwede ka bang sumama mamaya sa amin para samahan ang pinsan kong magkaroon ng sleepover sa friend niya?" he asked, and it seems urgent; I guess the sleepover will happen tonight. "Mamaya ang magaganap na sleepover nila ni Sylvia doon sa bahay ni Alexa. Kahit na hindi sila close o magkaibigan, she has difficulty making friends. But despite that, Alexa and her friend want to be friends with her. But I don’t want to leave her alone there. Alam mo naman kung anong maaaring mangyari, hindi ba?"

I sighed as I crossed my arms. "I don’t want to go with you, but it seems you actually need help. You can’t take care of her yourself," I continued. "Wala naman akong gagawin mamaya. Alright, I'll go with you."

Medyo nagulat ako nang hinawakan niya ang magkabilang braso ko, but he held it very gently, showing he didn’t want to hurt me with his huge hands. Gumuhit ang maligaya nitong ngisi dahil sa natanggap niyang sagot mula sa'kin. "Thank ya, Rosalina! Wag kang mag-alala, babawi ako."

"No need," I told him, shaking my head. "Your favor isn't hard anyway; no need to pay me back with kindness." I reassured him with a smile.

"You're so kind!"

"... I'm not," I murmured to myself. Staring at him, I thought he looked like a dog wagging his tail because he got what he wanted. Kumpara kanina na parang sasabog na ang utak nito dahil sa stress. He stresses himself too much, even over little things.

"By the way," inilayo na niya ang kaniyang mga kamay sa'kin. "I've been calling ya on yer messenger last Friday, but you weren’t answering. Were you busy that night? Just asking if yes or no, no need to tell me the details."

"Just watching something," sabi ko na lang. Watching seven tapes that Lilith filmed.

"I'll leave you now," may dinagdag pa siya bago umalis. "Just wait for me at the waiting shed," he said, and I just nodded in response. "Sige, kita na lang tayo mamaya." He said goodbye and didn’t waste any time as he left. He's rushing—maybe he’s late to his class or has something else to do? He could have just messaged me on Messenger instead of talking to me face-to-face to ask for a favor.