Unsolved Mystery (Nilacabb Series #1)

13

tw: suicide, violence, blood

SHANE

I don't have the courage to tell my mom about this. For almost half of my life, I've been suffering because of my useless stepfather. And now, everything is crumbling at the same time, parang ayaw ko nang mabuhay.

Sunod-sunod ang mga problema ko. Sunod-sunod ang mga nawawala. My problems are piling up. One by one, people are leaving my life.

I wanted to rant to my friends, to pour out all the pain I've been carrying, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. And now, this? Finding out they suspect Jarenn? Parang tuluyan nang bumagsak ang mundo ko.

I can't believe it. My friends are doubting Jarenn. The idea of him killing his friends is unthinkable. Naalala ko pa noong nalaman niyang wala na si Chris. He cried so hard that day, sobbing uncontrollably, his face buried in his hands.

"Jarenn, wait!" I called out to him as he stormed away. My chest tightened with desperation. Gusto kong malaman niya na nasa panig niya ako. Naniniwala naman ako sa kaniya, e.

Huminto siya at nilingon ako. "Ano ba, Shane? Maniniwala ka rin ba sa kanila na pinatay ko si Chris?" he asked, his voice trembling with anger pero sinusubukan niyang maging kalmado. Napasabunot siya sa buhok niya at pagalit na sinipa ang maliit na bato sa gilid niya.

"No. Listen to me, okay? I believe you. Alam kong hindi mo kayang gawin 'yon," I said, my voice gentle as I reached out to hold his face. His tears fell freely, soaking my hands.

"Then bakit ako ang pinagbibintangan nila? I'm telling the truth! 'Yung bracelet at letter, ikaw ang nagbigay no'n sa akin. Nahulog siguro nang binalik ko ang libro sa library kasi nakaipit 'yon do'n. And I have nothing to do with that knife!" Pagsusumbong niya na puno ang boses ng sama ng loob.

"It has fingerprints daw," I said, trying to stay calm, even though I felt just as confused and hurt. "Hindi kita pinagbibintanga, pero kailangan kong malaman, hmm? Para mailaban natin ang kaso mo,"

"Shane, akala ko ba naniniwala ka sa akin?" His eyes searched mine, looking for reassurance.

"I do, Jarenn! But I can't think of any possible reason why your fingerprints would be on that knife. Sabihin mo sa akin kung paano, para matulungan kita," My voice cracked, and I looked away, ashamed of how weak I sounded.

His expression darkened. "Kampihan mo na lang sila." he muttered, turning his back on me.

"Jarenn, please..." I reached for him, but he shook off my hand. Napalakas ang pagbawi niya ng kaniyang kamay dahilan para mapa-atras ako.

"You're doubting me. You don't have to pretend you're on my side." Pandidiin niya.

I shook my head. "I am not acting, Jarenn. Please," I tried to touch him but he pulled himself away.

I looked down in disappointment. He looked away.

"Ganiyan ka ba talaga ka-peke? Name who you are, Shanelle. Plastic? Mapagpanggap?"

His words peirced into my heart like a sharp blade. Parang mas nadurog ang puso ko.

He is not Jarenn.