Crimson Temptation

KABANATA 11

"It has been two months since this all began... and we still can't seem to pinpoint who is responsible for this. If we tally everything up, we have lost nearly thirty-three of our guardsmen," Blake lamented, as they convened in the meeting room of the mansion, bringing together the head leaders, with Matthew and Dmitry in attendance.

"Kung wala sa labas... Nandito sa loob..." Sabi ni Dmitry biglang tumaas ang mga balahibo ng mga guardsmen sa sinabi ni Dmitry... If they're not outside... They might already be inside...

"Okay, so things will go like this..." Nagsalita na si Dmitry habang nakikinig naman ng mabuti ang lahat, mas umapaw pa ang kanilang takot ng magsalita na rin si Matthew, sa loob ng isang buwan napapansin na ng mga guardsmen ang until-unting pag-assassinate ng kung sino man ang mga kapwa nila guardsmen at walang nakakaalam kung sino ito at saan ba ito nanggagaling. Walang nakakaalam, kahit si Dmitry ay wala pang makitang sagot sa tanong na ito, dumoble pa ang kaayusan ng seguridad sa mansion, kasi iba na ang nangyayari sa paligid nila ngayun, sa isang araw, may isang mamatay, at ang nakakagulat pa ay ni isang ebedensya ay walang makita, walang mga bakas, napaka linis ng pagpatay at halos hindi mo mapapansin kung may namatay na ba o wala pa... This individual lurks in the shadows of their prey, making it nearly impossible to detect their actions. Their proficiency in taking lives is so refined that one can hardly tell if another casualty has occurred. Their expertise in hiding is remarkable, adding to the difficulty of their pursuit. Despite the extensive coverage of surveillance cameras around the vast mansion, they remain elusive, except to Shion's father, Dmitry, Matthew, and Shion himself. They are the only ones who continuously move in and out of the mansion... and no one else.

"That's all for today..." Patapos ni Matthew... Nagsitayuan ang lahat maliban kay Dmitry at nagpaalam sa kanilang dalawa. Kunting katahimikan ang namoo pero agad naman iyun pinawi ni Dmitry...

"Bro, I can feel something strange... Si Shion... Hindi na siya ganoon ka active sa school niya..." Saad ni Dmitry.

"Are you here to talk about his life status inside the school?" Iritang sabi ni Matthew pero napaka kalma namn ng mukha. Napabuntong hininga si Dmitry at nagsalitang muli.

"Bro, hear me out, that's not what I'm getting at! What I'm trying to convey is his abrupt and significant shift in behavior. That's all! Why? Are you seriously telling me you didn't pick up on anything?" Tanong nito sa kaibigan niya. Tipid na ininum ni Matthew ang alak niya at tahimik nalang na naka upo dun.

"That's not for you to be concerned about Dmitry." Tipid nitong sabi, pero ayaw paawat ni Dmitry. "Okay let me tell you a secret! That night... When Riler called me to fitch him... Alam mo ba ang unang bumungad sa akin? Pag dating ko sa restaurant, si Shion lang ang una kong nakita! When in fact, yung tatlo niyang mga kaibigan ay halos hindi mabuhay kung wala si Shion, halos hatid sundo nila ito! At kung saang lupalop paman siya pumunta ay hindi mag-aatubili ang mga ito na samahan siya o dikaya ay sundan ito! I was a bit shock na wala akong nakitang tatlong tuta na nakaalalay sa kaniya ng gabing yun! Okay!? I may sound like I'm exaggerating but I swear to god... That Shion right there? Is not the Shion I used to know! Alam mo bang bakas ng dugo ang sapatos niya noong kinuha ko siya? Dude! I'm not lying! The car was filled of this blood smell! Malansa at alam kong ang dugong naamoy ko ay bago pa... Please Matthew... I'm sorry kung magagalit ka sa akin sa sasabihin ko ngayun pero... I'm doubting your niece..." Huling sabi ni Dmitry... Hindi na siya takot na mabutasan ng bala ang kaniyang ulo ngayun dahil may hinala talaga siya... Na si Shion ang may kagagawan ng lahat ng ito.

"So you're just discussing what occurred that night, not what's unfolding at this moment?" Dmitry's arms turned pale and weakened suddenly... Tama nga siya ano?...

"Ali listen..." Bigla siyang nawalan ng sasabihin ng napansin ng tingin ni Matthew... "I guess you're not good enough to tell what's real and what's not... If that's all, I'm leaving." Tumayo si Matthew at aalis na sana ng hinawakan ni Dmitry ang braso nito.