Science or Shadows

Chapter 7

I held my phone out to Manong, our driver. "This address," I said, pointing to the screen. It was still early, so I had some time.

"Sige po, ma'am," Manong said, nodding.

My head felt like a jumbled mess. Everything was so confusing, just like my thoughts. The things that had happened... I couldn't even put them into words.

I sighed and closed my phone, the screen going dark. I leaned my head against the car window, hoping for some peace.

My body felt heavy and tired. Was it because I was thinking too much? Maybe.

I looked out the window at the street. Students were laughing and walking with their friends. Some were with their parents, getting into cars. Others were eating snacks nearby.

I wished my life was that simple.

Suddenly, my heart tightened. I remembered what the school guard had said earlier. He'd mentioned a tree, saying that Thomas might be buried there. It was just a rumor, but it made me uneasy.

How did Thomas die? The question kept swirling in my mind.

I swiftly grabbed my phone to check the latest article on our school website.

"Condolences. We extend our condolences to our dear student, Thomas Jeff H. Weiner. Your memory still lingers on the school campus. We hope you find peace in the afterlife..."

I couldn't bring myself to read the rest. Instead, I quickly switched to Facebook and came across numerous posts about Thomas.

Even though Thomas had been a bully, he still had many friends, which was irritating. How could they befriend someone who had bullied Livia, me, and other students?

As I scrolled through the comments, some were from anonymous accounts.

a: they say he committed suicide.
a: Huh? That's impossible.
a: malay.
a: Or was he murdered???
a: even more unlikely because no signs of foul play were found on the body.
a: it's strange... thomas taking his own life hzhshsj.

I switched to other social media platforms.

What's behind Thomas's death?

However, I couldn't find any posts addressing that. The school might have closed the comments section to prevent further issues. Pathetic.

Suddenly, I remembered Livia mentioning that she had witnessed how Thomas died. Did she see him take his own life? Did Thomas jump off the rooftop?

I gasped for air.

I didn't know the reason behind Thomas's death, and I didn't even care. Yet, the overwhelming urge to uncover the truth consumed me.

I decided to contact Livia to find out what had happened and what she knew. It was something I should have done earlier, but my actions had been impulsive.

"Ma'am, dito na po tayo," Manong's voice interrupted my thoughts. I quickly pocketed my phone, feeling the urgency to hurry. Time was slipping away, and I couldn't afford to be late getting home.

Manong opened the car door for me. "Don't wait for me. I'll go with a classmate. Just stay here," I instructed him as I left and headed towards the house.

The house was located quite a distance from the school, a simple two-story structure with a plain design. As I approached, I noticed the lack of a gate. The house looked old and unkempt, with dust scattering as I knocked on the door.

No response.

I knocked again, but still no answer.

"Ano kailangan mo?" a voice startled me from behind. I turned to see a young woman in a dress, looking no older than twenty.

"I was looking for..." I trailed off as we heard someone calling out.

"Lia, late na tayo!" a girl's voice shouted from afar. The woman in front of me glanced in that direction, signaling that she needed to wait.

"Ano nga ulit 'yon?" she asked.

"Lia, tara!" the voice called out again.

She looked at me apologetically. "Sorry, mauna na ako. Kung may tanong ka, may mapagtatanungan sa pangatlong bahay. Kami kasi nakatira d'yan sa tabi at aalis kami."

She added, "Wala kasing nakatira d'yan," before turning and walking away.

I stood there, stunned. "Walang nakatira?"

It dawned on me that this wasn't the right address.

I noticed Manong approaching me. "Ma'am, nag-text na po magulang niyo," he informed me.

I smiled and nodded, indicating that we should proceed.

As I settled into my seat, thoughts about the address consumed my mind.

I felt frustrated.

Why did I sense a connection between Haden and Thomas's death?

His sudden disappearance and Thomas's death on the same day seemed too coincidental.

I let out a sigh. Maybe I was overthinking.

I considered asking Manong if we were heading to the correct address, but I didn't want to disturb his peaceful music-filled drive.

He played music in the car, but it was not too loud, as I disliked loud noises.

Upon arriving home, I saw my mom and dad.

My heart clenched. I clenched my fists, feeling my heart race...

Their stares sent shivers down my spine.

What had I done?

I could only hear the thunderous thumping of my own heart, beating rapidly.

Approaching my parents in the living room, I prepared to greet them, "M-."

My words were abruptly cut off by a sharp slap, freezing me in place. Though this was a familiar occurrence, it still stunned me.

"What the heck, Hylen?!" My dad's voice seethed with anger.

I looked at them, stammering, "D-Dad..."

I wanted to ask why they had slapped me, but the words stuck in my throat.

"What have you done?! You must not defy us!" Dad's voice boomed with rage.

Glancing at Mom, I saw a look of disgust on her face. She remained passive, a mere spectator to the scene unfolding before her.

Unable to protect me from Dad's wrath. All I ever wanted was to shield her. This feeling of helplessness ate away at me.

Did they know where I had been?

As Dad drew closer, my hands trembled, and I gasped for air, feeling as though I were suffocating. Rooted to the spot, I couldn't retreat, my feet seemingly glued to the floor.

Desperate for Mom's intervention, I found her standing like a statue, a silent witness to the confrontation.

Dad's hand tightened around my neck, a menacing threat looming in his eyes.

"Don't repeat this mistake," he warned, releasing his grip. I struggled to catch my breath.

"Sir, Hylen's professor is here," Manong interjected.

Dad released me, and I caught a glimpse of sadness in Manong's eyes. While he pitied me, he, like Mom, remained a bystander. Glancing at the other helpers, I saw the same look of pity mirrored in their eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to Mom. She smoothed my hair as if nothing had happened. "Your father only wants what's best for you," she insisted.

Biting my lip, I fought back tears. I refused to cry.

After fixing my hair, Mom embraced me, advising, "Listen to us, so this won't happen again, okay?" She patted my back as she combed my hair.

I bit my lip, holding back tears. I shouldn't have followed Haden's plan. It had left a bruise on my face.

"Go to your room," Mom instructed, and I simply nodded before retreating.

I couldn't bring myself to face Dad and the professor, but my ears couldn't ignore their conversation.

"Hylen can't be a suspect in the crime!" Dad's voice rang out with anger.

"The CCTV footage shows Hylen at the campus at night. The same night Thomas died."

Shock coursed through me, my eyes widening in disbelief.

"Hylen, go to your room," Mom's voice cut through the tension, and my feet moved automatically, as if released from an invisible hold.

As I made my way to my room, I sat on my bed, trying to process what I had just heard.

I'm a suspect in a crime?

I thought Thomas had committed suicide?

Confusion clouded my thoughts, leaving me utterly bewildered.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed Livia's number, but it went unanswered. Texting her yielded no response either.

It took me hours to finally drift off to sleep, the tension and nerves churning inside me unbearable.

Upon waking up, I was jolted by a vivid dream.

"No!"
"Ano ka ba? Itigil mo 'yan."

Gasping for air, the dream lingered, haunting my soul.

What did the dream signify? The voice felt familiar...

Why did it appear in my dream?