Case on a Silver Platter [Course 1]

Chapter 8: Hit Three People with One Symbol III (Devil's Ensign)

Kalliope

The larkspur poisoning case left us with too many breadcrumbs to pick up. And what's more concerning is that it's all over the place and we have no way to find out which trail to follow.

The killings kept us wondering about how did the culprit killed those two students without any trace. We also made a connection with the recent incidents with the death of Harold Gutierrez weeks ago. The same poison was used and no traces were left in the scene also. We concluded that the same person might be behind the crimes.

Hilstheia mentioned about the missing larkspur plants in the school greenhouse last week as the head of the place announced. Apparently, the larkspur contained the norditerpenoid alkaloid compound that was used to kill those three students. The thief wasn't caught on camera either, thus no clues on whoever stole the poisonous plants.

Then, there's the bizarre thing about the two recent poisoning events. Both bodies were discovered with an evil spirit-warding objects. Juanito Torres was holding a rosary while Sarah Acerdano is in possession of a charm bracelet.

Both victims also had that shocked and scared expressions on their faces upon death. North brushed it off with a mind thingy which led them to believe that whatever happened to them, it was the evil spirit's doings.

However, thanks to the police, we found out the patter on the killings. It turned out that Juanito, Sarah, and another student went to the abandoned watch tower for something called a test of courage. Habang nandoon, nakagambala raw ang tatlo sa masamang elementong naninirahan doon. And that spirit is seemingly after them. The lives of the two students were taken and that only left one alive. The next victim is Hiro Sanchez.

Nang matagpuan namin siya sa school altar, ikwinento niya saamin kung ano talaga ang nangyari nang pumasok sila sa watch tower nang gabing 'yon. He claimed that they heard faint whispers and shadows there. And what shocked them the most was the devil's symbol they saw on the floor that rainy night. He described it to have a pair of horns and eyes. That gave them the creep and scampered away as a result.

Now, we were convinced that a supernatural entity didn't commit the crimes, as North reiterated. We don't know what to make of the "horror version" of the incident. Hiro was taken away by the police which was a good thing. Kung siya ang susunod na pupuntiryahin, mas okay kung nasa paligid niya ang mga pulis. They can protect him.

And our investigation yesterday ended there dahil may tutoring session pa ako nang 5 pm at may shift pa raw si Theia. May appointment din daw si North kaya napagpasyahang naming ngayon umaga ipagpatuloy ang pag-iimbestiga.

Nandito kami ngayon sa dating pwesto loob ng library at walang masyadong tao ngayon dito dahil morning break pa lang ngayon. Nagpaalam ako kila Mika na hindi muna ako sasama sa kanila bumili sa canteen ngayon. Mabuti na lang at hindi na sila nagtanong pa kung saan ako pupunta. 'Yon lang at medyo malungkot si Mika dahil maiiwan daw siyang mag-isa kasama si Lorenzo.

Mukhang nags-skip din ng snacks nila ang dalawa dahil maaga rin silang nakapunta rito. After the usual greetings, it was time to address the matter at hand.

"I presume that Hiro is now safe because the police took him yesterday. That's much better." Panimula ni North habang bahagyang lumapit saamin. "But we have no lead to locate the culprit. There were no traces of that person in every crime scene. If it's not that impossible, I'm inclined to think that the culprit can turn itself invisible."