Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 14 The Case

OTTILIE VIRSES POV 
 
 
After my night bath, I couldn't help but notice how soft my hair had become. The hair essentials Plutus gave me were working like a charm. I sat in front of my vanity mirror, following the next steps on the instruction paper that came with the box. I didn’t really understand what all the products were for, but I followed the directions exactly as written.
 
When I was done, I used the curly hair brush from the box, and as I ran it through my hair, I was amazed. The comb slid through effortlessly, without tugging or getting stuck. It was the first time I’d ever been able to comb my hair without feeling like I was fighting a losing battle. My curls looked more defined, healthier, and even shinier. My natural chestnut brown hair had never looked this good, the color glowing with life.
 
 
Sa sobrang excited ko, nagmamadali akong lumabas ng kwarto at saka kinatok ng mabilis ang pintuan ni Plutus. After my excited knock, Plutus opened the door, and I was immediately greeted by the sight of his bare chest. My eyes widened and I couldn't move. Plutus stood there, topless, his 8-pack abs gleaming in the low light of the hallway. 
 
His chest was so defined that I could see every muscle, his pale white skin almost glowing. His broad shoulders stretched wide that made me feel even smaller in comparison. I'm only 5'3 standing in front of a 6'5 male demon prince. 
 
Nabalik na lang ako sa ulirat ng sigawan ako ng asungot. 
 
"Are you going to stand there and gawk, or did you wake me up for a reason, evil witch?" he asked, his tone dripping with annoyance.
 
My face is heating up in embarrassment. "I-I- uh... look at my hair!" I stammered, trying to redirect the situation, pointing at my curls like a child showing off a new toy.
 
His gaze shifted lazily from my face to my hair, taking his time as he looked me over. He scanned my curls slowly, and for a moment, his stare felt heavy. I couldn’t quite read him, his face was emotionless, but something about the way his jaw clenched and the way his throat bobbed made me nervous. 
 
He stayed silent, his eyes still on me, and I suddenly felt exposed under his gaze. 
 
Naiilang na ako sa paraan ng tingin niya, kaya wala sa sariling nagsalita ako. "Uh, thank you sa mga hair essentials, bye!" and quickly scrambled back to my room, slamming the door behind me. 
 
My heart pounded as I leaned against the door, panting slightly. For a second, I thought he was going to... I don’t know. Eat me alive? What was with that stare? 
 
It was so creepy!

 
~~~

 
 
After I finally calmed down from the strange encounter with Plutus, I took a deep breath and decided to focus on my on-going case. I went over to the whiteboard, which I had kept covered up for days now, waiting until I could process everything. I slowly uncovered it, revealing the almost blank slate beneath, ready to map out what I knew so far about Lucas Raven's death.
 
I grabbed a marker and began writing down the details, the sound of the pen scraping lightly against the board filling the room. I started with the second victim.
 
Napapabuntong hininga ako habang nagsusulat, ang buong akala ko kasi ay si Elena na ang huling biktima pero mukhang nagkamali ako. 
 
Second Victim: Lucas Raven (soccer athlete)
Missing Body Part: Leg (Right)
Details: Lucas's body was discovered on the academy's sports field. His right leg had been carefully severed.
 
Once I had the details down, I walked over to my desk and pulled out the grim photo of Lucas’s body, taken by me at the morgue. I pinned the photo under the victim's information on the whiteboard. I then took a step back, eyes trailing over the writing. Lucas... and Elena, I thought. I grabbed a red marker, my hand shaking slightly, and began to write above everything, at the top center of the board, in bold letters:
 
RED ROOM LEGEND
 
The words glared back at me, sharp and haunting against the whiteboard. There was something sinister about how both murders had been so clean, so precise, and yet... No one seemed to care. At the top of the whiteboard, I decide to write the name of this case, 'Crimson Academy's Murder Case' using a black marker.
 
I walked over to the small box I kept on my desk, pulling out two thin red strings and cutting them carefully. After cutting them, I pinned one end of each string to Lucas’s and Elena’s photos, then connected them both to the words "Red Room Legend."
 
Standing back, I looked at my work, the red strings forming an eerie web between the names, the victims, and the legend. This is more than just coincidence... There has to be something linking these deaths.
 
I hesitated for a moment, then added one final note beneath it all in small, precise handwriting:
 
Note:
Students didn't panic, nor did the school take action, believing it was the enchanted mirror's doing.
 
I stepped back again, crossing my arms as I stared at the board. Wala man lang ginawa ang school para mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng mga biktima. Pinakatitigan kong mabuti ang mga information na nakasulat sa board. 
 
The pieces were starting to come together, but the more they did, the more unsettling everything became. Kung mapatunayan ko man na ang red room ang may pakana nito, paano ko ito sisirain para wala na itong mabiktima pa? 
 
I bit my lip, wondering how much longer it would be until the next victim... or if I’d even find out the truth before it was too late.

 
~~~
 
I woke up earlier than usual, surprisingly energized for school. Mukhang effective nga ang ginawa ni Plutus sa katawan ko dahil pakiramdam ko, punong-puno ako ng energy ngayon sa katawan. Kung effective lang sana sa sarili ko ang mga healing potions na kaya kong gawin, hindi ko na sana tatanggapin ang offer ni Plutus. Pero gano'n talaga, thankful na lang sa ginawa ng asungot na 'yon.

After getting ready, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, humming softly. But the moment I stepped outside, I froze. There, parked in the garden, was a big black bike. My eyes widened in awe. The sleek design, the shiny chrome, and the sheer size of it looked like something straight out of a movie. I couldn’t help but think how cool it was.
 
I took a step closer, my fingers itching to touch it, when I heard the front door creak open behind me. Turning around, I saw Plutus walking out, dressed in the academy's uniform, his backpack slung casually over one shoulder. 
 
But what caught my eye next was the guitar case strapped across his back. Before I could even comment on it, he shot me a look, his tone sharp as he warned, "Stay away from my baby, you evil witch."
 
I frowned, stepping back with a huff. "Hindi ko naman hahawakan!" I muttered under my breath, giving him space as he made his way toward the bike.
 
Plutus seemed to ignore me as he swung his slender leg over the seat with practiced ease. I watched as he put on his helmet, and then, just as I thought he was about to leave quietly, the engine roared to life.
 
The sound was so loud that I instinctively covered my ears, wincing at the noise. Through the visor of his helmet, I could see Plutus glance at me, and I just knew he was smirking in there. Before I could even process the next moment, he revved the engine one last time and sped off, kicking up dust in his wake.
 
Taragis talaga ng lalaking 'yon! 
 
The sudden gust of air and dirt hit me square in the face. I coughed, waving my hand in front of me as the dust clouded around me. 
 
"Plutus! Gago ka talaga!" I shouted.
 
I could feel the grit settling on my uniform, and I cursed under my breath as I furiously wiped at my clothes, which were now covered in a layer of dust.
 

To be continued...