The Missing Link

011. Aswangs

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PHOTOGRAPHS of beasts and mythological beings cluttered the table, each image vividly captured on camera. Newsworthy at the time, these pictures had been printed on bond paper, with three to four images neatly arranged on each sheet.

“These are just some of the newly captured images that have piqued the interest of people, especially those living in the province of Nueva Aurora and the city core,” Raine said, gesturing toward the images.

“Why are you showing these to me?” Zane asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

“More and more people are convinced that the elusive murderer is a mythical being,” she replied. “I noticed your interest in the topic, and I need to identify why they think that way.”

“First off, I’ve got a question,” he began, catching the slight raise of Raine’s eyebrows, her silent cue for him to proceed. “Wasn’t it illegal for us to sneak into that event last night? What’s the status of the case? Was it compromised? Is it closed?”

Raine paused, weighing her words before answering. “Well, I’m fairly certain I had permission to attend. The detective inspector handling the case gave it to me.”

“So, you’re a private detective?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Better yet,” she replied with a slight grin, “I’m a newly hired crime scene investigator, after the detective noticed me as a freelance crime solver.”

"Alright, great!" Zane nodded. "But why let me tag along?"

"You were following me!" Raine exclaimed.

"But—"

"Alright," she interrupted, her expression softening. "I thought you might make a good assistant." She paused, then added, "As for the case, we’re still tracking down the people who need to be interviewed."

"I’m not interested in crimes or killing people," Zane said.

“But you’re meant for saving people,” she countered. “Who knows, maybe one day your help will be needed.”

“Nah, I’m too busy,” Zane interrupted. “And even if I weren’t, that day won’t come anytime soon.”

“You sure?” Raine asked. “Because I’ll need your help with your expertise in medicine and your love of mythology.”

Zane involuntarily pouted.

“This will provide valuable information for finding a solution,” Raine added. “You want to end the madness of that killer, right, Professor? You want the normal Nueva Aurora, am I correct?”

Zane furrowed his brow, chewing thoughtfully before taking a large bite of his pie. “Fine, then,” he muttered, his tone resigned.

Raine watched him for a moment before asking, “People say an aswang attacked the victims. Do you believe in those beings?”

“First of all, what is an aswang?” Zane asked, his curiosity now fully piqued. Finally, someone was recognizing his hidden passion. “For basic information, it’s from Philippine folklore. It’s often depicted as a creature that can change its form—a shape-shifter! It could be a dog, a pig, or something else.”

Raine listened closely, her scepticism evident, though she couldn’t help but feel intrigued. She tried to piece together the fragments of what the police had discovered so far. Birds had been seen circling the first victim. A cat had been reported near the second. But her thoughts snapped to the third victim, the details blurring in her mind.