Mirror Mirror

Chapter 29: Reflection ⚠️

Alex took a deep breath, her eyes dark with determination. "We find that van."

Alex, Martina, Ava, and Jasmine wasted no time and immediately went to the nearest police station. The tension was suffocating as they sat in the small, dimly lit office of the investigator assigned to the case.

Ava placed her phone on the table and pressed play, showing the CCTV footage of Lexy being taken. The officer, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, leaned forward as he watched.

"Kailan nangyari 'to?" he asked, his tone serious.

"Just a few hours ago," Alex answered. "She was taken outside a restaurant."

The officer nodded and motioned to a younger officer beside him. "Iparun niyo 'tong plate number ng van, kung may makikita tayo sa database," he ordered before turning back to them. "May natanggap na kaming reports ng mga nawawalang tao nitong mga nakaraang linggo. Iba't ibang lugar, iba't ibang circumstances, pero may pattern—walang ransom demands, walang nakukuhang lead. Until now."

Martina's stomach churned. "So, you think this is connected?"

The officer sighed. "Posible. But we need more information. May alam ba kayong kaaway ni Lexy? May banta ba sa kanya?"

Jasmine shook her head, still visibly shaken. "Wala. As far as I know, wala siyang kaaway."

The younger officer returned, whispering something to his superior. The investigator's expression darkened. "Yung plate number... hindi registered. Peke."

Alex clenched her jaw. "So, we're back to nothing?"

"Not exactly," the officer said. "Pero mahirap 'tong kaso. Kung totoo ngang may sindikato sa likod nito, they know how to cover their tracks."

Ava balled her fists. "Then we don't have time. Every second counts."

The officer nodded. "I'll put out an alert for the van and coordinate with other stations. But for now, balikan niyo kung saan siya nawala. Baka may ibang camera na nakahagip sa direksyon ng van."

Without wasting another second, they rushed out, their minds set on their next move—finding Lexy before it was too late.

As they left the police station, Avi and Mikee caught up with them, their expressions filled with worry.

"We left the twins at my parents' house," Avi informed them. "Kasama nila ang mga bata. If Jasmine is behind this, at least she won't know where to find them."

Alex gave a firm nod. "Good. That's one less thing to worry about."

Jasmine let out a scoff. "Paulit-ulit kayong nagdududa sa'kin. Sabi ko nang wala akong alam."

Martina shot her a look. "We don't trust you, Jasmine. Not yet. But if you're telling the truth, then prove it by helping us."

Jasmine gritted her teeth but said nothing.

With their priorities set, they quickly made their way back to the restaurant where Lexy was taken. The streets were still bustling with people, completely unaware that someone had disappeared just hours ago.

They went straight to the manager, who led them to the security room. The CCTV footage from outside the restaurant had already given them a glimpse of the van, but now they needed to track its movement after it sped off.

The security personnel rewound the footage, scanning different angles. Then, finally, something—

"There!" Avi pointed at the screen.