[Seven-Minute Semblance] GODSFORRENT & FIMBULWINTER

Chapter 2 - The Million Peso Question

Edward Dace.

13. August.
Friday, 10:45 am.
Coronado University Library.

I AM A SMART PERSON. I know that, and I'm sure of it, but right now—I feel very, very stupid.

"Theory number six," the Political Science student said, "is that somebody has given Ms. Caperna the poison that killed her, and that poison is in this bottle of nail polish."

"How can you be so sure that it's poison?" I asked, adamant.

The Political Science student looked so done. Believe me, I am too. "What, can you tell me, what is written in this bottle?"

I groaned before I said, raising my voice, "Canary! Silver Platinum! Matte! Now tell me what's wrong with it!" I stomped my foot in irritation.

He laughed like the devil with my reaction and I was at once ready to hit him. He cleared his throat and smirked like he's the smartest person in the room. "Does this nail polish look like silver platinum to you?"

His question struck some sense. I glanced at the Psychology student for reassurance, but he wasn't paying us any attention. Psyche dude was staring at the floor behind the counter, possibly keeping an eye on the fainted librarian.

"And weirdly," the Political Science student continued, "this poison looks familiar."

"Does it look like your daily dose of vitamin nope?" I cleverly replied.

"It looks like somebody wants a dose, pronto," PolSci dude riposted.

"And it looks like somebody's actually awake."

I got chills from hearing that sentence. Then I realised it was the unidentified second year student talking. He stood beside Psyche dude and the both of them stared down at the "unconscious" Ms. Bautista.

"Napansin ko kanina," Psyche dude said, "na habang nag-uusap kayo, gumagalaw-galaw ang kilay at labi n'ya. Kanina, no'ng nagdabog ka," he turned to me, "parang natakot s'ya na maapakan o masipa mo."

Lumapit sa'min si Kuya PolSci, nakangisi na naman. Lumuhod naman ako sa tabi ni Ms. Bautista, para makita kung gising na nga talaga s'ya. Nang napalibutan namin s'ya, napansin kong medyo nagdikit nga 'yong mga kilay n'ya.

Pretty sure she's aware of her surroundings.

"Tusukin mo para makita natin kung gising nga," I suggested.

Psyche dude casted me a you-need-to-stop-doing-that look. PolSci dude, on the other hand, crouched near Ms. Bautista's face. He took out the nail polish bottle and gave it a mischievous grin. He said, "Earlier, I overheard the two of you talking about Loki and his punishment."

"Loki?" Psyche dude asked.

"S'ya 'yong tinutukoy mo kanina na nilagyan ng ahas sa ulo," I replied, completely remembering that I didn't mention the name when I explained. That's because names don't matter to me.