Dullahan [ COMPLETED ]

The First Clue

CHAPTER 9: The First Clue

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Today was something I would never forget, along with the days where Duan entered my plain life. It was funny watching a non-human blend in with a classroom filled with 19 humans all with different and unique personalities. Plus, our 5 teachers were, in their own ways, different in his eyes, but that didn't stop him from taking down notes and reciting once in a while.

One such event of his class participation was during our Mathematics class, and gosh, was Duan good. Even against me, the class' top one, and Raham, our 'calculator brain', he was a quick solver.

"How did you do that?! They're all fractions!" I questioned him in disbelief, my eyes darting from his empty desk to the logarithmic function problem on the board. I mean, he computed it by staring, while everyone else took out scrap papers and attempted to solve it manually.

He shrugged, and a small smile danced on his lips. I glared at him and looked back at the board.

"Very good, Duan. So since the answer is seventeen over one-hundred thirty-two, then that means that the graph..." Maam Girlie continued her explanation by then.

Sitting beside him wasn't as easy as I thought because during our Filipino subject (we have one, since we're in Philippines), he asks me to translate the whole discussion to English, or better yet, in Irish language, which is absolutely impossible to me.

Class was dismissed at 4:04 pm, and while everyone was fixing their things, Francis and Raham suddenly went up to the front and closed the door. Maam Julie looked at them intently but she told us to sit down. We did so as Francis took out his phone and did a couple of clicks before extending it out to us.

"Hello, Francis? This is Jake," The phone was on loudspeaker then, "It's about the headless rider thing,"

I realized what they were trying to do so I took out a pen and paper and opened my ears to the conversation. Duan leaned over to my desk, one arm propped on it and his eyes was fixed on the phone.

"I found out that just last month, a truck near Cordillera Road, carrying imported artifacts from abroad, was hijacked and all contents were stolen," The friend, Jake, said.

Francis looked at Raham and handed him the phone, "So, do you think that the head was part of the stolen items?" He asked.

"Oh, hey Raham," Jake chuckled on the other line before continuing, "I guess so,"

"We can't have unsure answers!" I yelled.

"W-woah hey, who else is there with you huh?"

"Nevermind that," Francis stated sternly, and I swear that's something you don't see about him everyday, "Are you sure the head was there?"

There was silence on the other line. A silence that was pulling on our steings of hope, until an audible sigh escaped from Jake's lips, "Geez, why are you guys into this stuff huh? I'll find out about the cargo then!"

"Good," A sigh of relief passed our mouths.

That was until he added, "Tell you and your friends that that'll cost more," And the line went blank.

"W-wait, we have to pay him?!" Najeba blurted out, "You should've told us!"

"Well, it's cheap anyways, like around 100 pesos (around $3) per information?" He shrugged.

My face paled for a second before my face turned flush red, "Francis! You-!! I'm not rich!" I yelled in dismay, rather than anger.

"We'll handle the expenses, geez. No need to get so worked up about it," He and Raham smiled, and my anger seeped away. I really don't get why it happened, but they were just so reassuring that I let them be.

"Where's that... Uh.. Road?" Duan's eyes squinted and his brows furrowed as he looked at the messy scrap that I just wrote.

"Cordillera road?"

"Yeah, that road,"

I snickered mentally at his slightly irritated and confused face. I bet it has something to do with either the way the road's name was hard to pronounce, or the way it was written in my horrible, rushed handwriting, "It's the road going to my place,"

He raised a brow in question, but before he could speak, Angel spoke up, "You didn't hear about that news?" She asked.

"No. Did you?"

"I don't think there was a report about that," Maam Julie added as she crossed her arms, "Believe me, I watched all the news last month for my report,"

"Did the media hide it then?" Was the question from Patricia, "And if they did, then why?"

That was the most sensible question that I have heard for today, and I can't help but nod in agreement. If there was such a news, as stated by Jake, then why wasn't it broadcasted? Does it have something to do with Duan's head? Did it have a significant value for those who took it? Or did they not know but still went for it?

So many questions raced in my mind and I sunk my head into my arms. I hesitated at first, but I turned my face slightly to lool at Duan's thoughtful and serious expression, before letting my fist bump his shoulder lightly.

"We'll find it, so stop worrying," Was all I said.

He sighed and turned, "Yeah I guess so. But that doesn't mean that you could worry for me," He didn't look as if he was joking. Rather, his eyes were soft and a hint of... Fear?.. Was evident.

"I'm not worried," I put up a smile and lifted my head, beaming at him with a thumbs up, "I'm determined!"

"I see," His face softened and he looked back at the two boys infront, "If you need money, then I can help earn,"

"I told you, it's totally fine!"

Maam Julie dismissed the subject with a cough and she looked at her watch, "Guys, you better go. We'll find out more tomorrow,"

"Okay, bye Maam!"

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TBC