The Case of Christina Orqueza

Chapter 11: "Sadness and Madness"

"Di ba sabi ko dun ka lang sa kwarto?" galit na sabi ni Aldrin kay Julie nang makita ito sa salas.

"Si-si Cheska kasi lumabas! Sabi niya tutulong daw sa inyo!"

"What?" gulat na sabi ni Biran. "Nasaan na siya?"

"Hinahanap ko nga eh. What's happening to him?" nagatatkang tanong nito nang mapansin si Andrew na umiiyak.

"He---he accidentally killed Glenn."

"What?"

"I swear I didn't mean it! It was an accident! I got scared of the rats and did not know what happened next. I think the skewer accidentally stabbed him."

Ilang sandali pa ay dumating si Cheska.

"Babe, where have you been?"

"Hinahanap ko kayo eh."

Kaagad nilang pinuntahan ang kwarto ni Aldrin at nadiskubreng wala na roon si Sir Jake.

"I knew it. Sir Jake was a suspect in the death of her friend. We were in high school when I heard the news about the death of a student in Arlington University. His cousin was right, he was involved in that case." Sabi ni Brian.

"So could it be????" tanong ni Cheska.

"Tama. Posibleng si Sir Jake ang killer. We're not dealing with just one but two."

"Oh my God, we're going to be doomed."

"Lumabas na lang tayo ng bahay!" suhestyon ni Andrew.

"G*go ka ba? Napakadelikado rin sa labas, malakas ang surge!" sigaw ni Brian.

"Magsama-sama tayo. At least we can fight." Sabi ni Aldrin.

"Teka, nasaan nga pala sina Joseph at Gerald?" tanong ni Julie.

"Baka hinahanap pa rin si Reydan. Let's go to the second floor."

************

Hindi sila makapaniwala nang matagpuan nila ang mga duguang bangkay nila Joseph sa pasilyo sa second floor at si Gerald sa isang nakabukas na kwarto.

"Pati sila napatay na rin."

"They could be somewhere. Let's stick together. We're only five of us now."

Pumasok muna sila sa isang kwarto para makapagpahinga. Hinila ni Aldrin si Julie papunta sa isang sulok.

"Babe, are you still mad at me?"

"Of course, we should have been saved if it's not for your group being so obedient sa president ninyo. Parang mas pinili mo pa siya kaysa sa amin... sa akin. And look what happened, muntik na n'ya akong patayin."

"I'm sorry babe."

"Please. Don't talk to me right now. Our life is ruined, wag ka nang dumagdag pa. Now, I know what kind of person you are." Sabi nito bago iwan si Aldrin.

"Lalabas na kaming tatlo. Mas ligtas kayo rito Cheska at Julie. And please now, sumunod na kao sa amin."

"What? No! Ayaw naming maiwan dito." Protesta ni Cheska.

"Trust us."

"How can we trust you? Eh nilagay ninyo ang buhay namin sa kapahamakan!" galit na sabi ni Julie.