Encoded

Chapter 4 : It's Encoded?

"Get ready. We're gonna start today." He said, Voice altered by a mic on his neck tie. The room was dark, the people around his couldnt see his face.

"Boss, Aren't you scared?"

"Why would I be? They're just careless movie detectives who overlook things. To them this is a money game." He sipped his wine and licked his lips. He nodded.

"Leave them a note this time. A little code." He ordered.

MHOREIN

"Detective Tyler, Good Morning." I greeted him as we strode towards the entrance of the police station.

Mabilis kaming pumasok ng stasyon.

Ngumiti ako nang mamataas si Chain sa malayo. Nakatayo ito sa harap ng opisina ni Miss Prina.

"Anong nangyari?"

"May mga-" Tyler was about to answer when Chain interrupted him.

"Four kids were reported missing at the same time and same place."

"Paano naman nangyari iyon?" I asked.

"I'll explain, Miss Prina is waiting for us." He gave me the folders and lead the way to the police detectives' office.

"Good morning, Detectives." Miss Prina greeted us. I nodded. I saw familiar faces, Other detectives.

"Miss Prina."

"I suppose that Chain already told you?" Her elegant and sophisticated voice was music to the ear.

"He told me what happened, But not the full story."

"Well, The kids were reported missing at 9:19 A.M. They were all at East Leounet's park."

"Sinasabi niyo bang walang nakapansin na mayroong posibleng kumuha ng apat na bata?" Tanong ko.

"Not one, sadly." I sighed and whispered.

"Jesus Christ, these parents..."

"Yeah sure, We'll take the case." She nodded.

"Without the rookie."

"Pero-"

"No." Elegance to strictness.

"Alright, Fine. We'll report back to you as soon as possible." And with that I left the office.

"Bakit kasama mo si Tyler?" Chain asked.

"We ran into each other at the entrance." I saw Chain raise his left eyebrow while looking behind me.

Tumalikod ako at nakitang papalapit si Tyler sa akin.

"Hi, Detective." He smiled.

"Hey, Kamusta?"

"Nothing, Just checking you out- I mean just checking on you." Nagkasalubong naman ang mga kilay ko.

"The hell did he just say...?" I heard Chain whisper, Very aggressively, behind me.

"I... Im good. Im fine, Really."

"Oh? Good for you. Uh... Chain." Chain stood beside me and raised one eyebrow.

"Uh so, It's true? Kayo pala." Tyler said.

"For two years, buddy. So back the fuck off." I looked at Chain. His eyebrows are arched, fist closed shut while biting his lower right lip.

"Calm down, Honey." I looked at Tyler.

"Dalawang linggo na, Tyler. Sinabi ko na sayo na hindi ako available." I gave him a lop sided smile. Jesus Christ, He's been bugging me for a date for weeks now.

"I mean, Kahit coffee lang? Mhorein nama-" He didnt get to finish his sentence when Chain's fist landed on his face.

"She fucking said no!" Kinuha ko ang kamay ni Chain. A

"Language, Hon." And dragged him out the police station.

"God damn that guy. Fucking asshole. You told him like a hundred times already!" He slammed the car door shut and crossed his arms.

Tumawa lang ako. Nang tumawa. At tumawa pa.

Binalik ko kay Chain ang folder na binigay niya sa akin kanina.

"Can you read it for me? We're going east." He opened the folders and I started the car.

"Angelo Fuentes, Carlos Anthony, Diane Dela Silva and Bryan Vyd were all reported missing at the time this morning. The office got calls from the parents. At the same time around 9:30 A.M."

"In other words, Four kids were gone missing at the same time and same place?" Chain nodded. Kumaliwa ako

"At walang nakapansin..." I sighed.

"Age?"

"Thirteen."

"Lahat sila?" He nodded.

"Yep."

"East is at least half an hour away." I said. Chain just looked out the window.

Tahimik ang byahe namin at hindi rin nagtagal. I parked near the gate and got off the car.

With Chain trailing behind me, I entered the park. Tulad nang inaasahan ko, Sarado ito.

A guard walked toward us.

"Sarado 'to ngayon eh, Pasensya na." I pulled out my I.D.

"Leounet detectives ho kami." I explained.

"Ah, Siya sige. Pasensya na." Binuksan niya ang gate at sinamahan kami papasok.

"Trahedya ang nangyari, Ano?" I looked at him.

"Yup."

"Siya, Maiwan ko na kayo. Kung may maitutulong ako, Andito lang ako sa may gate." And with that he left.

"Hon. Look." I looked at Chain.

"What?" He gave me a piece of paper. Tinitigan ko ito.

'aiyrg kwiybwr -Acros'

"Ano 'to?" I asked him.

"Looks like a kid's scribble... Since you know, We are at a park." I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"No. It could be a code."

"A code? Chain, We're detectives not fictional characters- hm." I looked at the note. Hindi man salita ang nakalagay dito, Parang matanda na ang nagsulat.

"No... That cant be possible."

"Itabi mo parin." I looked at him as his phone rang.

"Si miss Prina." He asnwered the phone. Visible confusion and frustration struck his face.

"Paano? Sige, Sasabihin ko muna si Mhorein. Thank you." He put his phone back in his pocket.

"Apat ulit sa South." My eyebrows arched.

"May nawawala pa?" He nodded.

"What the hell is going on? This shit sounds like some crazy crime scheme." Chain looked at me.

I looked at the piece of paper and tried Rot13. Doesnt work.

I took out my phone and looked at my keyboard. I translated the letter forward. Nothing. Backwards?

"Hm..." My eyes opened wide with realization.

"It says South Leounet."