Shipwrecked Hearts

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"So, what is the cause of death?" This time, Maximo asked, halatang inip na at sabik malaman kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari.

"I can't believe it myself..." K started, "but all of the matters except the alphabet written on his stomach points out that the cause of death is suicide."

We all fell silent because of the declaration.

That cannot be right...

"Are you sure you checked the body right?" This time, I was the one asking.

"I did, Kira." Sagot ni K. "My first assumption was that there was an outside force, or a killer, who strangled him first and hung him to make it look like a suicide, but I crossed it out since there was no sign of an outside force that could have had done it. The markings on his neck can say that, the markings are clear and it is clearly because of self-harm."

"If it was a suicide, dapat may gamit siyang pinag-akyatan na malapit sa kan'yang, pero wala." Naguguluhang saad ko.

"This is where my theory works, I think the enemy is inside the palace grounds," that's what I've been thinking, too. It was because of the increase of guards—some might have had disguised themselves as such, hereby taking advantage of the tightness of the security. "Goliath committed suicide because he mentally could not handle the death of his daughter. Someone entered the room and saw him dead, that someone took advantage of his death rather than killing somebody else, making it look like a murder. Then whoever that person who entered the room put the chair he used towards there," K pointed the chair that was fixed below the wooden table, "and then he or she carved an alphabet on Goliath's stomach."

"Any idea of that someone?"

"It's easy, only handmaidens can have access to the rooms of their master since besides the master, they are the only ones who hold a key."

Maximo looked at Joziah, "you know what to do. Find the maid."

"Yes, Maximo." Yumuko siya at mabilis na lumabas sa silid.

Now come to think of it, hindi ko pa tinitignan kung ano naman ang letrang nakaukit sa t'yan ni Goliath.

Iniwan ko muna si Mermaid sa tabi niya at dahan-dahang naglakad palapit sa bangkay. I wanted to take a look at whatever was written there... I walked slowly, hindi ko alam, natatakot ako na baka ang letrang nakasulat ay R, siguro kaya hindi ko pa tinitignan kanina pa, because if it was R, it will confirm every bad thought I've been thinking.

Tumigil ako sa harap ng bangkay ni Goliath. My eyes traced the alphabet imprinted deep into his skin with a sharp weapon, "D."

K. I. D.

KID?

Biglang kumirot ang aking ulo, napasapo ako sa aking noo at napapikit. "Starfish, are you alright?" Maximo held me.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It might be just a migraine."

Flashes of memories started to come back, memories I must have forgotten, but should have never had. It was as if the three letters—K.I.D triggered everything.

"Akira, this is Kid, he'll be your foster brother." Papa introduced a guy who seems to be around 18, the guy smiled at me.

"Hi, I'm Kid. I'll be your brother from now on. What's your name?"

Nagtago ako sa likuran ni Lola Asuncion, "A-Akira..."

Mas lalong lumaki ang kan'yang ngiti, "Akira? What a unique name, can I call you Aki for short?"

"Yes..." nahihiyang sagot ko.

"Akira, go show Kid around. We'll leave him in your hands." Papa settled.

Inalalayan ako ni Maximo paupo sa gilid ng kama, "Ate Kira, okay ka lang?" Tanong ni Mermaid.

"Yes, I just feel lightheaded..."

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata. Muling may mga alaalang bumalik.

"Aki, these are my friends." Kuya Kid introduced. "This is Harold, Joshua, Khaki, and John Paul. Say hi to them."

"H-Hi."

"Your sis is cute." One of them smirked.

"I know."

"So, kailan uuwi ang parents n'yo?" Tanong muli ng isa sa kanila.

"Don't worry, they won't be here until tomorrow. Just enough time." Sagot ni Kuya.

Enough time, for what?

"So, Aki," lumuhod si Kuya upang pantayan ako, "we're going to play a game. It's called hide and seek, but with a twist."

"T-Twist?"

He nodded. "It's only you who will hide, the rest of us will seek. Whoever finds you first, gets to do what they want with you." Ngumisi si Kuya Kid, "do you understand?"

"I... I don't want to play this game, Kuya."

"Wala kang magagawa, Aki. Unless you want me to hurt you the way I did last night."

Tila tinablan ako ng takot, "o-okay, I'll play."

"Good girl." Kuya patted me on my head, "but let's put a twist again. Before you hide, let's pretend that both of us are hostages and these four people around are kidnappers and that I'm gonna help to make you escape. You better act like it is real because if not, I'll be mad and you know how bad I can get when I'm mad." Banta niya. "Let's start." Nagbago ang ekspres'yon ni Kuya, as if we were really held as hostage. "Aki, tumakas ka na, bilisan mo!"

"Kuya, sabay tayong tatakas, hindi ba?" Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kamay ni kuya. Ramdam ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko.

Tinignan niya ako nang mataman, "don't worry about me, okay? I'll just buy you time. All you just have to do is run. You can do it for me, right? Aki?"

Ramdam ko ang pagtulo ng aking mga luha. "Hindi kita kayang iwan, kuya."

"Aki, listen to me," frustration was visible on his voice, "I'll be right behind you, mauuna ka lang."

Humikbi lang ako nang humikbi. What was I doing? What was he trying to make me do? I am confused...

"Do you trust your brother, Aki?"

I nodded shakily.

"Then you have to listen to what I say. Okay?" He wiped my tears off using his thumb. "Listen to me. You have to escape. That's the only way."

"Promise me you won't die."

Pinisil niya ang aking kamay at ngumiti, "I promise."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Now, run, Aki. Run."

And so I did, leaving him behind. I never looked back, because if I did, I know I'd regret it. But... I couldn't help myself... so I did... I did look back, and I saw him... with his other friends, taking off their clothes. Undressing. Looking at me like I was a prey.