The Stray Kids of Edogawa Rampo

Erased

ERASED

"Who are you?"

Z E N Gomez

December 8, 12:03 am.

District 2, Local Precinct, Oedipus HQ.

"What the fuck..." the girl muttered as they all stared at me with wide eyes. Maski kami nila Lance at Hiro ay nagulat dahil sa kawalanghiyaan ni Twelve.

What the heck is he even thinking?! Unveiling my identity with such nonchalance?!

"U-Uhmm," I tried saying something but I just ended up glaring at Twelve. He just shrugged.

"I-Is that really him?" tanong nung lalaki na di ko kilala habang inuusisa ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "The youngest male of Risa Wysteria and Zonoid Gomez?"

"They're my parents," I said in a low voice. Mia gasped.

"So, ikaw nga talaga si Zenrione Wysteria-Gomez!"

Twelve rolled his eyes, "Duh, kakasabi ko lang diba—"

"If so, then why..." Mia ignored him and focused on me. Pinagmasdan ko ang mga reaksyon nila. It's like they're deeply bothered and confused about my sudden appearance. A bitter taste lingered in my mouth,

Hindi kaya alam na ng media ang tungkol sa insurance policy?

I gulped, "W-What why?"

Mia stared at me for a couple of seconds and shook her head. Pumunta siya sa pinakamalapit na couch habang sapo-sapo ang noo.

"You died..." she said that made me froze. "The Wysteria-Gomez clan released a statement two months ago, they told the media that your body was found in your room and that you hanged yourself to death."

Pakiramdam ko nabuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig. Two months. I died two fucking months ago? How the heck that I haven't heard any of these?

"Hindi mo alam?" The guy on a long brown coat spoke, assessing my reaction. "They held a press-conference last October. The 30th if I'm not mistaken. Kasabay 'nun, in-announce nila na ang ownership ng Wysteria-Gomez group of companies ay mapupunta kay Isabella Wysteria."

Nanlaki ang mata ko, "Tita Bella... That couldn't be," I clenched my fist. "Hindi ko alam. I wasn't updated with the Wysteria-Gomez clan ever since I ran away to hiding. My social accounts were completely deleted and I'm too fucked up to watch or read news."

Lance tipped his head, "Understandable," he said and I glared at him. He glowered. "Do NOT look at me like that. Akala ko rin alam mo ang tungkol sa mga nangyayari."

"Your relatives killed you in front of the media. They erased you, I can't believe this." Naihilamos ng babae ang palad. "And now you're hiding because..?"

"Because they want Zen dead for real," Twelve was the one who answered as he unlocked the cuffs on his wrist as if it was on cue. "Phew! Buti nalang girl scout ako at lagi akong may dalang hairpin. Tehee~"

"I see," sagot niya saka sinamaan ng tingin si Twelve. "At ikaw, isang linggo't kalahati ka palang nawawala at ganito na kalaking issue ang hawak mo. Don't you have any plans to tell us?!"

Twelve grimaced, "I do have a plan to tell you but you see, that man, gorgeous but is the world's embodiment of trust issues, is very suspicious of everything!" he replied and glanced at me. "I can't afford to break his trust when in fact I still don't have it."

Big word coming from a smart mouth.

"What's your plan then?" tanong nung isang lalaki, Twelve grinned.