No Honor Among Thieves

Chapter 14 - My pockets were as empty as my hands.

THURSDAY

Today's the presumed day Jane will turn in the phone, must keep an eye on her.

Jason might not be a star student, but he sure knows a bit about investigation and tailing people. Having had all the time in the world, he knows where Jane hangs out and who she hangs out with.

From the start of the day, he's been successfully following Jane but even as the day is halfway through, she has not taken a step towards Miss Doll's office.

"Crap... this is going to hell," Jason worries. "I need to see her returning the phone, otherwise, it all goes down the drain."

The day ends but Jane still hasn't set foot in the office. Our classmates are already heading home one by one, but as long as Jane stays, so do I.

It's only a few minutes until the sun hits the horizon and Jane is still in school!

Then came the time when the last of Jane's friends had to go home as well, and that's something she can't stop.

She then begins to look over her shoulder more than she should, like a thief who stole a phone from someone, as she makes her way to Miss Doll's office. Thankfully, she didn't caught wind that I've been tailing her since morning.

I fished for my phone in my sling bag and start recording.

"This is it. This is it. Can't screw this up..." the thought circulates in my head as I keep rolling, being careful not to get spotted.

She enters Miss Doll's office– just her and the Doll– with no one else inside.

She pulls out a phone, one that I bet a million isn't hers, and hands it over to Miss Doll. The phone looks incredibly similar to the one I always saw Maria was using back when she still had a phone.

Everything looks the same as Maria's phone– the same casing, the same ring, and the same size. I'd bet that if the phone would be turned on, the wallpaper's the same as well.

It's definitely hers!

When I saw Jane stand along with the Doll, I went low and scurried down the stairs. I ran to the jeepney terminal as fast as my feet could carry me.

When I sat inside, another wave of suspense washed in.

Was I seen? Did I forget anything? Did I drop my phone? Was the video saved? Was it recorded at all? I run my hands over my pockets...

The world seems to have stopped. Blood rushed to my eyes. The dim environment went dimmer. My uniform got further soaked. I could hear my heart thumping in my ears. I could feel something sour climbing up my throat. I could feel the air leaving my lungs.

My pockets were as empty as my hands.

Black blots started forming through my eyes; the beating heart in my ear was replaced by a loud ringing; my body suddenly felt heavy, like a rock, sinking in the lake.

I want to die at that moment.