UNSEEN

UNSEEN 2

CHAPTER 1: UNSETTLING NEWS

The late-night local news broadcast crackled with an unsettling urgency, the reporter's voice a hushed tremor as they stood before a dwelling now stained with tragedy. "We are live at the scene," the voice intoned, the darkness behind them a palpable presence, "a locale where the strands of three lives have been severed in disparate moments, each demise a stark and separate horror. The deceased, now just names whispered on the wind, were Grace Mendez, Mark Delmundo, and Dexter Cruz..."The grim account unfolded: Mark, in a surge of violence, had ended the life of his beloved Grace mere minutes before the arrival of law enforcement. It was Dexter, the owner of this ill-fated boarding house, who had alerted the authorities, his voice trembling over the phone as he recounted a piercing scream and Mark's increasingly erratic behavior. A disquieting suspicion had taken root in Dexter's mind – that Mark teetered on the precipice of delusion, his sanity fractured, or perhaps his senses clouded by illicit substances. The officers swiftly apprehended Mark, but a desperate surge of adrenaline fueled a violent escape. He broke free, a man possessed, lunging towards Dexter. Before his rage could find its target, the sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the night, silencing him instantly.The report depicted a stark picture of two deaths, their origins brutally clear. Yet, a veil of enigma clung to Dexter's end. The authorities declared it a self-inflicted demise, a final, desperate act before the weight of their investigation could descend upon him.

Four months prior...

Mark, a fledgling engineering student weary of the relentless weekend pilgrimage back to his provincial home, sought sanctuary in a local boarding house. The desire to conserve his meager funds and shield himself from the perils of travel had propelled this quest.Serendipity, it seemed, intervened in the form of Steph, a classmate who approached Mark with propitious news. Her acquaintance, Dexter, was seeking a tenant for a vacant room in his lodging. Relief washed over Mark, and he promptly requested Dexter's contact information. Steph, with amiable generosity, not only furnished the number but offered to accompany him to the location. Gratitude warmed Mark as they finalized the arrangements after their last class.Their journey involved the familiar rumble of a jeepney and the puttering cadence of a tricycle, culminating in their arrival at Dexter's residence some twenty minutes later. Dexter sat patiently at the entrance, a solitary figure against the backdrop of his dwelling. The boarding house presented a modest but acceptable facade. The surrounding area exuded a tranquil stillness that resonated instantly with Mark.Dexter welcomed them inside, extending an invitation for Mark to inspect the available room. As they ascended the creaking stairs, Dexter outlined the boarding house's regulations. Mark listened attentively, offering no objections. "Don't worry," he assured Dexter, "I have no intention of disregarding them. I find it agreeable here. I'll take the room."A swift camaraderie blossomed between Dexter and Mark, nurtured by shared tastes and mutual understanding. In a remarkably short span, they cultivated a close bond. Mark soon introduced his girlfriend, Grace, to his newfound friend. Dexter offered effusive compliments, remarking on their evident affection and admitting a pang of envy at their connection.However, a subtle unease lingered in Grace's heart. She confided in Mark, urging him to exercise caution in his burgeoning friendship with Dexter. An intuitive sense whispered that Dexter harbored concealed intentions. Mark, however, dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. "Look," he reasoned, "he's the reason I have an affordable place to reside. Besides, he's a good fellow, his minor flaws notwithstanding. Don't fret about him, alright?" Grace offered a small nod and a forced smile, her apprehension unspoken.

CHAPTER 2: BROTHERLY LOVE

Three months prior...