The Stray Kids of Edogawa Rampo

5 W's and 1 H

5 W's AND 1 H

"The real mystery..."

ZEN Gomez

December 9, 5:54 pm.

Leonhart St., 887 Malfoy Building.

The call. I wanted to think that the call is just a prank and the man that we just spoke to is not the real Edogawa Rampo. I wanted to rack my brain and make myself believe that there's no way that my life can be more complicated than it is right now. There's no way. I don't want to believe that this is happening.

Just how the hell are we connected?

Ilang minuto na kaming nakatulala sa kawalan dahil sa narinig namin. The speaker mic is still resonating the telephone's static. Edogawa already left the line without saying anything, and God only knows when will he call again. My mind is in shambles, ang damikongtanongnakinakailangan ng matinongsagot. How? How in the world did Edogawa Rampo become my benefactor? Who are you?

"I... I'm forgetting how to breath," Hiro broke the ice, placing a palm on his chest while heavily breathing. "This is shocking,"

I didn't respond and just pulled my hair in frustration. Napahilamossi Lance ng mukhahabangsi June naman ay napasandalsapader. Twelve remained unmoving.

"I can only see a thin thread about this matter. Edogawa Rampo is someone who knows my parents," I said, almost in a whisper, as I keep my voice steady. "My parents negotiated with him. There's no doubt about that." I balled my fist.

June nodded and tried to calm his nerves, "You are the benefactor of the insurance policy and not the owner unlike what you are told. If that's the case, there's no other explanation for this than your parents arranging this plan with Edogawa."

"Shit, ang sakitsaulo. Edogawa definitely called to notify Zen about this," Lance gritted his teeth. "You should've seen him once if he's this close to your parents."

Tumangosi Hiro, "Wala ka bang naaalalangkahitano? Any possible leads? A close relative friend? O kaya namankatiwala ng mgamagulang mo."

Umilingako. I've already thought of that possibility perokahitisangtaonaposiblengmagingsi Edogawa ay walaakongkilala. Bihiralangmagkaroon ng katiwalaang mgamagulang ko since we're surrounded by our greedy and opportunistic relatives. "My parents keep confidential matters to one another. They are very careful with whom to trust," sagot ko.

June quirked his lips, "Mukhangnamamana ang trust issues."

"But I do remember them talking to someone on the phone so often," I placed a hand on my chin. "T'winggabi, madalaskongmakitasi Mama o si Papa na may kausapsa phone. Knowing that Edogawa calls via this medium, is it possible that they're contacting one another the same way as we do back then?"

"I doubt it."

Twelve finally broke his own silence and lifted his head from the long doze. I can say that he's trying to be on his usual self but his eyes are filled with unease and odd sharpness. Just like me, he must be really confused.

"Risa Wysteria and Zonoid Gomez are a private couple is what Zen said. If that's the case, getting in touch with them by phone is impossible. I don't think that your parents will easily trust a mysterious person with their child's life and dollars. If your parents trusted Edogawa with your life, it must be because they know Edogawa can protect you. It must be because they know that Edogawa can be trusted," he explained and bit the tip of his nails. "Man, how complicated."

"Anonggagawinnatinngayon?" tanongni Hiro, "I mean, you don't plan to sit still look pretty, yes?"

"Heck not," June immediately replied. "With things being theway they are right now, I won't tolerate being passive. We need to investigate and start moving on our own,"