How To Make A Serial Killer

| 1o : Scarlet |

----- CHAPTER 10 -----

"I'm going to ask you again, Elianna. Were you at the Sunset Homes Subdivision on July 6, 2019?" Detective Medel asked in a stern yet gentle voice, looking directly at my eyes.

It's obvious that he's trying to play the good cop — trying to assure me that everything will be alright so that I should let my guard down and speak my truth.

I kept a straight face and shook my head once again. "For the last time, Detective. I was doing some projects with my friends."

He pushed himself against the table between us, giving me a sharp glare. It looks like he's playing the bad cop now. He probably realized his gentle fatherly demeanor won't work on me.

"Were you or were you not at the Subdivision on July 6, 2019?" he repeated, this time with teeth gritted.

I shook my head, looking at his eyes with equal intensity. "I wasn't there."

I'm so going to hell for all my lies.

"Then tell me, Ms. Elianna." He sat up straight, still glaring. "Paano napunta sa unit na iyon ang mga gamit mo?"

Huminga ako nang malalim at tumingin sa sahig, kunwari tulala dahil sa trauma. Naa-appreciate ko na ngayon ang role-playing activities namin noong high school. "My things got stolen on the 5th of July. Hindi na ako nagpa-blotter kasi natakot akong mapagalitan."

"Stolen?" He sounded sarcastic. "Care to elaborate?"

"Tumatambay ako sa park. Iniwan ko saglit ang mga gamit ko sa ilalim ng puno para bumili ng pagkain, tapos pagbalik ko, wala na," I said, trying to look curious and appalled.

"Sa tingin mo, bakit napunta sa subdivision na 'yon ang mga gamit mo?" he asked but I could tell he's just humoring me.

"Either drifters or squatters." I looked up at him again. "I mean, it happens all the time when it comes to fully-furnished houses."

"Huling tanong," he paused, "saan mo nakuha ang mga pasa mo?"

"Nalaglag po mula sa puno habang nangunguha ng manggang hilaw. I crave a lot when I'm on my period." Inuyuko ko ang ulo.

Isinalampak niya ang dalawang kamay sa mga tuhod at marahas na bumuntonghininga. "Bumalik ka na sa klase mo, Elianna."

Wait? That's it? I'm off the hook?

Nagulat ako at lubos na natuwa. Gumana ang mga kasinungalingan ko! Fuck! They're lucky I'm no criminal otherwise I'd get away with lots of crimes.

"Sige po . . ." Sa kabila ng tagumpay, nanatili akong mahinahon at walang emosyon. Tumayo ako ngunit bago pa ako tuluyang makahakbang palayo, muli siyang nagsalita.

"Mabuting tao ang ama mo, Elianna. Marami siyang nagawang kabutihan para sa lungsod ng Valesca. Sana, 'wag mong sirain ang pangalang kay tagal niyang iningatan."

I froze at the mention of my father. I looked at him with eyebrows furrowed. "Kilala mo si Papa?"

"Naging magkatrabaho kami ni Eliseo. Masyado ka pa sigurong bata kaya hindi mo na ako naaalala," aniya sa seryosong pananalita ng matanda.

"T-That's nice?" Hindi ko alam anong dapat kong sasabihin. I don't even remember his name.

Tumayo siya at kinuha sa bulsa niya ang isang maliit na calling card at saka ito inabot sa akin. "Kung handa ka nang umamin, tawagan mo lang ako. Naniniwala akong hindi ka masamang tao, Elianna. Gagawin mo kung ano ang tama."