wattys 2020 winner • mystery/thriller
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Everyone thinks she is dead. Even I thought so, too.
While the town spoke of her dead name, Amethyst Cambray is actually alive, and she is asking for my help.
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06
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MONDAY MORNING, ON the bus ride to school, I received a text message from Cinna.
That's weird. She never texted me, even after getting our phone numbers the first week we worked together. When I opened the message, this is what was written:
sorry for last Saturday. let's talk later???
Which I replied:
sure
Throughout the day, I was just thinking about Amethyst and her father. Her father having any mistresses doesn't guarantee that 'they' did it, medyo nag-aalangan lang akong sabihin kay Amy. Still, I think investigating more onto this will be better.
Napatitig ako bigla sa picture niyang naka-pin sa bulletin board. There are flowers and candles around the bulletin board along with a few notes from her friends. In the photo, she's smiling, a grin on her face, teeth showing off. Her hair is tied up in a bun.
Amethyst Cambray — we will miss you.
Nakakakonsensya makakita nang ganito lalo na't alam kong buhay pa siya. How weird would it sound if I start screaming to the Ashmore town, telling them that Amethyst cooks for me every God given day? I was caught staring at her photo when Cinna appeared suddenly beside me.
"Obvious mo naman."
She fixed her glasses as she stared on the photo as well.
I just responded a laugh. "It's just sad knowing that many people are . . . you know." Napahawak ako sa salitang miss na nakaimprinta. "Grieving."
Tahimik lang si Cinna. I sighed. Napatingin ako sa kanya saka tumawa.
"What?"
"Wala lang," she replied, smiling. "All this time . . . nakausap mo man lang ba siya?"
I shook my head.
"Oh, god." She bursts out laughing. Kung alam niya lang.
"Stop laughing," I said, then flicked her forehead.
Wait . . . napakurap ako sa ginawa ko. That was an impulse. Nasanay ako sa pagpitik ng noo ni Amethyst, everytime she's being silly. She was touching her forehead, still laughing, when I saw Pierre coming towards us.
"Hey, Cinna," sabi ko. "Can you not tell Pierre about . . . everything?"
