Joy Has Gone

Chapter 10: The Monster They Created (Part 1)

Chapter 10
The Monster They Created (Part 1)

"GIRLS, YOU need to go home now. Mapapahamak kayo if you still stay here. Please? I don't want you to be involved," pakiusap ko kay Mayi at Amy. "I don't want you to be in danger!"

"We heard everything, Jace. We're already involved and everyone's already in danger," giit ni Mayi. "Please let us join you. Concern din kami sa mga tao, gusto naming makatulong."

Tumango naman si Amy. "Oo nga, Jace. Isa pa, masyado nang delikado kung uuwi kami ngayon nang kami lang."

"Uh, Bro?" pagsingit ni Jonas habang nakataas pa ang kamay. "She has a point."

"Ugh!" ungol ko.

Wala na akong ibang nagawa kundi ang mapasabunot sa'king buhok. Kanina ko pa sila sinusubukang paalisin pero hindi nila ako pinapakinggan. Nagmamatigas pa sila. They're sitting here na animo'y naka-glue na ang kanilang mga pwetan sa kinauupuan nila. Why can't they understand? I can't just let them. They're my fiends at ayokong may masamang mangyari sa kanila. Hindi ko kakayanin kung sakaling mangyari sa kanila ang nangyari kila Anime. Hindi ko kaya.

Biglang sumulpot si Percy sa tabi ko at tinapik ako sa balikat. "Dude, hayaan mo na. Narinig na ata nila ang lahat kaya hayaan na natin. Let's just trust them."

"Yes! We have a new member! Welcome to DLOMH!" bulalas ni Jonas gamit ang mahinang boses.

Agad namang kumunot ng noo ni Amy. "Di-el-ow. . . Ano? Ano raw?"

"D-L-O-M-H. Short for Dimsdale's League of Monster Hunters!" proud na sagot ni Jonas habang pumapalakpak pa.

"Dami mong alam," komento lamang ni Amy dahilan para matigilan si Jonas at irapan siya. Mukha siyang ewan kaya bahagya akong natawa.

"There are no new members," tipid na saad ni Percy saka humarap kay Mayi at Amy. "How do you know about our little meet up tonight?"

"I've heard what you said to Jace earlier sa may labas ng lobby. Actually, ako lang dapat ang pupunta dahil ayoko ring may makaalam. But I saw Amy just passed by after you left, so I told her to come with me since she's our friend too. Then, we followed Jonas and Jace papunta dito kaya ayun," sagot ni Mayi. Tumingin siya sa'kin. "I'm really sorry, Jace, for following you. I'm really scared of the monster, I think you can protect me. Promise, we won't interfere on your plans! But let us help. Please, Percy?"

Sandaling nag-isip si Percy. "Okay. I also want you to promise me one thing. Sana hindi makakalabas 'tong mga pinag-uusapan natin. Kung narinig niyo ang sinabi ko, nakatingin sila sa'tin. Lahat ng galaw natin, tinitingnan nila. So, kaunting maling galaw lang natin, for sure malaki ang magiging impact nun sa lahat," paliwanag ni Percy. "And please, stop following me."

Agad naman silang tumango, maging ako ay napatango rin sa sinabi niya.

"S-so, what do we do next?" tanong ni Mayi. "Someone's killing here, we need to do something!"

"Wala pa akong idea kung paano natin makikilala 'yung Dimsdale Monster-wannabe sa Dimsdale High. I tried to analyze the victims' commonalities bukod babae sila at sa pagiging DH students sila," sagot ni Percy.

"W-Wait." Bigla kaming napalingon kay Jonas. Naglakad dito pabalik sa table kung nasaan ang missing posters. "The last two victims, they're friends! Anrie and Lou, they are both in the same circle of friends, together with Rue and Cassie. . . Rest in peace."

Agad naman kaming sumunod sa kaniya at napatingin sa mga mukha sa posters. "You're right, Jonas. But how about Anime and Jenny? They don't have something in common. Anime is just a plain girl—"