How To Make A Serial Killer

| 18 : Surrender |

----- CHAPTER 18 -----

Pagdating sa bahay, naabutan ko si Tito na nagluluto sa kusina.

Nilingon niya ako nang may ngiti sa kanyang mukha. "Oh? Ba't mag-isa ka lang?"

"Stu headed home after dropping me off. He's done with his shift." Umiwas ako ng tingin habang nagpapaliwanag. Ayokong mapansin niya ang namumugto kong mga mata.

"Ah . . ." He smiled and nodded. "Tawagin mo na 'yong dalawang pulis na nakabantay sa labas nang makapag hapunan na rin sila."

By the time Tito had his back on me, I couldn't help but stare at him with tears brimming up my eyes.

How awful it must have been for him to endure the gruesome truth all these years, all alone.

"Thanks, Tito." The words escaped my mouth.

"Saan?" He turned his head a little towards my direction.

I shrugged, trying to smile. "For raising me."

"Well, that's random." He chuckled as he faced the stove once again, stirring the pot of food he's been cooking. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"I want to have a sleepover at a friend's house tomorrow?" I grimaced, hoping he'll buy my excuse. And for the long shot, allow me to protect him by staying away from him.

"Friend? Now, that's new!" May pang-aasar siyang humalakhak. "Babae o lalaki?"

"Lindsey Ulman. Petite girl, short hair, medyo obsessed sa chokers. No crime record but aminadong nangungupit sa mga magulang niya noon," I lied and jokingly gave him a rundown on Lindsey.

"Just invite her over here," he offered. "I'll buy you some snacks. You won't even feel my presence."

I sighed through gritted teeth. "Tempting, but her parents are strict."

"I'm strict, too." He turned around, crossing his arms, trying to look like a Doberman when he's clearly a Golden Retriever.

Umiling ako at ngumiwi. "No, you're not."

He heaved a deep sigh, making me grin triumphantly.

He gave me a sharp look before pointing me. "Overnight at your friends' house tomorrow, but you will bring the security detail that Detective Medel assigned to you. You will call me every five hours, and you will let me talk to friend's parents the moment you get into their house."

"Sure thing, Tits!" I jokingly gave him a salute.

***

"I was tasked by Detective Medel to keep an eye on you, not to drive you around." Stu gave me a deadpan look as soon as I got inside his car.

"Tito won't let me leave the house unless I'm with you." Lumingon ako kay Tito na nakatayo malapit sa gate. Ngumiti ako at kumaway bilang paalam at kumaway naman siya pabalik.

Umayos ako ng upo at nagkabit ng seatbelt. "I have a favor to ask. In exchange, I will be your spy on Bailey and Klaus."

"Favor?" He squinted his eyes as he started the car.

"Can you pull some strings and find out where my old house is?" I looked back at Tito again and saw him entering and closing the gate. "I can't ask Tito. I don't want him to know what I'm up to."

"Your old house?" he clarified as he began to drive.

I looked at him and nodded. "My parents and I had our own house. Tito sold it after Papa's accident. I want to go there, hoping to jog up some memories."