The Stray Kids of Edogawa Rampo

Human

Human

H I R O  Asahina
December 19, 2:18 am.
PCH Abandoned Building. 4th floor.

Everything happened like a whirlwind, and we did nothing but stare as it happens. Duda ako na hinayaan muna kaming huminga ng kalaban bago niya buhatin ang walang malay na si Twelve at tumakbo na para bang wala siyang karga-karga. It happened in a span of seconds, he was very fast, and before we can even gather ourselves from shock, the bulky figure, and Twelve, was gone. Andoon kami, gulat, nanlalamig at ‘di makagalaw habang nakatingin sa mga patak ng dugo sa sahig. Kay Twelve galing ang lahat ng ‘yon.

“FUCK!” We all snapped back to our senses when June let out a growl. Kaagad kaming tumakbo papalabas at hinabol ang kung sino mang Poncio Pilato na nagpakita sa amin. “TWELVE!”

“Dito sila dumaan!” sigaw ni Zen habang tinututukan ng flashlight ang dulong hagdanan. Right, blood droplets led us there. We ran towards his direction followed the blood path and it led us to…

A freaking balcony.

Lumunok ako at mahigpit na napahawak sa rehas. ‘Wag mong sabihin sa akin na tumalon siya mula dito.

“Putangina!” Sigaw ni June saka malakas na sinipa ang mga bakal sa gilid niya. It collapsed on the ground and the sound of his voice and the steel smashing the ground echoed in the entire hall. ‘Di pa siya nakuntento at sinapak ang pader. It made a loud thump and it bruised his fist.

‘Dun ko naramdaman ang pagod, wala ako sa sariling napaupo sa sahig at napahawak sa batok. Paano nangyari lahat ng ‘to? How and why the heck did they go for Twelve? Anong nangyari?

Bakit nila gustong kunin si Twelve mula sa amin?

“June calm down,” Zen pulled him away from the wall. He had his fist filled with wounds and he’s catching his breath from frustration. “Stop hurting yourself.”

June slapped Zen’s hands away from his shoulder, “Let go. Baka ikaw pa ang masapak ko.”

I can see Zen’s jaws clenching in his remark. “Zen,” tawag ko bago pa magkaroon ng gulo. “Let him be.”

“We can’t afford any injury, June. Especially, not you, not when Twelve’s not here,” he explained and June just glared at the cold, hard floor. “We’re doomed, alright. But we have to think of a way to get him back.”

Tama si Zen. Kailangan namin si Twelve, in more ways than one. Kailangan namin siyang mabalik sa amin.

Pansamantala kaming natahimik at natulala sa kawalan. Lahat kami pagod pero ‘di namin mapigilang mag-isip. Ngayong nangyari na ang nangyari, ano na ang sunod? Kada nararamdaman namin na lumalapit na kami sa katotohanan, may nangyayari na mas nagpapalayo sa amin dito. I can’t even understand what just happened. Pumikit ako at sinubukang ikalma ang sarili.

When I heard a couple of silent sobs from a distance, I opened my eyes and saw Lance, slowly walking towards us. His left hand is slowly covering his eyes while his right hand is holding a piece of envelope. ‘Dun ko lang na-realise na ‘di pala siya nakasunod sa amin all this time na hinahabol namin ang kalaban. I stood up, half-running, I met Lance halfway and held his shoulders.

“Lance,” sabi ko at tumingin sakanya. He’s crying like crazy, and it’s my first time seeing him like this. “Lance, bakit?”

I ran my eyes on him, quickly, checking if he has injuries or wounds, but he hasn’t. And I know that the reason of his tears are more alarming than possible injuries or wounds. Hindi siya sumasagot. Nang maramdaman ko si Zen at June sa likod ko, tumingin ako sa kanila at pare-pareho lang kaming nakatingin kay Lance, worried as hell as to why he’s crying hard.