The Stray Kids of Edogawa Rampo

Stage

Stage

Z E N Wysteria-Gomez
December 27, 6:32 pm.
Leonhart St., 887 Malfoy Building.

The last time I thought that I was about to die was when I got kidnapped by Twelve from my pursuers. After that, I never felt the adrenaline rush again. I have been at ease, safe, and sound while being with them. I unconsciously found my inner peace within the headquarters and within this house.

An inner peace that I never knew I needed.

So the moment that a loud bang rang in my ears and a sharp, piercing pain was felt on my arm, I felt so surprised.

"ZEN!" sigaw ni Hiro saka tumakbo papalapit sa akin.Bumagsak ako sa sahig dahil sa sakit at bigla. My whole arm feels hot, I gritted my teeth because of the pain. "Zen, are you okay? Kaya mo bang tuma—"

BANG!

Akala ko kahit papano, okay lang ang lahat.

"Fuck!" Lance cursed and pulled me up with urgency. Men in combat attire started to emerge from the shadows. Lahat sila armado, at lahat sila mukhang walang balak na palabasin kami ng buhay.

I clutched my blood-filled arms and glared at them. Naiinis ako, 'di lang dahil sa nabaril ako at sobrang sakit ng sugat ko, kundi dahil alam ko na dahil sa akin kaya sila andito. These were the idiots that's been chasing me.

"Who are you and who sent you?" June moved forward and asked them without blinking an eye.

Ngumisi ang malaking lalaki na nasa harap namin, it seems like he's the alpha of the group. His arms were sleeved with tattoos and he's not looking nice with a large scar in the middle of his face. He looked like he's fresh from the prison.

"Alam ko namang alam niyo kung anong sadya namin mga bata. At sa totoo lang, ayaw na namin magsayang ng bala sainyo," sabi niya saka dumura sa gilid. "Kaya kung ako sainyo, 'wag nang matigas ang mga ulo, okay?"

June stifled a sarcastic laugh, "Really, these guys. Andito ba kayo para patawanin ako? Do you know that we're from the police?"

"Natakot naman ako sa mga pulis-pulisan na 'to." They all laughed. "Kung ako sayo 'di na ako magpapasaway. Alam ba ng mga magulang niyo 'to?"

"We're not as innocent as you think," June talked back. "Kaya kahit mga magulang namin 'di kami kaya."

"Zen," Hiro tugged my shirt from the back while whispering. "June is buying us time to think. Kailangan mong makaalis dito ASAP."

My eyes widened at the thought, "Are telling me to leave y'all here?!"

"Those guys are obviously here for you. Kailangan mong umalis kaagad at contact-in sila Crysa, naiintindihan mo?"

"Pero paano kayo?!" I hissed. "Hindi ko kayo pwedeng iwan dito."

"Zen, did you forgot?" tiningnan niya ako direkta sa mata. "Na si Twelve ang may-ari ng bahay na'to, at punong-puno 'to ng bomba?"

What the fuck is he saying? He smirked at me and walked in front.

"Oh well, tutal pare-pareho din naman tayong mamamatay, sabay-sabay nalang din tayo sumabog." Sabi niya saka nag-unat sa harap ng mga kalaban.

The man in front furrowed his brows in a confused manner. He chuckled, "Sumabog? Ahh, winarning-an pala ako ni boss tungkol sainyo. Sinabi niya sa'kin na matatalino kayong mga bata, pero pasensya na dahil 'di kami andito para makipaglokohan sainyo."

"Huh?" humugot ng baril si Lance saka binaril ang fuse ng kuryente namin.

BOOM!

And our whole freaking second floor exploded.