The Stray Kids of Edogawa Rampo

Case 3.2: The Backstage

Case 3.2: The Backstage

L A N C E Useda
December 28, 10:57 pm.
District 4
Manila Fishing Port, Pier.

Mag-aalas onse na nang makarating kami sa dapat naming puntahan. Nung una wala talaga akong kaide-ideya kung saan kami pupunta. On call lang kami kay Ash habang nasa kotse (na hiniram lang ni June sa mga police officer sa baba) habang sinasabi niya sa amin kung saan dadaan. Parang waze pero nakaka-turn off ang boses. Ash is definitely not an ASMR material.

"Ang baho, Lance." Sumiksik si Hiro sa likod ko. Siniko ko siya.

"Bibig mo lang 'yon," singhal ko sakanya. I crinkled my nose. It sure does sting. As expected from a fishing port. It smells like fish, ice and salt water na may onting pawis ng mga kargador. Maalat alat nga naman talaga. "Chief, ba't kasi 'di nalang tayo umaga pumunta?"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, "Gusto mo ma-headline na naman ang agency natin? If ever they decided to shower us bullets, many people will surely notice."

Oh, I forgot. We might not be dealing with Twelve here, we might be dealing with someone else.

Naglakad na kami papasok sa pier. Merong parte ang fish port sa pier na 'to pero hindi ganoon kalakihan. Mas malaki pa rin ang fish port sa Navotas. We walked left and saw ships ang gigantic truck containers. This place is 30% fish port, 70% pier. Nakakita kami ng mga tatlong barko na nakadaong pero kung 'di ako nagkakamali, marami pa sa dulo. The place was dark, only the full moon illuminated the way for us. Thankfully, it was bright enough for us to see the surroundings. It was very quiet. Walang nagbabantay sa lugar na talaga namang nakakapagtaka dahil maraming kargamento na dapat binabantayan dito. Whoever invited us here, he sure wanted the whole place for himself.

"I think that's the place." June said. Sinundan ko kung saan siya nakatingin.

It's a building that reminded me of a barn in farm games but instead of wood, it's made by metal sheets. Mga kinakalawang na yero. Halos sira-sira na rin ito at malamang 'di na napapakinabangan. A faint light can be seen through its tiny opening, a sign that someone might be there. June placed his hand on a cold gun in his pocket. Napalunok ako. Lahat kami may dalang baril pero 'di pa ako nakakapagpaputok sa tanang buhay ko.

"Let's go."

Mabilis kaming naglakad papunta sa building na 'yon, I kicked the door and it flew open. June immediately pulled his gun and aimed it in front. Pakiramdam ko natuyuan ako ng lalamunan sa nakita ko.

"T-Twelve," words escaped into my mouth.

"Yo," kumaway siya sa amin at ngumisi, "Long time no see."

Hindi ko magalaw ang buong katawan ko. My brain wants to deny whatever I'm seeing right now. It wasn't just Twelve, Zen was there also. He's wearing the same shirt that he's wearing ever since we let him run away. It was already ripped and blood oozed on every wound. Nakagapos siya sa isang upuan, mula kamay, katawan pati paa. He's blindfolded and his mouth is covered. We're not even sure if he's still breathing, he's as limp as a dead person. At hindi lang 'yon ang hindi marehistro ng utak ko.

Twelve, he's sitting on Zen's right lap while twirling a gun between his fingers. He's wearing his usual nonchalant smile, as if he's really happy to see us, but his eyes give off a menacing feeling. Anong nangyayari?

"Twelve, si Zen," June inched one step closer towards him, "What happened? Why are you—"

"Oh, him?" Twelve glanced at Zen. "Buhay pa naman siya, 'wag kayong mag-alala. Pahiran niyo lang ng Katinko, G na 'yan ulit."

"Quit playing around, Twelve. Zen's clearly not in a good condition," June glared at him. Kaagad kaming kumilos para tulungan si Zen pero...

BANG!