Eastwood
7:10 p.m.

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"Damn Sherlock."

Another wine bottle broke, the one he emptied just a few minutes ago. Hindi na pinansin ni Nico ang nagkalat na mga bubog sa container. The detective wiped the excess liquor off his lips and fumbled again for his phone. Isang himala na nga yatang hindi pa rin ito nauubusan ng battery.

'Pero sana nga magka-himala at mailabas na ako rito,' he thought.

Using his device as a flashlight, Nico tried to assess the place. Pero kahit ilang ulit na niyang libutin ang loob ng maliit na shipping container na ito ay wala pa rin siyang maisip na paraan para makalabas.

Nico tapped the metal walls once again and sighed when he realized his only hope is that someone rescues him in time.

"Imposibleng hindi mapansin ni Nova na nawawala ako. She knows I wouldn't disappear in the middle of an investigation!"

Sa paglipas ng mga oras, napapansin na nga niyang nahihirapan na siyang huminga nang maayos. Nico wasn't a claustrophobic person, pero hindi na siya magtataka kung ma-develop na niya ito rito. Bukod pa roon, hindi pa siya kumakain mula pa noong umaga. Of course, an empty stomach is the least of his problems right now, but Nico feels like he barely has the energy to last a day in here.

For the nth time that day, he took in a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

'Ano na kayang nangyari kay Goldilocks?'

At the very least, he wishes his pet wasn't in danger.

Nanghihinang dumako ang mga mata ni Detective Nico Yukishito sa kanyang pulsuhan. The elegant timepiece stared back at him, mocking and reminding him of his doom.

"Ano na kaya ang nangyayari sa labas?"

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