Chapter 49: Demon in Disguise
(Part 1)

A/N: Credits to Abegail Aquino for the story and plot- winner of the first DF short story writing.

It's rude to yawn at class hours but I can't help it. Kanina pa lumuluha ang mga mata ko dahil sa ginagawa ko every time the teacher isn't looking. It's literature class at kanina pa ipinapaliwanag ng guro ang Sonnet 116 ni William Shakespeare. Nothing's retaining in my head except the poet's name because I'm thinking about bed, pillows and sheets. Ah! I want a peaceful slumber.

I yawned again but this time I wasn't able to stop the sound of yawning from coming out of my mouth. Naramdaman ko na lamang ang mahinang pagsiko ni Jeremy sa akin. He flashed a worried expression as he nudged me.

"What?!", I asked irritatedly when he nudged me for the second time.

"Bestie, tingin sa harap", he whispered. Kahit nagtataka ay tumingin pa rin ako sa harap at saka ko lamang napansin na nakatayo na pala si Ma'am Mendez sa harapan ko. I was surprised for a while and even more surprised when I noticed all eyes were on me. Saka lamang nagising ang diwa ko.

"Care to share why my class seems so boring to you Miss Sison?", she asked with her arms on her waist. One thing about her, she's kind and friendly but not in class. Kumbaga what you get is what you deserve.

"No Ma'am, I don't find it bo-"

"If I counted it right, that's your 14th yawn for the last one and a half hour", wika niya. I couldn't say that she's overstating it. In fact it's more than that to the point I lost count.

"I-I'm sorry Ma'am", wika ko. God! Ang sama kong estudyante! And then I yawned again- uh.

I heard my classmates chuckled samantalang mas lalo namang nainis si Maam. I heard her sigh at mas napayuko naman ako! Lupaaaa, kainin mo akoooooo!

"Miss Sison, explain the first 4 lines of the lyric poem and give your own reflection!" Maam Mendez went back in front at naupo sa kanyang pwesto. She sat there and waited for me to answer. Kinakabahang tumayo naman ako mula sa pagkakaupo. Now I regretted yawning and not listening in class!

I began reading the lyric poem.
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds, Admit impediments. Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds Or bends with the remover to remove. I guess it means that marriage of true minds shouldn't be prevented by the obstacles by any cause or just impediment why these persons should not be together. It isn't love if it changes with regards to other changes occur or withdraw when the object of its love leaves." I explained it as how I understood it.

The class was silent as they listen to me. I have always loved Shakespeare and his works. I smiled bitterly as I remember some people who never withdraw their love.

Habang nagsasalita ay may dalawang tao na tumatakbo sa isip. They are the first ones who come into my mind whenever I hear the word love. First is Bernard Sison. His first actions maybe so selfish, stealing someone's wife just to fill the hole that his previous wife left but that love grows into something extraordinary. It became selfless when he let Mom and I go. It's selfless because he let his daughter be someone's daughter for her safety.

Second is Cooler Vander. I can't understand why he was able to betray the mafia just for me. He really has an eye for me, he admitted it yet he said that he's not pursuing me. But his love didn't change even if he knows that I like someone. I wonder if I was even worth it.

I felt Jeremy tugged my blouse kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.

"Upo ka na daw sabi ni Maam. Tsaka excellent daw", he said with a grin. My classmates were smiling at me kaya bigla na lamang akong napaupo. Gray put a handkerchief in front of me kaya nagtatakang napatingin ako sa kanya.

"You were asked to reflect. Hindi naman sinabing kailangan mong umiyak", he said and he was still facing in front.

Umiyak? Eh? I reached for my cheeks at basa nga ito ng luha. I reached for Gray's hankie at pinahid iyon sa mukha ko and for the second time, sana lamunin na lamang ako ng lupa.

**************************

"Grabe Amber, ang iyakin mo pala", Math said. Nasa cafeteria kami at kumakain. It's break time at mahaba-haba ang break namin dahil wala ang guro namin para sa susunod na asignatura.

"Ehh? Minsan."

I took a big bite on my pizza. Can we just forget what happened on our literature class?

"Kaya tayo nasasaktan kasi ayaw nating magmove-on eh kaya move on ka na Math", Jeremy said. "Pabayaan niyo na yan si Bestie. Let's talk about something interesting."

Nag-angat ng tingin si Gray sa kanya mula sa kinakain nitong pasta. He frowned bago muling sumubo. When Jeremy said about something interesting, I hope he doesn't mean his puns.

"Ever heard of Q.E.D.?", he asked.

"Is it a manga?", I asked and he frowned.

"It's not a fruit Bestie."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I mean a Japanese comic book Je."

"Err, not that."

"Qoud erat demonstradum", wika ni Gray. "The Latin phrase for "which is what had to be shown"".

"Ah! I read that in a philosophical argument! Why Jeremy?", Math asked.

Je bite into his cheesecake. "Yes that's what it means but what I mean is an organization. A high school club. The Q.E.D. Club. Does it ring a bell?"

Sabay kaming tatlo na napailing. May iba't-ibang club dito sa Bridle but none was named Q.E.D. Club.

"Arrrgh!", bumaling siya sa amin ni Gray. "Magbasa nga kayong dalawa ng useful blogs hindi yung puro love letter ninyo sa isa't-isa ang binabasa niyo."

"Wala kaming lovelett-" He cuts me off.

"At ikaw din Math! Magbasa ka ng useful blog! Hindi puro erotic adult novel and sites ang binabasa mo."

Napataas ang isang kilay ni Math. "What the hell! I'm not reading -"

"I don't hear anything!", putol niya kay Math. "So this Q.E.D. is a famous 4-man detective club plus a cat."

"So?"

"They're famous especially the club president for solving crimes on and off campus."

"Whoah. Pretty like Gray", wika ni Math. "Oh, tapos Jeremy?"

"The VP is also the blogger who posts in her blog about the success of their club."

"That's good to hear", komento ko naman at patuloy na pinapak ang pizza ko.

"Arrgghhhh! Bakit ang slow niyo! Don't you get it? I want us to open our own club too. The Detective Triumvirate plus 2 Dogs! Oh diba! I'm so brilliant!", Jeremy said. He motioned his arm in the air like he was presenting it.

"Eh? 2 only? How about Medicol?", singit ni Math.

"Math don't you get it? It's Triumvirate plus 2 dogs, ibig sabihin, kaming tatlo lang tapos si Filter at Porsche."

"No way! How about me and Medicol? Why not make it a Detective Quadrumvirate plus 3 dogs?", apela ni Math.

"No way! It's only Triumvirate!"

"Quadrumvirate!"

"Triumvirate!"

"Quadrumvirate!"

"Nooo! Hindi kayo sardinas ni Medicol kaya wag niyo ng ipagsiksikan ang sarili ninyo!", Jeremy said.

"No! Among all of us, my wits is next to Gray!", Math hissed. Good thing hindi nila ako napapagitnaan, my eardrums would have suffered.

"Wow ha! May bagong buhat na bangko ka na namang ipapasok sa furniture shop mo!"

"Totoo naman King of Puns!"

"It's King of Quizzes! Teka, bahagi ka yata ng Encatadia, ikaw si Amihan! Grabe ha, ang lakas ng hangin mo!"

"Shut up! Inggit ka lang sa akin! Whether you like it or not it is Quadrumvirate!"

"No way! Why don't we ask our club president?", Jeremy said at bumaling kay Gray. "Gray?"

"Yes?", the latter asked matapos ibaba ang iniinom na bottled water.

"Triumvirate or Quadrumvirate?"

"None of the two. No detective club", wika niya at parehas na napasimangot silang dalawa.

"Why? You see, like the Q.E.D. Club, Bridle students can have a formal agency to ask for help", Jeremy said.

"No. We don't need a club."

"I can make all the Constitution by-laws, file an organization registration, plan for the general activities, propose a budget, everything. PLEASE?", Je said but Gray shook his head.

"No."

"Argh! Bestie?", baling niya sa akin. The kind of look he's giving me seems to be asking me to help him convince Gray but I also shook my head.

"Arrrgh! Ang KJ niyo!"

"How about we'll make our own Jeremy?", suhestiyon ni Math but Je smirked at her.

"You wish!"

Eh? I guess they'll never have peaceful days with each other. I sighed at pinagpatuloy na lamang ang pagkain. A lot has happened but there's this saying that keeps on lingering in my head. "Do not live on the past. It all happened." A DNA Test proved that I am not a Vander. And that Zywon is.

I haven't talked to him after the party and that was three days ago. Hindi ko na rin siya pinilit na kausapin, instead I have given him time to clear his mind. Life is so ironic for him. With his most hated people is where he really belongs. Ang gulo.

"Pssst."

Uh, what's with people and their "Psst?" I hate it. Pakiramdam ko ay para akong aso kapag ganoon. I continued eating but there's this whistle again.

"Pssst."

"Jeremy, ikaw ba yung sumisipol?", Math asked. Nagulat naman ang huli.

"Ako? Pinagbibintangan mo ba ako?"

"Nagtatanong lang naman."

"Psssssst!"

"Halaaaaa!", Jeremy squealed. "Haunted na ba tong cafeteria? May sumisipol ng ganito kaaga?" He moved his chair towards us.

"Tsk! What do you want Alonzo?", Gray said while munching his food.

Alonzo? Nandito si Khael?! Lumingon ako sa likuran ni Gray at hinanap si Khael. Nandon nga ito at kinubli ang katawan sa indoor plant ng cafeteria.

"Khael?", I asked. "What are you doing here?" I wasn't surprised if Gray know that it was him kahit pa nakatalikod ito. Magkadugtong yata ang mga bituka nila.

"Yo Special A!", he smiled and walked towards us. He's wearing his Athena uniform, maybe that's the reason why he was hiding himself. Agaw-pansin ang unipormeng suot niya. "Silvan, how do you know it was me?"

Khael pulled a chair and sat beside me. He was grinning all the way. There were tiny bits of bushes on his uniform, tanda na dumaan siya sa likod. Malamang nag-akyat bakod ulit ito.

"It wasn't hard to guess your scent", Gray answered.

"Wow! Super functional ba ang olfactory nerve mo Gray?", Jeremy asked.

"Hello Khael!", bati naman ni Math. Khael gave them a wide smile at muling bumaling kay Gray.

"Ah, I get it. I don't think he got a super functional olfactory nerve. See that glass panel over there?", tinuro niya ang salamin sa harap. "He saw me through there."

"Madaya ka Gray", Je said at hindi na lamang siya pinansin ng huli.

"What are you doing here?", he asked Khael.

"Wanna invite you out over a personal request from Detective Tross", he said.

"Was it a case?", Math asked. "Can I come with you?"

"Uh", Khael looked around. Naiilang marahil ito sa tinging ipinupukol sa kanya ng mga taga-Bridle. He can't blame them. Why wear a uniform of the rival school here? "Sorry but the invitation is only for three."

Math frowned at him. Maybe she really wants to go. Hmm, bakit di na lang si Math ang isama nila? Anyways, Math can be a big help.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Bridle needs you anyway. On my way here, I bumped into someone who needs a detective. I guess it's about a missing phone."

"Really?", her eyes were sparkling.

"Yup", Khael grinned. Then Math pulled Jeremy na akma na sanang susubo. "Come with me, dali!"

Wala namang nagawa ang huli nang malaglag ang pagkain niya at hinila siya palabas ng cafeteria ni Math. Tinanaw ko na lamang ang papalayong pigura nila.

"She'll be furious if she finds out you were lying."

"I wasn't. Totoo naman talaga. So paano? Let's go?", he asked. "Detective Tross is waiting outside."

"I will pass", wika ko.

I'm not in the mood to go anywhere. Hindi naman ako exhausted sa klase, my personal problems are not bothering me that much right now. Wala akong ginagawa but I don't want go with them. Whatever request that Detective Tross might ask, I know they can do it. O kahit isa lamang sa kanila ay kaya na iyon. Bridle's gates are still closed to the public since the missing students are not yet found. I'm sure we aren't allowed to leave the campus.

But those two were persistent enough to bring me along. I just found myself walking through the "backdoor" of Bridle and now seated on the backseat of Detective Tross's expensive car at napapagitnaan nina Gray at Khael.

"Balak niyo talaga akong gawing driver ano? Ayaw niyo ba talagang pumwesto dito sa harap? Ang sikip niyo dyan sa likod", nakangiting wika nito habang nagmamaneho. Paano ba naman kasi, none among Gray and Khael wanted to sit in front. Mas gusto pa nilang magsiksikan kami doon.

"Silvan doon ka sa harap. Kami na ni Special A dito", untag ni Khael.

"Ano ka sinuswerte? Doon ka sa harap. Kami na ni Amber dito", sagot naman ni Gray. Eh? Anong problema nila?

"You boys, di naman kayo masyadong halata ano?", nakatawang wika ni Detective Tross.

"Abou that, I think ako na lang ang uupo diyan Detective Tross", wika ko sakanya. I pulled myself at pumwesto sa harap, ignoring the sighs that I heard from the two in the backseat. "Saan nga pala tayo?"

The detective handed me a brown folder bago pinaandar ang sasakyan. Binuksan ko naman iyon at tiningnan ang laman, while Gray and Khael were also looking from the back. It was a file na may kasamang picture ng isang magandang babae.

"That's Lyn, a third year college student and also working as a freelance model. She's been missing for weeks and God knows where she is", paliwanag ni Detective. Tiningnan ko ang larawan at napansin na isa iyong screenshot mula sa isang facebook status with a caption Rare shot. "Anyway, we'll get to know more about the case once we arrive to our destination."

Rare? What's rare with it?

Is it because she finds herself rare? Or the clothes that she's wearing? Or is it the café?

Uh, it doesn't make sense. Maybe I'll just wait until we arrive to our destination upang malaman na rin ang iba pang mga detalye ng missing case na ito. I decided to take a nap at hindi ko alam kung ilang oras na ang lumipas bago ko naramdaman ang mahinang pag-alog sa akin.

"Wake up sleepyhead! We're here", nakangiting wika ni Khael. Agad naman akong napatuwid ng upo. I was thinking how I look while sleeping. I just hope it is still presentable.

Nang bumaba kami ng kotse ay tumambad sa amin ang isang malaking bahay. Detective Tross rang the bell few times bago iyon binuksan ng nakaunipormeng babae.

"Kayo po pala Sir Tross, kanina pa po kayo hinihintay ni Sir, pasok po", she said and she opened the gates for us. It was a huge house, malawak ang bakuran sa loob which reminded me of the Vander mansion though it wasn't as grand as the Vander's. Isang lalaking naka-wheelchair ang sumalubong sa amin habang tulak-tulak ito ng babaeng nakaunipormeng puti. It must be his personal nurse.

"Tross", nakangiting wika nito as he looked at us. He let out a smile that is mirrored with... sorrow? I also observed that despite of his strong characteristics, he's in a big trouble. It was shown by the big circles under his powerful eyes.

"These three are my good friends, they are known high school detectives and they will be a great help", he said. "This lady here is Amber and these two guys are Gray and Khael."

"Hello everyone, I'm Ravino Fernandez", bati niya sa amin at gumanti kami ng bati sa kanya. I looked at his legs and I wonder why he's in a wheelchair. Is he paralytic since birth or was it due to some stroke or other possible reasons?

"About my condition, I suffered a mild stroke before, a month ago to be exact", he said habang nakatingin saakin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Wait, did he just read my mind?

"No, I'm not reading your mind, Amber. It's just that, your facial expression is readable", he said at mas lalo akong nagulat. Err, I guess I'm that obvious. Maybe I should teach myself something that can conceal whatever I have in mind.

"Mr. Ravino's daughter, Lyn, 21 years old and a 3rd year Business Administration student in Athena University and a freelance model, was reported missing 2 weeks ago. She's last seen that night by their maids at 8pm entering her door. She sneaked out of their house around 12 midnight and the CCTV footage of the mansion will prove that she seems uncomfortable with her surroundings. She rode her motor bike without being noticed by the guards, and use the secret passage to escape. And that was the last information Sir Ravino in hand. The police can't even identify what kind of case is this", paliwanag ni Detective Tross.

"Well she disappeared like a bubble", pagpapatuloy ng matanda. "The police said that maybe she eloped with her boyfriend that's why they cannot help me any longer but Lyn doesn't have any boyfriend"

"Sir you mean she disappeared without any trace?", paninigurado ni Khael and the old man nodded.

"Hindi po ba kayo nag-away? O di kaya ay hindi niyo ba siya pinagalitan? Maybe she had some fight with you that's why she decided to ran away", Gray suggested ngunit malungkot na umiling ang matanda.

"None at all, okay kami ng anak ko. She's the most lovable daughter on earth and she really cared for me. Kaya nga nagtaka ako na basta na lamang siyang nawala ng walang paalam."

Napaisip kami sa sinabi ng matanda. She wasn't abducted inside the house since the footage shows that she rode away voluntarily. If she was kidnapped along the way, I'm sure the police already had some reports about kidnapping o kaya ay kumontak na ang mga kidnappers kay Sir Ravino for the ransom.

"Did anyone contact you for ransom or the likes?", tanong ko sakanya.

"No one contacted me that's why the police dropped this case. Iniisip nila na nakipagtanan na ang anak ko, that is why I asked for Tross's help kahit pa nagresign na siya bilang police detective."

Parehas kaming napaisip sa kasong ito. I only had a single organization in mind that is capable of doing such thing. The Genesis. But I thought they only abduct high school students na walang kalaban-laban? But a college student? It doesn't make sense to me but who knows what that wicked organization is capable of doing.

"Amber let me see the file again" wika ni Gray at inabot ko naman sa kanya ang folder. He looked closely at the photo, examining every details on it at nakatingin na rin kami ni Khael. It was a printed screenshot photo. If I'm not wrong, this girl in the photo must be Marilyn Fernandez or Lyn. Ayon sa written report, the photo was the last uploaded photo of Lyn dated September 5, 12:27nn.

Initially, the photo must have something to do with the case huh? Hmm, I stared firmly on the face. She's wickedly beautiful. She got a pair of brown eyes, a pointed nose and has perfectly shaped luscious lips. She also got a milky white skin na nagpapatingkad lalo sa mamula-mulang pisngi at mahabang pulang buhok, which reminds me of Marion. And just like Marion, the word beautiful doesn't fit the girl alone. Goddess. She's a goddess for Pete's sake! In the photo, she's leaning on a table, eyes on the camera with no smile plastered on her angelic face.

"Seems like she was stolen a shot ng kausap niya", komento ni Khael.

Napakunot naman bigla ang noo ko nang inilipat ko ang tingin ko sa background. This photo must be taken in a café or a restaurant. And before I forgot, she captioned it "Rare Shot" which I found so confusing.

"Rare? A stolen shot is rare to her? Diba she's a freelance model so dapat sanay siya sa stolen shot", komento naman ni Gray. He ran his eyes to the very details of the picture.

"That is something I found so confusing too", Khael said.

It puzzled me too pero bago ako makapag-isip ulit, I sensed may taong nakatingin sa akin. Lumingon naman ako sa kanan ko and there my suspicion is true. Detective Tross and Sir Ravino are still there, staring at us. We got carried away by this case and forgot na nasa tabi pa rin naming sila.

"I see the eagerness in these young detectives. Well, I hope you can help me locate my daughter", malungkot nitong wika bago nagpaalam sa amin. He said he got some medications to do kaya kailangan na niyang umalis. He ordered a maid to accompany us inside and he already gave us permission to enter his daughter's room for investigation.

"Amber? Seems you saw something unusual on the photo. Spill it," Detective Tross said nang nasa loob na kami ng kwarto ni Lyn.

"Uhh yes. The three of us just find her caption 'rare shots' confusing. She's a freelance model, so she must be used to candid shots", wika ko.

"Maybe she's just with someone that she rarely goes with", wika ni Khael and put the folder on the table. "Or else it's rare for her to take photo on a public place unless it's a shooting, right?"

"Yes, it might be. But look closely on her right." Gray said and pointed out on the photo na nakalapag sa kama. "It must be a person outside since the joint intersection of the glass panel is visible. That person seems capturing Lyn. Look at the camera, parang kaka-flash lang", paliwanag ni Gray sa amin. "At kung mapapansin nyo ang buong picture, parang tinago ng kasama ni Lyn ang phone o camera nya habang kinukunan ito."

"Hindi kaya napansin na nila ito but they act like nothing's wrong to conceal their panic?" konklusyon ni Detective Tross.

"Tama. At sinadya ni Lyn na ipost ito upang makapagbigay impormasyon", sang-ayon naman ni Khael. "If ever she intended to post that photo with that caption, she must notice 'rare' things already."

"That's what I'm thinking all this time. We must check every detail in this room, maybe she left something important there that can help us to figure things out."

They started looking around for any clues of the disappearance while I faced my phone at tiningnan ang facebook account ni Lyn. Di naman ako nabigo dahil nakita ko naman ito agad, but naka-private ang iilang information pati na ang picture na pinost nya. But her 'bio' left me puzzled.

"EAP's TTh 1:30-3PM with my name after"

What does she mean by this? If I'm not mistaken, TTh 1:30-3PM is a class schedule. EAP, is that a subject?

And after it, her name- what?

EAP? Ano naman ang ibig sabihin niyon? Was it a name? An organization? I happened glance at the wall and saw an arrow.

EAP? Hindi kaya direksyon iyon?

E... A... P...

Oh, it still doesn't make sense.

She really is mysterious. Ibinalik ko ang phone ko sa bulsa at tumingin sa paligid.

"Just keep on searching", Detective Tross said. "I believe she left a very important information about what she really gone through, kung meron man. But we are positive na meron talaga."

I decided to help in searching for clues in the room. The room was huge and clean. I find the room a bit odd dahil sa kumbinasyong pula at itim ang ginamit which is too warm to the sight. Halos lahat rin ng mga gamit nya dito ay tila dugo dahil mamula-mula ito. Bubungad sa'yo dito ay ang salang kulay pula na may isang long sofa at dalawang maliliit na upuan na nasa gawing kanan. Mayron din itong malalaking kagamitan tulad nang nasa isang bahay. Carpeted din ang sahig na may mga ibong disenyo. She's into red huh?

On our left, there were two big book shelves facing each other, a table in between and a mini bulletin board na may kung ano-anong mga naka dikit. Nakaramdam ako bigla nang kakaiba kaya diretso ang lakad ko papunta doon. Hindi ko na nabigyan nang pansin ang ibang detalye nang kwarto sapagkat parang may kung ano akong naramdaman.

I checked the bedside drawers. Wala ni kahit ano ang naroon, except sa isang pad ng post it at ball pen. Malinis iyon at nakakapagtataka. Does't she had some things here? Usually the most occupied drawer is near the bed, well that's for my case. Binaling ko ang tingin ko sa bulletin board na may kung ano-anong mga nakasulat. Mga reminders siguro. Pero nagitla naman ako nang may ganoon din na naka post doon. The one in Lyn's bio.

"EAP's TTh 1:30-3PM with my name after"

What does she really mean about this? This must be so important to her. Pinagpatuloy ko pa ang pagbabasa nang may nakita na naman akong post it na may 'EAP' ulit. Pero may red highlight ang isang salita.

"From by books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore" -- EAP

"From by books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore" -- EAP

"From by books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore" -- EAP

Ilang ulit ko itong binasa nang paulit-ulit hanggang may na realize ako. EAP must be an author. Pero ang tanong, what's with this author? Paborito?

"And who's Lenore?", I asked myself. Naramdaman ko na lamang ang presensya ni Gray sa tabi ko. He was holding a small notebook na gamit niya kapag may isinusulat siyang mga detalye tungkol sa isang kaso.

"Amber, you got something?" tanong nya sa akin.

"Not yet clear. Is EAP an author? Who's Lenore? Her bestfriend?"

"Hey, I think this is her class schedule", wika ni Khael na nasa mga shelves ng libro. Lumapit naman kami sakanya at tiningnan ang hawak-hawak niyang papel.

English Ballads and other Poems" - TTh 1:30-3PM

It's really a class schedule. And this must be her class subject. TTh 1:30-3PM was just like what was posted in her bio and in her bulletin. Inipon ko lahat nang post it na may kung anong magkakapareho. Nagpatuloy ako sa pag oobserba sa paligid. Binuksan ko ang mga drawer at tumingin-tingin sa mga libro. A part of the drawer caught my attention. Kinapa ko ito at bahagyang kinatok. Kakaiba nga ang tinig ng katok ko dito kesa sa kabila. Napansin ko ito dahil medyo kupas ang kulay na pula sa parteng andito. Hinaplos ko ang boundary nang matingkad at mapusyaw na kulay pula. Napagdesisyonan kong itulak ito nang bahagya tulad sa secret box ko sa closet ko. And there! Bumukas ito at bumulaga sa akin ang laptop at tablet ni Lyn.

"Hey!" tawag ko sa kanila. "Tingnan ninyo."

"You're pretty good Special A!", Khael said at kinuha ang mga iyon. Inilapag niya iyon sa kama and he opened it but there was a password.

I sighed when I realized that it's still useless. Oh, if only we have Ryu with us, I'm sure he can help us with the gadget's code without any sweat at all.

Then Detective Tross sat on the bed and he lean on the pillows. Don't tell me matutulog na sya? I hope he will not. Then he pulled out his arms from under the pillow at naglabas ng isang notebook.

"I guess this will be helpful", wika nito. Inabot niya ang notebook kay Gray at tinanggap naman iyon ng huli.

Gray read the notebooks firstpage. "English Ballads and other Poems", sa mas itaas pa nito ay nakalagay ang pangalan ni Lyn- "Marilyn Fernandez BSE - English 3 - TTh 1:30-3PM" . Ipinag tabi-tabi ko lahat nang post it na maaaring konektado. Napatutuok naman silang lahat sa akin nang gawin ko ito.

"EAP's TTh 1:30-3PM with my name after"

"From by books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore" -- EAP

"English Ballads and other Poems" - TTh 1:30-3PM

"So it's really connected", wika ni Gray. "Look, I think EAP stands for Edgar Allan Poe. Look at this notebook", he showed us the handwritten content na may ilang mga bahagi na naka-highlight.

"Basing on the contents, I guess EAP really stands for Edgar Allan Poe. These lines here are from his poem The Raven", Khael said after he checked the notebook.

The Raven? Yes, that was it! I felt excited to dig deeper but then there was a knock on the door. Bumukas iyon at iniluwa ang isang katulong. It was the maid who opened the door for us kanina.

"Excuse me. Sabi ni Sir Ravino kumain daw muna kayo. Naghihintay siya sa baba", wika nito at nagpaalam. Nagkatinginan kaming apat bago nagpasyang bumaba. We will surely continue this later...

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-Shinichilaaaabs