"So far, this is all the information we got on Agnes Salvador a.k.a. our 'white lady'," Nemesis laid out the printed materials on the table.

Matapos ilahad nina Naythan at Rio ang nadiskubre nila sa drawer ng producer, agad na siyang kinutuban sa koneksyon nito kay Agnes. The girl died before she could even star in the 1983 remake of "The Phantom of Eastwood", and now there's an upcoming primiere for a new movie remake next week?

No, this isn't just a mere coincidence.

They were on the righ track, and Rio seems to confirm it too.

"My, my... I can feel it," the psychic ran a finger over the image of Agnes. Behind her thick eyeglasses, Nemesis can see the anguish reflected in her eyes.

"Feel what, exactly?" Damien asked, pushing aside his untouched plate of noodles, which Naythan quickly took and gobbled down. Mukhang hindi talaga sanay ang bilyunaryong ito kumain sa Area 13, ang tinaguriang "food plaza" at pinakasikat na campus kainan sa kanilang university.

"Anger," Rio confirmed and sighed, placing the picture down. "The same energy I've felt when we were at Mahogany Street. Parehong-pareho ang pakiramdam."

"Kung ganoon, na-trigger ang white lady nang dahil sa ipapalabas na pelikula next week. Is it safe to assume that she was reminded of the role that was stolen from her all those years ago?" Nemesis asked. "Is she seeking for revenge on the producer?"

She never liked assumptions, but all evidences seem to point to one possible reason as to why this is happening. Sa ilang taon nang pangmumulto ng white lady sa Mahogany Street, ngayon lang nagkaroon ng insidente ng pagiging bayolente nito. The white lady, Agnes Salvador, murdered the poor producer when his car passed by that street to avoid the traffic a couple of nights ago.

Nagkibit ng balikat si Rio, her large earrings dangled with the movement.

"We can't be sure about anything, Nemo. Sadly, dealing with specters are far more complicated than dealing with the regular---and less harmful---variety of ghosts. Unless we find a way to talk to her, we won't be able to know what Agnes wants..."

"Eh? Hindi mo ba pwedeng gamitin ang psychic abilities mo para makipag-friends sa kanya? Tsismisan ganoon," kumento ni Naythan pagkatapos niyang ngumuya. "Baka gusto lang ng multo may maka-tsismisan dahil bored na siya sa buhay... Ay wala na nga pala siyang buhay, hehe!"

"If only it were that easy, Tantan," Rio clutched her pendant again. "Ramdam kong hindi madadaan sa isang simpleng tsismisan si Agnes. That kind of anger feels like an unresolved grudge towards the people who reminds her of the past."

Tumahimik ang apat na miyembro ng samahan.

Unfortunately, Caleb was busy with family matters but promised to stay updated with their case. Naaalala ulit ni Nemesis ang alitan nila ni Damien nang dahil sa pagiging dating miyembro nito ng Eastwood Paranormal Experts Society. Nemesis eyed their leader who was busy typing something on his laptop.

'A grudge towards the peoeple who reminds them of the past?'

She couldn't help but realize the irony of their situation. Alam niyang ramdam din nina Naythan at Rio na hindi naging successful ang oplan pagbatiin sina Caelum at Damien, lalo pa ngayong may mas malalim pa palang dahilan dahil sa nakaraan ng lider nila. Not to mention that he didn't even tell Rio and Naythan about it yet. One of these days, his being too secretive will be the wedge that divides them.

'But I guess we need to resolve this case first before we can resolve the internal conflict we have in our little club,' Nemesis made a mental note to book them all on a trip together next break (using Damien's credit card, of course). Ibinalik ng dalaga ang kanyang mga mata sa larawan ni Agnes. Somehow, staring at Agnes' black eyes did something to her...

"What if there's a way to talk to her?"

Nagkatinginan silang apat. To her surprise, despite Damien's frown, he looked curious.

"What do you have in mind, Silverio?"

*

"AN OUIJA BOARD? REALLY?"

"Shhh!! Naythan, baka pwedeng hinaan ang boses? Baka magising ang buong barangay!" Saway ni Nemesis sa kanyang kababata.

But that didn't stop Naythan from pulling at his hair upon seeing the ouija board Rionach unpacked from her bag, clearly stressed with the sight.

"Sorry, ah! Pero sana man lang nag-heads up kayo na 'Ay hello, Naythan pogi, nga pala makikipag-usap tayo sa isang galit at mamamatay-tao na white lady mamayang hatinggabi sa street mismo kung saan naganap ang krimen', 'di ba?!" He waved his arms in exasperation. "Eh 'di sana alam ko kung nasa panganib na naman ang buhay ko!"

"You're overreacting, Tantan. Wala namang namamatay sa pakikipag-usap sa patay!" Rio said and proudly stared at the old ouija board she laid out on the ground. "Erm, maybe a couple...of hundreds... Pero mga unprofessional naman kasi sila! Iba tayo!"

Napanganga na lang si Naythan at namutla sa takot.

Tatakas na sana ito nang hinigit ni Nemesis ang braso niya para paupuin. "No backing out now. Isa pa, kasama naman natin si Rio. She knows what she's doing... right, Rio?"

Nakaupo na silang tatlo nang nakapaikot sa board. Nakahanda na rin ang planchette at mga kandila. Sa kanilang gulat, pasimpleng nag-iwas ng tingin ang psychic at nagpasipul-sipol.

"Wow, ang ganda ng buwan, oh! Parang anumang oras may werewolf na aalulong," she laughed nervously.

Si Nemesis naman ang natameme.

"T- Teka, ang akala ko ba alam mong gumamit ng ouija board...?"

"Of course, I do!" Rio raised her hands up in defense. "Pero sa enerhiyang naramdaman ko sa white lady, I am not sure if it's best to talk to a specter using an ouija board. Compared to ghosts, specters are more energetically tuned to this word and therefore---"

"Mas malakas sila kumpara sa normal na multo."

Napalingon ang tatlo sa pamilyar na boses. Caelum sheepishly rubbed his nape and avoided eye contact. "Sorry, I'm late. Marami pang inutos sa'kin si Tita Tessie kanina."

Nemesis smiled and scooted to make room for him.

"It's fine, Caelum. Why don't you take a---"

"Thanks."

Damien sat next to her without warning. Agad na tumalim ang mga mata ni Nemesis sa pagiging insensitive nito. 'Paano kung gawin na lang kaya naming peace offering sa white lady itong si Alcott? Ang yabang talaga!' She was silently cursing him inside her head when Damien smirked, teasing her more.

"What's the matter, Silverio? 'Wag mo sabihing may favoritism ka kay Agustin. I deserve to be treated with respect too."

"Tsaka na kita rerespetuhin kapag karespe-respeto ka nang nilalang."

Rionach cleared her throat, calling their attention. Napansin nilang sinindihan na pala nito ang mga kandila. Sa gilid ng Mahogany Street habang nakapaikot ang grupo sa ouija board, sumilay ang isang seryosong ekspresyon sa mukha ng psychic nang ipinaliwanag niya ang sitwasyon.

"One reason why I don't recommend Ouija boards is because of the risks especially with the spirit we're dealing with tonight. Pero dahil may punto si Nemesis na kailangan nating makausap si Agnes para alamin ang kanyang 'unfinished business' at rason ng pananakot, I guess we are left with no choice but to venture into the unknown and try to communicate with the spirit..."

"And if we fail? Paano kung hindi sumagot si Agnes sa atin?" Nemesis dared to ask.

Despite the fact that she suggested this, she was still a skeptic at heart, and someone needs to be realistic here.

Rio smiled eerily. "My dear, Nemo... we can't fail. Dahil kapag namali tayo ng tawag, posibleng iba ang tumugon sa atin sa gabing ito."

---

Note: ....and we're finally back! I sincerely apologize to keep you guys waiting, but thanks for being patient with me. Honestly, hindi ko inaasahang maraming magbabasa at magmamahal ng EPIC, but reading all your comments and messages made me realize that this story is well-loved. EPIC is my "passion project", born from all my research and interest with the paranormal. Admittedly, I've been busy with finishing college and transitioning to adult life back then (2022), hence the hiatus. After three years of adjustments, inactivity, dealing with my own demons, and prioritizing other things, I can happily announce that EPIC will be having regular weekly updates from now on. Specifically, this will be updated every weekend, either Saturday and/or Sunday evening, but given my work schedule and availability, I might upload chapters at a later hour. Nonetheless, thanks for the support and I hope you continue to read the story because EPIC has a lot of cases to solve in the near future.

Stay awesome and see you next update.

-Nox