"My dad...is not a cultist," Cana said in a measured, low voice.

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying!" she yelled, slamming her hands on the table. It sounded more of a challenge than a question. I dreaded saying any more.

"I didn't mean it that way..." I said, glancing around the table, looking for anyone to take my side. But most of them have their eyes on Cana, wide and unblinking, stunned from what they were seeing. They were more surprised than scared because this is the first time they ever saw this side of her. Oh, they have no idea...

Major Coleman cleared his throat. "No one is saying anything, but for now we have to get on our next move."

"Guys, let's just calm down, okay? We're all friends here," Harmony added.

My throat tightened. It was hard to get the words out. I wasn't accusing her dad of anything. Excluding Indigo, all of us came from different schools. Each would have a different doctor. Even if her dad was indeed a cultist, it was highly unlikely for her dad to acquire all the blood from all these schools. I'm sure there are protocols in place that make it difficult, if not impossible for one school to request for the blood of the haunteds from another school. But I'm convinced that even if I tell her this, it wouldn't help my case. Because from her perspective, I'm accusing her dad of doing something horrible. And that makes me worse than the Shade.

So I kept it to myself and averted my gaze. "I think we should check places where the cultist might have gotten our blood."

I didn't really know how she would take it. I braced myself for another shouting but good thing Cato intervened before she can say anything. "Look, if you want, we can check your dad's clinic first so we can rule him out."

"Not that he's a suspect or anything," Harmony reassured Cana.

"Fine, I'll prove to you all that my dad is not a cultist," she said. Cana stood up so abruptly that her chair was knocked down behind her. "Let's go," Then she stormed out of the room.

Major Coleman glanced at his wristwatch. "We might be cutting it too close... But if this helps us figure out the Shade, then we'll make time."

Inside the minibus, Cana was sitting alone at the back, her arms crossed at her chest. She kept her eyes outside, refusing to look at me, at any of us.

"Dude, just leave her alone for a while. She'll calm down," Leo said.

"Ugh, what a drama queen," Scarlet said, rolling her eyes.

"Hey!" Darius scolded her. "You'd do worse if someone talks trash about mom. You know that, right?"

Scarlet considered this for a moment. "I'll be nice."

"I would never have expected that from her..." Caprice said.

"You'll see why," I said. Then I snapped at Darius. "And I'm not talking trash about his dad, you muscle head!" At this point, I don't care if he's bigger than me. I may be overreacting but I didn't like what he said.

"Guys," Harmony said. "Please don't."

Whatever he was going to do, he changed his mind. "Let's just drop it," Darius said.

It was just half an hour ride but it felt like it was the longest I've ever taken to school.

When we got to the school's clinic, we caught Cana's dad, Dr. Bernardo, at the perfect time. The room was empty. Not even his assistant, Aaron, was here. I guess that's to be expected, considering some classes end at three o'clock.

Mr. Bernardo was sitting behind his deck. He looked up as soon as we entered the room. The confusion registered on his face immediately.

"Dad!" Cana yelled. Mr. Bernardo got around the table and opened his arms. Cana didn't hesitate to run to her dad's embrace.

"No wonder she was so mad at you," Darius said to me. "You just dissed her favorite person in the world. I've heard of daddy's girl but this is the first time I've ever seen one, like for real, man. We love our parents but even Scarlet's not like that."

"I told you," I said, giving him a look. "It wasn't like that."

"Whoa, chill," he said, putting his hands up. "I was just saying things back then, trying to get Scarlet to lay off her. I'm sorry, all right? We cool?"

I nodded. "We cool."

"Dad," Cana said." These people want to ask you something."

"Is that right?" He turned his attention to Major Coleman, extending his hand. "How can I help you, Mr...?"

"Major Lewis Coleman," They shook hands. "I apologize for coming on such short notice, Dr. Bernardo but we must confirm something with you."

Dr. Bernardo smiled. "No need for formality Major Coleman. You won't bother anyone here."

"Very well then," Major Coleman said. The rest of us, including two of Major Coleman's men, kept quiet at the side. "What happened to the blood that you've taken from Cana and Vergil?" he asked, going straight to the point. This must be a military thing. No wasting time, no beating around the bush, just-get-on-it-with-and-be done-with-it attitude. I like it.

"Oh, um" Dr. Bernardo stammered, clearly not expecting a question like that. "We follow the proper procedure, of course. After testing and getting the results, the blood vials are tagged for incineration and are placed inside biohazard bags to be collected by professionals who handle the disposal of biohazard wastes."

"So the incineration, it doesn't this happen here at school?"

"No. We don't have the necessary resources to do so."

"Who else has access to the blood?"

"Besides me? Just my nurse. And of course, those who collect it."

"Yeah, where is Aaron?" Cana asked, standing very close to her dad.

"He's been absent for two days now. Didn't really leave a reason why."

"Did you process the blood yourself?"

"Aaron took care of it. Insisted actually. I just took my daughter's blood," Dr. Bernardo said, patting Cana's head.

Major Coleman shot me a look. "One last thing, do you mind if we've searched the premises?

"Of course not. Please."

Major Coleman and his men started turning to room upside down. Cabinets, drawers, not even Dr. Bernardo's desk was safe from the inspection. "And I suppose I can't ask the reason behind all these?"

"Correct. And of course, please keep this matter confidential."

After fifteen minutes of searching, Major Coleman and his men put the things back to their proper place. Dr. Bernardo stepped forward. "Have you found what you were looking for?"

"We have," Major Coleman extended his hand. "Thank you for your time, sir."

"You're welcome," They shook hands. "And thank you for keeping my daughter alive."

"We are doing our best."

"I can see that," he said looking at us with a satisfied smile. But then his eyebrows furrowed. "Aren't there supposed to be twelve?"

I was startled by what was surely an innocent question Dr. Bernardo made. But I didn't make it show. I did my best to maintain a straight face. Harmony had no trouble giving a convincing smile. I just hope the bead of sweat trickling down the side of her face wouldn't give her away. For some of us, the floor suddenly became interesting. What happened these past nights, especially the deaths cannot be made known to the public. I wondered how Major Coleman was going to explain this.

"Yes, they're back at the dorm, in bed with the flu," he said, looking at Dr. Bernardo straight in the eyes. He didn't even flinch. His voice steady.

"Ahh, it is the flu season. Could you also please keep an eye on my little girl's vitamins? Make sure she's taking them?

"Dad!" Cana complained, her face burning red. "I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I know you can."

"I will personally make sure she does," Major Coleman said, giving Cana a look, making Dr. Bernardo laughed. I guess he bought it. "Again, thank you, Dr. Bernardo. We'll be taking our leave now."

Cana gave her dad another bear hug before she let go. "Bye, dad," she said. Her dad bent down and planted a goodbye kiss on her forehead and she melted in his arms.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" When he let go, Cana skipped past us, smiling in bliss. We followed her out and left Dr. Bernardo back to his work.

After a minute of walking back, Cana stomped straight up to Major Coleman, stopping him on his tracks. "Well, what do you think?" she said, raising an eyebrow at him.

Major Coleman just smiled at her. "I believe he's telling the truth," he said. "Plus, he gave us a big lead."

"The nurse?" I asked.

Major Coleman nodded.

"So what now?" Demi asked.

"Rinse and repeat," Major Coleman said. "Till we identify all of those involved." He breathes a sigh of relief. "This trip just made our work a whole lot easier."

"Sir, what happens to any cultists you catch?" Demi whispered, though I doubt anyone would hear us here.

"Assuming that said person is, indeed a cultist. But even if that person is not, stealing biohazard items is a criminal act and he or she will be serving time in jail."

We continued walking through the hallways, passing by empty classrooms and classrooms where lessons are still being discussed. Cana seemed to be in a good mood so I took this opportunity to apologize, even though I still don't believe I'm in the wrong here. I speed up a little, catching up with her. "Look, I'm really sorry but I never said your dad was it."

She looked down, her face flushed red. "No, you're right. I should be the one apologizing. It's just...I can't stand it when people say mean things to him."

"You love your dad. I get it," I said.

She raised her chin so that her eyes are finally looking at mine. "Friends?" she said, holding out her pinky finger.

I can't help but smile. "Aren't we a little too old for this?"

Her cheeks turned red. "Then forget it..." She turned and hurried away. I took two, long steps to get in front of her. "I'm sorry. I was kidding." I raised my pinky finger. "Friends?"

The corner of her lips turned upwards into a sweet and shy smile that suddenly my pulse started racing. She interlocked her pinky finger with mine. "Okay. Friends."

When we settled down inside the minibus, Cana apologized to everyone. There were some comments about how she should have handled it but overall, no one really stayed mad at her for that. It wasn't really that big of a deal and we have bigger issues to deal with, seeing as it's almost night. Major Coleman was driving so I walked up to the front of our school's service. "So it's back to the dorm for us?"

"Not exactly," Major Coleman said. We had already driven a good hour when Major Coleman stopped in front of a hotel that I don't recognize.

We filed out of the minibus. "This isn't our dorm, right?" Leo said, sizing up the luxury building.

"We thought it best to separate you. Makes it easier to protect you and harder for the Shade to get to all of you, in case we encounter...complications." Major Coleman said, being careful of the word he's using. Probably don't want us to freak out as it's only a couple of hours before sundown.

"By complications, you mean like how the Shade went on a killing spree last night?" Cana said.

"Yes. We didn't know what we were dealing with. But we survived. I intend to do so again."

According to Major Coleman, they only managed to set up three safe houses for us. The base camp, the dorm, and this hotel. So the plan is to split us into three groups. Staying here were Darius and of course, his sister, Scarlet, along with Caprice. Those going back to the dorm were Cato, Harmony, and Indigo. Demi, Cana, Leo and I, being the largest group, are headed for the base camp. The plan was simple. The group that the Shade appeared to must deal with the Shade. And if that group failed, at least the other two groups will be prepared.

With Major Coleman and his two men practically shoving us apart to our respective groups and rides, we had no time to process the fact that this might be the last time we'll see some of us alive.