Chapter 7: The Wolves Lair

In the cold, long ride, I’ve tangled my night with a symphony of a melodious soothing voice mesmerized my ears. It was caressing me as I slowly close my eyes with every word it sings. The cuddly weather urges me to hug myself while I leaned my back in the soft, cozy passenger’s seat.

The music gradually seizes when a thick sheer cloth touches my skin, “Ang kapal ng mukhang matulog samantalang nag-didrive ako rito.” I wanted to laugh, but nodding off is much more important than listening to Asher’s tantrums.

Napansin ko ang tuluyan na pagpatay niya sa radio. Alam ko sa sariling tulog ako ngunit ang diwa ko’y gising, marahil ganito ako ngayon dahil sa pagod at ang pagkabagabag sa panibagong palaisipan para sa grupo namin. Natitiyak ko rin na mamabadtrip na naman sa akin si Tori dahil sasakit na naman kuno ang kanyang ulo.

At habang iniisip ang iba’t-ibang posibilidad, hindi na ako magugulat pa kung kasali ang ama ko sa kanilang kalokohan. Oras na mabisita namin ang Balencia Building, doon namin malalaman ang huling hatol ni Atty. Salvatore-kung iiwan niya ang kaso dahil sa pagsisinungaling ni Mrs. Enrile o itutuloy dahil mali ang aming mga teorya.

“Dela Vega…” And before I could open my eyes, I felt someone lifting me, “Dela Vega… Ugh, you’re really getting on my nerves, woman.”

“Asher—” The high-pitch voice was quite familiar, but I was too exhausted and lazy even to open my eyes and confirm who it was, “I’ll just open the door to her room.”

And when I finally felt my soft and cozy bed, the urge to fully sleep lurks within. Their voices began to be swallowed by an eternal peace, leaving and letting me relax in the world of the shadows.

After a lot of trivial thoughts, it suddenly came to me—my mother must’ve planned what happened earlier, knowing that she’s close to the skunk girlfriend of my brother. And she wants something from me. They probably became besties just too freaking trapped me inside my room. Yet, they didn’t think that Asher would join me.

But the question was... what does she want from her beloved daughter who doesn’t even care about them?

Moments later, all the thoughts caress me slowly to escapade and visit the world of wonders.

❖ ── ✦ ──── ✦ ── ❖

Sa pagmulat ko sa aking mga mata, nabalot nang pagtataka ang aking isipan. Paano ako nakauwi kagabi? I slept in Asher’s car if I remembered it clearly. Nang bumangon ako, mabilis akong nagpalit ng pambahay saka naghilamos sa banyo.

At dahil gutom ako ay agad akong tumungo sa kusina kahit hindi pa ganoong nag-aadjust ang paningin ko dahil sa antok. Like sino ba naman ang makakakain nang maayos kung kaharap mo sa hapag ang mga panira sa buhay mo?

“Hmm… Hmm…” Dapat talaga kumakamanta tuwing naghahalo ng sinangag. Ganoon ang turo sa akin ng commercial e.

“How you doin’?”

“Oh, fuck!” A spoonful of fried rice landed in my hand, making me glare at my uninvited guest, “You’re not fucking Joey Tribbiani to pull that off! And what the hell are you doing here, Sullivan?”

“Ang gandang almusal ng mura mo, Thea.” Walang pasabi niyang inaagaw sa akin ang sandok saka na rin ang puwesto ko. Nginuso niya ang salas kung saan tuluyan akong napangiwi.

“Who the hell invited you here?”

“Asher. Though you should be thankful because I doubled your security. I installed CCTV to your backdoor, added two to the front door—”

“And who the hell gave you the permission to trespass my house?”

“80% Asher, 20% Ethan.”

I grimaced at Van and walked towards the other three, who are sleeping peacefully. Tori was smooshing my couch while the other two, both wearing tuxedos, felt their lovely home into my carpet.

“Wait—let me do the honors, Thea!” Buntong-hininga kong tinapunan ng tingin si Van, kapapatay lang sa stove at nagmamadaling tumabi sa akin, “Gising na, mga motherfucking—”

“We heard you, okay?!” Tori groaned. After landing her eyes on me, she smiled and was about to hug me when I stopped her, “Ang damot. Agang-aga.”

Sinimangutan niya ako’t dahil makapala ang mukha niya ay basta na lamang siyang dumiretso sa banyo ko. Samantalang bumangon na rin sina Asher at Ethan, madalas nandito nakatambay si Ethan kaya’t feel at home na feel at home na rin ang isang ‘to. Tumunga siya sa guest room dahilan upang matuon ang atensyon ko kay Asher.

“Why is Ethan in formal attire?” I asked.

“He was at the party yesterday,” Asher answered with a yawn.

“Really? I didn't saw him. May kasama siya?”

“Serenity.”

I blinked multiple times and looked at him intently. I was patiently waiting for him to tell me that he was just kidding, but again this is Dwayne Asher Perez; he never fools around.

“Why? Of all people—”

“Because she’s an Ortega?” He looked at me as if I was asking an obvious question. I know that she’s Engr. Ortega’s daughter, that woman have been announcing that since day one. I’m just baffled by the fact that Ethan agreed on accompanying her, “What, Dela Vega? Scared that Herrera might be stolen from you?”

“I’m just intrigued that Ethan agreed on being her partner.”

“Is he too loyal to—”

“Ethan… Ethan never lets a girl near her aside from me. Tori’s situation is understandable, but Serenity isn't.”

“What do you mean?”

“He—he has a history.” After seeing so much curiosity in his eyes, I immediately left him and helped Van arrange the table. Ethan’s story is not mine to tell, but those brief facts are enough to convince him not to order Ethan with other girls.

After taking our breakfast, Atty. Salvatore fetches us with his van. It was such a bummer, especially having a seatmate like Tori—someone who likes to sleep and making me as her pillow. The long ride towards Norzagaray, Bulacan, really ached my butt. All we did was just sit, but here I am, officially tired after reaching the Balencia Building.

Atty. Salvatore was the first person who got out of the vehicle, followed by Asher the Great. I almost punch Tori to wake her. Good thing that Van’s voice was enough to pester her.

“Students, I would like to introduce Detective Castillo to all of you.” A man, around the same age as us, extended his hand to introduce himself formally. My eyes drifted to his name tag embroidered to his uniform: Det. Castillo, Aiden J. “He’s just a year older than you, but don’t forget that he has a higher position and authority.”

Kasama namin siyang tumungo sa loob ng Balencia Building, katulad ng mga litratong pinakita ko kay Asher. Ganoon na ganoon talaga ang itsura niya, walang pintura o kahit anong mga gamit dahilan upang magmukhang abandunado ang lugar.

Sa unang palapag, tumungo kami sa nag-iisang bahagi kung saan may makikitang mga kagamitan—ang security room, nandoon ang isang guwardya na naka-duty at halos makain pa ni Atty. Salvatore ng buhay dahil naabutan namin siyang tulog.

Sinuri naming mabuti ang mga surveillance camera, maging ang anggulo kung saan palaging naglalaho si Mrs. Enrile kung i-babase ang mga naunang footage na nakuha ni Ethan. Ilang sandali pa’t tumikhim si Atty. Salvatore’t tumingin sa amin.

“Dela Vega, Santiago, find this spot.” Atty. Salvatore pointed to the footage where Mrs. Enrile should show up upon entering the Balencia Building. He then drifted his attention to Asher and Ethan, “Check how far this place is to the Norzagaray Rizer.”

“Attorney Salvatore,” Detective Castillo called.

“Right, Villaruel, join Detective Castillo.”

Van and I immediately went to our destination. My phone suddenly rang as Atty. Salvatore called, “Dela Vega, move to your left.” Without any questions, I followed his instructions. Van was befuddled, so I decided to turn on the speaker mode of the call.

“I can see Santiago… but now you, Dela Vega. Tell me, what’s on your left side?”

“Ah, nothing.” It was a dead-end. It was nothing but a bunch of walls. Van shrugged his shoulder and walked towards the dead end, leaving me no choice but to follow him.

His eyes glinted with excitement that one might not find in me, “She’s an engineer, Thea,” he mumbled.

“I know—”

“Your nothing means everything. She’s an engineer, and this place could lead as somewhere other than a dead end.” Van started to push the walls, looking for a switch or something that could magically open a door.

And just like what he told me, she’s an engineer. At kung ako ay isang engineer, hindi ko ilalagay sa lugar kung saan unang hahanapin ang daan patungo sa sikretong silid o lagusan.

Dahan-dahan kong ginala ang aking mga mata’t natuon ‘yon sa switch ng ilaw, tinuro ko iyon kay Van ngunit ang tanging ginawa lamang nito ay buhayin at patayin ang ilaw. Balak na sana naming iwan ang switch nang mabuklat ni Van ang mismong outlet nito dahilan upang manlaki ang mga mata namin.

May isang switch do’n na agad na pinindot ni Van dahil sa excitement n’ya.

“Oh, Shit! Ka-excite!”

“Hey, let's tell this to—” Van pulled me towards the elevator without letting me finish first. I was about to report him to Atty. Salvatore, when the signal bar goes to none, “You, dumbass.”

The elevator has only one button for going up and going down; the signal has dropped, meaning that wherever we are going must be built to avoid any IP Address confirmation or any possible chances of getting found by the authorities.

“Evidence. We need evidence,” I stated.

“Roger that.”

And when the elevator door opened, we cautiously went inside. The room was empty, but the fragments of yesterday’s memories are still intact to the floors and windows—speckle of dust and even prints are still visible as if the pieces of equipment are pulled out of this place in an expeditious manner.

Van took the photographs while I was busy roaming around. Half of the room was filled with glass windows, but I just can’t comprehend why it is not visible outside. The thing that I'm sure of is that when Atty. Salvatore demanded a search warrant. Someone must have informed these dirty skunks. Damn.

“Van, I’ll go this way,” I said.

“Susunod ako mamaya.”

I silently entered a room. I was dazed and confused when a bunch of plastic water tanks welcomed me. They smelled like saltwater; I was busy rounding one of the tanks when the sunlight beamed to it, making a silhouette be visible in my naked eyes.

What the fuck is that?

“Please… don’t be what I am thinking…” I mumbled. I took a deep breath with my eyes still locked to the water tank, “Van!”

“May nakita ka ba—fuck, Thea!”

“Is that… is that a…” Shit. Shit. Shit. Please, don’t be. Van seriously looked at me. He bravely walked to the water tank and opened the tank without any hesitation.

The smell of saltwater overpowered the entire vicinity. It does not smell like an awful dead body. Out of curiosity, I joined Van in looking at the body even though this sight will definitely haunt me to sleep.

It was a woman swimming in the tank of water while wearing a white coat.

The flash of Van’s phone pulled me back to reality and the thought that Mrs. Enrile is definitely lying to Atty. Salvatore, to the people, and to us.

“She’s a doctor,” Van stated. And because we can’t contaminate the crime scene, we went away from the water tank after taking photographs of the woman.

And inside my head, one thing is for sure.

The doctor is dead yet alive, just like the students from the Oblivion 13 case.

#