-moving secretly.

12

Sherlock's words earlier are still haunting me. Napasabunot ako sa sarili ko habang nakaupo sa harap ng lamesa, nagsusulat sa journal ko. I'm already on my sleeping dress, but I can't sleep yet.

"Then why now? Bakit hindi no'ng magkasama kayong dalawa sa kalesa? Bakit siya lang ang nawala? Bakit hindi ikaw, o kayong dalawa?"

Bakit nga si Hilian lang ang nawala kung magkasama kami no'ng mga oras na 'yon? Kung iisa ang gustong magpahamak sa 'kin at sa kumuha sa kaniya, bakit nila 'yon ginagawa ngayon?

Napaismid ako at napakamot sa ulo. I shouldn't let his words eat my thoughts!

I clang the bell next to me. Agad-agad, nakarinig ako ng pagkatok sa pintuan ko.

"Lady Harlotte, do you need something?" Rinig kong sambit ni Melissa sa labas.

Mabilis akong tumayo at binuksan ang pinto.

As always, my maid was startled.

"Melissa! I need you to do something for me."

She looked at me with confusion. "I-I will do anything you ask, Lady Harlotte."

My lips curved. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at bumulong. Balisa siyang tumingin sa 'kin at umiling.

"B-But Lady Harlotte-"

I thumbs up. "Don't forget to bring it tomorrow, okay?"

"But lady-"

"Thanks! Good night!" I didn't wait for her response and I closed the door. Sigurado akong aangal siya sa sinabi ko.

Ngayon ay nakahinga na 'ko nang maluwag. I came up with an idea. I have a plan that I will do tomorrow.

I'll continue solving this case. Ayoko munang isipin ang magpapagulo pa sa isipan ko. Wala akong alaala no'ng araw na 'yon, kaya kailangan kong kumuha ng mga impormasyon.

Pinatay ko ang lamp sa table ko at nahiga ako sa malambot na kama. Bukas, pagtatagpitapiin ko ang mga impormasyon na nakalap ko.

Marahan akong pumikit.

I'll find you soon, Hilian. . .

"Harlotte. . ."

Dumiin ang pagkakapikit ko.

"Harlotte. . ."

I can hear someone calling me. Dahan-dahang bumukas ang mga mata ko. Kumunot ang noo ko at pilit kong in-adjust ang paningin ko.

I'm looking at the end of my bed, between my feet. . . I can see a woman?

"Harlotte. . ."

Unti-unti, luminaw ang mga mata ko. Mas nakita ko mabuti ang nasa harapan ko.

I'm not looking at a mirror, but I can see someone in front of me—someone who looks exactly like me.

I was frozen in my place, can't believe at what I'm seeing. My eyes slowly widened.

"H-Hilian?"

A face looks exactly like me, wearing a white dress. Her curly brunette hair is moving with the wind, coming from the opened window. The difference that we only have on our features, are our eyes.

Mine are gold like the sun—hers are emerald green like the forest.

An unexplainable feeling, my skin is warm and my heart is soothing. She slowly walked towards me, I remained staring at her—stunned. It was just seconds before I glance at her, already in front of me.

She gently touched my hair, put her forehead against mine.

"I want to see you, sister," she gently said. Her words are comforting.

Hindi ako mapakapaniwala, parang natuyo ang lalamunan ko at walang salitang lumalabas sa bibig ko. Naramdaman ko na lang ang mainit na palad niya sa mga mata ko, marahan itong sinasara.

For some reason, before closing my eyes, I saw her expression changed. From the soft and soothing face she had, it darkened. I'm slowly losing my consciousness, I can't hear her words clearly.

"I *m**r**o***n**a**t* find me."

Mulat na mulat ang mga mata ko nang minulat ko 'to. Maaraw na, nakasara ang bintana. Nanatili akong nakahiga sa kama, malalim ang paghinga.

What. . . was that?

Pinagpapawisan ako ng malamig. Was it a dream?

If it was. . . then what does it mean?

What are you trying to tell me, Hilian?

I heard a knock. "Are you already awake, Lady Harlotte?" ani Melissa.

Napabangon ako sa kama sa narinig. "Did you bring what I told you to bring last night?"

"Y-Yes, Lady Harlotte."

"Good. Help me get ready, Melissa," utos ko.

Hindi mawala sa isip ko ang panaginip na meron ako. Pero ngayon, kailangan ko munang gawin ang pinlano ko kagabi.

I remember Hilian saying, find me.

Sumara ang kamao ko. She doesn't have to tell me that. I will find her no matter what.

With Melissa's help, I got ready fast. I'm looking at myself in the mirror.

It's not the usual clothes I wear, but still—with Harlotte's features, she looks good on anything. I glanced at myself, my maid looked at the mirror with me too.

"A-Are you sure you're going to wear this, Lady Harlotte?" nag-aalalang aniya. "The other nobles might find it-"

"I don't care what they think or say," pagputol ko sa kaniya. "And also, I'm wearing this to hide my identity. If they found out who I am, then this clothes didn't fulfill its purpose, right?"

Hindi siya nakasagot sa 'kin, bagkus ay pinakitaan niya lang ako ng nag-aalalang ekspresyon.

Looking at the mirror, I can see myself wearing a black trousers, white shirt, and a frock coat, paired with black leather shoes. I'm not wearing a corset, instead, a brown flat cap where my tied hair is hiding underneath.

Ito ang pinakuha ko kay Melissa kagabi. Today, I'm going out as a guy. My body is too small and thin to be muscular, but still, people won't notice me that much. Hangga't natatago ko ang buhok ko at ganito ako manamit, hindi nila 'ko bibigyan ng pansin.

I smiled proudly. This will do it!

"Call Homer, Melissa," ani ko. "Prepare that run-down carriage."

She still looks worried, but she have no other options but to follow me. From looking at myself in the mirror, to looking at the run-down carriage in front of me.

"Lady Harlotte!" Homer greeted me with a cheerful smile. I smiled back as a response.

"L-Lady Harlotte, ano po ang sasabihin ko kapag hinanap kayo?" tanong ni Melissa.

"Like yesterday, I'm resting."

"But the butler-"

"Come on, you can handle it," ani ko. I winked at her. "We'll be going now."

I glanced at Homer. He's dirty, clothes full of mud so as his boots. "I'm sorry for interrupting your work again, Homer." This guy will get in trouble because of me, so as Melissa. I better reward them after this.

Homer blushed. "No trouble at all, Lady Harlotte!" He showed his charming smile. "Oh, saan po pala tayo pupunta?"

My lips curved, hearing his question. I fixed my hat, lowering it more.

To the place I've just been to yesterday. . .

"Take me to the Bryon's Manor."

𓉞✎🕊

Sitting on a bench, legs wide open. Reading a newspaper with my hat almost covering my eyebrows. Homer is at the carriage, positioned at the corner of the street.

I'm in front of the Byron's Manor, waiting for my prey to come.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko, pasimpleng nagmamasid. Halos mag-iisang oras na 'kong nakaupo rito, pero wala pa rin senyales na lumabas ang taong hinahanap ko.

A while ago, I saw the Lord come out and Felix watched him go. Sigurado akong nasa loob pa siya ngayon. Wala ba siyang balak lumabas?

Naiinip na 'ko sa pwesto ko nang muli akong nabuhayan. Nasilayan ko na ang lalaking hinihintay ko kani-kanina pa. Wearing a white shirt and black tail-coat, paired with trousers and black shoes, Felix went outside and a carriage went in front of him.

Nakasisilaw ang liwanag ng araw, pero mukhang mas masisilaw ako sa kaniya. My reader's character type syndrome is kicking in, it's not good.

Pero mabilis din itong natabunan nang mula sa maliwanag na aura na nakikita ko, naging pula at nandilim ang paningin ko. The way my jaw dropped to the ground as my eyes widened, skin pale.

Napukaw ng atensyon ko ang taong sumunod na lumabas mula sa manor, parang ahas na pumulupot ang kamay niya sa braso ni Felix. Literal na ahas nga!

Halos mapunit ko ang dyaryong hawak-hawak ko nang lukutin ko 'to. Nag-igting ang bagang kong nakatingin sa kanila.

"C-Cordelia!"

She has an irritating smile on her face while pushing her body against Felix'. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko.

What is she doing at the Byron's Manor?!

I bit my lower lip. What relationship does she have with Felix?

Is he. . . cheating behind my sister's back?!

Magkasunod silang sumakay sa karwahe, nakangiti pang inalalayan ni Felix si Cordelia na kahit malayo ay nakikita ko ang pamumula.

Inis kong binitawan ang dyaryo.

Felix, you jerk! What are you doing?!

Umandar ang kalesa nila na sinundan ko ng tingin. Mabilis akong tumingin sa direksyon ni Homer na nakatingin na sa 'kin, alam na niya ang gusto kong iparating.

From watching Felix' carriage move, to following it. I'm sitting at the carriage, eyes in front, blazing with anger—full of questions. Even with the proof in front of my eyes, I still can't imagine he's doing this!

Felix! Hilian's fiance! The twins' childhood friend! Harlotte's bestfriend!

How could he do this?!

Habang nakasilip sa bintana, unti-unting dumami ang tao sa labas, naging maingay. We're already on the city. Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang dumeretso ang karwahe nina Felix sa isang teatro. Mabilis kong pinasunod doon si Homer.

Felix' carriage stopped in front of the theatre, making ours stop too. Ilang metro ang layo mula sa kanila.

He went outside first, to help Cordelia down. Nag-iigting ang bagang kong pinapanood siya, namumula ang pisngi at kulang na lang ay ang usok sa ilong.

Pumila sila sa pagkahabang pila sa labas ng teatro para manood sa loob. I told Homer to wait for me as I secretly move towards the theatre. Malayo pa lang ay tanaw ko na ang guard sa labas na tumitingin ng ticket.

Napaismid ako. Forget that I have no ticket, if I went close to him, I'm sure he'll notice that I'm not a man!

Mariin akong napakagat sa ibabang labi, mabilis na naghanap ng ibang paraan. As I roam my eyes, it went straight at a group of people, holding huge props. Sumunod ang mga mata ko sa kanila habang papunta sila sa isang pintuan, hindi kalayuan sa entrance, pero hindi tanaw ng mga nakapila.

It's like there's a lightbulb that appeared on my head, I came up with an idea. I fixed my cap.

I walked casually, head down, as I passed through the line. I walked with confidence, without looking anyone at the eye. Nang dumaan ako sa mahabang pila, bumaba ang tingin ko.

Dadaan ako sa back door. Kung saan dumadaan ang mga empleyado.

Kaswal kong tinatago ang mukha ko, binababa ang cap na suot-suot ko. Because I was too focused trying to not get caught, I didn't notice that I'm already in front of the door, and I didn't notice it opened too.

Bumangga sa 'kin ang lalaking nagbukas ng pinto, nagmamadali.

"O-Oh, sorry-"

Napaangat ako ng tingin, pero mabilis din akong natigilan nang makita ang matangkad na lalaki na balisa. Pinagpapawisan nang sobra at namumula ang mga mata, rinig ko ang mabigat niyang paghinga.

I was astonished, and my jaw dropped when I saw what he is holding.

A knife.

Napakurap-kurap ako. It doesn't look like a fake knife that they use as a prop. It even have blood on it. . .

"A-Ah, I'm sorry-"

"H-Help. . ."

Mula sa patalim, bumaba lalo ang tingin ko pero napunta ito sa likuran ng lalaki. Kung nasaan ang isang babaeng puro dugo ang mukha at gumagapang. Naghalo ang dugo at ang mga luha niya.

"H-Hel. . . p me. . ."

I was literally dumbfounded, napaatras ako nang kaunti. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko at kaunting nakaawang ang bibig. My heart started beating fast, questions are starting to run around my head.

What is this?

Is this a part of a play?

Is this real?-

"Ikaw-" garagal at malalim ang boses ng nagsalita.

Punong-puno ako ng takot na napatingin sa kaniya.

Harlotte, think! Run- but what if he stab me in the back? Then shout- but what if he stab me in the face?!

I clicked my tongue. Then the right answer is-

Buong pwersa at mataas kong tinaas ang kanang paa ko. Kick him in the crotch! 

Napabitaw sa hawak-hawak niyang patalim ang lalaki sa lakas ng pwera ng pagkakasipa ko sa kaniya. Mabilis siyang napahawak dito at pumulupot sa sakit.

I know that the next step is that I should run- but.

I caught a glimpse of the woman on the ground again. And for the second time, I clicked my tongue before rushing towards her.

"Let's go-AH!"

Nabigla ako nang may humawak sa ulo ko. My cap fell down so as my bun I'm hiding inside of it. Bumuhaghag ang buhok ko na madaling nasabunutan ng lalaki.

"W-What-" How the heck can he still stand?! Argh this body of mine is so weak!

I'm gritting my teeth as the man pull my hair. Sumara nang mahigpit ang kamao ko. 

He dropped his knife, I can now fight him head on!

I'm determined to fight him now, but I wasn't able to. Kusa siyang bumitaw sa buhok ko nang may malakas na nag-karate chop sa pulso niya, sunod ng pagbitaw niya sa 'kin.

My eyes locked on the man who did that. He once again appeared when something worst happened, but fortunately, he's right on time.

"Sherlock!"

𓉞✎🕊