/17/
A Case of Arson

---

THE LOUD ringing from Rein's bedside table was enough to wake him up from his slumber. Wincing from the sound and his headache, the young man groggily opened his eyes, squinting because of the faint sunlight entering through the sheer curtains of his windows.

"Ow," he mumbled, rubbing his forehead and trying to remember why he was having such a terrible headache. Dahan-dahang itong umupo sa kaniyang kama, walang suot kundi isang pares ng boxers lamang.

With eyes still closed, he fumbled for his alarm clock, turning it off.

"Rein, baby?" a whiny, feminine voice stirred from beside him in the sheets, and Rein immediately blinked his eyes wide open at the voice.

Paglingon niya sa kaniyang kanan ay nakita niya ang babaeng katabi niya sa kama, her well-curved body hidden underneath the white sheets. Rein muttered out a curse as he saw the girl's naked back turning around to face him.

Dito niya naalala ang mga nangyari kagabi.

After the little dinner he had with his father at the main headquarters of their corporation, he had opted to visit a nearby bar to drink, flirting with the girl who first laid their wide-eyed gaze on him and inviting her to his dormitory room in Castillo High. He couldn't remember the rest of what happened. He was too drunk when they had both snuck inside, trying not to wake Jarrell and Quinn who were already fast asleep. 

But with him only wearing boxers and the girl on his bed practically naked, the Maccio heir didn't have to be a prodigy to know what happened between them last night.

"Ah sorry, Hayley right?" Rein asked absent-mindedly as he rushed to get up, opening his drawers to pull out a pair of clean slacks.

"It's Holly," the girl frowned as she sat up, covering her chest with Rein's blanket. She then watched the Maccio heir put on his pants. "Teka, iiwan mo lang ba 'ko dito?"

"Yeah no, I need you to leave," the young man replied bluntly, tossing a white shirt to the girl. "Please get dressed, may pasok pa ako."

"What the hell??" Holly uttered in disbelief.

"That's it? We're done?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng dalaga. "Hindi ka ba nag-enjoy kagabi?? I could give that to you anytime you wan—"

"Halle, I need you to go," Rein frowned, his dark, wavy, messy hair drooping around his forehead as he buttoned his white polo uniform. "Now." 

The young girl opened her mouth as if to say something before narrowing her eyes and mumbling under her breath as she stood up from the bed, hastily grabbing her clothes strewn across the floor.

"I guess the rumors are true," she said snidely, putting on her short dress. "Your playboy reputation does precede you." 

With one last bitter scowl, she threw her heel at Rein before running out of his room, barely even dressed. Mabilis itong lumabas sa dormitory ng mga binata, ignoring the surprised Jarrell and Quinn who were by the kitchen, also getting ready for school. 

"Wew," Jarrell whistled as soon as Holly slammed the door behind her and Rein walked towards the kitchen to grab breakfast, unbothered. "Breaking hearts again are we, Rein?"

"I'm confused," Quinn frowned, holding a mug of coffee in one hand. "Why are you back to sleeping around with random girls? May nangyari ba sa promposal mo kay Ann kahapon??"

Rein shook his head, biting a peanut butter sandwich into his mouth and slinging his backpack on his shoulder. He then walked past his two friends, leaving their dormitory and slamming the door behind him without a word.

"I assume it didn't go well?" Quinn asked innocently as soon as he and Jarrell were alone.

"Alam mo, manhid ka rin eh noh?" Jarrell frowned.

By the time Rein arrived at the science laboratory where his first class of the morning was usually held, almost all seats and lab stations have been taken by his classmates. All except for one. He had barely just arrived in time.

"Right before attendance Mr. Maccio."

Professor Betty De Jesus, a short, stout woman with a bob haircut, raised an eyebrow at the young man who just entered the room "You can sit beside Ann Lobris as it is clearly the only seat left."

Rein clenched his jaw before nodding politely to his general chemistry professor. "Good morning Professor De Jesus," he then glanced towards Ann who didn't dare look at him.

"Professor, is there any chance I can switch partners with—"

"Not another word, Mr. Maccio," the woman snapped, walking behind the main laboratory station in front of the room. "You and Lobris have been classmates for the majority of your high school life and are now, funnily enough, orgmates under the Campus Sleuths. I expect you've both settled this useless rivalry of yours and are mature enough to work with another again? Seeing as you've been both partners under last year's Writer's Schism as well."

The young man gritted his teeth as he heard his classmates giggle at the sassy comeback of their teacher. Professor De Jesus has always been known for her witty remarks, but this was almost borderline for the young man.

"Yes professor," Rein muttered in defeat, walking towards Ann and sitting down on the stool beside her. He wanted nothing more but to finish the class. Masakit pa rin ang ulo ng binata, at nalalasahan niya pa rin ang alcohol mula kagabi. He was in no mood to butt heads with the girl who rejected him yesterday.

And yet, despite his resurfaced hate for the Lobris girl, he couldn't help but watch his rival through his peripheral vision. Rein noticed that she had barely flinched at his presence, looking straight ahead with impeccable posture. She was unfazed, and Rein wished he was as unbothered as she was about yesterday's ordeal between them.

"Alright class, today we will be dealing with everything related to blood," their professor said bluntly. "On your lab stations, you can see that aside from a microscope, I have provided three types of red items on three different microscope slides. What I want you to do is tell me which substance is which on the activity sheet. Is it blood? Is it a type of drink? Identify."

The professor walked around the laboratory, hands behind her back. Despite her short statute, Professor De Jesus commanded authority throughout the room with her confidence and posture.

"Kailangan niyo ring i-explain sa sheet kung bakit sa tingin niyo the element is what you think it is," the teacher explained. "Is it food coloring? Then identify the characteristics of what makes it food coloring, and explain why you think it isn't blood. Remember, it's important to discuss all of these with your partner."

She then turned to check the digital clock situated at her designated teacher's table. "The timer starts now. Everyone must be done after an hour. Para ganahan kayo, the first to finish will have plus points on their test next week."

And with that, the students then focused on each of their stations, conversing in hushed tones and bending down to look into the microscope by taking turns with their partners.

Hindi in-acknowledge ni Ann ang kaniyang laboratory partner, and was about to take a peek into the microscope when she bumped heads with Rein.

"Fuck!"

"Ano ba?!" Ann snapped, holding her own head. "Bulag ka ba? Kita mong nauna ako na titingin diba?!"

"My apologies. Akala ko multo 'yung katabi ko eh, 'di kasi nagsasalita," Rein replied sarcastically, snatching the microscope away from his rival who scowled. He then placed one of the slides under the device and peered through its lens. 

Agad na umirap ang dalaga at tinalikuran ang karibal para aralin ang natirang dalawang microscope slides sa kanilang lamesa. All of the slides on top of their station table contained some kind of runny, reddish substance which all looked like blood at first glance, but Ann was confident that they could determine which was the real blood in no time. She hated Rein, but she never doubted his intellect nor skills. 

"Ano na? Isang oras ka nang nakatingin diyan," reklamo ng dalaga, pushing the young man by the shoulder so that she could have her turn. But before she could look into the microscope, Ann had a whiff of Rein's scent, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Uminom ka ba?" Ann frowned before peering down the lens.

"Last night," Rein chuckled. "Had real fun with this girl named Harley," he added spitefully in an attempt to irritate Ann.

"Poor girl," the Lobris heir mumbled. "What a pity she was forced to fake a good time with a Maccio."

"Please," Rein scoffed. "The girl was screaming all night. Ayaw mo lang tanggapin na hibang na hibang mga babae sa akin."

"Then you have no problem getting a date to the dance then," Ann muttered, still looking into the microscope. "Don't know why you had to ask me."

Rein's face went red with embarrassment as Ann leaned back from the microscope. She pulled out the slide and sniffed at the substance. 

"Definitely red paint," she muttered, scribbling down on the sheet before turning to her rival. "Oh, did I render you speechless?" Ann asked innocently, batting her eyelashes. "I guess that makes Lobris one point, and, well, zero again for Maccio."

Rein clenched his jaw as he placed the next slide under the microscope. "Rami mong satsat madam president. Meanwhile wala pang usad 'yung vandal case natin," he muttered back, peeking through the lens and studying the next substance.

"Aba, sino kayang may kasalanan no'n?" Ann shot back sharply, leaning forward to taunt her rival. "You're the one with his head wrapped around some stupid dance while I've been trying to plan our next move."

Rein didn't answer as he switched the second slide with the third substance. Hindi nagustuhan ng dalaga ang hindi pag-pansin ng binata sa kaniya. She was just about to push him aside again when Rein raised a hand in front of her face, halting her.

He then pulled away from the microscope, feeling quite dizzy from his hangover. "The second slide is the one with blood, third is food coloring. Two points for Maccio, one point for Lobris," Rein said dryly, trying to seem nonchalant despite his vision slightly spinning. 

One wrong move and he might puke all the drinks he had downed last night.

Ann frowned deeply at his answer, snatching the microscope away from her rival and peeking down to see the third substance.

Rein wasn't really sure of his answer, still recovering from last night's hangover that made him fuzzy and less sharp than usual. In fact, the young man merely based his statement on intuition. Gusto lamang niyang matapos ang activity agad. The sooner this was done, the sooner he was far away from Ann. 

"What, tama ako diba?" he slurred arrogantly, feeding off the pride of seeing Ann Lobris scowl.

"You crackbrain," she spat out, eyes still on the lens. "Itong third slide ang dugo. You can clearly see the plasma and red blood cells in this one!"

"I see you're not fond of losing," Rein frowned, grabbing the sheet from Ann's side. He then clicked his own pen and started scribbling his answer on their paper.

"What are you doing??" Ann demanded, eyes wide open. She then snatched the paper midway of Rein's writing. "Mali 'yang sagot mo!"

"Lobris, I know you're stubborn, but it's okay to be wrong sometimes," Rein scoffed, shaking his head and grabbing the paper again. "Second slide is the one with the blood sample and that's our final answer."

"Oh just shut up," Ann snapped. "You're wrong and clearly drunk so will you give me back the paper?!"

Patuloy na nag-bangayan ang dalawa, with Ann trying to grab their paper back to no success. 

"What Lobris, your cute size can't reach this?" Rein taunted, stretching his arm up in the air and away from Ann who was struggling to snatch the sheet.

"Why you assho—!"

"Lobris!" Professor De Jesus snapped, the whole class turning to the pair at the sound of their teacher's strict voice. "Language, young lady!" the older woman hissed, stomping towards the pair. "And Maccio, what exactly are you doing?? This is a collaborative assignment, not a competition!"

"Ma'am, he's being uncooperative!" sumbong ng dalaga sa propesor habang akusadong nakaturo sa binata. "Pinipilit niyang tama sagot niya eh hindi naman!"

"It is right professor. Lobris here is just too stubborn to listen," Rein replied coldly, still not letting Ann reach their sheet.

Sakto naman na biglang nag-alarm ang digital clock sa lamesa ng guro, signaling that an hour had already passed for the activity. This prompted both Rein and Ann to stop dead in their tracks.

"Well then," the teacher frowned impatiently. "I'll be the judge of that."

With her right hand was placed on her right hip, Professor De Jesus then stretched out her left hand, asking for their activity sheet.

"Hand over the paper, Mr. Maccio. I'll score it based on the answers you've written — finished or not."

"But—"

"No buts."

Hindi na nakaangal si Ann nang ibinigay ng binata ang kanilang papel sa propesor na mabilis na binasa ang kanilang sagot. They watched the professor frown at their activity sheet, lips turned into an unsatisfactory expression. Without a word, the teacher then scribbled their score on top of the paper before heading to the next pair situated on their right.

Mabilis na hinablot ni Ann ang papel, her eyes widening furiously. 

"10/30?!" she gasped in horror, angrily turning to his rival who scowled, snatching the paper from her hands. 

"Give me that!" Rein demanded, looking at their score incredulously. 

""I told you — the third slide was the one with the blood substance!" Ann fumed. She then whirled around, eyes ablaze towards her rival. Gusto niyang sunggaban ito at sakalin. This was her first failing grade for the academic year — something which she couldn't afford.

And yet, as Rein stared back at her with the same fiery look in his eyes, her eyes momentarily turned down to his lips — a fleeting moment that she immediately overcame.

"Was last night's drinks so strong that it somehow rewired your brain to become this stupid?" she snapped furiously. "Academic rival kita diba?? Now why don't you act like one!"

Hurt flashed across Rein's eyes, prompting him to clench both his fists. "Yeah," he muttered bitterly. "No matter what I do, that's all I am to you. Just your rival."

And with that, Rein grabbed his bag and walked out of the science laboratory. Sakto namang tumunog ang bell, and Ann was left feeling conflicted and just as hurt, pondering over his last statement.

---

The sky later that night was a starless one, quieter than the squandering of the two rivals.

Mga alas onse na ng gabi nang tuluyan nang nakahiga si Rein sa isa sa mga sofa sa kanilang dormitory room. Hindi ito makatulog dahil sa mga nangyari kaninang umaga. His mind was still plagued by Ann, which he absolutely loathed. Hindi naman ito makalabas para uminom, at wala naman siyang kilalang babae na gustong makipagtalikan at the moment. So instead, Rein forced his two friends to stay up watching "Detective Conan" with him, his favorite anime series.

Despite this, mas naunang nakatulog ang kaniyang dalawang kaibigan. 

The building of the boys' dormitory was dark and silent as Rein stared at the ceiling of their living room. Tanging ang pag-vibrate lang ng aircon, pag-hilik ni Jarrell, at pagkaluskos ni Quinn sa isa pang sofa, ang maririnig mula sa dormitory room nina Rein.

"Zzzz..." hilik ni Jarrell. Mayroon pang tulo ng laway sa unan na hinihigaan nito which made Rein sigh. 

He wanted to go out and distract himself. Ngayon lang nagkaganito ang binata sa buong buhay niya. There was not one girl nor fling that had made him this hung up or distracted to the point of not being able to concentrate on his studies. Heck, indi nga niya mapilit ang sarili na i-focus ang paghahanap ng vandal. He couldn't even bring himself to visit their Campus Sleuths' office and see Ann's face. 

With a heavy sigh, itinalukbong ni Rein ang sarili gamit ang kumot niya in the hopes of blocking away Jarrell's snores.

After what seemed like an hour of tossing and turning, Rein felt he was being lulled to sleep. Unti-unti na ring pumikit ang mga mata niya and his body automatically shut down.

Everything suddenly became quiet.

Tulog na ang lahat ng estudyante sa Castillo High at wala nang maririnig kundi ang mahinang sipol ng mga insekto sa loob ng campus. The whole school was enveloped into a blanket of serenity.

But not for long.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" A loud shriek echoed throughout the campus at agad namang bumukas ang mga emergency lights. Suddenly, the alarms were blaring and the bell used for fire drills rang endlessly, waking each and every student up from their slumber.

Nagising ulit ang natutulog na Rein. His hair was unkempt and all over the place habang kitang-kita naman ang eyebags sa ilalim ng mga mata nito.

Suddenly, the intoxicating smell of flames rushed through his lungs.

Biglang naalimpungatan at napaupo ito, pilit na hinahanap kung sa'n nanggagaling ang amoy.

And like a glorious phoenix outside their window, there it was.

The building that was seen directly across their dormitory room was enveloped in fire, lighting up the darkness of the campus as tongues of flames reflected on the glass of their window pane. 

Its incandescence struck the alertness inside Rein, finally waking him up. 

Hastily, he aggressively shook Jarrell who was sleeping next to him by his shoulders. 

"Jarrell! Gising!" he demanded. Nang hindi kumibo ang kaibigan ay tinulak ni Rein ito.

Agad na nahulog sa sahig si Jarrell, instantly waking him up. Narinig naman ni Quinn ang malakas na pagbagsak ni Jarrell dahilan para mapaupo rin ito sa gulat.

"Putangina!" Jarrell shouted and sat upright, his butt falling flat.

"Kingina, natutulog 'yung tao oh!" sigaw naman ni Quinn na napakusot agad ng mata.

"Get the hell up, both of you. There's a fire," Rein said sharply, throwing them a pillow as he pulled out his phone from his pocket, contacting the nearest fire station.

"Hah?? Saan?!" Jarrell demanded in confusion. When he saw the burning flames just outside their dormitory window, agad na napabalikwas ang lalaki at saka nagsisisigaw na parang bakla.

When the three finally got their bearings and ran downstairs, nakasalubong nila ang ibang mga Castillians na nagkakagulo. Everyone was scared and running about, while the teachers and staff tried to calm down the students.

'Yung iba ay umiiyak na habang 'yung iba naman ay nakatunganga na lang sa sobrang takot.

"Evacuate all students!" napatingin ang tatlo sa sumisigaw and wasn't surprised to see Enzo, other student council officers, and faculty members guiding the students towards the nearest exit.

As reflections of red and orange surrounded them, Rein could only think of one thing.

"We need to find the girls," he said through gritted teeth. Pilit na nilalakasan ang boses para marinig sa gitna ng ingay. "Baka nasa dorm pa sil--"

"Quinn!" 

The three boys immediately whirled around to see Ann, Sera, and Queenie running towards them. 

The worry in Rein's chest unraveled as soon as he saw her. 

"Pupuntahan palang sana namin kayo," Jarrell said worriedly as soon as the girls neared, removing his jacket and placing it around Sera's shoulders.

Queenie on the other hand greeted her brother with a tight embrace that her twin reciprocated in relief.

"Are you okay?" Rein demanded the Lobris girl who was breathing heavily from running. Despite donning only a tank top and pajamas, and her hair slightly disheveled, the effect Ann had on Rein was still the same.

"We're fine," she nodded tightly, trying to avoid his gaze. "Tinawag na ng admin 'yung fire department. They'll be here soon."

At that moment, agad na nagbukas ang malalaking gates ng Castillo High at saka pinapasok ang dalawang fire truck pati na rin ang isang ambulansya. Their alarms flashed quickly at walang pakundangan ang pag-busina ng kanilang mga alarms.

---

"First, vandalism. Now, illegal breaking and entering into the science laboratory coupled with a damn large case of arson!" Chief of the Official Castillian Police (O.C.P.) Arturio Biño exclaimed out loud. He rubbed his round beer belly excitedly, a move that he did every time a case interested him. 

Kasama ng hepe ang kaniyang kanang kamay na si Officer Keano Valdez, isa sa mga loyal na O.C.P. officers, pati na rin si Detective John Magsaysay, isa ring high-ranking member ng Castillian Police.

"This is extraordinary! Minsan lang magkaroon ng ganitong insidente sa loob ng Castillo High. Why, the last crime we've ever solved here was Ria Vendeya's abduction case from last year!" patuloy na daldal ng hepe habang kinikilatis ang loob ng science laboratory, the very crime scene where the fire started. 

"Don't get too excited, chief," Ann scoffed, the six of them scrutinizing the scene with the O.C.P. "You'll be stroking the vandal's ego once he finds out no less than the chief of police finds their crimes exciting."

"I'm just giving where the credit is due, Miss Lobris," the chief smiled. He then stroked his beard, making him look like some kind of modern Santa Claus. "Because it seems to me your vandal knows their way here in the campus."

"We believe the vandal is a student, sir," Rein replied dryly, trying not step onto some of the rubble. 

"A student smart enough to start arson," natawa muli ang hepe. "Minsan natatawa nalang talaga 'ko sa propesyon na 'to."

Just as the chief was about to say more biglang tumunog ang walkie-talkie na nakasabit sa kaniyang utility belt.

"Message to the chief." The walkie-takie gave out a crackling sound and the chief pushed down the button.

"There's an update on Cardinal Amarantia sir. It needs your full attention."

Agad na nanlaki ang mata ng hepe nang marinig ang pangalan ng kriminal na ilang taon na rin nilang pilit na hinuhuli, dahilan para magsalita ito sa device na hawak niya. "10-4. We'll go straight back to headquarters. Copy?" he muttered.

"Copy," the receiver from the other line said before the walkie-talkie crackled into silence.

"Officer Valdez, Officer Magsaysay. Mas kailangan tayo sa headquarters," buntong-hininga ng chief of police. The large man then faced the six students who were eyeing him. 

"Campus Sleuths, kayo na muna ang bahala rito. I trust you guys know what and what not to touch when investigating a crime scene?" Officer Arturio asked, prompting the six to nod.

"Alright," the officer nodded in return, patting Rein's back. "Give us a call if you find anything interesting. Babalikan rin namin ulit 'to sa umaga."

By the time the three Official Castillian Police exited the crime scene, Sera let out a scoff.

"That was a lot of help," Sera said dryly, watching the officers get into their car. 

"The O.C.P. is too busy trying to find the King of the Black Market to find any of this appealing, Sera. We'll just have to solve it ourselves," Ann said, stepping towards one of the wet sinks inside the laboratory. Napansin ng dalagang ang isang basang bagay na nakalagay dito.

"Tissue?" bulong nito nang nakitang may pakete ng tisyu malapit rito. Medyo sunog na kaya hindi mahahalata sa unang tingin na tissue ito.

"Guys," she called out to the five, motioning them to come closer. Agad namang lumapit ang lima at nagulat sa nakitang hawak-hawak ni Ann.

"Ginamit ata ng arsonist," Queenie observed. Kinuha naman ni Jarrell ang medyo sunog na tissue at saka inilapit sa ilong niya.

"Yuck! Ba't ganito 'yung amoy? Parang... Basta, may kaamoy siya!" simangot ni Jarrell, cringing as he handed the tissue over to Sera who sniffed it as well.

Agad na lumiwanag ang mga mata nito. "It smells like freshly-painted toe nails," Sera remarked. "Like acetone." 

"What would the arsonist use acetone for?" tanong ni Quinn.

"I found pieces and shards of a glass pipette on the ground near this sink," sambit naman ni Rein at saka inilapag ang tissue sa lababo na sinasabi niya. Agad na lumapit ang iba pa dito.

"Come to think of it, chineck ko 'yung mga contents sa cabinet kung sa'n tinatago 'yung mga chemicals at nakita kong nabawasan ang sulfuric acid at potassium permanganate," Queenie said, relaying the piece of information she found earlier.

Quinn then adjusted his glasses, pushing it further up the bridge of his nose. His glasses reflected against the moon's light and shone almost fervently. "Acetone, sulfuric acid and potassium permanganate... It's possible," he thought out loud.

"Huh?" sabi ng mga kaibigan niya.

"It's possible that the arsonist soaked this tissue using acetone kaya amoy acentone ito," Queenie explained, holding up their first clue. "Then he — or she — must have drawn the sulfuric acid from the glass pipette, before dipping it into the potassium permanganate so that the tip of the pipette is coated with a few crystals. Dispensing the sulfuric acid onto the tissue, the potassium permanganate and sulfuric acid will mix to produce manganese heptoxide which will result to fire."

Natahimik ang lima at napatitig kay Queenie who innocently adjusted her glasses once again.

"Uhh, wala akong naintindihan sa isa sa mga sinabi mo, but it sounds brilliant," Jarrell remarked jokingly.

"Explain in English, please," Sera rolled her eyes.

"What Quinn is basically trying to say is that acetone, plus sulfuric acid, plus potassium permanganate, equals to fire," Ann nodded, putting the pieces together.

"Ang tanong nalang ngayon ay, sino ang arsonist?" she asked out loud as the six Campus Sleuths stared the clues in deep thought.

The investigation of the sleuths continued until the next day, when the bright sunlight pouring from the laboratory helped them see the crime scene in a better light. Halos wala nang tulog ang anim dahil sa imbestigasyon, lalo na't alam nilang nasuri na rin ng student council ang sunog.

Enzo himself had visited the laboratory, and the six knew for sure that they better take advantage of the crime scene before the council could clean it up too. 

"Based from the CCTV cameras, there were no activity from neither dormitory buildings. Wala ring suspicious na tao ang pumasok sa campus grounds kahapon. Also, the hallway leading to science laboratory was empty. Para ngang nangyari 'yung sunog on its own eh!" Queenie reported to the others by noon.

None of them had any proper rest yet, and the spectacled-girl was living off from only three cups of coffee.

"Imposible namang walang nahagilap ang camera. There's no other way to enter the science laboratory except that way. Ano 'yun, invisible yung arsonist?" Quinn asked his twin sister as he paced around the room, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Are you calling me a liar, dearest brother?" Queenie said dryly, sipping once more from her third cup of coffee that day. "I checked the cameras three times. I even copied the tapes to triple check it."

"The culprit must've done something with the cameras then," Sera cut in, checking her reflection through her compact mirror. "My god, look at these eyebags. I need my beauty sleep ASAP."

Biglang napatigil ang usapan nila nang nagmamadaling pumasok ang isang natatarantang Jarrell sa opisina ng Campus Sleuths. Pinagpapawisan ito at may dala-dalang ziploc bag na may laman na isang sterile gauze pad.

"I went back to the lab before the council could clean it up," hinihingal niyang sabi. "Mas mabuti nang sigurado at baka may na-miss out tayo since madilim kagabi. And look what I've found!"

The Campus Sleuths gathered around Jarrell who placed the ziploc back onto the main desk.

Everyone stared down at the gauze pad. Doon nila napansin ang mga dugong nakabahid sa gauze pad.

"It's blood!" Sera gasped in surprise.

"Hmhmm," Jarrell hummed in agreement with a grin. "At posibleng dugo ito ng arsonist!"

"Jarrell, dalhin mo na agad 'to sa O.C.P. Kailangan natin 'tong ibigay sa forensics," Rein told him in a serious tone. Agad na tumango si Jarrell at tumakbo papalabas ng opisina, dala-dala ang hawak na ziploc bag.

---

It was evening by the time the six had heard news from the Castillian Police.

"Medyo faint at scarce ang nakalap na dugo ni Jarrell kaya unti lang ang nakuhang impormasyon mula rito," sabi ni Hepe Arturio sa kanila, who was speaking through the other end of the line.

Ni-loud speaker ni Rein ang kaniyang cellphone para marinig nilang lahat ang nakuhang balita mula sa forensics.

"But of course, good job Jarrell! Mabuti at nakita mo ang dugo since pwede itong maging isa sa mga evidences niyo," the chief praised the mayor's son who grinned proudly.

"Ano po bang sinabi ng forensics team tungkol sa blood substance?" tanong ni Queenie.

"AB," he said with a clear voice. "AB ang blood type ng dugong ito. Unfortunately, 'yun lang ang nakuhang impormasyon ng forensics team."

There was a sort of bustle from the other line as if the police officer was talking to someone else in the background before speaking once more to the phone. "Ah, I'm sorry to end this call shortly sleuths, but an urgent matter just showed up here in headquarters," the chief said apologetically, much to the disappointment yet again of the sleuths.

"It's alright chief, we'll stay in touch. Thank you so much," Ann replied, to which the older man ended the call with a hearty, "Good luck, Campus Sleuths!"

Nang ibinaba na ng hepe ang tawag ay saka natahimik ang anim.

"This only means one thing," Ann told the others. "We have to interview each student with the blood type AB to get their alibis."

"Yep, process of elimination ang kakampi natin dito. For now, let's get some rest," sabi naman ni Quinn before yawning and slouching on the chair she was sitting. "I don't know about you guys, pero napuyat ako kagabi."

"UGHHH! Kayo nalang! Katamad!" inaantok na sabi ni Jarrell at saka humilata sa sofa ng Campus Sleuths' office.

The developments of the case had taken a toll even on Ann who decided to be left in their office that afternoon to do further research on the effects of acetone to combustion. Gabi na nang naisipan ng dalaga na mag-empake at umuwi sa dormitory, closing the office doors behind her. 

Just as she was about to walk down the empty hallway, two familiar shadows passed by the opposite corridor, enough to make Ann suspicious.

Quietly, she quickened her steps to peer from behind the corner of the hallway she was in. Down the other end of the corridor seemed to be the backs of two other students who were flirting with one another. 

"Enzo and Elysia?" Ann murmured, narrowing her eyes. Agad niyang sinundan ang dalawa, following them from a safe distance. This was it. She was going to finally know what the student council president's secret was.

Her heart hammering against her chest, she then slipped past the many stone statues in the corridor, trying to keep up with the two who seemed to be walking at an oddly fast pace before turning to another hallway.

"Where the hell are you going," the Lobris girl hissed, following them into the same corridor. But just as she rounded the corner, the boy suddenly pushed the dazed, giggling girl towards one of the lockers before kissing her passionately into a heated make out session.

Ann froze in her tracks. It was far from the student council president and the Gazette writer.

It was Rein and Yenna.

---

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