CHAPTER TWO

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EVERYTHING HAS A COST 

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There are murders and violent deaths in this chapter. Read it at your own risk. You have been warned. 

A HISTORICAL government building, the Provincial Capitol of Laguna spans the province's political history from colonial times to the present. The ebb and flow of time, the turmoil of conflict, the unrelenting tropical sun, and the fury of the storms have all worn down its walls. Nevertheless, power that directs Laguna's fate comes from within its inner sanctuary. Laguna Bay served as Laguna's initial capital, not Sta. Cruz. It became the capital in 1581.

Nevertheless, in 1688, Pagsanjan became the new provincial capital, and the Soriano family's large home near the square served as the capitol. At long last, in 1858, Sta. Cruz was elected capital of Laguna. Only in 1907, however, did the capitol's construction plan come to pass.

That's essentially how it started.

However, an assortment of old trees, including talisay trees, can be seen all across this area. But most likely not in the way you had ever envisioned. The trees' shadows differ from those of the gleaming Talisay trees that are visible. The air appeared to be very silent, but what might have been going on in between those seemingly peaceful surroundings? It's said that these trees are millimeters long, tapering down to a narrow, heart-shaped base with a larger, rounded apex.

The short, sturdy leaves were gradually falling from the ground, giving the area surrounding Laguna a spooky, enigmatic feel. The air, silence, and stillness on it give the impression that it was speaking to the mourners of the lives lost.

"Katana," Sonora called, "Alam kong uhaw ka sa hustisya dahil sa mga nangyari kay Tita Ellie, pero pwede ba, Katana huminahon ka muna!"

"What? Me? Ngayon na nasagawa ko na lahat ng plano ko, ngayon pa ako susuko? I don't care if they're fucking elites or anything else," Katana said, crossing her arms before grabbing her lighter, lighting her cigarettes, and grinning at her.

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"Katana, makinig ka—" 

"So, I see where this goes," Katana said, merely flipping her hair before glancing at her. "Are you not extremely concerned about me as a result of that jerk at Manila's Vermilion College?"

"Haha. Funny ka 'no? I don't even wish to be associated with a murderer's son." Umirap si Sonara at pinagdilatan na lang siya ng mata. Katana can read her all through this circumstance, therefore even if she fails to say anything, she can just smirk.

Katana looked at the windows as the car went slowly. It was a 1937 Buick Roadmaster sedan with four doors that was black. Makikita mo rin na halos luma na ang mga talisay trees na kanilang nadadaanan, the trees were already covered in mist, which appeared to have begun to wrinkle and turn black. Because it had been there for a longer period of time, it wasn't as strong as it once was.

At last, they stopped for a moment at Sonora's residence ay nanlaki na lang mata niya at hindi pa rin niya maiwasan mamamgha dito sa lugar na 'to. She built her home in the Italianate style. A large number of Victorian pattern books, many of which are still available in reproductions, helped the style swiftly spread throughout the United States.

Italian Renaissance villas are evocative of Victorian Italianate homes with their low roofs, wide eaves, and decorative brackets. On their roofs, some even have a lovely cupola.

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"Why would a mafia boss's wife want to spend time with me? 'Di mo naman sinabi na uuwi pala tayo sa inyo. You know, I'm headed to look into those elites." Kumunot na lang ang noo ni Katana. She detested being alone at home most of the time. Particularly if she isn't allowed to touch books.

"Don't act like that; you know that mom loves you! Madalang na rin kasi pumunta sina Soni at Ellavie and consequently, you rank third among her favorites! Come on, come!" Hinatak ni Sonora palabas si Katana at sumimangot ang mukha nito.

She obviously had no other option now, didn't she? Then, a woman with curly, bouncy black hair came up to them both and unexpectedly embraced Katana.

"I miss you! Ang tagal mo nang 'di napupunta rito, Katana! I was informed by Sonora about some of your school-related issues. Ikaw na bata ka!" tapik na lang ni Adele, and they were discussing the wife of a mafia boss. Let's not forget about Sonara's mother.

Isa sa mga malalaking impluwensya ang pamilya ni Sonora. Katana would assume that they are just another powerful family in Laguna if she didn't know them well. But this family has another quality that could make you gasp for air and make them even more enigmatic.They're not a normal family. And who would want to offend a family like Alcaraz?

Dahil dito, salamat sa impluwensya ng kanyang pamilya, at naggaawang makatakas at makawala si Katana sa kanyang walang habas na kilos. Sila'y itinuturing na makapangyarihan at maimpluwensya sa buong komunidad ng negosyo dito sa Laguna. May mga tsismis pa na nagmamay-ari sila ng isang sikat na brand ng kosmetiko at bali-balita pa nga na marami rin silang nakakaway, at alam ng iba kung ano'ng kapupuntahan nila 'pag kinalaban nila ang pamilyang 'to.

You won't be able to escape alive if you try to mess with the family.

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"Sinabi mo pa, Mama!" Napahawak na lang si Sonora sa noo at hinatak si Katana and she poured at her, "Ikaw ha! 'Di ko pa nakakalimutan ang ginawa mo kay Commander. At kung hindi dahil sa'kin baka napahamak ka na!"

Naglakad si Katana, at napahawaksa baba niya, at nagsimulang maglakad-lakad. At agad niyang kinuha ang litrato at pinagpag pa niya 'to. There were footsteps at the Averton School of Arts entrance.

"Mrs. Alcaraz, let me use your computer for a little while!" Sigaw na lang niya at dumiretso siya agad sa kwarto ni Sonara, at nagtatakbo papunta ro'n. Napakagat na lang si Sonora sa labi at napailing na lang, 'Tignan mo 'tong babaeng 'to! Akin 'yon, ah! 'Di man lang nagpaalam!' Katana must be extremely cautious of her surroundings, and Sonora is the only person she can truly rely on for significant matters like this.

Furthermore, the mystery surrounding the Averton School of Arts is only getting started.

Katana then swiftly opened the computer, placed her fingers on the metal keys, inhaled deeply, and looked down at the monitor's flickering lights. She recognized the sensation of the machine attempting to open its surface.

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Wires and switches were all messed up, and it seemed like there was nowhere to go. She can't give up on something like this, though. So she waited. Then, with a final flick of her hand, she managed to grab the main switch and activate the machine. She adjusted the light and then entered the file list after her eyes widened and she finally tapped some code before entering it.

Here it is.

The photo is identical to the one she took. The same footsteps. The sound resembled the footsteps of saddle shoes. She was unsure whether this person was a murderer or a victim. A sense of struggle is present, as though the person was attempting to leave or perhaps hide. Whatever the situation, this person wished to avoid being killed. It's the same path her parents took.

"Ngayon magpakita kang hayop ka! Ano'ng kinalaman mo sa mga magulang ko? Did you get killed too? I'm eager to find out what your role is." Katana's lips pressed into a grin, and she finds that this laughter truly resonates deeply with her.

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ADDITIONALLY, she must be well-prepared if she plans to enroll at Averton School of Arts. Pero ang mahalaga ngayon ay maimbestigahan niya ang kaso. Ito'y iisang pattern. Sa paaralang 'to, kahit pa'no mo mahuli o pumatay ng isang tao, ay isang paraan lang ng pagpatay. Pero bakit nila gagawin 'yon?

What do they hope to achieve? Do they only wish to murder common people? Was it necessary for them to make them realize the distinctions between the elites and the nobles? Kinuha na lang ni Katana ang bolpen sa tabi niya and she was staring at the computer when he stabbed the paper next to her. She didn't understand a lot of the questions. Does status really matter that much? This is what her parents received when all they wanted to do was work as educators at that school?

Umupo si Sonora sa tabi niya and drew the chair nearer, "Sa tingin mo, isa sa mga estudyante ng Averton ang pumatay, ha? However, nearly 100 students are enrolled there. Pa'no mo naman sila hahanapin do'n?"

"Footsteps, Sonora. Fucking footsteps." Hinampas ni Katana 'yon sa mesa that caused Sonora to somewhat back down at tinignan siya ni Katana ng maigi at sinabing, "Sapat na 'yang dahilan para malaman ko na isa sa kanila ang pumatay. It's the same as the death of my parents, regardless of who the target is."

"What are you going to do next?"Sonora questioned.

"Immediately stop the murder. I must therefore locate the student and sa kanya ko aalamin kung sino'ng pumatay sa mga magulang ko." Katana glared,"I had previously been eager to enroll there, kung hindi lang nagkaletse-letse ang lahat dahil sa deputang pumatay sa magulang ko!"

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It was very clear kung sino naman talaga ang pinariringgan ni Katana. Wala nang iba kundi ang killer. She has to admit that their plan to murder her parents was absolutely flawless. All of a sudden, she was invited to participate in a ritual that she had never imagined existed in such schools. Hindi niya makakalimutan 'yon. How she let out a scream that night as she identified the two of them as practitioners. Sa mga araw na 'yon, It's obvious that she has witnessed the horror. There are two heads on the table. She is only seventeen years old. And she thought the murder had been committed by one of those enigmatic hooded individuals.

What did it do to her? She felt afraid. How they played with her parents and then made a play to hang their heads. That's what only a sane person would do. At kung siya lang ang tatanungin, matagal na niyang napagtanto na kahit kailan, 'di siya magtitiwala kahit sino sa Averton.

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Kaya inurong ni Katana ang upuan niya para makatitigan rin ng maayos si Sonora. "Kaya kailangan ko ng tulong mo," sabi ni Katana sa kanya at hinawakan niya ang kamay nito,"My eyes and ears are needed. Tell me anything you'd like to. I can also assist you in locating Ellavie from those five schools, Sonora. You're aware of my extensive research, regardless of how dubious it may seem; after all, I'm the worst journalist you have ever encountered." At sa mga sandaling 'yon, alam ni Sonora na wala nang makakapagpigil sa kagustuhan ni Katana.

"If you just stated the facts, I don't see anything worse. Sonora gets up and slides her red, curly, bouncy hair between the chairs. "But I'm warning you," she says.

"I don't think you should mess with Averton. Find your place if you wish to survive."

"I'm definitely going to stop this wicked murders," Katana said, crossing her arms and grinning as she followed her.