Nicholas Gaspard.

"You're a former admin, aren't you?"

He smiled. "And an author. Nasa ECU library ang ilan sa mga akda ko, pero nag-donate din ako noon ng kopya sa Eastwood Archives. Baka gusto mo ng signed copy?"

"Cut the bullshit," The Phantom growled and ripped the application letter in half. "Kasama ka nila. Ang lakas ng loob mong tumapak sa teritoryo namin at magkunwaring hindi ka nila kasabwat!"

Pero hindi natinag si Nicholas at malumanay na nilabas ang isa pang kopya ng application letter mula sa kanyang briefcase. Naglalaman pa ito ng ilang mga manikang mistulang may sariling buhay at gustong makapanakit. "Behave yourselves," he whispered before turning to the other killer, the martini in front of him left untouched.

"Hindi ako nagpunta rito para mahusgahan batay sa pinanggalingan ko. Shouldn't it be protocol to treat all applicants fairly? O baka hindi mo 'yon nabasa sa section 3.2.2 ng EKT adminship handbook?"

The Phantom glared at him. Maya-maya pa, napansin na ni Nicholas ang pag-angat ng ilang mga upuang nakapalibot sa kanila.

'Telekinesis,' he remembered what his power was. Marami na siyang nabalitaan sa isang 'to at aaminin niyang hindi biro ang track record ng Phantom. He was the leading killer in the game after their season, known to be the man responsible for wiping out an entire village and slaughtering hundreds back in the days without even lifting a finger.

'He doesn't lift a finger. Meanwhile, my fingers are the source of life for my creations.'

The differences in ideaologies also separated them, kaya hindi na rin siya nagtaka nang subukan siya nitong tapusin on the spot. Mabuti na lang talaga at lumitaw ang isang (matinong) lalaki mula sa sulok ng private room at lumapit sa kanila.

"My apologies, Puppet Master. He doesn't even know how to read," the new secretary stated. Ipinatong nito ang kanyang kamay sa balikat ni Phantom, na naging dahilan para mapangiwi ito sa sakit at bumagsak ang mga lumilipad na upuan. Tinapunan ni Metamorph ng masamang tingin ang kanyang kasama bago bumaling kay Nicholas. "But surely you understand our hesitation and trust issues. Paano kami makasisiguradong hindi ka na konektado sa mga Neverwoods? Ang buong akala namin ay naging mabuting nilalang ka na."

Mahinang natawa si Nicholas at sumandal sa kanyang upuan.

"Being on the good side is overrated. Isang katangahan na siguro ang sayangin ang mga talento ko sa kanila," marahang sagot nito at ininom ang alak. It was probably laced with poison, but at this point he already knew it was more of a show of trust. "Nobody fights on the losing side. Even puppets aren't naive enough to be controlled in that way. At malinaw sa akin kung anong panig ang mananalo sa larong ito. Isang kahibangan ang lumaban para sa mga taong matagal nang may kurapsyon sa kanilang mga sarili."

"And the Neverwoods?"

"I can tell you all their secrets. Plus the fact that I know where each and every one of their residences are. I'll send the pin locations if you want."

Metamorph stared at him for a moment before writing something down on his clipboard.

Umismid naman si Phantom. "Kung sa tingin mo ay madadala kami ng mabubulaklak na salita, nagkakamali---"

"When can you start?"

The Phantom's jaw almost dropped when he saw Metamorph already giving him the contract.

Ngumiti naman si Puppet Master at kinuha ang ballpen sa kanyang bulsa para pirmahan ito.

"I can start right now. What do you need me to do?"

*

Makalipas ang isang nakakapagod na araw ng pagtatrabaho sa kanyang bagong opisina, nadatnan ni Nicholas ang bulto ng lalaking humarang sa kanya sa exit ng bar.

Hindi na siya nagulat nang makita roon si Phantom.

The destruction in his eyes told the Puppet Master everything he needed to know. For one, "I suppose you're not here to congratulate me on my first day. Am I right?"

Napasimangot ang killer at halatang nagpipigil lang magsimula ng gulo. Sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata, napansin nilang nakatutok na ang CCTV camera sa kanila.

"Nakabantay ako sa bawat kilos mo. Hindi porke't napaniwala mo si Metamorph ay mapapaniwala mo na rin ako," pagbabanta nito bago naglakad papalayo.

Nicholas smirked, knowing as long as he was within the quarters and bound legally to EKT, the Phantom's words will just remain empty threats.

Kaya naman, bitbit ang kanyang maleta at bagong employee RFID, lumabas na ng Limekilm Antigone Turtle ang Puppet Master. 'Madilim na pala,' isip-isip nito habang naglalakad papalayo. Tinakpan niya ang kanyang mukha ng suot niyang sumbrero at nagpatuloy sa pinakamalapit na train station. Doon ay pasimple siyang bumili ng ticket at naupo na sa pinakadulong bahagi nito kung saan walang makakarinig.

His tracker hidden under his high neck shirt blinked.

Nicholas fetched the communicator from his briefcase and wore it on his ear, just in time for Chayse's voice to be audible.

"Good job, Puppet Master. Salamat at naabala ka namin sa misyong ito. I'll have our men keep an eye on the Phantom."

The elder man smiled. "Nonesense, KC. I can handle the rest. Nakakalimutan niyo yatang isa ako sa kinatatakutan ng ibang killers noong nakaraang mga season ng Elite Killing Tournament. I made quite a reputation, if I say so myself."

Ah, yes. The good ol' days, bloodshed and killing sprees and all.

"Okay, okay. Teka at may sinasabi na sa'kin sina Nap. Meet you in the headquarters in a bit. Ciao!"

At namatay na ang linya.

PHASE II OF CHAYSE'S PLAN:
Destroy the administration from inside.

---

I watched the lighthouse vanish,
before my very eyes;
'neath the fog of sheer deception
down to the smallest lie.

---Chayse Dayanghirang