Chapter 18 -Confess

"What do you mean?"

"Case closed then.. pwede na ba kameng umuwi--"

Biglang sabi ni Lucas sabay tayo nya mula sa upuan pero agad den naman syang pinigilan ni Hunter at hinarangan ng kamay.

"No one leaves.." Said Hunter with a cold voice at agad namang natigilan si Lucas saka napakunot ang noo.

"W-what? Umamin na si Ray.. ano pang purpose namen dit--"

"I said.. No one leaves"

Agad namang napaurong si Lucas saka napaupo sa upuan ng bigla syang harapin ni Hunter at tinitigan ng diretso sa mata as his voice's stressed was amplified through those words.

Nabahid naman sa mukha nya yung takot at pansing pansin panginginig ng mga kamay nya wtf.. bakla Lucas HAHAHA.

"You're so desperate to leave.. maybe you have something to tell that you don't want us to know"

Said Hunter, a hunch panakot kay Lucas saka nya inayos ayos yung necktie ng polo nya at pinutok mga daliri nya sa kamay.

Agad namang napalunok si Lucas saka napaholding hands sa sarili nya habang nangangatog naman na ngayon paa nya.. HAHAHA.

"No one leaves until i'm done interrogating.." sabi nya samen atsaka naman napayuko si Lucas, "Go ahead Mr. Ray"

Saka turo nya kay Ray at napunta naman ulet lahat ng atensyon sa kanya..

Napaayos naman ng upo si Ray then he cleared his throat saka pinasadahan kameng lahat ng tingin at bumwelo ng ilang segundo bago ulit sya muling nagsalita..

"S-so ayun nga.. I'-i was.. helping him escape life"

Paguulet ni Ray sa sinabe nya saka sya napalunok tsk.. I can't believe he lied a while ago.. pinagtanggol ko pa man din sya nyeta.

"I wanna help him escape life.. but not like this.."

Said Ray habang nagcracrack boses nya saka ulet sya napakamao.

"Sabi ko sa kanya.. magpahuli na sya sa pulis.. face the consequences sa ginawa nya kay Aize.. b-but he didn't listen to me.."

Sabi nya saka biglang hinampas hampas binti nya habang nakapinta sa mga mata nya yung galit at paghihinayang sa nangyare.

"So you could've saved Dale if you convinced him enough, pity"

Kunot noo naman akong napatingin kay Hunter atsaka nagulat ng biglang lumakas paghampas ni Ray sa sarili nya..

"Wth men?! Oo na nga nakapasan na nga sa kanya eh, obvious na diba!? Bat mo pa sasabihen!?"

Sigaw ko sa kanya at agad naman syang napailing iling saka may sumilip na ngiti mula sa bibig nya, aish.. what's wrong with him.

"Sad, poor human emotions, can't even tell a truthful word then he'll just tampered it with an emotional tamtrum, haha"

Agad namang uminit dugo ko sa sinabe nya saka sya tumawa ng mahina at inayos pagkakaupo mula sa upuan, tsk.. it must be good being a detective huh? You cold pyscho, wala man lang pakiramdam nyeta.

Napatigil naman agad si Ray sa paghampas sa sarili nya saka napapisil sa mga kamao nya habang inalis na ni Hunter tingin nya sa kanya at ibinaling na kay Lucas.

"Well you, maybe you'll tell the truth.. spill it"

Sabi nya saka naman napaubo-ubo si Lucas at pansing pansin sa kanyang takot paden sya kay Hunter.. tsk.

"W-well.. anong sasabihin ko?! Ni hindi ko nga alam bat nandito ak--"

"Really? Can you tell me.. Mr. Adler nung--"

Napatawa naman ng mahina si Lucas sa narinig nya saka napailing-iling dahilan para mapatigil si Hunter sa pagsasalita.

"Don't call me Adler.."

"Okay.. Mr. Adler"

Paguulit ni Hunter saka naman biglang naginit ulo ni Lucas sa kanya saka sya napapikit ng saglet at napabuntong hininga.

"I SAID DON'T CALL ME ADLEERRR!!"

Napuno naman yung kwarto ng sigaw nya dahilan para mapatakip kameng lahat ng tenga maliban kay Hunter na seryosong pading nakatingin kay Lucas, not loosing his eye contact.

Napahinga naman ng sunod-sunod na malalalim si Lucas matapos nya sumigaw at tanging paghinga nya lang rinig sa paligid ng biglang tumahimik lahat pati na si Hunter na nakatitig paden sa kanya.

"W-what?!"

Sigaw nya kay Hunter na wala pading reaksiyon at nakatitig paden sa kanya.

"H-hooooy!"

"Don't you dare shout at me again.."

Seryosong sabi ni Hunter saka naman napakunot mga noo namen sa kanya.

"What?! You scared of being shouted at--?!"

"I'm scared for you... cause you're not gonna like it once I do got angry"

Agad namang napalunok si Lucas sa sinabe ni Hunter na ngayon ay nakakamao at halatang pinipigilan sarili nyang magalit..

Ilang minuto namang walang nagsalita samen habang nangangatog paden si Lucas sa takot at ako, pinagmamasdan ko lang si Hunter na ngayon ay kinakagat ibabang parte ng labi nya habang nakayuko.

I don't know why but.. I wanna see him get angry.. lalo na sa sinabe nya kaninang ayaw nyang magalit cause we'll not gonna like it once he do.. makes me wanna see it more HAHAHA argh, curiousity.

I wanna see him get angry too.

Oh, diba--?! Wait, Nagparamdam ka?kanina ka pa tahimik ah.

I don't meddle with Dale's case, balakayodyan.

Takot ka lang eh.

Meh.

HAHAHA.

"Speak.. Mr. Adler"

"I said don't--!!"

Agad namang naputol si Lucas na sisigaw sana ulet ng biglang tumingala si Hunter at tinitigan ulet sya.. tsk, yung mata nya kase.. it's enough to silence someone by just looking at it.

"S-so.. ayun nga ahaha.."

Utal-utal na sabi ni Lucas saka ulet sya napalunok habang ligong ligo katawan nya sa pawis jusq.

"The day Aize got stabbed you and Joshua ran after Dale as per said by your friends.. is this true?"

Sabi ni Hunter saka naman tumango tango si Lucas sa kanya.

"Did you got him? Obviously not.. but do you really?"

Agad naman akong nairita sa sinabe nya jusq, eto nanaman tayo eh.. is it? Is not? Really? Or do you really? Psh.

"A-actually.."

"Don't lie like Mr. Ray did or else.. i'll get pissed"

Putol ni Hunter sa kanya saka ulet sya napalunok jusq HAHA, puno na siguro ng laway tyan nento ni Lucas kanina pa lunok ng lunok.

"Y-yes.. we followed Dale.."

Pagtuloy ni Lucas sa kwento nya saka naman naging seryoso ulet lahat sa pakikinig..

"Sa gitna ng paghabol namen.. I took down Dale and he was lying on the floor.. a-and.."

Natigil naman ng saglet si Lucas at mukhang nagdadalawang isip pa syang magsalita saka sya napatingin kay Hunter at agad napaiwas..

"Argh.. he was lying on the floor I.. I punched him several times!"

"And Joshua was there?"

Napayuko naman ng bahagya si Lucas saka umiling iling..

What? Akala ko magkasama sila ni Joshua? Bat di ren nila sinabe saken.. pero sabagay di ko den natanong nung nasa ospital ako.

"And this occured outside the school's premise right?"

"Ye-yeah.."

Sagot ni Lucas sa kanya saka naman may nilabas na notepad si Hunter mula sa coat nya at saka nagjot down don.

"Continue Mr. Adler"

Napapikit naman ulet si Lucas sa narinig nya at mas napahigpit pisil nya sa kamao nya pero pinigilan nyang sumigaw at nagbuntong hininga nalang sya jusq.

Ano ba problema neto sa apelyido nya HAHAHA, ganda naman eh.

"He's face was all messed up.. and he wasn't even begging for me to stop punching him.. d-di ko den alam dinadama nya lang yung mga sapak ko sa kanya"

Dale was really weird.. what's with him.. tsk.

"And how did he got away?"

Napahawak naman si Lucas sa kamay nya saka saglet na tumahimik habang pinaglalaruan nya lang mga daliri nya..

"How did he got away Mr. Adler"

Nakayuko lang si Lucas at nagbingibingihan sa sinabe ni Hunter habang nanginginig mga kamay nya at parang ayaw magsalita.

"Mr. Ad-ler... How did he got away"

Pagulit ni Hunter sa kanya at di paden sya nasagot at patuloy lang nyang pinaglalaruan nanginginig nyang kamay.

"Mr. Ad-ler.. How--"

"Ok fine! I let him"

Pagputol ni Lucas sa kanya saka naman napangiti si Hunter atsaka nagjot down sa notepad nya.

"Ngina, para san ba yan?! Interview ba to!"

"Continue Mr. Adler"

Nagkatinginan naman kame bigla ni Ray na katabi ko lang at mukhang parehas kame ng iniisip saka ulet muling napatingin sa kanila Lucas at Hunter.

Hmmm, weird.. bat kay Lucas lang sya nagjojot down sa notepad nya.. anong meron.

"I let him go away cause he.. he wants.."

Utal utal na sabi ni Lucas habang nanginginig boses nya.

"He wants.. what?"

"H-he wants me to kill him.."

Agad naman kameng nagulat lahat sa sinabe ni Lucas habang sinusulat lang ni Hunter lahat ng sinabe nya.

"B-but I didn't.. I let him go!"

"But after that did you made the deal?"

Tanong ni Hunter sa kanya saka naman napalunok ule si Lucas saka umiling iling.

"No.. no, no! I swear to you.. No! After that wala na kameng communication.. swear!"

Paulit ulit nyang sabi at halata ang takot sa boses nyang nangangarag ngarag habang tuluyan na syang naliligo sa pawis nya.

"Really? Weird Mr. Adler.. morning on that day.. Dale chatted you.."

"tsk, nosy detective"

"What is it? Come again?"

Agad namang nagulat si Lucas saka kame pinasadahan lahat ng tingin.. psh, bobo kase bubulong nalang rinig na rinig pa.

"Yeah, Dale chatted me! Pero di ako yung nauna.. he was just.. asking me to come o-over.. to their house.."

Wtf.. daming confession nento ni Lucas ah, HAHAHA he's kinda suspicious but.. nah, how can he? Di naman sya ganon.

Swapang man to at mayabang alam kong di nya magagawang p-pumatay.. duwag pa naman to HAHAHA.

"So did you?"

"Y-yes.. kase akala ko.. arghh"

Natigilan ulet sya saka napailing iling at pinunasan nya pawis nya mula sa mukha gamit handkerchief nya saka napabuntong hininga.

"Tsk.. arghh.. I wanna be a hero okay?!"

Bigla namang napatawa ng mahina si Ray samantalang ako, muntik ng masamid sa sinabe nya jusq.

Typical Lucas.

"You wanna be a hero huh? Pathetic"

Said Hunter then he smirked saka may binura mula sa notepad nya as he shakes his head at napahawak sa noo.

"What?! Tsk.. maganda naman hangarin ko ah.."

"Okay okay.. tell us more 'Super Adler'.. what happened to your heroic deed?"

Napatawa naman ako ng mahina ng biglang asarin ni Hunter si Lucas habang si Ray eh di na mapigilan paghagalpak nya ng tawa kala mong mamatay na HAHAHA.

"Psh.. ewansenyo basta I did what is right and just.."

"Shet may 'Super Motto' na sya HAHAHAHA-- aww p0tek"

Pangaasar ni Ray saka sya biglang hinampas ni Lucas dahilan para mapakamot sya sa ulo nya.

Jusq, kala mong mga hindi suspect sa isang murder eh makapagasaran eh HAHAHAHA.

"Continue Mr. Adler.."

"So ayun nga.. chinat nya kong pumunta sa bahay nila edi ibig sabihin nandun sya, tinatago sya ng pamilya nya.."

That's also what I've been thinking pero nah, si tita? Or ewan anak den kase nila di naten masasabe.

"That's why I called the police.."

"Oh, so you're the one who called huh"

So it's Lucas.. akala ko random visit lang nung mga police tsk, oh kaya den pala may search and warrant na sila kase may nagreport na.. it's him.

"I told them, I am the witness and I told them to immediately search the house.. saka nako umuwi agad.. nalaman ko nalang pinaguusapan na nila Aaron sa gc namen.. nagulat nalang ako ng.. malaman kong nagpakamatay sya.. a-akala ko mahuhuli sya.. tsk.. and swear that's everything"

Pageexplain ni Lucas at tumigil naman agad si Hunter sa pagsusulat saka isinara yung notepad at ibinalik sa coat nya.

Napabuntong hininga sya saka tumayo mula sa upuan nya at ibinalik dun sa pile saka kame muling hinarap.

"Thank you for cooperating.. especially you Mr. Adler.. I expected honesty from all of you three but was disappointed when somebody lied..."

Sabi nya with a calm face and voice habang nakapamulsa at pinasadahan kameng lahat ng tingin saka naangkla kay Ray.

"It's a shame really.."

He said while staring at Ray with those dead brown eyes and pale expression.. it's so cold.. enough to make you freeze from your position.

"You can go back to your classes now, Vamos"

Sabay talikod nya samen at nauna naman agad tumayo si Lucas saka lumabas ng office habang natira kameng tatlo dito nila Ray.

"Tara na Aiden.."

Aya saken ni Ray at sinenyasan ko naman sya na wag muna saka ko lumapit kay Hunter.

Nakatalikod sya samen ngayon at nakaharap sa pader habang may hawak hawak sya sa kamay nyang pendant ng kwintas na nakasabet sa leeg nya.

"H-hunter.."

Mahinang tawag ko sa kanya saka naman agad sya napalingon at biglang pinasok agad yung necklace sa loob ng polo shirt nya.

"Y-yes..? Why aren't you leaving yet?"

"Pwede ko po bang malaman anong ginawa nung killer sa pagpatay kay.. D-Dale.. sinaksak po ba? Binaril? What?"

Tanong ko sa kanya saka naman nya inayos buhok nya at humarap samen.

"It's classified Mr. Aiden but to answer your question.. no blood spilled"

Hmmmm, so he could've been killed by choking or Poisoned?

"Sa autopsy po ba anong lumaba--"

"Enough questions.. go back to your classes now"

Putol nya saken saka naman ako napatulala sa kanya.. nabaling tingin ko sa polo nya at medyo nasilip yung necklace na hawak hawak nya kanina.. and hindi pala sya pendant..

It's a locket..

"Vamos Rápida.. Out"

Muling sabi nya saken saka naman ako hinila ni Ray palabas ng office ni maam.

"Hays, nakalabas den.."

Agad na singhal ni Ray pagsarang pagsara nya ng pinto saka huminga ng malalim.

"Weird.. that guy.. atsaka nagsasalita sya ng spanish lol HAHAHA"

Sabi ni Ray saka naman nya ko binitawan at pumunta sa ledge ng building para sumilip sa ibaba..

Hays, anlakas ng hangin dito parang aircon paden jusq, 4th floor ba naman HAHAHA.

Napatingin naman ako kay Ray na biglang tumahimik at nakatingin lang sya sa ibaba ng building habang nilalanghap yung hangin.

I still can't believe he lied kanina.. or is Hunter just guessing..

"Ray"

"Oh?"

Sagot nya saken ng hindi ako nililingon at nakasandal paden sa rehas ng building habang nakatingin sa baba.

Hmmmm, please tell it to me Ray.

"Nagsinungaling ka ba kanina?"

Tanong ko sa kanya at ilang segundo nya kong hindi sinagot at tanging katahimikan lang namayani sameng dalawa.

"Ray, you can tell me"

Sabi ko ulet saka ko lumapit ng konti sa kanya at wala paden syang imik saken.

"Magkaibigan tayo you can tell--"

"Huh? Ano?"

Nagulat ako ng bigla nya kong hinarap ng nakakunot noo at nakapamulsa ang kamay habang iniintay nya kong sagutin tanong nya.

"Nagsinungalin--"

"Oh, tignan mo yung oras.. late na tayo sa klase ni Prof. Drake lika na dre"

Putol nya saken sabay tingin sa relo saka naunang naglakad.. tsk

He's clearly avoiding the question.

I know.. tsk.

Admit it he..

He lied, hays.

I wanna know the truth, tsk.

How can I make him confess what really happened.

You're not a detective, Aiden.

Yes, I am not.. but I need to bring justice for Dale..

Wow, you sounded like Lucas.. 'Super Aiden' HAHAHAHA.

HAHAHA, funny.. basta ang alam ko lang.. Dale never stabbed me for no reason..

Careful Aiden.. conclusions are just conclusions without proofs..

I'll find proof..

Wow, how are you gonna do that?!

"Oh, Aiden why are you still here? I've already told you to go back to your classes"

Said Hunter paglabas nya ng office ni Tita Celestine saka naglakad palayo saken.

Don't tell me.. it's

Yeah it is.

As if namang papayagan ka HAHAHA.

"Hunter-- Ehem.. Mr. Hunter"

Tawag ko sa kanya saka naman sya napatigil sa paglalakad at nilingon ako.

Hays, Aiden.. you're Crazy.

"Yes? 'Mr.' Aiden.. why are you calling me mister"

Sabi nya saken saka nya ko tinitigan ng diretso sa mata.. he's eyes tho it's really intimidating.

He's vivid posture and stance.. he's voice, hair and he's overall appearance it's overwhelming.

The way he questions.. he's words.. everything.. it's so cool.

"What is it boy? Are you just gonna stare at me the whole day?"

Sabi nya saken saka naman agad akong napangiti sa kanya.

I walked and took a few steps towards him saka den ako tumingin ng direto sa mata nya.

You're insane Aiden.

"Mr. Hunter--"

Really.. Insane.

"I wanna join the investigation"

Agad kong bitaw ng salita sa kanya habang tuwid akong nakatayo at di iniwas tingin ko ng diretso sa mga mata nya at ilang segundong tumahimik yung paligid.

Great try Aiden.. HAHAHA.

Shut up.

Napailing iling naman bigla si hunter saka napabuntong hininga..

He laughed a little saka nya ginulo gulo buhok ko atsaka ako tinalikuran.

Wtf.. rude.

"Hoy! Hunter!"

Sigaw ko sa kanya at tuloy tuloy lang syang naglakad palayo saken habang para kong tangang naiwan don.

Told you, he won't.

Tsk..

"Hoy!"

"You still have a lot to learn kid.. just leave the case to us"

Sabi nya saken habang naglalakad sya saka sya nagtaas ng kamay at kinaway kaway sa gawi ko tsk.

Ano ba kaseng iniisip mo? Kala mo namang makakasama ka talag--

"I know what's inside Dale's letter"

Sabi ko sa kanya saka naman sya biglang napatigil sa paglalakad.

Wtf Aiden?! Baliw ka ba?!

"I know and have informations thay could greatly help the investigation.. if only--"

"What's your deal kid.. why are you so desperate to solve the case?"

Putol nya saken saka na nya ko biglang hinarap.

"I wanna clear my name"

Agad kong sabi sa kanya saka naman sya napangisi at napailing iling.

"Pathetic.."

"And I wanna bring justice to Dale's death"

Dugtong ko saka naman sya napatingin saken at humakbang ng ilang beses papalapit saken.

"Mr. Aiden.. you are a suspect.. how can you be a part of the investigation?"

Tanong nya saken habang nakatintin ng diretso sa mga mata ko.

"Exactly.. i'm a suspect.. you'll always have me if maging ako man talaga yung pumatay sa k-kanya"

Sagot ko sa kanya saka naman nya agad akong tinalikuran..

You're really crazy Aiden.

Shhh..

"Mr. Aiden"

Tawag nya saken habang nakatalikod sya at inaayos ayos yung necktie nya.

"Thank you for your cooperation but do you really think... we didn't open the letter"

Agad naman akong nagulat sa sinabe nya saka ako napaatras ng konti mula sa kanya.

Bobo ka talaga.

"We never let evidences just slip on our hands Mr. Aiden.. thank you for willingly offering it.."

Huling sabe nya saken saka sya tuluyang naglakad papalayo saken tsk..

You really don't think before doing something, don't you?!

Tsk, shut up.. I didn't realize.

"Continue covering your traces Mr. Aiden but I won't let you go too further into our investigation team.. if you really are.. our 'guy' we'll know it soon.."

Muling salita nya saka na sya bumaba sa hagdan at ako nalang naiwan sa 4th floor ng building tsk.

Bobo mo talaga.

Tsk, shut up.

Ako paden pinaghihinalaan nila, amp.

Fingers are still pointed at me..

This killer really outdone it huh.. with all the evidences.. sinasadya nya talagang.. ako masisi.

He's framing me up..

Shet.

...