Chapter 27 - Dangers lurking

FRANCIS' POV:

When it was about time to end the day, the four of us, Romeo, Kenneth, Kevin, and I, have decided to stop by first at 'GAISANO MALL' which is just over at the opposite side of 'AYALA CENTRIO MALL' to buy cheap yet satisfying snacks before going home.

Yes, you heard it right… just the FOUR of us.

It is because my bro Hanzaki again, on the other hand, has gone ahead of us as usual.

I think it was somewhere near 3pm when he abruptly told us of not being able to finish the day while rushing away with a somewhat worried face.

In the midst of our fun hangout, that guy just shouted "OH NO!" out of the blue, and the people around had gone staring questionably at him, and unluckily even to us who were with him!

I sigh. He needs to make it up to us since he got us involved with his sudden display of somewhat reaction or affection, and the situation was so embarrassing for me to handle, *Grrrr*.

But I wonder what he is really busy at since this last December. Oh well, meddling into someone's private life is bad manners.

Yet still, Hanzaki must be thankful since he got friends like us that are very understanding, hmp! And I don't mean to brag about it.

"I'll take care of the bags guys. You can go first over there!" Going in line at the baggage counter with all the bags that I was holding, I raised my voice in telling my friends who were a bit far behind me.

"Then we'll be putting our trust to you with that Francis." Romeo loudened his voice.

"What are you saying? It's not like I'm going to run away with your bag or something. HEY, don't look at me as a bad guy!" I also raised my voice as well.

"Hahaha, just kidding bro."

"Better make that fast or you'll run out of food to choose with." Kevin showed his kindness and care as usual.

"Okay."

Arriving at the baggage counter which is located outside and beside the entrance of the mall, I started heading towards the last line while being anxious from seeing how ridiculously long it was.

"Oh no, now I'm regretting this. I'm being good of a person too much, huhu."

While lining up in waiting for my turn, there was a man in front of me that caught my attention. I got a bit scared because that man was somewhat giving me a scary and threatening vibe with that intimidating and serious look of his, looking like a gangster or something.

But maybe I guess it was just all inside my weird imagination. Hehe, due to this, I remembered Hanzaki because of the two's resemblance.

Surprisingly noticing what he was carrying, it was the same 'Jansport bag' which I also had brought with me today. I was awed because it really has the same style and colour blue with mine.

Luckily, not for long, the line seemed to have shortened quickly as I was nearing. The line has gone down to two more people before it would be finally my turn to deposit the bags. I thought that I would get this done with only a few seconds starting from that point of time, but unfortunately, it seems that the baggage man is having a difficulty in finding the right shelf for the huge and wide bag he is currently carrying.

While the baggage man was busy, the man in front of me suddenly stepped forward and has gone closer in front of the counter.

"I'm in a hurry. Give me a number first and I'll just put my bag here, okay?" said the man.

"Whoa, why didn't I think of that?" I mumbled at the back.

On the other hand, the busy baggage man had somehow agreed to him and has given the man a number while continuing in finding a fitting shelf at the same time.

The man who was recently in front of me walked away, and I began stepping forward in heading to the counter as well.

"Sir! I'm in a hurry too! I'll just put my things here and get a number." I nervously exclaimed, thinking that I would not get the same treatment since I'm someone younger.

"Ah, Okay. Here you go. Sorry for the trouble"

Yahooooooo!

As soon as I got my card number after putting my bags on top, I quickly dash off to catch up to my friends, leaving our bags behind that were improperly attended and not well secured.

After we finished eating our meals on the ground floor of the 'GAISANO MALL' which where the stalls that were selling cheap snacks was located, we then started to part our ways while waving our goodbyes after getting our bags back at the baggage counter.

"You guys take care"

"Same, same"

"Don't get raped by your same kind along the way!"

"Oh shut up Kenneth!"

Everyone seemed to be just fine like the usual.

"Hmmm? Something's really off, but I don't know what it is. Oh well, I guess I'll get an idea of it while I'll be on my way heading back home."

Without having the slightest idea of what would happen to me afterwards, I start making my way back like the care-free person I always am.

HANZAKI'S POV:

"I guess we don't have that much customer for today huh."

"Yeah, it's pretty much quiet here inside, and especially outside the streets." I added as Manager Alvarez was quite disappointed for today's outcome at the restaurant.

Noticing the time on the clock, 6:15 pm, it has been hours already since I left the gang.

I hope they won't seriously get mad at me because of it, suddenly leaving them behind just like that while in the middle of our fun out-goings, and not to mention I got late at my work afterwards.

Phew~ I got absorbed of having fun too much and had forgotten to check the time.

Anyways, at least I released some of the stress out of me.

Not a minute has gone by, my phone has suddenly vibrated loudly inside my bag which was placed inside the cooking area.

"Hey Hanzaki, It seems you got a message or a call." Somehow, the manager has also noticed.

"Uhhh--- Is it okay?" Reluctant of leaving my post, I asked.

"Yeah, so just go and check it out. It's fine since there are not that much people in our sight anyways."

Well, that's obviously right, but what if they come rushing when I leave my spot? Jeez, this overthinking of mine.

Without ado, I went to fetch my phone, trying to see what's in the call or text message. With a few taps and slides, I got tensed up as I saw that it was Francis' message.

"F-Francis? Are they trying to scold me here through text? "

Looking in my inbox, Francis' message goes like this:

"Have you guys already arrived at your home? If not, please meet me in front of the school. Please help me, I'm in real trouble"

Eeehh? He still hasn't gone home yet?

"But setting that aside, I wonder what happened when I was gone. But I'm still at----"

Confusingly deciding on what to do, I looked at my manager while having second thoughts.

"But it seems he's really in big trouble. And besides, that guy is not the kind person to play a prank like this" I mumbled.

After having my final decision, I then went back to my manager.

"Sir, I would like to take an early leave."

"Huh? Why is that? Did something come up?"

"Yeah, it's my friend, and it looks like he's really troubled right now and wants to meet at school."

"Hmmm, well… we didn't have many customers for today, so I guess you can go… but I can't do a thing about your work hours."

"That's fine sir. Well then, off I go."

"Okay. Then see you tomorrow kid"

After I changed clothes and took my leave, I quickly went off to Francis' location as quickly as possible.

As soon as I arrived at school where he was waiting, I saw him who was standing all alone in front of the school gate.

"So.... What's up?" While closing to my friend, I noticed something that was weird about him.

"Bro Zaki, uhh---"

Francis' face seemed really bothered with his eyes that were aggressively and nervously wandering around, somewhat being terrified of a ghost or something.

"Let's not talk here. Let's go somewhere quiet and with no people around instead."

"Eh? Oh, sure. Why not?" I said.

I wonder what's really up with this guy.

Shortly after, we stumble upon a place of what Francis had suggested which was just nearby the school. I then directly approached him back to initiate in helping him with this trouble of his.

"Okay Francis, spill the beans now."

Before he could say a thing, Francis was weirdly looking around of our surroundings once more.

"Look inside the bag." He whispered to me.

This is indeed weird. Francis rarely talked in a serious way.

While he was lifting his open bag while standing, I put my head closer inside to see what he has been trying to address all this time.

"It's so dark in this place. I can't see it clearly."

"Use your phone and adjust the brightness. Don't use the torch mode."

"Huh? Well, okay. As you say."

That being said, I did what Francis again suggested.

"Hmm… Whoa. Why do you have so many of these packs of sal------"

At first glance, I really thought it was some seasoning salts inside, but I was greatly mistaken by my naïve eyes.

Looking at Francis' frightened yet somewhat confused face, I realize what kind of a situation this guy has gotten into.

"I know I won't be mistaken by seeing these but, why do you have drugs with you? Not to mention there is a lot of it." I questioned him with a low voice.

"I really don't know."

Somehow, Francis seemed that he wanted to cry in the very moment. What a poor guy, looking like a baby.

"The last time I saw my things was during this afternoon when I went to deposit my bags together with Romeo and the others' at the baggage counter. But when we went home already, and have decided to check my things inside, all of my things were completely missing and/or was replaced by these packs." Shaking in fear, he forced himself in telling me the details.

"At the baggage counter, eh? Hmmm... The most probable scenario I think that had happened is that… your bag must have gotten exchanged with another same one. Did you notice one while lining up during that time?"

"Whoa, you're really something Hanzaki!"

"What?"

"Speaking of that, there really is a guy that I saw with the same bag as mine."

"So I guess I'm directly on track"

"But how did it really happen? And not to mention…"

"Not to mention what?"

"The guy looked really scary and somewhat mysterious"

I sigh.

"Good Lord. Anyways, forget the details about how it happened. Right now, what we should think about is how to solve, or maybe get out of this kind of situation. What should we do with these drugs? And what should we do if we would encounter the person who owns these? I'm sure he already noticed it by now and is probably on the move in trying to find you."

"But my things are there, and they were taken away from me."

"Forget about your stuffs. You must put your mind on something more important."

"But my Lucky T-shirts are there. My handkerchief, expensive perfume, sunglasses, hair wax, earphones, and---"

"Hmmm?"

I became unease as Francis froze for a moment with his face gone more frightened as before from realizing a somewhat likely crucial thought.

"And? What is it Francis!? What else are there in your bag?"

While holding him at his shoulders, Francis' body has gone tense and was shaking. He then put the both of his hand above his head as he begins to try in saying something.

"My... My... My---"

"Your WHAT?"

"My... school I.D."

"Oh no. Why in the hell do you have your I.D. with you?"

"But, you already know it Hanzaki. Since we were in pre-school, we were taught to always bring our I.D. so that whenever something might happen to us, we would be easily identified and be helped immediately."

"Whaa----- Gaaah! Jeez." I sigh. "Fine, it can't be helped anymore. Yeah that's true alright, but right now, your I.D. is in the hands of a criminal. Indeed, if something would happen to you, he'll probably know for sure."

Good grief, what kind of trouble have I put myself into again?

But, how come? Even though I know that this is a very dangerous situation, why am I just feeling calm? And weirdly, I got a little excited about this.

Could it be, I was influenced because of that recent tragic past? Remembering that incident before, I had the same feeling as now.

But no way, it is not likely it.

Being in the actual battlefield this time since from the beginning, I guess I haven't just got to understand well deeply of my attitude and behaviour yet.

Meanwhile, in the busy moment of our investigation, Francis' phone suddenly rings in the middle of the hour.

Looking at the caller's name, it was Francis' mom who was calling.

"It's mom!"

"She's probably worried by now since you haven't gotten home yet."

*TOOT*

"Mom?"

"Francis? Where are you now?"

"I'm still..."

Francis looked at me, seemingly asking for what he should say at the very moment.

"Just tell her where we are" I whispered.

"I'm… with a friend mom. I'm at a place near school."

"Is that so? Be sure to head home as soon as possible, okay? And by the way, another one of your friends called me."

"Huh? Did they tell their names mom?"

"No, but he asked if you were around at your home. And when I said you weren't here, he immediately dismissed the call."

After hearing what her mother said, we were quietly shocked about it.

I then sway my hand a few times forward, trying to make Francis continue the call.

"Oh, I see. I think I know who it is. I'll handle it. I'll be back soon, Love you."

"Okay then. Take care of yourself sweet heart."

*TOOT*

Call dismissed.

"Oh no. What should I do? What if Mom and Dad would get involve with this?"

Francis continued to struggle with his situation, consumed in fear and was shaking the whole entire time.

This is really odd. Why did those guys called Francis' mother instead directly to Francis' himself? Hmm, maybe they are just being wary and were trying to involve people that are related to him in order to have the chance to bargain. This thug has quite the brain. The most important thing is that he could secure back these grams of Illegal drugs.

On the other hand, I just kept my cool in trying to come up with an idea.

"Francis! Call your mother back, and ask for the number of the one who just called her."

"Huh? What are we going to do with it?"

"I have a plan."

"Really?"

"We'll be the one calling for that guy to come here, so that your parents won't get involve"