X. HAPPY TENTH

Chapter 10

1–7 AM.

WALKING BUBBLY is what weird thing I had never been done. We’re now on the way to the supposed restaurant we will dine yesterday. Secrets to be unveiled, aye?

But one thing is indeed sure about this om—whatever their name is, they are gossipers! Tss!

Omeaniscient, home of gossipers!

I sneered.

After the scene a while ago, we ate before continuing to our direction. We can perhaps go home already but these latter chooses not. It’s been a while raw since they solved a case and this is an opportunity to shine.

“It’s odd. I’m aware it rained but that was at dawn and perhaps the smell we can inhale is a part of chemical language between bacteria and animals but why—” Aoi didn’t finish her words when the three dude ahead at her.

“Petrichor,” they said in unison so Aoi alternatingly look at the three.

I just shook my head and went to Tyron who was busy fiddling with my phone. Tss!

I smiled widely at him so he looked at me before sighing. He put my phone on his pocket and was about to go down when I jumped at his back even though he is taller than me. I giggled when he lifted me up because I didn’t land on his back properly.

Unfair! He’s taller than me yet I’m older than him!

I smiled big while hanging my hands around his neck. His hands were on my thighs, supporting it.

I turned to look at the three behind us, stopped. I’m with them 24 hours and I haven’t seen them taking drugs but why... their actions seem they are high? Tss!

“Lace isn’t heavy, erp?” Aoi ask her own question and walked towards us.

“Why don’t you try it?” instead of answering her, Ron questioned back.

“If Lace is not heavy, I am heavy. We might just fall, orb,” she said. She seems like an innocent child being preached to.

“I didn’t say I will lift you. I said, try lifting Lacey and see how weighty she is,” Tyron savaged Aoi so I laughed. This man really knows how to make someone mad.

We stopped walking when an unpleasant odor welcomed us. We have continued and finally! The one we’ve been searching.

A while ago, after that incident, they said sorry and in return, I told them to point the way to what we were looking for. Afterwards, Aoi was about to open the topic about what occurred but I stopped her. I do not want to hear that again.

It feels like an abandoned place. A horror house. The birds humming are the one who give life at this place. It was foggy too.

“Creepy,” I heard Aoi mumbled and I agreed.

“Look! Aren’t the blurry words says, Net’s Cuisine?” napahinto kami sa paglakad at tinignan ang tinuturo ni Ryo. And he’s right. It says, Net’s Cuisine. If this cuisine already faded, why is there still signs that the cuisine is still working? It should be removed. It can mislead people especially those who are hungry.

We startled when a rust thing echoed in our ears. It’s seems like it was opening.

Opening...

The door!

I immediately went down on Tyron’s back and tried my best to see the house in front of us because next to it is the restaurant.

A toddler welcomed us, he’s running like a wild animal and unexpectedly, due to the fog, he bumped at Tyron.

“Hey kiddo, are you alright?” Tyron asked and bowed down to help the child.

“He... hep?” I winced when I heard him speak. I don’t understand what is he trying to say.

Hep? Hephep hooray?

“Hep!” he yelled and in a blink of eye, he stood and went in to their house and left the house door open.

The five of us was left dumbfounded. If the toddler is scared to us, why won’t he lock the door?

Or is he trying to say...

“Help...” we five said simultaneously. We five look at one another and run afterwards to the house. The fogs is slowly fading as we pass by.

Ryo knocked on the side of the door and a girl wearing a made uniform greeted us.

She smiled brightly like she saw another hope.

“Are you the one whose Kid is talking about to help us?” she asked and Ryo nodded.

She opened the door wide, enough for us to enter. They are already inside but here I am, still looking at the cuisine.

That cuisine place... something is weird about that spot. And if I am not mistaken... the rotten meat with fruity undertones we inhaled a while ago came in that place.

And what I meant in rotten meat with fruity undertones is...

A dead body.

I came back to my senses when an arm dominated my back. Red then pull me to penetrate the door.

I immediately stroll my gaze in the house and a picture frame got my attention.

It consists 6 people and two faces that are familiar with me. The maid and the kid a while ago.

She offered us a sit to the sofas that are dominating the table in the center. Two people can sit at one sofa.

Tyron and I are pair. Ryo and Red and Aoi... she left alone so she frown before sitting.

“Wait a minute. I’ll call my masters,” and so she did. Few minutes, a girl strolling a wheel chair with a middle aged man came in.

My forehead creased. Where are the other two in the frame?

“Are you... are you that one who Kid is shouting that... that will... will hel... help us?” the wheelchair man started. His body is somewhat shaking and his voice too.

One.

Red nodded at him.

“Feel at home. Imelda, bring our guest a tea and water for my brother,” the sophisticated girl commanded their maid. Then she smiled sweetly at us.

The two immediately faced us.

“My... do... daughter... i... i...is missing.” He went on and show us his necklace and pointed the young girl on the frame. Bet that’s his daughter. And the other girl in the picture frame I sighted a while ago is perhaps the mother of the girl this old man pointed.

Well, they are alike.

“It’s either she’s missing... someone took away her or...” Ryo paused, not wanting to continue what is he saying.

Tila ayaw ituloy ang sasabihin.

Aoi, on the other hand continued what our leader supposed to say. “Or your daughter got killed or... she killed herself,”

The old man froze and the girl too.

“Since you say she’s missing, how many days and what’s her name first?” Tyron spoke before standing. I was the only one left sitting.

“Lalaine. Last 3 days. That signs you saw are the one I asked our maid to do to call for a help since police officers are having a hard time reaching us out,” the girl said. I see. Their maid came and give the girl a water that she handed to the old man.

Then the maid put ours on the table.

“Lalaine is missing. Can we search the whole house if ever, she’s just hiding or... her killer hide her somewhere in the house,” they nodded at Red’s statement. And that’s a cue to start investigating this case.

There, I stand up because my companion are already starting investigating. They are taking this case seriously while here I am, chilling.

“Take is slow,” I heard the girl stated so I look at them and what I saw is another clue.

Two.

I went outside that made my friends look at me. “Where are you going?” Aoi asked and so I winced at her.

“Outside,” shortly, I respond before leaving them behind. I want to examine that cuisine.

Because if my theory is right... Lalaine is dead. And her body is the one we smelled. It was her body, Lalaine’s body.

I started walking to the cuisine’s location. The room can be defined in one word: dusty. I coughed after I smelled the dusts upon opening the door. Then I noticed a clear place at the door knob. Seems like someone already opened it before I did.

I just shrugged and a dark place welcomed me. The only light that gives me a bit sight in the place is the open door.

Still walking, I was about to take my phone out when I remember it was on Tyron’s hand. He get it to me whilst ago. I cursed in my head. Gosh! When I needed, it disappears in my hand! Bad luck!

I was about to back out when I heard a strange sound, like a paper getting winded so I found it and I am glad I did. When I got it, I stepped to something that made a crack I guess?

I’ve sawn many corpses but why it’s like this is my first time?!

I exhaled deeply before stepping in again. I need a light to see clearly what’s this thing I stepped on!

I got out and ran into the house. Unconsciously, I turned to the cuisine and my forehead creased upon seeing the kid at the scene. He was staring at the open door I came out of.

I immediately looked for Tyron and told him to accompany me when I entered the house.

Before we could go out, I caught a glimpse of the old man, causing my forehead to furrow. He’s massaging his head.

Three.

“Where are you taking me?” he questioned and I pointed the cuisine.

“Turn on my phone’s flashlight,” I ordered him. When we entered, I focused the light coming from my phone in the direction where I heard something that sounded like it was broken.

And we almost got choked upon sawing a ridiculous death of someone...

Someone we’ve been searching at.

Lalaine.

I want outside and coughed. Damn, it smells so gross. Tyron called the others for them to see what we have found.

The father got shocked and stood up but seconds later, he lost his balance.

Four.

Lalaine’s heart is taken out. Her other fleshes are missing too.

“Do you know kuru?” I look at my side when I hear Ryo talk.

“I don’t know someone whose name is that,” I answered and he let out a soft chuckle.

“Kuru comes from the Fore language and means trembling or to shake. Kuru was also known as laughing sickness because of the pathologic bursts of laughter that the Fore tribe of Papua New Guinea via funerarycannibalism displayed upon observing them—which are a symptom of the disease,” he well-defined it.

“Some symptoms are body tremors, random outbursts of laughter, gradual loss of coordination, difficulty swallowing, shaking, and even head aches, which I noticed at the old man,” he continued. I was about to speak when I heard Red’s voice.

“You mean, this case is cannibalism?” he asked. Ryo nodded.

“But what bothers me is... the symptoms often take years to appear after exposure. If Lalaine is missing for almost 3 days only, why does the symptoms appear so early?” and that’s where we molded into silence.

The kid...

He’s our Ace! He know something!

I ran inside and find their maid.

“Where’s the kid?” I asked breathlessly because when Tyron and I entered earlier, he was no longer there. But I’m sure I saw him staring at the door! He even made an eye contact with me when he faced me.

“Si Kid po?” I winced. So Kid is the kid’s name? Ugh! I shouldn’t call that child a kid!

“Yes. Bring me to him,” I just ordered, not minding my stupidness.

“What’s the name of your boss?” I questioned her as we’re slowly walking in the stair.

“Bryan and Heart po. Both are retired anthropologists. They are siblings. Kid and Lalaine are sir Bryan’s child,” she replied.

“How about the other lady? The picture frame,” I cleared out so she wouldn’t ask more inquiries.

“She is ma’am Monette and she is already dead. Wife of sir Bryan,” I nodded multiple.

What caused her death?

“And what happened why Bryan is in a wheel chair? And why Lalaine’s mother died?” the last questions I will throw at her.

“They said it’s a card accident po, eh,” her hand was still on her neck as she said that, obviously unsure.

We stopped at a door and the maid was about to enter too but I didn’t let her. I want to speak with Kid alone.

“Go back,” I seriously said and let her get out my sight first before slowly opening the door.

I froze at the scene I glanced.

Kid... is holding a heart... a human heart.

“Kid...” I called him out. He looked surprised, causing it to let go of his grip. His eyes widened and he shook his head at me. He ran to his bed and covered his body with a blanket.

I sigh heavily before approaching the human organ Kid is holding a while ago. A sheet of paper was in the side of the organ. The heart fell on the table.

heart...

There was only one word. The word heart. What heart is she talking about? Her heart lost or... her aunt?

I shook my head at that thought. It is possible, right?

We were surprised when someone suddenly opened the door. Out of my mind, I loosen my hair’s ponytail to hide the heart and face the door. Why am I even doing this?

“Lace!” Aoi called me. Someone pulls the end of my clothes and there goes Kid, his eyes are swollen and I know that look. I tapped his shoulders and smiled at him.

On the other hand, Aoi was pushing my whole body so I winced. Is she just now seeing something beautiful? She sees me everyday. Tss!

“Wow. Your hair is really long, Lace! I feel like you put a secret sachet of cream silk in there because it seems soft. Can I hold it?” she was about to approach us when Kid stepped between us.

“Later po,” I heard him say. Aoi frowned but eventually smiled rawly at the boy. I remained in my seat and asked her why she was calling me.

“Red found a clip in Laine’s room. They are waiting for you so we can watch it together,” she delivered so I nodded and accompany her to go first but she is so naughty so I instruct her to wait for me outside Kid’s room.

I bowed down so I can face Kid. I pinched his left cheek and give him an assuring smile before I go out.

I sigh heavily. I never thought it would be this messy. Indeed, something is wrong about this case.

We are finally on our destination. The boys faces are serious. Every time whenever they are unveiling cases. Their nonsense only comes out when we are together and doing nothing.

When they saw us, without further ado, they showed us that.

It was Lalaine, on her room, saying these...

“I... I saw him... it’s not a car accident, I saw him... eating her...”

It was only a short message but I understood it already. That is why he got the symptoms.

I sigh heavily. I rolled my eyes secretly before deciding to tell them what information I digested. Tss! These people!

After informing everyone, I remembered the paper I saw so I took it and opened it and read it. It was an agreement between two people.

A smile curved my lips after reading it.

“Saw this in the crime scene too. Might as well read it.” I spoke and hand them the paper.

Soon a smile curved their lips. Maybe we are thinking the same thing.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s unleash the suspects,” as our said be our leader, we faced them and started the show.

“First, Lalaine... killed herself. Suicide let’s say...” Ryo started when we sat down. Opposite us is the siblings and their maid is on their side.

“But...” he paused then cleared his throat.

“Someone helped her,” Red continued so Bryan stood up violently but immediately sat down. See.

“We won’t beat around the bush anymore since it’s our tenth anniversary and we need to celebrate. Lalaine... killed herself with the help of her aunty, Heart,” Aoi’s turn. The latter stood up and looked at us in disbelief.

“WA... WHAT? WHY ARE YOU SUSPECTING ME?!”

I smirk at her before throwing her the paper. It was the agreement between her and Lalaine. If they successfully did their plan—pointing Lalaine’s father that he’s the one who did the cruel crime of Lalaine. Perhaps, Heart will inherited Lalaine’s patrimony to her late mom’s legacy.

“That’s the proof. To make it short, Lalaine saw how you eat your wife, Bryan. As an anthropologist, Heart, you took the chance to poison Lalaine’s mind especially when the symptoms of kuru got exposed. You know that, of course, you’re an anthropologist, both of you. Curiosity eaten you that’s why you ate your wife, Bryan,” Tyron stated. I grinned.

“Now, Lalaine wants a revenge especially you said that it was a car accident on why their mother died. And Heart came in the frame. Heart wants money, revenge is what Lalaine’s wants. Police don’t come to your house because Heart is preventing it. The body of Lalaine is in the cuisine of her late mother since you thought, Heart, that no one will came on it but you’re wrong,” Ryo smiled sweetly after starting those facts. I frowned sleepily. Finally! It’s finished!

“You two are under arrest.” And with that, the police officers we called at came in. And that’s how we end the queer abode’s cannibalism case.

“Happy tenth?” laughing, I greeted them.

Ryo stretched his hand in our middle until we put our hands on it.

“HAPPY TENTH!”

I thought at first, Bryan’s the killer but see, how an innocent sophisticated girl turns out to be the mastermind behind this brutal case. What a manipulator, I meant, what an actress.

**