The Paramount Code (The Odd Ones, Book 1)

038. The Intruder

Magkasamang naglalakad sina Benjamin at Janus papunta sa Paramount Building pagkatapos ng pag-uusap nila sa opisina ng school director. Balak nilang puntahan sa opisina nito si Daniel para kausapin, at para na rin makita ni Janus ang building na para lamang sa mga miyembro ng Paramount Class.

Janus, on the other hand, was just leisurely looking around as he walked with the school director. Because of the look on his face, it is completely difficult to guess what he is thinking, but he seems to be feeling comfortable walking around the place.

"This feels nice, you know... to walk around."

Bahagyang natawa si Benjamin habang umiiling-iling, "Naninibago ka ba? Dapat kasi lumalabas ka palagi... You're always either inside your office or inside the lab."

Pagpasok nila sa gusali, napatigil si Janus sa kinatatayuan at pinagmasdan ang lugar. He then lifted his head and looked at the school's symbol attached on the big board on the wall, before moving his gaze towards the left, where the Paramount Clinic is situated.

Agad siyang lumiko sa kaliwa niya, at dumiretso sa clinic kung saan huling nakita si Dr. Lara Trinidad.

Nang makitang naglalakad na si Janus papunta sa ibang direksyon, agad itong sinundan ni Benjamin. Nang tumigil si Janus sa harap ng Paramount Clinic ay saka lamang tumigil sa paglalakad ang school director.

Janus was quietly looking at the door from top to bottom, before acknowledging the school director's presence by glancing back at him.

"May tao ba sa loob?" tanong ng lalaki kay Benjamin.

Ipinasok ng school director ang mga kamay niya sa loob ng bulsa at napabuntong-hininga. "It has been over a week since Lara disappeared... We believe that her disappearance is caused by another metahuman, but I can't just point fingers unless I understand what actually happened to her. She was last seen inside this clinic, but all of a sudden, she's gone. Nag-iimbestiga na ang mga tao ko, pero parang wala pa ring nangyayari. Hindi ko naman basta mailalagay ang atensyon ko sa paghahanap sa kanya o sa pag-alam ng totoo dahil marami rin akong ginagawa –"

"She's inside..." Janus then told him nonchalantly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Benjamin dahil sa narinig. "Sino? Yung dahilan ng pagkawala ni Lara?"

"Hindi..." tugon ni Janus na umiiling-iling pa habang nakangiti, "Nasa loo bang doktor na hinahanap ninyo... She's still in this clinic, so your efforts in finding her are just plain useless."

Benjamin, now with a curious look on his face, walked towards him until they are now standing next to each other in front of the door.

"Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?"

Napangisi si Janus, bago napabuntong-hininga habang nakatingin sa pinto ng clinic, "She's not lost... She's still in here. Just... on the other side."

Natigilan si Benjamin, at unti-unting naintindihan ang ibig ipakahulugan ng kasama.

"If she's not lost then..." Benjamin's facial expression suddenly change for a serious and eerie look as he slowly realized who is possibly behind Lara's disappearance, "I need to talk to Helga..."

Inilabas ni Benjamin ang phone mula sa bulsa niya, bago saglit na lumayo kay Janus. Habang may kinakausap ang school director sa tawag, naiwan ang lalaki sa harap ng saradong pintuan.

Nakatuon lamang doon ang tingin niya, hanggang sa unti-unting gumalaw ang ulo niya at lumipat ang kanyang tingin sa pinto ng pantry na nakapwesto sa tapat ng clinic.

As he looked at the pantry, he focused his eyes on the door knob, before a smirk slowly appeared on his face.

********