wattys 2020 winner • mystery/thriller
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Everyone thinks she is dead. Even I thought so, too.
While the town spoke of her dead name, Amethyst Cambray is actually alive, and she is asking for my help.
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12
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I COULDN'T FOCUS on absolutely anything for the rest of the day. I want to go home and make sure Amethyst is safe, but at the same time I want to calm down and think. I want to think that Amethyst is still safe at home, not hurt, but eating cookies while watching TV.
I bit my nails.
Paano kung pinagtitripan lang pala ako ni Oliver? Paano kung sa loob niya, galit pala siya sa 'kin dahil mukhang inaagaw ko si Cinna? He seems that sort of guy.
But even still . . . even still, I shouldn't let my guards down. Oliver may or may not be saying the truth, but the risk is still there. Ang pinakamahalaga ngayong araw ay makauwi ako nang maaga saka makita si Amethyst nang ligtas.
I bit my lower lip, my brows furrowed.
Hindi pumasok ngayon si Pierre, at naisip ko 'yon ngayon habang naglalakad sa hallways. Damn prick, now I have no one to distract me. A few students looked my way as I walked and I just kept on looking away. I bet they saw me with Oliver earlier . . . damn.
Nang makarating sa ground floor, lumapit ako ulit sa bulletin board at tiningnan ang litrato ni Amethyst. Ngayon, puro post-its na ang nakadikit rito — messages for her, nakapalibot sa picture niya. Variated by colors and different handwritings.
we miss you!!! :(
i hope you're in a better place now x
i still wear that sandals u bought for me, girl. i remember u through it:(
nami-miss ka na namin sa coffee shops. we still can't believe it.
Napakapit lang ako sa strap ng bag ko habang nakatingin sa mga 'yon. A lot of people obviously miss her and they remember her all the time. Dahil dito mas nagkaroon ako ng drive na mahanap ang nagsunog ng bahay nila. I sighed.
I remembered Amethyst's bruises and I just closed my eyes shut. Bumuntonghininga na lang ako saka nagdesisyon nang umalis.
Pero nang makarating ako sa gate, hindi ko natuloy ang paglalakad palabas dahil biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. A few ran and danced under them while laughing and getting wet, a few kicked each other by kicking rain puddles. Students around me opened their umbrellas and went to the harsh rain, while I stood staring at the rainfall feeling so disappointed with myself.
Damn. My umbrella is broken.
Shit.
I sneaked in a text to Amethyst that I'd be late, much to my own distraught. I wanted to see her as fast as I can to make sure she's safe from Oliver, but here I am, stuck at school. Amethyst immediately replied 'great' which made me frown. Hindi na ako nagkaroon pa ng oras para intindihin ang sinabi niya dahil biglang may nangalabit sa 'kin. I turned around and it's Cinna.
