At The End Of The String (Insomniacs Series 2)

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Madalas na ring nakapatay ang phone ko just to avoid social bullshits. Kung bubuksan ko man ay para lang tawagan si Keira, or to check emails. Pumarito rin muna si Raven simula nang malaman namin ang balita kina Daddy. He never left. At least I have someone to hate Alva around.

🏁

"Someone wants to see you." Raven knocked on my door while I'm busy checking all the emails. I wasn't really expecting any visitors except Keira. And if we're going to see each other, sure my house wouldn't be the best choice to meet. "Who?" I scratched my eyes. I also took a glance at the time. It's almost 11:45 p.m. Bukod kay Keira, wala na akong ibang kikitain ng ganitong oras. Who the heck would someone visit me at this hour besides her?

Nang makababa na ako sa sala ay gulat na lamang ako nang makitang si Agatha ang naroon na naghihintay sa'kin. Napatayo siya nang makalapit na ako sa kanyang pwesto. Iniwan na rin kami ni Raven saka kami nagsimulang mag-usap. She's not saying any words yet but I can see her lips trembling. Now I have a bad feeling this conversation won't be good.

"I'm sorry about the sudden late visit. I just know she won't tell you and I'm not in the position to tell you about this either but," she paused. My heart started racing fast. Napalunok din siya bago magpatuloy, "Keira has been kidnapped."

"What?!" My brows furrowed. Feels like my whole system stopped after hearing those words. I don't want to believe it. "Please, hear me out first and promise me... Hinding-hindi ka magagalit sa kanya."

My chest starting to feel heavy whenever I breathe. Tumango na lamang ako kay Agatha bilang pagsang-ayon sa kanyang sinabi. Hindi pa siya ulit nagpapatuloy pero kung ano-ano na ang sumasagi sa isip ko. "It happened last week. She's safe, for now. Nakatira siya ngayon kanila Kuya Kelvin. But we won't be at ease yet. She has something she shouldn't have right now and I want you to come with me quietly so I can show you."

She looked around, checking if someone's listening besides me. There's no one. Alva went on a trip two days ago and we had no idea when she will be coming back. Well, it's best if she won't. Pumayag akong sumama kay Agatha. I just left a note on Raven's side table 'cause he's already in a deep sleep.

Malayo ang bahay nila Agatha. We had no choice but to drive our way there. I know routes where I'm sure no one can follow us. Pinagpatuloy na rin ni Agatha ang mga dapat kong malaman habang nasa byahe kami. At sa bawat naririnig ko ngayon ay sumasabay ang pagbigat ng aking mga balikat - nanghihina.

Matapos ang isa't kalahating oras ay nakarating na kami sa kanila. Dumiretso kami agad sa likod ng kanilang bahay at sa hindi kalayuan ay nagtungo kami sa maliit na parang gubat. There, she showed me a spot. On top of it were big rocks. Isa-isa namin iyon itinabi sa gilid saka sinimulan nang magbungkal.

Underneath was a notebook, it looked vintage and the first thing I noticed was the laurel leaf. "That's the thing Keira has that she shouldn't have," Agatha handed it to me. I started looking at the pages. At sa bawat buklat ay pinagpapawisan ako lalo na nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Primo at Mr. Clarkson doon. Nanginginig akong napahigpit ng hawak sa kwadernong 'yon habang may pinapaliwanag pa si Agatha sa'kin.

I lost a best friend. She's been kidnapped. My family died and now there's a killer just living down the streets. Napaupo ako sa malaking bato na nasa likuran ko lang. Itinukod ko ang aking siko sa aking mga tuhod habang nakasapo ang isang kamay sa noo.

I know how hardheaded she was but I didn't think of her hiding dangerous things like these... "Bakit ngayon lang..." Iyon na lamang ang nasabi ko matapos huminga ng malalim.