She is Lethal (#1 Case Series)

Case 346

Benedict

I opened the folder in my hands. There were five pages of bond paper inside, and on the front page, a title was written on it.

EXPERIMENT 009

"Do you think she can manage?" asked the man in the front seat without even turning around.

"This is the first time we're letting her out. She's always been locked inside the lab. I don't know what might happen, but one thing's for sure—she can complete this mission."

He finally turned to me with a grin on his face and a sunglasses still on. "Want me to be her temporary guardian?"

My brows furrowed.

"Stop obsessing over her, Ten." He and Nine grew up together inside the lab. Their lives were almost identical, but as they got older, we noticed the difference—Nine was far more capable than Ten. Their gap only grew wider.

On the other hand, Ten was the one we sent outside for missions, mostly because Nine was far too dangerous for the outside world.

"Don't call me by my number," he muttered. "I have a name."

It was true. Before they were given to the lab, they all had names.

"Sure, Kaeo," I replied, laced with sarcasm.

We went to the port and boarded a plane to Fontana Island, where our lab was located. An isolated island—far from cities, far from provinces. Only the highest officials of the government had access here.

"Nine already arrived at Saint's Maw Island," I said as I entered the auditorium, our usual meeting place.

"I really feel that letting Nine go out there alone is a bad thing." Ika ni Professor Ray. Kumikintab ang kulay puti niyang buhok dahil sa katandaan. "We all know that Nine's an ultimate weapon for the upcoming war, however Nine's too much for them to handle."

"I agree." Tatango tangong sagot ni Ten. Hindi pa rin niya inaalis ang kaniyang salamin. "That's why sabi ko nga kay Professor Benedict na sasamahan ko si Nine." Napa iling na lamang ako.

"But it was already decided by the higher ups. We can't do anything about it." Tugon ko. "What we need to focus now is to help Nine." Nilingon ko si Ten at sinenyasan. Agad naman niya itong naintindihan dahilan para siya'y agad na tumayo at lumapit sa projector banda.

"Case number 346—Saint Maw's Disappearance." Panimula ni Ten. Naupo ako sa harap upang makinig na rin sa kaniya.

"July 22, 2025. The first killing of Marc Alexandra Stanford—a 22 years old tourist from California. According to the forensic analysis, microscopic algae and lake diatoms inside the lungs prove the victim was alive when submerged —not dumped after death." Inilipat niya ang slides at bumungad sa amin ang katawan ng isang lalaki. "The body was found in Lake Karrasan." Muli niyang clinick ang remote at bumungad sa amin ang close up na katawan ng lalaki.

"A shallow, crescent-shaped mark carved or pressured onto the body's sternum were found." Muli niyang inilipat ang slides. Pakiramdam ko ay sa bawat pag lipat niya ng kaniyang report ay mas nakakagulat ang aming natutuklasan. "Sprinkled over the body and around it are dried lake algae, a faint black ash, and a single small wooden token—carved like tooth-shaped charm—placed near the throat."

"Wait." Napalingon kami kay Prof Ray. "Is that some kind of a killer's signature?" Ngumiti si Ten at inilipat ang slides. This time, limang picture na ng mga magkakaibang bangkay ang ipinakita.

"Five more victims, all are tourists. And to answer your question—yes, those are all the killer's signature, which were also found in the crime scene and their bodies."

I stood up and faced them. "That's why Nine will go undercover as a high school student from the city. Which means—she will be a tourist and a target."