28th Door

"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." ―Benjamin Franklin

Based on what has happened, it made me want to forget what I've seen in the movies. In movies and TV, they always talk about the eyes. 'If someone can't look to you straight, they are lying.' That might be true for some people, but it must be remembered that there are some who are scared or nervous, not because they are lying.

All I need to do right now is to find each individual's baseline for truthfulness. Kailangan ko silang makausap isa-isa. Pero paano ko mahuhuli ang killer sa grupong ito kung alam niyang ako mismo ang naghahanap sa kaniya at alam niyang siya mismo ang hinahanap? I need to do some research about each individual. I need to get an access to the HR's database. But how?

Nilibot ko ang aking paningin nang makarating kami sa 28th floor –ang isa sa tatlong dining and recreational floors ng Montellano Towers. May isang malaking cafeteria sa floor na sakop ang halos kalahati ng 28th. Nasa kanang bahagi ang gym at sa kaliwa naman nito ang dalawang paikot na kiosk kung saan may mga nakahilerang units ng computer. Ang ilan sa mga 'yon ay inokopa na ng ilang mga empleyado. Marahil ay nagbabakasakaling makahingi ng saklolo sa kung sinomang nasa labas.

I even saw Thrina writing 'SOS' on the window pane with a bottle of tomato sauce.

Sino sa mga empleyadong ito ang konektado sa '1b2f3l4e'?

I only have the files of the interns and my sales agents. Una sa listahan, Deedrae Schreave, 18, college intern na wala pang isang buwan dito sa MOS. She gears up like a rock star dahil lagi itong naka-leather jacket. She's a part-timer at lagi siyang wala sa opisina. It could be possible na kaya siya lagi sa labas ng opisina ay para pagplanuhan ang lahat ng ito. I caught her once peeping on my laptop which gives me one reason para pagdudahan siya.

Rielle Sison, Minalyn Itoshiki, Nyl Carosa –these are my interns. Rielle has been marked 'X' kaninang sinagot ko ang pangalan niya. Pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang pagdududa ko sa kanya. Minalyn has been acting weird lately. Kahit kanina'y parang alam niya ang mga nangyayari. Her reaction was not consistent since day one. Or talagang gano'n lang siya? Nyl Carosa, she's the aloof type. Wala akong alam sa kanya bukod sa isa siyang intern. She likes wearing clothes bigger than her actual size. Lagi kong nakikita ang tatlong ito na nag-uusap sa isang sulok at kapag naaabutan ko sila'y bigla silang tumatahimik.

Pagbaling ko sa may diner kung saan may bakanteng pwesto ng concessionaire, napansin kong abala sa pagsisilbi ng pagkain ang janitress na si Mildred Cortez. Nasa early twenties ang edad nito. Mapagpakumbaba at magalang. Lagi kong nakakasalamuha si Mildred. Mabait siya at alam kong hindi nito kayang gumawa ng masama sa kampa. She's definitely not a suspect. Kung may isa sa mga taong gusto kong mailigtas sa pagkakataong ganito, isa si Mildred sa mga iyon.

Nasa harap ni Mildred ang mga regular employees ng MOS na halatang nagutom dahil hindi magkaugaga habang hinihintay ang pagkain mula sa kusina kung nasaan nandoon si Mildred. Magkakaharap na pumuwesto sa iisang table sina Kyziel, Zyril, and magkakaibigang trio na sina Angelyn, Bella at Maxine. Sa kanilang lima na halos araw-araw ko nang nakakasalamuha, wala akong dapat pagdudahan dahil nakailang beses na kaming gumala kasama sina Kid at Satana. I am still not convinced that Zyril can do such crime like this kahit na isa siyang anak ng ex-convict. She's been a good friend. Kilala ko siya.

I hope I have the right instinct.

Kid and Satana are two of my good friends as well. Mga simpleng tao lang sila at masaya sa kanilang trabaho sa MOS. Kilala ko din ang pamilya ni Kid. Madalas na kaming nag-inuman sa bahay nito kasama ang iba pang girls. Si Satana nama'y nasa abroad ang mga magulang. May pagkamaarte at mataray ito pero hindi niya kayang gawin ang mga nangyayari ngayon.

Haliya Hamilton, who is seated infront of the bosses, Michonne and Ryanne, can be a suspect. Isa ang pangalan niya sa mga binigay sa riddles. Secretary siya ni Miss Michonne Greene. Ang pagdududa ko sa kanya ay parehas sa pagdududa ko kina boss Ryanne at lalo na kay director Michonne.

Namataan ko ding nasa harap ng computer and dalawang receptionist na sina Maddielyn at Thrina. Both good looking girls but at the same time suspicious. Palingon-lingon ang mga ito sa gawi ko habang may ginagawa sa harap ng computer. These two are definitely on my watch list. Thrina is on the riddle and Maddielyn has the infinity tattoo.

Habang tumatagal, mukhang dumadami ang suspect. I need to know where are all these coming from? Bakit bigla na lang nawala ang mga empleyado sa lower floors at sunod-sunod na ang patayan?

Bago ko matapos ang listahan ng mga naroon, lumapit saakin ang HR Manager na si Laryson Perey. May hawak itong papel at pen. Tumango ito saakin bago nagpasyang tabihan ako sa kinauupuang leather bench na nasa gilid ng cafeteria. Tumingin ito sa laptop ko saka ako tinignan ng makahulugan.

"You believed that mailer aren't you?" seryosong tanong nito saka ipinakita saakin ang kanyang listahan. Naroon din ang mga pangalan ng mga taong nasa 28th floor. He seemed to know everyone. No doubt he's from the HR.

Napatitig ako sa kanya. Hindi ko maiwasan. I needed to read his gestures as well. He can be a suspect too.

"Don't stare at me like I am the killer Mr. Molina." He laughed noisily as he surrendered his back to the wall. "Everyone is a suspect now. I know, so I must do something to find out who the killer is."

"H-how did you come up with those names? You can't possibly know everyone!"

He raised his left eyebrow. Saka ito bumalik sa listahang nasa bond paper. "I don't know everyone here. I accessed the HR database and gathered all the names of the 31st-floor employees. I was scheduled for a focus group discussion with all the employees on the 31st. That's why I came here because I need you to identify me who's who among this bunch of weirdos!"

"Mr. Perey, there are other reliable people to ask here. You have two of my bosses seated just meters ahead of you," katwiran ko. I don't trust him yet. Hindi ko siya masyadong kilala and this is the second time that we just have this conversation. First was when he interviewed me for the managerial position.

He sighed gingery. Napahigpit ang hawak nito sa papel na halos malukot na. He released another grieving breath before he spoke, "I don't trust your bosses Mr. Molina. I heard rumors about them planning to sabotage the company."

Hindi ako kumibo. Those were real rumors. I need not say anything to cover my bosses. I hate lying.

'So help me figure out what is happening. I know you have your suspects, I have mine too including you because all of us are; but of all these people right now, I know I can trust you."

I know that deep inside, this guy is trying to manipulate me with his mastery of Psychology. He's a doctor of Psychology but he'd prefer to be called Mr. Laryson or Mr. Perey and he knows how to do it with my kind. He is slowly turning up the heat until I get burned with the flames. But why would I be afraid if I got nothing to hide?

"My suspects would be your bosses, Mr. Greyson Andreas Choi, the three interns, and the janitress." He revealed boldly.

He could possibly be getting some hints on my reaction. "Your way Dr. Perey. You are the expert in reading people's behavior."

"I can't do it alone Vladimir. I want you to help me because you have been with these people for quite some time."

"I guess so. But I don't socialize that often."

"Here is how you can get some hint of who's telling the truth and who's not, at this point, you should have a good baseline of who they are and their body language and speech patterns when they are telling the truth. You can get into the questions that you don't know the answer to. Using what you now know about their behavior, you'll have a better chance of ascertaining if they are lying or not."

Tumango lang ako bilang pagtugon.

"If you think someone is lying, ask them the same question in three different ways. You might think that it is to catch any differences in their response, but what I'm telling you to look for just the opposite: is there a scripted aspect to their response? Paulit-ulit ba or may pattern sa mga sagot?"

"I have my list Mr. Perey but I would be totally honest, I can't tell them yet."

"It's fine. I just want you to help me, help you. This event is somewhat impossible. Hanggang ngayon nasa denial stage a rin ako that I was able to witness those deaths. Seemingly imposible but it's happening."

"I am still in the process of figuring it out kung sino ang walang kaluluwang kayang gumawa nito. On what's the purpose? How strong is that desire that he or she could go this extra-mile just to gain that."

Tumango-tango ang lalaki. Muli itong napatingin sa listahan. "Andreas and Simond are pairing up and making their own investigations. The two receptionists as well. For sure the interns are conniving. I have had talks with them earlier. Mildred Cortez is my suspect too because I just learned she badly needs money recently. Naospital ang nanay niya at hindi na niya mabayaran ang bill. If this is a part of the terrorism act, marahil ay may posibilidad na kaya niyang gawin ang lahat ng ito."

"I know Mildred, Mr. Perey. She is a noblewoman. She can't do it."

"Posibleng hindi, posibleng oo. Remember that when nothing is so sure, everything is possible." Umiling-iling uli ito na tila hindi matanggap-tanggap ng kalooban ang mga nagyayari. He released another set of air. "I am doubting Andreas and Simond as well bukod sa mga boss mo kasama na ang mga receptionists. I saw them talking together earlier. If my eyes are closed, watch over them and be very careful. You can consider me as your suspect, of course, no one is safe right now unless we get to know who's doing this."

Hindi ako umimik. May punto siya. Lahat posibleng maging suspect.

"Nilapitan kita dahil kailangan ko ng tulong mo. I need another pair of eyes and ears to figure things out. I can't die yet. May mga anak pa akong naghihintay saakin sa bahay Mr. Molina." Nangilid ang mga luha sa mga mata ni Mr. Perey. Napahawak ito sa balikat ko saka umiwas ng tingin para maitago ang mga luhang tuluyan nang tumulo sa kanyang mga pisngi. He abruptly stood up and walked away and went to the gym –alone.

That conversation kicked so hard in me. I know I must not trust Mr. Perey, but all he said seem to be on point.

Pagkaalis na pagkaalis ni Mr. Perey ay muling nag-email saakin ang spammer.

1b2f3l4e—give me three people to spare. At least no one among the three is the suspect. If you happen to give me the name of the suspect, three among you will die.

Nataranta ako. Everyone seems to be a suspect. I have some people on the list but what if I send the wrong names? Nilibot ko ang paningin. Bumilis na naman ang tibok ng aking puso. My hands were shaking.

3 minutes. Another mail was sent.

I typed in: Kid Reyes, Satana Dracor, Mildred Cortez.

Muli akong nagtype sa aking keyboard: Kid Reyes, Nicolla Feyton, Laryson Perey

Hindi ako sigurado sa nilagay ko. Kaya muli akong sumubok: Athena Sakura, Kid Reyes, Laryson Perez, Nicolla Feyton, Satana Dracor, Mildred Cortez.

Namili ako sa listahan. Sino dito ang ilalagay ko? I know these people can be trusted base sa mga obserbasyon ko but I have to choose the safest three. Athena Sakura, Kid Reyes, Laryson Perez, Nicolla Feyton, Satana Dracor, Mildred Cortez.

I finalized the list: Kid Reyes, Nicolla Feyton and Satana Dracor. Kinapa ko ang enter key kasabay ng pagpikit ko. Then I slowly pressed enter bago pa naubos ang orasan.

Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas nang bigla uling magpadala ng email ang spammer.

Kid Reyes, Nicolla Feyton and Satana Dracor. These three can go inside the kitchen for safety precautions. Once they're inside the kitchen, each of you will be served with a glass of wine. Kid Reyes, Satana Dracor and Nicolla Feyton will pour a half full wine for each of you. Drink it at exactly 03:00 PM. Failure to take the wine means no survival.

Patayo na ako para ibalita sa kanila ang email nang maalarma ang dalawang receptionist na nasa harap din ng computer. Thrina and Maddie called our attention. Sila na mismo ang nagsabi sa iba pa ang nilalaman ng email. Bakas sa mukha ng bawat isa ang labis nap ag-aalala.

Napa-sign of the cross pa si Claina na yumakap sa pamangkin. "Mahabaging Diyos. Anong nangyayari?" usal nito.

Naiiyak naman si Emerald na pamangkin nito habang inaalo ang tiyahin.

Pumasok na sa mismong kusina ng cafeteria sina Kid, Nicolla at Satana. Pagbalik nila sa mismong serving area ay may mga dala na silang empty wine glass na nasa tatlong tray. Dahil sa takot, isa-isa kaming kumuha ng mga baso. Nakapila na kami sa harapan ng tatlo na abala sa pagbukas ng vintage wine na Chardonnay.

Nanginginig na ipinatong ni Maddie at Thrina ang wines sa serving area. Naroon din ang tatlong intern na hindi makakibo dahil hindi nila sigurado kung ano ang mangyayari. Everyone was as nervous as before. Walang nagbago sa sitwasyon. Nasa bingit pa rin kami ng kamatayang hindi pa naming alam kung saan nagmumula.

Dalawang minuto bago mag-alas tres. Lahat ay may kanya-kanya nang hawak na alak. We formed a circle. Tila isang seremonyas ng espesyal na okasyon. Walang idea ang lahat kung ano ang mangyayari pagkatapos naming inumin ang alak.

"Diyos ko! Iligtas mo kami." Bulalas pa rin ni Claina na hindi matigil sa pag-iyak. Nakonsensya tuloy ako at hindi ko siya sinama sa tatlong maliligtas.

Palitan ng tingin ang bawat isa pagpatak ng alas tres. Walang gustong maunang uminom sa unang sampong segundo. Si Andreas ang naunang lumagok sa alak kasunod ni Simond. Sinundan ito ng tatlong interns at dalawang receptionist. Lumagok na rin ang mga bosses pati na si Claina at Emerald. Pumikit ako nang inomin ko ang alak. The wine tasted caramel, honey nuts and dark citrus campote. The wine is ephemeral. Damang-dama ko ang init at sarap nito mula sa aking bibig pababa sa aking lalamunan.

Habang nakapikit ako't nilalasahan ang alak ay isang tunog ng nabasag na wine glass ang pumutol doon. Napatili ang mga interns at ang mga receptionists. Bumagsak sa sahig ang isang intern na si Nyl Carosa. Namumula ang mga mata nitong tila pumutok na ang mga ugat doon, nakahawak ang mga kamay sa leeg na tila sinasakal habang ang bibig at ilong ay nilalabasan na ng dugo.

"Nyl! Nyl!" sigaw ni Rielle.

Nakatayo naman sa tapat nito ang tila walang reaksyon na si Minalyn. Maybe shocked and petrified.

"Nyl! Tulungan niyo siya!" muling sigaw ni Rielle.

Nataranta ang lahat. Sasaklolohan na dapat namin ang agaw-buhay na si Nyl nang biglang tumunog ang alarm system ng 28th floor kasabay ng paglabas ng email sa mga monitors ng computer.

One down! 25 to go! Leave that rotten grape and run to the kitchen for your lives!

Mabilis na nagsitakbuhan ang mga bosses. Sumunod ang iba pa pero naiwan doon ang kaibigan ni Nyl na sina Mina at Rielle. Umiiyak na si Rielle habang nakaluhod sa wala nang buhay na si Nyl.

"Nyl! Nyl gumising ka!"

"Rielle! Get up! She's dead!" sigaw ni Minalyn habang hinihila ang braso ni Rielle.

Pinulsuhan ko si Nyl. Wala na nga itong buhay. Tinulungan ko si Mina na kumbinsihin si Rielle na umalis na. Mangiyak-ngiyak pa itong tumayo habang papasok kami sa kusina. The lights on the 28th floor started exploding.

Pagpasok namin sa kusina'y nakabukas na ang lagusan na nasa likod ng isang malaking ref. Nakababa na ang ilan. Habang nakabantay sa lagusan si Natas at Zyril. Si Natas ang nakahanap no'n. It was a good thing that he found the secret passage going to the 27th floor but at the same time, it made me doubted him.

How could he possibly found it if that easy?

Natas is on the list.

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