7 Chapter 7: In A Blink of An Eye

JESSICA.

"Uy. Hindi ba siya iyon?" I heard someone murmured behind my back when I put my step on the first row of the stair. I stopped on my track a little bit.

"Huh? Ang alin?"

"Iyong di umano'y nakasali sa isang elite gang."

"Elite gang? Whattt? Dark Ravens? Or White Wolves Group?"

"I dunno. Maybe White Wolves Group. Balita ko lagi silang nagkakasama ni Papa Junmyeon e. Ay, basta! Nakasali siya sa isang elite gang kahit na transferee pa lang siya."

I want to smirk on what the girl replied. You are wrong. I didn't just joined one but two elite gangs.

After those short talk with the gang leaders, they introduced me to their trusted gang members or should I say to all  'The Elites" in a secret meeting. And with regards to that, I discussed my reason behind my unwanted acts but not my whole plan. Still, I don't trust all of them enough.

"Seryoso? Did they allowed that newbie?"

"Hey. Don't underestimate her. I heard that she already beat two gangs since then."

"Woah. Cool."

"Iyon na nga at ito pa-"

Hindi ko na nasundan pa ang mga sinasabi nila dahil agad na ako lumayo doon. Hindi na ako naging interesado sa mga sinasabi nila. Pumasok na ako sa first period ng klase ko.

The classes is going on. Same routine and same faces. Nothing's new except from the way that my classmates treated me now.

Most of them are being friendly with me while the others are always throwing me a death glare but I didn't mind it. I really don't care about what people judged towards me. Hindi ko naman sila kawalan.

"Ano itong naririnig ko na sumali ka daw sa White Wolves Group?" Naging tanong sa akin ni Yuri kaninang umaga.

Taeyeon crossed her arms as she look at me intently like she was observing me from my movement. Hindi pa rin nagbago ang pakikitungo niya sa akin pero alam kong pinipilit niyang maging sibil sa harap ko. Well, ganoon din ang trato ko sa kanila. I don't like being friendly to anyone. It's making me uncomfortable and aside from that I promise  myself not to replace my best friend in my heart. Even though she is death, she is still alive in my heart.

I might be cold to others but deep inside my heart, I really cared for Tifanny and for those who really care for me. I didn't put my trust a lot from others too especially for those who was wearing a mask to hide themselves. Maybe I learned from my past that I shouldn't trust others so easily or else I will end up being a victim again.

"Yes. Is there any problem about it?" Sumimsim ako sa kape ko at binalewala ang titig ni Taeyeon sa akin.

"Jessica..." It was almost a plead. I turned to her and I saw her eyes telling me not to do it.

"I'm sorry, Yuri. You can't change my mind. If this is my decision then you should respect it too. Your leader accept me anyway."

"No, that's not it. You already know what the dangers awaits for you once you got into gangs. There much a high possibility that you might get kill if you are not strong besides there is no reason to join with-"

"But it can offer me some protection, right? Kahit pa na hindi ako sumali roon ay dadating din ang panahon na kailangan kong sumali. At isa iyon sa mga rules ng university na ito. The more you got yourself into a highest group, the more the protection you may receive."

I sighed heavily after saying those words. Iyon na yata ang mahaba kong sinabi sa talambuhay ko. I don't know that I can really talke that much and it's my first time to share my opinion with the others.

"Let her be, Yuri. She know how she can handle herself plus she is a baddass and I know she will beat every punks of bad guys who will going to kill her."

Napabaling ang tingin ko kay Taeyeon. Nanatili itong seryoso ngunit kalaunan ay iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin at inayos ang kanyang eyeglasses. It's my first time to hear her affirm to my decision. Nakakapanibago.

In the end, walang nagawa si Yuri kundi ang tanggapin ang naging desisyon ko. Alam niyang hindi niya mapapabago ang isipan ko kaya siya na mismo ang sumuko. Bago pa ako pumasok sa unang klase ko ay naulinigan ko siyang may ibinubulong sa hangin na tila siya lang ang nakakarinig.

"In a blink of an eye, your fate was going to changed. Let see if you can accept the fact that you making more afraid of. If that thing happens, just called us and surely White Wolves Group will show you the light."

Hindi ko naintindihan ang sinabi niya. Nilingon ko siya at nakita kong nakalayo na pala silang dalawa sa akin. Balak ko sanang tawagin sila pero alam kong kahit anong pagtatanong ko ay hindi ko rin naman maiintindihan ang magiging sagot nila. They just giving me some figurative words that makes me more confused so it will be better if I find it in my own way.

In a blink of an eye my fate will going to change, huh?

Natigil ako sa pag-iisip nang may marinig akong commotion galing sa labas ng room ko. I thought another "muder thing" happened but when it was followed by the woman's screamed I already concluded that it was not just like that... It was just like a piece of Math problem that made me stressed.

Una kong nakita ang guwapong mukha ni Junmyeon. May bahid ng frustration ang kanyang mukha habang naglalakad siya papasok ng room.

"Tss. Bakit kailangan niyo pang sumama sa akin? Ako lang ang ililipat, hindi kayo!" Nagmamaktol na sabi nito sa kung sino man ang kanyang mga kasama.

Nanliit ang aking mga mata habang tinitingnan kung sino ang mga kasama nito. Malabo pa sa una ngunit kalaunan ay napagtanto ko kung sino sila.

I scoffed. What are they doing here, huh?

Tumahimik ang mga nasa paligid ko sa pagsulpot ng mga White Wolves Group sa room namin. Tila silang mga haring ginagalang nila at pinupuri. Umikot ang bilog ng mga mata ko at muling bumalik sa pagbabasa, binalewala ang mga dumating.

"Oh! Come on, Junmyeon. Gusto ko ring tingnan kung okay ba siya. Huwag mo namang ipagdamot siya sa amin. Kaibigan rin namin siya." Kai replied as he glanced towards his comrades.

"I didn't know the exact reason why I am dragged out here.." Sehun said then crossed his arms.

"I thought you want to see her, Sehun?" Baekhyun teases him.

"Idiot. You are the one who dragged me here and what do you expect me to do? Turn back since I am here?" He scoffed making Baekhyun to laughed.

"Stop it, guys. Bumalik na nga kayo roon." Naiiritang turan sa kanila ni Junmyeon.

"Don't tell me you are jealous? You really want to see her for yourself? I knew that you like her." Kyungsoo butted in habang unti-unti silang papalapit sa direksiyon ko.

"Kyungsoo!" I can sense the frustration in his voice boosting up. I bet the next move he did is to punch those noisy guys one by one.

Rinig ko ang malakas na tawanan nilang lahat. Napairap na lamang ako sa ingay nilang rinig na rinig sa apat na sulok ng kuwartong ito. Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa at binalingan ko silang nasa harapan ko na pala.

"Anong ginagawa ninyo dito?" Diretsahang tanong ko sa kanila.

Sumulpot si Kai sa harapan ko. His golden tanned hand  held out my paper white hand and then he kissed the back of my palm.

"It such a honour to visit you in a place like this. I am here to make sure if you are still alive and breathing. You know it's my duty to protect you with all of my heart, Milady." He winked at me.

Gumalaw ng bahagya si Junmyeon sa isang tabi. Balak sana niyang hawiin si Kai kung hindi ko lang binawi ang kamay ko mula sa mga kamay ng lalaki. I rolled my eyes at him then go back from what I am doing even though I can't concentrate a bit because of the hard aura that  surrounded me.

"Ow. You're such a cold-hearted, Milady. You break my heart." He acts like a bruised angel at kaagad naman siyang binatukan ni Chanyeol.

The whole team laughed even the audience I mean my classmates na walang ginawa kundi ang manood na lang sa isang tabi. Binalewala ko ang mga tawanan nila at muling nagbato ng tanong sa kanila.

"Anong kailangan niyo sa akin? Do you have already the list for all the possible culprits?" Bahagyang humina ang boses ko sa huling tanong na iyon.

Tumango si Junmyeon. "We will talk about it later. Hayaan mo muna akong maging seatmate mo." He said and I was going to bomb him with a question but then he shifted his gazed to the other people who was watching.

"Where is the vacant seat?" He asked and then smile.

Natulala pa ang babaeng napagtanungan nito pero ilang sandali ay agad na nakabawi ang huli.

Tinuro niya iyong nasa dulo. "I-iyong anim po na nasa dulo. Saktong-sakto po kayong anim roon."

Tumango ito samantalang ako ay unti-unting pinoproseso ang nangyayari.

"Wait? What?!" Bulalas ko ng tuluyan ko nang napagtanto.

"Yes. You're right, Jessica. We are here to be your new classmates and beside our professor agree to our plead." Chanyeol said at tila nabasa nito ang tumatakbo sa isip ko.

"Huh?!" Bahagya akong nagulat roon. What kind of trickery did they use this time para mapapayag ang kanilang proffesor? Geez. I can't believe them.

"You have nothing to worry about, Milady." He smiled at me then held my hand again and place it to his chest.

"I will surely protect you even it costs my life- Woah! Oww!"

Hinatak siya bigla ni Junmyeon at binatukan ito. Frustrated ito at masama ang tingin kay Kai but it doesn't make Kai to be afraid of him instead he laughed teasingly at tinapik ang balikat ng galit na lalaki.

"Chill, Junmyeon. Possesive much. Hindi ko naman siya aagawin sayo." Humagalpak ito ng tawa at hinila ang natatawa ring sina Kyungsoo at Chanyeol sa braso. "Lika na, mga pare. Maupo na tayo roon. Iwan na natin sila boss para makapagsolo sila." Binalingan ni Kai si Baekhyun na kinakalma si Junmyeon. "Ikaw rin, Baek. Sumama ka na sa amin. Hayaan mo na 'yan. Andyan naman si Jessica e." Kinindatan ako ni Kai.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Kai at tinapunan ng tingin si Junmyeon. Umiwas naman ito ng tingin at napansin ko ang pamumula ng mga pisngi nito.

Seriously, I didn't get it. What the hell is happening right now?

"Shut up, Kai. Namumula na si boss oh." Hirit pa ni Baekhyun at sumunod sa lalaki tsaka sila nagtawanan roon.

Ipinagkibit-balikat ko na lang ang nangyayari kahit na sa kaloob-looban ko ay naiirita na ako. They are so annoying! Tss.

"Who the hell told you na kasama kayo sa ililipat?" Junmyeon asked when Kai was about to pull his chair.

Nalilitong tiningnan ni Kai ang kanilang lider. "Huh? I thought na pinayagan mo kami?"

"Yes but it doesn't mean na puwede na kayong maki-seat in dito. If the student council found out that you are here without their permission, Yuri might kill you." He replied then a smirk crossed his face.

"Damn.." Kai cursed and then face his co-members. Yuri Kwon is a member of the student council. Her position is the fourth year representative and also the right hand of the White Wolves Group leader, Kim Junmyeon.

"Come on, guys. Baka patayin ako ni Yuri kapag nalaman niyang nandito ako pati kayo." Sa hitsura palang ni Kai ay para siyang ninenerbiyos. It's the first  time to see him lose his composure.

Naghalakhakan ang buong kasama niya and I remained confused while looking at them.

Baekhyun noticed it then he spoke. "Kai is a well-known playboy in this campus and he can steal every girl's heart by his gaze and being gentle but when it comes to Yuri, it has no effect." Humagalpak ito ng tawa.

And then I get it. Did Kai trying to seduce Yuri but it always failed? Geez. What a pain in ass.

"At hindi lang iyon. Pagdating kasi kay Yuri, nababahag ang buntot niya at nawawala ang pagiging makapal na mukha nito." Kyungsoo added and then I just nod.

Sinapak ni Kai ang dalawa sa tagiliran. "That's enough. It's not funny." I noticed that his face is red as tomatoes while avoiding his gazed from everyone.

Junmyeon chuckled. "That's what you get from teasing me. It's payback time, man."

Kai turned his gaze to him. Frustrated. He hissed and then he started to walk towards the door.

"Diyan na nga kayo. Tss."

Nagsihalakhakan ang lahat at mas lalong umulan ng kantyawan sa buong silid at pagkuwan ay sinundan nila ang nagtatampong lalaki. Napailing na lang ako at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa binabasa.

"Good grief. I am now able to get rid of this place." I heard Sehun's whispered that caught my attention to look at him.

"No. You stay here, Sehun."

Sehun stopped on his track and made him glance at Junmyeon. "What?!"

"Tayong dalawa lang ang may permiso mula sa student council. Whether you like it or not, you should obey me or else the council might be suspicious on us." Junmyeon lowered his voice so that no one would be heard.

"Plus, you and I will going to provide her safety." He added.

"What?! Are you asking me to act like a knight in shining armor to protect her?" Sehun pointed his finger to me.

I raised my eyebrow dahil sa naging pagtaas ng tono ng boses niya. Naningkit ang aking mga mata at pinagmasdan siya ng mabuti. It looks like he was frustrated at me and I don't know why. We are not close or haven't talked alone yet aside from that time that he give me a warning.

And one question crossed my mind. Is he hiding something from us? Why is it I have this kind of suspicion? And if yes, what could it be?

Natigil ako nang tinapunan ako nito ng malamig na tingin at para bang sa akin niya ibinubunton ang pagkainis niya. What did I do?

"Tss." He looked away and hissed then he walked towards the door at padabog itong isinarado.

Natahimik ang lahat sa naging reaksiyon ni Sehun. Iyong iba ay nagtataka at ipinukol sa amin ang nagtatanong na mga tingin. Iyong iba naman ay wala lang na para bang sanay na sa ugali ng lalaki.

"I'm sorry for his rude attitude. He was just like that, silent and have a violent behaviour. But I assured you, he is a good person." Junmyeon smiled as he sit on the chair beside me.

Wala akong naging tugon kundi ang tumango. Ngunit nang pumasok sa isipan ko ang naging katanungan ko kanina ay hindi na ako nag-abalang magtanong.

"Do you know why is he acting like that?" I asked out of the blue.

"Hmm. Let me tell you an interesting story but please keep it on yourself." Junmyeon said as his mouth started to talk about something.

Tulala ako buong maghapon. Hindi pumapasok sa isipan ko ang naging lesson namin sa isang araw. My mind was occupied with the secret that I have been learned recently and that secret there's something behind it. Something that might be connected on the recent killings happening in the whole campus. Another key to tear-off the mysteries and unlocked the hidden truth.

Nauna nang umalis si Junmyeon dahil sa ipinapatawag siya ng student council but before he goes off, he ordered Sehun to be on my side until I was back in my dorm safe and he do nothing but to obey his leader. Hindi naman pumasok ng buong maghapon ang lalaking kinaiinisan ko. I wonder where he is or what he is up to? Even his members are nowhere to be seen. It seems like something suspicious was going on between them.

I must be more careful from my actions and I should act that I didn't suspecting all of them or else my plans is going to be ruin.

"What are you waiting for?" A baritone and cold voice made me jumped back on reality.

"What?!" Naiinis at lito ko siyang tiningnan habang inaayos ko ang mga gamit ko.

He hissed at my reaction. "If you don't want me to leave you alone then make it faster."

Napairap ako sa pagsusungit niya. Sa kanilang lahat, siya lang ang ganito ang pakikitungo sa akin. Some of his co-members are friendly and jolly but he is different. He appears to be rude at me and we doesn't have a personal talk and I don't want to. Pero naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit ganito ang pakikitungo niya base sa narinig ko mula kay Junmyeon.

"Why do you have to do this? If you want to go home alone then you shouldn't wait for me. I'll explain to Junmyeon later." I said as I finished packing up my things.

Hindi siya nagsalita bagkus ay nagsimula na siyang maglakad. I sighed heavily as I look at him walking away from me.

Buong akala ko ay tuluyan na siyang aalis ngunit nagkamali ako. He stopped at the door and then turned his eyes to me.

"Tatayo ka na lang ba diyan? O baka gusto mo buhatin pa kita?" He smirked on his last words and I can sense in his voice that he was teasing me.

"No, thanks." I replied and walked towards him, ignoring his chuckles that made me more irritated.

What's with him, anyway? I really don't get his personality. I thought he loathed me so much then why is he started to care at me?

We started to walk. Silence filled the entire space between us. No one dare to talk after that incident until I heard he spoke.

"I know that I am being rude to you earlier and now-"

"AAHHHHHH!"

Naputol ang pagsasalita niya dahil sa isang nakakabinging sigaw mula sa covered court ng school. Napatigil kami sa paglalakad at napatingin doon.

I saw a guy coming from the covered court, bathed in blood and running towards our direction. His right face were covered with wounds and bruises and his eyes screams fear.

"Help me! He is going to kill me! Jack the Ripper is-"

His screaming and asking out for help stops as we heard a roared of gun that comes out of nowhere. And in a blink of an eye, that guy was found lying in front of me. Lifeless and a blood flows out of the bullet that hit his forehead.

Suddenly, screams covered the whole place. Nagkakagulo na ang lahat ngunit ako ay nanatili lamang nakatayo. Hindi makagalaw dahil sa nangyari habang nakatingin sa duguang bangkay ng lalaki.

Ang mga mata nito ay tila buhay na nakatingin sa akin. Like it was pleading me to listen to him. And in his eyes, I saw that he know something that made him finished off.

Napaangat ako ng tingin nang may napagtanto. Tumingin ako sa bandang kanan ko at sa hindi kalayuan ay naaninag ko ang isang bulto ng taong nagtatago sa pagitan ng mga halaman. May hawak itong baril at nakatingin sa akin. Hindi ko makita ng mabuti ang mukha nito dahil sa maskarang nakatakip dito ngunit isa lang ang nasisiguro ko.

He is the one who is called by his unpeasant nickname.

"Jack the Ripper.." I whispered and then a smirk appears on his face na para bang naririnig niya ang sinasabi ko.

I finally found you, reaper.

"Jack the Ripper..." pag-uulit ko sa ibinulong ko habang hindi pinuputol ang tingin sa  taong iyon.

Nakangisi ito sa akin at ilang sandali pa ay dahan-dahan itong kinain ng dilim. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok sa isipan ko para sundan ang papalayong kriminal.

"Jessica! Where are you going?"

I heard Sehun asked but I ignore it. Hindi ako lumingon o nag-abala pang sagutin ang mga tanong ni Sehun at ipinagpatuloy ang pagtakbo. Hindi ko makontrol ang mga paa ko at kusa lang silang kumikilos patungo roon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero sa tingin ko ay kapag nakaharap ko siya ay malilinawan na ako sa lahat.

"Ayy! Ano ba 'yan?" I heard someone squirmed but I don't have time to apologize for hitting her.

I have no time. I should keep up with the culprit's speed or else I will never give a chance to know that thing.

Tumigil siya sa pagtakbo at pumasok sa abandonadong gusali ng campus. Lumingon muna ito sa akin at muling ngumisi bago ito pumasok sa loob.

Huminto muna ako saglit sa may pintuan ng silid. Kinapa ko muna ang bandang hita ko para siguruhin kung may dala ba akong baril para proteksiyonan ang sarili ko sa kung ano mang panganib ang nakaamba bago ko napagpasyahang pumasok roon.

The room was in pitch black. The smell of a dust and old woods lingered into my nose. Kahit na madilim ay malinaw ko pa ring nakikita ang mga nasa paligid ko sa tulong ng liwanag na nagmumula sa maalikabok na bintana.

I roamed my eyes all over the place but I didn't saw the culprit even his presence vanished. I cursed when I realize that he might used this secluded place in order to get away from me. Damn! I'm so stupid!

Napasuntok ako sa lumang table na malapit sa akin sa sobrang pagkainis at aksidenteng may naihulog akong isang bagay sa sahig.

A red piece of paper.

I picked the paper up. There is nothing written into it except from this words.

"Don't you dare to go through my way or else I will kill her."

-Jack The Ripper-

It was the same handwriting as the first paper that I've found in the gym. And it have the same smell-the smell of the dry blood.

Isinuksok ko ang kapirasong papel sa aking bulsa. It might be a great help to me to identify the culprit. Hindi ko man maintindihan ang nakasaad dito ngunit alam ko na kapag paulit-ulit ko itong i-analyze ay makukuha ko rin ang ibig sabihin. And I bet it was directed to the first victim but what about the second victim? The one who recently killed? What will be the reason why is he killed? I must do some investigations right now and I bet the police are now in the crime scene, cleaning all the mess that the killer did and after they cleaned it, it is my chance to sneak in the crime scene.

I paused for a bit when I heard the door creaked. Napatingin ako roon at iniluwa roon ang isang hingal na hingal na binata.

"Jessica!" He shouted my name and rushed towards me then hugged me tight.

I was caught off-guard on what he did. His arms is warm and I can sense that it was shaking so badly.

"I thought you were gone.. I thought that you will leave me again.." May bahid ng takot ang boses niya at kita ko rin sa kanyang mga mata ang pag-aalala para sa isang bagay na ayaw niyang mawala.

"Sehun..." I whispered his name as I recall what Junmyeon told to me.

"Please don't do let your stupidity ran all over your head! Don't be stubborn and make yourself put into danger! Do whatever I says and think before you act!" He shouted on my face and now anger is shown into his voice.

Mas humigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin. Halos hindi na ako makahinga ngunit dama ko ang pagiging concern niya sa akin sa mga yakap niya. And he was afraid to lose someone who he value the most.

"I'm sorry if I am being rude to you but please listen to me.." Humina ang boses niya.

Hindi ako makapagsalita sa nangyari. It's my first time to see him acted this way. I thought he was a cold hearted person but now I am seeing another piece of him. His personality which defines his past and always reminded me on his secret that he hide beyond his heart.

"I'm sorry.." I uttered at hinayaan kong manatili kami ng ganoong posisyon ng ilang sandali.

"Once I had a little sister, to be specific, my sister from my dad's second mom. My real mom died because of murder and I already know the reason behind that. And then after all years, father fully accepted the truth that my mother didn't really come back for us.."

Hinayaan ko lamang siyang magsalita tungkol sa kanyang buhay. I can see on his face the despair and anger he was holding for a long time. And it was made me feel pity on him.

"My dad fall inlove with Leonore, his second wife. They got married in church and then they have a daughter. Leonore accepted me as her son and then we live a happy family for the rest of our life until one day my nightmare comes."

"One day I found myself on a dark, messy room. And I saw my family there, lying along the bed while blood covered their body. Lifeless. I was stunned at that time and then tears started to fall in my eyes. I walked out of my parent's room and go to my little sister's room then I found my sister there, full of blood, crawling in the floor. I rushed into her then hold her warm hands. I felt relieved to think that my sister is alive but then after a few second, when she was about to speak who is the murderer, a bullet coming from somewhere hit her head, making her to leave me too."

He paused a bit then sighed. "I was furious at that time. I want to kill someone. I want to kill the one who murdered my whole family. I want to seek justice so that's why I left myself and turned back from the light. I'm become a criminal. My hands killed so many innocent people. I participated in many recent killings happened in the world. I can't stop my impulse from doing and then I met someone.." he glanced at me after saying that.

"She changed my life. She made my heart back again. She made me realized my sins and then she turned me back to my old self that's why I am a member of White Wolves Group now." A small smile escaped from his lips.

"Where is she now?" Naitanong ko bigla.

Umiwas siya ng tingin sakin. He sighed. "Let say that she was with me but it looks like she doesn't remember me."

Napatango na lang ako. I don't know what I feel after hearing his own story, his secrets, his sins. I feel like something was missing in his story. Something that made me feel lonely? Why?

If I remember my past, I didn't saw him in my memories or I meet him somewhere else. Then why did I feel nostalgic? Did we really meet back then?

Naputol ang katahimikan nang magsalita siya.

"I gues that's enough so we should get out of this place. The police will be here in any minutes so let's go to the crime scene first before they come. I'll help you out from your investigations."

He stood up. Inilahad niya ang kanyang kamay sa akin at kaagad ko namang tinanggap. His hands are warm and I can feel the security in my heart when I hold his hand.

Nagsimula na kami sa paglalakad. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako makaimik matapos ang nangyari. Wala rin siyang imik ngunit alam kong malungkot siya.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad kaya nagtataka siyang napatingin sa akin.

"If she remember you now, what will you do?" Kusa na lang lumabas sa bibig ko ang mga tanong na iyon.

"Then I will promise to her that I will be on her side forever. I will be her knight and I will help her to seek for her own happiness."

Nangilid ang mga luha ko at bago pa iyon pumatak ay hinigit niya ako at niyakap ng mahigpit.

"I don't understand why I am feeling this way. And why I am crying?" My voice croaked.

"I am not a crybaby but damn! Why I can't control my tears from falling? I used to be a cold hearted person but why I am feeling broken after hearing your story? Why?!"

His hand caressed my back. He leaned in and whisper something.

"You don't have to control your own emotion. Don't hold back and do what your heart says."

After that emotional moment I turned back from  my old self. I don't know why it turns out to be like that. What the heck did I do? It's my first time to cry in that way. I am known as the ice princess and now what was that? Another drama to think on?

Hawak-hawak ko ang kapirasong papel na napulot ko sa abandonadong building na iyon at ang cellphone ng lalaking biktima na nakuha ko sa bulsa nito doon sa crime scene kanina. Iniisip ko pa rin kung paano napunta ang papel na ito sa building na iyon o talagang isinulat ng killer iyon para sa akin.

Sa kahit anong anggulong tingnan ko ang papel ay parang may nakatagong mensahe dito. If this message is for me, who is the one that  the killer going to kill? Or baka para ito sa lalaking biktima.

Kung titingnan ko sa nauna niyang biktima, I can't find any connection at all. Wala akong nakikitang pagkakapareho sa dalawa. Wala ring naging marka na sumali sa kahit anong gang ang lalaki katulad ng sa una. So, how I am going to solve this?

Kung aalalahanin ang sinabi ng lalaki kanina parang may nalaman siyang hindi dapat malaman ng iba that's why Jack the Ripper killed him. And it looks like na kilala niya ang katauhan ni Jack the Ripper sa akin at iyon ang dapat sana niyang sabihin sa akin but wait, how did he know about Jack the Ripper?

Did he stalking us all the time? Or a spy that the killer send to guard my move?

If that so it means kilala ako ng culprit? At sinasadya niya ang mga patayang nagaganap para bitagin ako. Kung ganon, what is the culprit real motive? Bakit niya pinapatay ang mga inosenteng tao sa paaralang ito?

Isang ideya ang pumasok sa isipan ko. Isang bagay lang ang dahilan at sigurado akong magkakilala ang mga biktima at ang killer. Hindi lang sila dadalawa kundi marami pa sila. If my hunch is correct then there is something wrong in the policy of this school!

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ng lalaking biktima. Napamura ako nang makita kong may password ang cellphone nito. Itinapon ko ito sa sobrang pagkainis at hindi sinasadyang nagbukas ito.

And then a thing appears in the screen that made me shocked.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

A girl with leather jacket and boats was walking in the hallway of darkness. She has a angelic expression that made everyone to be deceived by her looks and in her lips a smirk appears as she passed through the students who bowed down to her.

Her phone beeped when she was in front of her destination, the room where evils reside. She get her phone from the pocket of her jacket and put a look on the text  message that she received.

THIRD:

Where are you, Second? Our master is waiting for you.

She didn't type a reply and she was about to knock in the door pero naunahan na siya ng kung sino man ang nagbukas nito mula sa loob.

Bumungad sa kanya ang naiiritang mukha ng lalaki na kanina lang ay nagtext sa kanya. She knew that he was going to shout at her in three, two, one...

"Where have you been, Second?! Do you know kung ilang minuto ka ng late?"

Napakibit-balikat ang babae at napasinghap na lang ang lalaki sa inis.

"What a pain..." the man uttered and massaged the bridge of his nose.

"I'm sorry, Third. I was enjoying my hobby and I couldn't tore my eyes in my wristwatch so that I forgot what time is it." The girl apologized.

"It's okay but next time don't forget to look in your watch so that you can't forget our meetings."

Tuluyan na silang pumasok sa loob ng madilim na kuwarto. Wala silang ibang liwanag na nakikita kundi ang liwanag na nanggagaling sa maliit na bintana ng kuwartong iyon. They decided not to open the switch of the light so that no one could see their faces kung sakaling may makarinig man sa pinag-uusapan nila.

They were in a secluded room which no one in the campus knows. It was part of the school's hidden room that the school founder made for urgent purposes and now since the founder died, they are now using it.

Tinahak muna nila ang malawak na pasilyo bago sila makarating sa mismong lugar na pinag-usapan nila. Nang makarating na sila roon ay napansin ng babae na sila na lang ang hinihintay at kumpleto na ang lahat ng mga ka-miyembro niya.

"Finally, our lady comes.." A messy haired guy said and then he guide the lady to her designed seat.

"Fourth, could you please lower your voice? It's irritating me.." Mataray na sagot ng isang babaeng nakaponytail.

"Mahina naman ang boses ko, ah? Bakit ba inis na inis ka sakin, Fifth?!" Iritadong tanong ng lalaki.

"Stop it, you two! Our boss is here so please have some manners!" Suway ng pinakamatangkad na lalaki sa kanila at bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkabagot sa nangyayari.

Natahimik ang lahat. It looks like they are afraid of him. The guy hissed and spoke.

"Why don't we start since she was here, First? I'm started to getting bored." Napahikab ito.

"Be patience, Sixth. It's not boredom can kill you so all of you are better shut your mouth until my head calm." The man who was sitting into the master sofa spoke. He was holding a champagne on his right hand while eating some cookies.

Silence consumes the atmosphere. No one dare to speak. Each of them, don't want to disobey their master's rule or else he will make your life living in hell. Master's word are absolute and no one could alter it even Second started to feel uneasy because of the suffocating atmosphere.

He put his glass on the table and he wipe his lips. Then he gracefully turn his head to his co-members and his mouth started to move.

"The Almighty One have a request to offer for us.." he break the silence between them.

"What is it? Killing some people again? Turning us into a hired killler? We are a gangster not a hero, duh!" Fifth voice rising up, annoyed by what her master said.

"Geez. Nakakasawa ng pumatay ng mga mahihina. Walang excitement." Umiling pa ang lalaking nagngangalang Fourth.

"Really? Based on what I remembered it's Second who kill the two pathetic rats! In just one second." Third butted in and proud on what her friend's achievements.

Nakatanggap silang dalawa ng kantyaw at asar mula sa mga kakilala. Second shocked her head and focus her gaze on the master. Of all her members, she is the one whose interested in what the almighty one offers, killing lives, threatening someone, stealing any private property and bullying a person.

Sa kanilang lahat, siya lang ang gumagawa ng mga requests na iniatas sa kanila ng pinakamataas. Her group was called 'The Sixth Guards in the Round Table' which consists of six members only. This gang group doesn't hired a new member that's why it have six members. They are responsible for all the killings happening in the school including the gym incident and the incident happened recently. They are the merciless people who doesn't value lives and treating someone's fate as a junk.

"Silencio!" (it means "silence" in English)

All of the noise surrounding the whole place devoured by the deafening silence. Frightened by the annoyed voice of their master, everyone was now looking today their boss, with a serious face and the light atmosphere becomes heavy.

"Would you please let me finished, first? I'm not finished speaking and it's kind of rude if you open your mouth while I am discussing in front of you." His voice is now authoritive.

"I'm sorry." They all both said in unison then keep their head down.

Tumikhim ang lalaki at muling nagpatuloy. "This offer is differ from what he send yesterday." Bumaling ito kay Second at muling nagsalita.

"Second, I want you to handle this offer." A smirk appears on his handsome face.

"What I am going to do then?"

"This time we are now  playing someone's fate. That interesting girl's fate." Then he handed her a piece of paper.

She took a read into it then a smirk appears on her face.

"Yes, she is really interesting and I felt that I meet her before." Wala sa sariling bulong ng babae.

"What's your choice, then?" The guy asked.

She glanced at him then a smile appeared on her face.

"I will take it."

Muling bumalik ang tingin niya sa picture na hinahawakan niya ngayon kalakip ang mga impormasyong nakapaloob dito.

Sino ka ba talaga, Jessica? Why I have a feeling that I met you before?

That thoughts ran through her mind and then she read what was written on the paper.

"Play with her fate and erased her existence from this world. All insects that is getting through the evil's way shall be punished but let Jessica's sweet blood run through my hands."