24th Doors

"All objects in the universe are unique. No two things that happen by chance ever happen in exactly the same way. No two things are ever constructed or manufactured in exactly the same way. No two things wear in exactly the same way. No two things ever break in exactly the same way." ―Joe Nickelle

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Wala sa sarili kong tinahak ang Elevator pababa sa 24th floor. Maging ang lahat ay nagulat sa mga nangyari. Claina was dead, Mildred and Zyril were missing. It was indeed a very peaceful night, but waking up was a triple disaster.

"So that killer bitch promised a peaceful night. Yes, we did sleep soundly but we woke up with a nightmare!" Nanggigigil na reklamo ni Mina paglabas ko ng elevator. Nasa bungad na naman sila ng lobby at parang hindi mabuksan ang main door ng 24th floor.

Nakaharap ang lahat sa isang malaking screen na nasa itaas ng main door. Another set-up for this door. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay pinag-eeksperimentuhan kami ng kung sinoman. May napanood na akong ganitong pelikula dati. Ginagawang guinea pig ang mga tao para mapag-aralan ang kanilang psychological behavior. Kumbaga isang psychological assessment, a process of test that uses a combination of techniques to help arrive at some hypotheses about a person and their behavior, personality and capabilities.

Napailing ako. Bakit kailangang mga empleyado ng 31st floor ang pag-aralan? We are a bunch of common people. Nothing special. Kung may super powers ang ilan saamin, maniniwala pa ako sa psychological assessment na' to. Pero ano ba talaga ang motibo ng killer at bakit kami iniisa-isa? Kung balak niya kaming patayin lahat, bakit hindi na lang kami pasabugin ng minsanan tutal magaling naman niyang na-plot ang buong building?

Hindi kaya ang may-ari ng MOS na sina President Ruby Red at Rocess R. Red and may gawa nito? Pero hindi eh. Buhay na nila ang MOS. I saw how both of them worked hard to keep MOS to where it should be. Hindi ito magiging number one online shopping company kung hindi dahil sa passion nilang mag-ina.

"Do we have any answer yet?" naiinip na tanong ni Andreas na nakatitig pa rin sa nakasulat sa malaking OLED TV.

On the screen it's written: This is a common group of words. I am curious how fast you can find out what is so common about it. It may look normal, plain, typical and boring that you would say nothing is wrong with this group of words. Right, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Do not look for any coach and look what is missing!

Inulit ko ang nakasulat sa screen. Sinubukan kong intindihin ang ibig sabihin no'n. Nothing is wrong with the sentences. There is no direct or explicit message as well. Sumakit ang sentido ko nang mapagtanto kong simple ang paragraph pero mukhang mahirap sagutin. Madalas ganon. 'Yong inaakala nating simple, nagiging komplikado.

Mina stepped forward. Her hands on akimbo as she stared at the screen intently. She twitched her pursed lips. Parang nabobore ito sa binabasa. "There is no puzzle to solve nor it needs common sense. The answer is 'E'. Walang letter 'E' sa paragraph na 'yan. See those letters below that ID scanner." Tinuro nito ang black scanner na nasa gilid ng main door. "Pindutin mo nga 'yong 'E' Rielle."

Nag-alangan pa si Rielle sa utos ng kaibigan. "Sure ka Mina? Baka sumabog ako dito!" Kunot oo nitong tanong sa babae.

Walang naging reaksyon sa mukha ni Mina. Mahirap talagang basahin ang mukha nito. Tanging pagtaas lang ng kilay ang nakita ko mula dito. "Sa tingin mo ipapahamak kita? Ikaw na lang ang natitirang kaibigan ko dito. Trust me pag sumabog 'yan, ako maglilibing sa'yo."

Natawa sina Andreas at Simond pati na rin ang kanina pang tahimik na si Natas.

"Mina naman eh! Kahit kailan talaga! You're so dark!" singhal nito sa kaibigan saka nanginginig na pinindot ang letrang "E" sa black scanner. Kasunod no'n ay ang biglang pagbukas ng main door ng 24th floor.

Naunang pumasok sina Michonne at Ryanne kasunod si Haliya. Kanina pa walang imik ang tatlo at mukhang hindi pa nakakarecover sa nakakagimbal na kamatayan ni Clain at ang pagkawala ng dalawang empleyado. Everyone has been acting so weird lately. All the suspects on my list have been jumbled. Maddie and Thrina are still one of my prime, Laryson and Natas to mention.

24th floor is for the customer service department of MOS. Dito nagtatrabaho ang mga nasa call center. 22nd to 24th floor are for the call center side which should be operating 24/7. Pero nasaan ang mga empleyado nito kung 24/7 dapat ay bukas ang kompanya. That, I can confirm that there is a bigger issue behind this and MOS is in trouble. Either ang MOS mismo ang may pakana nito o mga kalaban ng MOS pagdating sa online merchandises.

"Can we atleast get to the bottom of this!" simula ni Andreas na mukhang sinumpong na naman ng init ng ulo. Andreas' attention was drawn towards Michonne and Ryanne. "Something suspicious is going on here. I could smell the stink right now. So tell us, what we have to do with this boss Ryanne and Miss Michonne?"

"Halah Andreas, kalma lang." Bella was behind the tall guy. Kasama nito sina Maxine and Angelyn na parang nararamdaman ang papasimulang tension.

"What are you talking about Mister Choi?" Tumaas kaagad ang boses ni boss Michonne. Mas lalong naging matapang ang dating matapang na nitong itsura. Hinarap nito ang tila lalaban nang si Andreas. Marahil ay napuno na din ang huli.

"You are the superiors here. Hindi niyo man lang kami sasabihan kung anong nangyayari? Or if you have an idea what the fuck is going on!"

Napaatras si Michonne. Tila nagulat ito sa naging reaksyon ni Andreas na awtomatiko namang inawat ng tatlong magkakaibigan na sina Angelyn, Maxine at Bella. Nasa harapan na rin ito si Simond.

"Easyhan mo lang dude. She's still our boss." Simond reiterated.

"Yes! I am still your boss Greyson Andreas Choi!" Singhal nito. "Now if you are expecting me to say something about what shit is happening, hindi ko alam! Wala akong idea."

"Boss Michonne, ang gusto po yatang sabihin ni Andreas is since kayo po ang mas nakakataas dito, you give us expectations or any theory if possible kung may idea man kayo. Kung instant demolition po ito or whatnot." Deadrae tried to explain on Andreas' behalf.

"Exactly! Parang nasa blankong papel tayo boss. Kung may idea ka, kung may alam kang pinaplano ng upper management before we got into the pit of this bloody shit, sabihin mo nang hindi kami nagmumukhang mga animal dito na naghihintay katayin!"

The tension was raised. Ramdam iyon ng lahat.

I got Andreas' point. Though his words were a little too vulgar, I understand his point. Kung may alam nga naman ang dalawang bosses sa posibleng mga nangyayari or just any insight, dapat pinapaalam nila saamin to set expectations. Ang hirap kasing maghula lang lalo na't ang dami nang mga nangyayari. "Say it boss, please say it." Nagdalawang isip kong sambit. That was directed to Michonne.

"Say what Mr. Molina?" mataray nitong tanong saakin pabalik. Nakakunot na ang noo nito at halos magsalubong na ang mga kilay niya.

"Back on the 29th floor Miss Michonne, while we were gathering the infinity collections, parang may gusto kang sabihin saakin. Hindi ka mapakali. I think it's about time that we pool all ourselves together to find the basic underlying cause of this." Kalmado kong sagot. Naupo ako sa isang swivel chair at nanatiling nakatayo sina Andreas, ang tatlong magkakaibigan at si Simond na nasa harap ng nakapameywang na si Miss Michonne.

"Michonne," Ryanne moved closer to Michonne. Napahawak ito sa braso ng babae. "Tell them what you know. Baka may mahalagang detalye na nalalaman to solve this case. I am sorry but I have to agree with Vlad, we need to pool every details together. We only have each other." Ryanne sounded apologetic.

"Remember, one of us is a killer. I don't want to be a part of this brainstorming!" Singit ni Minalyn na nasa sulok ng production office. She was slouching on the swivel chair at parang may sarili na namang mundo. Nasa tabi nito si Rielle na parang ayaw ding makisama.

"Sarap balatan ng babaeng 'to." Iritableng bulong ni Satana. Nagawa pa nitong irapan ang magkaibigang Rielle at Mina bago naglakad palapit kina Nicolla, Athena at Kid.

Mukhang may mga secret connivance nang nangyayari sa mga natitirang empleyado ng MOS. Andreas has formed a circle with Maxine, Bella, Angelyn and Simond. Kid and Satana have made alliances with Athena and Nicolla. Michonne is sticking to her team with Ryanne and Haliya. Mina and Rielle are sticking together. While Thrina and Maddie have been talking to Deadrae and Sykyoe. All I have for me is Laryson and Natas. I could have Athena, Nicolla, Kid and Satana with me as well. Andreas has talked to me as well. He can take Maxine, Bella, Angelyn and Simond with him. We can form a greater alliance to investigate and look for the root cause of everything.

I don't want the house to be divided kahit na totoong isa nga saamin ang mastermind sa lahat ng 'to. It will be easier for me to monitor each employee's whereabouts kapag hindi kami nahahati. But the situation just seem to divide us. Every secret will be enveloped in each circle and each individual. Collecting information will not be possible.

Walang naganap na pag-uusap pagkatapos ng halos uminit nang sagutan sa pagitan nina Andreas at Michonne. Bago ko pa man subukang kausapin ang lahat para malaman ang pananaw ng bawat isa at kung nasaan sila bago mangyari ang kaguluhan ay isang mensahe na naman mula sa monitor ng computer ang nagpakita.

Jackson Language Assessment Test: Take each station/cubicle and wear the headset provided. Pass the test and you can proceed to the next floor for survival. Failure to pass Jackson means failure to continue! Do not remove your headset unless your scores are tallied. Get 666 points to pass.

Be careful what you hear, it might take your ears!

Jackson Language Assessment Test is a tool used by different companies and institutions to test an applicant's language skills. Ito rin ang ginagamit ng MOS para salain ang mga aplikante sa kanilang call center department. Base sa website ng kompanya ng Jackson Language Assessment, it is one of the recognized for language testing company. It has language assessment in English, Spanish and Mandarin.

Some applicants try to avoid companies that require Jackson Language Assessment Test as part of the recruitment process in fear of failing the test. Mabuti na lang at walang Jackson Language Assessment Test noong nag-apply ako sa MOS. Pero hindi ko alam kung ikatutuwa ko pa ang ideyang ito. Base sa mga nrinig kong kwento ng test, the exam has five parts which consists of reading, repeating the phrase, sentence building, story telling and open question.

Isa-isang umupo sa mga stations ang mga naroon. Minabuti kong maupo na rin at isuot ang headset. Ayokong ako na naman ang mahuli sa pagsagot dahil baka hindi na ako swertehin. The first four parts were very easy. Depende na lang talaga kung walang communications skill ang empleyado which is very rare sa company. MOS is very strict when it comes to hiring their employees. Lahat ay nasala at piling-pili lang ang nakakapasok.

I cleared my throat as I began with the test na maaaring huli nang test ko sa mundo. Mabilis akong natapos sa unang apat na bahagi. I accurately followed the robot's instructions. The last part was very shocking. Hindi ko inaasahang isang boses na tila galing sa ilalim ng lupa ang nagsalita. I had hair shock and it ran through my spine when I heard that demonic voice.

The creepy voice said, "You will have fifty seconds to answer each question. The questions will be spoken once only then you will hear a beep, another beep will be heard at the end of the fifty-second mark."

Napalunok ako. Mas lalo akong nagulat nang tinanong ako ng voice prompt.

"Nasaan ka at sino ang mga kasama mo bago mag 8AM kahapon?"

I rattled at the beginning. Then I was able to recover and answered. "I was at my apartment preparing for work. I was alone." Ganoon kasing bilis ang naging sagot ko sa unang tanong. It was an honest answer. I had nothing to say and I thought that was enough.

Tumunog ang second beep na nangangahulugang tapos na ang fifty seconds allotted time para sa first question. Muling tumunog ang voice prompt.

"Ano ang kinalaman mo sa pagkamatay ni Karen Relucio sa Central Station ng LRT 1 tatlong buwan na ang nakakaraan?"

Nagulat ako sa narinig. Parang hindi tama ang narinig ko. Per Karen's family, namatay ito sa isang aksidente sa Cebu at hindi sa LRT 1 station. Alin ang totoo? Halos mapapitlag ako dahil bigla kong naalala ang nilalaman ng riddle. Nanginig akong kinapa ang dilaw na papel kung saan nakasulat ang code: 1b2f3l4e

Binalikan ko ang riddle sa Macbook. Hindi ako nagkakamali. In LRT 1 Central Terminal Station, a body was found dead inside the ladies rest room.

There are six suspects identified "Minalyn", "Andreas", "Haliya", "Ryanne, "Thrina" and "Rielle".

1b2f3l4e --that's the murderer's name left by the victim written on the mirror.

Solve the mystery name before everything ends! Your time starts now.

May kinalaman ang kamatayan ni Karen sa mga nangyayari dito. Pero bakit kailangang idamay ang iba? Bakit hindi na lang ako ang pahirapan ng mastermind? Kaanu-ano ni Karen ang nagpapadala ng mga mensahe? Natigagal ako. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita sa sobrang gulat at tanging ang kabog ng dibdib ko ang naramdaman. Hindi ako nakasagot.

Someone killed Karen and he's just around. Ano ang motibo niya para gawin ito? Bakit kailangang lahat ng empleyado ng 31st floor? Bakit?

Nagulat ako nang may biglang tumili sa kabilang dako ng mga nakahilerang stations. Deadrae Shreave, ang college intern! Umuusok ang headset nito na pilit niyang tinatanggal. Natulala ang lahat ng naroon. Kasunod no'n ay nasunog ang buong ulo ni Deadrae pati na ang mga kamay nito. Hindi natigil ang pagtili nito habang pinapaliguan ng asidong mula sa suot nitong headset.

It took almost a minute before the girl fell down to her feet. Huli na nang tangkain kong saklolohan ang babae. Sunod na sunog na ito. Tumunog na naman ang alarm system ng 24th floor. Naunang tumakbo sina Maddie at Thrina sa main door para tunguhin ag elevator. Sumunod si Laryson at Athena. Napatingin ako sa monitor na nasa station. Numbers started running like it's calculating my score. Bumagal pa ang pag-akyat ng numbero nang nasa 650 na ito. My score paused at 663 then two points added up.

665.

I patiently waited for the score. Halos mapalundag ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang umakyat ang score ko sa 680. In an instant. Mabilis kong tinanggal ang headset sa aking mga tainga. Inilang hakbang ko ang kinaroroonan ni Deadrae. Sunog na sunog ang buong katawan nito nang mamasdan ko. Nakadilat pa ang mga mata na punong-puno ng takot.

I closed her eyes and paid respect to my employee. Mariin akong napapikit and rendered a short prayer. Dedrae was a cheerful and thoughtful employee. Naalala ko pa noong binilan ako nito ng kape noong isang lingo. Rest in peace Drae. I whispered.

Tumayo na ako para tunguhin ang elevator. Pero bago ako makaalis ay napansin ko ang posisyon ng kamay ng dalaga. nakaturo ang mga kamay nito sa isang station na malapit sa main door. Naalala ko kung sino ang nakaupo doon.

It was Laryson Perey. Could he be the suspect?

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