Chapter Five

"It's been hell to Helios since the murder occured. Marami na ang namatay at kahit isa ay walang makapagsabi kung sino ang salarin. I already contacted the NBI but they're still on the process until now..." he said. "...You're the only person I know who can help this town."

She wet her lips using her tongue. It'll be trouble to her since she doesn't even heard any clue about it. Not to mention, she'd been recognized as a highly detective in their team. Just like Special Investigation Unit they have NBI here in the Philippines. And she's part of it. But the case here in Helious was not handled by their team.

"Leave it to me," she said with so much power on her voice. Dahil kahit ipahawak sa kaniya ang kaso sa lugar na ito, kikilos pa rin siya. Moni's life depends on her.

Lumipas ang isang oras na pag-uusap nila ng Mayor ukol sa mga nangyayaring kakaiba sa bayan. Matapos ang pag-uusap ay dumiretso na siya sa isa sa paupahang bahay dito. Sa bahay ng Mayor siya pinapatuloy nito pero tinanggihan niya.

Hindi niya masikmura na matulog o kahit tumigil saglit sa bahay nito. Dahil doon nangyari ang lahat.

Naligo muna siya bago nagpahinga sa maliit na kuwarto na tinuluyan niya. Isang side table, isang upuan at kama lamang ang laman ng kuwarto. Sa kaliwa ng kama ay ang may kaliitan na bintana.

Tinitigan niya ang larawan ni Moni sa kaniyang cellphone. Nakangiti ito roon habang hawak ang isang teddy bear. Moni's mother died infront of her two eyes. The eyes of Moni's mother was straightly looking at her while gasping for breath. And she saw Moni---crying at the corner of their house. Doon niya ito nakilala at simula noon ay kinupkop na niya ito at inilapat ang custody ng bata sa kaniya.

"Wait for me, sweety. I'll come and get you," bulong niya.

She's awaken by a loud sound coming outside the door. Inayos muna niya ang sarili bago lumabas upang alamin kung anong nangyayari. Hindi pa siya tuluyang nakalalabas nang marinig niya ang sigawan at iyakan na nanggagaling sa labas ng inuupahan niya.

"Diyos ko. Ano bang nangyayari sa bayan natin? Bakit sunod-sunod na ang pagpatay dito?"

Nawala ang antok niya sa narinig. Nagmamadaling bumaba siya at lumabas ng bahay. May isang kumpol ng mga tao ang nasa labas at malapit sa mga ito ay ang dalawang mobil car. May mga pulis na nakapalibot. Pagkalapit niya ay bumungad sa kaniya ang isang patay na babae.

"Any findings?" She asked. She move closely to the body but one police stopped her.

"Miss hindi maaaring lumapit ang sibilyan sa bangkay. Kailangan pang hintayin ang forensic team para suriin ito."

She smirked. "Agent Bria Alvaro, NBI Team from Camos Unit." She showed them her ID that she used to carry all the time.

Nagtinginan muna ang mga ito bago siya tinanguan at hinayaang makalapit sa bangkay. She examined the body.

The woman is wearing a white-long sleeve and pants. It was covered by blood stains. The eyes are wide open. May mga pasa ito sa mukha at leeg.

Pero hindi iyon ang umagaw sa pansin niya.

Violet rose

The woman is holding a violet rose. But blood stains shaded some parts of the petals and it turned red-violet rose. There are thorns pinned the woman's hand.

The game? So it's the beggining of the puzzled game of the killer.

Not a long time, the forensic team arrived. They were surprised when they recognized me. Especially Investigation Agent Clint Roxas. We've known each other because of the special meetings and all NBI Teams were gathered together. They took photos at the crime scene.

We brought the body to the Santi, near Helios. Dr. Fred examined the body.

"Been died not long ago. Five hours to be exact," he informed us.

"Fresh wounds, those bruises on her neck happened I think just a while ago. The bruises were marked as if the killer's telling that he or she is the dominant between the two of them. The cut on her breast looks like the killer shows no mercy even if the victim is a woman," Dr. Fred explained.