Chapter 2: The Murder Next Door

We arrived in Laguna. Thankfully, it wasn’t too traffic when we passed Quezon City. I was looking out the window for the entire trip, and if I did fall asleep, it was just a brief nap. Maybe it was because of the dream I had. It’s not my first time having that dream. I’ve encountered it several times, but it still gives me chills every time. It’s like a criminal you want to escape from, but you can’t because they can attack at any moment. I know it started when my mom went to jail. Since then, I haven’t been able to sleep well, and it has gotten worse with sleep paralysis. No one knows about it. I haven’t told anyone, not even my nanny.

I shifted my attention to the surroundings. It’s amazing to watch how calming the environment is. I got off the van when it stopped at a large and tall building. I looked at it with amused eyes. I never expected it to be so beautiful when seen up close. I’m sure this is one of the famous condominiums here, based on what I see in front of me. The interior and exterior of the building are amazing, including the design and colors used.

I’ll be residing here, and perhaps in this place, away from my father’s control, my life will finally be peaceful. It’s tiring to live with someone you despise. Living inside that mansion is like living in hell.

“Sir, here’s your suitcase,” the driver said while handing me the folder of documents – the condominium details. “This is also what your father asked me to give you for the condominium.”

I just nodded and took my things that he handed over. I also grabbed my bag and slung it over my right shoulder as I pulled the suitcase towards the entrance.

“I’ll go ahead.” He shouted.

I didn’t reply, but I raised my hand as a sign. I entered the building and went to the front desk to get my condo unit number and key.

“Hello, sir. How may I help you?” the lady at the front desk asked as she saw me approach.

I showed her the folder of condominium documents.

“Please wait for a while, sir. I will get your key,” she said and went to find the keys in the cabinet on her left side.

“Here’s your key, Sir. And it’s located on the top floor. Condo No. 354. Enjoy your stay.” She handed me the key and said while looking at the data on her computer.

I nodded to her.

I entered the elevator by myself. The first thing I noticed when I reached the corridor on the top floor was silence. There are six condos in this complex, so I have five neighbors. Or maybe the other condos are vacant?

I looked around for my condo, opened it, and went inside when I found it. It’s on the left side between the two condominiums.

It’s quite large. It’s more likely to be referred to as a penthouse. It also has an outdoor swimming pool and a bar counter with branded liquor displays. One master bedroom, one guest room, and a large living room with a big TV. I couldn’t miss the presence of a laundry area either. How much did he spend on this condominium? I might as well call it a favor owed to him. Tsk.

I approach the glass door and open it while leaving my belongings in the living room. I go for a walk near the pool and pass a wooden swing with a table in the middle as I proceed to the railing.

“It’s breathtaking,” I said while looking around at the view of the landscape in front of me. I’m surrounded by buildings, yet you can spot patches of trees on the sidewalks.

I decided to go inside first to organize my things. I entered the master bedroom and was greeted by a king-size bed near the window, a study table on the side of the bed, and a closet near the door to the bathroom on the right side of the room.

“Finished!” I said after unpacking and arranging the things in their rightful places, and then I lay down on my king-size bed, looking quietly at the ceiling.

Suddenly, I felt hungry, and that’s when I remembered that I haven’t had breakfast yet. I sat up and walked towards the kitchen to look for something to eat. I wished there were groceries in the refrigerator.

I didn’t make a mistake when I opened it. It’s full of ingredients and food that I estimate can last for one month. I looked through the cabinets and found noodles. So, I just took them.

I’m too tired to cook, maybe because of the journey that prevented me from sleeping well. I’ll just get lunch from a fast-food restaurant and then go shopping at the mall later.

I ate it at the counter after I finished cooking. After eating, I washed the dishes I used.

I recall that I still need to look up the histories of the universities mentioned in my email. I first grab my laptop from my room and sit on the couch in the living room. When the phone vibrates inside my pocket, I pick it up to see the notification. Who might it be? Disturbing me. Tsk.

From: Bastard Father

Tell me about the university to which you want to transfer. Then send it by this evening.

Received

After reading it, I don’t respond to him. I open my email and discover the message that has been sent to me. There are too many universities.

I dial the unknown number in my phone contacts.

[“Good—“]

“Don’t greet,” I say to cut his greeting. “This will be a short task. Sort the universities near where I’ll be staying. I’ll open my GPS.”

[“Yes, Moriarty,” he says.]

“I need it right now,” I command.

I hang up the call and turn on my GPS. I lean my head on the couch and gaze at the ceiling.

My phone vibrates once more. I don’t bother looking at it. I just open my email on my laptop and find the most recent email that has been sent. I look at the backgrounds of the sorted universities. After a few minutes, one has caught my attention.

I dial my bastard father’s number.

“I found a university I want to transfer to,” I announce to him.

[“You really have no respect—” he starts.

I cut him off and say, “The Xavier University.”

[“I will process your documents. I warn you, don’t you dare do something to disgrace this family.”]

“Yeah, yeah. I know. Tsk.”

I hang up and put the phone down on the center table. Not to stain the Manson family, huh? As if he can do a thing.

I lay down on the couch. I will take a nap first to regain my energy. And everything goes blank as I close my eyes.

It’s already 1 pm when I wake up. I have a stiff neck from sleeping on the couch without a pillow. Damn. After recovering, I decide to go to the mall.

I wear my hoodie and a face mask. I don’t forget my eyeglasses and let my hair get messy. I also take my MP3 player and put it in my hoodie pocket.

After getting out, silence greets me. I get on the elevator alone again. It’s weird that I don’t see my neighbors. Or are they working or doing something? Maybe?

After reaching the ground floor, there are many people in the lobby. I continue walking until I exit the building. I stand waiting for a ride in front of the building. It’s hot. Luckily, a vehicle stops in front of me.

“Where to, sir?” the driver asks as I get inside the car.

“Nearest mall,” I answer.

I take out my MP3 player from my hoodie pocket and play my favorite playlist. I bought it online last month – an old-fashioned gadget that teenagers rarely use. It’s also my hobby to listen to music to calm myself down, that’s why I brought it.

I lean by the window, watching the vehicles in the relatively light traffic. I also notice people busy with their activities. The car stops in front of the mall.

“We’re here, sir,” the driver informs me. I pay him and get off.

When I enter the mall, I start looking for a fast-food chain. I decide to have dinner at McDonald’s. I take off my MP3 player and put it back in my hoodie pocket before ordering my usual meal – fries, sundae, fried chicken, and rice.

After finishing my meal, I walk around, thinking about what I need to buy.

“Hmm, what do I need to buy? I need school supplies, educational books, clothes, and other things,” I say to myself.

I make my way to the National Book Store to buy some school supplies for my first day of class next week. After I finish my purchase, I decide to wander around. There’s nothing much to do in the condo anyway.

It’s already 1 pm when I wake up. I have a stiff neck from sleeping on the couch without a pillow. Damn. After recovering, I decide to go to the mall.

I wear my hoodie and a face mask. I don’t forget my eyeglasses and let my hair get messy. I also take my MP3 player and put it in my hoodie pocket.

After getting out, silence greets me. I get on the elevator alone again. It’s weird that I don’t see my neighbors. Or are they working or doing something? Maybe?

After reaching the ground floor, there are many people in the lobby. I continue walking until I exit the building. I stand waiting for a ride in front of the building. It’s hot. Luckily, a vehicle stops in front of me.

“Where to, sir?” the driver asks as I get inside the car.

“Nearest mall,” I answer.

I take out my MP3 player from my hoodie pocket and play my favorite playlist. I bought it online last month – an old-fashioned gadget that teenagers rarely use. It’s also my hobby to listen to music to calm myself down, that’s why I brought it.

I lean by the window, watching the vehicles in the relatively light traffic. I also notice people busy with their activities. The car stops in front of the mall.

“We’re here, sir,” the driver informs me. I pay him and get off.

When I enter the mall, I start looking for a fast-food chain. I decide to have dinner at McDonald’s. I take off my MP3 player and put it back in my hoodie pocket before ordering my usual meal – fries, sundae, fried chicken, and rice.

After finishing my meal, I walk around, thinking about what I need to buy.

“Hmm, what do I need to buy? I need school supplies, educational books, clothes, and other things,” I say to myself.

I make my way to the National Book Store to buy some school supplies for my first day of class next week. After I finish my purchase, I decide to wander around. There’s nothing much to do in the condo anyway.

I was heading home around 5:25 pm.

When I arrived, I immediately started organizing the items I bought. While doing so, I remembered something. I still don’t have a uniform. Tsk. Before I finished arranging everything, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

When I opened it, a message from my father appeared on the screen. What does he want now?

From: Bastard Father

I already enrolled you. You will start next week. But you can get your schedule and uniform tomorrow.

Don’t forget my warning.

Received

I put my phone back in my pocket. Problem solved. And I had finished organizing.

I took out my laptop and placed it on the center table in the living room, along with my cellphone. I still have obligations to attend to.

When someone knocked on my door, I was in the middle of analyzing the documents that had been sent to me.

I stood up and opened the door.

“Do you live in this condo?” inquired a police officer after I opened it.

“Yeah,” I said.

“May we ask you some questions?”

I nodded.

“What is your name? Age?” He asked for my personal information.

“Hadeon Azazel Manson. Seventeen years old,” I answered.

“There was a murder scene right next to your condo. Do you know who your neighbor is?”

He retrieved his notepad and pen and started taking notes based on the information I provided.

“No, I just arrived this morning.”

“So, you’re the new owner on this floor. Are you alone?”

I nodded in response.

“Is there anything you noticed when you arrived here?”

“It was quiet,” I replied. “When I arrived, it was already office hours, so I assumed that people were at work or busy with their own activities.”

“Did you hear any noise around 5 pm?”

“No, I was at the mall buying things and walking around. I just came back a few minutes ago.”

“Thank you for your cooperation.” I nodded again as he walked away towards the crime scene, where another police officer was observing the corridor, looking for evidence.

“No witnesses,” I heard him say to his colleague.

Sigh. On my first day, I was welcomed by a murder next door. I walked back to my unit to finish what I was doing. However, before turning the doorknob, I decided to step outside and take a look at the scene.

Standing in the corridor, I surveyed the surroundings. There were only six condominium units on the property, including mine. Three of the condos were closed, as if no one was there or they were vacant. The other condo seemed recently occupied.

“Excuse me,” I said, turning around to see a cleaner with her cleaning cart.

“Which room are you going to clean?” I asked coldly.

“That room,” she replied, pointing to the one next to mine.

“Excuse me, but that room is a crime scene. So, no one other than the police is permitted to enter,” I told her. I could see how terrified she was. “Are you supposed to clean up the murder scene?”

“I-I think I’m in the wrong r-room,” she stuttered. She couldn’t meet my gaze, her brown eyes avoiding my stare.

“You look suspicious,” I remarked.

“N-No, it was just a m-mistake,” she replied, unable to speak without trembling. She lowered her face to avoid eye contact with me.

“How come you got the wrong room?” I glanced at her cart. “Your cart says it all,” I added, looking at the cart’s label.

The police officer approached us when they saw the commotion.

“Miss, can we ask you some questions?” he asked, though hesitant.

“Give me the list of primary suspects,” I overheard the Inspector’s command as he came out of the murder scene.

I turned away and entered my condo. I was getting hungry.

I went straight to the kitchen and looked for food to eat. Until I heard another knock, but this time it was a weak knock, unlike the officer’s.

Tsk. This day won’t be as peaceful as I want it to be.

I went to the door and opened it. Even if I complained, I couldn’t do anything.

“What?” I immediately asked her. I knew it was her.

"Uh, um," she stuttered in response. How can I understand this girl if she is always shuttering in every word she says?

“What?” I repeat.

“C-can y-you t-tell t-the p-police t-that—” Before she finished her speech, I cut her. “They will just suspect you more.”

"Why would you go to a murder scene with a cleaner cart? Obviously, it would look suspicious," I said, causing her to lower her head. "And just cooperate with them so you don't appear suspicious."

When I was about to shut the door, she blocked it with her foot. I'm thankful that I didn't use force to close the door.

“What?” I asked, opening it again.

"W-Where c-can I stay here for a while?" she asked, keeping her head down.

“Why would I?” I ask.

"I-I won't do anything bad, I promise. I don't have anywhere else to go. I can't be in our department. And the other suspects aren't here, according to the officer," she explained at length, but she still didn't look directly at me.

"Fine, but you will stay in one place only," I said, giving her a condition. I knew she wouldn't do anything. Based on her physique, she didn't seem very strong. Just knocking on the door didn't require much energy from her. Or maybe? Tsk. Why would I think about it.

I let her enter and left the door open. I didn't want to hear what the person outside might say. "You're just going to sit there," I said, pointing to the stool at the counter.

She simply nodded at me and went to where I gestured for her to sit.

I noticed in my peripheral vision that she had been avoiding my gaze until now. Is there something with my eyes to avoid my stares? I just noticed that she’s wearing a white polo t-shirt and black pants that got stained with the apron she was using earlier. Her hair is braided all the way down to her waist, secured with a black hair tie adorned with white polka dots. Her hair looks slightly messy, probably because she cleaned it before coming to the top floor.

I kept looking for food and found some noodles again. I decided to go with Samyang noodles because they’re easy to prepare and they’re my favorite.

I looked at her and asked, “Would you like some noodles?”

“H-hindi–“ But her stomach growled, indicating that she’s also hungry.

“Tsk.”

“I’m s-sorry.” She apologized, keeping her head down and her palms on her thighs.

I got the other non-spicy noodles and served them after preparing them. I took a seat next to her and placed the noodles on the table.

“Here.”

“Thank you,” she said, raising her head. It was the only word she didn’t stutter at.

I simply nodded and started eating. After we both finished, I washed the dishes even though she insisted she could do it. Then, I invited her to sit in the living room. She sat on the single couch while I sat on the other couch next to her.

“I didn’t hurt your foot when I closed the door?” I asked her.

“N-no, you didn’t.”

I nod to her and then look at my laptop. I still have work to do, but my laziness is getting in the way. I can’t do my job properly with someone else here. I can’t reveal this website and expose myself to danger. The creator knows everything about us, every detail, and he can kill if necessary to protect the website itself. He’s not just a creator; he’s a villain that nobody knows. Even those of us who are involved with the website have never met him. If any of us did, they would surely be digging their own graves.

I close my laptop and lean back against the couch, waiting for someone to break the silence in this four-cornered room that formed after I questioned her.

(Knock, knock, knock, knock)

The knocks shattered the silence. I saw the police officer who had questioned me earlier standing at the door.

“The other primary suspects have already arrived. We need both your statements and your cooperation.” I simply nodded and stood up.

She also stood up and followed the police officer to the crime scene. Primary suspects, huh? I sighed and followed along, with my hands in my pockets. I wish the crime scene is as interesting as I imagine. Only one person can amaze me with murder scenes, and that’s her—the person I admire.