Finally, the longest chapter (as of now) has come to an end! I look forward to seeing you, folks, in the next case! ^^
HIBARA “Hibara! When will I be an official member of your team?” TOTO LEI CHAVEZ wouldn’t pipe his voice down. He’s been like that since his involvement in The Mystery of the Five Orange Phones. Every hour of every day, he makes the wrong choice of bugging me. “Come on, give me an answer! We could be AMU’s Golden Trio—” “—Like what? Harry, Hermione, and Ron of the Harry Potter books?” The Major cut him off. “Luke, you’re back!” Toto cheered. “Tell your Detective to allow me to join your team!” “Where are the drinks?” I asked, completely shutting the Science geek off. The Major placed our tray of food on the table and distributed the plates. “I’ll buy them once this tray is free. I thought it might spill them if I take one tray on each hand, especially since I just got my spica cast off of my shoulder.” “Let me help you!” Toto beamed while the Major gave a huff as a response. “What wrong did I say?” “You offered help at the wrong time,” I replied and then took a spoonful of r
HIBARA “Please don’t make it too obvious that you guys are investigating our club…” THAT WAS TOTO’S request right before we entered the door of the Science Nerds clubroom. Of course, to make that possible, Chief Velasquez did not enter and only the Major and I did. I told Toto to stay with Chief since it might be more noticeable if he enters and then leaves with us. “You’re the CAT Officer from last time, Maj. Vargas, right?” A tall, fair-skinned young man approached us. Of all his features, what marked his identity to my data fortress were his thick eyebrows. “Yes. Nice meeting you again, Albert,” the Major responded. “By the way, let me introduce my classmate, Hibara. Hibara, this is Albert Porac, the President of Science Nerds.” I gave a small nod, acknowledging the introductions. “The club members, kindly line up.” And so, the Major began. “Where is everyone during lunch break?” BY THE TIME his interrogation ended, there were two suspicious persons: a male and a female. Both
HIBARA THE BEEPING SOUND of the dropped call rang in my ears, as well as the words of the man on the other line. I am Indigo. I am Indigo. I am Indigo. “Hey, Detective? Detective!” “Hmm?” “You’re spacing out,” the Major informed. “Is there something wrong? What was that call about?” “Uh, it’s nothing. Just a client.” I shook my head and gave a small smile. “You and Toto, take Albert to the Campus Police Station with Chief Velasquez.” “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to discuss the case your client gave?” “No, it’s a simple one. And, I’m pretty sure I’m fine. Now, go.” He nodded and smiled. “If you say so, Detective.” They took away the culprit of the mass food poisoning, while I remained on my spot, stuck in deep thoughts. Most importantly, should I tell them about Indigo’s call? SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I was in my usual seat, waiting for the dismissal bell to ring. The Major and Toto, who were both in the back row, strangely did not make any approach to me. Upon knowing
LUKE MATTHEW “You’re leaving right now?” AS THE DETECTIVE answered Toto’s question with a nod and ran off, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I walked back inside the classroom with the Nerd, but I couldn’t shake this feeling off. I must do something! “Toto,” I called after thinking for a few moments. Without waiting for his response, I continued, “Once we’re dismissed, find and follow her. Don’t let her wander the night alone. She said it was him. She can’t just expect me to settle down while she’s out there, chasing death!” “Hey, hey, sit down!” Janden shook my arm. “What are you talking about, Luke?” I didn’t realize I was standing and had stated all of that in a voice that echoed through the room engulfed in silence. To the relief of my chaotic thoughts, Toto gave me a thumbs-up. I made a quick apology to Miss Summerfield and, with a heavy sigh, I sat back down. “What is going on, Luke?” Janden asked as soon as I settled in my seat. “Nothing that needs to worry you,” I coldl
LUKE MATTHEWThis can’t be happening… This isn’t real… No… No… No!BUT THE CRIMSON liquid that continued to flow said otherwise. They were screaming the truth to my face. Mamá had fallen unconscious and heartbroken upon witnessing the man’s death.Slowly, I stood up and pushed the chair back under the table. With my gaze still stuck watching the blood, I ordered in utmost seriousness, “Security, do not let anyone leave this room and this mansion.”“B-But, Young—”I slammed a punch onto the table and gave the Head of Security a deadly glare. “Do you not understand what I’m saying?”“Yes, Young Master Samael!” He bowed his head and ordered his men to put the Salcedo Mansion on a lockdown.I reached for my phone and called the police.“Good evening. This is the Criminal Investigation Division. What is your emergency report?”“May I request for Det. Ch. Supt. Zekinah White?”“Who are we speaking to?”“Tell her that this is Luke Matthew Vargas, a classmate of her daughter and that I am r
LUKE MATTHEW I WATCHED THE Sergeant and one female officer conduct a full body search on the seven suspects I named. “This is unbelievable!” Aunt Nimue exclaimed as she was being searched. “You believe the words of that Grade 10 kid?” “For all we know, the Chief Superintendent might be an accomplice of his in pinning us as murderers,” said Uncle Teivel, fixing his necktie. “They seem quite acquainted.” “Like I said,” Aunt Charon rolled her eyes; “a Vargas would always be a Vargas.” “He did not even thank us for inviting his now-dead father to this family reunion, to which, he obviously does not belong!” added Aunt Nimue just as the female officer finished searching her. “Samael’s suspecting us because we hate his father,” said Uncle Birsha as he watched his son being searched. “You should refrain from saying things now.” “Samael?” Det. Ch. Supt. White whispered in wonder beside me. “You’re the Young Master Samael Salcedo?” I sighed. “I hate to admit, but, yes, I am that Young
HIBARA ALMOST TWO WEEKS had passed since I heard from Mom. Uncle Noah was a good man. He did not deserve to die this early. Yet, for some reason, the Major was able to solve the case by himself. He’s improving, isn’t he? But I also heard that he almost killed his father’s murderer—which is a BIG FAT NO. That’s just plain stupid. Even the group of detective wannabes will not resort to that action. “Are you not worried about him?” asked Toto as he came out of the Faculty Room. “We haven’t seen him for ten days!” I stood up from the wooden bench in the hallway and answered, “He’s gonna be fine. I don’t need to worry.” “Why don’t we pay him a visit?” I chuckled. “Don’t be preposterous. He’s not a patient.” “What if he’s quitting the team because of that instance…?” “The culprit did not die in his hands and is very much still alive, okay?” I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. “What’s his problem, anyway?” “Hibara, maybe because of that, he feels he doesn’t deserve the spot in this
TOTO LEI “Toto Lei Chavez, you are in charge of evacuating all living persons. I and the CAT Officers will be in charge of handling the bombs. Do you understand?” “Tsk. Toto, do you understand how important your task is? Do you understand the graveness of this mission?” “You can do this. I believe in you.” HIBARA’S VOICE ECHOED in my ears as I ran downstairs, back to the Faculty Room. “Emergency, emergency! Please gather your students and leave the premises. AMU is under a bomb threat!” “Toto, are you being serious?” asked our Class Adviser and Math teacher. “Yes, Mrs. Bonifacio.” What should I add to make them believe me? I whisper-shouted, “This is serious; it’s Hibara’s case!” It seems like I’ve said the magic word, that Mrs. Bonifacio immediately announced that the threat wasn’t a prank. Whew! That was easy. I WENT NEXT to the HSSC Office in the Senior High Building. “Mr. President?” I called as I knocked. “Yes? Come in,” he replied from behind the door. The Grade 12 st