ZANAYA
I was running.
I could do nothing but run. Run from the fate laid out in front of me. I don’t know where I’m going. I just let my feet carry me to where I should be.
In the distance I ran, I did not realize that I was in the middle of the forest. Nothing could be heard but the chirping of birds, my breathing and my feet running relentlessly trampling the withered leaves making crisp sounds.
The trees stood tall and their thick leaves covered the whole forest. I would no longer be surprised if a snake would fall from its branches.
I’m tired but I didn't want to stop. I wouldn't stop until I’m sure I wouldn’t be chased or followed by Dad’s men.
This is the first time I have disobeyed their wishes. I could no longer handle their dictation of what I would do and the only way to stop it was to run away.
The sky seemed to accompany me in grief because the heavy rain suddenly fell. Well, I guess luck is on my side. The rain just kept pouring along with the continuous tears in my eyes.
I looked up at the sky and saw the dancing lightning followed by thunderous thunder. I don’t care if my clothes will get wet and I will catch a cold. I will only stop when I reach the end of the forest I am traversing now.
This time, the sky heard my prayer. I sat down on a boulder after I looked at the end of the forest. I closed my eyes for a moment.
Feeling the rain dripping down my face. The sky darkened and the rain gradually subsided.
My clothes were very wet. Even the bag I was carrying got wet. I scratched the back of my head. This was probably the consequences for my unexpected escape.
I took out all the contents of my bag and laid them on the ground covered with leaves to dry them. Fortunately, the bread I brought was wrapped in plastic so the rain didn't sip in.
Darkness enveloped the forest. I’ll admit, I was scared. Who knows, a lion would suddenly grab me here and that would be the cause of my misfortune.
It looked like the ones playing in my imagination will come true because I heard a rustling sound. My heartbeat increased and my hands began to sweat. I took the flashlight out of my bag and strained to find the source of the crackle. It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of my throat when I realized that a rabbit was making the sound.
Probably due to fatigue, I was unaware of the heaviness of my eyelids and drowsiness completely engulfed my spirit.
The next morning, when I woke up I did not expect what I saw. Something that could change my life and destiny.
A palatial structure was in front of me.
Why I didn't notice it last night?
It's so spacious and beautiful. You will think you are in Europe because it is made in the Gothic style. I looked around and fixed my eyes on its very high gate made of thick steel.
To my great surprise, I was unaware of a woman approaching me.
"Aren't you coming in yet?"
Huh? Why should I get in there?
I looked at her. She has a skin so white and had a wide smile as if she was boasting that her teeth were as white as a paper.
"I think you're also a freshman like me. I'm Arya. Arya Santos," she said and smiled again, then held out her hand to me, but I just looked at it. My mouth remained shut.
I thought she would be offended by what I did but she still continued to speak.
"You know I really dreamed of getting into that academy."
That palatial structure in front of us is an Academy? Now it had captured my interest.
"My dream is to become a detective. You know what you see on TV? It's like Detective Conan."
If so, is this a school for detectives?
She smiled at me again before speaking, "You're quiet. May I know your name?"
I am still hesitant to tell my name to this woman. It might be a trap for my pursuers to find me. So I chose to ignore her and hesitantly, I grabbed my bag and headed to the academy she's pertaining.
"Wait! Wait for me. I brought a lot of my things here."
She was definitely going to study at that academy. She is carrying a large suitcase and a bag pack.
"Why are you only carrying a bag pack?"
She's so stubborn and couldn't get it that I didn't want to talk or to socialize with her. I ignored her once again and continued walking until we reached the front gate. Above it was a large arch and something was written on it.
ZYFFORD ACADEMY
A tarpaulin was posted on the wall that surrounded it.
WE CAN MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE HERE IN ZYFFORD ACADEMY. REACH FOR THE STARS, FLY MIGHTY EAGLES. THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE. JOIN THE TEAM IN TEASING OUT THE TRUTH.
WELCOME FRESHMEN!
This was definitely a school. Now, my problem was how will I get in here even though I didn't have the necessary requirements. Anyway, what exactly were the requirements?
I looked at my companion. She smiled again. I don't think if the muscles in her cheeks and jaw ever get tired from squeezing. Or maybe she really just wanted to display her teeth.
Should I talk to her?
I was surprised when she suddenly spoke again.
"OY! Someone's coming. Looks like we're late, we're not in the brief orientation anymore."
I turned around and saw people walking and lined up toward where we are. I think they were students too. A woman in her forties approached us.
"Are you freshmen too? Please, line up at the last line, enrollment is about to begin."
"All right, Ms. Dalia," Arya replied.
Wait, does she know that woman? Arya seemed to hear the question in my mind so she replied, "I saw her name on her ID," she said before pulling me towards the last line.
Now, I’m the last one. Arya is in front of me. I don’t know what kind of enrollment was going on because of how fast it ended and now we’re next.
I noticed that the students did not have any documents, not even the woman in front of me.
"Next."
"Let's go next!" Arya gushed and seemed to be still excited.
“Thumb mark here,” Ms. Dalia pointed at the black tablet.
Arya did so and suddenly various information about her appeared on the screen.
ARYA SANTOS
AGENT 498
OFFICIALLY ENROLLED
This method of enrollment was amazing. With just a simple thumb mark it will identify information about you.
"Next."
As Arya did, I also put my thumb on the black tablet and it showed information about me.
ZANAYA REIGN LOPEZ
AGENT 499
OFFICIALLY ENROLLED
ZANAYAI couldn't believe I’m already enrolled in this academy. The technology in this school was truly amazing and I couldn't wait to see what else I will discover inside it.As I was on my way to the gate, I heard Ms. Dalia."We have 499 agents, Lenz."She was talking to her fellow teacher who is called Lenz."Ms. Dalia, I think the Head Master's brother hasn't been able to enroll yet."Upon saying that, someone approached them. He was ragged, wearing white long sleeves and pants. His hair was messy and there was a smile on his lips."Ms. Dalia, I think you forgot about me again," he drawled."You're on the five hundredth again, Mr. Zyfford.""Don't you want that, I've maintained being Agent 500."I could not see what happened next because a very obsti
ZANAYA"You may now enter," said the robotic voice.When I stepped inside, the glass tube closed and the green line surrounded it. Eventually the surroundings changed and now I was stepping on a tiled floor.I noticed I was inside a house. My eyes wandered and stared at a man lying on the floor bathed in his blood. The place was surrounded by yellow cordon and by police and medics. I could see that he was no longer alive. He was stabbed many times in various parts of the body so he probably died immediately. It seemed like he was killed out of rage.On the other side, a lady was crying. Next to her were a housemaid who look stunned and a man who looked like a gardener with an emotionless face.The medics have already taken the corpse and I think the funeral home will be its destination.I was staring at them when a policeman looked at me and suddenly smiled."Agent 499, you're already there, come and hel
DAVE3 minutes and 2 seconds. Within three minutes I had finished the Simulation test. Piece of cake.I wasn't even sweating. I don’t know who developed that test, it's not difficult at all. I felt like I just wasted my time."That was impressive, Dave. You never fail to surprise me with your deducing skills," Miss Dalia complimented me."Thanks," I replied, not really minding it. I was used to people praising me everytime I solve a case, may it be a murder case, robbery, or any other crime as long as it suited my interest.The buzzer sounded to signal that the other Agents had finished their five minutes. In the glass tubes, there were tablets connected on the upper part of its door that indicated whether they have completed the test or not. In total, only four of us had “case closed” printed on the tablets. Then they were sure to enter the Sub-1 Detective Class. Others will be assessed based on the
DAVE Everyone thought of the Head Master's message. And it doesn't make sense at all. "No one can go to any establishment here in the campus if you can't guess the hidden message of the Head Master. And when you figured it out, just tell it to the guard of the establishment you want to go to so they will let you in. Have a wonderful night, everyone!" "How can this night be wonderful if we will have a headache because of solving that message," Eroll complained. "Who are Willy and Elijah? Do they have significant effects to find out the hidden message?" Monica asked and tilted her head a little. “What about you, Dave, I know you already figured out the answer,” Chris stated as if he was so sure. "What about you, don't you know yet?" I asked back. "I was trying to figure out." "What do we do if Willy gets sick?" Eroll complained again. "Let's go," I whispered to them. "Wait,
ARYA "Kyaaah!" I cried when I saw the result of the detective section. I turned to Zanaya and shook her shoulder at the same time saying, "I can't believe this! We got into the top 5!"Seriously, I'm really so happy. I never thought I would make it into the top 5. I looked at Zanaya to greet her but there was no trace of emotion on her face. She didn't seem happy with the result.Doesn’t she like the Detective section? Doesn't she want to be with me? If that's so, I felt like I'm going to cry.I just dared to ask her, "Zan, what's the matter?"I was surprised when she suddenly grabbed me by the shoulder and looked seriously into my eyes."Arya, Listen to me. I shouldn't be in the top 5.""What? I can't understand. Everyone wants to be in the top 5," I pointed out.After I said that she suddenly dragged me away. I felt like this woman was possessed by something. She wasn't like this yesterday. I think I am on the brink of death. Okay,
ARYA"Wait, you're one of our professors?" Zanaya asked, surprised."Yes, my dear. Now, move away a little so that I can prepare my equipment."My sister arranged everything she needed and of course we helped as well.Zanaya and I just watched her as she fiddled with the computer keyboard."I'll finish it in less than 5 minutes," she boasted.Series of numbers and letters appeared on the computer screen and my sister doesn't seem to mind them. While Zanaya and I were getting dizzy from all of those."And, we're done!"ZANAYA REIGN LOPEZ(ALL DATA-- PRIVATE)YOU CAN'T ACCESS THESE INFORMATION.That's what can be read on the computer screen.“3 minutes and 49 seconds,” my sister declared, seemingly proud to her so-called masterpiece."That was cool!" Zanaya praised. "Thank you so much, Miss Avi.""What will I get in return for it?" my sister asked.Zanaya and I laughed nervously. I
CHRISMy friends were already in our second class, while I was just walking along the Hallway of the Lawyer's Building because our teacher, Miss Avi had asked me to do something.I was very unfortunate because she saw me and ordered me to feed her cat. I don't know about that woman, she's so weird.When I arrived in the classroom, all my classmates were already there. Fortunately, our terror teacher, Mrs. Darlene Roque, Dave’s sister was not yet there."What took you so long?" Monica whispered."I've fixed some things," I replied, just in time before Prof. Darlene arrived."Good Morning. So your subject today is 'Enhancing Observation Skills'. I want you all to stand up and say something about Objective Observation Using Pertinent Negative. The one who can't answer, won't sit down. Clear?"We all just said yes even though it was against our will. It was just the first day and yet our brains were tortured. What more in
CHRIS"Hack the system," Dave said as if it's not a big deal."WHAT?" we simultaneously questioned."Shhh! Be quiet. I need to know the background information regarding her family to prove my deductions.""Not allowed!" Eroll clearly exclaimed his disapproval."Do you seriously want us to get expelled?" Monica seconded."Chris, what do you think?" he asked me."I don't want to get involved in that mess," I replied honestly."But you said a while ago that the system is not working properly, hence, it would be easier for you to hack it."Now, this is the perk of being a computer geek. It would involved you in a mess."I'll take care of my older brother when we get caught," he added, really serious at persuading me to do it."Just make sure we won't get expelled, Dave," Monica warned."Sure. I won't. Just trust me, guys.""Fine I'll do it," I told them and that widened Dave's smile."What? Wa