The Lie Beneath

Chapter 9 : The old library

I knocked as soon i saw the number intended to me. "Room 305," I read. Knocking three times, when someone opened it sinalubong ako ng masayang ngiti ng isang lalaki na nakasalamin.

"Hello! You must be my new roommate? Our dorm lady already informed me about your arrival." He smiled, i gave him a nodded and smile back. He open the door for me so i instantly get inside, roaming my eyes around the room.

"Thank you," i said, kinuha ko ang bag ko at pumunta sa sala habang tinitignan ang iba't ibang gamit.

"I'm sorry about the mess, I've been working about our project but don't worry, your room is completely clean! Tita rissa already made someone to clean it for you," sabi nito habang pinupulot ang mga nag kalat na papel sa sahig. "Well not technically my auntie, i just call her tita because i see my auntie on her!" He doesn't stop talking like i really ask that question, he's the type of talkative one isn't he?

"I appreciate the information, nice to meet you." I smiled, "My name is Rhianne, and you?" I put my stuff on the couch and sit on there.

"My name is Andrew, my pleasure to meet you Miss Rhianne, so transferee right?" He asked, umupo din s'ya sa kabilang side ng couch and look at me.

"Yes, I'm from pampanga and decided to transfer here on this school, I've heard about good learning system in here. if i'm not mistaken?" Andrew shook his head and chuckle, "I think you've got it wrong, Miss Rhianne. This school always had a lot of things going on."

"What do you mean exactly?" I asked, but he refused to give me answer, saying it's not his part to scare a transferee like me who just move, he can't judge easily also daw kasi lalo at iba iba daw kami ng experience, he just hope for the best for me. nag paalam na ito at pumasok sa kwarto nya at ganon din ang ginawa ko.

I can tell madaling pakisamahan si Andrew, he has this energy that feels like we've known each other to get comfortable around with. He greeted me warmly tonight, he even said na he cooked for me but i refuses to eat right now. Sa dami nangyari ngayong araw i can't even swallow a drop of water dahil sa wala akong gana.

Babawi nalang ako maybe next time sa kanya, i appreciate the fact that he cooked for me. I'm actually guilty about refusing to eat but nakakahiya pa din kasi sa part ko to agree especially we just met, ayoko mag mukhang patay gutom. 

Pag pasok ko pa lang sa kwarto ay unang pumungaw ng attention ko ang bintana na nasa kwarto, at ang study table na nasa gilid doon. Malaki din ang kama at halatang bagong punda dahil sa mabangong amoy.

I sat there and observe my surroundings first before arranging my bag, inilabas ko ang mga essential na kailangan ko. toothbrush, some beauty products, hair comb, towel and many others for my everyday routine like a normal lifestyle but not as a detective, those stuff's can't be exposed and pabayaan nalang na nasa lamesa o kama. I need somewhere to hide this bag, nandito ang license, ID ko and my gun.

As the night got deeper, i need to make my move while everything is peaceful. Normally, impossible to sneak around. Unless you're with me.

I carefully go out in my room, and head to our dorms door without making a sound in the dark room, when i successfully got my way outside i silently check if there's a person or not.

Once i'm clear, using the basic map ng school na binigay ni General Ocampo ay pinuntahan ko ang old library wing, it was circled in the picture. Abandoned part ng school dahil nag pa renovate sila for a 'modern learning experience.' Meaning, a perfect blind spot.

Once i'm there, it's full of mess. Isang sira sirang corridor lang ang nag uugnay sa lumang library papunta sa kabilang hallway malapit sa locker rooms.

I glanced around. Binuksan ko ang ilaw ng phone ko at maingat na nag lakad.

I slipped into the old wing quietly, sneakers barely making a sound on the dusty tiles. Sa kalumaan ng lugar, it smelled like mold and forgotten secrets.

My fingers brushed the wall as I moved, counting doors.

"One.. two.. three.." I whisper. Dumaan ako sa isang small maintenance closet and found exactly what i needed, the general told me once to check the lockers room first dahil 'yun ang nasa report ng case na binigay sa kanya leading me here to pretend as a student. And to connect about chelsea's disappearance.

The girl's locker room was eerily quiet. Tiles cold under my feet. There was still a faint smell of cleaning solution, trying to mask something.. metallic.

Blood?

I wrinkled my nose, stepping lightly. No it's not blood, it was more likely something else. I found the spot marked with yellow caution tape. Faint drag marks stained the floor.

And then, near one of the lockers, something odd, a small plastic vial. Barely visible under the bench. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"What's this?" I crouched down, pulling on gloves from my pocket, and picked it up.

Tiny label. Almost rubbed off. But I could still make out the words.

"AZT-203." I said in a low voice, A chill raced down my spine.

AZT-203 wasn't just some random chemical. It was a prototype drug I remembered from one of the agency briefings, a rumored tranquilizer. Illegal. Untraceable. Often used for subduing targets without leaving obvious marks.

Exactly what a trafficking operation would want. But who owns this? Bakit nandito ito in the first place?

I pocketed the vial swiftly and stood up, heart hammering. Before I could leave, footsteps echoed outside.

"May tao ba d'yan?" Tawag ng isang boses lalaki, probably the guard na malamang ay nag lilibot tuwing gabi. I quickly make my move, pushing myself against the lockers, silently cursing. My mind ran a thousand possibilities.

I can't be caught, this is just the beginning of my stay here and my mission. Mabilis akong nag isip ng paraan and as soon i saw the emergency exit door, Without hesitation I carefully dashed silently toward it, slipping out just as the guard entered the locker room from the main hallway.

Outside, fresh air hit me like a slap. I didn't stop to breathe. I kept walking like I belonged, heading back toward the building of my dorm.

Whoever left this chemical in that place, i will definitely find you.