The Lie Beneath

Rhianne

There must have a explanation about this. And it was all clear for me and lazarus that someone is planning all this carefully. Kung sino man ang may gawa nito malamang at malaki ang galit nito kung ano man ang dahilan. Pero ang hindi ko maintindihan ay ang pag kuha n'ya ng mga libro sa library?

When we head out to go to the library to investigate there next, the halls on the way there felt colder than usual.

"Kung may listahan tayo ng mga nanghiram ng mga nawawalang libro, we can start connecting who touched what and when," I told Lazarus, tightening my grip on the printed paper of missing titles.

Lazarus smiled like a cat about to pounce on a mouse. "Assuming the list still exists. But if our killer's smart-and oh, I know they are! it's probably already gone. Still, worth the check. It's the thrill of the chase, partner."

"You're enjoying this way too much."

"I'm enjoying you solving this with me," he said in a singsong voice, tapping his temple. "Come on. Let's go disturb the ancient scroll guardian."

Inside the library, halos walang tao. The lights hummed quietly, casting a dim yellow glow over the dusty shelves. We walked to the front desk where a woman is seated there, name tag shows Mrs. Ventura, the aging librarian, sat reading a book.

"Good afternoon po," I greeted.

She looked up, peering over her glasses. "Oh, Hello, Iha. Ano ang maitutulong ko sainyo? Kukuha ba kayo ng books?"

"We're investigating something related to the rare books. Gusto lang po sana naming makita kung sino ang mga huling nanghiram ng mga librong 'to," I said, handing her the list.

Mrs. Ventura blinked, then frowned. She reached into the drawer without a word... only to pause. Slowly, she looked back at us.

"Ay," she said, voice tight. "Bakit wala ang logbook dito? Nako, mukhang nawawala pa." sabi nito ng nakakunot ang noo halatang ngayon lang nito napansin na nawawala ang logbook.

Lazarus leaned in, smile twitching. "As in you misplaced it? Or, perhaps someone took it?"

"I don't misplace things," she snapped softly. "That book's been locked in the same drawer for fifteen years. Last week nandito pa 'yun. Bakit ngayon wala dito?" nagtataka nitong tanong sa sarili while she double check the drawer.

"Sobrang linis ng pagkakagawa," I muttered.

"Sinadya," Lazarus added gleefully. "They don't want us finding the borrowers. Classic misdirection. Fuck, yes!" he said with a smile.

I rolled my eyes because of how his cursed screams excitement, seriously? He's really enjoying this way too much and it's not even necessary anymore.

We were about to ask more when suddenly an unexpected cheerful voice cut through the quiet.

"Hey!" I turned to see someone walking toward us, a guy with glasses a little too big for his face, wearing a complete uniform and looks like the best example of a responsible student the fact how he fits perfectly to the dress code in this university. While a tablet tucked under one arm. His smile was wide, eyes bright, and he practically bounced when he walked.

"Don't stare at him," lazarus suddenly leaned to me and whisper, "I'm getting jealous." he said, but clearly joking. What's his problem? Or maybe he doesn't have any. Hindi talaga nga n'ya kaya mag seryoso sa mga nangyayari ngayon! My gosh.

"Hi," he said, stopping beside us and adjusting his glasses. "I'm William Ozfear! First year. I heard you guys talking about the missing books, super cool stuff, by the way."