“So how did you know that Lyca and the others were members of the fraternity?”
He took out a folder and handed it to me. I saw pictures of the crime scenes and the victims.
“Because of the tattoo on their nape. A small black apple, similar to Apple Fratern’s symbol. Lyca, Lemuel, Paul, and Marco all had that tattoo on the back of their necks.” I see. Just like my father said, it really was visible in the victims’ photos. They all had a black apple tattoo on their nape. That must be the symbol of their group.
It means a person can be identified as a member of the frat if they have that tattoo on their neck.
“Was Apple Fratern a freshman when he founded the fraternity?” I changed the topic. You might say I ask a lot of questions, but that’s just how it is. If you want answers and there’s no other way to find them, there’s no choice left but to ask.
Dad nodded. “Yes, if I’m not mistaken. You know, I suspect that whoever is behind the recent killings is someone close to Apple Fratern. He might be a pioneer member of the fraternity and is still seeking justice for the founder’s death.”
If I were a writer, I’d think he might not just be a member, but someone close to him—maybe even a lover. And he revived the fraternity to take revenge or create his own version of justice. I’m sure there’s only one person behind all of this—and the same person who is using Lyca’s number to contact me.
“He has his own ridiculous way of getting justice. This isn’t justice. It’s a nefarious crime. It’s serial killing. Why did what used to be a good organization become the root of these murders? And what puzzles me most is why the members themselves are killing each other.”
Dad sat back down and looked straight at me.
“Maybe the members wanted to leave the group. And perhaps the only way to get out was to kill someone.”
I thought about it. Maybe my father was right. It felt like the pieces of the puzzle in my mind were slowly coming together.
Fraternity… weren’t its members supposed to be all male?
Now I’m thinking—why did Lyca get involved too? Was she also a member, or was she just romantically involved with someone in the group?
I suddenly remembered what Lemuel said before—that Lyca had a boyfriend. Could that be the same person now using her number?
I smiled as everything finally started to make sense.
So that’s it… Maybe from the very beginning, this was their plan.
Their plan to get my number—to start disrupting my quiet life.
Now I’m certain of one thing… I am their target.
I walked into the classroom. I saw Nica sitting alone, staring blankly out the window. I called her, but she didn’t seem to hear me.
“Are you okay?” She turned to me.
“Oh, it’s you, Aedrian.”
I sat beside her. I expected her to talk a lot like before or fall asleep, but she just looked back out the window.
“Did you listen to the tape? Did you find anything?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? What do you mean?”
“The tape is gone. I don’t know where it is anymore. I don’t know who took it. It was just in my bag and then—poof! It was gone!” she explained lifelessly.
I frowned at what I heard. It would’ve been fine if she had just misplaced it, but she acted like she didn’t care at all.
“Why didn’t you take care of it? You know how important it was! I trusted you with it, and you just lost it!” I said angrily.
“Is it my fault it got lost? Is it my fault someone with quick hands took it from my bag? You shouldn’t have given it to me if you’re just going to blame me now!” she shouted back, making me even more irritated.
“Are you hiding something from me?” I asked.
“What would I be hiding from you? Huh?”
“I don’t know. I just feel like maybe you’re hiding something. Who would even take that tape? If someone knew about it, then how did they know it was in your bag? How did they know you had it? How did they get it?”
“Wow, Aedrian! Now you’re suspecting me too! I was the one who insisted on helping you! I’m the one who lost it! And now I’m the one to blame! Fine! Blame me! I guess I’m really at fault, right? There’s no point in this friendship if we don’t trust each other! We should just go our separate ways!” She stood up, grabbed her bag, and quickly left the classroom. I just held my temple in frustration.
Students gradually came back, but Nica never returned. Where did she go? Class ended, and she still didn’t come back. Tsk tsk.
“Aedrian…” I turned to the person who called me. It was Betty, my classmate with bangs and big glasses.
“Hmm… Why?”
“Can we talk?”
“About what?”
She looked around as if waiting for the room to empty. Then she closed the door and faced me again.
“I’m going to be the next one to die,” she said, completely calm. “But before that happens, I’ll tell you what I know. From now on, don’t trust the people around you…”
“Including you?” I asked.
“Especially Nica,” she said.
I was on my way home when I saw the girl I met on my first day here in Laguna. Unlike before when she was surrounded by people, now she was alone under the mango tree, staring into nothing, not speaking to anyone.
I wanted to talk to her, but I hesitated. How could I talk to her if she couldn’t speak?
I walked past her and went home. I was met by my mother’s worried expression.
“Mom, is there a problem?”
“Your father, Aedrian…” she looked very uneasy.
“What happened to Dad?”
“A police officer called me… Your father is dealing with a hostage taker.”
“W-what?”