The Phantom Detective ✓

Chapter 15: The Riddle

WENDY

AS SOON as I open my eyes, Sophie's worried face met my line of vision.

"Wendy! Thank goodness!"

Nilibot ko ang paningin ko at napagtantong nasa hospital pala ako. Nakaupo si kuya sa couch sa gilid at nasa tabi niya si Skye. Seryoso silang nag-uusap.

Dahan-dahan akong umupo, at isinandal ang likod ko sa malambot ng unan sa headboard ng kama. Bakit nga ba ako nandito? Oh, right. I was in the woods with Karen. And I struggled against her.

Someone. Help me.

Patuloy pa rin akong sinasakal ni Karen. Napahawak nalang ako sa mga braso niya at binibigay ang makakaya ko para hindi masyadong madiin ang sakal. Damn, I don't wanna die in this way! Not now!

Until I saw a flower after glancing at my side, an unfamiliar one, laying near me. I tried my best to extend my arm, make the flower within my grasp, I feel the difficulty in breathing. When the flower was finally held by my hand, I swiftly threw it to her face. 

To my surprise, she fall unconsciously on the ground. I didn't bother to know how the heck did she faint for I was preoccupied from catching my breath. Until everything went black.

"Are you feeling okay now, Wendy? May masakit pa ba sa 'yo?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Sophie habang nakaupo sa bedside ko.

"I'm feeling well," sagot ko at bahagyang ngumiti. "What day is it today?"

"Wednesday. Parang natulog ka lang ng isang gabi. Hehe," she said with a weak smile.

I ascended my gaze and take a careful look at the wall clock. It's 11:28 AM.

"Hindi ka pumasok?" tanong ko, kahit obvious naman 'yung sagot. That's just the other way of asking why.

"Nope, kita mo naman, 'di ba? Hahaha. We're so worried about you, lalo na 'yun oh," sagot niya at ngumuso sa direksyon ni Skye.

Skye was throwing me his apologetic look. As if he's saying, 'I'm sorry, it's all my fault.' Though I ain't actually blaming him. Hindi nagtagal ang titigan namin dahil iniwas niya na agad ang mga mata niya. My big brother William stood from his seat and walked towards me.

He then flicked my forehead that caused me to shut my eyes closed.

"You're such a troublemaker," sabi niya at napabuntong-hininga. "Anong sabi ko sa 'yo? Huwag kang papasok sa anumang uri ng gulo. Ang tigas-tigas ng ulo mo."

Napayuko ako, "Sorry, hindi ko alam na may balak si Karen—wait, where is she?"

Nagkatinginan muna silang lahat sa isa't-isa bago ako sagutin ni Sophie, "Kakaalis lang ng pamilya niya dito sa Ranshin. Hindi ko alam kung saan sila lilipat pero alam mo ba, Wendy, grabe ang yaman nila 'tapos nagulat nalang kami no'ng biglang sumubsob sa sahig 'yung tatay ni Karen habang nagsosorry, parang nga naka-1000 siyang sorry e."

"Bakit sila umalis?"

"Sabi nila, Karen need a more professional medication."

"Medication?" pag-uulit ko. May sakit si Karen?

"Oo, uhm... may mental illness siya. And.. psychosis daw."