The Sleuth Project ✓

Chapter 22: Skeletons in the Closet

/22/
Skeletons in the Closet

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"NEVER NAMAN nangyari 'to eh." Jarrell commented as he stood beside Rein who was seated in front of Quinn's desktop. It was already nightfall, pero pinapakinggan pa rin muli ni Rein ang mga interviews na na-irecord nila ngayong araw, in the hopes of finding another lead.

"Never namang umalis si Quinston nang hindi nagpapaalam." Jarrell said once more to Rein. He then wearily glanced outside Quinn's window, worrying that their friend might not come home as he promised.

It had only been a few minutes since the girls had left the two alone in their dorm. Despite the fact that it was still in the early hours of the evening, it was already far too dark — with both of them anticipating Quinn's return.

Rein, who had now turned off the desktop, stood up and walked out of Quinn's room and towards their living room; with Jarrell following close behind him.

"Never na may pinuntahan si Quinn nang hindi nagsasabi." Jarrell repeated, and Rein let out a sigh before finally facing him.

"Alam ko Jarrell. 'Di mo kailangang ulit-ulitin." Iritadong sagot ng binata. Quinn's absence had taken a different kind of toll on both of them; with Jarrell being anxious than usual, and Rein being irritated than customary.

Pakiramdam ni Rein ay para silang naputulan ng isang paa sa panandaliang pagkawala ni Quinn; especially since their heist that morning could have been easily thwarted if they had not made an effort to push through with it.

Dahil muntikan nang sumemplang ang kanilang plano kaninang umaga, it only furthered Rein's belief that each and everyone of them were important with regards to the success of their investigation — something that Quinn seemed to have disregarded, much to Rein's bitter dismay.

But aside from Quinn's obvious relevance to the case, the two boys were worried of course — not just because of the close call earlier, but because Quinn was still after all, their friend.

And friends didn't keep secrets.

As silence hung upon the room after Rein's outburst, the door to their dormitory suddenly creaked open, and the subject of their conversation soon entered the room.

"Quinn!" Jarrell croaked in relief as he greeted the spectacled boy with a rough hug, happy to see that their friend was safe and alright after all.

"Err, hi." Quinn managed to say, as Rein stared at him as if he was a stranger. Napansin ng binata na may hawak-hawak itong trophy sa isang kamay, at suot niya ang kaniyang lumang backpack na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa niya napapalitan.

"So, kamusta yung ano..." Jarrell asked as soon as he he had pulled away from hugging Quinn, his voice trailing off as his eyes darted towards the trophy that Quinn quickly hid behind his back.

The three boys had been friends for four years already, but right now, it seemed as if none of them knew the exact right words to say to each other. Para bang hindi nila kilala ang isa't-isa, lalo na si Quinn na namumula na sa kahihiyan.

"...the competition?" Jarrell offered, trying to make conversation. But Quinn only shrugged his shoulders, avoiding the topic.

"Okay lang." He said coldly, the tone of his voice being sharper than he intended to when he saw the look of disappointment and betrayal that ghosted over Rein's face.

Quinn knew. Even without Rein speaking, Quinn knew that he wanted answers — right here, right now.

Mapait na ngumiti ang binata.