"Herbert Domingo, age 47. Matunog ang pangalan niya sa industriya, partly because he's from an influential family and partly since he produced some notable blockbuster movies in the past."
Damien narrated as he slid the file of the dead man from across the table. Hindi na sila magugulat kung pinahanap niya kay Sorren ang records nito. Then again, Nemesis could never understand how the faithful butler can keep up with Damien's spoiled brat attitude.
"Weh? Di ako naniniwalang sikat siya!" Napahalukipkip si Naythan and took a bite out of his burger. "Anu-anong movies ba ang na-produce niyan?"
"Bar Wars, The Scavengers, at The Girl from Across the Yard beneath the Window."
Naythan's expression instantly changed. "TALAGA?! Woah... Ang galing! Alam niyo bang bumibili pa ako ng Happy Meals dito para makumpleto ang collection ko ng Bar Wars figurines?"
Caelum smiled. "Same. Ilan na lang kulang mo?"
"Hala. Kapwa-Bar Wars fanatic spotted!"
Damien stared at them in disgust. "Why am I not surprised?" He then scanned the place as if the billionaire couldn't believe he's here. Alas-siyete pa lang ng umaga, nagiging center of attention na ang table nila dahil sa rich kid na 'to.
'Literal na kinailangan pa namin siyang kaladkarin kanina para lang kumain dito sa fastfood,' Nemesis thought and took the file. Sa kabila ng achievements at listahan ng samu't saring estates, hindi pa rin niya maunawaan kung bakit naman ito gagawing target ng white lady.
"Unless he's the one who murdered her, of course."
Sandaling napaisip si Nemesis. Although it did seem like a likely scenario, pero sabi ng mga mystery novels na nababasa niya, hindi sapat ang pure "assumptions" lang.
"Rio, anong nakita mo kanina?"
From the other side of the table, the psychic sipped on her iced tea before speaking, "Galit, Nemo. Hindi masyadong malinaw ang nakita kong huling sandali ni Mr. Domingo, pero nangingibabaw talaga ang galit ng white lady. Something triggered her to kill him, but I can't pinpoint what it is exactly."
'Something triggered her, huh?'
That wouldn't be surprising. Sa nakaraang records ng ghost sightings sa Mahogany Street, ngayon lang naging bayolente ang white lady na 'to. Although her apparitions did cause some accidents in the past, pero minor injuries at takot lang ang idinudulot nito.
"A specter."
Everyone turned to her. Napangiti na lang si Nemesis, hindi sanay sa atensyon. "Specter ang tawag sa white lady, hindi ba? Though I might be using the term wrong..." Tumingin siya kay Caelum, knowing he'd be able to differentiate them clearer.
He returned the smile.
"Tama naman. Only a few people know the difference between 'ghosts' and 'specters' and use these terms interchangeably," he supplied. Tahimik lang silang nakinig habang ipinapaliwanag niya ito. "Kapag sinabi nating 'ghost' this is actually pertaining to the soul or disembodied spirit of a dead person. Ilan sa pinagmulan ng salitang ito ang Old English na 'gāst' na nangangahulugang 'spirit' o 'soul'. May ilang variations din na nagmula sa German origin, but let's not dive into its vast etymology... Ang 'specter' naman ay isang ghostly apparition, originated from the Latin 'spectrum' which describes an 'image, appearance, or figure'. In other words, isa itong visible incorporeal spirit---o isang ghost na nakikita natin."
"So, a specter is a visible ghost?" Naythan summarized.
Caelum nodded. "Correct. At kapag sinabi nating 'ghost', may iba't ibang klase rin ng mga multo. They're actually categorized depending on their nature and haunting place."
"Cool!"
Napangiti si Nemesis. Asahan mong laging alam ni Caelum ang mga ganitong bagay. Sa kabila ng mga kwento nitong hindi siya "magaling" academically, his natural genius with the paranorm really is something beyond amazing.
"What are you thinking, Silverio?"
Napalingon siya kay Damien. Hindi niya namalayang nakatitig na pala ito sa kanya.
"I'm thinking we should investigate on the white lady's identity and the producer's background. May kung anong koneksyon tayong hindi nakikita," she replied.
Caelum quickly agreed. "Kung anuman ang dahilan ng white lady sa pagiging bayolente niya, it must have something to do with her unfinished business. All spirits have one, especially one with a tragic and mystery-clouded history as hers."
"Elementary. Even a kid would figure that out," their leader countered. "As a matter of fact, bukod sa talino mo sa mga ganitong bagay, mukhang wala ka nang ibang pakinabang sa club na 'to."
What the heck?
Nemesis saw how Caelum balled his hands into fists, trying to keep calm despite the insult.
"Sino bang nag-recruit sa'min sa club na 'to?"
But Damien didn't so much as look at him. Agad itong napansin ng iba pa nilang clubmates, halatang may hidwaan pa rin ang dalawa dahil sa natuklasan nila noong kaso ng kataw.
'They're acting like kids!' Nemesis almost wanted to point out. But it looks like Naythan already beat her to it. Nabigla na lang silang lahat nang tumapak ang isa nitong paa sa mesa, causing the dishes to rattle.
He towered over them and announced. "Then it's decided! Sige, ganito na lang... Rio and I will investigate on that fat producer's background, while Damien, Caelum, and my charming bff," kumindat pa talaga siya kay Nemesis, "will try to identify our lovely white lady! Okay na?"
Rio clapped her hands. "My! That's a great idea!"
Gustuhin mang murahin ni Nemesis si Naythan, alam niyang parte ito ng hidden agenda nilang pagbatiin ang dalawa. But then again, why they hell does she have to end up with these two?
"Okay lang siguro kung si---!"
"Then it's settled! Rio, tara na. Bye, guys! Have fun!"
At bigla na lang niyang hinatak si Rio palabas ng fastfood, ni hindi man lang sila nag-abalang magbayad dahil alam naman nilang lahat na maglalabas na naman ng bilyones ang lider nila.
Meanwhile, Nemesis was left alone with the billionaire paranormal hunter and the paranormal book nerd. She was pretty sure she can cut the tension between them with a butter knife. Walang umiimik sa kanila, at mukhang wala rin silang balak kumilos.
'Bwiset ka talaga, Naythan!'
---
YOU ARE READING
EPIC
Paranormal"Stare at the dark too long, and you'll eventually see what isn't there..." If someone offered you an opportunity to investigate the deadliest (and craziest) mysteries in Eastwood, will you be brave enough to accept it? An epic paranormal adventure...
