No Escape Series #2: No Resolve

Chapter 13: The Various Theories

THE VARIOUS THEORIES

Vahn got out of the car and opened the backseat door to get his coat, but he stopped when he saw something under the seat. He put his head in there, and his hand reached for whatever it was.
 
He touched its lace, and only then did he realize that the thing was a student identification card. When he saw the profile and details written on it, he just shook his head and closed the backseat door.

Muli siyang bumalik sa loob ng kotse at umupo saglit doon sa driverʼs seat. “Naiwan niya ito, sigurado ako na kakailanganin niya ito sa oras na pumasok na siya sa university,” mahinang sambit ni Vahn, at papaandarin na niya sana ulit ang kotse nang muli na naman siyang natigilan.

Masyadong malayo ang bahay ni Rhian, kaya naman kung babalik pa siya roon, masasayang lang ang kaniyang oras, lalo naʼt nariyan na siya sa labas ng kanilang headquarters.

Gusto na niyang i-discuss sa kaniyang team sa nakalap niyang impormasyon, at bago siya umalis ng rest house para ihatid si Rhian, minabuti niya munang pag-aralan ang lahat ng detalye na nakasulat sa notebook, maging ang nasa chart.

Hindi na niya kailangan pang itago sa kaniyang mga kasamahan na noong mga nakaraang araw lamang niyang nakilala si Rhian, nagdesisyon siyang manatili muna ang babae sa kaniyang puder dahil kailangan pa niyang pag-aralan ang mga naging statement nito.

He put Rhianʼs student ID aside, put it in the mini drawer, and got out of his car again. He put on his coat while walking inside the headquarters, and when he arrived at the office, he was immediately greeted by his co-agents and staff who were there.
 
At that moment, when the co-agents saw their team leader, they stood up and approached Vahn. “Have you come again, sir?” one of their colleagues asked him.

Huminto si Vahn sa harapan ng kaniyang mga co-agents. Alam niyang wala ang iba dahil may kani-kaniyang duty, pero ngayong seryoso ang kaniyang ekspresyon, naiintindihan agad ng kaniyang mga co-agents kung ano ang ipinunta rito ni Vahn.

“I will tell the director that I will call an urgent meeting. Tell the others to go to the conference now,” sabi ni Vahn, na agad namang tinanguhan ng mga ito.

He sighed before continuing to walk to their directorʼs office. When he got there, he first knocked on the door, and when he heard him speak, he turned the doorknob to go inside.
 
The director was stunned when he saw Vahn, and he had no idea he would be here this afternoon. “Fernandez?” Vahn was just standing in front, saluting him, and then he sat in the chair. “Do you have an update yet?” tanong sa kaniya nito.

“Sir, may kailangan ho kayong malaman,” sambit ni Vahn, at tumango naman agad ang director; hinayaan lamang na makapagsalita ang binata. “Nasa puder ko noong mga nakaraang araw si Ms. Luther, pero nagdesisyon na siya ngayong bumalik sa kaniyang pinanggalingan.”

The directorʼs eyes narrowed, and he shook his head when he heard the mention of the womanʼs name. “Ms. Luther? What do you mean?” pagtataka nito.

“Sir, iyon ang dahilan kung bakit ako naparito. I told my team to go to the conference because I have something to say and discuss with them, and you need to be there, Director Alvarez,” Vahn said, convincing him to go to the conference for an urgent meeting.

The director nodded; he just agreed to Vahnʼs urgent meeting, especially since the information that Vahn will tell them is important and will help them accomplish their mission, and thatʼs the case they currently hold.

Sa pamumuno ni Vahn, naka-focus lamang ang buong miyembro ng kaniyang team, at nakaupo lamang sa unahan si Director Alvarez at pinakikinggan ang mga idini-discuss ni Vahn. “Noong nakaraang Miyerkules, naka-encounter ako ng isang babae sa isang liblib na lugar malapit sa rest house ko. Muntik ko na siyang masagasaan, pero nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong tinutukan ng baril.”