[Seven-Minute Semblance] GENIUSFORSALE & VORSTELLUNGEN

Chapter 14 - The Grand Reunion

Edward Dace.

7. January.
Friday, 7:30 a.m.
372A High Street.

THE FOUR OF US GATHERED AT THE COUCH, staring at the Happy Meal on the coffee table. We didn't see who sent the Happy Meal because every security camera within the street was either hacked or destroyed.

I was having mixed emotions.

First, I was worried about my mum. I knew Nicholas would take care of her. We had a non-verbal agreement. What changed that?

Did someone who was not Nicholas kidnap my mum? Ma, ano na, ma, suki ka ng kidnapping?

Second, this would be our first case this year, together, and I'm kind of excited. I'm pretty sure all of us have grown while we're away from each other.

Futhark said he solved a murder when he was in the ward. I solved a murder too, and tracked down a hacker. Whilst tutoring and taking care of kids, even.

We're not sure what Joyeuse was up to last year, aside from being SZ12's roadie and substitute pianist, an 18-year-old in his emo phase, and a full-blown Irishman.

Bukod sa hindi s'ya nagku-kwento ay hindi namin s'ya nakakausap dahil madalas s'yang tulog o lasing o nasa labas ng bahay. Nag-aalala si Futhark pero hindi s'ya nagsasalita dahil baka mag-away lang daw sila.

Hindi rin sinabi sa 'kin ni Futhark kung bakit sugatan s'ya noong nakita s'ya nila Lae sa labas ng Coronado, last year, noong nabaril si Joyeuse.

Hindi ko alam kung alam ni Futhark na si Sir Arthur ang bumaril kay Joyeuse.

Hindi ko rin alam kung alam ni Lae ang lahat ng nangyari, dahil kahit si Lae ay hindi ako masyadong iniimik. Madalas din s'yang magkulong sa library n'ya.

Hindi ko alam kung hanging Amihan ba ito o talagang ang cold ng 372A nitong nakaraang dalawang linggo.

Akala ko ay magkakaroon kami ng grand reunion, iyong tipong maiiyak pa si Futhark dahil nakauwi na s'ya, may yakapan, may asaran pero iyong nakasanayan naming asaran.

Wala. Iwasan at awkwardness lang.

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

"Don't sigh yet, Edward Dace," sabi ni Joyeuse. Lumuhod s'ya sa harap ng Happy Meal at dahan-dahang nilabas ang sira-sirang unicorn. Kumuha s'ya ng ilang hibla ng buhok at pinag-aralan ito.

"Tingin mo, kaninong buhok 'yan?" Futhark asked, his eyebrows already furrowed.

"It's not the same colour as Edward Dace's."

"Hindi kami magkapareho ng kulay ng buhok ni Melissa," I told him. "She has black hair, I have light brown."

"Ipapa-DNA ba natin?" Futhark asked again.

"Do we have the time?" Joyeuse stood up, giving me the note. "Fenrir said the envelope didn't have poison so we can all use this note as our lead."