The Sleuth Project ✓

Chapter 9: Abduction Case

/9/
Abduction Case

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THE EARLIER buzz of excitement amongst the students of Castillo High was replaced with an uneasy terror as the campus was drowned in loud sirens and flashes of blue and red.

Dumating na ang Official Castillian Police, o mas kilala sa kanilang acronym na O.C.P.

The senior students watched as the police officers donned in their plainclothes uniforms, stepped out of their vehicles. Ang Official Castillian Police ay isang grupo ng kapulisan na nakasailalim pa rin sa Ylando Police District — established by Mayor Jerome Blythe Marquez, Jarrell's father. This was made to ensure that Castillo High's students would be safe and protected since the prestigious school was home to the children of wealthy families, political clans, and known celebrities.

Because of this, any cases related to the academe were always given to the O.C.P. To be a part of the organization, the guards of Castillo High are first considered to be apprentices, kung saan nakasailalim muna sila sa training bago maging opisyal na parte ng Official Castillian Police.

"Stuff is about to go down." Rein muttered as they watched the police come closer.

Tanging ang mga facilitators nalang ang naiwan sa center grounds kasama ang iilang mga propesor. All the school guards were also present, including Kuya Tino and his watch dog Gustav, who they had seen earlier.

But what intimidated them the most was that the academe's administration was also in the scene. Principal Lilia and vice-principal Leila who were collectively called as the Castillo sisters had grim looks on their faces.

It was already a quarter to eight in the evening and there was still no sign of Ria Vendeya anywhere kaya ipinatawag na ang O.C.P.

Dahil rin dito ay pansamantala munang kinansela ang ibang late-night activities ng leadership training, with the rest of the attendees and junior students instructed to stay put in their respective camping sites whilst the investigation was on-going.

Ang mga seniors at facilitators naman ay intasan na bantayan ang kanilang mga teams to ensure that no one else would go missing, much to the dismay of the students.

"So we just sit here and wait??" Jarrell groaned, throwing a pebble into a nearby bush of roses. Currently, they were standing outside two big yellow tents kung saan natutulog na ang kanilang team sa loob — five kids in each tent — as they observed the adults who were conversing from afar.

The only facilitator that wasn't with them was Tyra, who had become anxious and uneasy with the abduction case. Dahil dito, sinabihan muna nila ito na matulog sa loob ng isa sa mga tents kasama ang mga bata, habang sila muna ang magbabantay sa labas. 

"Shut up." Sera said sharply, raising one finger in the air as a signal for Jarrell to quiet down. "I'm thinking."

Ann rolled her eyes in irritation at Sera. Pursing her lips, she then folded her arms, eyeing the adults. "We saw that light with our own two eyes. Kailangan nating sabihin ito sa O.C.P."

Jarrell threw another pebble. "Yeah, but who would believe a bunch of kids like u—"

"I said shut up! I'm thinking." Sera snapped, glaring at Jarrell who raised both his hands like an arrested criminal.

Sera then turned her head back to the adults. She had a glint of an idea across her eyes as she watched one particular cop. It was a young officer who seemed to be an apprentice. He was wearing a pair of square glasses, had a buzz cut, a sharp nose, and an average built for an officer.