Encoded

Chapter 14 : Code(Names)

ACROS

Now that Arcilla's gone, A piece of my revenge has been served. I read a text on my phone from Scarlet. Saying that our next move is ready. But I'd like to stress them out a little bit more before the final cut.

I watched from a couple of feet away as they cried infront of Arcilla's remains. My phone rung and I quickly answered it.

"Hello, Morse?" I walked away from the hallway and stood somewhere a little more private.

"Acros?

''how's it going?" I asked.

"Nakawala na silang pareho."

"Good, Good. That's Great. Pay those two kidnappers and get the hell out of there." I grinned. Morse has to deal with our criminals that get sent into jail. He has enough power to get them out, So he does the job.

"Alright. Bye." And with that he ended the call.

MHOREIN

We went home exhausted. Wala na kaming ibang choice kundi i-cremate si inspector Arcilla.

After that decision, Kinailangan na naming umuwi. I have never felt so drained in my entire life.

I checked my phone for some messages and emails. Until I came across an email address that I didn't know. Na ipinagtaka ko naman dahil ang email na ito ay para sa mga personal kong gawain. Si Chain at ang pamilya ko lang ang may alam nito.

From: @AcrosCM

Greetings, Detective! Our next move strays further from Arcilla. A connection less painful to see. Someone you wouldnt expect or someone you would have some trouble trying to save. I hope you show your fake selflessness on this, Detective. Cause we both know what it's like to be stepped on and abused. For now you may rest ;)

"Acros..?" I whispered. Tinignan ko si Chain na mahimbing ang tulog sa tabi ko.

Anong ibig niyang sabihin?

I couldnt think of much. Probably because I havent eaten in hours or I havent slept properly. Sa sobrang sakit ng ulo ko ay para akong nasusuka. I looked at the clock. 7:40 AM.

Sinubukan ki namang makatulog.

Habang nakahiga, The thought of regretting my chosen profession played around my head. The emotional and mental trauma that we have to go through will likely drive me insane. Bakit ko nga ba ito pinili?

Maybe Chain and I thought it would be easier. Maybe when we were kids, Gushing over Sherlock Holmes, We thought it would be easier. Maybe we thought it was a simple who-dun-it game. We were too careless with our decisions.

How could that have happened? College felt so... determined. It felt so fun to think that our childhood dreams would come true.

I looked at the date. Five days before Methal's debut. We really need to take it easy for the next few days up until the party.

But I feel so desperate to find Daniel Lucas. I have a suspicion that he's Acros himself. Things are escalating so fast that I cant even think properly.

Napagdesisyunan kong tumayo at magtrabaho nalang kaysa pilitin ang sarili na matulog.

Binaba ko ang laptop at folders ko sa dining table.

I read pieces of papers signed from Acros, Comparing it to some of Daniel Lucas' writings from notes he posted on twitter.

It matches other than the fact that Lucas writes the letter E and F differently. I refreshed the page and it displayed an error screen.

I refreshed the page again. I tried closing the tab and checking all of his other social medias. He deactivated all of his accounts... My suspicions grew stronger.

The hate and anger brewing up inside my heart is more than enough to get me into searching everything about Daniel Lucas.

Tumayo ako ulit at binuksan ang pridyider. Napangiti namannako nang makita ang baso ng ape ko na may nakadikit na papel dahil alam kong galing ito kay Chain. 

'lock your doors next time, luv.

-Morse'

Nagkunot ang aking noo. Morse? At sino naman si Morse?

Are they telling me there's more than one person behind all of this? I sipped on my coffee before I brought the note to the bedroom.

I saw Chain half awake looking at me.

"Hon? Bakit gising ka pa? Hindi ba sabi ko magpahinga ka na? Saan ka galing?" He asked. A yawn escaped his mouth.

"Did you do this?" I asked and handed him the note. He read the note.

"No... Where did you find this?" Naalimpungatan ata si Chain kaya napatayo ito.

"It was on my coffee cup. In the fridge."

"Was it there when you put the bottle in your fridge?" I shook my head.

"We've been together for days now. Kasama si Aiden. That couldnt have been me or Aiden pulling a prank." He stood up.

Chsin looked at me. He walked out of the door. When I followed him, He was checking every entrance in the apartment inclunding the balcony and windows. He made sure they were locked.

"Let's go to bed, Mhorein." He held my wrist and dragged me into the bedroom. He looked in the closet snd under the bed.

"Stay there. Im gonna sleep on the couch. No one can enter this room."

"Chain-"

"Stay here and go to sleep." He said firmly.

After he left, I couldnt really sleep. I kept thinking about everything that's happening.

Sino naman si Morse? Gaano sila kadelikado? Kung ngayon pa lamang magpapakilala ang iba sa kanila, Gaano sila karami at ano pa ang pinaplano nila?

Matapos ang ilang minutong pagiisip, Naipahinga ko narin ang utak ko.