Haunteds

Chapter 25

"My dad...is not a cultist," Cana said in a measured, low voice.

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying!" she yelled, slamming her hands on the table. It sounded more of a challenge than a question. I dreaded saying any more.

"I didn't mean it that way..." I said, glancing around the table, looking for anyone to take my side. But most of them have their eyes on Cana, wide and unblinking, stunned from what they were seeing. They were more surprised than scared because this is the first time they ever saw this side of her. Oh, they have no idea...

Major Coleman cleared his throat. "No one is saying anything, but for now we have to get on our next move."

"Guys, let's just calm down, okay? We're all friends here," Harmony added.

My throat tightened. It was hard to get the words out. I wasn't accusing her dad of anything. Excluding Indigo, all of us came from different schools. Each would have a different doctor. Even if her dad was indeed a cultist, it was highly unlikely for her dad to acquire all the blood from all these schools. I'm sure there are protocols in place that make it difficult, if not impossible for one school to request for the blood of the haunteds from another school. But I'm convinced that even if I tell her this, it wouldn't help my case. Because from her perspective, I'm accusing her dad of doing something horrible. And that makes me worse than the Shade.

So I kept it to myself and averted my gaze. "I think we should check places where the cultist might have gotten our blood."

I didn't really know how she would take it. I braced myself for another shouting but good thing Cato intervened before she can say anything. "Look, if you want, we can check your dad's clinic first so we can rule him out."

"Not that he's a suspect or anything," Harmony reassured Cana.

"Fine, I'll prove to you all that my dad is not a cultist," she said. Cana stood up so abruptly that her chair was knocked down behind her. "Let's go," Then she stormed out of the room.

Major Coleman glanced at his wristwatch. "We might be cutting it too close... But if this helps us figure out the Shade, then we'll make time."

Inside the minibus, Cana was sitting alone at the back, her arms crossed at her chest. She kept her eyes outside, refusing to look at me, at any of us.

"Dude, just leave her alone for a while. She'll calm down," Leo said.

"Ugh, what a drama queen," Scarlet said, rolling her eyes.

"Hey!" Darius scolded her. "You'd do worse if someone talks trash about mom. You know that, right?"

Scarlet considered this for a moment. "I'll be nice."

"I would never have expected that from her..." Caprice said.

"You'll see why," I said. Then I snapped at Darius. "And I'm not talking trash about his dad, you muscle head!" At this point, I don't care if he's bigger than me. I may be overreacting but I didn't like what he said.

"Guys," Harmony said. "Please don't."

Whatever he was going to do, he changed his mind. "Let's just drop it," Darius said.

It was just half an hour ride but it felt like it was the longest I've ever taken to school.

When we got to the school's clinic, we caught Cana's dad, Dr. Bernardo, at the perfect time. The room was empty. Not even his assistant, Aaron, was here. I guess that's to be expected, considering some classes end at three o'clock.

Mr. Bernardo was sitting behind his deck. He looked up as soon as we entered the room. The confusion registered on his face immediately.

"Dad!" Cana yelled. Mr. Bernardo got around the table and opened his arms. Cana didn't hesitate to run to her dad's embrace.