Project LOKI ②

Chapter 29: A Series of Unfortunate Events (The Case)

CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains content that might be troubling to some readers, including, but not limited to, depictions of and references to death, self-harm and suicide, graphic violence, sexual assault, strong language and more.

Please be mindful of these sensitive themes and other possible triggers. Remember to practice self-care before, during and after reading.

LORELEI

WHERE WAS I? I could not remember how I got inside this dimly lit room. My eyes roamed around the forsaken place, but all I could see was the darkness. From the outside, I heard some vague noises, possibly from a popular Pinoy party song.

Wait a minute. What were these shadows moving in front of me? Hindi ko man makita ang mga mukha nila, ramdam kong nakatitig ang mga mata sa akin. I sensed nothing but malice in them. They were laughing and talking about something . . . or someone. About me? My seemingly clogged ears could barely hear anything.

"Ang kulit-kulit . . . kasi. Alam . . . hindi mo . . . binabangga . . . Queen Bee."

One of the men in shadows moved closer to me. Sinubukan kong kumilos, but my body would not budge! What's wrong with me? Kilos, Lorelei! Kilos!

"Tingnan mo . . . nangyari sa 'yo . . . Sa susunod, huwag . . . umastang detective, ha?"

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang lalo pang lumapit ang lalaki sa akin. If only I could, I would have stood and ran away from these guys. For some reason, my body was not cooperating!

"Tingnan mo . . . nangyari sa 'yo . . . Sa susunod, huwag . . . umastang detective, ha?"

As the guy got closer and went on to speak, I recognized his voice. Familiar. But my mind was so hazy that I got a hard time recalling to whom it belonged.

"Teka, sigurado ba . . . malakas ang tama . . . nilagay n'yo . . . inumin niya?"

Ano'ng balak n'yong gawin sa akin, ha? Get away from me!

"Don't worry . . . Kahit ano'ng gawin . . . sa kaniya, hindi na . . . matatandaan paggising . . . mamaya."

Please don't! PLEASE!

"LORELEI!"

Bumalikwas ako mula sa pagkakaupo, malalalim ang aking bawat paghingal. Tila muntik na akong malunod sa dagat. Salamat sa aking kasama, nailigtas ako mula sa kapahamakan.

I sat upright on the shotgun seat, looking at my reflection through a hand mirror. Those images . . . It had been a while since they haunted me. Maybe I was too preoccupied with solving cases left and right that I somewhat forgot about them.

"Okay ka lang ba, Lori? You look pale," may pag-aalalang tanong ni Alistair. Sandali siyang sumulyap sa akin. His hands were on the wheel while his eyes were focused on the road ahead. "Gusto mo bang mag-stop over muna tayo?"