Project LOKI ②

Chapter 29: A Series of Unfortunate Events (Cultural Committee Conundrum)

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

"YOU'VE BROUGHT bad luck to your former school."

Loki's bored face was displayed on my phone screen, repeatedly yawning as if he had just woken up. After receiving the threat message from Vessy's unit, agad ko siyang tinawagan para i-consult tungkol sa code. That was right up his street.

"At sa 'yo pa talaga nanggaling 'yan?" I rolled my eyes after recalling Margarette's remarks that he was some sort of magnet of tragedies. Mula nang magkakilala kami, laging may nangyayari sa paligid ko. Nahawa na rin siguro ako sa sumpa niya, kung meron man.

"Let me see the code again," utos niya. Itinutok ko ang camera sa papel na puno ng mga shaded na bilog. He scratched his head as he inspected them eagerly with his hawk-like eyes. "I've got an idea on what type of code was used."

"Ano 'yon?" He never failed to deliver. With just a look, he knew the answer.

"Sorry, but I'm not yet in the mood to discuss it." Muli siyang humikab. "Jamie beat me in the online Game of the Generals. I'm taking my loss seriously."

"Bakit hindi mo pa sabihin sa 'kin para masimulan na namin ang pag-decode?" naaasar kong tugon. He could have revealed the code then hung up. But no! Mas gugustuhin niyang pasakitin muna ang ulo ko.

"I'll tell you when I'm ready. I need to pour myself a cup of coffee first."

Napabuntonghininga ako. Kapag talagang ayaw niya, ayaw niya. "Just tell me that this isn't binary code."

"A binary code uses a string of eight digits in either 0s or 1s. Your code only has six characters containing shaded and unshaded circles."

"How about Morse code?"

"You have to distinguish which between the shaded and unshaded circles represent the short and long signals. But your code has a constant of six units. In the Morse code alphabet, the number of signals vary per letter. Anyway, I'll call you back later."

"Okay. Just make sure—"

He hung up. Ito na ba ang ikalawang beses na binabaan niya ako ng tawag? Nasanay na akong makatanggap ng "K" replies mula sa kaniya kaya hindi na ito kagulat-gulat pa.

"It looks like he hasn't told you anything yet," nakangiting komento ni Alistair. Nakaupo siya sa couch habang pinag-aaralan ang code. May mga isinulat siyang letra sa tabi ng bawat item.