MHOREIN
I looked behind me and was greeted by a smiling face. He fixed his glasses.
"What are you doing here?" Chain asked and stood up.
"Hi, Nice to see you again. Tungkol ba ito sa missing person's case? Kinausap rin ako ng babae na iyon eh." Sabi ni Eryn. Nagkatitigan kami ni Chain.
"Ano?" I asked.
"This woman contacted me right after I published the news article about your case at Lezran. She was asking about the greatest minds in Leounet." He must be talking about Mariel.
"Yes." Chain stepped in. I think he realized that I didnt feel comfortable around this man.
"Nandito narin naman kayo, Pwede ba akong sumama sa inyo? Para narin maisulat ko para sa blog. It would really help push my name up the social pyramid." Eryn smiled brightly.
"Your name?" Chain asked.
"Oo, I just need a couple more of interesting stories before I get a promotion on my job!" Said Eryn, Happily.
"Uh-huh. So, Ikaw ang nagsabi kay Mariel tungkol sa amin?" Chain asked. Eryn happily nodded.
"Im happy to help. Siguro excited na kayo dahil sa bago niyong kaso. May nahanap na ba kayong magandang ebidensya?" He asked, Smiling. If only he knew this is more nerve racking than exciting.
"Nothing, Really." Chain knew enough not to tell a stranger what we found. I stared into nothingness as they talked.
"Here's my card. Guys, I would really appreciate it if you gave me something." Eryn handed him a card. Chain just nodded and grabbed my wrist.
"Look, We have to be in places. See you around, Eryn." Chain dragged me out of the church and back to the car.
"Man. I dont like him. Iba ang pakiramdam ko sa kanya." Chain said as he slammed the door close. I took my phone out and checked my notes.
What we know:
codename: Morse : :
Around 5'8, Nothing more on appearance. Young sounding voice. Sadistic torturer.
codename: Scarlet :: Nothing on appearance. Classy, Menacing, Intimidating voice. Something around the business industry.
codename: Acros ::
I stared at the last name. Acros. I wonder who he is or what's his agenda. So far all we know is he sends those emails and most of the codes. Could he be the worse if them? Do I even wanna know him?
Scarlet's voice rung in head.
"The criminal mastermind himself, Acros"
So that's it. Si Acros ang pinuno nila. They probably saved the worse for last.
"Umalis ka diyan, Ako ang magmamaneho." I looked at Chain who got out of the car and made his way towards my seat.
"Get out. Im taking the wheel. Your brain is pre occupied." I got out of the driver's seat and sat on the passenger's.
I sighed heavily while staring at the code photo.
"Got anything?" Nagsimulang magmaneho si Chain.
I shook my head as I browsed for possible codes. My eyebrows met when I came across something that looked like what we had.
Bifid.
A bit more complicated than what they used to send but It's not as hard as I thought it would be.
"I found something..." I said and looked at the cipher intently. Chain looked at me for a second and faced the road again.
"Anong sabi?" Tanong niya.
"Teka..." I opened the glove compartment and took out a pen and paper.
I started translating the letter according to the given password.
I started with a box that ressembles Polybius but wrote the letters in corespondence with the word Moriarty.
1 2 3 4 5 6
1m o r i a t
2y b c d e f
3g h j k l n
4p q s u v w
5 x z 1 2 3 4
6 5 6 7 8 9 0
C N I K Q L I 3 M H I 1
"Hm..." I put the pen against the paper, Hoping I'll get it right this time.
"Bakit? Anong meron?" Tanong ni Chain.
I wrote the cipher down along with their numbers
I tapped the pen on the piece of paper trying to recall what I should do next.
"Right..." I said, splitting the numbers in half and putting those same numbers bellow each letter.
I then paired the numbers with the ones bellow them.
I gulped as tension started to build up. This is the last step. I translated those numbers back to letters using the same box.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mabasa ang nakasulat sa papel.
"Bakit? Bakit ganyan itsura mo?" Chain asked in between glances. I started breathing heavily.
"Just... Keep going." Chain looked at me, Worried.
"What does it say?" I faked a laugh.
"H-b-v-s-d-y." I tried to sound like Im joking but so much is running in my mind. I dont even know what to think at this point.
Chain looked at me with suspicion.
"Okay...? Saan tayo?" Tanong ni Chain.
"Home. We need to talk." Taka niya akong tinignan.
"Alright... "
Chain sat down on the sofa.
"So... Any leads? Anyone who could be the next victim?" He asked. I locked the door.
"Well... We have a pattern. " I said, Still not getting my mind of what the code said.
"Yeah. Mayayamang business men. I think she might lure them out or seduce them, Making them think she's just an innocent prostitute." Segunda ni Chain.
"You think the code is connected to this?" Tanong ko.
"Probably." I smiled bitterly.
"Paramg kabisadong kabisado mo ang ginagawa niya, Chain." Chain's eyebrows met.
"What?" He asked. I clenched my fist.
"I need you go be honest with me, Lives are at stake here." I bit my bottom lip.
"Wait, Do you think Im connected to this or-"
"CHAIN, THE GOD DAMN CODE SAYS CASTRANUEVOS!"
YOU ARE READING
Encoded
Mystery / Thriller(#5 - MysteryThriller) City Detectives Series 1: Encoded Bizzare crimes have been taking place in Leounet city. More than detectives Mhorein Layla Agustin and Chain Yuan Castranuevo are used to. A series of encoded letters were left on the crime sce...
