Euclid Shellingford (Volume 2)

CHAPTER 30: Kir and Ten Little Indians

SHADOW SOCIETY HQ, TIME: 9:00 PM

As the longer hand of the clock strikes twelve with its short hand forming right angle facing northwest, a lady in red stood up and faced her companions. Halata sa magandang mukha nito ang magkahalong iritasyon at pagkainip. Huminga muna ito ng malalim bago magsalita.

"Okay guys! Care to tell me what's really going on here?" Luna finally asked. Naix just shrugged his shoulders while the others in that room just looked away. Mas lalong nalukot ang mukha nito sa nakuhang reaksyon mula sa mga kasama.

"It's nothing to worry about Luna," sagot sa kanya ni JTR habang may kinakalikot sa cellphone. Hindi man lang ito nag-abalang tingnan siya.

"O...kay? I guess it wasn't a big deal na almost one week ng hindi nalabas ng room niya si Kir? I mean, has he had anything to eat or drink inside his room?" pagpapatuloy pa rin ni Luna sa paglitanya niya. She let out an exasperated sigh as she crossed her arms and gazed at her companions.

"Well I sometimes do that too when I am so focused with my artwork," bale-walang sabi ni Trax dito.

"No food or water? How can he even survive?" natitilihan pang tanong nito pero walang pumansin sa kanya. She just rolled her eyes then looked at the closed door for the nth time.

"Don't be exaggerated! He's not doing some fasting, you know?" sabi sa kanya ni Naix. "Lumalabas naman siguro siya pero hindi lang natin namamalayan. After all, he got this almost floating steps with him."

"Ehh ano ba kasing ginagawa niya dun?" nakasimangot pang sabi ni Luna.

"He was still probably reading," JTR answered.

"Reading what?"

"Random books-sometimes about war, mystery, science and adventure. The last time I saw him, he was grinning widely as he was reading Agatha Christie's book."

"Agatha Christie? The classic mystery writer?," gulat pang tanong ni Luna dito.

"Yeah. See that bookshelf? Diyan niya nilalagay yung mga books na natatapos niya ng basahin," itinuro ni JTR dito ang bookshelf na nasa right side ng room. Nasasakop nito ang buong dingding ng samu't saring libro.

"Seriously?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi pa nito. May napansin itong nakapatong sa may mesa kaya dahan-dahan itong lumapit dito.

"Don't dare touch that," agad na sabi ni Trax kay Luna nang tangkang hahawakan niya na ang mga figurines.

"What's this?"

"Can't you tell? Figurines yan ng ten little Indians!" sarcastic pang sabi sa kanya ni Naix.

"Nakikita ko naman Naix! Ang ibig kong sabihin ay bakit ang dami na nila? Napansin ko na 'to nung nakaraan pero hindi pa sila ganito kadami!"

"If you're curious, ask Kir. Sa kanya ang mga yan!" napasimangot pa siyang lalo sa sinabi sa kanya ni Trax. Dahil mukhang wala siyang matinong makukuhang sagot sa mga kasama ay kumuha na lang siya ng libro sa bookshelf.

A Carribean Mystery, napangiti siya nang mabasa ang title ng nakuha niyang libro at pagkatapos ay naupo na siya sa pwesto niya kanina.

"Where's my kid?" lahat sila ay napatayo nang biglang pumasok sa loob ang isang matandang lalaki. He's wearing a white lab gown with a nameplate on his chest, slightly inclined.

"M-Master Faust!" bati ni JTR dito.

"Is he locking himself again?" tanong dito ng doctor.

"Yes, he's been inside for a couple of days," the doctor rolled his eyes, disappointment was drawn on his face. Parang binuhusan naman ng malamig na tubig ang ibang nasa loob ng kwarto. They were all quiet.