✔ 02 | Flames Of Madness [Soon To Be Published Under PSICOM]

CAPITULUM 13

Kingstone Industries
8:52 p.m.

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The moment he saw the flames, Detective Nico Yukishito knew they were screwed. On their way to the potential crime scene, tinawagan na nila ang Eastwood fire department at sina Inspector Placido Ortega. 'Damn Sherlock! Paano kung huli na pala kami?' Huminga nang malalim ang detective at pilit pinakalma ang sarili.

If they're unlucky, they might see another corpse inside that building.

"I think we should just wait for the firefighters. Kung may sinunog na namang negosyante si RA, wala na tayong magagawa. It's not like we can run through the fire!"

'Does she always have to be this annoying?' Sa ngayon, wala nang ibang iniisip si Nico kundi iligtas ang biktima. As much as he wants to investigate another murder, hindi niya hahayaang manalo ang Robinhood Arsonist. He can't let another person die in those flames.

Nang hindi umimik si Nico, napansin niyang nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalaga.

"T- Teka, hindi ka naman siguro papasok sa loob ng nasusunog na building, 'di ba?"

"...."

"Nico?!"

Ngumisi ang detective. "Sometimes, we need to do crazy things, Nova."

Nang huminto ang sasakyan, hindi na nagsayang ng oras ang binata at mabilis na tumakbo papalabas ng driver's seat. Bumungad sa kanya ang amoy ng nasusunog na kagamitan at ang liwanag ng apoy na tila ba nagmumula sa impyerno. 'I won't be surprised if they relocated hell on earth---the demons are all here!' Detective pushed through the crowd. Wala na siyang oras para hintayin pa ang mga pagresponde ng Eastwood fire department. For all he cares, those stupid firefighters might still be tangled in their own jumpers.

"NICO!"

Napabalik ang atensyon ni Nico sa kanyang kasama nang higitin siya nito sa braso. He frustratedly looked at her. Hindi na niya pinansin ang panginginig ng mga kamay ni Nova at ang takot sa mga mata nito. 'What does she think she's doing? We need to save a human!'

"H-Hindi tayo pwedeng pumasok sa loob! It's too fucking dangerous!" Her sharp eyes attempted to intimidate him.

Too bad.

Napasimangot si Nico at kumalas sa pagkakatawak sa kanya ng dalaga. "What in the name of Sherlock, Nova? Can't you see?! The arsonist is probably burning another businessman's body!"

Nico glanced at the flames. Damn it!

"N-Nababaliw ka na ba?! I am not going near that building! Kung gusto mong magpakamatay, 'wag mo na akong idamay, you airheaded emo!"

'Calm the fuck down, Nico.' Huminga siya nang malalim at ngumiti nang mapait kay Nova. He held her shoulders firmly. He doesn't expect her to understand him. No one did, and probably, no one ever will.

"Then don't. I'll go alone. Stay here and wait for the firefighters. Tawagan mo na rin si Chief Ortega at sabihin mong maghanda ng isa pang cadaver bag, because if it means saving an innocent life, then I don't fucking mind dying tonight."

Silence.

"Your partner's right, Detective Yukishito. Masyadong mapanganib kung magpapaka-bayani ka. Instead of looking like a hero, you'll end up looking like a lunatic. Besides, the residents say that no one's in there. Isang normal na arson case lang ito kaya nagsasayang ka lang ng pagod mo."

Napalingon sina Nico sa bagong-dating. He scowled at the woman standing in front of them. She recognized her from the crime scene this morning. Walang-interes na nakatitig sa kanya ang kulay asul na mga mata ng dalaga. Her dark hair with blue highlights stood out despite the chaos.

"Sorry, miss, but I don't take opinions from humans I don't know. Plus, I trust my instincts more than I trust other people."

Pero mukhang hindi pa rin ito natinag. The district officer bravely met his intense stare. Those blue eyes assessed his very soul. Rizee's blue eyes even scanned him from head to toe! Ilang sandali pa, inilahad nito ang kanyang kamay. Bahagya na rin itong ngumiti.

"Point taken, detective. Sorry for interrupting. By the way, I'm District Officer Rizee Mariano."

The name doesn't ring a bell. Plus the fact that Nico doesn't give a shit. Hindi na niya kailangan ng dagdag na problema sa buhay niya. "Save it. I'll shake your hand after I survive that burning building, Officer Mariano." Sabay turo nito sa mala-impyernong apoy. Ngumisi si Nico, inayos ang kanyang jacket, at sumaludo sa kanila.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work, ladies."

Tumakbo na papasok sa loob ng nasusunog na gusali ng Kingstone Industries si Detective Nico Yukishito, leaving both his partner and the district officer behind.

Malakas ang kutob niyang hindi ito isang normal na arson case.. it was another murder.

'The best mysteries have the worst twists.'

*

Detective Briannova Carlos had always felt uncomfortable with fire. Tuwing makakakita siya ng apoy, agad na bumabalik sa kanyang mga alaala ang panahong kamuntikan na siyang mapatay nito. Suddenly, she found herself inside the burning room again. Umiiyak at humihingi ng tulong. Nauubusan na ng hininga at hinihiling na matapos na lang ang paghihirap niya.

'Shit.'

Marahang umiling si Nova. The smell of smoke and burning wood brought back those awful memories---and it made her sick.

Ngayong ilang metro lang ang layo niya mula sa naglalagablab na sunog, hindi maiwasang bumalik ang takot na matagal nang isinasantabi ni Detective Briannova. Naikuyom niya ang nanginginig niyang mga kamay at pinilit pakalmahin ang sarili. But how the fuck can she calm down now that her shitty partner is turning towards the flames?

Nico was running towards the flames she tried so desprately to run away from.

"N-No.."

Damn. She should do something!

Pero hindi makakilos si Nova. Her feet were glued to the ground. Despite being at a safe distance, kinakapos pa rin siya ng hininga at pakiramdam niya gumagapang sa kanyang balat ang apoy.

Sa kanyang tabi, napansin niyang kalmadong nakatingin si Officer Mariano sa direksyon kung saan naglaho si Nico. Nova knew she looked familiar. Nakita niya ito dati sa masquerade event na idinaos ng Eastwood police ilang buwan na ang nakararaan.

That time, Nova was undercover as a waitress. Nakasuot man ng maskara ng kulang itim na pusa si District Officer Rizee Mariano, kapansin-pansin pa rin ang asul na highlights at asul na mga mata ng dalaga. She just simple stood out, and Nova can vaguely remember men trying to flirt with her.

Huminga siya nang malalim at akmang susunod na sana kay Nico nang magsalita si Officer Mariano.

"Kung susundan mo siya, you'd either end up looking like another hero or just another lunatic, Ms. Carlos."

She instantly disliked this woman. "He's my partner! I.. I can't just let him die in there!"

Kalmadong tumingin sa kanya si Officer Mariano at ngumiti. "That's the point. Partner mo si Detective Yukishito kaya't anupaman ang mangyari, kailangan mong magtiwala sa mga desisyon niya."

Sinamaan ng tingin ni Nova si Rizee.

"Gosh! How the fuck can you say that?!" Nanganganib na ang buhay ni Nico at wala siyang oras makipag-away sa babaeng ito! Handa niyang harapin ang kinatatakutan niya, mailigtas lang ang siraulong detective na 'yon. 'How could he be so reckless? Ni hindi man lang siya nag-isip at basta-basta na lang siyang pumasok doon!' Nova has to admit, it was a little out of character for his part.

But what District Officer Rizee said stopped her once again..

"He's smart. He'll survive."

At hindi alam ni Detective Nova kung ano ang mas kinaiinisan niya: ang katotohanang wala siyang magawa para tulungan si Nico o ang katotohanang mas may tiwala pa ang estrangherong ito sa abilidad ng partner niya?

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