We halted outside the caution tape surrounding the transit van where the crime scene happened. Three patrol cars, including the one Philip’s Dad used last night, was parked on the left part of the chapel beside the flagpole. As the investigation team began their job, we saw the vice-principal walking from the pavement towards the vehicle where the teachers and other staff were standing; discussing about the traumatizing death of the owner of HCU and her chauffeur. The Vice Principal Mr. Morales was an invisible man. He rarely showed up. He would only go to school when the principal had meetings or errands to attend to, or when she’s absent and missing in action. Since last Thursday when the principal died, today was his first time heaving into view to manifest himself. He was an old man, dark in complexion, and had always been a grumpy person. We could see his crumpled forehead far from our spot, and his croaky voice was audible and easy to hear becaus

YURI (25 hours in lockdown)  It just happened that an hour after lunch, we unexpectedly gathered at the center of the room—on the seats that were arranged in a big circle—and talked about random things to keep our bored asses busy. It had been almost a day since we were locked in here, and the fact that there had been no updates from the outside world made us worry about what were the things waiting for us the moment we would step outside. There was just too much topics to talk about, that even us ourselves found it confusing where to start and what to talk first. It was nothing much than a panel discussion, but something less of a debate. Exchanging ideas and beliefs, and even speculations and conspiracy theories about things that just made and made no sense. We talked about various of things. From school politics to school rules and regulations, from personal experiences to personal problems, from

“After Satan had dragged us into a pitfall of filthy shits, you are still in the mood for some play time?” Philip said, shrugging his shoulders. “Yes.” Samantha responded, chin up, eyes were two balls of fire catapulting a heavy and intense stare to the guy who just questioned her will. “What? Is it not allowed now to take a break from all the curses and misfortunes we are currently going through?” She was confident she’s going to win the argument, even if it didn’t end up that way because Philip suddenly realized he had no power to overrule the great and the mighty Samantha.  “Of... Of course its allowed. Okay, ‘kay. Whatever your saying. But please spare me from that stupid game. I don’t want to join in.” “No one’s not joining. Do you hear me?” Samantha flicked her eyebrows shaped like an inverted check mark to the ceiling. She f

CHUCK That was close. Very, very close. However, we were deeply sorry for not being able to hear what was Geodie’s supposedly answer for that question of truth. Was there any chance for her to answer that question? At this time, perhaps no. Maybe sometime, if anyone would pull the gut and ask her the same question again, then perhaps yes. But now that Mrs. Tejada entered the room without knocking at least once on the door, which was very rude and impolite of her by the way, chances of continuing and furthering the game slimmed in an instant. Why was she here anyways? To tell us that we’ll extend our stay for another day? Or to announce to us that another murder mystery had been terribly and horrifically committed again? Mrs. Tejada clicked the lock of the door knob as she slowly pushed the door close. She walked with no sound of footsteps echoing on the floor at all, and proceeded to the front wearing the same se

JIEVEAfter standing in line, listening to the speech of the Vice Principal while praying it wouldn’t take long so we could finally set free from the crowded situation, the queue of the Freshmen Star Section shattered into pieces as they got the luckiest opportunity to leave the building first. We were so jealous because they were the first to smell the fresh air outside, they were the first to stretch their limbs and bones and free themselves from the arthritis-prone gesturing, and last yet ain’t the least, they were the first to finally go home after being away for more than thirty-one hours due to the implemented emergency lockdown. The order for the releasing (Yes, I chose the word ‘releasing’ because it really felt like we were prisoners held captive in a jail for no reason) of students were in chronological manner; First Year students to Fourth Year students, and that only possessed the unchangeable and brutal reality that of a