The Peculiars’ Tale

TL"s note: Be warned that this chapter contains many flashbacks and the sudden turn of events revolving around Tadeo may be confusing but fret not, it"s connected with the next chapters and is.... ooops, I should not reveal any more spoilers. :-P

"How do you feel now, Miss Morie?" asked by Dr. Crisostomo Hideo to me. I"m once again here at his office because he promised and so he required me to let him help me "heal".

I answer while staring at his eyes covered by those blue lens. "I think I"m feeling better now."

"Good. Are you regularly taking your medicines?" I couldn"t reply right away.

"h.e.l.lo?"

"h.e.l.lo? Who is this?"

"Miss Morie, It"s me, Carol."

"Nurse Carol?"

"Yeah. Can you meet me today?"

After the call, we see each other in a coffee shop which is near the hospital. Nurse Carol is obviously restless and worried about something. She looks agitated which caused me to be nervous.

"Miss Morie," She began. Her voice is so small and low I feel like she really fears being overheard by others. "I asked help from my friend who is working at the Pharmaceutical Department. We discovered that those related information about the drug you handed me is very confidential. The drug is actually very rarely released. But don"t worry because my friend managed to get some information." She put out from her bag the drug which is sealed in a small plastic container. She also brought out a doc.u.ment. "To be honest, I feel nervous about this. My friend only hacked their department"s computer system to retrieve this file and when I read this, I can no longer shake this restless feeling."

Helexia.

Ø Is a sedative, also called hypnotic. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become imbalanced and cause sleep problems

Ø Symptoms:

o Getting out of bed while not being fully awake and doing an activity that you do not know you are doing

o Abnormal thoughts and behaviour. Symptoms include more outgoing or aggressive behaviour than normal, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, worsening of depression, and suicidal thoughts or actions

o Memory loss

o Anxiety

o Severe allergic reactions

The paper contained more data which I could no longer understand. On the last part, it was sealed with the word "RESTRICTED" and a familiar emblem: a black diamond and an M in white font color at the middle. Memoire, I don"t doubt.

"Yes."

He paused for a moment before saying, "I hope you"re not lying to me, Miss Morie."

"Why would I have to lie to you, doc?"

"Jillianne!" When I went home, Manang Fe "s fidgety welcomed me. That was the first time I saw her like that, but like how I usually do, I ignored her and walked in the house. She followed me until I reached my room. "Jillianne! Why are your medicines in the trash can?" I refused answering her but I noticed some hints of anger from her tone.

"Probably because I threw them there?"

"Jillianne!" That was the third time she called my name. "You"re not taking your medicines? Your father will surely get angry at you if he finds ou---"

"He will be angrier once he learns that you"d been changing my vitamins all this time!" She was startled when she heard me say that. She averted her eyes with her mouth gaping. It seemed like she wants to say something but she couldn"t. "I know, Manang. You changed my vitamins with other drugs."

"Jillianne, it"s bad to accuse someone." She tried to defend herself.

"Manang," I feel disappointed. I almost thought she"s different, as if she"s like Albert. Yeah, I should really not trust easily. "Only the two of us are always inside this apartment, Manang. Why did you do this to me?"

"I-I don"t get what you"re saying."

I retrieved the pictures I printed the other day. I remembered using Lily"s memory card which she inserted in the camera placed in my house. Ever since I discovered those odd vitamins, I only suspected no one but Manang. Let"s see how she will try to reason her way out now. I handed her the photographs.

"Camera doesn"t lie, Manang. I don"t know if you"ve been bribed by Lily because she was the one who put the camera in my apartment. I can"t say if the same person ordered the two of you to do this to me, but all I can say is, you made me disappointed." I acted calm because I was not really angry. I only spoke and stared at her. "Tell me now who made you betray me. Are you also the one who stole those pictures I threw out before? Manang Fe, please."

Manang Fe cried in front of me. I tried to hold her but she suddenly dashed out of my house. That"s when I concluded that she"s also probably like Stephen and Yue... a victim of the blackmailer.

"Nothing. Lying is bad, Miss Morie. You"re forbidden to lie to your doctor, they said."

"I know. How would I get cured if I wouldn"t tell you the truth?"Silence followed. And I regretted not being able to peek on his eyes. Later I stood up and bid my farewell. When I exited, I sighed in relief.

I hope he didn"t notice I lied.

"No, Jill. You"re not dreaming."

I finally got a hold of my breath when he told me that. At least, I proved to myself everything I have gone through is real. Everyone was drugged except me that"s why I can clearly remember what happened. Morris was drugged too but due to his power he can still recall it... My cla.s.smates can"t remember but their memories were not altered, that"s why Morris can still see that particular past in their eyes. Aside from the two of us, I"m very sure that Miss Karen can also recall everything. Unfortunately, I can"t find opportunity to confront her since that incident.

"Is Caleb Perez after her, I mean... after Miss Karen?" I tried to remember the conversation that took place between Morris and I on that day when he followed me at the rooftop.

"Yes, Jill."

"But Miss Karen is also a Memoire member." He was startled when I mentioned that organization.

"How did you know about the Memoire?" He asked in horror.

"So, do you know about them? I"m sure you also know something about Karen Italia." Both of us stopped in the middle of the street when the talk went that way. He couldn"t look straight in my eyes that time. "Tell me the truth, Morris."

"You didn"t answer my question. How did you learn about them?"

"It doesn"t matter. You only have to tell me the truth."

"I...I can"t."

"Why not? You told me before it"s already the time for me to know but now what? Why are you still hiding something from me? Why can"t you tell me anything? Morris!"

"Jill." He suddenly grabbed me by the shoulders. "Just think that it"s our way to protect you."

"Protect me?" I took his hands off me. "I can"t understand you. Don"t tell me you"re also part of Memoire? Morris, are you and Miss Karen setting me up?"

"Jill! Stop it! Don"t jump into conclusion. You don"t know what we"ve gone through in their hands. Please, stay out of the Memoire"s business. Don"t get involve with Memoire." Then he walked away. I shouted at him which made him halted him.

"Don"t get involve? Those freaking guys kidnapped me! Do I have to let myself be endangered by them without knowing what they want from me?"

"What? Are you kidding me?"

"You heard me right, Morris. Now tell me, please."

He"s putting up a tough front though. He"s almost leaving but then I murmured.

"Why her?" He looked back. I saw confusion on his face. "Why did you choose her over me? Are you also going to deny the truth about that? Why is Lily still with you?" We measured each other through our gazes. He shook his head and completely left me.

He even wants to stay quiet about that?

I stopped at the school entrance and shove away the conversation between Morris and I which I recalled. I saw how the students flocked outside and there are even those who peek from the higher floors. What stole the scene away are the police cars parked at the building"s front since it is the first time the police officers visited White Knights Academy. I wonder what happened.

Just as I enter the gate, the police officers came out. I didn"t expect to see my Uncle Julius, my mother"s younger brother. It"s been long since the last time I saw him. That time he"s still a student but now he looks older and more mature.

He halted when he saw me. "Jillianne?"

"It"s good to see, Uncle Julius." I said.

I know he"s still mad to my father and I think it has something to do with my mother"s death. Since her death, he no longer visited us.

He"s wearing a trench coat and Fedora hat. It accentuates the fact that he"s a police.

"You are actually studying here. My niece, you grew up." I only smile. He fishes out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "I heard that you"re no longer staying at your father"s mansion. That"s good. If I also were in your position, I wouldn"t be able to stomach living with my father"s other family."

"You still hate my father so much, Uncle." I commented. He remained quiet and just tapped my shoulder.

"Always take care of yourself, Jillianne. Call me if you need help."He handed me a card before catching up with his comrades. They boarded a car and left while I regretted forgetting to ask about why they came here. I shrug my shoulder and go to my homeroom.

The moment I open the door, the weird and lifeless aura drifted through the air. They are all quiet as if heaven smacked them down. What the heck is the matter now?

I asked Ireneo who is standing in the front as if he had just finished a speech. "What happened?"

"You saw the police officers before coming here, right?"

"So what?"

"They came here because---"

"They are looking for Tadeo."

"Huh? Tadeo, you say?" I got shocked by what Tamaki said. "Ireneo, what is he talking about?"

"I was one of those people called in the office because I"m this cla.s.s representative. They inquired where Tadeo is. From what I heard, a raid occurred at a warehouse last eve and they found no evidence of the illegal drug dealers. However, an ID was found... and it belongs to Roman Tadeo."

"What? How could that be? Tadeo is not the type of person who will involve himself in illegal dealings. Are you sure it"s his ID?"

"Yeah, Jill. They have it on their possession."

"Where is he?" I sweep them a glance but I fail getting an answer from them.

"He"s not arriving, Jill. We all think he has no plan to do so."

"Are you saying he"s guilty about this?"

"It"s not like that---"

"We didn"t mean it that way. We didn"t say we believe that he"s involved in something illegal." It was Morris who suddenly interjected. "We also feel worried for Tadeo but it"s just that we can do nothing to protect him since the police hold strong evidence."

"We"ve been calling him since earlier but he"s not answering."Baldo added.

"If he"s not guilty he should be here now, right?" Someone said then others agreed.

"What did you say?" It"s like Tamaki"s ears burst.

"He"s got a point. The big question is "why was his ID found at the place where the unlawful transaction occurred?""

People started arguing with each other about Tadeo"s case. They keep on insisting that if he"s not guilty, Tadeo should have come to school now to defend himself. Now the whole mess came to the point where everyone is starting to be against each other as they battle with reasons and wits.

"Shut up, everyone!" Ireneo scolded us.

"Jill, what should we do?" Aya asked in worry. "Hey, Ireneo! You"re our representative, can"t you think of some plausible plan?"Ireneo couldn"t reply. I understand because even I don"t know how we should deal with all of the problems.

"There must be a reason behind this. I don"t believe Tadeo is part of a syndicate." I voiced out which makes them zipped their mouths.

"J-jill?" Penelope slowly raised her one hand.

"What?"

"How are we also going to deal with Stephen"s case?"

"

"Jill, sorry. I couldn"t do anything anymore. I don"t want to involve you and the others. I don"t want to involve my family. I"m very scared of tem, Jill. I want to protect you but I don"t know how so... please be careful."

"Stephen, what the heck! Who are they?"

"M-memoire..."

"Jill?"

"Sorry, Penelope." I grimaced. "To be honest, I also don"t know what should be done."

I find it difficult to decide on any plan. All my problems are like entangled web already, plus the fact that I"m in danger.... Moreover, when I remember what Stephen told me last time, I also felt as if I was the real reason why people around me got into all of this mess.

"What if Stephen"s disappearance and Tadeo"s case are related?"

"What do you mean by that, Penelope." Ireneo questioned her. Penelope stood up and walked towards Ireneo.

"Similar to Stephen, Tadeo also vanished without any notice. The two of them can"t also be contacted. Jill..." She paused and thought of something. "It might sound unbelievable but I can"t help to think that what happened to them are related to each other." No, Penelope. It"s possible that they disappeared because of the same reason. How to say this to them... I don"t know. "They are both good people, Jill. They won"t commit any offense. Now what are we going to do for them?"

"I---"

"We"re going to look for them." Tamaki b.u.t.ted in.

"No, I won"t let you do anything." All eyes shifted onto the door which suddenly opened and revealed Miss Karen. She walked in and then the three of us went back to our seats. The others stood up and greeted.

Then she coldly ordered. "No one must interfere with what"s happening. Do you understand?"

"Why, Miss?" Aya protested. "Aren"t you going to do something to find them? Are you still humane if you"re like that?"

"Everyone take your seats. We"ll start the cla.s.s."

"We"re finding them, whether you consented or not!" Tamaki hissed and glared at Miss Karen before walking towards the door. "Baldo, come on. Those who also feel the same with me, help us."

Baldo didn"t dare dally and follow Tamaki. The others watch over. After a while, Morris moved. While he"s motioning towards the door, Lily tried to stop him but it proved to be futile since he"s determined to walk out. I breathed deeply and follow those three. Once outside, we tried waiting but it seems no more people will join our little search party so Tamaki urges us to leave.

I actually don"t understand myself on why I go with them. I only knew something inside me made me do this.

None of us speak because each of us is lost in our thoughts. That persisted until we reach the lobby and heard some people calling for us. When we look upstairs, we saw the others hurrying towards us. It"s already fine this way, even though my expected group of people is not completed, at least the group grows in number.

"Miss Karen let us go. Come on and let"s search for that b.a.s.t.a.r.d."

Six pm.

The day was spent searching for every nook and cranny in the city where he possible might be found at but our efforts bore no fruit. Now I felt like we only wasted our time for nothing. All of us feel downhearted and tired so we decided to give up this search. I, Tamaki, Baldo, Morris, Ireneo, Penelope, Aya and Sabina were the only ones left while traversing the long road but later we will also part with each other after coming to the stop light.

Out of the sudden, a person texted us.

"Yoyoyoyoh men! I heard you"re all searching for me. Huhuhu T.T sorry men. I"m at school now. GM only. >Bhosxs Tadeo<>

"Did you all receive the text message?" I asked them. They suddenly look at their phone and produce different reactions to what they have read. Tamaki cussed out loud while Baldo laughed hard. Morris grew annoyed while Penelope became worried. Aya expressed extreme anger though. Sabina furrowed her brows and Ireneo called Tadeo "stupid".

"This son of a beast Tadeo who even had the guts to send us a group message! I"ll beat him to death the moment I see him!"Tamaki said in anger. We follow him as he walks back to school. When we get there, its gates are already closed but we still managed to get in because of Tamaki"s secret pa.s.sage. We ran straight for the homeroom and we switched on the light, Tadeo is there. Tamaki and Baldo rushed in to give him rounds of punches and kicks.

"Enough of this meeennn! I"m really sorry huhuhuhu." He whimpered while dodging their attacks.

"You"re a shameless scoundrel, d.a.m.ned stupid! You only tired us! You even made us skipped the cla.s.s for the whole day! You idiot! IDIOOOTT!" Aya join in beating the c.r.a.p out of him but the rest of us only remain quiet while waiting for them to calm down.

"Boss Tadeo #27 huh! What stupidity have you done! EXPLAIN!"

"Fine, fine! Men, please calm down first! Inhale! Exhale! I"ll explain thoroughly." Only after he said that that Tamaki, Baldo and Aya release him from their a.s.saults. "First of all I want to apologize because I made you worried to the point you even searched for me all around the city. But to be honest, I was actually asleep on the janitor"s deck. Hehehe."

"What did you say?" Tamaki almost really want to beat him to the point of sending him to his own-dug grave.

"Hey hey hey! Let me finish what I"m saying, men! Second, I want to thank you all for your efforts and concern to find me. I am really really touched, men." Then he suddenly went serious. "Third, I know you know what happened. The police arrived in front of my house in search for me. They even came after me here in school. The truth is... That night, I only pa.s.sed by an alley near that warehouse. I saw some men in black... and they were with Stephen, which is why I secretly tailed them. When we reached the warehouse, I didn"t see Stephen anymore. I was also not aware that some illegal transactions were taking place. But they caught me lingering there so they beat the c.r.a.p out of me."

I finally understood why he has several bruises and wounds on his face.

"Thank goodness I escaped the place because the police were coming over. They became anxious so they fled. I used that opportunity to also slip up. However, I didn"t notice my ID detaching from my lace. That"s the reason why I am wanted. I feel like strangling or hanging myself, men."

"What will happen to you? How are you going to clean your record?" asked by Penelope. "Also, why was Stephen involved with those people?"

"Stephen is not with those drug or whatever traffickers. However, he was led by them to get inside that van which had fled first. I heard where they planned to go that"s why I"m thinking of something, men."

"Don"t tell me..."

I suddenly recall that Stephen is blackmailed and surely is being held by Memoire.

"Let us save him. Let"s go to that place."

All of us exchanged glances.

"Right now?"

"Right now."