Mermaid Blues: Beasts, Giants and Spirits

The Mysterious Detective

In a coffee shop located in a rural area of Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet. Ceres was at a table located near the railings of the third floor of the building. He was sitting on a chair, his elbows resting by the table as he leans forward. His face was looking away to the mountain from the distance. The sun was high in the sky as the temperature reached its peak for that day. Fortunately, he was shaded by a wide umbrella above his head. He was thinking deeply, he doesn't say a word. The table was empty, waiting for his order to arrive. He closed his eyes as he remembers that dream. It was strange, he doesn't seem to get rid of it from his mind. It was almost like a memory.

"Hey!" Someone suddenly startled him. It was someone who was sitting across from him. She felt ignored, as if she knew Ceres wasn't paying attention.

Ceres immediately opened his eyes, then he raised his head. He was sitting across from his sister, Seline. He realized that he had been ignoring her.

"Oh. Sorry. It's just that...I didn't sleep properly last night," he apologized.

Seline sighed. Her eyes showing concern to him. "Is it Daddy again?" she guests.

Ceres gave her a smirk and shook his head. "No. No. It's just...I had a bad dream that's all," he said.

Seline pouted. She didn't believe him. She nodded and looks down on the table. "Good thing, you ran and went to Eugene's house. God only knows what will happen to you if you still insist to stay in that hell house."

"I know," Ceres sighed. He leaned his back on the back rest. "I am just hoping Daddy cools down right now so I could go back home."

Though she was against it, she had no choice. She nodded. She doesn't want to argue with him that moment. Ceres needs her support that time and arguing with him would not make him feel better.

Ceres sighed again. His fingers interlaced on the table. His mood switched from somber to curious, full of interest. "So, congratulations. You have met your friends from the unknown land".

"Thanks".

"I can't believe it. It's really fate that brought you to Horizon Reached," he then chuckled.

Then, the barista standing at the counter finally called out his name. He placed down one major sized cheesecake matcha and one large cup of hot cappucino at the counter next to him. "Mr. Ceres!" he called twice before Ceres finally realized it was his turn to approach the counter.

Ceres left Seline there at the table for a moment to take their orders on the counter. While doing so, Seline sighed in nervousness. This time, Ceres will ask her how did she met Grace and Ana. She can't tell him about the disaster that happen to her and her friends. She can't tell him about that danger. Sure, Ceres was the only person in the world she could trust in keeping her non-ordinary abilities but telling him that she met then in the midst of danger meant he would freak out. He's gone through enough and worrying more about her adds to it. So, she began to think of an alternate story to tell.

Ceres came back with the orders. He placed the tray on the table. The milk tea was for Seline and the hot coffe was for him. He sat down with enthusiasm. He can't wait for Seline to tell him the details. "So, how did you met?"

Seline grabbed her cup. She took the staw and stirs the cold beverage with it. "Well...We've met again in a dream last week. We have been catching up with each other. Until Grace finally mentioned about which university are we studying now that we are in college. And then, to our surprise, Grace and Ana are studying at the same university. At first, I was happy for them. They will going to meet whenever they want. However, I was still in another university not knowing how to approach them whenever I want to," she told.

Ceres gave him a smile of enthusiasm. "Good thing fate has given you the chance to meet them," he said. "Thanks to Sir Ian. You girs are now complete. That shows his generousity to people."

Seline agreed. "I thank Sir Ian for that".

***Blue Water***

In the conference room, Gaston, Gordon, Cielo, and Seth are sitting around the table. They are waiting for the IT agent to project the video saved inside the mysterious USB flash drive on the widescreen TV monitor in front of them. They are getting nervous and tensed as they wait for the video to be played. The room is quiet as it turns into a bothering situation. Soon, the video is played.

The video immediately reveals a familiar face. Based on the burn mark on almost half his face, it is clearly Gabriel Umali, a.k.a the Syndicate. The camera is facing him up close. Then, he moves away from the camera, allowing it to capture the background. The room he is in is so dark and only the light behind him makes the video clear to the eyes of the viewers. Then he removed himself from the view to reveal the person he was hiding behind. It is Japeth sitting on a chair. From the looks of it, he was beaten up. A tight rope restraining his body movement. His head is held down, indicating that he lost consciousness. There was a lamp shining above him.

After seeing the scene, the leaders reacted in anger, worry, and horror. Seth dropped his jaw as he felt disgusted with what they did to his comrade. He looks away from the monitor. Just seeing that makes him feel that he is in that situation instead of Japeth. Cielo stood up. He got tensed up in anger. "That son of b***h!" he yelled. Gordon got frustrated as he began to rub his temples. Gaston is glaring at the screen. He is now eager to kill the son of a b***h.

Gaddo went behind Japeth. He stood up with confidence while he faced the camera.

"Hi again... old man," Gaddo spoke. "I believe this guy is one of yours"(He grabs Japeth's hair at the back and pulls his head back).

"Son of a b***h!" Cielo reacted.

"I know you miss him right now. Look, he misses you, too. If you want him alive, I want you to give me what I want. I am sure, you know what I am talking about. I want you to give us Ana Camilo, one of the mermaids. In exchange for this guy. You are lucky, I am considerate enough to demand only one of them for the life of this person."

The leaders begin to become more frustrated. Their minds are starting to debate which life they will choose. Is it their responsibility to protect people or their comrades?

"I am waiting...(punches Japeth to the stomach)."

Seth covered his mouth as he was shocked.

"Old man..." he called the attention of Seth. "I hope you are thinking wisely. My phone number is written in that paper where I wrote the letter." The video cut off.

"s**t!" Gaston yells as he looks away from the monitor.

"I'm gonna kill that guy! I'M GONNA KILL THAT GUY!" Cielo topples down the chair next to him. He walks around the table as he paces.

::::::::::::::::

Seline is walking in the corridor on the first floor of the UPA Building. In the distance, she sees a man posting a poster on the bulletin board. She walked to the bulletin board since she got curious about the pleasant-looking poster.

She read the contents of the poster. "Attention. To all singers who are interested in earning money while studying. Here is your chance to show your talent! Paez Place is looking for a new singer. So hurry up and register for an audition this Friday, December one, two thousand twenty-six. Registration starts from two: thirty to five o'clock p.m."

Then, Grace came to her. She stands beside her. She looks at the poster on the bulletin board.

"Are you going to register too?" she asked.

"I don't know..." she said in hesitation. "How about you? I heard you can sing."

"I really like to perform so I am pretty sure I will," Grace replied.

"I also need money, so I might join," Seline said.

"Well. May the best singer win," Grace responded.

Seline looked at her with a friendly smirk. Then, Grace and Seline saw Ana passing by. Ana was so spaced out that she didn't notice the girls as she passed. She looked pale and sad.

"Ana..." Seline called. But Ana didn't look back. "Ana?" she calls again as she and Grace catch up with her.

"Huh?" Ana reacts as she wakes up into reality. Then, she just realized that Seline is holding her shoulder as she calls her. Grace is with her too.

"Are you okay?" Seline asked with concern.

Ana looks at her with fear and frustration in her eyes. She starts to tear up.

"What happened?" Grace wonders.

Ana shakes her head. She insists to tell the problem to her friends.

"Ana, what's wrong?" Seline shakes her gently.

"Sir Gaston called me..." she told.

"Okay, so what?" Seline got more curious.

"The hunters are demanding them to give me to them in exchange for Sir Japeth's life..."

Grace looks at Seline, terrified by what Ana said. Seline also looked at her worrying for Ana's safety. They are having panic in their minds.

::::::::::::::

Japeth is sleeping in his cell. He is sitting down on the cold floor as he leans his back on the railing. Salome is also sleeping in her cell. She is lying on the thin mattress while she covers herself up with a thin blanket.

Then, she woke up when she heard a loud bang on the door as it opens. Three hunters came in. They are headed to Japeth's cage. Gaddo is leading them. One of them opens the cage door to allow Gaddo to get inside. Japeth wakes up when he heard the door of his cage screeching. He got surprised when there is Gaddo coming toward him. Gaddo punched him.

"No! Please, stop!" Salome yells as she watched in horror.

"Are you ready to answer one simple question now?" Gaddo asked.

Japeth weakly chuckles "What?".

Gaddo pushed Japeth's head to the railing of the cage. The back of his head is aching because of it. Salome keeps on yelling at Gaddo to stop.

Gaddo grabs Japeth's shirt and forced Japeth to stand up and look at him in the face. "How many tattooed people have you found in your organization?"

"Oh. Okay," he replied. "I have a tattoo at the back so that's one, I have an agent who the name of his wife tattooed on his arm, Benjie and Wendel, and others. I estimate more than ten--" before he finished his statement, Gaddo punched him to the stomach.

"I meant the guys who have magical lizard tattoos on their wrists!" he said.

"I think you know," he replied. "You have been chasing them, right? I suppose you are literate enough to know there are two in our custody."

"I don't believe you!"

"Okay, there are seven..."

Gaddo punches him again. "Okay, you don't want to tell me the truth? I will kill you!"

"Do it!" he said with a serious tone in his voice. "If you think I am valuable enough to take as your hostage, well then you are wrong. I will do what it takes to keep them away from you even if death is the last thing I'll do. I will not let you touch the mermaids or Benjie or Wendel."

Gaddo released him from his grip. Immediately, Japeth dropped down to the floor. Gaddo is a little bothered by what he said. "You are not the one who is going to decide that. I will never believe that your organization will leave you here."

"Trust me. They know I am willing to die."

"Please! Leave him alone!" Salome begs.

Gaddo looks at the girl in the other cage. He shouts at her. "Shut up!" Then, he glanced at Japeth for the last time before he turns away and walks out of the cage. He then told his men to prepare Japeth's chair and tie him up on it.

:::::::::::::::::::

"Here comes the dessert!" Mr. Ian clapped his hands in excitement. He can't wait to taste another specialty of Nime.

"Here it comes!" Seline was approaching the table while she was handling a small tray containing a hot newly baked apple pie.

"Why does it smell burned?" Seyhan immediately noticed.

Even his father can smell it. His excitement faded. He can tell it wasn't Seline who had made it. Seline always bakes the pie into the perfection that even the sharp-smelling noses could feast on it.

"Here's the dessert!"

Seline laid it down on the table. Ian and Seyhan looked at it. As expected, it was burned. Seline then took two steps backward and she stood there beside Glendad. Seline glanced at Glenda with determination as Glenda was getting more and more nervous. She knew that they wouldn't like the pie she had served.

"What kind of pie is this?" Seyhan complained.

"I am so sorry, Sirs, if it turned out to be like that."

"You didn't make this, did you?" Sir Ian guessed. He was disappointed at the same time. Seline could see the dissatisfaction on their faces.

"No, I didn't," she answered. "Glenda did", she proudly announced as she points at Glenda who was standing beside her.

"Huh?" Seyhan reacted. He said it out loud. He brought his eyebrows together.

"What?" Ian narrowed his eyes anxiously. He was disappointed.

At that moment, Glenda felt that her heart was about to blow due to her nervousness. She took a deep breath in order to lessen the weight on her chest.

"I am so sorry. I got dysmenorrhea a while ago and it felt so bad I needed to sleep. So, I sent Glenda to the kitchen to try her luck," she explained. "But don't worry, I guided her in every step. I even gave her a list of proceedures on how to do it."

Glenda hid her nervousness by showing them her optimistic smile. "I also cooked for your dinner, Sir."

The father and his son both looked at each other from eye to eye. They were puzzled and at the same time, they were wondering if Glenda really did all the cooking. First of all, they knew Glenda wasn't good at cooking at all. Second, however, the dinner thy hve ate didn't taste like it was made by someone who didn't know how to cook. Third, are they really going to give her a chance? Will they let themselves swallow that charred pie?

"You cooked, alone?" Ian asked.

"Opo," she immediately answered. "There is no one here to cook so Auntie Nime ordered me to."

"What do you mean? Berta is able to cook. Where is she? To be honest, I haven't seen her this morning," he asked.

"Uuummm..." Seline bit her lips. She got puzzled. She and Glenda looked at each other with wonder. "Sir. You don't know?" she asked.

"Don't know what?"

"Auntie Berta quit her job here. She went out of this house three days ago," she said.

"Oh, yeah," he muttered. He looked at Seyhan. "She's having a marital problem."

"How about Tita Rosita. She can cook too, right?" It's Seyhan's turn to ask.

"She went to Isabela to attend her mother's funeral."

"And Indang?" Ian asked.

"Huh?" Seline wondered further. "Sir, you don't really know? She asked permission from you. She went home to Pangasinan. Also, she's there to find the one who impregnated her."

"Oh, yeah," Ian pinched the upper part of his nose.

"I am really sorry it turned out to be like that," Glenda apologized again. "But...but I followed Auntie Nime's instructions that was given to me by Seline."

"How are we going to eat this? Look, it's burned! What do you think the taste would be if I eat that? " Seyhan complained.

"Psst...Seyhan. Calm down, son," Ian told him.

"I bet you roast this one on a grill instead of in the oven," Seyhan added.

The statement Seyhan said had offended Seline. Seline still remained her smile despite being insulted.

"It was just her first time using a high-tech oven," she talked back but in a polite way. "Just taste the pie, okay. It's burned on the outside but not on the inside."

"Well...admit that the viand she served to us was delicious, Seyhan," Ian said. "Isn't it?" he asked Seyhan.

"Why won't you taste it," Seline suggested.

Ian took a slice to his plate. He separated a small piece from the slice he took by slicing it with a fork. He scooped the piece with a spoon and he immediately took the piece in his mouth.

"Mmm..." he widened his eyes with delight.

"It's not bad," he commented. "It looks burned on the outside but still tastes delicious."

Seyhan also took a portion of the pie from the slice he took. He tasted it. He got surprised to realize that he's wrong. The taste is not as bad as he thought.

"Masarap," he commented.

"And...?" Ian looked at him anxiously as he waited for Seyhan to apologize to her.

"It tastes like charcoal."

His father widened his eyes in dismay. That's not what he was expecting. He thought Seyhan would say sorry but he was rude instead.

"I meant apologize, you nitwit!"

Seyhan turned his head to look at Glenda. Glenda shyly smiled and she lowered her head. "This is quite delicious, Glenda. Keep it up."

Seline drew a smile on her face. "I will make sure to train Glenda how to make the pie better next time".

::::::::::::::::

In the police station...

Asunta is at Mr. Dulnuan's desk. Mr. Dulnuan is giving her some images taken from the cameras installed at the roadside of Camp 1. Mr. Dulnuan reveals to her an image taken by a security camera one hour before the explosion. Mr. Dulnuan begins to explain to her.

Asunta examines the photo. She is looking at a group of suspicious men getting inside a black van. She noticed the bags they are carrying. There are seven of them. They were all wearing face masks and sunglasses covering their faces. She and Mr. Dulnuan don't know that the man opening the door to the front seat is Gaddo.

"This picture is taken one hour before the explosion. As you can see, these guys are confirmed to be the ones going to that house. You are looking at them entering the van to go flee from the scene."

"And those bags?" Asunta asked with suspicion.

"Unfortunately, from the quality of the image, we can't really determine what really are in those bags. All we can do is to suspect that there is something fishy in them."

Asunta sighed in frustration. "I do wish we can at least get the plate number of this van."

"That's the good news!" Mr. Dulnuan replied. Somehow there is something to lead the investigation. He gave her another photograph. The van they are riding in is clearer to the view than the previous picture. It didn't even hide its plate number at the back from the camera frame. It is still blurry but can be worked out.

"In this angle, we can at least see some numbers," Dulnuan said. "We can still enhance the picture and magnify it."

"That's great!" Asunta commented with optimism.

Then, Mr. Dulnuan gave her another photograph. This time, it is thirty minutes before the explosion. It is the time when the group of Gaston parked their vehicle on the roadside.

"This is thirty minutes before the incident. These men came. Like what your witness said, they are all wearing black."

"Who the heck are these guys?"

"Are you familiar with this guy?" Mr. Dulnuan points at the man walking across the road to get to the pathway heading to the woods where Gaddo's mansion is located. He is pointing at the man whose name is Gaston.

"Wait. Isn't that the unknown detective who took our evidence during the murder of Adrian Almason? What the hell is he doing in here?"

"Something fishy isn't it?" Dulnuan comments. "Moments after the explosion, only one of his men came back to the road to drive the car away from the place. At the same time, a helicopter came hovering above Camp 1. Witnesses said it was headed towards the smoke. They thought it was a rescue chopper. Then, twenty minutes later, we got there. We never spotted them."

"They are very good at covering their tracks," she comments. "Who really is that detective?"

"Never mind him. We have to focus our eyes on these guys," he is referring to Gaddo and his men who are leaving the mansion and the ones who own it.

"As soon as the image of the plate number is scanned. Find it immediately. Track every way the vehicle took by scanning every road camera installed along with nearby villages."

"Yes, Sir!" She immediately responds.

::::::::::::::::::

Ana is inside one of the sheds in the corner of the plaza. She is sitting down on the bench as she slouches. She is crying, sobbing as she gets worried for her safety. She keeps wiping the tears off her face with a handkerchief.

Kendrick came over to where she is. He sits beside her. He looks at her as she cries. Ana looks away. She is embarrassed. She doesn't want anyone seeing her like that. Kendrick smiled. He looks away for a second before looking at her again.

"You look so sad," he spoke.

Ana looks at him.

"Here, wipe that," he said as he brought out some tissue. "I can see that your handkerchief can't absorb any more of your tears," he jokingly said.

"Thank you," she said as she took the tissue paper from his hand.

"Are you crying because they threatened you?" he asked.

Ana didn't speak. Instead, she nodded.

"Is that the reason why there are bodyguards roaming around you?" he follows.

"What do you mean, bodyguards?" she wonders.

Ken looks at the guy standing at the distant far left. Ana also looks at the guy he is looking at. The guy is standing in the distance looking at the shed where there are in. He is wearing a black tribal shirt and tactical pants. He nod at them as a greeting when he saw Ken and Ana noticed him.

"There is also one at the back," Ken further informs her.

And so, Ana glanced at the back. She can see a man inside the shed next to the shed they are in, pretending to call someone.

"It's okay. You will be safe as long as they're with you," Kendrick told her and he gives him an optimistic smile. Ana gives him a slight smile.

"You know what, I am thankful you have found Black instead of anyone else," he told.

"Why is that?" Ana asked while she wonders.

"Long before Black, I have lost my previous dogs. I have lost at least three. None of them came back to me. It's maybe because those dogs have special breeds that's why people don't want them to bring them back to me or to my big brother."

"What! How could you be such a negligent owner?" she teased.

Ken just nod. "Maybe I am," he replied. "After my second dog's disappearance, I pledged not to be a negligent guy. However, the third one still got lost and never came back. It's a waste because he too is a husky. Black is the dog that stayed with me the longest. That's why the moment he got lost in my sight, I got worried that I will commit another mistake again. If that happens, Kuya Benjie won't allow me to have a pet ever again." He looks at her and smiles once more.

"I guess this time God doesn't want you to lose someone you love," she replied.

"I guess you are right," he agrees. "Just like what my big brother does to me."

"I can tell. You are lucky you have him as a brother."

"Yeah," he chuckles. "That's why I will also do everything to keep him safe." Then, he gave her a bit of advice. "We can't trust the association. But it is the best shot you can get to keep you safe. Look, they even sent a bodyguard for you. Even if they turn against you. Know that there are other people who are willing to protect you. You have Seline and Grace. You have me...and my brother."

"Thanks," Ana replied. Somehow her smile gets brighter. Her nervousness and fear that beat her chest got lessened.

Kendrick is somehow happy that he made her confidence rise again. He might not show it in his face but deep inside he is happy.

"You know what? Let me treat you for some nice and delicious street food. Liver, isaw, fishball, kikiam, barbeque you name it. I am sure you'll get better after eating," he suggests. "I know a vendor who sells those. He's selling just outside the campus."

Ana chuckled. "Wow. I never thought you eat those too."

"What do you mean? I like street foods," he protests. "It's not because I spent one to two thousand pesos a day doesn't mean I ony eat fancy foods, you know."

Ana chuckled. "Okay. Let's go then," she agrees.

And so, the both of them stood up and they walk away from the shed together.