Love Letters Through Corpses

Chapter 47: Was someone here?

"Did any of you have a somewhat bad feeling about this case?" Styx suddenly said, causing the other two to look at him.

"What do you mean?" Sage asked.

He placed his laptop on the coffee table before crossing his legs and arms, "Like, there's something more here? Something we haven't really thought about?" 

Daexoen raised an eyebrow, "Like?" 

"That's the point, I don't know what," he said. "But I'm feeling like we're not looking into everything right," his voice softened.

There was silence between them. The others tried to understand the eldest's intentions. Compared to the two of them, Styx was particular about details. Although Sage’s senses were impeccable, she usually fails to see other details surrounding her. 

“Let’s be honest here. We’re not really ones to dwell on minor details,” Daexoen admitted, much like the agents’ assumption about them, they admit to having a blind eye for something unimportant to them. 

“Now that you mentioned it,” Sage suddenly added, causing the two to instantly look at her, “I thought I felt someone in the warehouse other than the five of us.”

Their eyes widened, “In the warehouse? What? Why didn’t you tell us?” Daexoen asked, worried about their safety.

Daexoen felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. He didn’t see nor feel anything back there and hearing this made him overthink about the group's own safety. Styx was silent, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand and a cold shiver down his spine. 

The female frowned, “I didn’t mind it because it wasn’t really that noticeable even for me. I just thought it must have been the wind or something.” 

Daexoen took a deep breath. He knew it was wrong of him to latch out on the female, “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “But next time, even if it is a wind, shadow, or whatever, tell us.” 

The female nodded, muttering a breathful apology. Daexoen felt a bit guilty, but no one could blame him. The first part of the case was alright. There wasn’t any urge of true danger nor risks on taking the case. But now, seeing the true abilities of the killer, pertaining to Lexie’s death, and the harsh reality that the killer was closer to them than they thought. His guard was as high and as tough as a brick wall. 

“This is getting serious,” Styx said, his elbows sitting on top of his knees as his hands were clasped together and his chin on top of them. “We need to properly observe our surroundings, especially you, Sage.” 

Unfortunately, unlike the other two, Sage was having a harder time understanding why they were so tense. She was innocently watching them, unaware of why they had this serious and intimidating atmosphere around them. It was just the same case since the very beginning, yet why were they so worked up? She was confused. She was confused about why Daexoen was so upset about her not mentioning the weird feeling she had back at the warehouse. She was confused about why Styx wanted them to be more aware of their surroundings. She was confused about the sudden shift of everything. But most importantly, she was confused about her own emotions. 

She was confused as to why everyone was emitting this serious and daunting atmosphere but her. Why couldn't she find the importance of this case to their safety? Why was she so dense? 

“Sage,” her thoughts were blown off, hearing the older male call out to her. “Are you okay?” 

She nodded, “Yes. Just tired.”

“Then we should head out,” Styx said, standing up to clean their plates. 

The two stood up to fix the room as well. They decided to leave the plastered pieces of paper on the wall, covering it with a white cloth they found in one of the drawers. As they exited the room, they couldn't help but feel more wary about everyone else. 

The cafe was crowded just like always. However, this time, although it was a weekend, they noticed a few students from Deviox in the crowd, making the two males higher their guard. The students noticed them as well, whispering at one another as they stole obvious glances at the three. By the looks of it, the three guessed at news about their unfortunate discovery during the camp spread like wildfire. Frankly speaking, they weren’t shocked to know that, they were even expecting news outlets to cover the murder like the other ones, but it looks like the school hid it from them. 

“Oh, you three leaving? You’re not waiting for your uncle and father?” Greg asked them, seeing the finished plates in Styx’s hand and their bags on their shoulders. 

“Yeah. We’re feeling a bit tired as well,” Daexoen answered for them, handing the owner the plates he took from Styx. “Thanks again for the accommodation, uncle” he said, handing the keys to the room to the owner. 

Surprisingly, the owner shook his head, “Keep the keys,” he answered, surprising the three. “No one really goes in there except for you three. And I have an extra copy with me.”

The three looked at each other, hesitant about the offer, “Are you sure? It feels kind of wrong just taking it.” Daexoen said.

“Don’t worry about it. Take it as a thank you gift from me,” he answered, smiling at the group, leaving them no choice but to accept.

On the other hand, Vienna was cautiously eyeing her friend. There was this weird feeling that just wouldn’t leave her. After their late lunch together, Vienna couldn’t help but excuse herself for the day. 

Olive looked at her sadly, “But you just came back,” she whined, upset about the other’s early surrender. 

“I know, but I’ll be staying for the rest of our high school years. We could catch up anytime,” she tried to convince her.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hang out with the other, but that ugly feeling in the pit of her stomach wouldn’t leave, and she feared she couldn’t help but restrict her friend if she would stay there for longer. She could just keep up with the lies that she was alright with everything, but deep down she wasn’t. 

“Plus, Daexoen already texted that he’s heading home,” she added, leading the other to give up.

“Alright, text me later?” Olive said, allowing the other to stand in her seat.

Vienna chuckled, “Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she answered, leaving the restaurant they were in. 

She left, heading towards the apartment. Her mind was still filled with a lot of things, overthinking about her friend’s safety. It was an ongoing debate between herself, but she couldn’t just trap her best friend. She sighed to herself, surrendering to every worry she had. 

“Hey, you alright?” Daexoen greeted her as soon as she entered the apartment. 

She was looking gloomier than ever, her shoulders were slumped down and her face was turning a bit pale. 

“I’m fine. Just tired,” she answered, mindlessly walking towards her room. “I’m going to take a quick nap,” she told him, entering her quarters.

Daexoen just looked at the now closed door of the female’s room. He knew she was going through something, but he wasn’t one to dwell on the problems of others, especially now that he’s got problems of his own. 

Daexoen: Hey, you guys home?

He decided to text their group message. Seeing if his friends got home safely after their separation. 

Styx: ‘Sup, I just got home.

Sage: Me too.

Seeing their reply, Daexoen comfortably entered his room. Reassured that everyone was now safe in their own home. Well, he thought so. 

Sage noticed the absence of people in their house. She walked towards the kitchen when she noticed a post-it note attached on the refrigerator. 

Your cousin is at his friend’s house staying over for the night. Your uncle and I had some things to do. We might come home late. If you want, there’s food left in the fridge or you could order out. Sorry for leaving, we’ll be back as soon as possible. -Aunt Hyuna.

She left the note there and headed towards her room. Strangely, when she entered her quarters she suddenly stopped. For some reason, Styx’s reminder of being more wary about their surroundings stuck to her. She was now glancing around her room. Something was wrong. Her guard was now high. For others it might not be so significant, but for people with high senses like her, she couldn’t help but be stuck on the fact that there were things that were moved in her room. 

Sage hasn’t moved from her spot. Others might say it must have been her aunt or uncle or even her cousin who entered her room looking for something, but that it seemed like it wasn’t the case. No, Sage knew it wasn’t them. They wouldn’t have a reason to enter her room, and they wouldn’t have time to do so. Her cousin would be too preoccupied with his stay at his friend’s place to enter her room. And judging by the handwriting on her aunt’s note, she could clearly see the rushed writing, meaning they were in a hurry to leave. And even if it was them, things in her room would be more disordered, showing signs of entry and rushed retrieval or findings. But the room was neatly placed. It was like the person who entered tried their best to make it seem no one entered. 

“Is someone here?” she suddenly yelled out, but no one answered. 

“Was someone here?” She thought to herself, looking at the arranged pillows on her bed. Knowing quite well this arrangement wasn’t how she left them.

Meanwhile, the agents were just about to enter their office when they heard a shuffling noise inside. The two quickly stopped their movements before looking at each other intently. They nodded at each other, quickly gripping their guns. Agent Brook signaled to Agent Kleio, who answered him with a knowing nod. 

Agent Brook abruptly opened the door, their guns pointed to the intruder of the office, “What are you doing here?” he coldly asked the intruder of the room.

“Who are you?” Agent Kleio added, guns still pointing towards that person.