The Deception's Rage

Chapter 5

Aurelia

"Hah, what a funny guy!" I shrieked when someone tried to strike me with his bat. I pulled the bat he was holding close to me.

"Hello," I greeted. After that, I kicked his balls, which made him scream in agony.

He deserved it, so it serves him right. Unfortunately, he was the last person standing in my way, so I had no other option but to stop. Ni hindi man lang ako nakapag-warm up.

I stole a quick glance in Zale's direction and my lips slightly formed an arch. There he was, taking on three guys all at once, with their bats swinging wildly. His moves were like lightning, sharp and on point. He effortlessly dodged their swings, ducking and weaving faster than his opponents' attacks. Then, in an instant, he struck back with a combination of punches and kicks that left his opponents stumbling and gasping for air. It was as if he had been holding back before, because his skills now were on a whole new level. I couldn't help but wonder if he had underestimated me during our previous fight.

The director, on the other hand started to feel discouraged. He was obviously shaken when I glared at him.

"If you wanted to take us down, you should've brought a thousand men," I said arrogantly. Siyempre, hindi namin kaya 'yon. Nagyabang lang ako.

"Aurelia..." pagsaway sa akin ni Zale.

"How m-much money do you want? Just turn a blind eye t-to this! Or if you want, you can work under me," the director offered. He was trying to save face, but it was also a bit amusing because he was stuttering like a kid.

"Too bad, I'm not really into taking orders from others. I prefer calling the shots myself," I responded.

He glanced over at Zale, who nonchalantly shrugged and remarked, "She's my boss."

I grabbed the Director by his collar and instructed him to release the individuals locked in the room. He forcefully brushed my hand aside and firmly shook his head. What a stubborn man. I let out a frustrated sigh in response to his actions.

"Here we go again," Zale murmured from beside me, anticipating my next move.

Without hesitation, I landed a punch on the Director's stomach. I didn't hit him too hard, just enough to render him temporarily unconscious. Our goal was to free the captives, particularly Carleigh. It's now clear why their administrators avoided involving the police. For now, we knew they were in trouble. We wouldn't directly inform the police either, as it would put us at a disadvantage. The decision to report this incident would lie with the victims' relatives.

It's still unclear why they were being kidnapped by these people. I initially thought it was only Carleigh, but judging from the number of rooms, it seemed like there were many more.

I was just about to tell Zale to try calling Axel for additional information, but Axel called me first.

"Get out of there as soon as you can. I don't have any time to explain, just move your ass out there," he said before abruptly ending the call.

I gestured to Zale that we needed to leave. When we stepped out of the office, there was no one on any of the floors. Not a single staff member or student in sight. We couldn't have spent more than an hour inside the office, but how did everyone disappear so quickly?

I didn't dwell on it too much and made my way with Zale towards the parking lot to get into the car. I was even more taken aback to see that only Zale's car was left. What the hell is happening at this university?

I hastily took the driver's seat, causing Zale to furrow his brow at me. "You're driving?" he questioned. I simply nodded and motioned for him to sit beside me.

"Oh, God!" he exclaimed as I sped off. "Hindi ko pa nga nahahawakan ang seatbelt," he scolded me.

"You're just too slow," I taunted him.

We reached home in no time. As we arrived, we found Axel with a grave expression. I raised an eyebrow at him when his gaze shifted towards me. I was waiting for his explanation as to why he had urged us to leave the university in such haste.

"It was a trap," Axel said. "Someone from their group knew that we would infiltrate the university. They swiftly moved the victims to different locations, except for one person. I suppose you saw her there. The director's scheme was a bait to lure us in. If you noticed earlier, when all the people suddenly disappeared, it was all part of their plan. They set a limited time frame for the entry and exit of staff and students. And, of course, they timed it precisely for when you would enter so as not to raise suspicion."

Napasinghap ako sa hangin dahil sa inis. Those shitheads!

Axel brought up the screen of his laptop and showed us a group chat on an unfamiliar website. It was probably a site that's not easily accessible due to its privacy. The members of the group chat were gradually leaving, so I scrolled up to look at the previous messages. However, my lips twisted into a frown as I noticed that each message was being systematically deleted.

"This case is actually much bigger," dagdag pa niya. "It involves human trafficking. The members you saw leaving were either the admins or customers. They use a single group chat, but the admins have different accounts when it comes to personal requests. The customer members are categorized into three levels: VVIPs, VIPs, and regular customers, and they are sexually exploiting those kids. Hindi ko pa sinusubukan na tingnan ang personal profiles ng mga members because it's already beyond our scope of work. But what do you think?" Axel and Zale locked eyes with me.

"Give us more details, and then I'll decide on our next move."

Axel took a deep breath before continuing, "These victims, all of them, were students at Valleydale." He displayed the photos of the victims. "I kinda did some research about it, but it was not easy. Walang reported missing kahit na isa sa internet. I delved deeper into my research, and I found out that the administrators of Valleydale University have been preying on vulnerable individuals, carefully selecting their victims. It's not a random process. They specifically target neglected children, those whose parents have turned a blind eye to their existence. At hindi lang mga mayayaman ang involve rito. There are runaway teens, too."

Lumihis ang tingin ko kay Zale na sunod-sunod ang mabigat na paghinga. "You okay?" I mouthed. He didn't give any response, so I just bore my eyes to Axel. I can't blame him, though. It might be hard for him to process what he heard.

"Those rich and powerful parents, seeking to rid themselves of the burden of unwanted children, strike deals with the university's administrators..." Axel nodded grimly. "Yes, they sign contracts, giving the university full control over their children's lives. In return, the administrators ensure the children disappear, erasing any trace of their existence. It's a chilling arrangement where the parents pay a hefty sum to the university to rid themselves of their responsibilities."

A cold shiver ran down my spine as a sense of dreadful familiarity washed over me.

"But what about the runaway teens? How do they fit into this?" Zale asked.

Axel's gaze turned even colder. "They have facilitators who lure in vulnerable runaway teens. These facilitators gain their trust, offering them safety, shelter, and even a scholarship to Valleydale University. It's a manipulative tactic, preying on the desperation and naivety of these young individuals who have nowhere else to turn."

I felt a surge of anger coursing through my veins. "So, the university becomes a haven for these criminals, exploiting the most vulnerable among us."

"Exactly. It's a well-orchestrated scheme, with the administrators running their human trafficking operations under the guise of a prestigious university," ani Axel. "Not only that, this human trafficking operation is well-organized and highly secretive. The admins carefully vet their customers and ensure maximum discretion. They use code words, encrypted messages, and even hidden locations for transactions. It's a complex network with connections reaching higher levels of society."

I leaned in, furrowing my brows as I pondered the situation. "Anyway, you mentioned earlier that someone from their group knew about our plan. Who was it?"

"It was one of their admins, but I'm not yet sure who specifically. Should I try looking it up?" Axel asked, seeking my permission.

I nodded.

Axel swiftly typed on the keyboard with precision, his fingers moving effortlessly across the keys. The soft glow of his laptop screen lit up his focused face. He maneuvered through intricate lines of code and virtual pathways, displaying his deep understanding of hacking and cyber expertise.

With each keystroke, Axel explored through the complex maze of encrypted information. He effortlessly bypassed digital barriers and security measures, leaving behind only fleeting traces of his presence. His skills allowed him to access restricted networks and databases.

The only sound that could be heard in the surroundings was the tapping of his keyboard. I had some knowledge about such things, but Axel's expertise in that area was much broader. He remained focused on his task, skillfully assembling layers of data and connecting the puzzle pieces of code. The digital realm became his playground, and he was the skilled player in this intricate game.

He paused momentarily in his work when a waiting time appeared on his screen. "You can't make that faster? I thought you were good at this?" I taunted him. It was the only way I could contribute since we couldn't afford to waste any time.

"You bet," he smirked. I couldn't help but chuckle as he adjusted his glasses and resumed typing.

"What a computer freak," Zale added.

Wala pang limang minuto ay iniharap niya na sa amin ang screen. Doon ay lumabas ang mga anonymous members sa loob ng group chat.

"Look who we have here!" I laughed in disbelief. It was Ms. Olivia, their homeroom teacher. "Do you have any idea why she reported Carleigh as missing if she's one of the members involved in this trafficking?"

What a two-faced cunt.

"Hindi tayo sigurado hangga't 'di natin sila nahuhuli."

"Trace where they transferred the victims first. I'm sure the suspects themselves won't be there. Once you confirm it, can you also make an anonymous tip to the police?" It wasn't initially part of my plan, but considering the victims' neglectful parents, it's likely that no one will report this case. "Make sure no one will be left behind and that they're safe. Don't let the police contact any of the victims' parents. Those parents don't deserve to have a child." I commanded.

"Yeah, give me a minute," sagot ni Axel.

"After that, can you also trace the location of Ms. Olivia?" I asked once again. Without hesitation, Axel gestured a thumbs up. "Then delete all the photos or videos of the victims. We can't allow them to be exposed to the public. It would undoubtedly cause a significant uproar and inflict further trauma upon the children. We should be considerate of their emotions and protect their well-being. However, make sure to save the transaction records as evidence. Include every member of the group chat in our list, as well as the parents who had signed contracts with the administrators. Those fuckers deserve to face the full extent of the law and pay for their heinous crimes."

They were all complicit in this atrocious operation, directly or indirectly, and they needed to be held accountable for their actions. Only if I can, I will be the one to mete out punishment to each and every one of them. They deserve to suffer, just as they made their victims suffer.

Axel's expertise in digital investigations allowed him to trace the connections and gather information on each individual involved. We meticulously documented their roles, transactions, and any other relevant details that would aid in their identification.

I quickly excused myself to take a shower and freshen up. I need a fresh bath before I punish someone. The cold water cascaded over my body, washing away my thoughts.

Ms. Olivia, as sly as she was, had played a wicked game, using her students as pawns and staining their names in the process. But little did she know that I was about to turn the tables on her.

Once I finished showering, I hummed a tune under my breath. I towel-dried my hair and slipped into a black leather jacket and pants. A faint smile crossed my face as I heard the notification sound from my phone. Axel had successfully tracked down Ms. Olivia's location. It was time to pay her a visit and put an end to her deceitful game.

As I descended the stairs, Zale's gaze immediately fell upon me. I was actually contemplating earlier whether I should invite him to accompany me or not and just help Axel here, but I decided to leave the choice up to him. I didn't really need his assistance anyway.

"You wanna come with me?" I asked.

He shook his head but continued to stare at me. I ignored him and swiftly tied my hair into a ponytail. Once my hair was secured, I bid them farewell.

I hopped on my motorcycle, a vehicle I was more used to. With a burst of speed, I set off towards Olivia's location. The journey would normally take three hours at an average pace, but I knew I could cover the distance in just an hour and a half.

The wind whipped against my face as I raced down the road, the roar of the engine filling my ears.

I quickly arrived at Olivia's location, aided by the absence of traffic and the speed of my motorcycle. I observed the mansion before me, unsure if it was her actual residence or just one of the places she frequented. She was likely living a life of luxury, profiting from her illegal activities.

If you're wondering why I'm specifically targeting her, it's because there are simply too many others involved to pursue them individually. Moreover, I have a burning desire to uncover her motives for deceiving us. It's not that I ever trusted her; she was just another customer seeking our help in finding her missing student. Little did we know, she was the one responsible for the girl's disappearance.

A grin formed on my face as I heard a car engine revving. It seemed she was planning to escape. Unfortunately for her, I was already standing right in front of her house. There was no escaping my wrath.

I easily climbed over her fence and quickly spotted her car, so I punctured its tires. Then, I shattered the vehicle's window with a forceful punch.

"Trying to escape, huh?" I scoffed.

"W-who are y-you?!" She attempted to exit the car through the opposite door, but I grabbed her hair. "Oh, my God! Please!"

I would ensure that she experiences not only the same fear, pain, and anguish that they inflicted upon those innocent souls, but even more. No prison sentence or legal proceedings could ever truly make them pay for the lives they have destroyed. She will face the consequences they deserve, on my own terms.

I dragged Olivia out of the car, her pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears. Her trembling form betrayed her fear, but I felt no ounce of compassion for her. She was just another cog in the twisted machinery of human trafficking.

Bakit pa ba sila nagmamakaawa sa akin? Mukha ba akong santa?

With a firm grip on her hair, I forced her to kneel before me, her eyes wide with terror. Now, it was my turn to exert control over her.

"Why did you deceive us?"

She remained silent, so I slapped her hard across the face. The force of the blow sent her sprawling to the ground. My patience was running thin, and I couldn't wait any longer. I grabbed her by the hair once again, pulling her up to face me.

"She's... my d-daughter," she stammered between sobs.

What?

"C-ca-carleigh... she's my daughter!" Her voice cracked with anguish. "I just recently found out that she was my missing daughter. I discovered that her adoptive parents had signed a contract with us. I tried to take her back and start a new life with her! B-but they didn't let me... Oh, God!"

She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a crumpled photograph, handing it to me. It depicted a young girl with striking similarities to Carleigh.

I slapped her once again, my anger resurfacing. "You think that justifies what you've done? You had the chance to turn yourself in, but what? You decided to run away."

"I was afraid! I was scared that if she found out I was involved in her abduction, she would reject me once I tried to bring her back," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.

"You should have faced the consequences of your choices," I said, my voice filled with disappointment. "Running away only made things worse for everyone involved. Now, you have a choice to make, right here and right now. Will you surrender yourself to the law and face the punishment you deserve, or do you want me to take matters into my own hands?"

She trembled, fear etched on her face as she weighed her options. The gravity of the situation was sinking in, and she understood that the consequences of her actions were catching up to her.

"I-I... I'll surrender," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't run anymore. I'll face the law."

I nodded, acknowledging her decision. It was the right choice, although it would not absolve her of the pain she had caused. Turning her over to the authorities hopefully would ensure a fair trial, where she would be held accountable for her crimes.

Upon returning home, I wasted no time in sharing the information I had gathered with Zale and Axel. Their expressions mirrored my own surprise. Axel, in particular, seemed taken aback by the fact that I had allowed Olivia to surrender to the police. While I had no qualms about taking lives, it was not part of the deal she had paid for. Besides, hassle din magtago ng bangkay.

I was relieved to know that the individuals affected were now safe. They were no longer victims, but survivors who had endured unimaginable experience.