LORELEI
THE DAYS quickly went by as I spent most of my free time in the Q.E.D. Clubroom. It has become a habit of mine to go to that little room during my break or lunch time, stay there until the bell rings and strike up strange conversations with Loki. One time, he shared a story with me about how he could use my long hair to kill someone.
It's a good thing someone knocked on our clubroom door so he couldn't continue his "101 Ways to Murder Someone" sessions. If before we were being ignored because not a single shadow would enter our mini-detective agency, now students come in every now and then.
It seems Rosetta's submission of the photo to CHS Confessions was effective, where Loki and the three suspects in the White Hostel murder case were seen talking while the police surrounded us. Some were impressed by what we did, while others said we were just meddling with the work of the authorities. Nevertheless, because of the exposure on social media, we aren't just staring blankly and waiting for a guava to fall into our mouths anymore (waiting for things to happen).
The problem is, they only bring us boring problems. It's always about the love lives of girls who think love and relationships are like oxygen—they can't live without it. There are some who want to ask for help on how to separate their crush from their boyfriend. Others come to us to ask for help on how to move on. There was even one who asked if we knew any trick to make her rival in love disappear from her path.
"We are problem-solvers, not love gurus or genies," I remember Loki saying to a girl asking if we knew a recipe for a love potion. "We don't have time to entertain your stupid requests. Either you find someone else who can help you or just kill yourself."The troubled girl left the clubroom almost in tears. It was her bad luck because Loki has no concept of being sensitive to other people's feelings. He's not afraid to speak what's in his mind. If he doesn't want to, he doesn't. It's non-negotiable.
This Thursday, as usual, I went up to the third floor and walked toward the clubroom. Compared to before, I was more careful and aware of my surroundings. The abduction that happened the previous week might happen again.
Speaking of abduction, it seems Margarette took seriously what she said—that she wouldn't bother me once Loki saved me from being kidnapped. It's not in her nature to give up easily, but since that was the agreement, she had no choice but to follow it.
When I reached the front of the clubroom, I took a deep breath before turning the doorknob and opening the door.
"I'm here," I greeted the man sitting with his back to me. I sat at the far end of the rectangular table and took out my Chemistry notes. "Are there no clients coming?"
Usually, Loki doesn't snub me when I ask him club-related questions. I looked up at him and noticed his posture had changed slightly. He seemed taller and his hair looked different.
No, that's not Loki. That's someone else!
I immediately stood up and asked, "Wait, who are you? You're not my companion here, are you?""I let myself in, I hope you don't mind."
Hearing his voice made the hair on my entire body stand up. It sounded low and grave... and somehow familiar. Like I had heard it before. But where?
The guy turned his swivel chair—Loki's favorite spot—to see me face-to-face. My curious gaze met with his dead-eye stare. His eyes were looking into my very mind and heart until I felt a chill down my spine. I tried to gape into the window of his soul but I saw nothing. His placid face was like that of a chiseled statue—it was devoid of any human emotion.
I swallowed hard and took a step back. At the back of my head, I could hear a faint voice telling me to run. But I can't. My legs were too terrified to move even an inch. My feet were rooted on the spot.
"Did I make such a terrifying impression on you?" He stood up and slowly walked toward where I was standing.
The second time I heard his chilling voice, it rang a bell. I couldn't be mistaken. It was the same voice I heard when Margarette was abducted. He was the man with her. Now that he's standing and I can see how tall he is, I'm even more sure it's him.
Wait, he's also the one in the picture Loki was throwing darts at in the apartment. And if I remember correctly, he called this man the vice president.
He stood exactly a foot away from where I was, his cold eyes looking down on me. "Judging by your expression, I gather that Loki already told you about me. Fear nothing. I'm not an antagonist. I'm here to ask for your club's help."
I can say that Loki's descriptions of the man behind my abduction were not an exaggeration. He does reek of evil.
"Oh, forgive me. I haven't introduced myself yet." He then stretched out his left hand. "My name's Luthor Mendez. I'm Loki's brother."
D-Did I hear that right? He's Loki's brother?
My left hand automatically responded to his friendly gesture and shook hands with him. It felt like his hands had been put in a freezer because they were so cold. If I didn't pull mine away soon, I might get frostbite.
"WHAT THE HELL—"
We both looked toward the door where Loki's body seemed to stiffen when he saw the man holding my hand. His eyebrows nearly met and his gaze sharpened in our direction. His fangs even showed, like a dog ready to bite.His gaze turned to me. "Did you let that man inside our clubroom? Did he materialize out of thin air or did he emerge from a pentagram?"
The way he spoke, it was as if his brother was a wizard who could appear anywhere. I could really feel the suppressed anger in Loki's voice toward the man standing in front of us.
"He said he has a problem he wants to bring to us," I answered.
"Oooh," Loki's eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze back to Luthor. "So there are problems that the master manipulator can't solve with all the resources and schemes you have hidden in your sleeves. You disappoint me."
"I was preoccupied by another problem," his brother didn't give in to Loki's hostile attitude toward him. He didn't flinch and remained calm. "Besides, the problem which I will refer to you needs an outsider's hand."
"Sorry but we don't accept suspicious requests." Loki pointed at the open door. "Sorry but I have to ask you to leave."
"May I remind you that I am the chairman of the committee on non-mandated organizations," Luthor replied. "Even though the Q.E.D. Club didn't meet the required number of members, I approved the renewal of your club. I'm expecting that you will express gratitude by doing me a favor. If you chose not to, it would be quite easy for me to reverse your club's status into 'dissolved.' Perhaps I should give this room to the Paranormal Club. They have been requesting for ages."
Loki looked at me. "I told you that he's evil, didn't I? See what I mean?"
"Should we now discuss it or should I leave and make sure that your club crumbles to dust?" Luthor asked before he sat on Loki's swivel chair. There was no energy in his voice but you could feel the threat in every word.
Resentfully, Loki approached the table, intentionally pulling the chair suddenly to create a loud scraping sound before he sat down. They are already in their teens but why do they act like they're eight years old?
"This is a confidential matter," Luthor began, looking first at Loki and then at me. "A friend of mine is being blackmailed by someone."
"Oh, you have a friend? Or do you mean a pawn?"
Luthor ignored his insult and continued, "A student named Charles Meliton is in possession of compromising photographs of my friend. In exchange for not sharing the photos to others and for not uploading them online, he's asking for three thousand pesos per photo. We don't know how he got those materials, but it's certain that he has them.In that case, it's a blackmailing incident that he wants us to investigate. This case is heavy because the one he will refer us to is someone like him, a student council member..."
"This isn't the first occasion that Charles attempted to extort money from a student," he continued. "We have received reports before that he's fond of preying on the secrets of students with money and power. No one knows where he gets those files, documents, photos, or videos. You may call him a serial blackmailer."
"So, what do you want us to do?"
"I want you to retrieve the storage device containing the compromising photos along with everything he's got on other students."
Loki crossed his arms across his chest and his right leg started fidgeting. "I can't imagine why you can't solve this petty problem on your own. It feels like you're just wasting our time, which should be used for other things."
"Just so you know, Charles knows every officer in the council and the students who are affiliated with us," his brother explained. "His awareness makes every move from our side risky. If he finds out we are acting to retrieve the photos, he might decide not to go through with the deal and upload those instead. That's where you come in, a third party who isn't under the influence of the council."
Our client stood up and headed for the door. "I will ask one of my colleagues to bring you the files we have on Charles. I hope you can come up with a plan to end his villainy probably by tomorrow. Once you accomplish the task without a glitch, consider us even. By the way, Miss Lorelei, I'd like to get to know you more. I hope we can talk over a cup of tea one of these days."
And then he walked out of the room, leaving no traces that he had been inside our office.
After a few seconds of silence, Loki went to his swivel chair and moved it away from the table. "It looks like I need to request a new chair. I could still feel his eerie presence by staring at that chair."
His reaction was so exaggerated. His brother just sat on it and now he wants to replace it? How intense is his anger toward Luthor?
"If he invites you to a tea party, kindly decline his offer or ignore his invitation completely," he pulled a monobloc chair and placed it where his swivel chair used to be. "I hope that you won't cross paths with him again."
"To be honest, I'm surprised that you didn't tell me your brother is the vice president of the student council," I said to him."Oh, I didn't?" His brow furrowed slightly. He seemed a bit uncomfortable in his new seat. "I thought you already got it via subtext. By the way, don't be deceived by his title as vice president."
"Huh?"
"My brother is more than just a spare tire to the president. He's not just the vice president of the student council. He is the student council."
I understood what he wanted to say even less. If there's someone who represents the council, it's the president—the highest position in the student hierarchy—not the second-in-command.
"Wrong!" It was as if he had caught the thought entering my mind. "The incumbent president is only a puppet while my brother is the one who's pulling the strings. He prefers to work in the shadows than step into the spotlight."
"But the way you were talking earlier, you seemed so annoyed with him? Like he's the person you loathe most in the world?"
He darted a curious stare and answered, "You're fortunate enough that you didn't have him as a sibling. If you were in my position, you would probably feel the same."
At lunchtime, a student who did not identify themselves to us passed by the clubroom and handed over a folder with our school's logo. Inside were the student records of Charles Meliton and other details about his life.
When you see his student ID photo, you wouldn't think he was capable of blackmailing fellow students. He looks so innocent in the photo, as if he knows nothing of the world's evils. His ear-to-ear smile adds to it. I even wondered if this photo might have been misplaced in Charles' file.
But as they say, looks can be deceiving. Just because someone looks like a gentle lamb doesn't mean they are. There are some wolves who are hiding in sheep's clothing.
"Hmm..." Loki spread each page of Charles' student records on the table. He was particularly focused on our target's class schedule. Even though he seemingly dislikes his brother, he is still motivated to solve the problem he brought to us. "This is the only piece of information that matters. Everything else can be deleted."
I also looked at the class schedule. It turns out Charles is one year ahead of us. "What are you planning?"
"I'm thinking about what time we should attack him," Loki said, rubbing his chin while pointing at the time range of each of the target's classes. "Obviously, we can't approach him during class discussions. It's also a bit risky if we ambush him during his break or lunch time. Hmm..."What if he has PE class tomorrow?" I pointed to Charles's eight to nine o'clock schedule. "Since he'll be changing clothes to be more comfortable for physical activity, he'll surely put all his things in his locker. That's what we usually do during PE class. Didn't you say you have a master's degree in lockpicking? Opening his locker won't be a problem for you."
Loki nodded at me. "Good thinking. That's possible. The question is: How can we be sure he's carrying whatever device the photos are saved on?"
"Where else could he put it?"
"It could be on a flash drive, external hard drive, or his phone's memory card. If he's a bit old school, maybe on a floppy disk. But would he carry it around school, knowing people like us might be after him?"
Obviously, we can't just ask him, "Hey, do you have the device where your blackmail materials are saved?" We also can't let him catch wind that we're watching him, or the situation might get worse.
"Anyway, we will just find out tomorrow," Loki said, putting all the papers back into the folder. "In case he didn't bring it and left it in his dorm, I have an idea on how we could get it. Can you make it at that time tomorrow?"
"I'll find a way." Values Education is our subject during those hours. Skipping that class won't affect my academic performance.
Wait, why am I so willing to be absent for this investigation?
The next morning, as eight o'clock struck, our Values Ed instructor, Sir Jefferson Rivera, entered the classroom. While he was erasing what was written on the whiteboard, I approached him.
"Sir," I called out while holding my head, "I'm feeling a bit dizzy right now. May I go to the clinic for a moment?"
He stopped what he was doing and looked at me. "Oh, Miss Rios, you look quite pale. Do you want me to take you to the clinic? There's still time before our class starts."
"No need, sir, it's embarrassing. I can go there by myself."
"Are you sure? You might faint on the way."
"Please trust me."This page from the novel Project Loki describes a scene where the narrator and a character named Loki are conducting a secret investigation at a school gymnasium. Here is the English translation:
He allowed me to be excused from his class. I walked slowly out of the classroom, feigning dizziness to make my instructor and classmates believe me. Rosetta wanted to accompany me, but I told her I could handle myself.
This is the first time I lied to my professor and feigned illness to excuse myself. But unlike others who just act sick to skip class, I did it for a "noble cause."
As we discussed yesterday, Loki and I met in front of the gymnasium. It looked like Charles's physical education class had already started because I saw him stretching with his classmates. He was wearing a white shirt with the school logo and short shorts. You really wouldn't think his innocent face hides such malice.
"Here's what we do. I will go inside the men's locker while you wait outside," Loki said. "Everyone's busy with their activity so this is Charles' most vulnerable moment and our perfect opportunity to strike. Keep an eye out if someone's going into the locker room. Cough three times if you spot someone. Understood?"
"Okay," I nodded.
"Then let's begin."
Loki slipped into the boys' locker room while I stayed outside near the door. I took my phone, put it near my right ear, and pretended I was calling someone. I kept glancing at Charles and his group from a few meters away. They might suddenly decide to enter the locker room because they forgot something.
About ten minutes must have passed before Loki emerged. I was expecting him to flash a wide grin of victory. But instead, I was met with a few headshakes and a disappointed face.
"If that's the case, is it not in his clothes or bag either?"
"I rummaged through everything but found nothing except this." He showed me his phone screen, displaying a photo of a piece of paper with writing on it.
Sorry but what you're looking for is not here. :P
"D-Does he know what we're planning to do?"
Loki pocketed his phone and turned his gaze toward Charles. "I highly doubt it. It looks like that paper has been stuck inside his locker for a long time. He must be expecting someone to force it open way before we got involved in this case."
"Could what we're looking for be in the pocket of the shorts he's wearing now?"
"It's risky if he put it there," Loki replied. "If it's a flash drive, it might fall out while he's jumping around. If it's an external hard drive, it would be a bit heavy in the pocket. But what I'm wondering is, why didn't he bring his phone? Even before you got here, earlier I..."
I observed his actions. Not even once did he take out his phone. Normally, you would bring your phone to school so that if there is an emergency, you can text or call.
"So you think his blackmail material is hidden in his phone? What if he doesn't actually have a phone?"
"That's impossible. He listed a contact number in his student record, so I'm sure he has a phone. Now it is possible that while he and my brother's friend haven't reached a deal yet, he hid the phone away from anyone's reach. Anyway, it's now time for Plan B."
"And what's Plan B?"
He just smiled at me and said, "By the way, did you know that Charles lives in the White Hostel?"
Even without him saying it, it seemed I already knew what he was planning to do.
When four o'clock in the afternoon struck, Loki and I went straight to the said White Hostel where a murder case happened once upon a time. According to Charles' student record, he lives alone in Room 307 on the third floor.
"Are you planning to enter his room and ransack it to see if his phone is there?" I asked my companion. We were loitering near the end of the hallway, close to the fire extinguisher and fire alarm. Room 307 is three rooms away from here.
Before he could answer, we saw Charles step out of the elevator and walk toward his room. He inserted his key into the doorknob and went inside.
"Wait, you have a different plan," I interjected, realizing something was wrong with what I said earlier. "If you really planned to trespass into his room, we should have come here earlier when he wasn't around."
"Very astute, Lorelei." He turned his back to me and examined the fire alarm next to him. "If you ask me, it's too much effort to do what you said. It will also take time to search for that phone. There's also a possibility that he hid the phone very well, making it impossible for anyone to find it. That was the initial plan. Then I thought of something that's less time consuming and more thrilling."
Here he goes with his preference for "thrilling" solutions rather than simple ones. From the way he said that, it seems Loki is planning to do some mischief that I won't like.
"And how will our search be made easier?" I looked at the students walking back and forth in the hallway. Some were glancing at us, probably because we were just loitering there.
"We will force him to bring the phone to us," he said confidently, as if he was certain that his plan would work out fine. "By the way, you know how to run, don't you? Let's meet at the lobby in a short while."What are you plan—"
KKKKRRRIIIIIIINNNGGGG!
I was almost deafened by the sudden, loud blast after he pressed the fire alarm. In a flash, students burst out of various rooms and started running. Some were panicked, others didn't know whether to turn left or right. Someone started shouting "Fire! Fire!" which caused everyone to panic even more.
"Do you even know what you've done?!" I asked Loki while covering my ears.
"I'm creating chaos to lure him out," he answered with a smirk. He seemed to be enjoying the worried looks on the faces of the students passing by us.
Before long, Charles emerged, looking around as if contemplating the safest way to go even though there was no fire or smoke. Coincidentally, he chose to run in our direction.
Loki ran toward him and intentionally bumped into him, causing them both to fall to the floor.
"Watch where you're going!" Charles shouted at him. His innocent face turned as fierce and aggressive as a tiger. That's probably how it is when someone is placed in a desperate situation. Sometimes, the masks we wear fall off.
"My apologies," Loki assisted him in getting up before the target continued running.
Then I saw him raise a thumbs up, a signal that his plan was successful. I joined the surge of students heading down the stairs and rushed to the lobby.
At that moment, it seemed Charles had no idea that his "ace in the hole" had already been taken from him.
I probably don't need to detail the events that followed. After Loki got Charles' phone, he removed the memory card and plugged it into a computer. It contained various documents, photos, and videos that could truly ruin anyone's reputation.
One of the student council staff arrived to collect the memory card. They were supposedly the ones responsible for taking action against the serial blackmailer.
And since the case was closed, there was no reason for me to stay on campus. Loki still had something to do at the clubroom, so I said my goodbyes to him first.
When I reached the ground floor, I was greeted by a familiar face I hadn't seen for a few days.
Congratulations on another case closed... though I heard you caused a ruckus in the hostel," Margarette greeted, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. "You really seem to be enjoying Loki's company. Don't tell me that you're already falling for him?"
What is this woman talking about? The thought of falling for Loki has never even crossed my mind. "I thought you said you wouldn't bother me anymore?"
"I did say that I won't bother you anymore. But that doesn't mean I won't appear before you again."
"Okay, so what do you want this time?"
"I'm here to deliver a message," she answered as she approached me. "The vice president wants to meet you. He's at the cafeteria, waiting for the pleasure of your company."
Suddenly, the hair on my skin stood up. Even if Loki's brother wasn't there, I could strongly feel his presence just by mentioning anything related to him.
Loki advised me not to accept the invitation, but I'm tempted to meet the person and know more about him. Between what Loki told me and meeting him myself, I could say that he's a mysterious and shady at the same time. I feel like I want to get to know him more and find out why my roommate's hatred for him is so intense.
Since I had nothing to do this afternoon, I accepted the invitation. Margarette walked me to the cafeteria; we didn't speak once while walking. Come to think of it, they didn't even apologize for the kidnapping last week. It's like the little bit of hardship they made me experience meant nothing to them.
The cafeteria should be closed by this time. No students usually come here to order. But it seems for my meeting with Luthor, they extended for a few minutes.
I saw him sitting at a round table, his back to me. Margarette didn't follow as I approached the person I wanted to see.
"Please take a seat," he gestured to the chair opposite of his. "I apologize for asking you to meet me this late."
I gripped my knees. The aura I felt from this man was truly different.
"I also apologize for abducting you last week," he said when I didn't answer. "We needed to resort to such methods since you don't want to leave the club that my brother is proud of. We also wanted to test his resolve if he's willing to save you in case you were really abducted."
"Why are you forcing me to leave the Q.E.D.?"
He first blew on his hot coffee—based on the smell—and took a small sip before answering. "Maggie told you repeatedly that she wanted to help you. The truth is, we want to protect you."..from any danger that may be caused by your association with my brother. I heard that you were informed about Rhea, Loki's only friend and his former associate in the club."
"Loki said she was killed by someone known as M."
"And why would they kill an innocent lady?"
"Because she became close to Loki?"
Luthor put down the cup he was holding and looked me in the eyes. There it was again, that spine-chilling stare. "According to the laws of celestial mechanics, when two objects collide, there's always damage of a collateral nature. More than half a year ago, my brother investigated some seemingly related cases involving someone who's only known with the initial M and foiled his plans. M retaliated by killing my brother's only friend, delivering a heavy blow to my brother. Rhea has become the collateral damage."
Loki hadn't told me much back then about what really happened to Rhea other than her being killed. It's quite news to me to hear that he and the mysterious man he's after have already crossed paths before.
"And what does that have to do with my abduction?" Even I was getting tired of his constant English.
"M is still active and you, being the closest person to Loki, might become the next collateral damage," he answered. "As much as possible, we want to prevent that from happening—that's why I asked Maggie to convince you to leave. But you didn't... as if you are willing to take the risk."
Our eyes maintained contact. "If I were to be collateral damage, then I need to be prepared, don't I?"
Luthor smirked and turned his gaze back to his drink. "Now I get it why my brother feels comfortable around you. I knew him since we were little boys. He has hard time connecting with people. But with you, I guess it went too easy."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know why my brother founded Q.E.D.?" he answered my question with another question. "Because Loki is attracted to mysteries. And you, Lorelei, are a mystery to him. He doesn't see you as a person. He sees you as a puzzle to solve. It's also possible that both of you have a tragic past that you want to escape from. And that's why you two established a connection. Loki lost someone important in his life. How about you? Did something happen in your previous school?"
Tsss... I probably should have listened to Loki when he said I shouldn't meet with this guy.
"Now, I think I know why your brother gets irritated with you. You think you know who everyone is by just looking at them. You think you're smarter than most of us. Now if you will excuse me."I stood up and walked toward the cafeteria exit. I left him sipping his coffee. I hope he burns his tongue.
"Just one more thing, Lorelei."
My feet stopped and I turned to face him. He didn't turn his head in my direction. What could his last parting shot be?
"If my deduction is correct, Loki is only using you to lure out M. But let's both hope that I'm wrong."
What can you say about the case and about Lorelei's and Luthor's encounter?
And now, for the next chapter...
"Loki, help... Help me!"
"Don't blame me, Lorelei. Blame that detective who loves prying into other people's business."
"I have waited so long for this moment, M."