Chapter Two

“TENNYSON?!”

Tennyson ignored her father at pinagmasdan ang binatang nasa likuran nito. He was an unusually huge man with an obviously athletic and intimidating built. His face was inexpressive and unapproachable at mas lalo itong nag-mukhang hindi approachable dahil sa kilay nito. His eyebrows were thick; his eyes were dark and dangerous. Bahagyang magulo ang buhok nito at ilang hibla ang humahalik sa noo at pisngi nito despite being obviously pushed back by thick, callused fingers. Even the angle of his lips was dangerous to the point that it made him look like he had an eternal frown on his dark, handsome face.

The man was wearing a black shirt underneath his equally dark blazer at sa ilalim ng blazer nito ay ang itim na gun strap; nursing a huge, silver gun partially hidden underneath. His chest was wide and expansive; showing years of hard training and his hands were big. Agad niyang ibinalik ang mga mata sa binata na nakataas na ang isang kilay sa kanya. 

And there was something about the odd darkness in his eyes na hindi niya maintindihan. She tried reading the air around him… tried reading his aura… and lastly, his mind, but she was being blocked by something. Carefully, Tennyson poke on whatever it is that is blocking her… searching for cracks… until she felt something warm touch her mentally. Startled, she blanched away from the warm sensation at akmang tatalon rin paalis ng kama upang makalayo sa binata ng mabilis nitong nahawakan ang braso niya. 

And as soon as he’d touched her, Tennyson’s eyes rounded when their skins produced blue electricity na gumapang mula sa braso niya at kamay nito pataas at pakalat sa buong katawan nila. 

Even the man was quick to withdraw bago muling bumaling sa kanya. “Interesting.”

She wasn’t supposed to say anything, Hindi siya sanay na nakikipag-usap sa mga tao. She’s always been… unsociable. Kaya naman hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili ng tila nagkaroon ng sariling isipan ang kamay niya at muling inilahad iyon sa binata. “I’m… Tennyson Montessa.”

The man stared at her outstretched hand; his dark hazel eyes curious and amused bago nito tinanggap ang naghihintay niyang kamay at mahigpit na hinawakan. And once again, their connected hands produced sparks of electricity. But this time, wala sa kanila ang nagbawi ng kamay o kaya naman ay umatras. Tennyson met the man’s eyes—welcoming the challenge he presented—and instantly melted when the corner of his lip curved heavenward; producing the most devastating smirk she’d ever seen. 

What the hell…?

“Alvin Montemayor. It’s nice to finally meet you, Ms. Montessa.”

“Tennyson.” Aniya sa halos pabulong na tinig. Hindi niya alam kung anong nangyayari sa kanya ngunit isa lang ang rumerehistro sa isipan niya ng mga sandaling iyon. She was weak against this damned man. “Just Tennyson… is fine. Or Ten.”

“Call me Alvin, Tennyson.”

“Let me join your team, Alvin. I want to join—I want to learn… from you.” The words came out easy and smooth na tila ba matagal na niyang gustong sabihin iyon—as though she had been waiting for this man for a very long time. And now that he’s here, all her burdens are gone and that odd sense of finally was engulfing the entirety of her.  

Ngunit ang hindi niya alam ay iyon pa lang ang simula ng malalaking pagbabago sa buhay niya. 

—

“PAPA, I’ll be fine.”

When Alvin left, hindi na ipinagtaka pa ni Tennyson ang matinding pagdaramdam sa kanya ng ama. After all, this will be the first and biggest decision she’d ever made ng hindi kumokonsulta sa ama—lalo pa at hindi ito sang-ayon sa naging decision niya. 

Si Ferdinand ay aligagang nagpaikot-ikot sa loob ng private hospital room ng anak. “This is not just about you being fine, Tennyson. This is your whole life we’re talking about. Hindi kita kinontra ng magdecision kang kumuha ng Criminology. Hindi rin kita kinontra ng sabihin mong gusto mo ring kumuha ng Forensic Psychology. Ten, I didn’t want you to follow in my footsteps. I want you out of this field.”

“Papa, alam mong kahit kailan ay hinding-hindi ako makakalayo sa… trabahong ito. This is my life—ever since ma-realized ko na hindi ako katulad ng ibang tao.”

“You are normal, Tennyson—”

“Come on, Papa.” Hindi na niya napigilan ang pagtataas ng tinig. “Come on! Ikaw na mismo ang nagsabi. Hindi ako normal na tao—I’m different. I see things, Papa. I hear things normal people don’t even hear. I smell things and maski iniisip ng ibang tao naririnig ko. Where’s the normalcy in that? You want to know kung ano ang mas malala pa doon, Papa? I have the mind of the killer.” Tennyson did her best upang hindi pansinin kung paanong tila nabigla ang ama niya sa salitang binitiwan. “I know how a killer’s mind works, Papa. Huwag na nating itanggi iyan. And every single day, I’m getting worst; alam nating dalawa iyan. Every day, I’m craving the sensation of how it feels to kill someone.”

“Tennyson!”

“Iyon ang katotohanan, Papa! I know you only want the best for me. But this time, SCID is the best place na pwede kong puntahan. I know Alvin Montemayor is every bit as eccentric as I am. He will understand me—and I want to train under him.”

Isang buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ni Ferdinand bago nito kinuha ang coat nito na nakasampay sa backrest ng upuan. Her father gave her one last glance bago tuluyang lumabas ng silid niya; softly closing the door behind her dahil sa kabila ng pagdadamdam sa kanya ng ama ay hindi siya pinagtaasan ng tinig nito at pinagbuhatan ng kamay.

She felt guilt momentarily ngunit agad din niyang iwinaksi iyon. Tennyson knew her father only wanted the best for her. But this time, siya ang madedesisyon kung ano ang nararapat para sa kanya. Saglit niyang ipinikit ang mga mata niya; focusing on the soft buzzing sound above her head at hindi na niya namalayan na nakatulog na pala siya. 

—

MULA sa kadiliman ay tahimik niyang pinagmasdan ang dalaga.

Her father’s attention has always been on her and she’s always been the center of attention sa pamilya Montessa. And it was because Tennyson Montessa has a very unusual mind and brain activity—she thinks like a killer. Kaya nitong tingnan ang isang tao and determine in the same heartbeat if that person is a psychopath. She had watched her ever since she was a child; her unusual talent and intelligence at kung paanong lumaki itong naging paborito ng mga magulang nito at ng nakakatandang kakambal nito. 

She was the Montessa family’s sunshine; until she started exhibiting psychopathic behavior. Ferdinand did his best upang kontrolin ang bunsong anak but things went worst when Tennyson started exhibiting other… behavior. She can read minds, see auras, feel the emotions of the people around her and predict what’s going to happen few hours into the future with amazing and frightening accuracy. Somehow, developing those skills minimized her psychopathic behavior dahil nadarama nito ang nararamdaman ng mga tao sa paligid nito. 

It made her… empathize with her would-be victim’s kung nagpatuloy na hindi ma-control ang matinding behavior ng dalaga. Now, she’s considered as one of NBI’s most valuable assets dahil nagagawa nitong i-profile ang isang suspect as soon as she steps inside the room and towards the body. But regardless of her accomplishments, hindi maitatago ng mga nakamit niyang tagumpay ang katotohanan that Tennyson still has the mind of a killer.

At na kada mapapalapit siya sa mga crime scenes, tap into the violent memories of the place and see the gruesome sight of the dead, it was taking a piece of her—and that she, herself, is leaning more into the path of a murderer.

Tahimik niyang nilapitan ang dalaga at tumayo sa tabi nito; touching her face softly at pinalis ang ilang hibla ng buhok na humahalik sa makinis na mukha nito. She was so beautiful na kahit na sinong makakakita dito ay muli itong babalikan ng tingin. She was the epitome of perfection… but still a woman with a very disturbed and unstable mind. 

A woman with the mind of a killer. 

“Tennyson…”

“Hmm…?”

Isang ngiti ang gumuhit sa labi niya bago muling hinaplos ang mukha ng dalaga. Tennyson moaned softly bagaman hindi tuluyang nagising. Patuloy ang ginawa niyang pagmamasid dito bago kumuha ng upuan at umupo sa tabi ng dalaga; holding her hand gently habang mahimbing itong natutulog. She was glad na nagre-respond pa rin ito sa kanya despite the shield na itinayo nito sa utak nito to further protect her from her psychopathic tendencies. 

After all, regardless of what Tennyson does upang sikaping kontrolin ang totoong katangian, fact remains that she will never escape her control; the control she’s unaware of and powerless about. 

—

“GLAD that you dropped by today.”

Wala sa loob na nagpalinga-linga si Tennyson sa malaking conference room kung saan siya itinuro ng receptionist ng magtungo siya sa opisina ni Alvin sa Makati. The building itself houses many other private offices and conference rooms. Alvin’s office boasted a massive bookshelf lined with lots of Law and Criminology books. Napansin din niya na may mga libro ang binata tungkol sa iba’t-ibang sangay ng Psychology.

Kunot noo niyang nilinga ito. “Did you take Psych?”

“Yes—Forensic Psych. I’m also a Crim graduate and has a Law degree.”

“That’s… amazing.” Ang hindi niya maiwasang sambitin bago muling ibinalik ang tingin sa makakapal na spine ng libro sa harapan niya. Wala sa loob niyang hinimas ang mga iyon… until her eyes locked on an expensive-looking deck of cards na nakalagay sa isang glass casing.  Tennyson’s eyes narrowed instantly at agad siyang tumalikod upang hindi kuhain iyon. 

“Are you alright?” si Alvin na amused na nakatitig sa kanya mula sa executive desk na okupado nito. When she nodded ay agad na tumayo ito at nilapitan siya; reached out behind her to get the deck of cards na tinititigan niya. “Are you interested in this?”

Agad na naging mailap ang mga mata niya; doing her best not to look at the deck of cards kahit pa tinatawan niyon ang atensyon niya. She didn’t want Alvin Montemayor to find out about her condition and ultimately retract his offer to be a member of his unit. “How did you know about me?”

“I read your profile.” Anito bago muling nagkibit balikat. “You’re a very talented woman, Tennyson—and a gifted profiler. But one thing that stands out sa profile mo ay ang condition mo.”

Tennyson frowned. Of course, binasa nito ang profile niya. And of course, malalaman rin nito ang preliminary reports sa kanya. But still, hindi niya gustong manggaling iyon mismo sa bibig niya. “Out with it.”

“Despite being diagnosed with ADHD and OCD, you’re still very much focused on… profiling criminals.”

“Hindi ba iyan included sa profile ko?”

“Your father is very private pagdating sa iyo. Ayaw niyang ipaalam sa mga tao ang condition mo dahil hindi niya gustong maging uncomfortable ka sa mga taong makakausap mo.”

“I’m not very sociable, Mr. Montemayor.” Aniya bago muling nagpalinga-linga sa loob ng malaking opisina nito. Tennyson gazed critically at the sofa bago muling bumuntong hininga at umupo doon. She noticed na nakabukas ang lamp desk nito and the strong urge to switch the damned thing off was engulfing her every sense. “And I can get easily distracted. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit kahit sinasabihan nila akong magaling na profiler, they wouldn’t employ me—kahit pa as an intern. They said I was too… unstable and very erratic.”

“We can bypass that.” si Alvin na inabandona ang posisyon nito sa gilid ng bookshelf at umupo sa harapan niya. At ngayong mas malapit na sa kanya ang binata, he looked even bigger… more intimidating and menacing… more dominating. 

Tennyson swallowed dryly. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“You’re… too young.” She finished lamely. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit din niya tinanong ang edad nito. But curiosity is killing her at gusto niyang malaman ang lahat ng tungkol dito; ultimo maliit na detalye. 

Awtomatiko ang pag-angat ng isang kilay nito. “Is that going to be a problem?” ng umiling siya ay isang pagak na tawa ang pinakawalan nito. “Tell me, bakit gusto mong sumali sa SCID. You already know my reasons. I want to know yours.”

“You’re a shield.” Hindi niya pinansin na natigilan ito sa sinabi niya. “Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi kita mabasa sa hospital three days ago. And you’re also a telepath—I’m not sure.”

“And you’re very good.” Si Alvin sa amused na tinig at muling inilahad ang kamay sa kanya. He encouraged her to touch his hand at sa kabila ng hesitation niya ay inabot niya ang kamay nito. Again, as soon as they touched, blue electricity produced a spark on their skins at may kung anong init ang tumulay mula sa kamay niya pataas ng braso niya. Alvin smiled. “I’m a touch-telepath.” At tila nabasa ng binata ang reaction niya dahil ng subukan niyang bawiin ang kamay ay agad siya nitong napigilan; gripping on her tightly na tila ba wala itong balak na pakawalan siya. “And so are you.”

“I-I’m not—“

“Not a touch telepath but still a telepath.” Tuluyan na nitong pinakawalan ang kamay niya bago sumandal sa backrest ng sofa. “I want you in my team, Tennyson, because of reasons na alam mo na. Now, out with yours.”

“Then, if you’re also a telepath, why can’t you read me?”

“Because you’re blocking me. You’re also a shield. Answer my question.”

And there was something about his voice… about his eyes and the way he looked at her na siyang nagtulak sa kanya upang sabihin dito ang dahilan ng pagsali niya sa unit nito. “Normalcy.”

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo nito. “What about normalcy?”

“You said I can—I might—get a chance for a normal life. Iyon ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit gusto kong sumali sa team mo—kahit pa hindi gusto ng Papa. Wala pa akong nakikilala na nag-offer na i-train ako or maski kahit sino who shares the same… abilities.”

“You’re a psychic. Dyan ka mag-start mag-research.”

“Psychic? As in… seeing ghosts?”

Alvin smiled patiently at her. She was fairly new to his terms—and his easy acceptance of the word—kaya naman natutuwa siya na mahaba ang pasensya nito sa kanya. “Psychics are not just about seeing ghosts. It’s about using your… extra senses to be more tuned in to the world—at gamitin sila for scientific and investigative purposes.”

“At nagamit mo na iyon? You being a telepath?” ng tumango ito ay ipinagpatuloy niya ang mga katanungan niya. “Paano?”

“Kung paano mo ring ginagamit ang sayo. I’m called into a crime scene and I tap into… energy or memories of that place. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit; kung paano. But if I touch something—anything—that can be considered as witness sa isang krimen, they are bound to have memories left in them. At ginagamit ko iyon to see bits and pieces of what happened in the past, therefore, ultimately profiling a killer.”

“So, hindi mo nakikita kung sino talaga ang killer? And the exact thing that happened?”

Umiling ito. “The world will never make things that easy, Tennyson. Kahit pa sana ay ganun nga kadali ang lahat. Pero kahit may mga extra senses tayo—or very minimal of us—it only serves as guides upang tulungan tayo na resolbahin ang isang bagay na kailangang resolbahin; a privilege na kaunting mga tao lang ang mayroon.”

“And you’ve been like this for how long?”

Nagkibit balikat ito. “Since I was a kid, I guess. Growing up, I can hear the thoughts of people na hahawakan ako—especially, my mother. She had pretty dark thoughts. Then and there, alam ko na sa sarili ko kung paano kong gagamitin ang abilidad ko. I accepted it, learned it and now, I’m using it to close cases… and give the opportunity sa mga taong katulad ko na ganito rin ang sitwasyon.”

“Well, paano kung hindi nila tanggapin?”

“Their call. I will never force anyone to accept my offer… unless, of course, I consider them as truly valuable assets.”

“You said I’m a valuable asset. What if I said no?”

“Then I would pursue you.” isang makahulugang ngiti ang iginawad nito sa kanya; a smile enough to render her immobile. “I know your type, Tennyson. Nasa denial ka regardless of your father’s acceptance sa kung anong kaya mong gawin. If you stayed with me—in my team—madami kang matututunan; something na hindi mo nagawa before. You’ll know your limits: when and how to limit yourself and even if kung gusto mo ring i-exceed iyon.”

“Are you going to let me handle cases on my own?”

Umiling ito. “Not alone. Ako ang magiging partner mo.”

Gulat siyang bumaling dito. Ng magpunta siya sa opisina ng binata, ginawa niya ang research niya dito on the way. Alvin Montemayor is known for his… unconventional ways during an investigation. He’s eccentric and weird—rude, rough, and callous. The man is driven by a strong need to solve crimes as soon as possible at may ninety-five percent na success rate ito sa NBI; hence, he’s the bureau’s most valuable asset. 

And the equally good and worst thing about Alvin Montemayor ay hindi ito takot na sabihin kung ano ang nasa isip nito. He would sometimes receive grievance reports dahil sa pagiging unsympathetic ng binata but he does his job really well—even if it meant na may maaapakan itong tao.  

“I-I don’t think na I’m fit enough upang maging partner mo. I have never been on official NBI cases and I used to assist my father unofficially—“

“Now you will assist me.” ang agad na putol nito bago tumayo at nagtungo sa executive desk nito. Taranta niyang sinundan ang binata habang may sinusulat ito sa legal pad nito bago nagtungo sa mini bar at kumuha ng isang bote ng Chardonnay. He got two champagne glasses and poured them in the glasses bago iniabot sa kanya ang isa. “I will get you a temporary badge so we can work together in a case.”

“P-Pero—“

“For our future partnership.” Ng itaas ng binata ang glass nito for a toast ay wala na siyang nagawa doon. Alvin Montemayor really does live to his reputation of getting whatever he wants sa kahit na anong paraan. 

Tennyson sighed and complied with his proposed toast. “For SCID.”