THE CULPRIT'S VERDICT
Chapter 23

Maxine,

If you are reading this, then, my guess is right and that means as well that I am no longer in this world to fight alongside you. I know that no matter what I do to stop you, it wouldn't be enough to eliminate the hate and your desire for justice, for I am feeling the same way too.

I want to avenge our family and give them the justice that they deserve. However, our foe is bigger than what we can imagine. I am sorry for failing you, Max. As much as possible, I don't want you to involve yourself in this dangerous mess, as you are the only family I have. I want to protect you, but it seems as though I won't be around anymore to do so.

My brave, sweet Max, I'm sorry that I won't be at your side to back you up. But here in this safe, I place pieces of information that I have gathered. Here, you'll replace the answers to some of your questions. I know this isn't enough to uncover the culprit yet, but I believe in the courage that's within you. Just be mindful of your actions, for who knows you're already in one of the lion's den. In this game of justice and revenge, your power and strength is but a pebble in a wide desert. Use your mind, play well and you might stand a chance.

Once the enemy knows you're alive, your fate will become inevitable. You cannot do this alone, so gather all the force you can get. The CEO, Valmier Llaneda, will be of great help to you. Don't be afraid to approach him. If there is one person you can rely on, it is him. Lovingly yours, Uncle Danny

Uncle's words pierced through my heart. Back when I thought he didn't care at all, but he was silently enduring his grudge and pain so as not to trigger me more. "Uncle, I promise to do what it takes to destroy the people behind our family's ordeal," I swore as I pulled his letter closer to my chest.

Judging by the recent encounters I had, my force was indeed lacking. To succeed in this fight, I should redirect my actions and thought more often. I should start by keeping an eye on the CEO. My uncle was trusting him, but what was it that he knew? I badly wanted to confront him, but I still couldn't put my trust on him, not yet.

Scattering all the other contents of the safe on my bed, I picked one at a time to check it. I grabbed the other letter and opened it.

An organization was originally built by three business-minded people who were all friends. Their goal was to keep or outdid their standing in the business world, keeping an equal footing among each of them.

It all started when one of them, being a believer of the existence of the ancient treasure, had pleaded for his friends to join him in his search for gold. Though skeptical, his two friends went with him in hope of taking some precious gems. When they were in the rumored cave, something had played in their ear, they followed the sound until it led them to the deepest part of the cave.

The place was dark, but the glinting of various kinds of gems illuminated the area. It amazed them for they themselves were half-convinced about its existence. They couldn't believe their eyes until a huge crawling creature appeared and towered over them. It horrified them when the light from their headlight struck its crimson eyes. The hiss it created caused them to tremble in fear.

As it was ready to swallow each of them whole, the other man spoke and pleaded the serpent not to take life out of them. In return, they would serve it more food to eat. For some reason, the giant serpent seemed to understand them and from then on, they worked hard until they fully tamed the serpent, which they named, Serti. The creature served as the foundation of the secret and sacred cult they had built which focused on serving the provider of their wealth. Based on what I had heard from the other members of the organization, the two founders had already died and passed their throne to their heirs. As for the one who remained alive, he kept the organization stable with his ruthless and blameless sense of justice. Their rules were strict and they were doing some dirty works down there. Your father made one grave offense and it put your life at stake. They tried to detach from the group, however the rule says, 'no one who has made it in, can make it out alive'.

Ps: Don't disclose any of these to anyone yet. Be careful whom you should trust.

After reading the letter, I couldn't help myself from asking many questions. There was indeed a cult involved and it's to be blamed. But who were its members and whom should I condemn? The head? How will I know him? As I tried to pull some conclusions in my head, the roll of paper caught my attention; I took and unrolled it. Listed on the pyramid organization structure were pseudo names I wasn't familiar with.

Encrypted on the uppermost part was the name SEROBIA. The sheet contained a hierarchy of the headman with the subsequent levels beneath him. Taking the top spot was someone named Elam and the two just below him were Gizem and Rune. The ones beneath had similar patterns of names. In the middle portion were: Grevho Gatlin, Grevho Arsto, Grevho Faron, Grevho Shazam, and Grevho Wora. The names on the base were Serdent Sybil, Serdent Huntley. Serdent Delano, Serdent Enoch, and Serdent Eustace.

Who could be the people behind these names and where will I replace them?

I took my laptop from my drawer and searched for a possible answer, but there was nothing I could pull out from the web. Frustrated, I dropped my body on my bed and dialed Lexter's number.

Just when I heard a whirr noise from the other line, I greeted, "Hi, Lex."

("Max, you're still awake. How is it? Did you figure out something?") he asked from the other line.

"Yeah. But it isn't enough. I want to get a word from the accomplice of the two who tried to abduct me. Will you please go with me to the jail early tomorrow?"

(Not a problem. I'll pick you up before 7.") My work was at 8:00. An hour was probably enough to pull something from his mouth.

"Yeah. Thank you so much, Lex. You've been very helpful,"

("My pleasure, Maxine. Ring me whenever you need me. I'm one call away, always remember that.")

I mumbled a thank you before ending the call. I couldn't think of anything in my head, but an analysis of what this organization was all about. My family was a member of it, though they had violated something, they didn't deserve to be killed, especially that way. The headman of the organization was surely a mad man. As to who that person was, I had to figure it out. I'll do what it takes to make sure he'll pay big.

to be continued...