Montgomery Runaways

Mor

s before t

3, Monday

body of Rona Perey, who was found dea

s there was a pageant or visitors, they plastered Rona’s face all over the campus, not only on the dull painted walls of Ilaya High but also on the main gates, as wide as the politician’s tar

with flyers, newspapers, and the missing person section, and that’s when I le

bother me in the slightest. Aside from that, I get the vibe that she’s just hanging out with me because she has no other choice, and no one is dumb enough to give her answer keys. So naïve, I’m swayed by her lovely persona

its fullest,” everything in Montgomery is shifting and changing. However far apart we

omery, letting them know the curfew has already begun. No one else may leave the house except those who work and are home every day. Anyone who doesn’t f

day is supposed to be my day off, but I’m here mopping the floor at the convenience store

but he told me there was an emergency. I could only get three hours of sleep thanks to my next-door neighbor, but when I awoke from the lou

mputer made me annoyed. Now I’m in a bind because of that asshole. Of course, he cannot do so. After a split second of hes

e and the ear-piercing volume o

Is he still enjoying hi

minute? I need to fetch my sis

as possible.” He remained silent for a long moment. I threw in a quick “I’d rather

appeared to be on his way to buy a pack of smoke gently pushed back the tightened door. Since this afternoon, h

sure? W

tealthily took chips and stuffed them straight into his jacket. I would h

and drew closer to him. He kept staring at the you

m in the back of the head. That blow was so hard it co

ranny about what you did?” At least

and settle this.” Of course, I have no choice since I’ll be dead if I don’t m

s, and then handed me the items. I'm bemused when there a

odded at me and moved to th

I looked at him as he put the same snack down. He just stared at me with

ps. “Are you hiring for part-timers?” Only now did I notice

he said, waving i

oked at her again. “How do you—” she pointed to my nametag

hen put her hands inside her red ho

aring her high school skirt, I added, “An

from her pocket and scribbled something. “Can I ask you a favor? These are my digits if yo

paper in front of me. “Gabriela

jobs while still in high school. Instead of a r

muttered while signaling. “There’s something….” She gestured a

fr

de, climbed into the store’s glass door, and locked it. Now that I was alone, I needed to move as quickly as possible, so I ra

but there isn’t even one for the employees. Although there is one comfort room as stinky as re

ey're sure having a hard time hiring people or even contracting a cleaning company since most troubles occur in comfort roo

any times I breathe inside, but I am sure it won’t be over five. I go to another building to relieve m

d my pants when I go

k of anything, I opened the door. He paused for a few minutes before entering. His soaked shoes left big mud marks, but I don’t mind anymore. When he m

nd, he twisted his gaze towar

n he felt I was on edge, he pointed to the item in front of me. I got back to the counter after clearing my th

lanced at what

e uncomfortable too. He swerved away from me with a glance. All I can remember are the bruises and the slit scar on t

t. He got the item and left even though I

im?” Amused, I mutte

something I’ve seen before and I’m sure of it. The words "315.1 Cartell'' engraved in the watch’s center are still fresh in my mi

the wall clock in the background. I know that s

e camera.” I noticed that her voice seemed restrained, then

r eyes squinted, pouting her sensuous lips, t

. She disappeared from the screen and took something from the bedside table. “Here!” She pointed at

’s that!”

” She stared at me with a cynical g

t again? Do you stil

she murmured and lay down again. “Of course, that day, I met my curre

ld

es from that day. On the morning of December 12, Rona disappeared. The las

passed Ilaya Night Market. And if I’m not mistaken, I also sa