Linda's gaze rested on the ceiling. Sleep evaded her, though she couldn't quite understand why. The clock on her nightstand read 3:00 a.m., yet she remained wide awake, lost in a maze of thoughts.
Her mind first drifted to her school life and academics. Everything seemed to be going well—she ranked among the top five students in her class and had made a few good friends along the way. However, Linda had always been viewed as an introvert, and she saw herself that way too. She wasn't fond of large crowds and often found solace in her own company, relishing the comfort of solitude.
For a while, she allowed her mind to linger on school matters, but then, like an uninvited guest, a darker thought crept in—the serial killer case.
The revelation of the killer's identity had shaken her, just as it had the entire city. Social media was flooded with discussions, theories, and news updates. Everyone seemed to be talking about it. But what truly unsettled Linda was the fact that the killer was a police officer. It didn't make sense.
According to reports, the officer had been one of those assigned to protect Mr. Nwafor and his family. How could a man entrusted with security turn out to be the very monster they were supposed to be safeguarded from? She struggled to find a logical explanation but found none.
Then she recalled the videos she had seen—interviews with the officer's wife. The woman had been devastated, struggling to comprehend the horrifying allegations against her husband. Her tear-streaked face remained imprinted in Linda's mind.
"This has to be a mistake… My husband is a good man! He loves his family! He would never do something like this!" the woman had sobbed during the interview.
Linda imagined being in her shoes. How does one reconcile the person they've loved and lived with for years being exposed as a serial murderer?
But the media had not entertained the possibility of a setup. Too many officers had seen him that night. They claimed he had made no effort to hide his face, which was both baffling and terrifying. His wife had eventually snapped under the pressure of the flashing cameras and relentless questions.
"Get out! Leave my house, all of you!" she had screamed, her grief raw and unfiltered.
Linda had felt genuine sympathy for her. The woman wasn't just losing a husband—she was losing her entire world, watching it collapse under the weight of his actions.
But sympathy aside, Linda couldn't help but condemn the officer.
"How could he do this to his family?" she thought. "How could he be so heartless?"
After all, any normal woman would be devastated to discover that her husband—the man she trusted, loved, and built a life with—was secretly a murderer. A serial killer, no less.
The more Linda thought about it, the more she realized how deceptive humans could be. People are not always who they seem to be. A warm smile, a kind gesture, a charming personality—it could all be a carefully constructed facade. Behind it, a monster might lurk. How many people in the world were living double lives? How many had secrets that no one could even begin to suspect? The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
For the first time, Linda wondered if anyone could truly be trusted—including her own parents.
It wasn't a new thought, but it resurfaced now with greater weight. There had always been a feeling—a nagging sensation—that her parents were hiding something from her. It wasn't anything she could prove, but the unease had never quite left her.
And now, with the world reeling from the shocking truth about the serial killer, how many others were beginning to question the people around them?
Linda's mind wandered deeper and deeper into these thoughts—until, finally, sleep crept in undetected.
Her eyelids grew heavy, and, just like that, she drifted off into the embrace of slumber.
****
Yes! Yes! Good! They bought it—all of it. Things are unfolding exactly as I planned. People are so gullible—deceive their eyes, and you can control their minds. They believe what they see, and nothing more.
Take those foolish officers, for instance. Their faces were twisted in sheer horror, exactly as I intended. Under such intense pressure, their minds crumbled, forcing them to accept the illusion I presented. They saw what they were meant to see, not what truly was. Hahaha! Their expressions were absolutely priceless—hilarious, even!
And now, thanks to their ignorance, they've unknowingly helped me craft a perfect story.
Social media is flooded with their blabbering. Everyone is talking about it. Speculating. Spreading fear.
And oh… poor Campbell. I can only imagine the rage burning within your grave as you watch your name and reputation being dragged through the mud. Your once-untarnished image now smeared in infamy. Your wife? Ah, you should have seen her face—utterly shattered. She refused to believe you were a monster. But give it time… she will. Soon, even she will accept the "truth."
I knew my little performance would spark reactions, but this? This is far beyond my expectations! The police must be in complete disarray by now, blindly chasing ghosts while I sit back and watch the chaos unfold.
Ah… speaking of the police—Detective Roland. Yes, that was his name. Campbell mentioned him once, didn't he? Hmph. How forgetful of me. His name was on the news too. They call him "The Genius Detective." How amusing. I wonder… does he truly live up to that title? If he's as sharp as they say, he might turn out to be more troublesome than I anticipated. If so… well, I might just have to get rid of him. But not yet. Not until I'm done playing my game.
Now, how do I take this delightful groundwork of chaos to the next level? I want to make it clear to this so-called genius that he's not the only mastermind in this city. Can I say I'm a worthy opponent? Absolutely. But is he? The mere thought of it excites me. I never imagined this would be so… thrilling.
Oh, but I won't just be another nameless criminal in the shadows. No. My existence will be etched into the fabric of this city. My name will be whispered in both fear and admiration. A legend. A formidable foe. They can call me a villain if they wish. It makes no difference.
In this grand narrative—this stage where my existence was born—I will rewrite the story.
Not as the defeated villain. But as the victorious one. And now… it's time for my next move. They should brace themselves for something more shocking. Something unpredictable. Something that will leave even their small, fragile minds spinning. Roland… let's see how well you play this game. Try catching me—if you can. And be warned… the day may come when I come for you. You, who so eagerly wishes to challenge me. Just wait and see what's coming next.
Hahahaha! This is getting more fun by the day. How exhilarating! How magnificent! How splendid! How grand!