Chapter 6: 3

CHAPTER 3

The Killer

No one's POV

"I didn't expect you to visit me." An old man sat at a desk, facing a beautiful woman dressed elegantly but with a detective's ID clipped to her lapel.

The tension between them was palpable, heightened by the thick glass partition with a hole in the middle, allowing their voices to carry through despite being in separate rooms.

"Do you think your relatives will visit you?" Skyler remarked sarcastically, her voice cold and devoid of any warmth or emotion as she stared at the inmate in front of her.

The man smiled, a twisted expression of amusement spreading across his face, seemingly pleased by what he heard.

"You are my child, my second one even," said the old man, his tone dripping with a perverse sense of pride.

At his words, Skyler almost drew her gun, her hand instinctively reaching for it, but she restrained herself, forcing her emotions back under control.

"I'm not your child and will never be your child, Red Bull," she replied, her voice shaking slightly with suppressed rage.

Red Bull laughed hysterically, his heart racing with joy at being called that again, a name that seemed to feed his delusions.

"How I missed being called like that," he said, his grin widening.

Skyler was irritated by the smile painted on the old man's face, but she managed to maintain her composure, though it was a struggle.

"I'm not here to be your entertainment. I'm here to tell you again that I'm nothing like you," Skyler declared firmly, her eyes narrowing as she leaned forward, her face inches from the glass.

"I don't care. I still have children that I know are like me. We both know they grew up to be like me," the old man replied mockingly, his words calculated to provoke her.

His smirk deepened as he watched her jaw clench in anger.

"And I will search the whole world just to find them," Skyler whispered fiercely, her voice low and dangerous.

Her glare was intense, filled with a promise of retribution, but the old man continued to grin, unfazed by her threat.

Her eyes showed no emotion, only darkness, a reflection of the grim resolve that had taken root in her soul.

She knew the man before her was beyond redemption, a monster masquerading as a father, and she was determined to ensure his influence would never corrupt anyone else.

"Wala ka ng kapangyarihan, isa ka na lang dagang na-trap sa isang kahon. Once you die, I'll laugh at your funeral, bitch!" Skyler showed the man her middle finger.

"Try me..."

---

Seyren's POV

"Oh my god--" tumalikod ako at tuluyan ng sumuka sa tabi ng isang puno.

I just saw the corpse of a middle-aged man.

Nasa bukid ako where a crime took place unnoticed by anyone.

The quiet and isolation of this place make the scene even more eerie.

Detective Guerrero and I found the corpse kneeling as if praying, a rosary was tied in his clasp hand while he faced the void, an unsettling image that will likely stay with me for a long time.

Since this is a field, there aren't many houses around.

However, there is one house or more like a garage filled only with luxury cars, standing out starkly against the otherwise rustic backdrop.

The body remained kneeling due to metal supports that kept it from falling over, a macabre setup that suggested a level of premeditation and cruelty.

"You know, Seyren, just go search in the garage for any possible clues" said Detective Guerrero, his voice breaking the heavy silence.

I composed myself and refused to do what he asked.

"I'm fine here, kaya ko 'to." I stood up straight, feeling a mix of defiance and determination.

As I looked for my handkerchief, which, of course, was missing when I needed it, I realized how much this scene was affecting me.

"Oh, heto, use this. I have water in the car, rinse your mouth. I also have mouthwash, so use that too," Guerrero said, handing me a handkerchief.

Hindi na ako nakipagtalo. I thanked him, grateful for the small act of kindness amidst the grim surroundings.

I excused myself and went to his car to get the water and mouthwash he mentioned.

As I rinsed my mouth, my eyes wandered around the area, trying to take in every detail, every potential clue.

The land was vast, but there was no one around.

There was one house at the edge of this hectare of land, but it was small.

A couple lived there with their eight children; I had seen them earlier when we were on our way here, and they had looked as ordinary as any family could be, making the discovery of the body even more jarring.

When I returned to the crime scene, the body still hadn't been retrieved.

The ambulance hadn't arrived yet because we were far from the city, adding to the sense of isolation and urgency.

I grimaced when I saw the victim again, the grotesque sight challenging my professional composure.

Detective Guerrero noticed my discomfort and stood in front of me, blocking my view.

"Don't push yourself too much, Detective Valencia. Just take a stroll nalang ang look for evidence. Baka mamaya hindi kana naman makakain ng hapunan dahil diro." he said, his tone unexpectedly gentle.

I decided not to argue further.

I gave him a wide smile and started to walk away, but when I saw the corpse again, I covered my eyes and ran.

When I felt I was far enough away, I started walking again with my eyes open.

I headed straight for the house-like garage.

My eyes roved around like a cautious lion, examining the surroundings.

I felt a heavy weight on my chest, an inexplicable pressure as if something was weighing me down.

As I walked, I calculated everything-the size of the field, its distance from the city, where the victim was found, and why only this garage stood here.

I stopped walking when I saw what looked like footprints.

There were only a few prints, but they seemed to be of the same size, so I squatted down and tried to measure them.

Kinuhanan ko na rin ito ng litrato.

I compared them to my shoe size, which is 24.5 cm.

The footprint was slightly larger, so I measured it using the lines on my fingers as if I were measuring water for cooking rice.

27.6 cm.

Tangina, ang laking paa naman nito.

As I entered the garage that resembled a house, I was greeted once again by an impressive display of various kinds of luxury cars, each one more opulent than the last.

The gleaming surfaces and immaculate condition of these vehicles suggested wealth and meticulous care, but the atmosphere felt hollow and eerie.

I carefully examined the entire room, my eyes scanning every corner and crevice for anything suspicious, but found nothing out of the ordinary.

The garage was as pristine as a showroom, and it was hard to imagine that anything violent or gruesome had taken place here.

However, if I thought about it carefully, the victim couldn't have been killed outside.

There was no blood where we found him, and the scene was too clean for such a violent act to have occurred there unnoticed.

It also couldn't have happened in this room because, despite the clean surroundings, there were no signs of a struggle or violence.

What was it about that man that got him killed? It couldn't have been a robbery since the room was filled with cars, and there didn't seem to be any space indicating something was missing.

The entire scenario felt off, as if there was something I was missing, some crucial piece of the puzzle that hadn't yet revealed itself.

As I passed by the window where the sunlight streamed in, I was momentarily blinded as if there was a strong light on the floor.

The intense glare drew my attention to something unusual.

When I looked to the side, I saw a car with a body that was like a mirror.

The highly polished surface reflected the sunlight in dazzling patterns, creating a play of light and shadows on the garage floor.

It was then that I noticed something shining under the car.

Curious and cautious, I lay down to peek under and found gold bars stained with what seemed to be blood.

The sight of the gold, combined with the bloodstains, sent a chill down my spine.

My eyes widened, and I quickly put on gloves to avoid contaminating the evidence. I reached for the bars, feeling the cold metal and the sticky residue of blood.

Carefully, I placed them in a zip bag labeled "unknown items."

My mind raced with questions.

Why were these gold bars here, and how were they connected to the murder?

The presence of blood suggested a violent encounter, but the pristine condition of the garage contradicted that.

I needed more information, more clues to piece together this bizarre scenario.

I searched the entire room, meticulously going through every inch, but found nothing else that stood out.

With a mix of frustration and determination, I decided to return to where Detective Guerrero was, hoping to share my findings and get his input.

As I stepped outside, I noticed tracks in the dirt, as if something heavy had been dragged across the ground.

I followed the trail, which led me back to the crime scene.

The tracks ended at the same spot where we had found the victim.

This suggested that the victim had been dragged from another location and positioned here, adding another layer to the case.

I took photos of the tracks for documentation.

At the crime scene, the body was gone, and an ambulance was just leaving as I arrived.

The paramedics had worked quickly, and the area was now cleared of the immediate signs of violence.

"You're quick. What do you have there?" Detective Guerrero asked when he saw me. His eyes were sharp, taking in the zip bag I was holding.

I approached him and handed him the gold bar. "Do you think this is real?" I asked, noticing his surprise as he examined it.

"What the shit... Where did you find this?" His eyes widened in shock as he looked at me, clearly taken aback by the unexpected find.

"Under one of the cars parked in the room. I also found a shoe print," I explained, opening my phone and showing him the photo I had taken of the footprint.

"Do you think this belongs to the victim?" I asked, hoping he might have some insight.

I compared my foot to the footprint, showing the difference in size. It was clear that the footprint was significantly larger than my own.

"The victim's foot wasn't that big," said Detective Guerrero, his tone confirming my suspicions.

"That means it belongs to the killer?" I asked, the pieces slowly starting to come together.

He nodded, a look of intense concentration on his face.

He sighed and rubbed his temples, the weight of the case clearly taking its toll on him.

"Let's head back to headquarters. I need to file a report," he said, and I followed him.

The urgency in his voice was mirrored by the determination in my steps.

When we returned to headquarters, I went straight to my desk, the adrenaline from the day's discoveries still pumping through my veins.

I started writing my report on the evidence I had gathered, carefully documenting everything that could be used against the criminal.

Each detail was crucial, and I knew that our report needed to be thorough and precise.

This criminal was exceptionally skilled, just like before.

Clean in execution, leaving no fingerprints or anything that could reveal their identity.

It was frustratingly perfect, a testament to their experience and cunning.

Since there were no houses nearby, we had no witnesses.

Someone had simply reported seeing the man to us, but without witnesses or additional evidence, our task was daunting.

The location's isolation had worked in the killer's favor, allowing them to commit the crime without fear of immediate discovery.

---

"The victim we've identified is Mr. Kim Legazpi, 45 years old," Detective Skyler began, her tone serious as she addressed the team.

"The cars you saw, Seyren, belong to him and were stored on his property. However, the issue is that these cars are not registered, and most of them were bought second-hand. But right now, that's not our main focus."

She paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in.

"Our major problem is that we don't have any substantial clues about the identity or gender of the killer. We're back to square one, completely clueless for the second time."

Detective Skyler's frustration was palpable as she continued.

"We can't rely on the footprints left by the killers at the crime scene since they don't give us enough information. Therefore, I'm splitting the team. Half of you will spend the entire day investigating the field to look for additional evidence or clues. The rest of you will investigate the hotel where Mr. Legazpi lived and worked. This division should help us cover more ground."

Her authoritative tone left no room for questions. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, Detective," we all responded in unison, understanding the urgency of the situation.

With the plan set, we quickly went about organizing ourselves.

I was assigned to the team investigating the hotel, and we prepared to dive into our task.

Detective Guerrero would lead the investigation of the field, focusing on any possible evidence that might have been overlooked.

At the hotel, my team and I began our investigation by thoroughly examining the first victim's living quarters.

Simultaneously, Detective Guerrero and his team worked tirelessly in the field.

The split in our efforts was crucial, as it allowed us to approach the case from multiple angles.

As the day progressed, we remained hopeful that our separate investigations would yield valuable information, bringing us closer to solving the case and identifying the elusive killer.

Unfortunately, our search yielded no results-no fingerprints, no other clues. The investigation seemed to be at a standstill.

As my team continued searching the hotel, I took a moment to reflect by standing on the mini stage.

From that vantage point, I looked around, trying to piece together the events of that night.

I had performed as a pianist wearing a black mask, a choice I made to keep my identity hidden as the adopted child of the Camerons.

Standing there, I tried to vividly imagine myself back in that moment.

The room had been filled with elegantly dressed individuals, their attire reflecting the sophistication of the evening.

Faces were fresh and radiant, each person contributing to the grandeur of the event.

The last time I saw Mr. Alvarez, he was positioned near the stage, his gaze fixed intently on me.

I distinctly remembered feeling the weight of his stare that night, which made it hard to forget his presence.

Behind me, I visualized Elowen, skillfully playing the violin, adding to the ambiance of the event.

The entire scene replayed in my mind like a film, capturing the atmosphere and the people who were present.

As I reviewed these memories, it felt as though my mind was functioning like a CCTV, documenting every detail of the evening.

My photographic memory allowed me to recall specific faces and events with remarkable clarity.

In the midst of this mental replay, I recalled a tall man I had seen at the hotel entrance.

Right, How can I forget about him?

He was dressed entirely in black, including a mask, which made him stand out among the guests.

My concentration on these memories was abruptly interrupted when Detective Skyler's voice broke through my thoughts.

"What are you doing?"

I turned to see her standing behind me, her presence a stark contrast to the quiet reflection I had been engaged in.

"Wala po"

At the end of the day, I went home without gaining anything.

Yes, there is this memory recollection, but what can a photographic memory do?

It captures everything in vivid detail, but sometimes, remembering isn't enough to solve the complexities life throws at you.

When I got home to the mansion, the maids cleaning outside were the first to greet me.

Their diligent work was a familiar sight, yet today it felt different, perhaps because of the weight of the day's events still lingering in my mind.

I furrowed my brow when I saw an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway.

It was sleek and expensive-looking, clearly not one of our regular vehicles.

As I entered the house, my eyes immediately caught sight of a pair of shoes by the door.

They were large, much larger than anyone in our household would wear.

"Manang Marie, kaninong kotse iyong nasa labas?" I asked our maid when I met her in the living room. She was dusting the shelves, meticulously ensuring every surface was spotless.

"Sa bagong boyfriend po ni Madame Azara," she replied. I grimaced at what she said. So, Azara had a new boyfriend.

This was news to me, and not particularly welcome news at that.

I was about to turn away, but then I remembered something.

"Where is Ate Elowen?" I asked.

"Nasa company pa po niya. Gusto nyo po bang ipaghayin ko kayo ng hapunan sa kwarto ninyo?" Manang Marie offered kindly.

"Has Ate Azara eaten?" I asked again.

"Nakakain na po siya kasabay ng boyfriend niya," she replied, and I couldn't help but grimace once more.

Azara hadn't even waited for her sister to come home before eating.

"I'll eat later when Ate Elowen is here. Just call me in my room," I said, smiling sweetly before making my way up the stairs.

As I walked down the hallway to my room, I passed by Azara's room and heard unmistakable moans.

"God, I hate living with her," I muttered to myself. Covering my ears, I quickly moved past her room, trying to block out the sounds.

When I finally arrived in my room, silence greeted me. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic thoughts in my head.

I took off my blazer and polo, dropped my things, and lay face down on the bed.

I groaned out of frustration into my pillow, my face buried deep into it.

I've only been a detective for nine days, and I've already faced two heavy cases.

These killers are incredibly skilled, testing my abilities as a detective to the limit.

I shouldn't bring work issues home, but I can't help it. The cases weigh heavily on my mind, intruding into my personal space.

In the end, instead of just lying down and resting, I found myself glued to my laptop, making a report.

The hotel owner has been complaining too, wanting to reopen their hotel because they might go bankrupt.

In fact, it's still prohibited, so here I am, writing a long essay that our team will submit to the government to determine if the business can be reopened.

While working, I felt thirsty.

Technically, I could ask any maid to get me something, but I didn't.

I just left my room and went to the kitchen.

Fortunately, I didn't hear any noise when I passed by Azara's room.

When I arrived in the kitchen, our chef greeted me.

I knew him because he had been our chef since we were kids.

"What are you cooking?" I asked the chef while looking for something in the fridge.

"I'm just cooking steak for your dinner. Would you like to eat now? We'll set the table for you," he offered. I smiled broadly when I found what I was looking for: lemon juice.

"No, thank you. Actually, I feel like helping out here in the kitchen," I said, watching the chef's assistant.

She was impressively skilled, slicing ingredients with speed and precision.

"No need, just go rest upstairs, Madame Seyren," the chef said, but I pouted and made a sad face.

I would rather help them than continue the work that I should be doing at the headquarters.

"I also want to learn how to cook. Honestly, since I lived in my condo until I left, I never stepped into my kitchen to cook. My friend was always there to cook for me, whether it was breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks." I approached our chef, putting my hands together and showing puppy dog eyes.

"Please let me help you guys," I pleaded like a child. The chef and his assistant smiled at me.

"Alright, you can join in. My apprentice will teach you how to cook," the chef agreed.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, my smile widening. "I promise I won't let you down." I moved closer to the chef's apprentice, introducing myself because she looked new.

"My name is Anita. Anita Shin," she introduced herself.

"Anita Shin, that's a Korean last name. Are you half Korean?" I asked, and she nodded.

"That's cool. I love Koreans, especially Korean men," I said, and she smiled at me.

Our cooking lesson began, and the first thing she taught me was how to chop an onion.

When she handed me the knife, I wasn't sure how to use it.

"Your knife is scary, it's too sharp," I commented, watching her demonstration. When I tried it, I did it slowly.

I'm scared of knives, but not to the point of anxiety. I just never held a knife before.

After almost an hour of teaching and helping, I finally finished a dish.

The food was requested by Ate Elowen because she had a guest coming.

Since I was avoiding going back to my room, I helped set the table for dinner.

My stomach even rumbled when I saw how much food there was.

I was tempted, but I held myself back because I wanted to eat with Ate Elowen, even if it looked like she had a guest to dine with.

Just as I finished setting the table, Ate Elowen arrived in her Lamborghini Aventador SV.

Detective Skyler was with her. I grinned because she was the guest I expected Ate Elowen to have.

Ate Elowen and Detective Skyler had been classmates since elementary school.

Ate Elowen always told me she liked Detective Skyler, and after they graduated from college, Ate Elowen started courting her.

Detective Skyler is the only person who knows my background story.

She is the only detective who knows that I am a Cameron.

That's why instead of getting police guards for Ate Azara, she assigned me.

"Ate!" Binati ko naman si ate Elowen pagpasok niya ng bahay.

He hugged me tightly, and I returned the embrace just as firmly. When we let go, I extended my hand to Detective Skyler for a handshake.

"Detective," I teased her with a mischievous grin.

"Ate Elowen, I cooked for the first time. Why don't you try my cooking in the dining room?" I suggested, hoping to give Detective Skyler and Ate Elowen some space.

"Really? Our baby is growing up so fast, huh. Sure, I'll try it," Ate Elowen said, heading to the dining room, momentarily forgetting she was with Detective Skyler.

When I turned back to Detective Skyler, I gave her a big smile.

"What's the score now?" I teased, lightly tapping her arm.

"Hey, you! You're so presumptuous. There's no score or whatever. We're just friends," Detective Skyler immediately denied, her face gradually turning red with embarrassment.

"That's where it's heading anyway. Just remember, I want to be the bridesmaid when you two get married," I said, making her blush even more.

Despite her tough demeanor at work, I knew Detective Skyler had a soft heart, especially when it came to Ate Elowen.

When it came to my sister, her bravado completely disappeared.

"Stop teasing me," she said, attempting to act stern, but she couldn't help but smile.

In the end, I felt like a fool, teasing her like that. When we reached the dining room, I saw Ate Elowen sampling all the dishes on the table.

"In all fairness, the food tastes better today," she remarked.

"Of course, I cooked it," I said, flexing my arm muscles playfully. My childish side always came out around Ate Elowen.

"Congratulations, baby. You know how to cook now," Ate Elowen said, clapping her hands, making us both laugh at our antics.

She was only a year older than me, but she always treated me like her baby.

When we started eating, even though there were just the three of us, the dining room was filled with chatter.

Ate Elowen was very talkative, and Detective Skyler and I were the listeners.

While I listened with a smile, Detective Skyler listened with a soft gaze fixed on Ate Elowen's face, giving her full attention.

Was I jealous? Not really. In fact, I was happy to see that Detective Skyler seemed to be falling for my sister.

I'm a keen observer, so I didn't miss even the smallest details.

We spent the evening together, with me becoming the third wheel.

When they watched a movie in Ate Elowen's room, I was there.

When they talked about our work, I acted as the narrator. And when they played mobile games, I joined in.

I didn't impose myself.

They included me, saying they didn't want me to feel lonely since both Ate Elowen and Ate Azara had guests.

Our night ended with laughter. I woke up the next morning to the sound of my alarm.

Realizing it was still early, I decided to exercise first. I did push-ups, planks, burpees, pull-ups using the bar I set up in my doorway, and other exercises until I was drenched in sweat.

I wanted to become more muscular than I currently was.

When I looked in the mirror, I saw myself wearing only a sports bra and boxer shorts.

They were soaked with sweat, revealing the outline of my male genitalia, which was bulging.

My genitals were a source of insecurity for me because they were unusual. I was a woman, but I had a male's genitalia.

I liked my body, though. My hands were veiny, my fingers long, my skin fair, my height tall, not hairy, my voice not too girly, and I could say I was both beautiful and handsome.

I could be feminine or masculine, depending on the clothes I wore.

I had a nice V-line and toned abs.

I could say I was a hot woman.

I took a shower and changed clothes.

I wore a white polo tucked into black trousers, with a belt holding my gun and badge.

I also wore suspenders to give the appearance of wearing a jumper.

When I left my room and headed to the kitchen, I saw Ate Azara and her boyfriend in the living room.

They were sitting on the couch, flirting with their foreheads touching and noses rubbing together like children, with Azara sitting on Alcantara's lap.

They were more nauseating to look at than the corpses I usually saw.

When I arrived at the dining room, Ate Elowen was already there, waiting for me. We ate together and chatted.

Afterward, I told her I was leaving. Unexpectedly, I found myself leaving the house at the same time as Mr. Alcantara.

Ate Azara gave me a dirty look. I wanted to roll my eyes but refrained.

"You're a detective, right?" Mr. Alcantara asked as we both put on our shoes in the open space near the entrance.

"Yep, you're a basketball player, right?" I asked, and he nodded, smiling broadly at me.

"Congratulations on getting Azara," I said, smiling back at him.

"Thank you, I've been waiting for this for 10 years," he said, and I nodded disinterestedly. My eyes fell on his shoes.

"What size are your shoes?" I asked, noticing how large they were.

"27.6 cm, a normal size for basketball players with a 6'5 height. Does it look weird?"

"Yes," I replied simply, and we stepped outside. I heard him laugh.

As I headed to the garage, Mr. Alcantara and Ate Azara followed, still finding time to kiss in front of me.

Fortunately, I focused on my moped to avoid watching them.

Kadiri ampota

Parang walang ginawang milagro kagabi.

Ang lalandi.

I ignored them, focusing on my own tasks.

Having already said goodbye to Ate Elowen earlier, I left the mansion with my moped, riding away from the suffocating atmosphere of the house.

My first stop was the church.

Attending mass was my way of finding a moment of peace and clarity before diving into the chaos of the day.

The serene ambiance of the church, the soft murmurs of prayers, and the faint scent of incense helped me gather my thoughts and fortify my resolve.

After the service, I made my way to work.

The familiar sights and sounds of the city buzzed around me, a constant reminder of the endless battles that lay ahead.

Each new day brought its own set of challenges and tribulations, a seemingly endless cycle of struggles.

But I was determined to face them head-on, to endure and persevere no matter the cost.

This is my dream.

I had always wanted to be a detective.

The desire to cleanse the world of its evildoers burned within me.

I had seen the darkest sides of humanity, and it fueled my drive to protect the innocent and bring justice to the wronged.

My past encounters with malevolent individuals had left a deep mark on me.

I was resolved to prevent future generations from experiencing the same horrors.

No child should have to face such vile people.

It was my mission to hunt them down and make the world a safer place.

As I approached the precinct, I mentally prepared myself for the day ahead.

I knew it would be filled with paperwork, investigations, and possibly dangerous confrontations.

But this was my calling, and I wouldn't let anything deter me from my path.

I parked my moped and took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever awaited me inside.

With a determined stride, I entered the building, ready to tackle the day's challenges and continue my fight against the darkness that plagued our world.

I will fuck that killer, I swear.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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