CHAPTER 26

The dim light flickered above, casting an eerie glow over the blood-streaked room. Mira’s weak groans had faded into an unsettling silence, her body slumped lifelessly on the cold, metal table. The killer loomed over her, his gloved hands slick with crimson.

In the corner of the room, a jar of clear liquid sat on a shelf. With precise, almost clinical movements, the killer dropped Mira’s eyeballs into the jar, watching them sink slowly to the bottom. A faint smirk crept across his face as he observed the gruesome display.

“It wasn’t much fun,” he muttered, his voice devoid of emotion.

He stepped back and surveyed the scene. Mira’s pale, blood-drained body was a stark contrast to the dark stains pooling beneath her. The killer tilted his head, as though admiring his work, before pulling a large black bag from a nearby corner.

He worked methodically, wrapping Mira’s body in thick plastic sheeting before sliding her into the bag. The zipper’s harsh sound broke the oppressive silence, and with one final glance at the lifeless form inside, the killer hoisted the bag onto his shoulder and carried it out.

The room was left empty, save for the flickering bulb and the faint metallic scent of blood lingering in the air.

Luna stepped into the cozy café, its warm lighting and soothing atmosphere a stark contrast to the tension that gripped her chest. She hadn’t told anyone where she was going—not even Carla. She needed to meet with Sophia, but she had to be careful. If Lucas found out she was meeting with detectives, there would be hell to pay.

She spotted Sophia at a corner table, a coffee cup in front of her, her eyes scanning through some files. As Luna approached, Sophia looked up and smiled, her demeanor warm but laced with a quiet urgency.

“Luna,” she greeted, standing to hug her briefly. “I’m glad you could make it.”

Luna nodded, sinking into the chair opposite Sophia. She glanced around quickly to make sure no one was paying them too much attention. The café was busy, but not crowded enough to ease her paranoia.

“I’m sorry about all this,” Luna began, her voice low. “But… I need to know what’s really going on. I can’t shake the feeling that something’s about to happen.”

Sophia watched her closely, her expression softening. “I understand your concerns, Luna. But I promise you, we’re doing everything we can. The case is complicated, yes, but we’re getting closer. Just trust the process.”

Luna sighed, her fingers tapping anxiously on the table. “I want to trust you, I do. But every time I hear about another missing girl, I feel like we're losing. The killer’s out there, and we have no way to stop him. What if I’m the next target?”

Sophia leaned in, her tone firm but comforting. “We’ll protect you, Luna. I’m not just talking about the case—I’m talking about you. We’ll figure this out. We’re building a strategy to catch him, but we need to stay ahead of him. He’s dangerous, and we can’t afford any missteps.”

Luna nodded, trying to push her fear aside. “I just want to do more. I don’t want to sit back while he keeps hurting people.”

Sophia met her gaze. “And you will. We’re going to need your help, but right now, your safety is the priority. You need to trust me when I say we’re doing everything in our power to bring this to an end.”

Luna felt a small sense of relief, but a knot still twisted in her stomach. She wanted to believe that this nightmare would be over soon, but the weight of her brother’s controlling nature and the fear that the killer was always one step ahead made it hard to hold on to hope.

Just as she was about to speak again, Sophia’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen before answering.

“Sophia Green,” she said, her voice steady but a flash of concern crossed her face as she listened.

Luna watched, sensing the shift in Sophia’s demeanor as she quickly nodded and excused herself from the conversation.

“I’m sorry, Luna. Something urgent just came up. I have to go,” Sophia said, standing up.

Luna stood as well, her brow furrowing with concern. “What’s going on? Is it about the case?”

Sophia’s face remained composed, but Luna could see the tension in her eyes. “I can’t explain everything right now, but I’ll be in touch. Just stay safe, alright?”

Luna nodded, still unsure of what was happening, but knowing better than to press further.

Sophia pulled her coat on and left the café in a hurry, her phone still pressed to her ear as she disappeared into the crowd outside. Luna sat back down, a sense of unease settling over her.

Something was about to change. And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.

At the police station, the atmosphere was tense. Officers moved briskly between desks, papers in hand, their voices hushed. Sophia Green sat at her desk, her focus split between the reports in front of her and the growing pressure to make progress on the case.

The hum of activity came to an abrupt halt when a courier entered the station, wheeling in a large cardboard box on a dolly. The box was sealed tightly with tape, its surface marked with no labels or identifying information other than the words: "For Your Eyes Only."

“Who sent that?” one officer asked, his voice tinged with unease.

“No idea,” the courier replied. “It was just left at the depot this morning. No sender information.”

The box was placed in the center of the room, drawing curious but cautious glances from the officers.

“Do we open it?” another officer asked hesitantly.

Sophia stood from her desk, her instincts immediately on high alert. “Don’t touch it,” she ordered, her voice cutting through the murmurs.

She approached the box, her expression guarded. The size and weight of it suggested something more sinister than a routine delivery. The faint metallic scent wafting from it only confirmed her suspicion.

“Get the bomb squad,” Sophia instructed, stepping back.

As the room cleared, the tension was palpable. Officers exchanged uneasy glances, and the air grew thick with a mix of dread and curiosity.

Minutes felt like hours as the bomb squad arrived and assessed the package. They worked meticulously, carefully cutting through the tape and opening the flaps.

The room fell silent as the contents were revealed. Inside the box was a smaller, bloodstained black bag. The unmistakable smell of decay hit them all at once, and a few officers recoiled.

Sophia stepped closer, her stomach twisting as she stared at the ominous package within. The bomb squad opened the bag, and the grisly discovery inside sent a collective chill through the room.

It was Mira Williams.

Her body was wrapped tightly, her face pale and lifeless. The gruesome detail that stood out was the empty sockets where her eyes should have been.

Sophia’s heart sank as she took in the scene. This wasn’t just a murder—it was a message. The killer was taunting them, showing them just how far ahead he was.

She clenched her fists, the weight of the case pressing down harder than ever. This time, it wasn’t just about catching a murderer—it was about stopping a monster who thrived on their helplessness.