Chapter Text
No matter how many times the detective looked over their list, another name never appeared to postpone the very last that they’ve dreaded so much.
It is possible that the infamous killer wasn’t in the list at all. It was also possible that they were. Highly possible, even. The detective was never known for error, but they were also known to make doubly sure of everything.
The detective only sighed in defeat, folding the little paper and stuffing it in their pocket before fishing out some cash to pay the taxi. They expected it to be a long drive as well, or at least require more than one trip. Either way, it was going to be much more tense than comfortable.
The next few minutes were almost as if they weren’t in control of their own body, their thoughts occupied elsewhere as they put on a coat, called a taxi and ignored the driver’s hesitation before he finally released the brake. The detective wouldn’t call this focused, neither would they call it distracted.
They were reviewing every note in their head and every comment attached to it. Every single piece of information they could recall was analyzed over and over to the point that they doubted if they even remembered correctly. They might not have been blessed with a photographic memory but the crime scenes were burnt into their memory like no other.
This killer didn’t hide; they taunted.
It was a series of murders, so far listed as seven different incidents and twenty three dead in the span of three weeks, beginning on the first of July.
The victims didn’t have too many similarities besides residing close to McDonald’s but always opted for houses. It was likely easier to clean up that way, but the McDonald’s on its own was baffling enough to be doubted and written off as coincidental.
Regardless of the amount of victims, corresponding to who were in the house at the time, their blood was always ink for messages on the walls. Granted, the killer tried to have some sort of good handwriting, even using thick paintbrushes and cursive but the blood seemed to drip too quickly and cause some unintentional extra horror.
“For old”
“Time’s sake”
“And the new”
“Ones too”
“Lovee you <3”
“Very very much”
“Remember that”
The detective didn’t count the little “Sorry” written right underneath the typo of the fourth one.
Other than that, the detective didn’t immediately point to themself as to who’d be audience. But with the last murder, it seemed to be clearer and clearer that it was directed at them. None of the victims had anything to do with each other in any way.
It wasn’t vengeance, it was invitation.
At least, that’s what they assumed. A short list of suspects was pulled together from typical sources but they never quite seemed to fit in perfectly, except the name they hated to see on there. It was a long shot but they couldn’t rule them out entirely. They hoped, for once, that they were wrong.
The taxi stopped eventually and the detective had to step off as the driver was less than keen on staying any more than necessary in the most quiet part of the city.
In a dead corner of a city stood a popcorn stand, where no one would dare pass by in fear for their own lives. Between the grays were the very occasional pops of color, but none stayed long enough. Especially since the popcorn stand only opened at night.
It wasn’t necessarily haunted but the deafening silence apart from the occasional ring of a bell was enough to drive anyone away. It wasn’t a calming quiet, it was unwelcoming.
The detective did not dread the place for its silence and refusal to harbor life even as small as pigeons or rats. No, they dreaded it for who they knew they’d meet. Not only because they were a killer but more of a truth they didn’t want to face.
They reached into their pocket to listen to some music to pass the time however the complete lack of signal in the corner came across more as warning than inconvenience. While the idea of listening to music was tempting, especially since a few songs were downloaded alongside maybe a podcast episode or two, it would be unwise to listen to music while listening for something else that they weren’t even sure existed.
Every hour, a bell would ring. At least, that’s the rumors that’d go around. The detective wasn’t too fond of rumors or guesses but smoke had to have a flame, far off as it may seem. If a bell did ring, the detective would have a much easier time looking for the suspect since no one else seemed to enjoy coming here.
The detective continued to look around at the empty sights, searching for any sign of life as not even the wind tried to pass through. Not even graffiti stained the cement walls which was odd, considering how old the place was, but maybe they weren’t looking hard enough or maybe it just wasn’t in this part of the city.
Ring ring!
The detective stopped in their tracks to listen closer.
Ring ring!
There it goes again. They sprinted to the sound, wherever it came from and thanked whoever discovered caffeine.
Ring ring!
Right there! They nearly slid to a stop, almost hitting a conveniently placed stop sign to see a red and white little popcorn stand and the vendor behind it, ringing a silver bell.
The detective anxiously shifted their ring boasted no value beyond sentimental.
The popcorn vendor smiled ear to ear as their favorite customer walked into view, so giddy that they could barely control themselves. The detective might even argue that her teeth were a bit too sharp, but it could barely be seen. The rest of the uniform, hat, suit and all, were likely reason as to why this place was dead.
“Detective, detective! My favorite little detective! Might I interest you in today’s deals?”
“I’m sorry, I need to ask-“
The vendor shoved a paper right in their face. “Here’s our popcorn selection!”
The detective took the paper and sighed. “Hubby, please-“
The vendor cut them off by shoving popcorn in their face.
A scribbled on paper showed the following:
Today’s special specials!
Salt
Miasma
Instant Noodles
Glitter
Salted Caramel
Crystal Dust
Vodka
Jueyun Chili
Corn
Cyanide
Air