Chereads / Sect Master Odyssey / Chapter 7 - on the move again

Chapter 7 - on the move again

The early morning sun gently filtered through the window of Sunny's room, casting a warm glow on the modest space. A lone single bed occupied one side, neatly made, while on the opposite side, a computer setup stood adorned with a tapestry of pictures and art. Anime characters, game scenes, and musical inspirations adorned the walls, creating a vibrant collage of Sunny's diverse interests. The room breathed with a creative energy.

On the bed, Sunny reclined, arms positioned casually behind his head, and legs crossed in contemplation. His brow furrowed with evident concern, a silent echo of the troubling news that had occupied his thoughts since the previous night.

A sigh escaped him. Regret filled his thoughts, wrestling with the notion that perhaps he should have acted differently. 'Man, how much I regret. Although I know I'm overthinking a lot, I should've snitched—no, I mean, should've been an upstanding citizen and told those cops', he mused silently to himself.

Sitting up, Sunny crossed his legs and propped his chin on his resting hand. Deep in thought, he considered the improbable scenario of her coming for him. The realization that she had turned into a serial killer lingered in the air, urging him to remain vigilant.

With a brisk shake of his head, as if to dispel any lingering thoughts of her pursuit, Sunny sprung off the bed. His destination was the closet, where he contemplated various outfits, the hangers swaying with each consideration.

Ten minutes elapsed, and a silhouette emerged, gently closing the door behind. Adorned in a blue Hawaiian shirt, unbuttoned to reveal a plain white T-shirt underneath, the figure sported what some might label as baggy jeans. Completing the ensemble were blue and white sneakers, seamlessly blending with the overall laid-back yet stylish look. During the weekends, he would always get up so early because of work and that's another seemingly rightful reason according to him to quit this dreadful job.

Getting out the car, he had already arrived at the supermarket. As the automatic doors swung open, Sunny's gaze darted in anticipation. From his right, a familiar voice reached his ears, the source of his search finally revealed.

Under the gentle morning sunlight, an old man diligently arranged shopping carts. Standing at approximately 5 feet 9 inches, his head boasted sparse, silvered hair, yet his gaze held an unmistakable vigor. Despite the passage of time, his physique remained surprisingly robust. Sunny often dubbed this old man as master roshi, not only because of his robust physique despite his age but also because...

"Heya kid, you won't believe the type of magazine I found this time, goodness." The old man's face lit up with a mischievous spark, and a somewhat lewd expression crossed his features. His words burst forth, animated and rejuvenated, as if injected with chicken blood.

Yes, that's right. He was extremely pervy too.

On a weekend much like the present one, Sunny's introduction to the old man unfolded. While Sunny worked on fixing a self-checkout machine near the entrance, he overheard the spirited advice being shared. The old man, immersed in a conversation about maintaining a healthy diet even in old age, captured Sunny's admiration. The scene painted a vivid picture of mutual respect and knowledge exchange. But the solemn respect and appreciation was utterly shattered when he found out how much of a pervert this old man was! He would consistently yap about how he use to work his hips better then any dancer. Which would always earn an eye roll or a look of disdain from Sunny.

With a snort of disdain, Sunny's hand sliced through the air in dismissal."Really? You're always bragging about your stash, but we've went magazine for magazine and you're never able to best me so save it!"

As the saying went birds of a feather, flock together...

Sunny was just as much of a pervert as this old man, if not even more otherwise he wouldn't hang around him so much.

---

Elsewhere.

Beneath the dim, flickering lights of the sewage system, a mysterious figure moved with silent urgency, concealed by the inky folds of a dark trench coat. The echoes of hurried footsteps resonated against the damp walls as the elusive silhouette skillfully weaved through the labyrinthine tunnels.

Upon closer inspection this was none other then the serial killer, the mysterious being, the blond lady with a mole on her face.

Analyzing the map from the store and recalling the details shared by the cops, the mysterious entity ruminated, 'According to that map and my fruitful investigation, the house should be somewhere above here.'

A radiant purple glow emanated from beneath their feet, casting an otherworldly luminescence. With a seemingly weightless grace, they propelled themselves into the air, defying gravity. Upon touching solid ground, the figure gently lowered the manhole cover into place, their movements deliberate and practiced. Surveying the surroundings with an alert gaze.

---

Two hours ago.

Under the faint light of the emerging sun, two police officers strolled through the premises, their expressions reflecting a shared sense of seriousness. Engaged in conversation, their gestures and focused demeanor conveyed a dedicated scrutiny of the surroundings.

Frustration etched across his face, one of the officers named John sighed heavily. "Damn it, steve, why did we have to luck out like this? I can't believe we got a serial killer on the loose, and patrol landed on us so early in the morning," he grumbled, his gaze scanning the surroundings with a mix of concern and discontent.

Continuing their stroll, the officers reached a desolate alley, its gloom intensified by the early morning hour. Activating their flashlights, they directed the beams into the dim recesses. Steve retorted, "Shut it, haven't you heard of being a jinx?" The exchange unfolded in the eerie silence of the alley.

A voice, as if it had been patiently anticipating their arrival, responded, "Well, I guess it's not your lucky day, but you can't blame it on me. The jinx has already been put in place." The words echoed through the gloomy alley. Startled, the cops jolted like cats with ruffled tails, their immediate response triggered. "Who the hell was that? Show yourself!" Steve demanded, waving his flashlight frantically, the beam cutting through the darkness in an attempt to unveil the unseen presence.

From the shadows, a cloaked figure materialized, an eerie smile playing on their lips. Their body language exuded an unsettling calmness, as if the approaching cops posed no threat. With a deliberate demeanor, the figure parted their lips, uttering, "Finally, some prey has taken the bait!" Instinctively, the two vigilant cops reached for their holstered guns. Despite the cloak obscuring their features, the keen observations of the officers identified distinguishing traits—the mole on the person's face and the peeking blonde hair. Realization dawned as they discerned the identity of the recently announced serial killer standing before them.

A heavy silence descended upon the alley as the tension peaked. John, steadying his weapon, began to assert, "Put your hands up; you have the right to remain si—" Before he could complete the sentence, the mysterious entity's grin widened. With a swift crouch, their legs activated with a purple wavy color that covered their hands and their feet. Confronted by the hostile presence of the serial killer, the cops, unnerved by the eerie circumstances, reacted instinctively. Panic surged through them, and in a swift, uncoordinated response to the surreal situation, gunshots echoed through the alley. Reality twisted as the cops, in shock, witnessed the mysterious entity defy gravity. Before the bullets could reach them, the figure leaped onto the wall, moving with a grace reminiscent of a purple bolt of lightning, eluding the imminent danger with supernatural agility.In the blink of an eye, a sudden flash of purple light illuminated the scene next to John. When he turned to look, shock seized him as he beheld the gruesome sight of Steve's decapitated body. Horror and disbelief overwhelmed him, causing him to drop his weapon in utter despair at the nightmarish turn of events. With a deliberate motion, the mysterious entity extracted the aether from their body. Fixing a cold gaze on John, the flash of purple light gleamed in their pupils, intensifying the chilling confrontation in the alley.The mysterious entity extended their hand towards John, firmly gripping his neck. As he grappled to process the harrowing situation, a look of despair etched across his face. "You'll tell me everything you know, or I'll make sure you end up worse than your buddy over there," the mysterious entity declared, punctuating the sentence by pointing at John's lifeless companion. The threat lingered in the air, intensifying the atmosphere of dread in the alley.John, still being choked, nodded off absentmindedly in the overwhelming presence of the figure that embodied death. The grip loosened with his conformation. With a gentle touch, the mysterious entity caressed the right cheek of Officer John, their eyes narrowed and a subtle smile playing on their lips "good, good. now lets get to business". The eerie calmness in the midst of chaos added an unsettling layer to the encounter in the alley. Kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily, Officer John, still reeling from the encounter, watched as the mysterious entity produced a map from their trench coat. Without allowing John a moment to collect himself, the entity fired off questions rapidly. "What's the name of the chief of police?"

"Matthew," John shot back.

"Tell me where on the map he lives?"

John hesitated, torn between fear for his life and loyalty to the chief. The mysterious entity, their eyes narrowed with that faint smile, sensed his internal struggle. Swiftly, they tore a piece from John's navy blue long-sleeve shirt and forced it into his mouth, silencing any potential screams. The ominous anticipation hung heavy in the air as the entity prepared to inflict both horror and pain.

Twenty minutes later, the mysterious being in the trench coat emerged from the alley holding what looked to be one of the flashlights of the cops. Behind them, an eerie void replaced the scene where Officer John and their decapitated companion once lay. No bodies remained, as if they were nothing more than phantoms conjured by the enigmatic entity's imagination, leaving the alley shrouded in an unsettling silence.

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Back to the present.

With a sense of purpose, the mysterious being confidently approached the house at 2013 xxx Monroe Street, the residence of Matthew, the chief of police with a sense of confidence and calmness!