It was a cold night, unlike the previous nights. The strong night wind and deserted streets added to the eerie silence. The silence was broken by the sound of someone shouting, making him stumble a little, but not fall. He quickly pulled the bike over, looked for a safe place, and parked it.
Edelyn, that was the girl's name.
She walked down the street with deep curiosity, her eyes absorbing the nighttime atmosphere with various emotions. In front of her, there was an alley that could only be passed by a two-wheeled vehicle. As she got closer, the scream became more and more clear.
It was the same scream he had heard before, but this time it was not alone; there was some laughter, indicating the presence of more than two people. Upon reaching a dead end, she found a woman surrounded by two men.
Edelyn clenched her fists, her eyes reflecting a deep anger. Without hesitation, she ran forward and lunged at one of the men, knocking him to the ground.
"Damn it! Who the hell are you!" the dark-haired man shouted.
"Stay out of this, asshole!" The blonde-haired man who witnessed his friend being knocked down did not take it well and returned to attack Edelyn, which Edelyn had unfortunately anticipated.
A fierce battle ensued, with the blonde man seemingly overwhelmed by Edelyn. She was beaten mercilessly, to the point where it looked like she couldn't take it anymore.
Edelyn looked like she was possessed, not caring about the blonde man's condition. Not satisfied, she once again lunged at the dark-haired man, who looked terrified.
The woman exuded ferocity as she grabbed the dark-haired man's shirt collar. A smile graced her face, but it was not a sweet smile; it was a smile that instilled fear in the man.
With a knife-sharp gaze and lips that curved into a sinister smile, it seemed to be a smile capable of taking the man straight to hell.
Bugh!
One punch sent the dark-haired man flying. His face was disfigured, covered in bruises and cuts. Dealing with Edelyn had been their big mistake. If only they had given up and left, perhaps their lives could still be saved.
Edelyn glanced at her defeated opponent, a cynical expression on her face. She had already forgotten how many times they had fallen. Tcih, so weak!
She then crouched down, inspecting the artistic results on their faces. The bruises and blood splatters presented a gruesome yet beautiful sight to Edelyn.
"On the verge of death, huh?" sneered Edelyn. She stared at the dark-haired man with her eyes closed and muttered. What was he doing?
Edelyn pulled the man's hair closer, then whispered a few words before throwing him onto the road. "God is too busy to grant the requests of unbelievers like you!"
Edelyn tapped her hands to clear the dust, then turned towards the woman sitting with her hands covering her face. It was obvious that the woman was crying in fear, as her shoulders were shaking. Without hesitation, Edelyn approached, positioning her body in a squatting position in front of the woman.
"Calm down, okay. Everything is safe." Her words were met with a warm embrace from the woman.
Edelyn glanced at her defeated opponent, a sardonic expression on her face. She had already forgotten how many times they had fallen. Tcih, so weak!
She then crouched down, inspecting the artistic results on their faces. The bruises and blood splatters presented a gruesome yet beautiful sight to Edelyn.
"On the verge of death, huh?" sneered Edelyn, seeing the black-haired man close his eyes with his mouth twitching. Edelyn stared at the black-haired man with her eyes closed and muttered. What was he doing?
Edelyn pulled the man's hair closer, then whispered a few words before throwing him onto the street. "God is too busy to grant the wish of an unbeliever like you!"
Edelyn patted her hands to clear the dust, then turned towards the woman sitting with her hands covering her face. It was obvious that the woman was crying in fear, as her shoulders were shaking. Without hesitation, Edelyn approached, positioning her body in a squatting position in front of the woman.
"Calm down, okay. Everything is safe." Her words were met with a warm hug from the woman.
"Hey, calm down. You're safe," Edelyn rubbed the woman's back gently, her words so soft that they soothed the cries of the woman in front of her.
"Thank you, for saving me." The woman released her embrace, she looked at Edelyn with a meaningful gaze. It was conceivable that if Edelyn was not here, the woman could have died being harassed by those barbaric men.
Smiling, Edelyn pulled the woman's hand to help her up. The woman who was only as tall as her shoulder seemed to smile faintly.
"It's getting late, go home."
"Um..."
"Why?" asked Edelyn frowning. There was no way this woman didn't know the way home, right?
"Can you drive me? I don't have any money, and I don't have my cell phone with me."
Edelyn nodded, at least she knew the way home.
"Come with me," Edelyn invited then waltzed away.
Berlin at midnight, so quiet and still. There was no sound except for the wind and the roar of car engines passing by in the distance. Edelyn sat on her motorbike waiting for a woman who was in a public restroom. She had offered to accompany the woman, but the woman had refused, saying that the distance between the motorbike and the restroom was close enough that she could see it.
Edelyn scanned her surroundings carefully, especially around the restroom. She reached for her phone when a notification popped up.
"Stale," she muttered. "All that has happened, the serial killings, the crimes, the betrayals... it all feels like a dream. What makes them do this? What makes them thirst for women and power?" she continued silently.
She still didn't understand why women had to endure all this. Why were they victimized? Her memory swirled as she recalled painful memories. Seeing women cornered, blamed, even blamed for the abuse they experienced, those were painful memories for her.
So it was no wonder that she was furious when she caught the incident. This was not the first time she had been in a situation like this. She had experienced it many times. She had even almost killed someone for almost molesting her best friend.
"Ah, I thought you'd gone home." Edelyn's daydream shattered at the sound of the small voice, causing her to whip her head around.
"What took you so long? I was about to come find you," Edelyn asked, met by the woman's wide grin. The woman's face and body looked better, the remnants of tears wiped away.
"I cleaned up, sorry for the wait." Edelyn nodded. "Hop on," she said, revving her trusty motorcycle.
The woman stood there for an uncomfortably long time, raising Edel's annoyance. What did she want, exactly?
"Hop on, I'll give you a ride," Edelyn repeated.
Fiddling with the hem of her shirt, the woman met Edelyn's gaze with a loaded look. "What's wrong?" Edelyn purred.
"I can't ride," she replied softly.
Edelyn should have noticed the woman's attire - a knee-length skirt with long sleeves - but she hadn't. Sighing, she dismounted, peeling off her leather jacket and tying it around the woman's stiff waist.
"Ready? Let's go home."
"But you! Your clothes are... so thin."
Oh god, this was Edelyn's first encounter with such a high-maintenance woman. A wry smile was all she could muster in response.
"Get on or I'll stay!"
And just like that, the woman hopped on, wrapping her arms tightly around Edelyn from behind. Before Edelyn could protest, the woman whispered, "I've never been on a bike this high, I'm scared. Please take care of me, okay?"
Edelyn could only nod, vaguely charmed by the woman's naivety. Starting the engine, she rode slowly, feeling the woman's hold tighten on her back. Edelyn knew this woman needed her, and that was enough, for now.
After pulling over her motorcycle, Edelyn fumbled in her pocket and turned on her phone, which she had previously turned off. It was already one in the morning, and there was no way she was going home tonight. Her gaze settled on a minimalist two-story house that exuded an eerie quiet.
A three-meter-tall iron gate, secured by Edelyn's own smartlock system, stood sentinel. Her fingers danced across the keypad, followed by a swift press of her index finger on the fingerprint sensor that was mounted in front of the gate. A moment later, a small green light in the distance lit up, signaling that her identity had been verified.
Before opening the gate, she turned around warily, afraid that someone was watching her. Once she felt safe, she swung the gate open and pushed her motorcycle into the detached garage. When the motorcycle was in its place, she walked towards the gate, again observing the desolate landscape that looked deserted. Only streetlights illuminated the area, as there were very few buildings in this area.
Edelyn stepped towards the entrance of the house, again touching the fingerprint sensor to open the front door. As soon as the door opened, the light from inside greeted her. This house was not just a house; it was her base camp. Los Antrax, the gang she had created five years ago with her four best friends, thrived within these walls.
Tonight Edelyn did not intend to sleep, she chose to take a shower and then analyze a case that had been discussed by her gang. After finishing cleaning up, Edelyn only wore a tanktop like the one she wore to go home.
The sound of the phone made Edelyn switch, she walked across her bed to reach for the cell phone. Pressing the phone icon then swiped it to receive the call.
"What?" asked Edelyn.
"I thought you were asleep."
"Why?"
"I miss Michel."
Edelyn looked pensive, she had lost contact with her best friend named Michel for a week. According to the people who live around her house, Michel and her family went to visit her grandmother who was seriously ill. But why can't she be contacted until now?
"Ed? Did you hear my voice?"
"Ed!"
Edelyn jumped in surprise and put her cell phone away. Bianca's booming voice was dangerous to her tiny ears.
"You didn't sleep did you? EDELYN!"
"Bianca you're so noisy. Yes, I'm not sleeping, I'm here,"
"Hehehe, sorry."
"Why are you suddenly asking this? Did you get the news?" asked Edelyn curiously.
"I feel like something is wrong. It's unusual for him to leave without talking to us, and until now there's been no word from him."
Edelyn said yes, she also felt that something was suspicious. But she couldn't find the slightest trace of Michel, she could only believe that Michel was fine.
"Michel must be fine, Bianca. Let's just think positively, and wait for him to come home."
Edelyn's soothing words made Bianca feel a little better.
Her worries were slightly relieved by Edelyn's soothing words.
"Thank you, Ed. I was just worried what was wrong with her.
By the way, why aren't you sleeping yet?"
"I was at the headquarters." Before Bianca could ask, Edelyn spoke again. "I was helping a girl, then I dropped her off so I came home at this hour. Instead of fighting with my grandmother at home, I came straight here."
She continued.
Bianca said, "Alright, I'm going to bed first. There's a morning class tomorrow, you can't be late!"
Edelyn said yes and then the phone call ended.
Edelyn went to the nightstand not far from where she was standing, she pulled the edge of the nightstand open. "Bloody Roses" was the book Edelyn always used to analyze every murder in Berlin. This book had been around for four years, precisely when she and Los Antrax decided to change their mission into a predator extermination gang.
Page by page Edelyn opened, she sat herself on the edge of the bed then her eyes refocused on each sheet of the book. This book can be said to be quite complete, because Edelyn added profiles of the victims, murder patterns, forensic investigations and evidence, as well as motives that might be the reason for the perpetrators to kill.
If examined, eighty percent of the perpetrators of the cases Edelyn wrote about were unknown. The rest are perpetrators of murder motivated by jealousy or arguments that lead to murder. Other cases are abuse and human organ trafficking, where the perpetrators are still unknown.
Feeling dizzy with this, Edelyn put the book down beside her. She then reached for the television remote and turned it on. The television broadcasts in the morning were not diverse, mostly the evening news or romantic movies which she did not want to watch at all. So, she chose to watch the news on one of her favorite television channels.
"Found lifeless, unidentified woman adds to a new list of murder cases in Jakarta. Police found fragments of a used tin can suspected to be the murder weapon, evident from the large laceration on the neck. Further investigation will be conducted after the autopsy is completed."
Edelyn's hand gripped the television remote tightly. Her sharp eyes continued to watch the screen.
The reporter continued, "This case adds to the long list of similar cases that have occurred recently. The police suspect a link between these cases and are conducting intensive investigations. The public is urged to remain vigilant and immediately report anything suspicious to the authorities."
As the reporter reported this news, Edelyn's eyes never left the screen in front of her. She had a strange feeling when she heard this. Fear, worry, anger, all rolled into one. Her mind was not at ease, especially when the reporter talked a little about the recent murder cases. Every word that was spoken made Edelyn's heart and mind sway in a wave of erratic emotions.
This news made her scared and worried at the same time. Fearful that the killer would not be caught and that those closest to her would be the next targets. The fear ruled her mind, creeping into her every thought.
In the silence that filled the room, Edelyn decided to make a move. She walked to the balcony with her mobile phone in hand, forgetting about the reporters who continued to report on the next case. She leaned her body against the balcony divider, her back to the moonlight that looked so soothing.
On the quiet and lonely balcony, her thoughts flew far away, trapped deep in her reverie of fear and worry. Currently, Edelyn's focus was on one object. She had been trying to dismiss it, but the more she dismissed it, the more the worry and fear grew until the ringing of the phone broke her reverie.
"Bianca Marquez" was the name on the call notification.
She wondered to herself. Why was Bianca calling her again? Isn't that strange woman already asleep?
Not wanting to make Bianca wait, Edelyn then swiped the icon to receive the call until a voice was heard.
"Ed...."
Bianca's voice was so soft, unlike the previous calls that could damage Edelyn's ears. But this was not the Bianca she knew. She felt that Bianca was worried? Ah, or even scared, scared that really made her unable to sleep.
"What's wrong with you? Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I was going to sleep, but I haven't finished my assignment yet. I ended up doing my assignment while watching television, and the one I chose was a newscast... I was watching-"
"The news about the murder with the tin can splinter?" interrupted Edelyn. Bianca was silent for a moment, as Edelyn could tell she was surprised by Edelyn's revelation.
"How did you know?" asked Bianca in a high voice, she was really surprised.
"I was watching. Why?"
"I have a really bad feeling. This doesn't feel like a case I'm used to hearing about. You know what? At the end the reporter said that the victim was found in a new housing complex near Luminary University!"
Edelyn was petrified silent when she heard the information from Bianca. The news that the murder was found in the new housing complex made her really uneasy. Blame herself for missing this important information, not even listening to the news thoroughly.
"Ed... you still hear me, right? The police suspect that the victim was a student from Luminary University because not far from the scene, there was a tear of Lum-U's almamater logo," Bianca said.
Luminary University, a place widely known as a prestigious and luxurious university. Many from the upper class are denied entry to Lum-U, because it is very difficult to enter. And Edelyn and the Los Anthrax managed to break through the walls of the Luminary University barrier.
"You know what, Ed? When I heard this news, I thought of one person."
"I think of Michel...."
And the things that Edelyn dismissed were finally said by Bianca.
Michel always haunted her mind, precisely since she and Los Antrax lost communication with Michel. They had searched every corner of the city, trying to contact his family, but Kinan remained unreachable. In her heart, Edelyn asked, why did Michel leave? Is he okay? Was he in danger? These questions haunted her.
Edelyn and Los Antrax have formed a strong bond with Michel since five years ago, when they accidentally helped a middle-aged woman who was being harassed by thugs. Many moments have been shared during this time, facing many things together, dangers and obstacles are not a barrier for them to fight for justice for women. However, since recent times, Kinan disappeared without a trace.
"Ed? You heard me, right?" Bianca's voice again broke his reverie. He took a breath to neutralize the feelings in his heart.
"Yes, I heard..."
"What do you think, Ed? I'm worried about Michel. I'm afraid he's-"
"Bianca Marquez! Stop, don't think negatively. Michel is fine, trust me, okay?"
"If he was fine, he would have contacted us already, Ed!"
Edelyn closed her eyes for a moment, desperately trying to neutralize her emotions and anxiety. She just wanted to make Michel calmer.
"She must have his reasons."
"Do you really care? At a time like this, you just say she's fine, she's fine. But where's the proof, Ed?"
Bianca was really excited, her voice even rising at the end of the sentence. And because of that, Edelyn became easily provoked. She hated being yelled at.
"I'm concerned, I'm worried. But will our pessimistic thoughts, our negative thoughts about this situation lead to anything? Michel will be fine, he's strong, he's smart. Don't forget that."
Edelyn's breathing rose and fell, once again she tried not to scream. It would be a mess if she put her ego against Bianca, because it would only divide them.
Bianca was silent for a long time. She tried to think about what Edelyn had said. Bianca Patricia, a smart woman who was the strategist at Los Antrax besides Edelyn. She was very good at playing situations, even with her IT skills, Kinan was often assigned to break into something, even if it wasn't too difficult.
However, his weakness is in martial arts, his body is vulnerable and weaker than others, so Michel is often injured. Therefore, he was more often assigned to be a watchdog while the others were in action.
"Sorry, Ed."
"Go to sleep, call me after class tomorrow to go to the headquarters. We'll discuss it together, if all we have here is emotions." After Bianca agreed, Edelyn hung up the phone. She turned her body to face the beautiful moonlight.
A small smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "You must be fine, Michel. I'm sure of that!"