March 9 2022
Word: circle
"The number of murder cases continues to rise throughout the world, showing no signs of stopping any time soon," the reporter in the local news program said. A line chart appeared transitioning from the reporter revealing the amount of casualties in various countries which involved homicide. "Just what is happening in our society today?"
Pressing my fingertips on my temples, the sight of various documents scattered around my work table overwhelmed me. Statistics of the deaths, written testimonies of witnesses and victims, puzzling confessions from the suspects, and pictures of the crime scenes and evidence. It kept piling up each passing day..
"Is it because of the violence portrayed in video games being a bad influence to the youth?" How absurd. "Is it a movement executed by an underground organization hoping to disrupt the world's harmony?" Debatable. "Or is it something else entirely?"
Curiosity killed the cat as I turned my seat towards the television screen. Posts in social media covered the screen containing a similar message: It was done by the devil. Two reporters returned to the screen wearing confident smiles. "Many claimed to have experienced a supernatural phenomenon, catching a glimpse of the silhouette of the devil as they lost control of their body." the female reporter said. "They speculated that the personification of evil was the mastermind behind the genocide."
The male reporter chuckled, followed by the female reporter. "The people on the internet are full of imagination," he mocked. "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Many publish false information because they want the attention."
"I mean it's understandable. Even I get giddy when my photo gets to a thousand likes—" before the female reporter finished her sentence, with a press of a button the television closed.
Just when I thought they would finally accept the public's opinion, I thought.
Reviewing the background of the suspects revealed their unpleasant lives, which further suggested they deliberately committed bloodshed. However, there is more than meets the surface.
"It was the work of the devil," the people say. The statement is the most plausible answer to the mass killings happening all over the world given the lack of evidence for most of the possible answers presented earlier on the news. When authorities first arrived at the crime scenes, they would find the suspects shivering in fear while surrounded by expired bodies; oftentimes the suspects also cough up vomit. "I lost control over my body," the suspects pleaded, wearing an anxious expression with desperate eyes.
It was the work of the devil. It sounded illogical at first, though it would tarnish my reputation, it was enough evidence to present to the authorities. However, they rejected my insight and decided to chase loose ends, dropping me out of the investigation. Unbelievable.
There might be a drug that amplifies negative emotions? Even so, the drug tests came out negative!
They might be acting oblivious? There are footages of the unremorseful nature and cynical expression of the suspects during the attacks, and footages of their guilt-ridden nature and dumbfounded expression during the interrogation process. The authorities might believe it was caused by a mental disability, but it cannot be a coincidence that ALL of them had it!
They might be part of an organization? A simple background check would answer this dumb question!
A shiver went down my spine as the cold breeze went past me. Blowing into my hands, the temporary warmth comforted my unsettled mind. Turning off the air conditioner with a remote, I expected the cold air to gradually dissipate throughout the room. Yet, the same cold breeze hit my face. The intense piercing wind enveloped around me, restricting my movement. Like trapped inside frozen ice, I could not move an inch. What is happening? I asked myself
"Don't you want to prove them wrong?" a sinister voice whispered in my ear.
Like a puppet controlled by an elusive puppeteer, my hand moved on its own and grabbed onto the handle of the drawer under my work table. Despite attempting to retrieve the control over my arm by tightening my muscles, the drawer opened itself. Buried underneath folders of documents was a 9mm pistol used for self defense. Beside it were boxes of 9mm rounds. Forced to grab everything inside, my head processed the situation. The devil, I thought.
"Won't it be wonderful for the world to see your face?" the voice whispered once again.
My body continued to move on its own. Raising from my seat, I limped towards the office door with a gun in hand. Squeezing my muscles ever so slightly decelerated the rate I was walking.
"Your name would spread all over the globe," the voice said.
A reflection caught my attention. Reflecting on the window of the office door was bloodshot eyes glaring into my soul, furrowed eyebrows furious like a beast, and teeth grinding into each other.
"Accept your true self," the devil's words echoed throughout my head.
Everything went dark. However, I could still feel everything else: The deep humming sound of the fluorescent lights, the smell of roasted coffee beans, the mysterious weight weighing down my body, and the taste of the leftover sandwich pieces stuck between my teeth. The creaking of the door perked my ears, the sensation of the doorknob, and the feeling of my feet stepping outside the door— I could still feel everything.
In an impulse, I forced my arm to move towards me. The sound of the door slamming shut bounced around the office. Because of the loud noise, my vision returned, stumbling upon my reflection. I wore a bewildered expression, opening my jaw in disbelief.
"I am not who you think I am," I said, glaring into my reflection.
I forced my arms to move once again, whipping my arm to point the pistol on my temple. A cracking sound ringed in my ears, stimulating my pain receptors. Pain, fame, glory— nothing matters to me anymore. What matters to me at this moment is the hope to save thousands of lives.
I won't let the devil take control of me.
I won't let the devil take the lives of many.
I won't let the devil decide for my future.
This is who I am; a detective who is willing to tarnish everything for the sake of the people.
"This is who I am,"
Click