The newsroom was a hive of frantic energy, every desk buzzing with barely restrained chaos as phones rang off the hook, keyboards clattered, and voices rose in a cacophony of excitement, panic, and disbelief.
"—confirmed, I need it confirmed before we go live! Did you get the statement from the police?!"
"Are we airing the footage or not? Legal's already having a meltdown over it!"
"Someone find out where the hell the Chief is—this is blowing up fast, and we need a comment now!"
The walls seemed to tremble with the sheer force of the turmoil inside. The fluorescent lights above flickered, casting erratic shadows across the room as if the building itself was reeling from the news that had just shattered any semblance of normalcy.
Megan Cole, co-anchor for the Evening Chronicle, stood at the edge of the newsroom, phone pressed to her ear as she listened to the caller on the other end, her usually composed face twisted into utter shock. She could barely make out the words, but the name kept echoing in her mind like a curse, a ghost from the past resurrected to haunt them all.
Thanatos.
She lowered the phone, her hands trembling, and turned to her producer. "Where's Lilith? Get the cameras ready," she said, voice tight and breathless. "We're going live. Now."
"Lilith's not here yet!"
"Forget her. Roll the cameras now! We're going live!"
"But Megan, we're not supposed to...."
"Now, Kate. Get everyone ready." Megan's gaze was fierce, unrelenting. "This is going to change everything."
In seconds, the red light blinked on, and Megan took her place in front of the camera, staring directly into the lens as if she could see every terrified face watching from behind their screens.
"Good evening," she began, her voice steady despite the maelstrom raging inside her. "Tonight, we bring you breaking news that has sent shockwaves through the city and beyond. The recent string of brutal murders that have left the community in a state of fear and confusion have been confirmed to be the work of a single individual. But this isn't just any killer."
She paused, letting the tension hang in the air, the silence electric. The entire newsroom seemed to hold its breath as Megan continued, each word falling like a stone into a pond, sending ripples of dread through the hearts of everyone listening.
"We have received an official statement from law enforcement: the person responsible for these killings is not only a serial killer but a copycat of one of the most infamous murderers in recent history—Thanatos."
Gasps and murmurs filled the newsroom, the camera operators exchanging uneasy glances, but Megan pushed on, her eyes never wavering from the camera.
"Yes, you heard correctly. The individual replicating these heinous crimes is mimicking the exact methods of Thanatos, the serial killer whose reign of terror gripped the nation for years, just months ago and left an indelible scar on the fabric of our society. This new perpetrator has managed to replicate Thanatos' gruesome techniques with a chilling level of accuracy, right down to the brutal patterns of mutilation and the selection of victims."
She swallowed, the gravity of what she was saying settling heavily on her shoulders. "What this means is that we are not just facing a string of isolated murders. We are facing the rebirth of a terror we thought had ended. This copycat has already claimed four lives, and our sources believe they are only just getting started."
The newsroom's chaos only intensified as more information trickled in. Reporters scrambled to verify sources, producers shouted directives, and screens flashed with updates. Across the city, every television set, every mobile screen, and every radio station broadcasted the same terrifying message: Thanatos was back. Or at least, something just as bad.
"Holy shit," one of the junior reporters muttered, staring at his screen in disbelief. "It's already trending worldwide '#ThanatosReturns.' Look at these comments. People are losing it."
Another reporter, pale and sweating, leaned over. "The international networks are picking it up too. It's everywhere, Europe, Asia, the Middle East. No one thought... God, I thought we'd moved past this."
"Doesn't matter," someone else muttered grimly, "He's back in our heads now. The Boogeyman's back."
Megan turned her attention back to the camera, her voice, steady amidst the chaos. "We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available, but for now, all we can say is this: be vigilant. Be aware. And above all, be careful."
The red light on the camera switched off, and Megan let out a shaky breath, rubbing at her temples. The room erupted in noise.
"Did you see that feed from Channel 9?" someone shouted. "They're saying the FBI is already assigned to the case—"
"No shit, of course they are! It's Thanatos—"
"But it's not really Thanatos, right? It's just a—"
"Copycat, yeah, but look at what they've done! It's like déjà vu—"
"Shut up, everyone, just shut up!" The editor-in-chief, a stout man with a voice like a bullhorn, stood at the center of the chaos, his face flushed red. "We need focus right now. This story is blowing up, and if we don't get ahead of it, we'll lose control of the narrative. Find sources, get statements, confirm every damn detail, and," He turned, pointing a finger at Megan. "Megan, I want you and Lilith, as soon as she gets here, on every segment about this. You both are the face of our network. Don't let anyone else break this story better than we do. Got it?"
Megan nodded, but her mind was already racing ahead. She could feel it, the shift, the pulse of the city's fear, the way everything was trembling on the edge of something worse. It was the same feeling she remembered from months ago, back when Thanatos had been more than just a name whispered in the dark.
*************
Lilith sat in the cramped press room, her fingers dancing over the keyboard like a pianist immersed in a captivating performance. The moment she caught the live segment her co-host, Megan, had delivered, she made a beeline for the police press conference, her instincts kicking into high gear, waiting for Megan to join her.
The glow of the monitors cast a warm light on her determined features, accentuating the tousled strands of copper hair that framed her face, each wild lock telling a story of her hasty arrival. Even in her slightly disheveled state, she radiated a breathtaking beauty, embodying a stunningly chaotic allure that drew the eyes of everyone in the room. Her fierce focus only enhanced her striking presence, a testament to the passion that drove her pursuit of the truth.
Headlines flickered on the screen, each one more alarming than the last: "Serial Killer Returns! Deaths Linked to Infamous Thanatos" and "Panic Grips City as Bodies Pile Up!"
She sat surrounded by a sea of reporters, each one vying for the best angle. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and anxiety, whispers ricocheting off the walls like stray bullets. "Did you hear? They found another body last night!"
Lilith focused on the podium at the front, where a police officer adjusted the microphone. The crowd fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming," the officer began, his voice steady but strained. "As you know, we are facing a troubling situation. We've confirmed that the recent murders are indeed connected, and we believe we are dealing with a copycat killer inspired by the infamous Thanatos."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. This individual appears to be targeting women in particular, and we want to ensure everyone is safe."
Lilith's stomach churned. Targeting women? She caught sight of a fellow reporter shaking his head in disbelief, his eyes wide with fear.
"What kind of monster would do this?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking the words aloud might summon the creature itself.
The officer stepped forward, attempting to instill some semblance of calm. "We do have a lead, so we don't want everyone to live in fear. We're getting closer, and we will find the monster responsible for this."
But the reassurance fell flat as a chorus of questions erupted from the gathered reporters, voices overlapping in a frantic crescendo: "The police have a lead, is that true?" "Can you tell us what it is?" "Do you have any idea who the culprit might be?" "Is this person connected to Thanatos himself?" "Did you really catch Thanatos already? What if this is him?"
At that last question, a suffocating silence enveloped the room, the weight of the suggestion sending chills through the crowd, as if the very air had thickened with dread. The officer hastened to dismiss the notion, asserting that Thanatos had already been apprehended, yet Lilith could see the flicker of doubt igniting in the eyes of her fellow reporters. It was a spark of panic that hinted at the impending frenzy of their articles. Everyone was poised to unleash a torrent of sensational headlines that would grip the public and fan the flames of fear, their minds already racing to craft stories that would echo the disaster unfolding before them.
The officer continued, outlining safety measures and encouraging the public to stay indoors at night. But the words faded into the background as everyone had different thoughts in their mind.
When the press conference ended, Lilith hurried outside. Reporters clustered around, frantically sharing information and speculating about the identity of the killer. News vans lined the street, lights flashing as they broadcast the chaos live.
"Lilith!" a voice called, cutting through the din. She turned to see Jaxon, his expression a mix of concern and urgency. "Have you seen the latest? People are freaking out. It's all over social media."
As a detective, Jaxon was no stranger to chaos, but even he appeared momentarily rattled. Dressed in a sleek black leather jacket that hugged his sculpted frame and fitted black jeans that emphasized his athletic build, he embodied a striking contrast to the law he enforced. His dark hair tousled just enough to suggest a reckless charm, and his light brown eyes sparkled with a captivating intensity, drawing in anyone who dared to meet his gaze.
With an aura that blended danger and charm, it was no wonder he earned the title of a certified playboy; he looked every bit the bad boy, a walking enigma amid the serious nature of his profession.
"I know," Lilith replied, her voice tight but playful. "Dimitri is in charge of the case, and he's going to need our help. Even if his dumbass doesn't realize it yet. You know how he is; he's always trying to play the lone wolf. Maybe we should send him a 'Get Your Act Together' gift basket." She flashed a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'll throw in some of those stress balls shaped like tiny dicks!"
Jaxon chuckled, his brown eyes glinting with amusement. "Maybe he just needs head; that always helps me destress and make better decisions."
Lilith rolled her eyes, a smirk dancing on her lips. "You'd think you were running a brothel instead of solving crimes, Jaxon. But hey, if that's your strategy for making the world safer, who am I to judge?"
"Just trying to keep things interesting," he shot back, his grin widening. "And if you ever want to join the ranks of my 'stress relief squad,' I could always use a partner in crime."
She raised an eyebrow, her playful tone unwavering. "Only if I get a better pay grade than what you're offering. And I'm not sure I want to share the spotlight with your leather jacket."
Jaxon hesitated, the teasing atmosphere between them shifting as his expression grew serious. "Lilith, there's something I need to tell you. About Dimitri."
"What is it?" she asked, sensing the weight of his words.
He glanced around, ensuring no one was listening. "Dimitri and I have been having issues lately. I think I finally figured out why, he was more stressed out because it was Thanatos' copycat killer."
His nervous rambling took over as he continued, "I didn't even know it was a serial killer. Fuck! He probably suspects me. I just couldn't mention anything because it had to do with a secret case I was on. What if he's pissed, and honestly, I can't blame him. I guess I could let him take a swing at me—just one, though. But right on my precious face? That might be pushing it. What if... "
Lilith cut him off, arching an eyebrow as she crossed her arms. "Calm down! You're rambling! What do you mean, why would he suspect you?"
"I hid something from him. Something about Lydia." Jaxon's voice dropped to a whisper; his guilt obvious. "She was one of the victims and was involved in the case I was handling. I didn't tell him anything because I wanted to protect him from the people I was dealing with. I thought it was for the best at the time, but now..." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration boiling beneath the surface.
Lilith felt her heart sink. "You need to talk to him, Jaxon. If Dimitri is already stressed from this case, keeping secrets will only make things worse."
"I know," he replied, his expression tormented.
With a final nod of understanding, they parted ways, each swallowed by their own thoughts. As Lilith stepped into the night, her phone buzzed with alerts, news feeds lighting up with breaking stories.
With every headline, the tension escalated, and the stage was set for the storm that was about to erupt.