The thrill of the hunt had always been intoxicating, but tonight, it felt different. Karon's fingers brushed against the blade in her pocket as she strolled down the dimly lit street, the cold steel biting into her palm. Her next target was close—she could sense it, feel the familiar itch building under her skin.
Her new prey was a middle-aged man who ran an underground operation trafficking young girls. He was well-connected, with money and power to shield him from the justice system. But for Karon, he wasn't just another criminal. He represented everything vile, everything that had poisoned her past. And tonight, he would pay for it.
She spotted him in the distance, laughing with a small group of people outside a high-end club. His face was flushed from alcohol, his swagger fueled by arrogance. He didn't see her watching, lurking in the shadows as she calculated her approach. When he finally staggered down a side alley to make a phone call in private, Karon slipped through the darkness, silent as a ghost.
---
The alley was deserted, the sounds of the city muffled, creating a stillness that seemed to hang heavy in the air. The man leaned against a brick wall, muttering into his phone, oblivious to the danger closing in. Karon moved swiftly, her shadow merging with his as she approached from behind. She pressed the blade to his throat, her other hand gripping his shoulder to keep him steady.
"Do you know who I am?" she whispered, her voice a deadly calm that sent a shiver through him.
The man stammered, trying to turn, but she held him in place, her grip unyielding. She leaned close, letting her words brush against his ear like a cold wind.
"You're everything wrong with this world," she continued, her voice laced with venom. "You prey on the helpless, the innocent. And tonight, you pay."
He tried to scream, but she covered his mouth, savoring the terror in his eyes as he realized he was powerless. With one swift motion, she slashed the blade across his neck, a deep, calculated cut that sprayed blood across the brick wall. He fell to his knees, choking on his own blood, his hands clutching his throat in a futile attempt to stop the flow.
Karon watched, a cold satisfaction filling her as she observed his life drain away. She felt no remorse, only a grim sense of justice as she carved her mark onto his wrist—a deep, jagged line, a testament to the power she held over his fate. This wasn't just a kill; it was a message to herself, a reminder that she was in control, that she could shape the world with her own hands.
Before leaving, she placed a small red ribbon beside his body, a signature she'd used once before. It was a calculated risk, a taunt aimed directly at Jade, daring him to notice the pattern, to catch the game she was playing.
---
Jade received the call in the early hours of the morning. Another body had been found, another brutal scene left behind. He arrived at the alley to find the usual collection of detectives and forensic teams, their faces pale as they examined the grisly sight. The victim's throat had been slashed, his face twisted in terror, and on his wrist was the same haunting mark he'd seen before.
But what struck him was the red ribbon, a stark contrast against the dark, blood-stained ground. Jade picked it up carefully, his fingers trembling slightly. This was intentional, a message aimed at him. The killer was escalating, and he knew that meant only one thing—he was getting closer.
Karon stood nearby, watching him examine the ribbon, her expression a mask of detached curiosity. Inside, however, she relished the thrill of seeing him so captivated, so drawn into the web she'd spun around him. But she kept her distance, playing her part as the diligent partner, offering insights and observations that nudged him just enough without revealing too much.
"Another mark," Jade muttered, glancing at Karon. "This killer isn't just random. They have a purpose, a twisted sense of justice."
Karon tilted her head, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. "Or maybe they're simply enjoying the game, leaving us clues to see if we're clever enough to keep up."
Jade studied her, sensing a depth to her words he couldn't quite grasp. But he nodded, filing her comment away as another piece of the puzzle. Every kill seemed to bring him closer, and yet, he felt as though he were chasing shadows, always just one step behind.
---
Later, back at the precinct, Jade poured over the details of the case, the ribbon lying beside his notes like a bloodstain on the clean white paper. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something—a vital connection that would reveal the killer's identity. Karon watched him from across the room, her eyes sharp, assessing.
He glanced up and caught her watching, a brief, searching look passing between them. For a split second, he thought he saw something in her gaze—something cold, almost predatory. But she looked away, her face impassive, and the moment was gone.
"Do you think we'll catch them?" he asked, his tone heavy with frustration.
Karon gave him a small, enigmatic smile. "Oh, I'm sure you're closer than you think, Jade. You just need to follow the trail… and stay sharp."
Her words lingered in his mind long after she'd left for the night, a faint whisper that both comforted and unsettled him.