Karon stared at the blood-stained paper fragment in the evidence bag, keeping her face carefully neutral. She could feel her heart pounding, but she maintained her composure. Jade had noticed the significance of this clue, something she hadn't anticipated. She clenched her fists at her side, concealed by her coat's pockets.
"Do you recognize this?" Jade asked, his eyes never leaving her face. His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of suspicion, of something darker.
Karon tilted her head, pretending to study the fragment. In truth, she already knew what it said—she'd written it. The words were simple, but loaded: *Stay out, or pay in blood.* She'd scrawled them in her victim's blood, wanting to make her stance clear to any imitators. But she hadn't anticipated that Jade would find it and take it as a personal challenge.
She forced a small frown, as if mulling over the meaning. "Looks like the original killer is trying to send a warning. Maybe they're feeling threatened."
Jade nodded, his gaze still locked on her. "It's just… it's strange, though, don't you think? Why would a killer be territorial? If they're already hiding in the shadows, wouldn't they want the chaos of imitators to deflect attention?"
Karon shrugged, feigning indifference. "It depends on their mindset. Some killers don't want competition. They might see it as disrespectful or insulting, like someone trying to steal their art. It wouldn't be surprising if they felt the need to… clean up after the mess others leave."
Jade studied her carefully, and Karon felt a flicker of annoyance at his scrutiny. He was too close, almost uncomfortably so. She shifted slightly, breaking eye contact and glancing at the fragment again. The game had always been a thrill, but now it was becoming clear that Jade was more perceptive than she'd given him credit for. She needed to take control of the narrative again, before he pieced together too much.
"Maybe," he said slowly, "the killer sees the imitators as… less skilled. It could be a pride thing."
Karon nodded, giving him an encouraging smile. "Exactly. They don't want amateurs tarnishing their work. It's their message, their style."
Jade seemed to consider her words, nodding thoughtfully. "So, if that's the case, we're dealing with someone who has a sense of… superiority, then. Like they think they're above everyone else."
Karon's heart thumped in satisfaction. He was falling right into her trap, interpreting her own arrogance as the profile of a killer she could manipulate him into pursuing. She watched as he jotted down notes, his brow furrowing as he tried to connect the dots she'd carefully laid out for him.
---
Later that evening, Karon wandered through the streets, letting the cool night air soothe her nerves. Her message had been received loud and clear, and she'd left no loose ends. She'd managed to regain control of the narrative, steering Jade away from any real suspicion. But still, the presence of imitators, mimicking her methods with such reckless abandon, unsettled her. She couldn't allow it.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed when a shadow moved in an alleyway to her right. Out of reflex, she slowed her steps, glancing over casually. A figure, thin and scruffy, emerged from the shadows, eyes wide and frantic.
"You… you're like them, aren't you?" he stammered, inching toward her with a look of crazed admiration. "I know you're the real one… the one who started it all. I… I want to join you. To be… like you."
Karon felt a chill run through her, an unusual flash of irritation flaring up. The thought of some unhinged admirer, a misguided follower, worshipping her and seeking approval made her skin crawl. She kept her expression impassive, waiting for him to continue.
"I've seen your work," he whispered, his eyes shining with awe. "I knew it was you. You have a… a gift. A beautiful way of… making a statement."
Karon's lips curved into a cold smile. "Is that so?" she said softly, letting her voice drop to a dangerous whisper. "And you think you're worthy of… contributing to my work?"
The man's face broke into a grin, his head nodding eagerly. "Yes. I can help. I can make people notice you… your real brilliance."
Without a word, she stepped closer, her fingers reaching for the blade she kept at her hip. In one swift motion, she lunged, slashing the man's throat with an ease that belied her calm exterior. He gurgled, stumbling backward, eyes wide with shock as he clutched his throat, blood spurting through his fingers.
Karon leaned over him, her voice a cold whisper. "You're not worthy. You never were."
She watched as the life faded from his eyes, feeling a strange sense of relief as the final flicker of consciousness left him. She hadn't planned on taking a life tonight, but the imitators' increasing boldness had left her no choice. This was her domain, her craft, and she would not tolerate pretenders.
She wiped her blade clean, letting the weight of her actions settle over her. As she turned to leave, she allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. The streets were littered with false prophets, misguided worshipers, but she would make sure that only her message remained.
---
The next morning, the precinct buzzed with news of the body discovered in the alleyway, the wound clean and efficient, bearing all the marks of the original killer's handiwork. Jade's face was tense as he examined the scene photos, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk.
"Another one," he muttered under his breath, frustration evident. "But this one feels… different. More personal."
Karon sat beside him, feigning curiosity. "What do you mean?"
Jade's eyes narrowed, a dark determination settling over him. "Whoever did this… they're sending a message. They want us to know they're still in control, that they're the only one capable of this."
Karon hid a smile behind her hand, nodding. "It sounds like they're asserting dominance over the imitators. They want the spotlight."
Jade sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's sick, but… there's a pattern here. Maybe they're getting tired of playing the game alone, or maybe they're just frustrated. Whatever it is, it's escalating."
She could sense the weight of his determination, his resolve hardening as he focused on the case. But as he studied the photos and notes, she knew he was still several steps behind her, caught in the web she'd spun around him. For now, she was safe.
But deep down, she knew this couldn't last forever. Jade was sharp, persistent, and one day, he might get too close.