A girl sat hunched over her computer in a dimly lit room, the soft glow of the screen reflecting off her glasses. The only sound was the quiet hum of her laptop and the occasional sip from her coffee mug. Her apartment was a mess - papers strewn across the floor, empty takeaway boxes piled in the corner and books placed haphazardly on every surface.
Her cat sauntered into the room, its wide eyes fixed upon her with a hungry, expectant gaze. She sighed, pushing her chair back, creaking.
"Okay," she said, getting up.
In the kitchen, she rummaged through the cluttered counters before finding the cat food. She filled a bowl and set it down. The cat growled loudly, rubbing against her legs in thanks. She bent down, gently stroking its soft fur, a slight smile shining on her tired face.
As the cat ate, she walked out to the balcony. The pale light of dawn painted the street below in shades of grey. She was leaning on the railing, her face pale and tired, dark circles indicating a sleepless night. The morning breeze ruffled her disheveled hair, but even in her disheveled state, there was an undeniable elegance about her.
Her glasses caught the rising sun and she was saying softly, to no one in particular:
"One day, I'll catch you."
Her voice was low, full of quiet determination. She gripped her mug tightly, her eyes narrowed.
"And when I do... I'll make sure you get the punishment you deserve."
Her words hung in the air like a promise - a vow she fully intended to keep.
******
Rin: "Hey! You didn't pay me what I deserve, huh?"
Her voice cut through the dingy room like a whip, sharp and demanding.
The man across from her shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her fiery gaze. "Listen, Rin, I know you did well, but the boss... he said no extra pay."
Rin's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You bastard," she hissed, slamming the crumpled wad of cash onto the table. "I hacked ××× Campany's Database for you. I did the dirty work, the illegal stuff, and this is what you think I'm worth?" Or"You think hacking is easy? Like flushing your poop?"
She held up the pitiful amount of money, her tone dripping with disdain.
At just 18, Rin had carved out a reputation as someone no one dared to cross. She was fearless and sharp-a hacker with skills that could rival any seasoned professional. Living in the heart of the Old City, a haven for illegal activities, she thrived in a world where most wouldn't dare to tread.
Despite the chaos around her, Rin had her own goals. She was preparing for her college entrance exams, determined to escape the shadows of the criminal underworld someday. But for now, she lived with her elderly grandmother, balancing her studies with the dangerous work that kept their modest home running.
Public security breaches, black-hat hacking, and cracking into restricted databases-there wasn't a system she couldn't outsmart. Rin was a master of her craft, and she knew her worth.
Leaning forward, she glared at the man. Her voice was cold and unwavering. "You think you can cheat me? Try it again, and I'll show you exactly why I'm the best."
The man gulped, knowing better than to argue further. Rin didn't just play the game-she owned it.
****
Ken, determined to uncover more evidence, made his way to the dimly lit police archive-a place where old, forgotten files were stored, gathering dust. Rows of shelves stretched endlessly, each file a relic of past cases, some solved, others abandoned.
As he sifted through the files, his fingers paused on one marked with faded red ink: "Dion - Family Homicide". Intrigued, he pulled it out and flipped through the brittle pages.
The case was eerily familiar. Five years ago, a boy named Dion had returned home from school one evening and brutally killed his parents. His father and mother were found lifeless, their blood painting the walls of their once-happy home. But there was one detail that stood out-Dion hadn't touched his little sister. She had been in the house the entire time yet remained unharmed.
The reports painted a perplexing picture. Neighbors described Dion as a kind-hearted, well-mannered boy. His teachers praised him as a brilliant student with a bright future. His parents were known in the community as loving and generous people-beautiful souls, as one neighbor had called them.
So why would a boy like Dion suddenly murder his own family? What could drive someone to such a horrific act?
Ken's mind raced as he examined the evidence. The similarities between Dion's case and the café murders were undeniable. A seemingly normal boy, a loving family, and a sudden, inexplicable burst of violence.
As he stared at the old case file, a chill ran down his spine. There had to be a connection-a thread tying these tragedies together.
Ken closed the file with a heavy sigh, his determination intensifying. "Whatever's behind this," he muttered to himself, "I'll find it."