The city was shrouded in an uneasy quiet as Ayo and his team reconvened outside the derelict hospital. The old General Hospital loomed like a skeleton of its former self, its decaying facade whispering secrets of forgotten lives. Floodlights illuminated the entrance, casting long shadows on the cracked pavement. Officers stood at the ready, their faces grim, weapons drawn.
"Alright, everyone," Ayo began, his voice cutting through the tension. "This is our chance to end this. No mistakes, no hesitation. Stay sharp, stay together."
Bimpe stood beside him, double-checking her weapon. "You think he's inside?"
"He wants us here," Ayo replied. "The question is why."
As they stepped into the hospital, the air grew heavy with dampness and decay. The beams of their flashlights pierced the darkness, revealing walls streaked with mold and graffiti. Every sound the creak of their footsteps, the distant drip of water seemed amplified, setting everyone on edge.
"Move in pairs," Ayo instructed. "Check every room, every corner. Call out if you find anything."
Bimpe and Ayo headed down the main corridor while the other teams split off. The faint scent of disinfectant lingered, a ghost of the hospital's past.
"This place gives me the creeps," Bimpe muttered, her eyes scanning the walls. "Feels like we're walking into a trap."
Ayo glanced at her. "We are. But we're not backing down."
They entered a room labeled "Operating Theater." Inside, rusted surgical equipment lay scattered across tables, and a single lightbulb flickered overhead. On one wall, a message was scrawled in blood-red paint: "The truth lies within."
"Subtle," Bimpe said dryly.
Ayo's radio crackled. "Detective, we've found something," came Tunde's voice. "East wing, second floor."
"On our way," Ayo replied.
The east wing was even more decrepit, with sections of the ceiling caved in and debris littering the floor. Tunde and his partner stood outside a room, their faces pale.
"What is it?" Ayo asked.
Tunde gestured inside. "You need to see this."
The room was a macabre shrine. Photos of the victims covered the walls, each one marked with a red X. In the center stood a table with a laptop and a recorder. Ayo's stomach tightened as he approached.
"Looks like he's been tracking us," Bimpe said, pointing to a map pinned to the wall. Red strings connected locations of the murders to the hospital.
Ayo turned his attention to the laptop. The screen displayed a live video feed of another room. In it, a man was bound to a chair, his face bloodied and his eyes wide with terror. Beside him stood the Ribbon Reaper, his face obscured by a mask.
"Welcome, Detective," the Reaper's voice boomed through the recorder. "You've made it this far. Let's see if you have the courage to finish it."
The video feed was cut off, replaced by a countdown: 00:15:00.
"Fifteen minutes," Bimpe said, her voice shaking. "What happens when it hits zero?"
Ayo's jaw clenched. "We're not waiting to find out. Spread out. Find that room."
The search was frantic. Ayo's heart pounded as he and Bimpe combed through the corridors, the countdown echoing in his mind. Every door they opened revealed nothing but emptiness.
"Over here!" Tunde's voice called out.
They rushed to his location, finding him outside a locked door. The faint sound of muffled cries came from within.
"Stand back," Ayo ordered. He fired at the lock, the door swinging open to reveal the captive man. The victim's eyes filled with relief as they approached.
"It's okay," Bimpe said, cutting the ropes. "You're safe now."
"N-no," the man stammered, his voice trembling. "It's not over. He's still here."
Ayo's instincts flared. "Get him out of here. Now."
As the team escorted the victim out, Ayo remained behind, his senses on high alert. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he scanned the room. Something wasn't right.
A faint sound drew his attention. He turned to see a shadow move across the hallway outside.
"Bimpe, report," Ayo said into his radio.
"We're clear," she replied. "Victim's in the van. What's wrong?"
Ayo didn't answer. He stepped into the hallway, his weapon raised. The shadow darted around a corner, and Ayo followed, his pulse quickening.
"Show yourself!" he shouted, his voice echoing.
A figure emerged at the end of the corridor, clad in a dark coat and the signature mask of the Ribbon Reaper. The figure tilted its head, as if amused.
"You like to play the hero, don't you?" the Reaper said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But every hero has a breaking point."
"Drop the act," Ayo barked. "It ends here."
The Reaper chuckled. "Oh, Detective, it's only just beginning."
Before Ayo could react, the Reaper threw something to the ground. Smoke filled the hallway, obscuring everything. Ayo coughed, his vision blurred as he stumbled forward.
When the smoke cleared, the Reaper was gone. All that remained was another ribbon, tied neatly to a door handle.
Back at the station, the tension was palpable. The victim was safe, but the Ribbon Reaper had slipped through their fingers once again.
"He's toying with us," Bimpe said, slamming her fist on the table. "We were so close."
"Closer than he'd like," Ayo said, his mind racing. He picked up the ribbon, studying it carefully. Attached was a small USB drive.
"What's on it?" Bimpe asked.
Ayo inserted the drive into his laptop. A single file appeared, titled "Confession." He clicked it, and a video began to play.
The screen showed a younger version of Ayo, standing over a suspect in an interrogation room. The audio crackle as voices filled the room.
"You think you can get away with this?" younger Ayo demanded.
"I didn't do it!" the suspect shouted. "You've got the wrong guy!"
The video ended abruptly, leaving Ayo staring at his reflection in the dark screen.
"What is this?" Bimpe asked, her voice hushed.
Ayo's hands balled into fists. "A ghost from my past."