Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Colin’s pouting was as endearing as a little kid who couldn’t stop tattling to the grown–ups.

I took a deep breath and instinctively comforted him. “The guy’s got issues; just ignore him.”

Colin brightened up and clung to me, unwilling to let go.

“Let’s head out.” Robin and his crew had scoped out the scene, confirming no suspicious individuals lingered, and signaled for Colin and me to head back.

“Robin, we’ve checked the surveillance footage. All we’ve got is this shadowy figure carrying an unconscious Melody inside. The guy is tall, and although he’s in a raincoat with a hood, you can tell he’s pretty buff.”

Cory had reviewed the nearby security cameras, but there was only one useful shot, likely overlooked by the assailant since it was from a camera installed by a homeowner on their second–floor balcony in one of the few houses that hadn’t been demolished in the area.

Unless you knew about it, you’d never spot the camera. All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

I leaned in to take a look. Even though it was just a silhouette, something felt off. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the same person with the facial burns I had seen at my place.

“It feels.” But I couldn’t put my finger on it.

The guy who had spoken to me at home seemed ghostly–tall, yes, but gaunt, slightly hunched. Even in a raincoat, he couldn’t have looked this sturdy and strong.

Strong enough to carry Melody? It just didn’t seem likely.

“Recognize anything?” Robin looked at me.

I shook my head. “The footage only shows a figure from behind; you can’t make out any details.”

Cory and his team stayed behind to continue the investigation while Robin escorted us to the hospital.

Stella was awake, shaken but mostly unharmed, thanks to her usually steely nerves.

“What happened? How did you end up there?” Robin entered her room, offering a basket of fruit. “I left last night feeling homesick, wanted to check on Phoebe, and…” Stella glanced at me, her eyes darting away.

She probably believed what I’d said and wanted to see for herself if there was indeed an intruder at home.

“I was just trying my luck, didn’t expect to really run into anyone. As soon as I walked in, someone knocked me out.” Stella’s voice trembled with the recollection.

Robin tried to soothe her. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now. But don’t go off alone again.”

She nodded. “The guy… he was really strong, about six–foot–one, with noticeable arm muscles. I tried to grab his arm while I struggled, and his biceps were solid; I couldn’t get a grip.”

I frowned, shaking my head. “That’s not right, it’s not the same person… something’s off.”

The man I’d seen at home had burn scars on his face and neck; he was slim and tall, but… his limbs were slender, not the build of someone robust and powerful.

“Could it be… the murderer isn’t acting alone?” I looked at Robin, anxious. “Are there two of

them? Or even more?”

Both Robin and Stella fell silent.

After so many deaths, we still hadn’t found a single lead.

“It’s definitely not the same person,” Robin finally said after a long pause. “In the footage from the corner where Ophelia went missing, we saw another figure in a raincoat, too, but much thinner, almost feminine, or a very slender man.”

I turned to look at Colin.

Colin stood quietly, his expression unreadable.

The murderer wasn’t a lone wolf; this was coordinated, planned. There had to be a ringleader orchestrating the others.

“Melody’s out of danger now; the murderer failed. Knowing their pattern, they’ll likely try for her again,” Robin checked his phone. “Hopefully, they won’t go after anyone else before we get to Melody, giving us time to investigate.”

“Since Stella’s safe, we should get back,” I suggested, wanting to take Colin home. He was still sick, after all.

Robin nodded. “I’ll have Cory drive you.”

“No need, we’ll take the subway,” I said, shaking my head.

Stella watched me, visibly worried, her mouth opened as if to speak, but then she hesitated.