Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

the cops any of this?” I asked, my voice laced with anxiety.

James’s face flickered with emotion, and he nodded. “I told them everything when they came to me. They had their sights set on Carter, but the thing is, Carter died in that fire years ago.”

So that lead was a dead end.

I took a deep breath and looked at James. “What about Colin…”

“Colin was at the orphanage even before Fanny arrived. He was abandoned really young, dropped off at the doorstep of the home. He’s always been a loner, never mixed with others, didn’t have any friends. But he had his ways of getting back at bullies. Fanny wanted to bully him but simply didn’t dare to.”

James took a moment to reminisce. “I remember Fanny tried to provoke Colin once. Colin, who always kept to himself, suddenly stepped in to save Carter. After that, Carter just clung to him, and Colin always had his back. Fanny couldn’t get to Carter, so she got her revenge by putting worms in Colin’s spaghetti.”

I clenched

my fists.

That Fanny was truly vicious.

“You know what happened next?” James said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Colin didn’t say a word. In front of everyone, he dunked Fanny’s head onto his plate and made her eat the whole thing. After that, she was terrified of him and would scurry away whenever she saw

him.”

I nodded in understanding.

Carter was so dependent on Colin; he saw him as his savior. And Colin always protected Carter.

Both were geniuses from the orphanage, handpicked for the Youth Class.

“The second victim was Laverne, Fanny’s little sidekick, the most nauseating person in our class. She was the one who collected those worms for Fanny and did a lot of her dirty work. So, when she died, her hands were chopped off, and her tongue was cut out.”

The police said the second victim had been tortured to death, hands chopped off and tongue. removed.

I gripped my hands tightly and took a sip of water.

Feeling queasy and scared was an understatement. It’s a natural response. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As James described the victims, I realized something: all the victims were bad people.

“The murderer keeps targeting people from the orphanage but hasn’t touched Colin…” I murmured.

Based on the memories I had before my death, I was sure the murderer had some

connection to Colin.

I still strongly suspected Carter.

Was Carter really dead?

Was that charred body truly Carter?

“That’s why I’ve been saying… he could be the murderer. Stay away from him; there’s something off about that guy. From the first time I saw him, I just had this feeling he was dangerous,” James shuddered.

“James, do you know anything about Phoebe Caldwell?” I asked, looking at him intently.

At the mention of Phoebe, James’s coffee drinking paused, and he fell silent.

“Phoebe? She’s a good person.” That was all he had to say about me.

They all knew me, but I had forgotten them.

“Not many wanted to sponsor the orphanage, but Phoebe’s dad was always there for us. Phoebe was also kind. Her da

would often bring her to the orphanage to play and hang out

with us,” James said, his gaze drifting away.

Something told me not to take his words at face value. His eyes weren’t focused when he spoke a sign of guilt.

And the way he eagerly recounted stories of the orphanage, it was as if he intended for me to

hear them.

“Well, look at the time. I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll explain things to Mister. Let’s plan to do some charity work together soon,” James said, checking his watch and rising to leave.

I nodded.

James got up and hurried out.

I stealthily followed him, observing as he looked around nervously and slipped into an alley.

“I told her everything you said…” James’s voice trembled with fear as he spoke in the alley.

“You know what to say and what not to,” a rough, hoarse voice responded.

Hiding around the corner, my body froze.

The person talking to James… it was Eric!