KILL THIS LOVE | JENLISA

Chapter 4

Jennie

If possible, my attention managed to pique a new level at the Professor's words. I leaned forward in my seat mechanically, anticipation settling in my features. I can't help it.

"It always stumped me that being criminal psychology students, you're never really expected to interact with a criminal; only sit in classes and plagiarise reports with documented data. Which is why I've fought long and hard with the board to introduce a new assignment in your course, and here we are. Your last project required for you to work the brain of one of the most infamous killers in history."

Professor Lee took off her rimmed glasses swiftly, placing them near a pile of blue files.

"For your next assignment, you'll be analysing murderers of the present time." She grabbed one of the files hoisting it up in the air.

"Inside these, are the details of the subjects that have been assigned to you. You'll be visiting and observing your respective patients after classes. The local prison has very kindly agreed to accommodate most of you. This will take place over a span of two months, starting from tomorrow; after which I expect a full report on my table."

Whispers and groans broke out from the students.

Of course, Professor Lee ignored those. "Any questions?"

"Do you think there are any hot female killers in Seoul?" Mino asked, leading to everyone erupting into laughter and wolf whistles.

"Those who lured men and then dismembered them with screw drivers, yes." Professor Lee shot back, making me chuckle inwardly.

Mino playfully hit me in the side. "You're supposed to be on my team."

I rolled my eyes at him playfully, turning to get back to my notes, when my sight landed on the pile of the blue files. My mind shifted, simply not registering anything else that may have infiltrated my attention. I knew I had to ace it. I just had to.

However, that being said, I couldn't deny that there was something in the air that was making my heart beat faster and heavier than usual. As it struck my mind that we were being asked to physically interact with a murderer, I felt a noxious feeling in my stomach that i couldn't quite put a finger on.

A project like this would, in all probability, require prior training and experience, which we honestly didn't have at all.

The closest we had ever been to an actual murderer physically, was when we had been taken to the local prison to talk to the head criminologist about a few notable cases. We hadn't even as much as caught a glimpse of any felon. I wondered what kind of a person my subject would be.

Seoul was a huge city. With about 9.7million souls here, there's really plenty to go around for demented minds with a thirst for blood. As if suddenly, a vague recollection tugged at the back of my head.

Those murders.

I furrowed my brows, trying to focus hard on what exactly my mind was trying to bring in to my consciousness.

"Earth to Jennie?" A voice rang. That's when I noticed my arm being vigorously shook. I broke out of my thoughts and noticed Mino motioning towards Professor Lee.

"Jennie Kim." The Professor called out in a dreary voice.

I shot up awkwardly, almost knocking off the stationary that was on the desk. The walk towards the Professor's desk was not in any way long, yet my legs seemed to be betraying me, stumbling at every step.

Professor Lee handed me one of the files, offering a small smile, an occurrence likely rarer than flying fish.

Being a hardworking student for a year and a half had earned me a soft spot in Professor Lee's stoic heart, I had found. I returned the smile and made my way back to my seat. Never in my life had I been afraid of assignments, yet now, my heart was threatening to pound at my ribs. It's just an assignment, I reassured myself, sitting down.

My fingers brushed the tip of the file, finally turning the leaf open.

Name: Manoban, Lisa

Observational setting: Daenam Psychiatric Institution

What a stupid name, she thought, sounds made up.

Lisa Manoban. The name played several times in my mind, more than I would have liked, leaving me with irrevocably unanswered questions. I had hoped the file would say more about the patient, like number of victims or at least age. But all that it contained along with the name was some guidelines and paperwork for the institution.

"Seminar is over for today." Professor Lee stated and turned on her heels, leaving.

I turned around, talking to a few other people I knew, realizing most of everybody's patients were in the Seoul Detention Centre and not the psychiatric institution like mine was. That's when it hit me. I wasn't just dealing with any criminal. I was dealing with a clinically insane killer.

I turned to my side to see Mino gone. I swerved to the back, only to see him sitting by Krystal Jung, saying something so incredibly funny that had Krystal throwing her head back in flirty laughter. I shook my head, gathering my belongings and the new file. It was just paper and malleable plastic.

Yet, holding the file, I knew not everything was going to be same from that point onwards.