Fatal Game: Vanoss Crew Murder Mystery Story

Chapter 5: A Race Against Time

Brian meticulously deployed his AI, scanning the crime scene with precision, his virtual eyes darting across the surroundings, seeking to unravel the mysteries that lay before him. As he delved deeper into the investigation, a vivid visualization of the events started to take shape within his mind.

His focus zeroed in on Wildcat's lifeless body, analysing the bullet holes that punctuated his flesh. Careful examination revealed the unnerving precision with which the projectiles had found their mark. The contusions marring Wildcat's body and face told a tale of merciless violence inflicted upon him prior to his demise.

Brian's gaze shifted towards Wildcat's hand, detecting a fracture that served as a significant clue. The severity of the injury hinted at a graver and more intricate case than initially presumed. The room beckoned him, and he absorbed every detail, assimilating the information as his data stores filled to the brim.

Armed with this wealth of knowledge, Brian's mental gears whirred, processing the evidence and forming a cogent hypothesis.

Wildcat's anxiety grew as he paced nervously, his mind preoccupied with the impending interview. Complicating matters further, he shared a deeply personal history with the now-deceased Axel. Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly whirled around, instinctively drawn to a hooded figure with a concealed visage.

Reacting swiftly, Wildcat's fear transformed into a desperate defence as he grasped a knife, determined to protect himself. He swung the blade, but the enigmatic figure effortlessly evaded the attack, expertly countering and sending Wildcat hurtling into the unforgiving wall.

Struggling to regain his footing, Wildcat found himself ensnared by the figure's vice-like grip around his throat. Blows rained down upon his body, amplifying his pain. In a desperate bid for survival, Wildcat seized a nearby lamp, shattering it against the intruder's head. Momentarily disoriented, the figure faltered, providing Wildcat with a fleeting advantage.

Seizing the opportunity, Wildcat unleashed a barrage of punches, his fists propelled by a combination of instinct and adrenaline. Blow after blow landed with fervour, until finally, one devastating strike connected with the intruder's face.

Upon impact, Wildcat's hand shattered, sending waves of searing pain coursing through his body. He staggered backward, desperately trying to regain his composure amidst the agony. The hooded figure, however, remained unperturbed, tilting his head in eerie contemplation.

Exploiting his superior strength, the assailant unleashed a relentless assault, flinging Wildcat mercilessly into walls, jolting his body against the unforgiving surfaces. With a thunderous impact, Wildcat was slammed down onto the cold, unyielding floor.

Coughing up blood, Wildcat mustered his remaining strength, his voice trembling as he defiantly uttered, "You'll never get away with this."

The figure remained silent, his expression inscrutable as he brandished a silenced pistol. Without a word, he callously fired three shots into Wildcat's chest. Then, as if a phantom vanishing into thin air, the hooded figure disappeared, leaving Wildcat to slowly succumb to his fatal wounds.

In a final act of defiance, Wildcat managed to slide a photo beneath the bed before his life ebbed away. Gasping for his last breath, he raised a defiant middle finger toward the heavens, a symbol of his unyielding spirit even in the face of imminent demise.

Brian's keen eyes focused on the discovered photograph, his mind racing to decipher its hidden meaning. The image depicted a man, captured only partially by the neck as he struggled against an unseen force.

Regrettably, the man's face remained elusive, obscured from view. However, what caught Brian's attention was the presence of several familiar figures in the background, his own friends.