𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍 & 𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓 | 𝐁𝐄𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄

Prologue #1: Devil Wrapped in Silk

PROLOGUE
QUEEN AND GHOST
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Kiara Veretti's point of view:

"THE LOS ANGELES SERIAL KILLER WHO HAS been named Ghost is still terrorizing the city. Police have reportedly found 11 new bodies which had all been killed about a week ago. Currently, there have been no new murders since last week but the FBI is growing worried." I kept my eyes on the television in my office and sighed.

For the last couple of weeks, there have been numerous amount of murders. Almost 100 people have died and police know it's the same person because they always leave their mark. Ever since they were named Ghost by the general public, they would carve a G into their victims' skin. And it wouldn't be small either; it would cover their entire chest. Apparently, he always wore a mask whenever he hunts people but no one knows for sure because he's never been caught in the act. Nobody knows his name or what he looks like.

"The Governor warns citizens to lock their doors and stay inside. A citywide curfew of 7 p.m. has been implemented. The President has also sent out statements—,"

Edith, my assistant walked inside my office, her heels clicking against the marble the staff had just polished.

"Alan has just assigned you another client. You're never going to believe who out is," Edith said, making me press my lips together. I leaned against my wooden desk, adjusting my blazer while she sat at one of the chairs.

"Do tell."

She smirked, opening the file and moving it towards me. "You know the serial killer that's been hurting all those people for the last few weeks yet nobody knows his name? We found him."

I frowned, narrowing my eyes and grabbing the file. There was no picture.

"Well, we didn't find him. His father is billionaire Kane Verlize and he called us in. His son, Kairo is the suspected killer Ghost. He wants us to try and fix him without calling the authorities."

"Are you serious?" I asked, earning a nod from Edith. I turned my attention to his file and began reading important facts about Kairo. "Born and raised in Compton 34 years ago via a mistress his father had slept with outside his marriage. He was treated as if he was a bastard from the second he was born and his father disregarded his presence entirely, only paying attention to his main family. Kairo's mother shot her brain when he was 6 due to depression. From then on, he's been an orphan, going to different homes. He was always a troubled kid, getting into fights at school. After being expelled from five schools, he was finally sent to a mental health hospital, where he lit it on fire and disappeared. No one's seen him ever since,"

I looked at Edith and narrowed my eyes in confusion. "You're joking."

"I'm afraid not. I don't want to say it but your next client is a lunatic," She mumbled, making a frown appear on my lips. In my years of practice, I had never spoken to a murderer. Most of the time, I talk to people whose parents have divorced and they're suffering from childhood trauma or people with Post Traumatic Stress Depression.

"Why did he give me this case?"

"Because you're a well-respected therapist, Kiara. I mean, you do your job well and you bond with your patients. Alan is confident that you will be able to fix Kairo."

"Me?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. "Fix the infamous LA serial killer? I mean he's the reason we have a nationwide curfew. What could I possibly do to help?"

"By getting close. I've read the records at the mental hospital he stayed at, he has always been an outcast. He's never had someone he could be close to... All Alan is asking is that you get close to him, and get inside his mind. Find out why he's doing what he's doing. What's his incentive," She explained. "But don't get too close, and don't let him have enough power to affect you,"