Always...Ahead

Chapter 1-The mysterious killer

'Damn it, he escaped again' said detective Michael in frustration.

He was assigned a closed case, well just the case wasnt close as the killing were happening again. He was a very smart detective thats why he was given this "closed case" of mysterious killings.
It had been a third time straight that the killer he is chasing has escaped.

'Coffee?' asked his partner detective Andrew holding 2 mugs of coffee.

'Thanks' Michael said accepting the Coffee.

'He escaped again?' asked Andrew clearly knowing the answer.
'If you know then why bother asking.' Michael said while rolling his eyes and taking a sip from his mug.

Andrew chuckled and said, 'Man, you should look at you desk's clipboard. I doubt any sane person would still stay sane while looking at that'

Michael sighed and said, 'There has been no case that i can't solve and-and it seems like the killer is here with me. Seeing through my mind.' He became more frustrated.

He can never doubt Andrew, they had been friends since middle school and know each other too well.

'Oh and mr.Keller was calling you by the way' Andrew stated.
'I should be going then' Michael said while placing his empty mug on the table and heading towards his boss.

———

Michael reached the front door and knocked thrice, it was a sign of respect.

He went in after hearing the permission from the man inside.

'Sir, you called me' asked Michael. He stood in-front of his boss who was lighting his cigarette.

'Ah, you're here Mr.Fernsby, so how long do you think you will be able to catch this killer?' asked mr.Keller.

'Well sire, the killer have been quite a mystery themself, it may take longer time than needed. He seems to know our motives as if someone is a rat of him in this agency' Michael answered.

'Hmm, so you are suggesting that we find the rat?' said mr.Keller.
'Sir, i can be wrong aswell, but i suppose that the higher-up are getting impatient'

Mr.keller looked calm but his eyes were giving glares to Michael.
'Yes. I hope you can find the killer at least by the end of this year.' Mr.keller said.

'I'll try my best sir' Michael said and left the office.

———-

'What did that old man said?" Andrew asked getting impatient.
'Nothing just the higher up are getting inpatient and i have to find the killer by the end of the year or i think if i cant find him then the case will be not in our hands but someone else who dont even know a bit about this' michael said.

'Michael, i think we've got a bit clue by this' Andrew said.

'Yes! This case was first started in 1989 but the killer died but the same pattern of killing started again in 2016 and then was closed in 2018, then again re-open this year by us.' Michael said

'So the past detectives may have some clues!' Andrew said.
'Only if there alive!' Michael said still keeping up the heat.

Andrew giggled and said, 'I look up into this matter'
'Thanks man. I'll be in my office then'

Michael had his own office due to his post but that wasn't the major reason, he always kept a track of things and needed a place so mr.Keller had provided him his own office.

He stood in front of the door which had a wooden leaf hanging, "Micheal Fernsby" written on it.

He opened the door went in and closed the door.
He went to his clip board and it was a mess.

Pictures of victims and possible outcome were there. One thing was roaming in his mind, 'how is the killer ahead of him'

He scanned his room, there wasnt much, a coffee machine, a desk in-front of the clipboard, a small fan on top, beside the coffe machine on a small table was a chair, nothing much in particular.

He sighed and looked at his clipboard, scanning each and every thing.

All from 1989.

The first victim was a girl in her thirties who was found hanging in the forest beside the old road. The tree she was hanging from had written 'Always...ahead!'

Another girl was found in her apartment, her things scattered everywhere and three knives on her body, one on heart, another on eye and the third on her hand, 'Always ahead' was craved on her hand from the third knife.

Many cases like this happened but one was quite a special one.

A detective was found dead infront of a house. The door of the house had written the same phrase, 'always ahead' and the  fun fact was that the house was not even his.
It was of the killer. He was found dead with a note saying 'history will repeat. BEWARE!
                                                    ~always...ahead'
The killer was a 38 year old man who had asthma and wanted to create havoc but he didnt want the havoc to end. He knew what was gonna happen,so he left a hint knowing that someone will follow his footsteps but yet, one day it'll come to an end. The man was quite something himself.

And then the case was closed... or was it?

It started again in 2016 but it abruptly stopped 2 years later and the case was closed. But again it started again 6 years later.

Within those 2 years, 2016-18, there were just 6 murders, the last one was a detective and the first one was a lady in her thirties. As said the history always repeats it self.

Michael wanted to know all the 6 murders but only 2 were public, the rest were within the retired detectives and the higher ups.

Another thing he wondered was that why, why the detectives quit. There were 4 detectives solving the case, 1 died and 2 are missing. And the other one is still in the same city with Andrew is searching.

Hope you all enjoy my new story, again english is not my first language so ignore the mistakes

Word count:1024

written on 14 July 2024.

~blue