When A Villain Falls [Yandere Villain x Hero]

Chapter 22 - Devil's Bargain

My breath caught in my throat as Plague stepped out of the shadows, hands raised in mock surrender. Even without his trademark mask, there was no mistaking the smug arrogance exuding from every pore.

"You..." I hissed, leveling my gun at his chest. "How did you find me? What are you doing here?"

Rather than answering, he simply tsked and shook his head in disappointment. "Now, now detective. Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

The mocking lilt in his voice made my skin crawl. Part of me couldn't believe he had the audacity to invade my sanctuary like this, after everything he'd put me through.

"We're not friends," I spat. "And you're under arrest for the murders of -"

Plague cut me off with a disdainful wave of his hand. "Yes, yes, the usual litany of crimes. How dreadfully dull."

He began circling me slowly, a predator sizing up its prey. "You know, I've been simply devastated by your absence as of late. I'd hoped we might continue our...intimate little dance."

A tremor of revulsion passed through me. "You're delusional if you think I'd ever play into your sick games again."

"Ah, but that's where you're mistaken, my dear." Plague tsked again, infuriatingly calm. "You see, I've decided our waltz has grown quite stale. It's time to change the tune entirely."

Before I could react, he produced a small remote from his pocket and pressed a button. Instantly, the screens of my laptop and television flickered to life, displaying a dizzying array of files - case details, witness interviews, even my personal notes from the Joey Merrick investigation.

My blood turned to ice in my veins as I watched him rifle through the digital cache, laying bare every shred of the case that had consumed me utterly.

"Wh-what is this?" I stammered, struggling to maintain my aim as Plague continued his maddening circle. "How did you get access to those files?"

"Oh come now, you're not that naive," he purred. "You didn't really think your little investigation had escaped my notice, did you? Especially not when it provided such a delicious opportunity."

Dread coiled in the pit of my stomach as I finally understood - this was another one of his manipulations, his traps. Joey's case, the burner phone, Sam's "anonymous tip"...it had all been meticulously orchestrated by Plague himself.

The bastard had been watching me this entire time, waiting for the perfect moment to reel me back in.

And like a fool, I'd played straight into his obsession yet again.

"You're a monster," I growled through gritted teeth. "Using my friend's disappearance like that, just to get your sick kicks..."

Plague laughed then - a deep, unsettling sound that reverberated in my bones. "Oh but that's where you're wrong, detective. For you see, I've decided to put an end to these games once and for all."

He took a step towards me, hands still raised in faux surrender. "I'm going to turn myself in, my dear. Surrender to your custody, tie up all those pesky loose ends."

I stared at him, dumbfounded and utterly disarmed by his proclamation. After all this time, all the bloodshed and deranged obsession...just like that, he was ready to wave the white flag?

It didn't make any sense.

This had to be another ploy, another trap to lure me deeper into his madness.

"You expect me to believe that?" I scoffed, mustering every ounce of bravado I could. "That you'll just...give up? After everything you've done?"

Plague spread his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm a man of my word, detective. And I give you my solemn vow - no more games, no more bloodshed. I shall go peaceably, and in return..."