Shadows of Deceit | MilkLove AU

Ch3: Pattern into Chaos

The dimly lit room is thick with tension, and the air is heavy and oppressive. In the center of the space, a man is hanging suspended from the ceiling, his legs barely touching the ceiling. The rough rope bit into his wrists and the strain on his shoulders was excruciating as his hands were bound painfully above his head. His eyes are blindfolded leaving him disoriented and vulnerable.

Suddenly, the ominous sound of a baseball bat slamming against a solid object shattered the oppressive silence, causing the captive man to flinch in terror. He strained against his bonds, chest heaving. Whimpering, he begged, "Please, please..."

Another loud bang sent him flinching, a whimper escaping his lips.

The relentless strikes continued, the man's pleas growing more frantic. "I'll tell you! I'll tell you! Please, just don't kill me! Please, don't kill me!"

The bat fell silent, replaced by an eerie quiet. "Speak," a gruff, muffled voice commanded from the shadows.

The man swallowed hard, terror constricting his throat. "Th-the file... there's a file in the vault," he stammered. "That's all I know, I swear!"

The air grew thick with tension as the unseen captor considered the response. A rustling sound, like the shifting of small metals, filled the room. "Please, hello?" the captive man called out, his voice cracking with desperation.

Suddenly, the cold steel of a gun barrel pressed against his forehead, eliciting a sharp gasp. "I'm telling the truth, please!" he cried, tears streaming down his face. The click of a trigger being cocked echoed in the small space.

"No, wait-"

Pat found herself momentarily lost for words, the tension in the room was palpable.

"Detective, are you alright? You look a bit...dazed." Pan, the director, asked Pat, her tone was laced with concern, but there was a hint of playfulness that made Pat's pulse quicken.

Shaking off her initial shock, Pat straightened her posture. "I, uh, yes. Like I said, I'm here to follow up on a lead," she managed to say, her gaze locked with the director's. "I was hoping you might be able to provide some information."

The director nodded. "Of course, Detective. Please, come with me to my office, and we can discuss this further."

As Pat followed Pan down the hall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This unexpected encounter has only piqued her curiosity further.

"How can I help you?" Pan asked as they settled in her office.

"I'll go directly to the point Ms. Sriprapai," Pat said, setting the level of professionalism between them. "I'm here regarding the governor's murder."

Pan's demeanor shifted, her friendly facade slipping for the briefest of moments before she schooled her features into a more serious mask. "Ah, yes, I've heard about the unfortunate incident," she replied, her tone carefully neutral. "I'm not sure how our community outreach center would be connected to that case though."