The flickering streetlights outside cast long shadows across the rain-soaked pavement, mirroring the occasional tension in Winter’s mind as she stared blankly at her crime board. Pictures, documents, and red string tied everything together—a mess of incomplete connections. The nameless, faceless serial killer haunted her every waking moment, slipping through her fingers time and time again. Her office at the precinct was dim, the only source of light coming from the desk lamp that hovered over the scattered evidence.
Winter rubbed her temples, exhaustion threatening to overtake her. She had been chasing this elusive killer for over a year, each murder meticulously planned and executed with precision. No DNA. No fingerprints. Just a body, usually someone seemingly random, found in an alley, a park, or a quiet corner of the city.
"How are you doing, Winter?" her colleague Giselle asked, stepping into the office.
“Another dead end,” Winter sighed, shaking her head. “I just don’t get it. Whoever this is—they're careful, calculated. They know what they’re doing.”
Giselle nodded solemnly, offering a small, sympathetic smile. “We’ll catch them. It's only a matter of time.”
Winter gave a tired nod, but deep down, doubt was gnawing at her. This case was personal now. She couldn't explain why, but something about it felt like a twisted game, one where she was always two steps behind.
As Winter drove home that night, the steady rhythm of the rain against her windshield lulled her into deep thought. She tried to disconnect herself from the case, but it was impossible. The killer’s every move taunted her.
Her thoughts shifted as she pulled into the driveway of the house she shared with her wife, Karina. The moment she walked inside, the warmth of home greeted her. The smell of fresh cooking filled the air. Karina stood by the stove, her dark hair cascading down her back, dressed in a soft sweater and jeans. Her presence always felt like a balm to Winter’s frayed nerves.
"Hey, babe," Karina greeted, flashing Winter a smile as she turned to face her. “You look exhausted.”
Winter dropped her bag by the door and walked over, embracing Karina tightly. “Long day. That case is eating me alive.”
Karina placed a gentle kiss on Winter’s forehead and smiled softly. “I made dinner. You should sit down and eat.”
Winter sighed with relief as she sat at the table, grateful for Karina's warmth. “You're too good to me, you know that?”
Karina laughed lightly, her eyes sparkling. “I just want you to be happy.”
As they sat down for dinner, Winter’s mind couldn’t help but wander back to the case. She took a bite of the pasta in front of her, but her appetite was clouded by her frustration. Karina noticed and tilted her head.
“Still thinking about it?” she asked gently.
Winter nodded, sighing. “Yeah. It just doesn’t make sense. This killer… they’re too good. No evidence, nothing. It’s like they don’t exist.”
Karina listened intently, her expression calm as she watched Winter struggle with her thoughts.
“What do you think motivates someone like that?” Winter asked, almost to herself. “Why kill so precisely? There's no clear pattern in the victims.”
Karina rested her chin on her hand, thinking for a moment. “Maybe it’s love.”
Winter looked up, startled by the suggestion. “Love?”
Karina smiled softly. “Love can make people do strange things. Maybe whoever this is… feels like they’re protecting something—or someone.”
Winter blinked, considering Karina’s words. It was an odd theory, but then again, nothing about this case had been ordinary.
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WINRINA ONESHOTS
FanficThey'll be a lot of kinds oneshots of Winter and Karina. Hope you enjoy each one of them.
