Whispers of a Monster

Chapter 10 : The Game Unfolds

Ryan paced the cramped, cluttered room, his mind racing to make sense of the broadcast disasters. Just then, a knock echoed through the doorway.

He turned, his eyes narrowing as the door swung open to reveal a man in a black leather jacket, a sleek black helmet concealing his face. The man stepped inside, carrying a small, familiar looking package tucked under one arm.

"I'm here to deliver this," the man's muffled voice called out, and without another word, he removed his helmet, shaking free a lock of dark hair.

Ryan froze, staring in disbelief. Helmar stood there, watching him with an unreadable expression, the package held out in one hand.

"Helmar?" Ryan managed, struggling to piece it together. "You're... delivering the package?"

Ryan's mind spun. If Helmar's here, holding this packet... then who delivered the last one?

Confusion flickered over his face, and he took a step back, the weight of the mystery settling heavily in the air.

———

Edward sank back into the worn leather of the taxi's backseat, his fractured leg stretched out, barely able to find a comfortable position. Outside, the streetlights blurred as the car moved, but Edward's attention was locked on the small screen in front of him.

The broadcast was playing. Ryan's face filled the screen, visibly tense, his voice low and controlled. Then, to Edward's shock, the footage shifted. There, in place of the video he had carefully recorded, was something entirely different: a dark room, an unknown figure masked and bound, trembling under dim light. The room was lifeless, with shadows cast around, a scene of utter desolation. This was not the video Edward had sent. His chest tightened as he watched, horror mounting with every passing second.

"This isn't right," Edward whispered, reaching instinctively for his phone. He dialed Ryan's number, his fingers shaking slightly. The line buzzed, each ring intensifying his anxiety.

Finally, Ryan answered. "Edward?" His voice sounded breathless, as though he'd just run from something unseen.

"Ryan," Edward panted, his breath shaky. "That video... it wasn't the one I sent you...I sent you the pendrive with Helmar. The kid in that video, the one you showed? That's William and that's not the one we recorded.

Ryan, Edward, Helmar and Jessica had meticulously planned and recorded a fake video as part of a calculated move to manipulate the ongoing investigation. They had found a young boy bearing a striking resemblance to William and staged a carefully crafted scene, making it appear as though William was alive and speaking. The video was designed not only to reassure the public but also to rattle the killer, aiming to provoke a response and pressure him into making a mistake.

Outside the broadcast station, Edward's confusion turned to suspicion as he spotted a man in a black helmet and leather jacket climbing onto a motorbike, clearly trying to make a quick escape.
Without a second thought, Edward darted forward, his heart pounding as he closed the distance.
"Stop!" he shouted, but the man revved the engine, preparing to speed away.
Edward lunged, grabbing hold of the bike's handlebars just in time.
The man, desperate to break free, raised his boot and stomped hard on Edward's injured leg, sending a shock of pain through him. Edward cried out, nearly collapsing as the searing pain shot through his body.
But despite the agony, he managed to pull the bike down, and both of them tumbled to the ground.
The man, undeterred, scrambled to his feet, kicking off his shoes in his haste, and sprinted away barefoot.
Edward, gritting his teeth through the pain, pushed himself up and gave chase, each step sending another jolt through his leg. Still, he refused to let go.
Finally, Edward managed to close the gap, grabbing the man just as Ryan arrived on the scene. Swiftly, Ryan cuffed the man's hands, securing him.