Dream Confirmation Bias

IX

D'Silva was finally at peace. He had a successful career, and his capture of Joshua Anderson brought him instant fame.

He never failed to sympathised with Joshua. Even after all he himself had been through, he could not help but feel sorry for the boy. He was almost like a son to him.

He had retired soon after his capture of Joshua. He felt that his career could not have ended on a higher note, and he was well felicitated by everyone in the force for his services.

So when he heard that Joshua had recovered completely, and had been released, he never felt more at peace. He felt his life's work was complete.

It was then that the phone rang.

***

It was the Chief of Police calling to give him good news.

"Joshua's got a job? That's great news! What is his new job?"

The Chief told him.

The smile evaporated from D'Silva's face instantly.

"Oh my God," he said.

To the Chief, he said, "Do not let him on the job! By all means necessary, stop him!"

"But he's already there! What's the matter, D'Silva? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Tell me where he is."

"He's at the site at the construction of 62nd Avenue. He's part of the team building the road."

"Send your police force there as fast as you can. 62nd Avenue is right around the corner for me. And hurry!"

D'Silva had only minutes to save an innocent life.

Death #42 on the list said "head drilled in by jackhammer".

***

The man was already dead when D'Silva got there. Josh was standing over him, holding on to a jackhammer. The man's brains were spilt across the street; Josh's clothes were stained with blood. A horrified crowd looked on in terror. The police had arrived and there were several guns pointed in his direction.

"I'm really sorry, everyone, but I just had to do this," Josh said to everyone, "You see, this is my destiny. This task was given to me by God. Can you argue with that?"

Josh spotted D'Silva among the crowd and slowly walked towards him.

"I'm sorry, Damien. I knew I shouldn't have, but the dreams would not stop. You must understand why I did this..."

"You son of a bitch! You didn't care, did you? All those people you killed, brutally. My own daughter died because of you. You felt no remorse, right? Tell me you did, and I'll let you live," said D'Silva.

"D'Silva, stand down! We have the situation under control!"

Through gritted teeth D'Silva said, "With all due respect, Chief, this situation could not be more out of your control."

Turning to Josh, he said, "Do you feel any remorse for what you've done?"

"I'm sorry, D'Silva, but I can't help but follow God's will," said Josh.

"Neither can I," said D'Silva, and shot Josh in the chest.

Chaos ensued.

"Stand down!" blared the megaphone, "stand down, D'Silva!"

"I'm sorry," whispered Josh.

"So am I," said D'Silva, shooting him in the head.

And so died Joshua Anderson.

***

Inspection of Joshua Anderson's diary revealed death #43 to be "shot by a gun twice."

So perhaps Josh did manage to predict his own death after all.