LOVE ME IF YOU DARE [when he comes, close your eyes]

Chapter 12

The southern winter wind is damp and cold. But winter does not linger for long. It makes its presence known and leaves like a traveller hurrying to its next destination.

A few days till the New Year. The temperature is gradually rising again. As the snow melts, the town looks clean without those greyish white patches on the ground. People are spending more time outdoors. The city seems more lively and vibrant again.

Jian Yao walks slowly. Unlike the crowd, her heart is still heavy and filled with grief. Bo Jinyan says the killer should be captured by the police today. There are already rumours going around. People are anxious. She sees several people standing outside a shop, chatting.

"I hear he target boys."

"What a bastard. Can the police find him?"

"Can't allow my kids wander by themselves anymore."...

......

Today, Jian Yao is visiting her stepfather. She's about to enter the house when the phone rings. It's Li Xunran.

"Jian Yao! We've found the boy!" Li Xunran sounds tired, "He is still alive. We are rushing him to the hospital now. But the killer escaped. We've sent every man we have on a city hunt."

-

Jian Yao jumps onto the first available taxi. She calls Bo Jinyan. Must be another late night. His voice sounds muffled: "Ah... I will be there immediately. Tell them not to temper with the crime scene."

-

Jian Yao arrives at the far

mers market. According to Li, the killer lives in an alley behind the market.

The market usually closes around noon but because of the forthcoming New Year, there are more people than usual at this time of the day. Jian Yao walks to the seafood section. Fresh fish is sold out, so there are less people in this part of the market. She stands beside the fish tanks, waiting for Bo Jinyan to arrive.

The place smells of the salty sea water and blood. She takes a look around. Jian Yao calls Li. He says he'll be there in a few minutes.

——

The breakthrough was found by the community police. According to them, there is a small hardware shop next to the market. The owner's name is Sun Yong. He fits the description of the killer's profile. They went to his house, but no one answered the door. However, they heard some noise coming from the inside.

The police acted decisively. They broke in and saw a boy tied up in a corner. He was using his body to hit the floor to alert the police.

......

Li Xunran arrives at the market. The place is still packed. He works his way pass the crowd and heads towards the back entrance. From his peripheral vision, he notices a slim man of medium height, walking towards the back entrance steps. He has one hand in his pants pocket. The man seems to be very nervous. He looks at the ground most of the time, but every now and again, he looks up and checks out what's going on.