The Somnambulism

The Somnambulism

R.W. 16:29, the case that engulfed everyone's mind with fear. The first victim; Raymond Wenzel, a foreigner roaming the streets of Shibuya late at night. The body looked lifeless, almost inhuman. An obese man laid in an abandoned alleyway flat on his back. Blood pooled the head, beetles swimming in it. They ripped his eyes out, leaving two black holes on his face. Flies swarmed around the body, getting high off the stench.

The killer wrote a message with the blood: R.W. using the eyeballs in place of dots. Forensics found no organs inside. Someone had sewn up the body like it was a new blanket. "Watanabe, Ray Watanabe! There's been a second murder," Hirohito has been my partner for the last three years before coming to Japan. He had worked serial killer cases in America. Worse than japan has ever seen.

I rushed out of the crumbling police department, climbing into the passenger seat. The car smelled like old coffee and rotten donuts; it was unbearable. As I went to fix my belt, I noticed something from the corner of my eye. A human like shadow. Was I being followed? I've never been sure of myself after my mom passed away. I felt like I was being watched these days. I switched on the sirens. Looking back, the shadow disappeared. A chill went down my spine.

Roni's pizza, owned by an Italian guy, in the heart of Shibuya. The first thing I noticed was that the alleyway was 200 meters away. The restaurant wasn't doing so well and I could tell after ordering last night. The victim was Roni Walsh, the owner. He was sitting upright on a chair. No blood was around the body. On the wall, you could see the same message. R.W. eyeballs in place of dots. The bloody message stuck out against mustard yellow walls. In front of the body laid a table a pizza was on. The killer had used blood for sauce, human tissue for cheese and lastly topped it with his intestines. His organs were cut up so well they could pull off being sausage. The baby pink tissue stretched out across the bloody dough like an open wound. The image of the crime scene horrifically alluring.

Driving back to the office, I couldn't help but feel I was being watched. Everywhere I turned I saw a monstrous shadow. Once it was just a stupid dog.

"After this shift, let's go get hammered," said my partner

"Only if you're paying Grandpa," I teased back

"Don't call me that!" he said punching my shoulder.

"What are your thoughts on our new serial killer?" I asked.

"This guys smart, if we don't act fast we can have another Dr. Death situation on our hands," He replied.

Back at work, we laid out information on a white board trying to connect the dots. The first murder was in an alleyway; 200 meters down from Roni's pizza. The victims were brutally murdered and stripped of their eyes. R.W. was the message left at every scene.

"Inspect the victim's names". Hirohito pointed out. Raymond Wenzel and Roni Walsh. I read it a few times.

"R.W., the initials of each victim," I replied.

"Not to mention they were foreigners too." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Please watch yourself, Ray Watanabe."

"I could really use a beer," I exclaimed.

HUB Shibuya, the perfect spot for cops to drink and forget. Big purple fluorescent lights, illuminating the entrance. Inside, grey bricks built up the walls, with a splash of colour from the paintings. "Cheers to the most revolting case ever!" I held up my drink. It swished around in my cup when I noticed someone outside. A head poked out at the entrance. I couldn't make out a face because of the gleaming street lights. By the time my eyes focused, nothing was there. "Round two" the bartender said smacking the drinks on the table. I chugged mine, letting some trickle down my chin. In the meantime, my partner was on the phone. His expression went from relaxed to 'I'm on duty'. He dropped a 1000 yen on the table and waved goodbye. "One more round." I shouted, throwing my fists in the air.