the death of a bachelor

twenty-seven | clue

The sight of Billy's dead body had plagued Reiju's dreams all night. He was hung upside down. Blood pooled from his sliced neck, dyeing the entire area below him in bright red. She immediately blamed Professor Shah for making her complacent. He had said there won't be another victim and yet...

Reiju clenched her teeth in anger. It seemed the murderer was getting out of character. His patterns had changed. But a seasoned killer changing his MO after many years was unheard of.

This mystery was becoming more complicated.

The only positive thing was that she had another body to get clues from.

Don't worry, Billy. You won't die in vain.

"I can't believe this!" Maggie cried out, burying her face in her hands. "Why did this happen to Billy?"

Reiju glanced at her as the students around them chattered. After Billy's body had been found, rumors circled the school about a vicious serial killer. Everyone was on edge, thinking that another death would occur soon.

She didn't bother telling the kids what she knew about the killer's preference. Reiju believed the system would just shrug it off if their precious elites weren't in danger.

She was right.

After a few days, the headmaster had called for an assembly to address the issue. The professors had stopped their classes and led them to the courtyard where four small speakers were set up.

Reiju stood in line with Maggie and Gio while the former kept crying. She suddenly recalled her last conversation with Billy. It sounded like he knew that Maggie was in danger.

Did he already know about the other victims?

Or was he worried about Irina and Maggie's relationship?

Damn. She better trace what Billy was doing before he died.

"Good morning, students." Headmaster Leroux spoke using a microphone that his voice boomed in the courtyard. "I am aware of the talks that surround this school. But I am here today to assure you that this place is safe."

Bullshit.

The headmaster's icy eyes perused the students. "What happened to Professor Huxley and Billy Rayes was nothing but an unfortunate accident. We have no proof that they were killed by the same person or that a serial murderer is in our premises. But as a precaution, we will lower our curfew to seven p.m. By that time, everyone must be inside their dorms. Professors will also form a team to do patrols every night."

Reiju crossed her arms. She began to formulate her argument when she felt an ominous stare directed towards her. She met Professor Shah's warning glare.

What was his problem?

She bit her lip in annoyance. The professor was adamant about stopping her but why would she? The theory of the criminal killing every ten years was already thrown out the window.

She couldn't stop now.

Reiju glanced at Ursa. She confirmed the older woman's attentiveness to the speech and gestured for Gio to cover for her. She slipped towards the back and headed to the dorms.

She went straight to the boys' area and searched for Billy's room. Reiju found it on the left-wing, between two other rooms with identical wooden plates on it. Although the room on the right seemed larger from the outside.

Reiju twisted the doorknob of Billy's room only to find out that it was broken.

The knob fell as the door creaked open.

Reiju entered, noticing the brick-themed wallpapers and the Chicago Bulls logo above the bed. She went to his desk near the closed window. Pens, papers, and open books were scattered on the oak table. Clothes spilled from his closets.

"He was in a hurry," she muttered before her eyes caught the book titles.

The Blood of the Vampire by Florence Marryat.

The Natural History of Inbreeding and Outbreeding by Nancy Wilmsen Thornhill.

Reiju frowned and grabbed the vampire book. She wondered how Billy had gone from myths to scientific data. What was he looking for? She opened the book and cut-up articles bombarded her face before falling on the floor.

"Kuso!" She bent down to pick up the cut-ups when her fingers froze.

In the middle of the mess was a sketch of a dark figure. It looked like a man except for the long arms and limbs that resembled octopus arms.

"This is..." Reiju bit her lip.

The man in the labyrinth... did Billy see it?

She had no proof that the unknown man was also the murderer. But for now, the best person who could get away with murder was him.

Reiju was so lost in thoughts that it took her a minute to hear the commotion outside. She placed the books on the desk and exited the room.

She saw Ursa with the professors in the hallway. They were talking animatedly and they were coming towards her. Fast. She cursed and ducked into the next room, sighing in relief that it was unlocked.

The group passed the room that Reiju finally had a chance to scan her sanctuary. She could hear the shower and...

"No way."

It was Dion's room.

Of all the...

The sound of the shower abruptly stopped. Reiju moved to leave but heavy steps from the outside halted her movements. She was fucking trapped.

"Bene, questa si che è una piacevole sorpresa."

She hit her head on the door, gritting her teeth in displeasure. Reiju pasted a smile on her face as she turned to face him. "I was just--"

Reiju blinked at the bruises on his pale body and the traces of blood on his fingers. "What happened?"

"Nothing." Dion winced, placing a hand against his forehead. His steps staggered as he walked towards her, waving a hand. "Leave."

"What are you---?"

Reiju's words died down as the boy fell on her.