John Kramer imagines (book 2)

there's something wrong with this city

I'd spent night after night on my laptop, researching serial killers in the area that I lived. It was my passion, I loved true crime and all of the drama that came with it, it was a little side hobby and something I did outside of work life. I sat on the couch, my laptop in my lap as I sipped my tea. The TV was playing in the background, some old movie. I check the time, "Shit, it's almost two am? I need to get to sleep soon." I told myself, as I rubbed my eyes. The lights started to flicker in the room, the electrics had always been a bit dodgy but the house was old and some guy had died here years back, but when I bought the house, I was so intrigued by the history that I just had to do it. An article pops up on the screen, about this mystery killer called 'Jigsaw'. I click the heading, as a page loads up about this guy who used to build these traps, he used to kidnap people who did bad things in life and give them a life or death scenario. It was pretty fucked up, this guy didn't have an identity, he was supposedly missing or dead and the last case had been reported almost ten years prior. "Interesting." I was so hooked on who this guy was, did he work alone? Or was he working with other people? My phone started to ring, as my neighbour John's name appeared on the screen. I answered, putting it on speaker. "Hey, John. How's it going?" He was an older man, his wife had died and he was super into his work. "Hey, neighbour. I noticed your light was on, how come you're up so late?"

"Oh, I'm just doing my research. I've found a new lead. It's super old, but I think I've caught onto something." I follow some links, going deeper into this case. "Oh, really? What have you found? I've got a lot of years on me, maybe I know what it's about?" He had been here for his entire life, maybe he knew about this mystery guy. "Okay, so the files online are pretty corrupted and a lot of the photos aren't even visible. This guy called himself Jigsaw. Do you remember anything about a Jigsaw killer?" He went silent for a moment, "John?" It freaked me out, that he just went so quiet on me. "It's super late, y/n. Maybe leave this stuff for another day. You know what these websites are like, half of this stuff is fake. The guy probably doesn't even exist." I frowned, "John, It's just research. And I'm sure it's real- there's statements from police here and everything. His victims that survived- they made news back all those years ago. Apparently, he went missing and they never found him." It was weird how he didn't want me to search this guy up, he'd always wanted me to do it with other killers that I had made articles about. "Media lies, y/n. Half the shit that those journalists create isn't even fact. It's just hearsay. No one could know what happened to those people, or maybe they just made up a story about some guy and hallucinated the whole thing. How many people are on drugs these days?" I sighed gently, "I guess it could just be bullshit, but I can't help but think that this guy was real. And he did those things, he hurt those people to prove a point. But why? Salvation?"

"You can't go back if you keep up with this story. It'll only get worse from here." My heart dropped, "What are you talking about?" I was confused, but now it was starting to make sense. "John." He hung up the phone, as I shut the laptop. "What the fuck?" I whispered, I put it on the table as I pull a blanket over myself and shut my eyes, feeling tired out and just wanting to go to sleep. The next morning, I woke up and I checked my phone. I had a few texts from John, but I didn't really look at them. I get upstairs, I have a shower and get changed before I leave the house. It felt cold outside today, I walk down the street as I went to my local coffee shop. I went inside, ordering my usual coffee and sitting at the window. I didn't have to work today, so I just enjoyed having time to myself. I scroll through my phone, when I see a recent article. They found Jigsaw? He was still alive. I quickly leave, I wasn't looking where I was going as a car came toward me, someone shoved me out of the way. "Are you out of your mind?!" I look up, "John? How did you-?" He gave me that look. "You need to be more careful. Or you'll end up killed." I show him the page. "It's you, isn't it? I had to be sure. But I knew it." He cocked his head, "Do you think I'd make it this easy? No, no darling. If we play the games my way, you'll have to dig a little deeper for the answer you want." I step back, "I knew it. You didn't want me on the case because it was right in front of me."

"This city has eyes, y/n. My eyes, people who work alongside me. I'd be very careful how you choose your next words." He threatened me, as I shake my head. "You weren't supposed to be like that." My voice cracked, as he chuckled. "What did you expect? You think this ends well for you? Sweetheart. This is the beginning. Watch your back, try not to get stuck in my business." My eyes softened, "All those things you said.. you didn't mean it?" He clenched his jaw, "You have no idea what I'd- if you were mine, you'd never leave my side. But, it's too soon. You need to open your eyes, look around the edges. Find the reason, the purpose. Then, I'll come and find you. Don't look for me, darling. It doesn't suit you, the desperate look. Until then, stay out of my way." I turn and I walk away, almost in a rush. "Oh, I should mention something else, y/n." I look back at him, "What now?" He smiled. "If you try and leave this place, if you run.. if you step foot outside.. I'll know. And I'll find you, I'll bring you right back to me. And you'll wish I hadn't. I'll make you regret crossing me, little girl. Stay hidden from my radar, we'll get on just fine. Good luck." He turned and disappeared from view. I felt like I couldn't breathe.

I was trapped, with no way out. What would I do?

(OOOOOOOOOOOOOH SHES BACK! Comment for part 2?)