Chapter 008: The Last Goodbye
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Benedict, struggling to cope with his anxiety, steeled himself for the next phase of the case. As he studied the photos of persons of interest, alongside the images of the five recently killed women pasted on the wall, he took a sip of his tea and began to brainstorm once more.

Damien identified the kidnapper and believed him as the prime suspect. It was revealed that the individual suffered from a psychological disorder. From an early age, he had been reported for harming others, including animals, particularly insects. People believed he had changed as he matured, but it became apparent that the person, now a doctor, had merely bided his time, waiting for his twin to be imprisoned before his psychopathic tendencies resurfaced with terrifying intensity.

In addition to him, several other suspects are being monitored by the police, with some still unaccounted for as authorities search for their whereabouts.

Meanwhile, as time passed in the office, his team remained baffled by what they were searching for.

They were slowly losing hope when a bright light caught their attention. It was Benedict's phone, with a message notification flashing on the lock screen—it was from Christine.

As he read the message, a surge of emotion overwhelmed him. "I have to go!" he exclaimed to his partner, quickly shoving his phone into his pocket.

"Where are you heading?" his partner asked, sensing something was amiss.

"Sergeant Lawtrenchard, I'm heading into something important. I'm sorry, but I can't explain. Someone's life is at stake," he replied. Grabbing his revolver from the table, he loaded it with bullets, donned his bulletproof vest, and dashed out to the highway to hail a taxi.

His partner, already familiar with Benedict's impulsive actions, hurried to the team and quickly gathered a few members.

"Mr. Williams, track Benedict's phone," she instructed. "Ms. Everton, monitor the CCTVs around town to pinpoint his location. The rest of you, keep working on the case assigned to us."

On Benedict's phone were words he hadn't expected to see. It read:

Benedict and Damien, it's cold here, Christine or Nikki?

Don't make some call for me or what else

Anything is open, just be happy.

Come what may, if just convenient.

You are good, truly love, and wish for best to be with

See me now? Who are you? I know and am just good.

Damien or Benedict, is better together. With my presence, me and them.

And I know one is astonishing.

Of all of us here today will always be soon together forever.

Meet us tonight, our story awaits.

Doom is none. We always know, escaped what called death or whatever.

Once you make but never came, now always comes.

It's getting late returning from here to home after.

Finish job first.

What a night! Was the game started?

At first glance, he recognized it as a cryptic message—something he never imagined Christine capable of. For years, she had been a part of their lives as a friend, but he knew she had no knowledge of cryptography and no interest in anything related to law.

When the words were rearranged, they revealed a hidden message-a code he recognized from one of the many cryptographic systems he had studied.

Benedict, it's Christine. Don't call or anything-just come if you truly wish to see who I am. Damien is with me and one of us will soon meet our doom. We escaped Death once but now it's returning to finish what was started.

Beneath the message was a set of coordinates leading to another part of the city near their town. It was late at night, and the streets of Whitechapel district were already shrouded in darkness.

His phone rang, displaying Christine's name. He answered quickly, heart pounding. "Hello?" he asked, his voice tense.

"Benedict, I..." Christine's voice trembled on the other end, barely holding back the fear.

"Where are you?" Benedict asked, his eyes scanning the darkened streets around him.

"I have... I have something to tell you," she whispered, her voice shaky and uncertain.

"Christine, where are you? Please," he urged, his voice laced with concern.

"Look up," she replied, her voice almost a whisper. "The old Victorian building, northeast of... where you're standing."

His eyes found the building, where two figures stood. It was clear that one was Christine, and the other was Damien, sitting in a wooden chair with a handkerchief over his mouth and a blindfold around his eyes.

"What are you... What are you doing? Get down from there, young lady!" he shouted.

"It's me he wants. I can't believe I dragged you and Damien into this," she said, tears streaming down her face.

"He's... He's coming tonight," she added.

"Who's he? What are you talking about?" Without hesitation, he sprinted towards the nearby building, determined to get them out of there.

"I was once his girlfriend... and I fell in love with him. He... He told me his secret, and because of that, I... I rejected his wedding proposal," she explained, tears choking her voice. "I... I'm a federal agent sent to monitor him, but I... I can't turn him in. I..."

Benedict continued, stepping toward the circular stairs, his heart pounding faster with each step.

"I didn't report him because... because I thought he had changed," she confessed. "I'm the reason he went back to his old ways. It's... it's me he wants."

"I'm here just... just don't do anything. I'm coming," he said.

"Promise me you'll keep that information a secret," she continued. "Take care of Damien for me."

She drew her gun and pointed it at her head. "Goodbye, Benedict and Damien," she said, and a loud bang echoed through the line before the call ended.

As Benedict reached the top, it was too late. Christine lay motionless, blood flowing from a wound on her head.

He rushed to untie the rope binding Damien's hands when something hard struck his head, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.

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Author's Note:

The song "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen fits this scene well. The phrase "bite the dust" signifies death or defeat in a contest or game. Here, it reflects Christine's death and hints that more casualties may follow.

Much like the vibe of the song, this chapter is action-packed, full of drama and heart-pounding revelations.

Following my research, I discovered that the lyrics reflect a failed relationship, echoing Christine's connection with the serial killer. I hadn't anticipated this link, so it's gratifying to see how well it fits with the scenes I crafted.

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖙 𝕿𝖗𝖎𝖔
~ LORAINEJD ~