CHAPTER 1
The sky looked gloomy; like there was a storm brewing. The morning sun fought to peek through the dark clouds, but to little avail. The air around the dock, heavy, filled with the smell of salt, the smell of the ocean, and something more. Something... metallic. A stench so strong, it could make an average man sick to the stomach. But the people gathered around what seems to be an art piece made with blood, guts and flesh don't just look to be "average".
"Lieutenant Izuora, you're here."
A husky male voice cries out to a gracefully beautiful woman, whom makes her way towards the crowd.
"Yes, Femi." She replied.
"What have we this time around?"
The man, Femi, looked a little frustrated as he answered exasperatedly.
"Same as the last three victims."
"Killed, mutilated and exhibited, like a fucking piece of art. Whomever did this, is one crazy, psychopathic son of a bitch."
He lamented on as he walked the detective to the scene, where the picture of a nude girl was painted with blood, and surrounded with more blood, guts, body parts, and remnants of what used to be clothes are.
"It's official then. This is the work of a serial killer". Detective Izuora said, as she bent over to take a closer look at the painting.
"A talented one at that..."
"Get forensics to sniff out any form of evidence they can. We need to catch this barbarian, before anyone else gets hurt."
**********************************************
Just as the crime scene was unfolding. On the other side of the city, in a dimly lit room, a fragile looking young man that looks to be in his early twenties was just getting out of bed.
"That went well."
He said as he smiled to himself. He stood up, stretched, and walked into the room behind the door opposite the bed. Few minutes later, he came out all freshened up, put on some clothes, his shoes and then went on to sit in the wheelchair on the other side of the bedframe.
He picked up a backpack and then proceeded to the door as he left the room.
"Ayyo George, wait up!"
Just as the fragile looking young man was coming out of his dorm room, a friendly male voice called out from behind.
'And there goes my peace and quiet.' George thought as he rolled his eyes, and sped up his wheelchair.
"Someone... doesn't... look... too happy to see me." The friendly looking young man said panting, after he chased after George. "Man, that thing is fast. It's literally a batmobile." He jested, pointing at George's wheelchair.
"look Chris, I didn't get enough sleep last night. so, just do me a solid and let me be for today." George said, trying to dismiss Chris. But it didn't seem to work, as Chris was still following him by the side.
*You seen the news yet*
*Yes, it happened again*
*Oh my God. This is the fourth one within the space of three weeks now*
*Jeez, no one's safe anymore.*
*Nah, I heard they were all girls*
*That's just sick man*
*I hope they catch this sicko soon*
As the duo were walking along the dorm's hallway, they couldn't help but notice the other youngsters discussing within their circles.
"Bet you've seen it too, huh." Chris chimed.
"Seen what?"
George responded nonchalantly.
"The news. Another chopped up body was found. This time, by some shipping dock in Lekki." Chris fumed as he narrated. "Apparently, it's been labeled "the work of a serial killer " since the victim was found in the same condition as the previous three."
"Can you believe some sicko paints nude pictures of his victims, with their own bloods? Man it's nauseating just thinking about it." Chris kept on lamenting.
'He just doesn't know when to stop talking does he?' George thought to himself.
'But my work has finally started to gain some recognition. This feels exhilarating.' He got lost in his twisted thoughts, as he didn't realize he was smiling menacingly'.
"Dude, what's with that weird smirk on your face?". Chris asked, noticing the smile on his friend's face.
"Nothing. Let's get to class, we're running late as it is" George horridly dismissed as he horridly made his way to the lecture hall.
"RUNNING late?" Chris said emphasizing on the "running".
"Haha, real funny. Make fun of the crippled."
George retorted, sarcasm and contempt evident in his voice.
The duo kept conversing... well, more like Chris kept talking to himself as they moved on.
**********************************************
"So, how's the investigation going?"
A man dressed in a grey suit said, as he stood behind his office desk, staring out the window and onto the streets below.
He looks to be a tall, dark skinned man in his mid to late sixties.
"Still no leads, sir."
The woman standing across the table answers. Disappointment evident in her voice.
"No leads!? We have a serial killer out there, and you're telling me you have no lead whatsoever!?" The man's voice bellowed in anger.
"I'm sorry I took my frustrations out on you." He quickly apologized as he noticed the woman flinch. "It's just... The commissioner's been on my neck since the second victim. And now, there's the fourth killing within three weeks. What do I tell the people of the public we were meant to protect?" He cried.
"We'll keep doing our best, sir." The woman assured.
"Come on Anyi, I keep telling you to be yourself when we're alone." the man said with a smile.
"Yes sir-- meant, Uncle" stuttered.
It's alright, you're dismissed." He smiled as gestured her to leave his office.
Then the lady saluted and made her way to the door.
As she left the office, she walked down the hallway, until she got to an elevator, clicked the button, and went in.
As soon as the elevator started descending, she heaved a deep sigh, as she brought out a pack of cigarettes, took a stick in her mouth and lit it. She huffed and puffed till the elevator stopped it's descent and let out a "ding" sound while the doors opened. She then put out the cigarettes, dusted herself up and made her way into a huge hall that had a sign that reads "Homicides Department" at the entrance.
As she walked through the hall, she could notice some people working vigorously on their computers, while some seemed to be interviewing some people. Most of them in police uniforms and a few in regular clothes.
"Lieutenant!" A voice called out.
"Lieutenant, here are the reports you requested." The voice which belonged to sargent Femi, said, while handing the lieutenant an envelope.
"Thanks" she said as she forced a smile.
"I guess the briefing didn't go so well. Huh?" Asked Femi as he gave her a reassuring smile, and continued... "Don't worry, it'll all work out."
"Thanks, I really needed that." Said the lieutenant with a new found light in her eyes. "You read this yet?" She asked waving the envelope to Femi as she continued her strides.
"No, not yet." He replied, as he walked he walked along with her.
"..." She nodded. She kept walking till she got to a door that seemed to lead to a separate room.
On the door was a sign that read: "Lieutenant, Kate I. Izuorah"
She opened the door, and walked over to the desk in the corner of the room. She then dragged sat behind the desk, unsealed the envelope and proceeded to read it. All while the sergent, Femi stood on the other side of the desk, eagerly looking and waiting for Kate to finish.
"Serge, tell me again what the NFA's report said about the dismembering of the previous victims?" She suddenly said, as a deep frown crept in on her delicate face.
"They were all drained of their blood before the mutilation..." Femi replied, a little unsure.
"And were they all done pre or post-mortem?" She asked agian, almost rushing her words.
"Post-mortem, ma'am." Femi answered. This time, a little bit more certain.
"I thought as much." She said, as she glanced at the paper in her hands once more, and continued. "But according to this, most of her limbs were already detached before her death. The only one that was done post-mortem was her left arm, which had needle marks on them." She narrated before catching her breath to continue. "And they ran tests on the arm and found two substances. First they found propofone, which is an anesthetic injection; that would explain her not dying from the pains. And then they found Ringer's lactate: a form of revitalizing IV to keep her from dying sooner. And from the number of needle marks on the arm, we could guess she was alive for at least two to three days." She said with both shock and disgust.
"Oh my God! That's sinister..." Sergent Femi said in disbelief. "I can't wait to find that evil bastard, and make them pay!" He vowed.
"With such resolve, I really do hope we catch them soon." Said Kate as she heaved a sigh before continuing in a more serious tone. "Because whoever it is, I think they're evolving."