"Life is just a dream. And when we wake up… it's all over."
The man sat in the dim room, voice calm but unsettling.
"That's why I try to enjoy it as much as I can, before I wake into another world. Who knows—maybe that world is horrible. Maybe that's why we haven't woken up yet."
A shadow shifted beside him.
"Yes, Master. You're right. I've believed you from the start. That's why I've been serving you all these years."
The master's gaze narrowed.
"Have you learned anything more about the girl—the one who wants that boy?"
Parvej nodded, fingers laced behind his back.
"Yes, Master. She's sent us her number and her address. And… surprisingly, she lives in the same country as us."
The master's calm smile twitched.
"What? That's impossible. People that rich don't live here. Certainly not someone willing to pay that much money for a skinny little product like him." His tone cracked with disbelief.
"Insane."
Parvej stayed composed.
"I had a hard time believing it myself, but it's true. She's extremely wealthy."
The master's voice dropped an octave.
"Anything else of value?"
Parvej hesitated.
"Yes. She is—"
"No. I don't want to hear it from you." The master stood abruptly.
"You said you have her address and number, right?"
"I do."
"Good. I'll visit her personally. Set up the meeting—tomorrow."
"As you wish, Master. I'll arrange it immediately."
A voice from the corner chimed in, crass and impatient.
"Hey, what about the boy? He's been to the toilet four times already. He's getting on my nerves. Shouldn't we just get rid of him?"
The master shot a sharp glance.
"No, you idiot. Do your job and stop whining. I'm leaving now."
"A-Ah… I'm sorry."
Parvej bowed.
"Forgive him, Master. I'll discipline him properly. Take care."
The door shut behind the master. Silence followed—then fury.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" The other man hissed.
"You act like some slave. You're not my superior, so stop pretending like it! I'm done with this whole organization. I'm quitting this damn job!"
Parvej's calm was like steel.
"Watch your mouth, idiot. I just saved your life. Do you have any idea who that man is?"
"Yeah, yeah. I know he's dangerous. But so am I. I've killed two cops—with a knife."
Parvej sneered.
"That's child's play. That man is on another level. You're a petty criminal. He's a monster."
His voice dropped.
"He once killed his partner. With his bare hands. He has over fifty confirmed kills."
The younger man paled.
"F-Fifty? You're messing with me."
"No. And get this—he only delivered twenty-three of those bodies to clients."
"What? Then the others?"
"He killed them for pleasure."
Parvej leaned in, voice low.
"He doesn't kill for money. He doesn't kill for power. He kills because it turns him on. That's how real serial killers are."
The man's face went pale.
"So when he said what he said to me… he was planning to kill me?"
"Exactly. If I hadn't stepped in and calmed the situation, you'd be dead by now. So shut up around him. You talk too much. I'll handle the rest."
Tears welled in the young man's eyes.
"You… You're my only real friend."
Parvej sighed.
"Take care of this place. I'll go arrange tomorrow's meeting. No phones or PCs here, so I'll handle it outside."
He turned and left.
Elsewhere in the city…
"I've got them, Tihsan. They still haven't figured out my real identity."
Detective Tihsan's voice crackled through the line.
"How do you know that? Maybe they're stalling. You shouldn't have paid so much. No other 'customers' offer that kind of money."
The woman smirked.
"Relax, sweaty. I know what I'm doing. Don't forget—I'm an expert."
She scrolled her screen.
"Oh. A new message just came in."
"What does it say?"
She frowned.
"Connection's slow… Ugh, they want to meet in person."
"Told you. You overplayed your hand. Their leader's no fool."
She groaned.
"God, stop sounding like my dad. And stop calling me Shantoma. I hate that name."
Tihsan sighed.
"Fine. Blizzard, then."
"Thank you."
She crossed her arms.
"I'll try to confirm whether the leader himself is coming to the meeting."
Tihsan's voice was more serious now.
"You've been undercover in this cult for two months. How many members are we talking?"
"I'm just a donor. I gave them twenty thousand US dollars to earn their trust. From what I've seen… maybe a hundred low-level workers and ten high-ranking ones."
Tihsan swore under his breath.
"That's more than expected. What's the FBI even doing?"
"Nothing." Blizzard laughed bitterly.
"This group operates mostly in Asia. Not big enough for the FBI to care. Besides, a few of their agents might even be involved. Remember Officer Paul?"
Tihsan's expression darkened.
"He was into cannibalism. Suspected of joining a human-eating cult. Killed himself and burned all the evidence."
"Exactly."
There was a pause. Blizzard studied him.
"Still, I don't get it. Why did you take this case? You're not in it for the money. What pushed you to come out of retirement?"
Tihsan looked away.
"I'd rather not say."
"That's the fifth time you've dodged the question." She leaned forward.
"Stop acting like a shy schoolgirl."
A faint blush crept up his face.
"A rich guy once offered me a lot of money to find his son and get revenge."
He sighed.
"I refused. But I got curious. Started digging. That's when I found a pattern. Missing schoolkids. Some returned with missing body parts. It all connected."
He glanced at her.
"Remember how my wife died?"
Blizzard paused.
"Uhh… vaguely?"
"She was murdered at a restaurant. The killer didn't stop there—he attacked every other customer. Many died."
"Oh. Right. That freak got the death sentence, didn't he?"
"Yes. But the real problem… was his twin brother."
Blizzard leaned in.
"He had a twin?"
"Yes. Turns out, the brother was involved in these student abductions."
Blizzard gasped.
"No way. Who is he?"
"The night guard." Tihsan's eyes narrowed.
"After I found that out, I started digging deeper. Both brothers worked together. Before the restaurant massacre, there was another attack—less known. I believe one was trying to save the other by distracting law enforcement."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"They both enjoyed killing. And eating their victims."
Blizzard's face twisted in disgust.
"Jesus. That's why you returned to being a detective."
She smirked, trying to lighten the mood.
"You should marry me already."
"Not interested." Tihsan said flatly.
"Let's focus on the case."
She rolled her eyes.
"Sheeeesh."
She leaned against the wall.
"So. Do you think we can take down 'The Devour'?"
Tihsan's eyes sharpened.
"Nothing's impossible. Their leader is in our country. If we find him, we cut off the head of the beast."
He clenched his fist.
"Too many kids have suffered. Too many lives lost—for what?"
Blizzard's voice was quieter now.
"And even after death, those poor souls couldn't find peace. Their bodies… ripped apart, violated by some sick bastard."
Tihsan looked up at her.
"You're wrong, Blizzard."
His voice turned cold.
"Those aren't humans. They're worse than animals. And I swear—I'll find every last one of them."
His voice echoed in the silence.
"And I'll give them what they truly deserve…
Death."