Zian's chest rose as his words resonated across the bridge, bouncing off steel cables and concrete barriers.
The wind tore through his dark hair, carrying the scent of river water.
He stood at the edge, his toes hanging over nothing. One wrong step and the river would swallow him alive.
But it didn't matter; he hadn't planned on living past today.
"You want a statement?" He faced the crowd, and spread his arms. "Here's your fucking statement."
The nearest officer tightened his grip on his rifle, but with cameras rolling, no one dared fire. There was no sign of imminent danger.
"Detective Morrison!" Zian's roared over the crowd.
"Remember my family's case? When you told me to drop it—because the killer was a billionaire's son? When you said I should just take the compensation and move on?"
"Morrison's face went pale, and the reporters instantly turned their cameras on him.
"And when I didn't back down, they pulled their strings and threw me into a warzone. Thought I wouldn't come back alive, didn't they?"
"That was an accident!" Morrison snapped.
"Accident, my ass. They weren't just drinking that night—they were high on drugs too. Every last one of them was guilty."
"Sarah. Emma." His jaw clenched. "My girls. Eight and six. Playing in our backyard when Senator Radwell's drunk son plowed through the fence at ninety miles an hour."
Reporters pressed in. One dared to push right up to the tape, microphone outstretched.
"But money talks. Radwell's lawyers buried the toxicology report. Judge Blackwood reduced it to reckless driving."
"Six months suspended—for murdering children. What kind of justice system calls that fair?"
Cameras kept rolling, but the reporters holding them suddenly looked like they wished they weren't.
"Sir, please calm down. Just tell us where Senator's son and his friends are." another police officer tried to deescalate the situation.
"No need for that. I'll confess right now, while the whole country is watching."
Turning to the side, he addressed the cameras directly.
"I already dealt with them. I made sure to record every second of their screams. You want proof? Go dig through my basement."
The crowd stirred restlessly. A reporter shouted a question.
"Mr. Zian, were you behind the other deaths too?"
"Damn right. I killed the senator. That corrupt judge. And anyone else who had a hand in it."
He grinned wider as he went on, savoring every word.
"The prosecutor who buried my case? I carved him up slow, piece by piece, before tossing what was left into the ocean. And you should've heard him beg."
"That's enough!" Morrison shoved forward "Stop this madness!"
"Madness? No… this is justice." Zian's shook his head. "Something you forgot how to deliver."
The detective said nothing, his eyes darting as the crowd on the bridge continued to increased.
Behind the police line, phones buzzed with breaking news alerts. Social media exploded with clips of his confession.
The identity of the infamous killer known as the Butcher was finally revealed. Even more shocking were the revelations about why he did it.
"Don't go quiet on me, Detective." Zian's grin stretched wider. "How about you check on your family first?"
Morrison's hand trembled as he pulled out his phone. The screen showed three missed calls from an unknown number.
Before he could react, it rang again.
The detective's face drained of all color after ending the call.
"If you touched them, I swear I'll—"
"Do what ?" Zian threw back his head and laughed—a sound so unhinged it made several officers step back.
How could any human be this sadistic?"
"I just want you to feel what I felt all those years ago. My associate has your wife and kids… They'll walk free—if you put a bullet in your head right now."
"My revenge ends with your death." Zian spread his arms wider. "Now choose!"
The radio on the detective's belt erupted with chatter, units already heading for his home.
Years of preparation led to this moment. Even being cornered was part of his plan to bare the justice system to the world.
"They're scared, Morrison. Choose fast. The clock's ticking… or is your life more important than your family?"
Social media exploded with hashtags.
#JusticeForZianGirls. #MorrisonCorruption. #LiveConfession.#CorruptSystem
The whole country watched. Waited.
BANG!
The police officers didn't even register the shot until Zian's body jerked.
"NOOO!" Morrison cried out, helpless, as his last hope of saving his love ones fell from the bridge.