the dim glow of early morning light filtering through the classroom windows, Taoko slumped in his chair behind the teacher's desk, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "Huhh," he muttered, rubbing his temples as if the very air around him was a burden.
The school day stretched ahead like an endless, monotonous void. "Today is so boring. Why do I even have to come to school?" he grumbled to himself, his eyes scanning the empty desks where students would soon fill the space with their chatter and energy—energy he envied and despised in equal measure.
Taoko was a man of contradictions. On the surface, he was the epitome of a dedicated educator: tall, with neatly combed dark hair, wire-rimmed glasses that gave him an intellectual air, and a wardrobe of crisp shirts and ties that screamed reliability. But beneath that facade lurked a psychopath, a predator who viewed the world through a lens of twisted curiosity and violent whims.
Teaching was his perfect cover—a job that placed him in proximity to innocence and vulnerability, feeding his dark fantasies without raising suspicion. He had mastered the art of blending in, his smiles as calculated as a surgeon's incisions.
The classroom door creaked open, pulling him from his reverie. A small girl, no older than ten, approached his desk tentatively, her backpack slung over one shoulder. Her uniform was slightly rumpled, and her pigtails bounced with each step. "Sir, Taoko, can you help me with this question? I can't get the correct answer, please?" she asked, her voice soft and earnest, holding out a crumpled worksheet.
Taoko's posture shifted instantly. His slouched shoulders straightened, and a warm, paternal smile spread across his face, transforming him into the kindly teacher everyone adored.
"Yeah, sure, I will show you how to do it, okay?" he replied in a calm, reassuring tone, gesturing for her to pull up a chair beside him.
"Okay, sir, I will listen carefully," she said, her eyes wide with gratitude as she settled in.
He leaned over the paper, his voice patient and explanatory as he guided her through the math problem step by step. "See here? You need to carry over the two, then subtract from the tens place. Like this." His pen moved fluidly across the page, illustrating each part.
The girl nodded along, her confusion melting away. As he taught, the bell rang for lunch, signaling the end of the morning session.
"Thank you, sir. You always help me,"
she said, her face lighting up with a sweet, bright smile that revealed a missing front tooth. She reached into her pocket with her tiny hands and pulled out a wrapped candy, offering it to him. "Sir, can you take this candy for me?"
Taoko accepted it gently, his fingers brushing hers in a way that seemed affectionate.
Then, in a move that would endear him to any observer, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Bye, sir," she chirped, skipping away toward the cafeteria.
He remained seated, unwrapping the candy slowly and popping it into his mouth. The sweetness exploded on his tongue, but his mind wandered far from the innocent gesture. (Hmm, how she would cry if I peel off her soft skin? )The thought slithered through his brain like a serpent, vivid and unbidden. He imagined her screams, the way her small frame would writhe, the delicate layers yielding to his touch. A faint shiver of excitement coursed through him, but he pushed it aside. There was work to do. Oh, I almost forgot to ready those notes in the staff room. I should head there now.
Rising from his chair, Taoko gathered his papers and stepped into the bustling corridors. The school was a sprawling complex, with high ceilings and echoing hallways lined with lockers and colorful posters promoting positivity and learning. Children's laughter bounced off the walls, a symphony of normalcy that grated on his nerves. As he walked, two boisterous boys suddenly darted in front of him, blocking his path with mischievous grins.
"Sir, we have a special gift for you. Can you take it for us?" one of them said, holding out a crudely wrapped box tied with string.
Taoko arched an eyebrow, his expression shifting to playful surprise.
"Yes, sure. If you two troublemakers made a gift for me, then I will definitely take it!" he exclaimed, his smile so genuine it could fool even the most discerning eye—perhaps even the gods themselves.
He untied the string and lifted the lid. A cheap plastic spider sprang out on a spring, accompanied by a recorded "boo" sound. Taoko feigned terror, clutching his chest dramatically. "Agh, very scary!" he gasped, widening his eyes in mock horror.
The boys erupted into laughter, doubling over. "We made Taoko sir scared!" they crowed, high-fiving each other.
"You two troublemakers really scared me," he said, chuckling along. "But I have some work, so go and play for now."
"Okay, sir! But remember, we will make these types of gifts again and try to scare you!" They dashed off, still giggling, their footsteps fading down the hall.
Taoko watched them go, his smile lingering until they were out of sight. Then it faded, replaced by a cold, calculating glare.( Hmm, who would get scared by that? Just wait, you two. I will definitely throw you into a pool full of crocodiles, watching them tear you apart limb by limb. Or maybe I'll put twenty hearts in your body—stitch them in while you're still awake—and then cut out all your hands and legs, leaving you as a helpless torso.) The imagery brought a twisted satisfaction, a mental rehearsal for acts he might one day commit. He shook his head lightly, resuming his walk to the staff room.
The staff room was a haven of relative quiet, filled with the hum of computers and the scent of stale coffee. Taoko settled into his chair, booting up his laptop to type up lesson notes. The keys clicked rhythmically under his fingers, a mundane task that anchored him in his double life.
Suddenly, a soft voice came from behind. "Hello, sir."
He turned to see Miss Jatin, a young female colleague with long dark hair and a gentle demeanor. She was carrying a lunch tray. "Oh, Miss Jatin, I didn't notice you," he said, smirking. Then, in a playful tone, "Don't you see I'm trying to write a love letter for you? Haha."
She blushed, gently pushing his shoulder. "Sir, don't make jokes like this, you know? By the way, I brought your lunch from the canteen. You should rest; it's lunchtime. Don't push yourself too hard."
Taoko leaned back, feigning exhaustion. "You know, sometimes I get so into my work that I forget to eat, haha."
"Yeah, but you should care about yourself," she insisted, placing the tray on his desk.
"Okay, I'll leave your lunch on the table. Eat on time, okay?" She hurried away, her cheeks still flushed.
He watched her go, his smirk deepening.( How would it feel if I made a scarf from her soft skin? Hmm, I bet I could easily peel it off with that new knife I bought yesterday. )The fantasy unfolded in his mind: her pleas, the precision of the blade gliding along her curves, the warmth of fresh hide in his hands. He savored it for a moment before snapping back to reality. Work called. He typed furiously for another hour, the words blurring on the screen.
Finally, hunger gnawed at him. He pushed the laptop aside and unwrapped the lunch—rice, vegetables, and a side of curry. As he ate, he idly tapped on his phone, opening a secret app where he uploaded videos of his "hobbies." These were carefully edited clips of his nocturnal activities, disguised as horror effects for an online audience. But one comment caught his eye: "Fake, you used VFX and CGI."
Rage surged through him like fire. His veins bulged on his forehead, his fork clattering against the plate. (Who do you think you're talking to? Huh? You think I used VFX or CGI for that? I guess I should murder people more often, in different styles—maybe flay them alive or drown them in acid. Hmm, I've also wanted to kill some celebrity's child, but it's hard to find them alone.) The thrill of the hunt, the headlines... He breathed deeply, calming himself. No outbursts here. He finished his meal in silence, then rested his head on the desk for a brief nap before the afternoon classes.
The rest of the day blurred into routine:
lecturing on history, grading papers, mediating playground squabbles. By dismissal, the school emptied, and Taoko slid into his sleek black sedan, the engine purring as he drove to a nearby cafe. The city streets buzzed with evening traffic, neon signs flickering to life against the twilight.
Inside the cafe, the aroma of fresh coffee enveloped him. He spotted her immediately: Jaya, the girl he'd met online through a dating app. She was striking—high heels clicking on the tile, a tank top hugging her figure, baggy pants adding a casual edge. "Hello, Taoko," she said, waving with a flirtatious smile.
"Oh, hello, Jaya," he replied, his voice smooth as silk.
This is the girl I met online. Hmm, we finally met in person. Now I can try that recipe for a human skull—I really wanted to hollow one out, polish it into a bowl. The thought excited him, a new project bubbling in his mind.
They chatted for an hour over lattes, her laughter light and engaging. She shared stories of her job, her travels, oblivious to the monster across from her. As the conversation wound down, she leaned in. "Taoko, you know what? I'm home alone tonight, so can I hang out at your place?"
"Hmm, yeah, sure. I live alone, by the way," he said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
He paid the bill and escorted her to his car, the drive to his secluded house passing in superficial small talk. As they pulled into the driveway, the shadows of the evening deepened. The game had just started—a deadly one, where only Taoko knew the rules.