Chapter 25
Namjoon
*Around 2 months later*
I reread the title on the newspaper article on my laptop. ‘Is there a new ripper in town?’ – it asked. I sighed as I clicked on it, ready to read the news article.
Is there a new ripper in town? That is the question on everybody’s tongue right now as police have confirmed that a fifth victim has been found.
Lately, over the course of these past two months, this town has been terrorized by brutal murders. The first victim was found two months ago in an abandoned alleyway. The young woman who was only twenty-two had been out late working at a local diner. She had just finished her shift when police believe she was attacked. Her neck was sliced open and her body was completely drained of blood.
Two weeks later, another victim was found killed with the same MO, only this time, it was not in an alleyway but right in front of a church. The third and fourth victim were killed during these past four weeks with the same MO but in different places with one being at the beach and the other in front of a Chinese Restaurant, with the latest victim found in front of a school.
Police have finally confirmed that they are going on the theory of a serial killer who targets women. So far, all five women have been young, beautiful and being out late, but that is all they have in common. All five led different life styles between working in diners or at a law firm. The police are trying to find out more connections between the victims that could potentially help catch this killer.
Each of these women had their neck sliced open and left to bleed out. The strange thing however is that the blood seemed to have been collected as the crime scene was not that littered with blood. Is it possible the killer is collecting the blood as a souvenir?
This is all the information we have up until now. We will keep you informed and updated as soon as we have more information. We hope that this killer is caught soon so that the killing can stop.
I sighed and stood up, feeling rather rattled. Something was off about this. There was definitely more to it than what was written… or maybe they did not know. The door opened and I turned to look and see Yoongi walking in.
‘Hey you okay? I’ve been knocking but you didn’t even hear me,’ he said as I nodded. ‘You don’t look too convincing Joon,’ he said as he closed the door and sat on the couch.
‘I’m fine, don’t worry. I just read something on the news which… made me think,’ I said as I handed him my laptop.
‘What’s gotten in that genius head of yours now?’ he asked as he took the laptop and began to read. I walked towards the window that showed the land that we owned – well, technically that Alina owned but she always made sure that we knew it was ours too.
From here, I could see Alina playing with Eric and Lizzie who are over two years old now. Huening Kai and Lily were both with her too, laughing loudly. I found myself wondering how it would be to see her play with our pups. I smiled at the thought. It felt good seeing her smile and laugh like that.
Alina had gone through some horrible hardships in her life. She’d been orphaned, uprooted and then brutally raped. She’s been kidnapped and threatened and almost killed. She had been beaten up for standing up for others. Yet, she never gave up. In my eyes, she always and always will be a symbol of strength.
‘Damn,’ Yoongi said as I turned back towards him. He looked slightly pale and almost sickly as he put the laptop on the table. ‘I can see why you’re upset after reading that,’ he mumbled.
‘Five women, viciously killed,’ I said as I shook my head. ‘What’s to stop this killer from getting Alina if she’s ever in town alone?’ I asked.
‘Well after reading that, like hell she’s going there alone until this * is caught,’ Yoongi said and I nodded.
‘That I agree with you, but still, what about the other women? I know it’s not our problem, but still, I feel like I could do something, especially if it’s what I am thinking,’ I said, mumbling the last bit.
‘Care to elaborate on your thinking?’ Yoongi asked as I sat down next to him. His heart rate was picking up, even if he appeared calm and steady. I could see the cogs in his brain working as he was probably drawing to the same conclusion I did.
‘What if it’s a vampire Yoongs? I mean, targeting weaker ones and draining their blood?’ Doesn’t it sound like a vampire?’ I asked.
‘Well, it does make sense. I mean the idea of a killer collecting blood makes my skin crawl. It feels psychotic and not to mention the smell in the house would be disgusting. A vampire on the other hand, it would explain why there isn’t a messy scene. He would not have wasted that much blood except for the slit of the throat to make it look like that is what killed her,’ Yoongi said.
‘We took an oath Yoongi, as werewolves, in front of the goddess, that we would always stop vampires that were harming other creatures, human or supernatural alike,’ I said.
‘I know,’ he said. ‘What scares me is exposing ourselves like that, especially if there are hunters,’ he said.
‘Makes me wonder if there are considering everything. I mean, wouldn’t they have noticed the pattern?’ I asked and Yoongi hummed in response.
‘Possibly. We probably should talk this out with the others and come up with a plan. We’ll need to go to town,’ he said and I nodded.
‘I know. Alina is what scares me,’ I said while he shifted his weight and looked at me. ‘She’s going to want to come and help,’ I said.
‘Well, Joon,’ Yoongi said as he rubbed the back of his neck. ‘As much as I am not fond of that idea or the idea of her being anywhere near a vampire, she could be really helpful. You know how strong she is, especially when using her powers,’ Yoongi said.
‘We’d protect each other,’ I said. ‘We can talk about this to the others when we’re all together, maybe after dinner,’ I said and Yoongi nodded just as the door opened to reveal Hoseok.
‘Hey boys, sorry to interrupt but food is ready and table has been set up. Hurry up if you want to eat,’ he said with a wink. We laughed as I closed the laptop and followed him.
‘Oh my goddess,’ Alina said as she looked as if she was growing pale while Jimin held her hand, although he did not look much better than her. He looked like he was about to be sick and throw up all the food he just ate.
‘It’s completely atrocious. Serial killer or vampire, we can do something about it,’ Jungkook said, sounding determined.
‘I agree. He or she or they need to be stopped,’ Taehyung said.
‘You think it’s a they, as in more than one?’ I asked and Taehyung shrugged.
‘Could be anything Joon. Vampires, they might sometimes be solo but they’re often running around with their clan, like we run around with the pack,’ he explained himself.
‘No, makes sense but that would mean we need to be extra careful. We know how dangerous vampires are, especially when in a clan,’ I said. One bite from them could kill us wolves while transform humans or people like Alina.
‘I can help,’ Alina said, making all eyes turn to her. Jungkook frowned and Taehyung’s jaw set. ‘I can offer back up. Vampires need to be burned anyways and I can do that,’ she said.
‘It’s dangerous Alina,’ Hoseok said as he looked unconvinced. She sighed and then smiled.
‘I know but I can protect myself,’ Alina said determined. ‘Besides, you’re not the only who took an oath in front of the goddess to stop vampires. We all know that out of all the supernatural creatures, they’re the ones who are the most dangerous,’ she said.
She was right. Ever since ancient times, supernatural creatures like us and her lived in harmony with humans. That is until vampires started running around, causing chaos with their murderous streaks. That ended up forming the Tribunal of Hunters who saw all supernatural creatures as a threat.
‘Okay fine. You’ll come with us but you have to promise to be careful. I don’t think any one of us can handle you being hurt Alina,’ Taehyung said.
‘I’ll be careful, I promise,’ she said, offering Taehyung a genuine smile.
‘We need to figure out a plan,’ I said. ‘How we’re going to lure them and how to prepare for them,’ I said.
‘Well I have an idea but most like you’re not going to like it,’ Alina said as she bit her bottom lip. She was tense and she looked nervous. I knew that whatever she was going to say was going to be something I was not going to like.
‘No. Like hell, no,’ Taehyung said, almost as if he was reading her mind.
‘It might be the only way to lure them’ Alina responded while Yoongi cleared his throat.
‘Mind letting us on in your little conversation,’ Yoongi asked, his hands across his chest and one eyebrow raised.
‘She wants to put herself as bait. Don’t you?’ Taehyung asked, turning to Alina.
‘No! No, we’re not doing that!’ I said but Alina frowned and stood up.
‘Think about it. Young women who are out late at night are being targeted. Last time I checked, I was the only woman here,’ she said tilting her head to the side.
‘But it’s too dangerous. We wouldn’t be able to be that near because they would smell us,’ Jimin said.
‘He’s right. What if we don’t get to you on time, hmm?’ Jungkook asked.
‘I can handle myself. You know I can,’ she said, looking determined.
‘I hate to say this,’ Yoongi said as he chewed on his bottom lip. All eyes turned towards him, waiting to see what he was going to say. ‘She might be right. It would be the only way to lure the vampires.;
There was a collective silence following that statement. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath, no one wanting to admit how it was the truth. I could feel the tension in the room. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
They were right. I knew they were right. It was the only way to lure them. I opened my eyes and looked back up at them.
‘Fine. We’ll do it this way but we all need to keep our heads focused. Alina, no unnecessary risks, got it?’ I asked.
‘Got it,’ she said with a small smile.