Thrill

After all that happened, killing for fun by picking the targets through twitter account, Shaun had realized that he couldn't continue to do this, for someone might find the connection between the twitter and the killing. So after 2-3 killings, Shaun deactivated the account. Now he needed a new method, a new thrill as he was bored. It happened on 17th May 2019. Shaun was out on an errand for Mary, as he was returning he saw many police cars racing on. Curious as to what could be getting this much attention, Shaun decided to follow the cars. After quite a long walk he arrived at the crime scene. The police were holding down the civilians but he got a good glimpse of the crime. It was a murder and there was something on the wall behind the body. Shaun tried squinting to see it a bit clearly and he stopped, it was a message and it said, "A challenge for Θ". Someone was challenging Shaun with a dead body.

This was bad, very bad thought Shaun. Not that he was worried about this challenger but the police hadn't put together that Θ was a serial killer for Shaun had only put that symbol on Karen Paige and not on others. Now Shaun had to take up this challenge and the best way to do that is to first find out who this person is. Shaun needed a plan now, for the best way to get information about this killer was through police. So first he started researching about the victim. The police had released her name to the press, Olive Peyton. She was a medical grad student practicing medicine in Manhattan. Nothing pinged out about her, she was a normal girl, nothing unusual in her social media. Mostly short comments about dogs, pics of herself in her medical uniform etc. Shaun needed to know about her personal life. So he decided to go to the crime scene.

He reached Olive's area and decided to knock on the neighbor's door. The door was opened by a young girl, around his age, "Yes? How can I help you?", Shaun smiled as politely as possible, "Hello! My name is Jake, I live close by and I heard about Olive. Our school has decided to keep a mourning session to those who like to come. On that note, may I ask about Olive a little? For the article dedicated to her". The girl paused a bit and then she invited Shaun in. He sat on the couch and took out his handbook. "Before I start with the questions, may I have a glass of water please?", he wanted to feel out the place, the slightest and most trivial things can be a clue for this kind of case. After the girl offered water, Shaun asked her to sit, now this was the moment. He can't directly start with personal questions about Olive. So he started with something basic, "How was Olive?", the girl smiled and replied, "She was determined, driven and always aiming for number 1, she was a wonderful person", Shaun pretended to note it down and asked the next question, "Were you and Olive close?", Girl: "Not much really, we were friends and I went to sleep over from time to time",

Shaun: "Was she staying alone or is there anyone specific we should call for the mourning?"

Girl: " Not to my knowledge,her parents passed away last year in a car accident and Olive was just starting to-", the girl started sobbing and Shaun tried his best to make a face that seemed like he cared. "Look I know this is hard, I can come by some other time if you like", the girl shook her head, "No I want to finish this, its for Olive", Shaun smiled and said, "Yes it is." After a series of unimportant questions and beating around the bushes Shaun decided to take a risk, "Was Olive friends with some bad people?", the girl looked confused to which Shaun immediately answered, "Its just for the speech, to at least say that she might have made some poor choices but she didn't deserve an end like this". The girl didn't know anything useful, so he had to go to the police station which was risky.

He went to the police station the next day, "Hello, excuse me, may I know who is assigned to the Olive Peyton case please?", the cop lady looked at him questioningly and asked why did he want to know, "I'm applying as a journalist at the Daily Planet and I was told to get a good story, so I thought I might write about the NYPD solving the murder of Olive Peyton". Shaun was directed to the assigned detective working the case of Olive Peyton, it was none other than Mason Spencer. Apparently he had been transferred to New York after the Alex case, well technically it was Shaun who is 'dead'. Shaun paused for a moment to rethink his plan, but considering it had been a long time he decided to risk it. "Hi, excuse me, may I have a word with you detective?", Mason looked up from the file he was reading, "Yes, how can I help you?", "I'm Jake, do you remember me? We came to New York together." Mason recognized Shaun and got up and shook his hand, "Hey! It's been a while. How's the job search going?", Shaun smiled and replied, "Well, right now I'm working at a cafe but I want to apply for the Daily planet, but they require me to cover a good story. So I was hoping if I could write about the NYPD solving the murder of Olive Peyton." Mason thought for a second and then smiled, "I think that's a great idea, it'll also cover the hard work the police is doing". Shaun then asked Mason some questions related to the case, "On that note, could you tell me if you have any leads?", Mason took out his notebook and told some of the stuff which he felt was okay to share. After collecting the information which included, Olive was killed inside the house and then her body was dragged outside by the killer to showcase his kill. The cause of death was a single stab wound to the chest which not only went through her rib cage and the heart but also managed to crush her spleen, which suggested that the weapon was large and the killer was pretty strong. The murder weapon hadn't been found yet. The only lead they had found was that Olive had let the killer in, since there weren't any signs of break-ins, which suggested that she either knew the killer or that he was some delivery guy which shall be confirmed pretty soon.

After thanking Mason, Shaun returned home where he was greeted by Mary. "Hello dear, I have been looking for you, a post arrived in your name", Shaun was little surprised, who would send him a post, moreover it seemed to be hand delivered. Shaun took the post to his room, he sat down, smelled the post, shook it and then deciding that it was safe, he opened it. Inside there was a letter and a key chain. It was a key chain of the symbol Θ which made Shaun a little worried. Taking deep sharp breaths he unfolded the letter which revealed huge block letter saying, "FOUND YOU".