Sinister behind the Mask

Chapter 3

Diana's POV

"If the first victim received a box like this then there is a good chance the others might have received them too", Said Velibor as he pulled the hand brake.

"The box was not empty. It had a piece of cloth, a handkerchief of sort...", I said as I was staring at the dashboard.

"It was soaked in blood", I said

"What?!!", exclaimed Velibor in shock.

"Where is it?", he asked

"I gave it to the forensics to examine it this morning", I said as I looked at him.

"Diana, do you realize, there could be more to these attacks than it seems", He said

I was well aware of that. In fact, there could be a serial killer at large and this is only adding to my anxiety. A serial killer who could target anyone and no one would be safe unless we catch him.

"A box with a blood soaked cloth, a victim who is attacked near a sub-way but is only knocked unconscious and then she is threatened by a box which traumatizes her so she never speaks of it", Said Velibor

"No, there is no proof, there is no dead body, no evidence and the victims don't speak! How are we supposed to know what is this attacker scheming", I said trying everything to not picture a killer at large.

"I've asked the detectives to send me the detailed reports of the word they had with the victims. I've also requested detective Sam to look into this personally for us", He said

"And what are we going to do?", I asked him,

He gave me a stern stare as he raced the car to the cafe. I know he was going to meet Amy, and ask her of it, but, I was scared. What if she's deeply affected because of it and what if it only worsens? I don't know what it was that had happened but, there was something very off about it since that day.

We arrived at the cafe and I walked towards the door to enter it. Velibor was way more anxious. He stormed into the cafe and rushed to find Amy. It was 8 PM, the peak hour for orders but, the cafe was dead silent.

There were no customers, I looked around to notice the board that was dangling at the door. The cafe was closed for the customers but the door was left open. I was starting to worry for Amy. She was nowhere to be found and the cafe was left unattended. What's going on?

The cafe seemed fine. There were no signs of forced entry or something out of place. I wonder what may have caused Amy to close in early today.

As I was looking around, trying to search for her I heard a loud shriek. It was Amy!

"Amy! We're here! Amy where are you?", followed Velibor as he stopped dead in his tracks to find Amy.

She was shivering and looked pale white as if she's just seen a ghost. Her screams didn't stop. She only screamed louder as she saw me and finally passed out in Velibor's arms.

"WATER! Get her Water!", screamed Velibor as he rubbed her back.

Velibor carried Amy to her room and laid her on the bed as he held on to her hand. I was sitting right beside her waiting for her to open her eyes. She did open her eyes but looked very weak. She gave a faint smile as she saw me and Velibor.

"Amy, how are you feeling now?", I asked as I adjusted her pillow

Velibor hugged her as he helped her sit straight in the bed. She looked like a baby in his huge arms and he could barely keep his eyes off her. Her hair fell on her forehead as she tried to tuck it behind her ear. She licked her dried lips as I handed her a glass of water.

"Amy, We are right here. you can take rest", I said as I patted her shoulder.

She looked at Velibor as she put the glass of water down. I could see a sense of guilt and sorrow in his eyes as he looked at her.

Amy was such a sweetheart since our childhood. She is just too innocent and naive to understand what the others are thinking. She's always been fearless and never cared less for what others thought. She was always so determined and independent. Velibor, on the other hand, was a sucker for Amy.

I still remember the day when Velibor first met us in the last year of high school, Amy was a year ahead and so, she managed to be in the same class as Velibor and I, despite being a year younger to us. We connected well thanks to Amy and I could tell that something about her had him stuck to her. Although, he always tried to act as sanely as possible but, poor Amy would never notice how helpless and nervous she made him when he was around her. After graduating school, Velibor and I took up law while Amy chose arts. She was a bright student who wanted to continue running her parent's cafe. She was so dedicated and mature before we could realize it.

Here we are, all graduated and taking up responsibilities. Among the three of us, Amy was the most sensitive one. Sometimes I wonder where did that innocent little girl go. 

Velibor and I walked out of the room leaving Amy to get some sleep. As we walked the hallway, I was wondering what may have triggered Amy to scream so helplessly.

"Doctor says it's post traumatic stress which means, something definitely has happened on the night of 30th April", Said Velibor as he rubbed his forehead.

"Yeah, but, we can't question her. Not right now, she's in a very delicate condition", I said

"That scumbag! I'm not going to leave him once I catch that son of d*ck!", Spat Velibor as he pinched his nose bridge.

"Velibor, this way we won't find any leads. Our only hope right now are the forensics reports and...", I was going to say the testimonies of the victims but, there was something else which we didn't look at.

The CCTV records! I jumped as I looked straight out of the window to see the CCTV camera facing the cafe's door. It has always been here! 

I asked Velibor to stay by Amy's side as I went out to collect the CCTV records from the shops near by. Velibor gave me detective Sam's contact as well just in case I fall in need of his help.

Hang in there Amy, I'll catch this person no matter what.