Evil Within

CHAPTER 22

The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the college campus as Luna settled into the cafeteria for a moment of quiet. The day had been uneventful—lectures, assignments, and the occasional laugh with classmates. She tried to immerse herself in the mundane rhythm of her life, but her mind kept drifting back to her confrontation with Lucas the night before.

The cafeteria bustled with activity, but Luna sat alone in a corner booth, a cup of coffee in hand and a half-eaten sandwich on the table. She scrolled through her phone absentmindedly, letting the noise around her fade into the background.

“Luna Bancroft?”

The voice startled her, smooth yet commanding. Luna looked up to see Sophia Green standing a few feet away, her sharp green eyes focused on her. Luna’s heart skipped a beat. Sophia’s presence was unexpected, and the air around her seemed to hum with authority.

“Agent Green,” Luna said, surprised but keeping her voice steady. She straightened in her seat. “What are you doing here?”

Sophia smiled faintly and gestured toward the empty seat across from Luna. “Mind if I join you?”

Luna hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Sure.”

Sophia sat down gracefully, placing her leather bag on the chair beside her. Her casual attire—jeans and a fitted black jacket—did little to mask the intensity of her presence.

“I apologize for dropping in unannounced,” Sophia began, her tone calm yet deliberate. “But I thought it might be better to speak with you here, away from prying eyes.”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Speak with me about what?”

Sophia leaned forward, her expression serious. “About the murders. The serial killer targeting young women in this town. I think you could help us.”

Luna’s stomach twisted at the mention of the murders. She had read about them, of course—who hadn’t? The details were horrifying, and the thought of being involved in any way sent a shiver down her spine.

“I don’t understand,” Luna said carefully. “What could I possibly do to help?”

Sophia’s gaze didn’t waver. “You know this town. The people. The routines. Even if you don’t realize it, you might have noticed things—patterns, behaviors, anything unusual. Sometimes it takes a fresh perspective to connect the dots.”

Luna shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that. And even if I had...” She hesitated, glancing around the cafeteria as if Lucas might appear at any moment. “My brother would never let me get involved. If he finds out I’m working with the police, he’ll lose it.”

Sophia’s expression softened slightly. “I understand your concern. Family can complicate things. But I want you to know that I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe—not just from the killer, but from anyone who might stand in your way.”

Luna stared at her, torn. She had always been curious, always wanted to know more about the world around her. But this was dangerous territory. If she agreed to help, she would be putting herself—and possibly Lucas—at risk.

“You really think I can make a difference?” Luna asked quietly.

“I do,” Sophia replied without hesitation. “You’re smart, perceptive, and connected. You can go places and ask questions that I can’t without raising suspicion. And I wouldn’t ask for your help if I didn’t think it was important.”

Luna bit her lip, weighing her options. She didn’t trust easily, but there was something about Sophia’s conviction that resonated with her.

“Alright,” Luna said finally, her voice steady despite the nerves coiling in her chest. “I’ll help you. But only if you promise to keep Lucas out of this. He can’t know. Not yet.”

Sophia nodded, a small smile of relief crossing her lips. “You have my word. This stays between us for now.”

Luna took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision settle on her shoulders. She had no idea what she was getting herself into, but one thing was clear: her quiet, predictable life was about to change.

The cool evening air greeted Luna as she stepped out of the college gates. The weight of her decision to help Sophia lingered heavily on her mind. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself, trying to shake the unease that followed her. The streets were quiet, the occasional hum of a car passing by the only sound as she made her way home.

Meanwhile, not far from the college, Sophia Green leaned against her car, her phone pressed to her ear. She had stepped away from the bustling campus to make a private call to her associate, Andrew James.

The line clicked, and James’s deep, steady voice came through. “Green. What’s the update?”

Sophia took a deep breath before responding. “I spoke with her. Luna Bancroft. She’s agreed to help us.”

There was a pause on the other end before James replied, his tone laced with cautious optimism. “That’s good news. After she left the station so suddenly, I wasn’t sure she’d even consider it. What changed her mind?”

“I think it’s less about us and more about her circumstances,” Sophia said, her voice thoughtful. “She feels trapped—by her brother, by her life. I offered her a way out, a way to assert herself. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. She’s nervous, and she’s right to be. This isn’t a game.”

James exhaled audibly, his relief evident. “Still, this could be the lead we’ve been waiting for. She’s close to the community, knows the town better than we ever could. If anyone can spot something out of place, it’s her.”

Sophia remained silent for a moment, staring out at the dimly lit street. “I’m not so sure,” she admitted finally. “Including Luna is a gamble. She’s young, inexperienced. And if anything happens to her, it’s on us. You know as well as I do that involving civilians is risky, especially in a case like this.”

“True,” James conceded. “But you said it yourself—this killer is careful. Methodical. We’ve been chasing shadows for months. If Luna can help us draw him out, even a little, it’s worth the risk.”

Sophia rubbed her temples, the weight of responsibility pressing down on her. “I just hope we’re doing the right thing. Including her means putting her in the crosshairs. She doesn’t realize how dangerous this is. If her brother finds out, or worse, if the killer catches wind of what we’re doing...”

James’s voice was firm. “We’ll protect her, Sophia. We always knew catching this guy would require unconventional methods. Luna is smart, and if she’s anything like her file suggests, she can handle herself.”

Sophia’s grip tightened on the phone. “She’s not just bait, Andrew. She’s a person. A young woman caught up in something far bigger than she realizes. We have to make sure she doesn’t become another victim.”

“We will,” James assured her. “But to catch the prey, we need bait. The killer’s pattern suggests he’s watching, waiting for his next move. Luna’s involvement might be the key to forcing his hand.”

Sophia sighed, her unease lingering. “I’ll keep a close eye on her. We have to tread carefully. If we push too hard, she might back out—and I wouldn’t blame her.”

“Do what you need to do,” James replied. “But stay focused. The longer this killer stays free, the more lives are at risk. Luna might be our best shot at ending this.”

Sophia ended the call and slipped her phone into her pocket. She leaned against the car for a moment longer, her thoughts swirling. Luna was brave to agree, but bravery alone wouldn’t protect her from what lay ahead.

As Sophia drove off into the night, a sense of determination settled over her. She couldn’t let Luna down—not as an informant, and certainly not as a person. If this plan worked, it would bring them closer to catching the killer. But if it failed...

Sophia pushed the thought aside, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. Failure wasn’t an option.