Evil Within

CHAPTER 24

The soft hum of the laptop’s fan filled Luna’s room as she leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms overhead. The screen in front of her displayed her freshly completed assignment, its neatly formatted pages ready to be submitted. The long hours of juggling her studies and freelance work were beginning to take their toll, but Luna had no choice.

Her late parents’ savings had covered her tuition, but daily expenses and her dream of pursuing further education required her to earn extra income. Being financially independent was both empowering and exhausting.

She closed her laptop and stacked her books in a pile on the desk, sighing heavily. The clock on the wall read 9:15 p.m. The thought of cooking dinner felt like an insurmountable task after the day she’d had. Instead, she grabbed her phone and opened the Uber Eats app, scrolling through the options before ordering a comforting bowl of ramen and dumplings.

As she waited, her phone buzzed. The screen lit up with Lucas’s name.

“Hey,” Luna answered, her voice soft but tired.

“Hey, Lu,” Lucas’s familiar tone greeted her. “I just wanted to let you know I’ve left town and I’m heading back to my flat. You’re on your own for now, so take care of yourself, okay?”

Luna managed a small smile. “I’ll be fine, Lucas. You don’t have to worry so much.”

“I’ll always worry about you,” he replied, a hint of concern lacing his words. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. Lock the doors, stay safe, and don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”

“Promise,” she assured him. “Now, stop acting like I’m a kid and get some rest when you reach your flat.”

Lucas chuckled lightly. “Alright. Goodnight, Luna.”

“Goodnight, Lucas.”

The call ended, leaving Luna in the quiet of her small apartment. She sank onto the couch, remote in hand, and turned on the television, hoping to distract herself while waiting for her food.

The familiar jingle of the local news station filled the room, and the anchor’s serious expression immediately caught Luna’s attention.

“Breaking news tonight,” the anchor began, “a young woman, Mira Williams, has been reported missing. Williams was last seen leaving a 24x7 convenience store after her night shift. Authorities have recovered her cell phone in a nearby alley, and foul play is strongly suspected. Mira’s disappearance marks the fourth case in a string of unsolved incidents involving young women in the area. Police are urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid walking alone at night.”

A chill ran down Luna’s spine as she watched the footage of the convenience store and the dark alley where Mira’s phone had been found. The reporter’s voice faded into the background as a sense of dread settled over her.

The news hit too close to home. Luna had always prided herself on her independence, but the thought of someone out there, preying on women like Mira, sent a shiver through her.

Her phone buzzed again, breaking her thoughts. It was a notification from the Uber Eats app: Your driver is on the way.

She glanced at the screen, her reflection faintly visible against the app’s glowing map. The driver’s car was just a few streets away, yet she couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in her chest.

Luna locked the front door and double-checked the windows, her movements instinctive. She wasn’t sure if it was Lucas’s overprotectiveness rubbing off on her or the weight of the news she’d just heard, but tonight, the world felt a little darker, a little more dangerous.

When the doorbell rang, she hesitated for a moment before peeking through the peephole. The sight of the delivery driver in a bright green jacket brought her a small measure of relief. She opened the door just enough to take the food, mumbling a polite “thank you” before locking it again.

As she sat back on the couch, the warm aroma of her dinner wafting up, Luna couldn’t help but glance at the television. The news had moved on to another story, but the image of Mira Williams’s smiling face lingered in her mind.

Taking a deep breath, she resolved to keep moving forward. Tomorrow would bring more challenges—assignments, work, life—but for now, she focused on the present, on the bowl of food in her lap, and the fleeting comfort of her small, safe space.

Luna stared at the untouched bowl of ramen on the coffee table, the warmth of the steam doing little to comfort her. The news about Mira Williams weighed heavily on her mind, robbing her of her appetite. Her fingers hovered over her phone for a moment before she finally tapped on Sophia Green’s number.

The phone rang twice before Sophia’s steady voice answered, “Luna. Everything alright?”

Luna hesitated, her voice quieter than usual. “I just saw the news, Sophia. About Mira Williams. Is it… is it connected to the killer?”

Sophia sighed on the other end, the exhaustion in her tone unmistakable. “Mira is missing. We haven’t found a body yet, but her phone was discovered in an alley. Drag marks suggest foul play, and the circumstances fit his pattern.”

Luna swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. “And the police? What are they doing?”

“They’re patrolling every possible spot,” Sophia replied. “Officers are on high alert, but this guy is smart. He knows how to avoid leaving obvious evidence. We’re trying to piece together clues, but…” She trailed off, the weight of the situation palpable through the phone.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Luna murmured, her free hand gripping the edge of the couch. “Sophia, I want to help. I want to do something to stop this monster.”

Sophia’s voice softened, though her words carried a note of caution. “Luna, I need you to be sure about this. If you want to back out, it’s perfectly okay. This isn’t something anyone should take lightly. Once you’re involved, there’s no turning back.”

Luna’s resolve hardened. “I’m not backing out. I want to help. I need to help. If we can catch him, maybe this town can be safe again.”

Sophia let out a breath, her approval tempered by concern. “Alright. Meet me tomorrow after your classes. I’ll have some updates and plans for how you can assist us. But until then, Luna, promise me you’ll be cautious. Lock your doors and don’t take any unnecessary risks. This killer is still out there, and we don’t know who he’ll target next.”

“I will,” Luna assured her. “Thank you, Sophia. For trusting me with this.”

Sophia’s voice held a quiet strength. “We trust you, Luna, because you want to make a difference. Just don’t let that trust put you in harm’s way. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Luna replied, ending the call.

She set her phone down, her thoughts racing. The fear that had gripped her earlier had now morphed into a simmering determination. She wasn’t a detective or a hero, but if there was even the slightest chance she could contribute to catching this killer, she had to try.

Getting up from the couch, she double-checked the locks on her doors and windows, the sound of the bolts clicking into place strangely reassuring. The town outside her apartment was quiet, but the darkness felt heavier now, cloaked in an unseen threat.

She returned to her room, unable to shake the image of Mira Williams’s smiling face from her mind.

“Tomorrow,” she whispered to herself, settling into bed. “Tomorrow, we’ll take another step toward stopping him.”