Evil Within

CHAPTER 6

It dawned upon the town of Charlesrange as the shining sun rose from the horizon. Everyone expected this day to be as glorious as the sun but the reality turned bitter as soon as the Police officers of the town found a mutilated body in the trash.

Someone from the cleaning services called the Police after the moment they found the familiar black bags in the bin. Officer Winter and Officer James presented himself on the reporting spot where the bags were found.

“So, what do you say?” Sophia asked Andew with a hint of determination in her eyes.

Andrew was speechless, regardless of the thoughts over flowing from his boiling brain.

“It’s definitely not a coincidence.” he stated after a brief pause.

Sophia was silent on the remarks but she was inspecting the bag containing the mutilated body of another murdered victim. She handed the bag to the forensic team and turned to face Andrew.

“This is bizarre. Can you imagine? This is the fourth body we found in mutilated condition, and that too in the same week. This is purely intentional.” she made her remarks on the murder.

“And who ever is behind these murder, is very cunning and dangerous criminal. I wonder who can be this heartless?” Andrew was disturbed.

“That’s not the question, Andrew. The question is, how do we have to catch this criminal. I can’t risk it for another few lives to be taken by this murderer. Moreover, I am not getting any good vibes from this case. This is going to haunt us badly.” Sophia was depressed.

“Come, let’s discuss this with the team in the police station/ maybe we can find some clues about it.” Andrew passed from the line and went inside the car. 

Sophia followed him and they went back to the station. The station was crowded by the journalists and media. They all were here for the news reporting the article about this recent case. 

The security was tightened and the journalists were pushed away as the officers entered the attention.

“Phew!! They all will go mad. Everyone needs spices to flavor the dish.” Andrew’s remarks made Sophia chuckle.

The head of the department, Officer Brendon Smith was waiting for his team to arrive at the station. When he noticed Sophia and Andrew, he gestured to them to follow him to the conference room.

As Brendon took his seat, Sophia began her theory about the murders. “From all the bodies we found in black bags belonged to the kidnapped women. I have made a list and matched with the FIR lodged with permissions. From the forensic reports, the victims died on spot when a sharp object was pierced into their body. Later, they were cut into pieces for easy disposal.” she sighed at the end.

“That’s all we know, where are your progress reports? How did you go with the case? I need to report back to the media.” Brendon stated.

“Exactly! They all are waiting for a big news to be announced regarding this case. It is on national T.V. now. We need to hurry up.” one of the officers stated.

“I understand and we are doing our best, but so far, we got nothing in our hands. Whoever is the person behind all this mess, is very cunning and smart.” Sophia spoke in a depressed voice.

“This is no excuse! I need clues, and I expected better from you, Officer Winter. We don’t have much time. The public will lash at us if there will another murder in the series. This is an alarm for everyone to wake up. Spread awareness and tighten the security around major suburbs. Check all the CCTV footage around the town. I believe we can find a clue from there.” Brendon left the conversation as he proceeded to leave the conference hall.

Sophia was upset because of the case. Andrew approached her and patted her shoulder, “let’s go. We need to work our ass on this case. But believe me, if i find this killer, i am gonna pay him for every humiliation we have been through.” 

“That won’t be required. Let’s check the footages first. I will divide the groups and we will cover the areas, respectively. It will be easier and less time consuming.” Sophia stated.

Andrew and Sophia left the station in their cars, and headed to the different path to cover. They went to different places to check the footage and so far, nothing got into their hands. Sophia was on the line with another companion, their results were the same.

“Damn it!!! We are lacking something here.” Andrew punched a wall in frustration.

“Yes, we are lacking! Do you know why?” Sophia asked casually.

“Why?” Andrew asked while raising his shoulders.

“Because we are looking into this case as a police officer. We should look into this case as a criminal, a murdered, a serial killer…” 

“Or maybe, as a psychopath?” Andrew gave another example.

Sophia was stunned but she regained herself in seconds, “psychopath? Why didn’t I think of that before?” she whispered to herself but Andrew heard her clear.

“So, you think a psychopath could be behind this case?” Andrew raised his brows.

“Of course, he is a serial killer.” Sophia stated.

Andrew looked confused and slid a stool in front of Sophia to elaborate everything.

“Look, these murders that happened this week are random but the bodies found in the signature black bags are not. All of the victims are women and not related to each other. Somehow, it indicates that the person who killed them is a psychopath. He killed those women who seemed too weak to run away from him.”

She continued, “another point is that, according to the reports, they all died in the same way and later mutilated to carry in a bag for easy disposal. That’s what the killer did to get rid of the bodies.”

“Did the killer tortured them?” Amdrew asked curiously.

“It could be possible. Maybe, he tortured them first and later killed when the victim gave up or died during the torture. He is not any regular criminal, Andrew. He has planned this or he might have killed more victims than the bodies were found.” Sophia blurted out the reality.

Andrew was shocked, “how are we going to catch him?”

“That’s the problem. We need at least one clue in this case.” Sophia said.

Suddenly, Sophia’s phone rang and she picked the call, “yes?”

“Okay!!! I am on my way.” she hung up the call.

“What happened?” Andrew asked.

“Looks like the team found something suspicious.” Sophia informed him and then they left for the station.

All the Officers were in the conference hall. A companion, Greta Wills was showing a short clip from the footage they retrieved. There was an alley at the corner end and they noticed two legs approaching the end of the alley. Suddenly, someone dragged the person back and there was no clue where the first person went.

Greta stated, “this clip is retrieved from a departmental store near Maria Boston’s home. She frequently used this alley to cross the distance in a short time, especially when she got late. I suspect this person to be Maria before her abduction.”

“We can’t be sure! The clip is useful but it doesn’t prove that this is re;ated to the case.” Sophia remarked.

“Have you checked the forensic reports of the body yet?” Greta asked.

“Not yet.”

“You better go through it first.” she handed a file to Sophia. Sophia surveyed the file and gasped upon the revelation.

“The body found in the bag which was retrieved today, belongs to Maria Boston.” Greta revealed.

Sophia was speechless. She was upset with the finding and the anger was coursing through her body.

“Damn it…”

“This is no time to curse. We need to formulate a plan to catch this killer before he takes another life.” Brenfdo spoke this time.

“I have checked the last previous records of the serial killers. None of them has been released from the jail. This killer is a new player, or maybe the one who hasn’t got suspected for anything.” Andrew broke the silence.

“Maybe, we should look into the list of mental patients released this year. I believe the person is mentally unstable. He is a psychopath. He is dangerous.” Sophia stated.

“We will do whatever it takes. Sophia, tomorrow you will take the team of four with you to survey each and every hospital of Charlesrange. I want this motherfucker alive.” Brendon declared and left the conference hall to attend another meeting.

Greta approached Sophia, “i think we should survey the area for inspection.”

Sophia nodded and they left immediately to catch up with the team.