Evil Within

CHAPTER 4

The sun was high, at its peak. Glazing brightly, the sunrays fall down like liquid gold. The sky was partially covered with clouds, the low breeze blowing made the atmosphere very pleasant.

At the Bancroft’s house, coffee beans are placed in a  pot, brewing at low steam. The nostrils filled the aroma. Soon Luna brought two cups of coffee and placed the tray on the table. Private detective Sophia Winter sat on a stool, across the table. Luna sits on the vacant stool, facing Sophia.

 “Miss Winter, is everything okay? You wanted to talk about something.” Luna was concerned, “Yes, I have things to tell and I personally wanted to ask you a few questions.” Sophia raised her brow and Luna frowned but she put on a blank face, “what do you want to ask? Is it related to Augusta?” she tried to get to know what exactly Sophia wants to talk about.

Sophia nodded her head and asked her, “Are you sure Luna? that you recognized that body is from Augusta?” Luna narrowed her eyes at her, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get you?”

“Do you really think that the head belongs to Augusta?” Sophia asks in seriousness. Luna gulped down her own saliva and flashback of that event replayed; she nodded her head in agreement.

 “But why are you asking? What exactly are you trying to prove?” Luna frowned upon Sophia.

Sophia breathes heavily, “actually Luna, when we took the body for forensic investigation, we were shocked by the results.” She stared into Luna’s eyes, then continued, “The DNA results were of two different persons.” Luna stared blankly at Sophia. “It means that the parts of the body found in those bags belonged to two different persons. According to you, one person is Augusta Ryver.  Now the question is who the other person is?” Sophia explained’

Luna startled because of the information she just received. She was trying to sort the things out. She was in total shock, “yyyou.. meaaaan.. ttthat, you mean that they were ttwwo.. p..p..persons, killed, and bodies dumped in.. t.. the bagg? She babbled.

“Relax Luna. Calm down, please listen to me first.. Drink this water” Sophia handed her a glass to water, which Luna drinks in one gulp. She was sweating badly, more nervous.

Sophia rubbed her back till she was calm. “I didn't mean to scare you, I was here to confirm about Augusta. I’m sorry”.

‘It is fine. I am fine now. But I didn’t get that who could be the other person?” Luna asked while fidgeting. Sophia puts her hand on her hand to concern, “Luna, do you remember when we met last time? I told you that I am working under a case of kidnapping. Augusta’s kidnapping was the 3rd kidnapping in this month. 2 other girls went missing before her and we were not able to find the whereabouts of other victims, not even their bodies. But it was my assumption that all these missing cases are kidnapping cases and they are related.”

She continued, “More, a girl went missing last night. Mariah Boston, she is a single mother and works in a multinational company. When she did not come back to her home last night, the babysitter reported on 911. I think this one could be a kidnapping case. All I need is a solid proof.” She sighed heavily.

Luna’s mouth hung open, she tried to say something but pressed her lips together. She was scared indeed, so many things were happening around her, her heart drummed badly. After a long pause, she asked Sophia, “could it be a series of kidnapping or killing? There must be a serial killer who is doing all this? I don’t think that anyone was related to each other or it is just a mere coincidence?” Luna was confused.

“Please don’t stress yourself. It is my job to find out that. I want you to be careful. If it is really a serial killer, then we have to take every security measure to be safe. If you found anything suspicious, please contact me as soon as possible.” Sophia stands up to head out of the house. She bids goodbye to Luna and drives out of sight.

Luna was completely shocked and had no idea what to do now? She felt alone. Suddenly her phone rang, which was on the table where she and Sophia had a conversation earlier. She checked the caller ID, it was Lucas.

I was relieved to see her face. She picks the call immediately, only to hear his voice from the other side, “Hello, Luna are you alright? I forgot my phone at the apartment and just saw you 28 missed calls. I got worried. Where are you okay?” there was an unsettling pause, after sometime, Luna replied, “I’m sorry Lucas..” there was another moment of silence for a few seconds, “… I am really sorry. I shouldn’t have said those harsh words to you; I shouldn’t have punched you like a freak I was.’ She started to sob.

“It’s okay Luna. I am not angry. I understand that you were frustrated; even it was my fault too. I shouldn’t have left you alone when you need me the most. I was battling with my own problems.. Please stop crying. I am sorry too. And don’t hit me like that again, you hurt me.” He laughed at the last line and Luna giggled immediately.

“Let’s sort out things well. Dress something fine. We will be having dinner out tonight. It is my way to apologize.” Luna states to his brother.

“Okay, as you say.. But the place would be of my choice.” Lucas said.

“Fine then.” She disconnected the call and went to the bathroom, to take a long shower. She was tired and got more tired after her encounter with Sophia. Luna wanted to forget all the things her mind was going through but it seems to be impossible.

Everything was replaying like flashbacks. She got out of the shower and selected her outfit, which was a light grey high neck, paired with dark blue jeans and a black leather jacket. The nights started to get chill as the year approaching winters.

She pinned her hair into a high messy bun and slid into the flat heeled black fur boots. She slips her phone into the jean’s pocket and locks the door behind. She kept the keys in her clutch and started to walk to a nearest distance.

She wanted some fresh air as she was exhausted because of taking all the things inside her mind. She was wondering about the killer. He/she could be someone, no one ever doubts about them. She had watched a few documentaries about criminals.

She was lost in her own thoughts when she bumped into someone.  “I am sorry” Luna looked up and her eyes met with a pair of dark brown eyes. He was the last person she wants to see right now. “Hey! Linda! How are you?

“Luna, my name is Luna.” She scoffed, “yeah!! Right, Sorry I forget your name actually, may be because we don’t interact that much? Peter raised his brow, “but I am sure that you do remember my name, Luna.”

Luna rolled her eyes, and started to walk by passing him. Peter grabs her hand and pulls her closer. Surprised, Luna yells at him, “Excuse me? What the hell are you doing? She tried to snatch her hand back but he tightened the grip on her hand.

“Did you just roll your eyes on me?” he asked angrily. “Yes I did, so what?” Luna replied while struggling to release her hand. Suddenly a car pulls off nearby and Lucas gets out from it.

‘Hey!! What the f**k do you think you are? How dare you to touch my sister?” Lucas grabs Peter from the collars of his shirt. Lucas was taller and muscular than Peter. He overpowers him.

Peter stays silent and Lucas lets go off him. “I will break each and every bone of yours, if I found you near my sister again.” Lucas glares at him and Peter glares him back. “Let go off him Lucas, he is not worth it.” Luna said to his brother and both left the place.

Peter kept gazing at the car till it was out of sight. Lucas asks about Peter's problem from Luna. She told his brother everything since she met him. “better you just stay away from him, he is not good.” Luna nodded to Lucas’s request.

They both went to Lucas’s favorite place and had dinner. They both laugh and giggle while talking. All the tension and stress was up and Luna felt free with her brother.

They talked about a lot of things happening around. Lucas dropped her back at home, “please take care of yourself and I will come to visit you soon. Okay” Luna smiled and hugged her brother. He kissed her forehead and then left to his place.

She watched his car, getting out of sight. A sudden breeze passes through and Luna tightens her leather jacket. She walked upto the porch and felt uneasy. Like someone is watching her. She looked around but no one was there.

Without wasting any time, she opened the door and went inside. She locked the door behind and about to enter her room when the doorbell rang. She went down to check, “who could be here at this time?” she asked herself. She opens the door slowly only to find Peter standing at the door.