Killer Phantasm

“I can’t stop this”. He noticed his hand shaking from sheer excitement and the added blood stench overwhelmed every part of him.

Slowly he muttered “Fingers......”

From the past year, a series of murder took place in this particular town. Regarding of the murdered victims, detectives investigating the murders and disappearances have described this case as one of the most unsettling crime. All victim was found laying around a cemetery which are overall isolated. Other than that, each victim was found with battered face. Adding the fact that the area that all victims was found is a perfect dumping ground for a serial killer, which has made solving the cases almost impossible. The 1990 The Cemetery killing is one of the most notorious unsolved homicides in Edinburg history, and for good reason. Thus, Cemetery Box Killer legend was born.

On January 23, 1991.The hazy cobbled street of Edinburg (which is a tourist city) seemed relatively deserted at night time. It was just a few minute after midnight when the ‘new’ victim was found. A boy opened his front door in the middle of the night and found a woman laid on the street. Identified as Mrs Dickinson, a widower who recently an active member in the catholic community was found with battered face and multiple knives strokes at her the chest. The battered face suggest the killer is ”Cemetery Box Killer”. Other than that and the fact that she died, there are no other clue.

One day, letters came to the police and media...

“My dear investigators (or who may concerns),

THE NAME GAME

I’m delighted to know how hard people try to catch me. The fun... is just not quite enough :(

I might over step the line here.... But I only seek nothing but pleasure and I’m at the end of my mind.

-Cemetery Box Killer”

Gary Atkinsons, the newly appointed detective read a copy of the letter. It gave him the chills but he is a detective and it is his job to catch the culprit behind every case he given. He threw the letter on his desk which was a mess. Stacks of reports, file notes and case reminders were underneath it. He settled down with a cigarette.

“Today's going to be a long day, I can feel it." and he blew out a puff of smoke.

Crime scene-(before the letter)

After an unscheduled cigarette, Gary visits the crime scene. “Talk to me” he asked no one in particular.

"Female," replied one of the techs, "Age 42, reportedly last sighted in Walmart. Assumed that she was on her way home from Walmart. The witnesses say he saw her laid dead beside the road here.”

Gary Atkinsons stared at the laying corpse. He imagined himself in the position of the killer. Why he did this? What motivates him? Is it the Cemetery Box Killer? If it is him, why would he lay the victim here in the middle of the city? The more he thinks about it, the more question rises rather than answered. Reports say she was nearly decapitated.

In the course of investigating, Gary found something. They were of blood stains located 12 foot away from the crime scene. It was perhaps pure luck he noticed it. Instantly he search for another and his eye wildly scan the road. There! He found one but this time he noticed it pointing toward something. He followed the trail he suspects the killer’s.

In the shadows, he saw something. No, someone definitely. He was gasping for air in the foggy night. Gary call for backup, surrounding and blocking any escape route immediately. The gun that was on his waist was drew out. The risk was accepted, it might be the killer and he was willing to gamble his life if he was.

“Freeze” Gary shouted and as soon the fog clear out as he approach the figure. He found out that the dark figure was just a little boy. Clearly dying as he saw what state the boy was. He was bathing in his own blood.

“We got an injured kid here. Send help ASAP.” He experience mix feelings. Shock, disbelief, numbness, sadness, anger or loneliness everything was mixing. That time it may seems like everything has been turned upside down.

“Help.....” faintly he cries. Gary snaps and his eye was teary. He ran to the victim and sits beside him. Holding firmly while his heart was throbbing, perhaps he was trying to be nice to a complete stranger he never met. The medic came but it was all too late. The boy already died. Although surround him was clamorous sound of the police and medic but in his head was nothing but silent.

At the Office-(after the letter)

The police were baffled. Even Gary couldn’t believed it. The murder weapon have no trace of blood or DNA scans. Suicide was ruled out, there's no way Gary accepting this. He couldn’t accept that a little boy would bash his head and then hid himself. DNA scans, forensic teams, all nothing.

“Damn it!” He couldn’t bring himself together. The office went silent for a moment because of him. That sudden anger caught the attention of many people around him.

“Gary, I think you should go home. Take a day off. You need this break” his friend advice him. At first he hesitated to leave but after much console by his friend, he went home. Though that entire day he spend shivering what could happen to innocent people if the murderer start killing again.

The night (After a day off)

Gary went to the crime scene once again. There he stood, perceiving and see anything that could lead him to the culprit. He search and search but he knew everything have been investigated. He instead try to find the blood stain that lead him to the boy. He found it but this time it leads deeper. As if telling him to go a certain direction. He followed until he found himself standing standing at the gates of an old graveyard.

He froze, No killer would simply leave his trace in blood. It seemed to obvious, Gary felt a slight chill at his back. He got the feeling of being watched. A chilling vividity struck him when he heard footsteps behind him.

...........

And, just like everything else, the Cemetery Box Killer case remain unsolved.

End