Chapter 74 Leave A Mark

The day of our marriage, it was the happiest day of my life. I wanted to forget everything. If possible, I wanted to erase my past and live my life to the fullest with my beloved Trisha.

But that night, 'they' came in my dreams again. They told me to scavenge for children—with the ability to use magic.

I was befuddled. Magic? What did they mean? Nevertheless, they instructed me how to differentiate children who could use supernatural power.

As I was using something paranormal myself, I hit upon a plan. I decided to make a move on the night of full moon.

According to 'them', the smarter a child is, the higher their chance of being able to use magic. Derbury is a small town. I didn't even need to use a private detective to find out who the smartest kids in the town.

Soon, I discovered Eulene Maisel. She was a genius—on par with me, or even beyond. I released the 'Tower'. That's the name I came up with.

And Tower didn't disappoint. As it was our first hit, I supervised the whole process myself. I witnessed how the monster teleported through space and 'stole' objects from around. I was flabbergasted, but soon, I realised how little I cared.

Once the young girl, who was a couple of years away from stepping into adulthood, was brought to me, to this special cave I developed in the hill. I consoled her, used my charms and skills in psychology to develop a friendly relationship with her.

I had witnessed her manipulate the pond water a second before. I knew she was special and I was curious about her.

I suspected that 'they' were looking for such special children with super powers so that 'they' could hire and nurture the children. I thought that it was not a bad deal. Special people deserved special fates. Rotting away in such a town was not what they deserved.

After tucking her to sleep, I went to bed myself, awaiting further orders.

And their orders were clear. Kill her, experiment on her brain.

I was a killer, but I never killed a child, nor did I ever want to.

I vehemently rejected the orders, saying I am out. 'They' can do whatever I want.

Next day, they sent me photos. Unlike all the photos I had ever seen before, they were coloured. And only one part of the photo was black and white and grey—Trisha.

Their message—was clear. I had no choice. So, I decided to kill her the most painless way possible.

But no, 'they' wanted her to suffer from excruciating pain. I did not know what to do, but when I thought of Trisha—her yellow hair, green eyes, gentle smile, and her unforgettable laugh—I made up my mind.

The time came. She pleaded, begged, cried her eyes out, trying to squirm out of the straps. I knew I was being watched—no, 'they' were watching what I was.

Hence, I couldn't even dose her. With the saw, I killed her. Her screams still ring in my ears.

After the process, I looked at my bloodied hands. Did I cry? Did I feel guilt? Did I feel remorse?

No. I laughed.

A psychiatrist? A doctor? The second coming of Benjamin Conners? Cure the world of mental illness? No, I am the one who's mentally ill. I am a butcher—a fucking monster!

I lost the bit of humanity I had that day. Since then, I am a monster—a monster who preys on playing children.

I captured and killed 12 more afterwards. Unlike with Eulene, I did not interact with them for a bit and extracted their brains as fast as possible.

I also went along with my research on what 'they' called meta-cerebrums. I also declared to them I don't need the other brains they promised.

I had already sinned too much. And with the power I had, I doubted I would ever be able to pay for them. My only hope was not to have Trisha pay for my sins.

And today, I was proved wrong. I thought 'they' were the strongest beings in the world.

But today, I witnessed two 'strangers' who exceeded the limits of the supernatural world 'they' explained to me.

I am finally paying for my sins, that too—at the best way possible. I hope 'they' face the same face as well.

Xavier Godwin. I know it is you. But 'they' don't—not yet.

One day, I hope you punish them as well, and avenge me.

Trisha… I am sorry.

Goodbye.

******

Plop.

"Madam!" A maid wearing black and white maid outfit rushed to a blond young lady, who was sitting before the dressing table. "Why are you crying?!"

Tears were continuously streaming out from Trisha's green eyes as she gasped for breath.

"It hurts, Mia." Trisha held her chest. "I can't breath."

******

"Enough!" Xavier declared. The red smile on his mask disappeared, leaving behind only the black blankness.

Eulene took out the bloodied saw. She wanted to say that it had been only seven rounds of sawing Joseph's head, but she refrained when she noticed Joseph's face.

He had a peaceful smile on his face. He 'accepted' everything.

"It's no fun if he won't scream anymore." Xavier retorted.

'Nope. You are just a softie, even in your crazed state,' Eulene said in her mind.

Xavier snapped his fingers. Joseph's head was healed again. But he did not come to life again.

He brought out his golden pocket watch and checked the time. More than two hours had passed since they escaped the train.

"One more hour till the train reaches Aramon." Xavier pocketed back the watch.

"What about these?" Eulene pointed her saw at the scene—the preserved brains, the vase, the dead bodies.

"It is the Thirteenth's job." Xavier took the saw back from her.

A fire suddenly appeared before him. He sterilised the saw with the fire before storing the saw into the hat.

Eulene pondered for a few seconds. "Shouldn't we do something here?"

A question mark displayed on Xavier's mask.

"Don't you see in books," Eulene continued, "where secret organisations and criminals leave behind signs at the crime scenes flexing that 'they were here'."

The question mark on Xavier's mask turned back into a smile.

"I have just the right thing in mind."