Darkness Looming

Randolph slept unusually well throughout the night. It was the best sleep he had gotten in months – ever since the sharks had come knocking at his door – and possible even beyond that.

He couldn't tell if it was because of the excessively fluffy bed, the money that sat in his pocket, or the system window that floated near his face, giving him a sense of security.

Ironically enough, it was the night after killing a man did he sleep so well. He wasn't sure if that made him evil or not, but what he could be certain of was that he held no regrets.

Light flooded into the king suite from the open blinds. The view outside the city was majestic and beautiful, towering skyscrapers and bustling roads alike.

So far up from the ground, separated from the noise and filth, he couldn't help but think it was a peaceful sight. He could even have mistaken it as refreshing had he not been living down there just yesterday.

Is this how the wealthier think?

Shaking off the unnecessary thoughts, the young man continued to the bathroom to wash up.

His clothes had been delivered through a small slot in the door, freshly washed and cleaned. Putting them on, he stretched.

I need new clothes…

The thought had only flashed through his mind before his gaze turned towards the large TV centered against the wall in the room. The digital clock on the TV showed 8a.m. exactly.

Randolph hesitated for a moment before walking to one of the couches facing the screen, siting down on it. Picking up the TV remote on the nightstand, Randolph fiddled with it absentmindedly.

It was only after a few minutes did he steel his resolve, turning the TV. He continuously tapped away at the remote, switching channels until he came across the news channel he was familiar with, the major station in his city that reported most major happenings.

--It's massive, nearly unprecedented situation, but the authorities are asking all citizens to calm themselves. All citizens are to stay at home if at all possible, locking their doors and windows.-- 

The newscaster, a middle-aged woman, was mid-sentence as the channel switched on. Hearing the news she was talking about, Randolph's brows immediately furrowed as he turned his full attention towards the TV.

--This is the second incident that has been circulating, according to the government. Online experts and imageboard users have been circulating rumours, comparing the murderer to "Jack the Ripper".--

 --That's really interesting, Jacob. Why so?-- 

--Well, my sources tell me that the talks circulating online are putting the average citizen on edge. This second body was reported by a citizen, to whom we won't put a name to, but the first one was as well. If a normal person could stumble upon such a horrific scene, how could the police not notice?-- 

--Are you saying that there's potentially more than two victims?-- 

--That's exactly what I mean. The online crowd believe that the police force are purposely covering the news up. --

Something is off. A citizen discovered the bodies?

A confused expression surfaced on Randolph's face as he continued listening.

--This, along with the explosion a few days ago and the multiple murders throughout the city within the timespan of a few days, has sent the province on high alert.-- 

It was only after another minute or so of listening did Randolph notice the headline he had been expecting. Only, contrary to his expectations, it had been reduced to mere secondary news.

Two individuals, a grandfather and grandson, have been reported murdered in Brampton's private hospital. 

On the small news alert line near the bottom of the screen, the text scrolled by passed. He would have missed it had he not been paying attention.

Immediately following it were multiple lines of other news headlines, each just as bad if not worse than his own. They reported multiple murders, missing persons, attacks, reported gunshots, and assaults.

It was after about a dozen of such headlines did his own report scroll by again.

Randolph rubbed his head in thought, alarmed at the news. After skipping only a bare few days of radio reporting, he had missed all of the drastic changes.

--Both of the affected neighbourhoods are taking the hits heavily. It's like a gloom has descended over them, almost like a ghost town because nobody is willing to head out.-- 

--I can't blame them. I wouldn't go out either in their place. A murder is one thing, but a skinning is an entirely different matter.-- 

A skinning?

A shudder ran through Randolph's body upon hearing the news. It was no wonder as to why the city and online crowd was in an uproar. But the info wouldn't have disturbed him so much had his mind not been attracted to the events that had happened last night, still vivid in his mind.

His encounter with the pale and naked man was still fresh in his mind. The man with long stitches that lined over half of his body.

He had met the man two times. First in the elevator, and then at the bus stop. If his guess was true, then what could potentially have happened to him made goosebumps rise on his skin.

Something was very obviously afoot in the city, and this man was likely at the center of it in someway or another.

The news wasn't necessarily a bad thing though. While it was for the city, for him, it could even be counted as good. With so much happening in the city at the moment, the police couldn't possibly have the manpower to deal with all of it. It probably bought him a good amount of time, though he couldn't tell how much.

Though, it's strange how the chaos all only started recently…

But as the case stood, the matter couldn't be counted as top importance to him. Right now, he had much more urgent things to worry about.

Namely, funds.

But Randolph had a plan, one he had been stewing on for the entire morning. The most important conditions had been met, and all that was left was execution.

Letting out a breath, the young man turned off the TV.

Standing up, he walked to the door. In his stride was a clear sense of purpose, one that had never been there before.