Uneven Seven

In a room with gentle, soft-colored furniture all calm and bright, a quiet TV hums in the background. A woman stands in the cozy kitchen, taking care of the stove and cooking a tasty breakfast. The decorations are all in light pastels and soft beiges, making a peaceful atmosphere.

The morning sunlight flows in through see-through curtains, casting a warm and cozy glow on the room. The woman's skilled hands flip pancakes in a non-stick pan, and the smell of sizzling chutney fills the air. She wears a comfortable apron, her hair tied back, and a happy smile on her face.

As she sips her coffee, she keeps an eye on the TV, catching bits of news and entertainment. The kitchen is her special place, where daily life finds its calmness in the soothing colors and the comforting aroma of a morning meal.

"Tarun breakfast is ready...You are going to be late for work if you don't wake up now". She shouted

After 20 minutes Tarun comes out of his room, makes his way to the dining table, and starts eating the food.

*Background*

"Straight from the Crime Chaser Channel (CCC), we've got an inside scoop for you. We've managed to get in touch with a close friend of the writers. He's on his way to our studio and will be joining us shortly. While we wait, make sure to stay tuned to our channel for these exclusive visuals that we've managed to capture.

Our team works tirelessly to bring you all the latest happenings and insights, and we take pride in delivering the most exclusive content. Whether it's thrilling crime stories or in-depth interviews, CCC is your go-to source for all things gripping and suspenseful.

The friend of the writers is sure to shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes, giving you a unique perspective on your favorite shows. So stay with us, keep your eyes on the screen, and don't miss out on any of the exciting content coming your way. We'll keep you updated as we get closer to the big interview, and you won't want to miss a moment of it!"

"Mom, I've told you so many times not to watch this channel. They present everything as if they were right there when the crime happened, but their descriptions hardly match the actual cases. It's all too sensationalized. And you bring up a good point, if they were truly at the crime scenes, wouldn't they have been arrested by now? Why haven't they ever helped the victims even once?

It's frustrating how some channels exaggerate things to get viewers. They tend to create a lot of drama but often lack the facts. They make it seem like they're uncovering mysteries, but in reality, they might just be adding to the confusion.

And you're right about their failure to save victims. If they were truly on the scene, one would expect them to call for help or assist those in danger. Instead, it's often just about reporting and ratings. Real heroes are the first responders and law enforcement who do their best to protect and serve.

It's essential for viewers to be critical of what they see on TV and discern between entertainment and reality. Shows like CCC might be entertaining, but they don't always reflect the truth. It's crucial to rely on credible sources and respect the hard work of those who genuinely dedicate themselves to solving crimes and helping those in need."

Let's find a more reliable and trustworthy channel to watch. We can still enjoy interesting shows without all the sensationalism and inaccuracies. Your concerns are valid, and we can make a better choice for our entertainment."

"It's not the channel, it is the story that amused everyone. This is happening in South Korea right now."

"What is happening in South Korea?"

"Apparently, two friends sat together and wanted to write a crime thriller."

"Wow, what a case! Now are these people solving the cases in the novel."

"Sort of."

"Sort of?"

"They decided to write alternate pages, so, one of them used to write today and the other would develop it the next day. They made sure that the chapter would end at every 7th page and that page should consist of a murder. They successfully wrote the entire book."

"Good for them, what about it now?"

"The person who wrote every odd page, including the murders doesn't remember any of it. During the investigation, he was taken to the psychological evaluation and he was actually diagnosed with partial amnesia."

"This is like straight out of a movie."

"This doesn't end here, he was taken to the asylum for treatment. He is under surveillance all day. The other person, a friend of his, who wrote the book committed suicide in his apartment right after the book launch."

"WHAT? (almost choking), So this case is real? I didn't believe it when my colleagues told me about it."

"It still doesn't end here. The publication which published all the books, upon investigating their office, the police found out that every book is missing the 7th page."

"WHAT?"

"Do you want to listen more?"

"There is more to it?"

"Oh yes! every influencer and YouTuber is now scared to even film. There is a series of murders occurring and every murder is being live-streamed."

"WHAT?"

"It is just a black screen, this person doesn't show their face or the actual murder, but throughout the murder, a black screen can be seen and the voices of the victims are heard. This doesn't end here, after every murder the murderer displays a page to the audience and these pages are the missing pages from the book."

"Like how, what? why? who? why would someone target only those two and that particular book? why the live stream? who would do those heinous things? how is it still continuing?"

Tarun sits there in absolute shock. His mother slowly places her hand on his shoulder and looks at him in concern,

"I cannot imagine the amount of pain those victim families are going through, and I cannot help but think what would the minds of the investigator's families be...Are they scared? Are they in danger? if you were assigned this case, I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink."

She lets out a sigh of relief as he takes her hand and reassures her that they, as well as the investigators on the case, will be safe. His words bring a sense of comfort and ease to her worried heart.

Glancing at the clock, he notices that he's running late. In a hurry, he jumps up from his chair, quickly grabs his bag, and makes his way to the door. Before leaving, he turns to his mother, seeking her blessings. She smiles warmly and places a hand on his head, uttering a silent prayer for his well-being and success. 

As Tarun steps out into the bustling city, his mind is still racing with the shocking story he just heard. The eerie mystery from South Korea has sent shivers down his spine, and he can't help but wonder about the twisted mind behind those horrifying events.

The story seems like something out of a thriller novel itself, but it's all too real. The fact that a person could suffer from amnesia and be implicated in gruesome crimes they can't remember is mind-boggling. The suicide of the friend who co-wrote the book adds another layer of darkness to the tale.

The missing seventh pages, the live-streamed murders, and the display of those missing pages to the world are elements of a chilling nightmare. Tarun can't fathom the motivations behind such a horrifying act. Who would go to such lengths to reenact a fictional story in the real world, causing real pain and suffering?

Despite his own apprehensions, Tarun knows that the investigators working on this case must be facing an enormous challenge. The pressure to solve these crimes and protect potential victims is immense. He can't help but admire their dedication and courage.

Tarun thinks about the responsibility that comes with his work. While the cases he deals with may not be as sensationalized as the ones from South Korea, they are no less significant to the victims and their families. His role in seeking justice, solving crimes, and ensuring the safety of the community is a task he takes very seriously.

As he heads to his job at the local police department, there's a determination in his stride, a strong sense of purpose. He knows that he has a job to do, a responsibility to fulfill. The weight of the case rests on his shoulders, but he carries it with determination and dedication, knowing that the work he does is important.

With a final wave to his mother, he sets off, ready to face the challenges of the day, hoping to make a positive impact and ensure that justice prevails.

*On his way to work ( in the car)*

"Mani, any new stories today?"

"Yes sir, I have heard of a beautiful story that piques your attention".

"Go on, what are you waiting for?"

"During the early 1900s, in the United States near a tower clock, there used to be mime artists performing for the crowd. They used to dance, enact a play, or just make the audience laugh using their magic tricks. They used to select random persons from the audience to be a part of their act".

"Interesting"

For many years, these mime artists used to give a white, round piece of metal as a way of saying thanks to everyone who watched their acts. It was a sign of gratitude, a way to connect with their audience. People held onto these tokens as special mementos of the performances, cherishing them.

But then, one day, something strange happened. The mime artists suddenly disappeared. They stopped performing, and no one knew where they went. The streets that used to be lively with their silent shows fell quiet.

What's even more disturbing is that the people who had received those white, round tokens faced terrible and mysterious fates. They were victims of brutal and puzzling murders, happening in the darkness. Even the police officers who began investigating these horrifying incidents mysteriously vanished, leaving their shocked colleagues with many unanswered questions.

The whereabouts of the mime artists became a perplexing mystery. Nobody knew what had happened to them, and their silence only added to the eerie feeling surrounding these strange events. The town, which had once been filled with performances, was now consumed by fear and uncertainty. The story of the missing mime artists and the grim fate of those with the round tokens remained an unsolved and haunting mystery.

"Were there any reports of similar crime later?"

"No idea sir, but I will ask my friend if he knows any and will let you know soon".

As Tarun arrived at his office, he couldn't shake off the thoughts about both cases. Even while going about his work, his mind kept circling back to the eerie connections he'd noticed between them. In the police station, he meets his colleagues who are discussing the latest updates on various cases. Today, their conversations are a mixture of routine reports, ongoing investigations, and the occasional shared anecdotes that help them cope with the grim realities they face daily.The desire to unravel these mysteries grew stronger within him. He knew he needed to delve deeper into these cases, to find more clues, and perhaps unearth the hidden truth. His determination pushed him to dig further into the perplexing puzzles that had captured his attention...