Bab 03.The beauty of a tongue that licks part 03

Bima took a slow drag from his cigarette, exhaling as he pondered something. The rain started to fall, casting a dark shadow over the sky, while thick clouds enveloped the sunlight, creating a chilly and somber ambiance.

The serene and cozy atmosphere inside the car brought a sense of relaxation to the body. Light, with his fingers, searched for information on rumors related to the tongue snatcher case. With his smartphone, he explored every website in search of information.

While Light searched for information, Bima continued pondering strategies to halt the killer's movements. The sensation of the cigarette he smoked brought him a sense of calmness, enhancing his analytical abilities to find a solution.

Both of them remained silent, each trying to find a solution in their own way.

Bima's smartphone vibrated, prompting him to reach for it in his pocket and answer the call.

"Hello."

"Hello, sir, it's Stella," a voice of Stella could be heard.

"I've checked several numbers from the office call history, and I found three numbers that seem to be related to this case," Stella reported.

"Good job, Stella. Send me the files right away," Bima said, ending the call.

A notification sounded as the file containing the numbers and additional information was received. Bima showed the file to Light.

"Only three of them, that's good. It's not a large number. We better check the owners of these three numbers before something bad happens," Light said.

With a cigarette in his mouth, Bima swiftly turned the car around and accelerated at high speed towards the location.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first number belonged to an apartment on the outskirts of the city center.

It was a middle-class apartment that appeared ordinary. The atmosphere around the apartment complex was bustling and showed no signs of suspicion.

They both climbed the stairs up to the second floor, stopping at a door numbered 12. As the door opened, a middle-aged woman appeared, her flickering tongue and reptilian pupils indicating that she belonged to the snake race.

"Ma'am, I apologize for the interruption. I'm Bima, the head of the police. I am currently investigating a case and I need some information from you regarding a call made from your number a few weeks ago," Bima explained politely.

"Yes, how may I help you?" the woman said, her voice trembling with fear.

"Ma'am, there's no need to be afraid. We are just seeking information regarding a call made from your number," Bima reassured.

"Ma'am, there were a series of consecutive calls from your number, all of which went unanswered. Was there anything happening during that time?" Light inquired.

The woman tried to recall if she had made any calls, and after a moment of contemplation, she remembered.

"Oh, I apologize. It was my child's doing. his were playing with the phone, and I wasn't aware that they dialed the police number. I sincerely apologize for my oversight as a parent," the woman said apologetically.

"Oh, it's alright, ma'am. Children will be children. Thank you for the information, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. We will take our leave now," said Bima, followed by a nod from Light as a gesture of gratitude.

"Is this about the tongue snatcher case, officer?" the woman asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.

Light and Bima paused for a moment, exchanging glances. They hesitated, unsure whether they should disclose the information to her or not.

"I'm sorry, I'm just scared. I'm worried that the killer might target my family," the woman said, her voice filled with fear as tears welled up in her eyes.

Bima approached the woman once again, offering a reassuring smile as he handed her his personal number.

"Please don't worry, ma'am. We, as the police, will do our best to apprehend the killer as soon as possible. If anything happens, feel free to contact this number. It's my personal number," Bima said.

The woman expressed her gratitude, and both of them walked down the stairs toward the car. The rain grew heavier, accompanied by stronger gusts of wind.

Inside the car, Bima adjusted the map on his car's navigation system to determine the location of the next number's owner.

"It's no wonder she's afraid," Light remarked, glancing out of the car window.

"Yeah, the second victim was found near this area, and once again, no one witnessed anything. It's like the victim was teleported and then killed right there" Bima said.

"Whoever the killer is, they possess the ability to conceal themselves and their victims. There is a possibility that they belong to the chameleon race, or..." Light trailed off, contemplating other possibilities.

"People with significant influence, such as politicians or nobility," Bima suggested, providing another assumption.

"Perhaps, the power they possess enables them to carry out such acts," Light added.

After finishing the navigation setup, Bima turned the car and drove towards the next owner of the number.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The television flickered to life, reporting the discovery of a victim of the serial killer known as the Tongue Snatcher. In the darkened room, the girl appeared frightened, huddling under her blanket for comfort.

On her phone screen, the police number was displayed, tempting her trembling finger to press the button. However, fear held her back as she recalled the incident where someone had choked her, the haunting image of a sinister and repulsive smile still vivid in her mind.

On the television screen, the graphic depiction of the victim's crushed head unfolded, causing her to burst into tears as she clutched her own head. With erratic breaths and a trembling body, she secluded herself within the dark room.

Her cries filled the room, blending with the sounds emanating from the television.

"Someone, please help me! I'm scared, please help me! I'm scared," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.