The rain started to pour out from the dim gray skies once again.

With a mild mannered tone and husky voice, Thymos spoke, "What I mean is... a talk... here... on the phone..", he spoke so calm and creepy but with so much clarity on his words.

Al replied, "Why are you doing all of this? What is your motive?"

The killer replied in a WHISPERING TONE, "I.... am..... doing.... this.... for... you...."

After hearing that, Al was so confused and puzzled. So now, with a loud voice he asked, "What the??? What the hell are you saying that you're doing this for me?!"

The killer didn't answer immediately. He paused for a couple of seconds then uttered, "You don't remember me, do you? You once saved my life... and now... I AM SAVING YOURS."

Al was silenced. He's pissed off but he's trying to composed himself. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. With a very soft voice he sarcastically replied, "What the hell are you saying?"

"That's all I can give... for now. But what I can say more is this: that there'll be more dead bodies coming; rivers of blood flowing; vultures craving for carcasses; and I'LL BE KILLING ALL MY PREY because this is what I was CALLED to do. And as soon as I finished the work by which I was sent to do, I'll be glad to walk in the flames of Hell and receive my punishment for all the mischiefs that I have done... for all the blood that stained my hands."

Al sarcastically chuckled, "So you are preaching? You believe that you are an instrument of God and you are justifying yourself using His name to justify your misdeeds. Is that what you are implying?!"

The killer replied with a serious yet calm tone, "I am not preaching. I am too, is guilty of my own frailties and iniquities."

"What then?"

"Decode my name and you'll learn my purpose. Decode my riddles and you'll know my motive. Decode your whole life and you'll realize that this half-life of mine; this borrowed time that I am living in, is all because of you. You created me, Detective Allen Mills.. you made me realized my purpose. Three days from now and I shall complete my task. Three days from now and you'll thank me for all these things that I have done. Three days from now I shall descend and depart, and your hands shall be stained with scarlet."

Al wagged his head in disbelief, "You are a fucking monster and I don't fucking know you! But put this in my mind; I'd hunt you and I'd stop you from killing more innocent people."

For the first time, the killer shouted and lose his temper. He yelled, "INNOCENT?!!!! DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE ALL INNOCENT HUH?!!! Lisa's husband is working night and day to give her a decent life but what did she do? She fucked a married man.. a highschool sweetheart of her... and for what Detective?! For fucking money!! Was that innocent to you?! And you think you could stop me Detective? No... you can't. Because the stage is already set, and all that I need to do now is to pull the strings .... and link the links. You can't stop me. You can't fight fate."

Al smirked, "You are mad..", Al chuckled then continued, "... in case you don't know, I already figured out your riddle. I already cracked your HIDDEN WORD... you're not the only smart-ass in the world, Thymos."

The killer paused and didn't answer immediately. "Then what's the hidden word?"

"A-D-U-L-T-E-R-Y... that's it Mr. Dante Alighieri.", Al confidently and sarcastically answered.

The killer laughed and then continued to chuckle. He uttered nothing.

Al asked with curious tone. "You're laughing because I got you early."

The killer replied, "No. I'm laughing because you're wrong. I'm glad that you quite know Dante Alighieri.. But to be honest I'm quite disappointed. ADULTERY is an 8-letter word. Seven is God's perfect number. They could interlink, but that's not exactly the answer. So if I were you Detective Allen Mills, I would think of a seven-letter word or just rather ask it to a man named, Nathaniel Hawthorne"

Al was silenced. He thought that his theory was right. He was upset and disappointed. His disappointment wiped all the sarcasm on his face.

The killer continued, "By the way, I would like to report a MURDER. Yes, you heard me right.. A MURDER - my two other victims. 193 Hampshire Boulevard.. there's an old, small and rustic motel place there. Unit number fourteen... and just in case you're curious what I did.. Well, I just shot the woman in the face - five times I think.. and then I cut the head of the man using a dull knife. And just in case you missed the address... I left a gift for you inside your mailbox."

"Fuck you", Al hanged up and ran straight towards his mailbox.

--------------------------

A/N:
What do you think is that 7-letter word? ❤️

AkeiraBoo akriones AngelDirectioner15 zahera37 lolawrites_ JTheFreak Jsming im2468here trailblazerr LovJez incalescenttea 7nightshade BliSSsolitude AmyParkins