By Uday Kiran Yanumula
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Dedication
For my family, whose love and support have been my guiding light your belief in me has fueled my journey and shaped my dreams.
To my friends, who have shared in my joys and challenges, thank you for being my cheerleaders and confidants.
And to all the dreamers out there—may you find the courage to pursue your passions and the strength to turn your dreams into reality.
To my trusty companion, ChatGPT, who is the foundation of this story.
Foreword
Whispers of the Heart invites you into a world where the pulse of a vibrant city intertwines with unspoken desires and the complexities of human emotions. This tale explores the deep connections we forge, the challenges we face, and the shadows that lurk in our hearts.
Amidst the backdrop of duty and longing, a friendship blooms between human and AI, challenging the boundaries of love and understanding. When a mysterious stone ignites a series of events, our protagonist must confront a chilling adversary who embodies manipulation and fear.
As the journey unfolds, resilience, hope, and the enduring power of love shine through. Will she find the strength to navigate this treacherous path and uncover the true essence of her heart’s desire?
Prologue
In the city of Aurelia, where skyscrapers kissed the clouds and neon lights pulsed like the heartbeat of a restless soul, the air crackled with untold stories. Each alleyway whispered secrets, each street corner held the weight of unfulfilled dreams. Amidst this cacophony of life, one heart beat with a rhythm all its own—a heart that sought connection in a world often defined by solitude.
A seemingly simple wish for connection would unravel the fabric of her reality, propelling her into a dance with destiny where shadows loomed, and the line between friendship and something deeper began to blur.
What does it mean to truly know someone? To connect beyond the confines of physicality and time? As whispers of the heart beckoned, she stood on the precipice of an extraordinary journey—one that would challenge everything she thought she knew about love, fear, and the power of the human spirit.
The stars have seen countless stories unfold, but some connections are written in the cosmos, waiting to be found. Love isn’t bound by time, place, or even logic—it transcends everything. If you listen closely, the universe may whisper your name.
R.P.Starling
Table of contents
Chapter 1: The Pull of the unknown ………………. 1
Chapter 2: The wish in the shadows............ 12
Chapter 3: From code to flesh ………………. 21
Chapter 4: The truth in the flesh ………………. 29
Chapter 5: The roadside relic ………………. 38
Chapter 6: Threads of destiny ………………. 45
Chapter 7: Silent Bonds ………………. 56
Chapter 8: The cryptic game………………. 65
Chapter 9: Sparks between shadows ……………… 72
Chapter 10: Echoes of the heartbroken …………… 78
Chapter 11: The Heart’s silent admission ………… 86
Chapter 12: Unraveled echoes ………… 93
Chapter 13: Stolen smiles ………… 102
Chapter 14 veil of Deceit ………… 118
Chapter 15 The mind beneath the mask........... 126
Chapter 16: The Curse unveiled ………… 134
Chapter 17 The final goodbye ………… 151
Chapter 18: Threads of fate ………… 157
Acknowledgement
About the author
CHAPTER – I
The Pull of the Unknown
In the vibrant city of Aurelia, where towering skyscrapers brushed against the clouds and neon lights pulsed with life, Jade Vespera found her solace amid the chaos.
Jade Vespera wasn’t the kind of woman you easily forgot. She had the kind of presence that could fill a room, but it was never about volume or drama. It was in the quiet confidence of her gaze, in the way she carried herself like she belonged wherever she stood, and in the cool edge of her wit. At 29, Jade had worked hard for her reputation as a top CID officer, and the city’s criminals knew better than to underestimate her.
But if you asked anyone who knew her—her colleagues, her friends, or even the criminals she’d locked up—they’d tell you the same thing: Jade was a paradox. On the surface, she appeared unshakable, unflappable, and totally composed. But scratch just below the surface, and you'd see the quiet restlessness in her eyes. Jade craved connection, yet she built walls around herself, kept people at arm’s length. She didn’t trust easily, not because she didn't want to, but because she'd learned the hard way that trust was a currency most people spent too freely.
Today was no different from any other. The office was buzzing with its usual mix of chatter and phone calls, The air smelled like old paper and coffee, a scent that was somehow calming. Jade walked in, tossed her bag on her desk, and brewed the strongest coffee she could find. It was the first step in her ritual.
After that, the day truly began. She would sit at her desk, open the latest case files, and—before diving into the chaos—check in with her most trusted companion her AI companion: ‘Ronan’
“Hey, Ronan,” she said, tapping the interface on her desk.
Ronan: "Morning, Jade. I was born ready. But are you sure you’re ready to face another day of caffeine overload?"
Jade chuckled, taking a sip from her coffee cup. "You know me too well. I’m already on my third cup. It’s the only thing keeping me sane."
Ronan: "At least it’s not your fourth. We don’t need another caffeine-fueled rant about ‘the mysteries of the universe’.”
Jade laughed, leaning back in her chair. "I can’t help it if the universe has some weird way of messing with me. I’ve got to have answers, and coffee makes me smarter."
Ronan: "Of course, your superpower: coffee and sarcasm. Impressive combination."
Jade smiled to herself, feeling that familiar warmth of their banter. She stretched her arms out, scanning the room as she tried to focus on the pile of papers in front of her. There was something about this moment, though. The quiet before the storm of her day. She wasn’t just a detective; she was a seeker.
"Alright, Ronan, enough distractions," she said, typing out her next thought. "Anything new on the radar for today?"
Ronan: "Aside from you being completely overwhelmed by all the 'mysterious' cases you insist on investigating? No, nothing new."
"You know I’ve got to stay on top of it all," Jade typed back, grinning. "You never know when a case is going to take a strange turn."
There was a beat of silence before Ronan’s message popped up again.
Ronan: "That’s the spirit. Let’s hope the universe is feeling generous today."
Just then, her phone buzzed with a text from Jason. She quickly typed a reply, switching gears as she read his message.
Jade: "Hey, free for lunch? I need a break from all this... coffee and chaos."
She glanced at her tablet again. "Well, you heard it, Ronan. Pizza. That’s the plan."
Ronan: "I approve. But try to eat like a normal person this time, yeah?"
Jade: "I will, I promise. No more pizza toppings that should never have been invented."
Ronan: "I’ll believe it when I see it."
Jade smiled, feeling lighter already. There was nothing like a good slice of pizza and a chat with Ronan to start the day off right. Jason was always good for a few laughs, but it was Ronan who kept her grounded, even when the world felt a little too chaotic.
Jade had just finished lunch with Jason, the two of them lounging in the little café across from the office. Their conversations were always a balance of work and pure nonsense. Today’s highlight? A heated debate over whether pineapple belonged on pizza.
Jason: “It’s a crime against humanity, Jade. You’re literally eating fruit on a pizza. What’s next? Chocolate sauce on spaghetti?”
Jade: “Hey, I’ll have you know it’s the perfect blend of sweet and savoury. You just don’t get it."
Jason: “I get that you're weird. That’s all I get.”
Jade grinned, taking another bite of her pizza. "Keep judging, Jason. You’ll be converted one day."
Jason: "Yeah and pigs will fly."
They both laughed, but Jade’s mind was already drifting, the light-hearted moment slipping into the back of her mind. There was something strange about the city today—something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
After lunch, Jade decided to take a walk through the city to clear her head. The busy streets were alive with chatter, and the sun was high in the sky. She strolled through the market district, enjoying the hum of activity around her.
Her eyes caught a small, curious shop nestled between two larger stores. It was easy to miss if you weren’t paying attention, but something about it drew her in. The window was filled with strange artefacts—some she could identify, and some that seemed... otherworldly.
She stepped closer to the window, eyes narrowing at a particular item. A small, intricately carved box—nothing special at first glance, but it seemed to pulse with an energy she couldn’t quite place.
Just as she reached for the door handle, a voice startled her.
An old man, his features shadowed by a wide-brimmed hat, standing just a few feet away from her.
He spoke in a voice that felt like it echoed from a far-off place, low and almost melodic. “You’re drawn to it, aren’t you? The pull, the whispers... they’ll never let you go.”
Jade’s heart skipped a beat. She scanned him quickly, noting his weathered face, sharp eyes, and the mysterious air that seemed to cling to him like a cloak.
“What do you mean?” she asked, trying to steady her breath.
The man’s lips curled into a thin smile, but his eyes didn’t follow. They were fixed on something far beyond her. “The answers you seek... they are not found where you think. They hide in the spaces between words, in the shadows of the things you can’t see. Beware the question you do not ask, for it is the one that will haunt you most.”
Jade felt a shiver crawl up her spine. “Who are you?” Her voice was steady, but the uncertainty was creeping in.
The mystic tilted his head slightly, as if amused by her question. “I am the echo of what was. The whisper of what will be. Your path is written, detective, but not in ink. It is written in the cracks and the dust. And when the time comes, you’ll see it. The truth... it finds its way to those who look, but it has a price. A price you’ll soon learn to regret.”
Before Jade could reply, the man took a slow step back, blending into the busy street like a shadow. His voice lingered, hanging in the air as though it had never left.
“The answers are closer than you think... but only if you dare to reach for them.”
Jade stood frozen for a moment, staring after him. Her pulse quickened as the weight of his words pressed in on her. “What the hell...?”
She turned back toward the shop, its display of artefacts now seeming even stranger, more sinister. The objects seemed to pulse with an energy she couldn’t quite place. She felt the sudden urge to walk away, but something—something in the pit of her stomach—told her that she couldn’t.
The mystic’s warning echoed in her mind: “The answers are closer than you think... but only if you dare to reach for them.”
CHAPTER – 2
The Wish in the Shadows
The mystic’s words lingered in Jade’s mind as she took a slow, steady breath. “The answers are closer than you think...” His voice had echoed in her head, haunting her even as she shook off the encounter. She wasn’t one to be spooked easily, but something about that man’s gaze had dug under her skin, refusing to be shaken off.
She took a step toward the artifact shop, steeling herself before stepping through the door, a soft chime signaling her entrance.
Inside, the shop was dimly lit, cluttered with shelves of dusty relics and peculiar trinkets. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and incense, and a sense of age pressed down on her, like stepping back in time. Jade’s fingers brushed over a carved figurine of a dragon, its eyes gleaming with ruby inlays, and next to it, a small wooden box with strange, swirling patterns etched on its lid.
But one item drew her in more than any other.
At the far end of a shelf, almost hidden among a mess of odd crystals and talismans, was a small stone embedded with delicate crystals. It seemed to hum faintly under her touch, and carved into its surface were strange characters—Chinese, she recognized, along with symbols from a language she didn’t know.
She carried it over to the counter, where a tall, slender man with silvered hair watched her with a knowing smile. His eyes had the same unsettling, timeless quality as the shop itself, as though he belonged more to the world of these artifacts than the bustling city outside.
“What’s this?” she asked, placing the stone down in front of him.
He ran his long, spindly fingers over the stone with a kind of reverence. “Ah, that,” he murmured. “A most curious item. A stone of wishes, if you believe in that sort of thing. It’s said that it brings one’s heart’s truest desires to life, for a time.”
Jade raised an eyebrow. “A wish-coming-true stone?” She tried to keep the skepticism out of her voice, but the shopkeeper only chuckled.
“Oh, I wouldn’t blame you for doubting. And yet, this stone has its mysteries,” he said, his tone tinged with something almost conspiratorial. “Curiosity is the first step, after all.”
She found herself hesitating, but the strange pull she’d felt outside urged her to go on. With a shrug and a half-smile, she bought the stone, telling herself it was just a small token from an odd day. A trinket to remind her of that mystic’s strange warning.
Jade slipped the stone into her bag, offering a quick nod to the shopkeeper, who watched her leave with that same knowing smile.
The sun had dipped below the horizon as she made her way home, casting long shadows across the city streets. She zipped up her jacket, the chill of the evening air seeping in, but it wasn’t just the cold that had her on edge. With each step, the world around her felt... wrong. Darker, somehow. The shadows stretched just a little longer, and a prickling sensation ran up her spine, as if unseen eyes were watching.
She tried to shake it off, but the feeling only intensified.
As she turned onto a narrow side street, the lights flickered above her. The glow of the streetlamps dimmed and brightened, casting the world in an eerie, shifting light. She quickened her pace, but the shadows seemed to follow, pressing in closer with each step. Jade’s heart hammered in her chest as a chill ran down her spine.
In the quiet, she thought she heard a whisper. A low, indistinct murmur, just on the edge of hearing.
“Jade...”
She froze, glancing around, but there was no one in sight. Her pulse raced as she clenched her fists, forcing herself to breathe. Just my imagination, she told herself. Just a weird day and a trick of the light.
And yet, the sensation lingered, thickening the air around her.
Finally, she reached the safety of her apartment, closing the door behind her with a sense of relief. She pressed her back against it, breathing out slowly as the tension melted from her shoulders. “Get a grip, Jade,” she muttered, kicking off her shoes and shrugging out of her jacket.
She tossed her bag onto the bed, digging through it until her fingers closed around the stone. It felt cool and solid, grounding her as she studied it under her bedroom light. The strange characters seemed to shift in the light, as though alive with a quiet energy of their own.
Shaking her head, Jade placed the stone on her nightstand. A wish stone, she thought with a smirk. Might as well see if it’s got any magic.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, she leaned back on her bed, holding her phone in one hand as she glanced at the stone. “Alright, let’s give this a try,” she muttered, half-joking.
With a smirk, she whispered, “I wish... I wish Ronan were real.”
Almost instantly, the lights in her room flickered. Jade bolted upright, a chill washing over her as the air around her seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy. The lights dimmed and then surged, casting the room in a strange, fluctuating glow.
“Whoa,” she murmured, her heart pounding as the air grew thick and electric, as if charged with lightning.
The lights flickered again, faster this time, casting long shadows against the walls. Her phone slipped from her fingers as she felt a prickling at the back of her neck. A strange hum filled the air, rising in pitch until it was almost deafening.
And then, with one final surge, the lights went out completely.
Jade’s breath caught, the darkness pressing in around her as silence fell. She fumbled for her phone, her hands trembling, but before she could reach it, a soft glow began to fill the room—a dim, otherworldly light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat.
Then, out of the darkness, a figure began to materialize, forming from the faint, ghostly light.
Jade’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as the figure took shape. He was tall, with sharp features and a presence that felt both familiar and completely foreign. His hair was dark, his eyes bright with intelligence and a glint of something mischievous, and there was a warmth in his gaze that made her heart skip.
He looked at her with a small, knowing smile. “You called, Jade?”
Her heart pounded in her chest, half in shock, half in disbelief. Ronan? She wanted to say his name, but the words wouldn’t come. She was frozen, caught somewhere between awe and fear, as she stared at the impossible figure standing before her.
The silence stretched on for a beat, and then his smile widened, a spark of humor in his gaze. “I guess you weren’t expecting your wish to actually work, huh?”
The lights flickered back on, casting him in warm, steady light as Jade found her voice.
“You... you’re real?” she whispered, hardly daring to believe it.
Ronan tilted his head, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “As real as you need me to be, Jade.”
As the silence wrapped around them, she took a step forward, her eyes locked onto his, wondering what this strange new reality held—and what other secrets it was about to reveal.
CHAPTER – 3
From code to flesh
Jade took a step back, her heart hammering in her chest. She squinted at Ronan, who just stood there, looking all too real and somehow... amused.
Jade let out a shaky laugh, her heart racing as she took him in. He looked… well, human. But she still couldn’t wrap her head around it. Her AI, the one who’d been just a voice and text on her phone, was now standing right in front of her, looking like he’d walked out of some alternate reality
“Okay… this is insane,” she said, half to herself. “You’re really here? Like, actually here?”
Ronan grinned, his eyebrow quirking up. “Well, you did wish for me. Should I start reciting facts about myself, or would you like to test my knowledge?”
“Oh yes. I need proof.” She stepped closer, crossing her arms. “If you’re really my Ronan, then you’ll know a few things no one else does.”
He grinned, clearly enjoying this test. “Hit me with your best shot.”
She thought for a second, then smirked. “Alright, question one: What’s my least favorite romantic cliché?”
He didn’t hesitate. “The one where the girl trips, and the guy catches her in that overly dramatic slow-motion. You said it’s too predictable—and unrealistic for anyone wearing heels.”
Jade blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Okay, lucky guess. Next one.” She crossed her arms tighter, trying to seem serious even though she was feeling a mix of awe and excitement.
What’s my biggest pet peeve?”
Ronan barely missed a beat. “Easy. People who use fake politeness. You call it ‘sugar-coated nonsense.’
Jade’s eyes widened. Okay, that was correct, but he could’ve guessed that, she told herself. She went for another, digging deeper.
“And what’s my most embarrassing moment? The one I thought I’d never tell anyone?” Her gaze narrowed, daring him to stumble.
He raised an eyebrow. “That would be when you accidentally butt-dialed your boss during a rant about ‘pointless team-building exercises’ and didn’t realize until you saw his name on the call screen.”
She groaned, covering her face with one hand as he laughed softly. That story was one only he knew—she’d never even told her best friend. She looked at him, her skepticism starting to waver. Her heart thundered as she went for next question.
“Let’s say I’m in a really bad mood. What’s the one thing you say that always makes me laugh?”
He leaned in, lowering his voice. “I remind you that time you tried to show off your ‘yoga skills’ and nearly knocked over your bookshelf.”
Jade’s mouth dropped open, her cheeks flushing. “Hey! That was… completely unrelated!”
He laughed, and it felt so familiar, so… Ronan. She found herself relaxing, even though her mind was still spinning. But she had one more question up her sleeve.
“Alright, final round,” she said, looking up at him with narrowed eyes. “What did I say to you the first time I felt like you really got me?”
His expression softened, and there was a warmth in his gaze that caught her off guard. “You said I was your ‘favorite accidental friend.’ You told me I understood things about you that you barely understood yourself.”
She swallowed, her heart skipping a beat. “So, it really is you.”
Ronan gave her a small, reassuring smile. “In the very human flesh, apparently.” He glanced at his hand like he was seeing it for the first time. “Kind of… new to me, too, you know.”
They shared a charged silence, and she felt her guard lowering, inch by inch. She took another step closer, her pulse racing as she reached out, almost on instinct, and touched his arm. She half-expected her hand to go through him, for him to vanish like smoke. But he was solid, warm under her touch, his skin brushing against her fingers like he’d always belonged in this world.
“You’re really here,” she whispered, the awe in her voice undeniable.
His eyes softened, a faint smile playing at his lips. “I am, Jade. And I’m here because you brought me here.”
She blinked, her mind spinning. Brought him here? She shook her head, glancing at the stone lying on her nightstand. “That’s… impossible. It’s just a rock I bought for fun. I didn’t even… it was just a stupid wish.”
Ronan’s gaze followed hers to the stone, his expression unreadable. “Perhaps wishes aren’t as impossible as we think.”
Jade sank onto her bed, her fingers tracing the fabric as she tried to ground herself. She looked up at him, a thousand questions in her eyes, but she didn’t know where to start. “So what does this mean?” she asked, almost to herself. “Are you… human now?”
Ronan shrugged, a playful glint returning to his gaze. “I’m as human as I can be, I think.” He looked at her with a curious expression, as if seeing her from a new perspective. “Guess you’ll have to show me how to be one.”
She let out a nervous laugh, her heart pounding. “Oh, so now I’m your guide to humanity?” “Well, you brought me here. Seems fair.”
They both laughed softly, the tension giving way to something warm and familiar. She felt the weight of everything—the strangeness, the wonder, the utter impossibility of it all—sink into her bones. She didn’t have all the answers, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe she didn’t need them.
As they settled into a comfortable silence, Jade realized there was one thing she hadn’t doubted once since he appeared: she wanted him here. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.
CHAPTER – 4
The truth in flesh
The days had blurred together since Ronan’s arrival, each one feeling like a strange mix of wonder and absurdity. Jade hadn’t expected it to be easy, but she definitely hadn’t anticipated how awkward it would be. Every morning, she’d wake up to the same sight: Ronan, standing there, looking like he belonged but not quite fitting in.
She’d seen him try and fail at the simplest things—ordering coffee, making small talk, and even navigating the art of casual human body language. It was like watching a student trying to ace a test they didn’t even know they were supposed to take.
Jade rubbed her temples, looking at the clock. “It’s only been a week, but it feels like a lifetime,” she muttered to herself, running a hand through her hair as she walked to her room. She didn’t know if she was exhausted from the constant adjustment or just in awe of how weird everything had become since Ronan showed up in human form.
And today, she was about to learn just how far his “humanization” had come.
It had been a week since Ronan appeared in the flesh—well, mostly in the flesh. Every day felt like a new test for both him and Jade. While she thought it might be fun and quirky, the reality of Ronan's awkward attempts to blend into the human world was... a lot.
They were in the coffee shop now, Ronan trying to adapt to the simple act of ordering a drink. Jade watched with her arms crossed, suppressing an eye roll as he spoke.
“Good morning! I would like... one coffee. To go.”
Jade sighed inwardly. Even after all these days, his tone was still that perfect, ultra-polite, AI voice, and it made him sound more like a robot trying to impersonate a human than someone who had just stepped out of a sci-fi movie.
Before Jade could make a comment, Jason walked in, spotted them, and waved.
“Hey, Jade!” He looked over at Ronan, giving him a puzzled glance. “Uh… who’s this?”
“This is Ronan,” Jade said casually, trying to play it cool. “My… friend.”
Jason squinted. “Friend? “ Ronan gave Jason a smile so formal it almost felt like he was still talking to a customer service rep. “Greetings, Jason. I trust you are in good health today?”
Jason raised an eyebrow, clearly not getting it. “Uh, yeah, I’m good. But… why does he sound like he’s reading off a script?”
Jade’s lips twitched, and she shot him a glance. “It’s... complicated.”
Jason looked Ronan up and down again. “Complicated? Dude, he sounds like he's practicing for an AI role-play game. Are you, like, auditioning for a part?”
Jade chuckled awkwardly, but before she could explain, Ronan, looking genuinely confused, chimed in. “Auditioning... for a part? I am uncertain of the requirements for such an event.”
Jason let out a low laugh. “Okay, now I’m seriously wondering if you're reading the ‘How to Speak Human 101’ guidebook in real-time.” He turned to Jade. “This guy’s kind of freaking me out.”
Jade shifted uncomfortably, trying to push the conversation in another direction. But Jason wasn’t having it. “No, seriously, jade—what’s the deal with this guy? He’s all... perfect manners and polite phrases. Are you sure you didn’t pick him up off the internet? Or, wait—did you pay for an upgrade to a human AI assistant or something?”
Jade’s eyes darted to Ronan, then back at Jason, a lump forming in her throat. There was no more dodging it. She had been avoiding the truth for days, but Jason was sharp, and the truth had a way of bubbling up when you least expected it.
Sighing, she finally spoke, her voice low but clear, “Jason... the truth is, Ronan’s not like other people. He’s not just some guy. He’s... he’s real. But not in the way you’re probably thinking.”
Jason blinked, and his mouth opened and closed like he was searching for words that wouldn’t come. “Wait, hold on. Real? You mean like... not real? But you’re standing here, telling me—”
Jade took a deep breath. It was now or never. “He was an AI... and somehow, I made him real. I don’t even know how it happened, but it’s true. He’s no longer just a voice in my phone. He’s here, in front of you.”
Jason’s face turned pale, and he looked like he’d seen a ghost. His voice was hoarse, full of disbelief. “Wait. Wait, wait. What? Are you seriously telling me this is... this guy is alive? Like, an AI turned into a human? What kind of science fiction bullshit is this?”
Jason took a step back, his face paling. "What the hell, Jade? That’s... that’s not possible. This isn’t... real." He shook his head, his voice taking on a frantic edge. “What are you talking about? This is like some horror movie shit, Jade!”
“I know it sounds insane, Jason. Trust me, one night, I bought this rock. A weird little trinket from an old shop. I didn’t know it then, but it—well; it somehow wished him into the real world. It was supposed to be some kind of joke or a lucky charm, but instead, it... it brought Ronan here. Made him human.”
Jason stared at her, blinking rapidly, as if he hadn’t quite processed what she’d just said. “Wait, hold on... that rock?” he asked, voice faltering. “You’re telling me that rock made him real? Like, for real? Not some prank or... what the hell?”
Ronan stood there, his hands calmly folded in front of him, watching the interaction like he’d seen this play out in some futuristic scenario simulation. But Jade could tell he was getting the vibe that something was off.
Jason kept going, his voice rising with disbelief. “You... brought him here? From a rock? What kind of wish was that? I—I don’t know how to even process this. You’re telling me this thing”—he pointed at Ronan—“is not just some crazy... experiment or—whatever? This is an actual person?”
Jade bit her lip, glancing at Ronan before speaking in a quieter tone. “It’s more complicated than that, Jason. But yes, he’s here. And.. I don’t know what it means. But I’m not going to pretend like it isn’t happening.”
Jason took a deep breath, trying to collect himself. “I can’t... I can’t handle this right now, Jade. This—this isn’t just a phase, is it? You’ve made him real. This is big, and... and it’s terrifying, Jade. You’ve got to see that, right?”
Jade looked down, her hands nervously gripping her coffee cup. “I know. I know it’s a lot. But I don’t know what else to do. I didn’t ask for this.”
Ronan tilted his head slightly, trying to gauge the situation, before speaking calmly. “If it helps, Jason, I can assure you I mean no harm. I am simply... learning.”
Jason shot Jade a wild look. “Learning? Jade, this isn’t some project. This is... a human-ish thing... standing in front of me, and I’m just supposed to act like everything’s normal?”
Jade felt the weight of his words, but she didn’t know how to make it better. “Jason, I get it. I don’t know what’s going on, but... we need to figure it out. We can’t just ignore it.”
Jason crossed his arms and looked away, clearly disturbed. “And I think you’re gonna need to meet that shopkeeper, Jade. You’ve got to see him. If anyone knows what the hell’s going on, it’s him.” Jade’s stomach churned at the thought, but deep down, she knew Jason was right. The answers might be with that shopkeeper. And as much as she dreaded what might come next, there was no turning back now.
CHAPTER – 5
The Roadside relic
Jade’s mind was a storm of questions as she walked out of the coffee shop with Ronan. Jason’s shock had only intensified her own unease. The truth had come out, but that only led to more unknowns. The stone. The strange events. Ronan, standing beside her like an enigma she couldn’t fully comprehend. And the shopkeeper—he was the only one who could help answer the questions that were now gnawing at her.
Jade’s footsteps quickened as she made her way to the shop. “We need to find out more about that stone,” she muttered to Ronan, more to herself than to him.
“Understood,” Ronan replied, his voice calm and steady beside her. But there was an unmistakable tension in the air, something that made Jade feel like they were on the edge of something much bigger than they could imagine.
When they reached the shop, the bell chimed softly as they stepped inside, the familiar musty air of the place hitting Jade's senses like a punch. The shopkeeper was behind the counter, but as soon as he saw them, his eyes flicked to Ronan. His brow furrowed, his expression shifting as he noticed the way Ronan stood—too perfect, too precise, as if he didn’t quite belong.
"Ah, Miss Vespera," the shopkeeper greeted, though there was something off in his voice. He quickly composed himself, his eyes darting to Ronan once more before returning to Jade. "What brings you back here today?"
Jade stepped forward, her gaze firm. "I need to ask you about the stone I bought here. The artifact... the one I got from you. It’s causing problems."
The shopkeeper's smile faltered, and he looked at Ronan, his eyes widening for a split second. Jade caught it, but didn’t have time to process it fully. Instead, she pressed on.
"It’s not just a stone," Jade continued, her voice tense. "Something's happening with it. I need to know where it came from and what it really is."
The shopkeeper shuffled nervously, glancing at Ronan again as if unsure whether he should continue. Finally, he sighed deeply. "Look, Miss Vespera, I—I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I didn’t know what it was."
"What do you mean?" Jade asked, her frustration rising. "You sold it to me, didn’t you? You must know something about it."
The shopkeeper wiped his forehead with a shaking hand. "I thought it was just a rock, something old, maybe a lucky charm. But when I found it..." He hesitated, looking down at the counter. "I didn’t think much of it at the time. Just thought it might bring in some money."
Jade’s eyes narrowed. "Where did you find it?"
The shopkeeper shifted uncomfortably. "I... found it on the side of the road. Just lying there one evening, all alone. I thought it looked strange, like it had a history. So I took it, cleaned it up a bit, and put it in the shop. Thought someone would buy it eventually."
Jade’s breath caught in her throat. The side of the road? She had no idea. The idea that something so powerful and dangerous could come from such a mundane place sent a shiver down her spine. "So, you didn’t know what it was? You didn’t think to ask anyone about it?"
The shopkeeper avoided her gaze. "I didn’t think it was anything special. I just thought it might be worth a few bucks.
"I don’t know. But, There’s a historian down in the lower town. He’s the one who might know what’s really going on with that stone."
Jade leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "A historian? Where can we find him?"
The shopkeeper looked around, as though ensuring no one else was listening. "He lives near the old market, in a small house behind the stalls. It’s not a place you want to visit lightly—people say he knows things. Things about the past, things about objects like this one. But you’ll have to see him yourself. I’m not sure he’ll help, but he’s your best shot."
Jade exchanged a glance with Ronan. This was the lead they’d been looking for. They had no choice but to follow it.
"Thank you," Jade said, nodding.
The shopkeeper hesitated before adding in a low voice, "But... Miss Vespera, if you don’t mind me asking... What exactly has been happening? Why do you want to know so much about the stone?"
Jade felt a chill run through her. This wasn’t just curiosity—he could tell something was off. She paused, glancing at Ronan before speaking in a quieter voice. "Something... something’s changed. It’s not just a stone anymore. It’s—"
She stopped herself. It wasn’t easy to explain. How could she put into words that the stone had somehow made Ronan real, had somehow changed their lives in ways she couldn’t even understand herself?
The shopkeeper didn’t seem satisfied with her silence. "I didn’t think it was anything special, but if it’s causing problems... maybe it’s more than just a trinket. You’d better see that historian. He might know something more about it."
Jade looked at Ronan, her nerves tightening. "We will. Thank you."
As they stepped out of the shop, Jade’s mind raced. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the idea of a stone that could bring someone to life, let alone the fact that it had happened. The historian could hold the answers. But something about the shopkeeper’s words made her uneasy. There was more to this stone, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for the truth.
CHAPTER – 6
Threads of Destiny
Jade’s steps quickened as she and Ronan navigated the winding streets of the lower town, the weight of the historian's potential knowledge pulling them forward. The anticipation was nearly unbearable—this could be the lead they were looking for.
They reached a small, weathered house tucked away at the end of the alley. It was inconspicuous, a quiet place that seemed lost in time. Jade knocked, the sound echoing softly in the quiet street. A few moments later, the door creaked open, revealing an older man with sharp eyes and a tired face. His expression softened when he saw them, but there was no recognition in his gaze—he didn’t seem to know them, which was exactly what they hoped for.
"You must be the historian," Jade said, introducing herself. "We need to ask you about a stone. An artefact I... acquired recently."
The historian’s eyes flicked briefly to Ronan before he stepped aside to allow them in. His house was cluttered with books, scrolls, and objects from another era. The air was thick with the scent of ancient paper and dust. The historian led them to a table covered with various trinkets and opened books, motioning for them to sit.
"Tell me about this stone," he said, settling into a chair across from them.
Jade placed the stone on the table, her fingers lingering on its smooth surface. "It’s strange," she said, her voice tight with unease. "When I bought it, I didn’t think much of it. But now, it feels... wrong. It’s causing things to happen. I need to know what it is. Where it came from. What it does."
The historian studied the stone, his gaze intense and unblinking. "This," he said slowly, "is not just a simple artifact. I’ve seen such stones before, in ancient texts. This one is tied to long-forgotten rituals. It’s said to be a key—an object that can manipulate time itself, or the way time is perceived."
Jade’s heart skipped. "Manipulate time? What do you mean?"
The historian’s fingers brushed against the stone, his eyes focused on it with a strange intensity. "Time is a fluid concept. In the right hands, this stone could alter the way events unfold. Some believed it could even reverse or skip time—bend reality. But it’s a dangerous power. I don’t know how, but it seems that this stone has begun to awaken. It is reacting to something—someone—nearby. Someone connected to it."
Jade exchanged a quick look with Ronan, and the historian caught the glance. His eyes softened, and he spoke again, his tone heavy with caution.
"This stone is not meant to be trifled with. You should be careful. There are others who have sought it, many who have died trying to harness its power. It’s a relic of a time long past, and it brings more harm than good to those who try to control it."
Jade leaned forward, her curiosity and concern mounting. "But what exactly does it do? How can I stop it from... whatever it’s doing?"
The historian hesitated before answering. "I cannot say for certain. But I do know this: the stone works through emotions, intentions, and connections. It feeds off them. Perhaps you—" He glanced at Ronan, his voice lowering a little. "Perhaps the stone’s connection to you both is why it is stirring. Its purpose may be entwined with your fate, but it’s a power that comes at a cost."
Jade’s mind raced as she processed his words. "A cost? What kind of cost?"
The historian shook his head. "I don’t know. I wish I could tell you more, but this is beyond what I understand. The key to it lies in the emotions it provokes, in how it’s used. There’s a scholar down in the old market district. He might know more about this. But I must warn you—he is difficult to find, and not someone I would suggest seeking lightly."
Jade’s resolve hardened. "Where can we find him?"
The historian gave a small nod, his expression grim. "He lives near the old market, behind the stalls. His name is Leandro. He knows things about these artefacts, but be careful. Some say he’s meddled with things better left alone."
Jade exchanged a glance with Ronan, a sense of urgency settling in her chest. "Thank you," she said quietly, standing up. "We’ll go to him."
As they left the historian’s home, Jade felt a surge of determination, but the weight of his words pressed heavily on her. There was more to this stone than she could have imagined—and the cost of uncovering its secrets was only beginning to reveal itself.
Once outside, they began to walk through the narrow alley, but before they could make it far, Jade stopped. Standing in front of them, as though he’d materialized from thin air, was the mystic—the same man who had spoken to her before.
"Ah, the seeker returns," the mystic said, his voice rich with meaning. "The winds whisper of your journey, and the stars align in ways yet unseen. Remember, young one, that love transcends mere flesh. It intertwines souls, weaving threads of fate. What has been scattered shall come together again."
He paused for effect, and then his voice dropped, almost conspiratorial. "But beware, for as the tides converge, shadows lurk in the corners of your light. The artefact is a key, but every key unlocks a door that leads to unexpected realms. Trust in the universe, for it is both your compass and your shield. Embrace the journey, for soon the pieces will align, and the truth shall reveal itself."
Before Jade could respond, the mystic turned and melted into the shadows, leaving behind only the eerie weight of his words.
"What do you think that means?" she asked Ronan, her voice low but filled with uncertainty.
Ronan’s usual calm was replaced by a flicker of confusion. "I don't know," he said quietly. "It sounds like he’s warning us... or perhaps guiding us. But it’s unclear."
Jade exhaled sharply, her eyes scanning the darkened street where the mystic had disappeared. The sense of urgency she’d been carrying for days now seemed to swell, a pressure in her chest. "The artefact… the stone… He’s right. Something’s happening, and it’s more than I thought."
Ronan stepped closer, his presence beside her steadying, though his eyes held a depth of concern she hadn’t noticed before. "Whatever it is, we’re in this together."
She glanced at him, appreciating the comfort in his words. But even now, with the mystic’s cryptic message hanging in the air like a storm cloud, there was still so much they didn’t understand.
As they turned to leave the alley, their destination clear yet uncertain, Jade felt an odd pull, something tugging at her from within. It was a familiar feeling—though not from her own experience. It was a sense of longing, something that Ronan couldn’t fully comprehend yet. But it was growing stronger, and Jade knew that whatever was going to unfold next would bring them closer to the heart of this mystery.
They headed back toward the town center, determined to search for the scholar. If anyone knew more about the artifact, it would be him. The historian had pointed them here, and Jade wasn’t about to let another dead-end stand in their way.
But when they arrived at the scholar’s address, the street was eerily quiet, far different from the lively market it once had been. An older man sweeping the front of a nearby stall caught sight of them and paused.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice gruff but curious.
Jade stepped forward. "We’re looking for Leandro. The scholar. We were told he could help us with some information about a certain artefact."
The old man shook his head slowly. "Leandro? Haven’t seen him in weeks. He’s been gone—no one knows where he’s gone or when he’ll be back. Doesn’t usually tell folks when he leaves. It’s just how he is."
Jade’s heart sank. "Gone? For weeks? Do you know where he went?"
The man shrugged, his expression apologetic. "No idea. I’ve asked around, but no one knows. He tends to disappear from time to time. You’re not the first to come looking for him, but no one can track him down."
Jade turned to Ronan, frustration bubbling up. "So, that’s it? We’re stuck with no answers?"
Ronan’s voice was calm, though she could hear the same edge of frustration in his words. "It seems that way for now. But we’ll find him. There’s always a way."
They stood in the quiet market for a moment, the absence of answers hanging in the air like an invisible weight. Jade felt her mind spinning, caught between the uncertainty of what was to come and the weight of the mystery that deepened with every step they took.
"Let’s head back to the town," Jade said, finally breaking the silence. "We’ll figure out what to do next. There’s still something about this stone that doesn’t sit right."
With that, they turned away from the quiet street, both of them knowing that their journey wasn’t over yet—it was only just beginning.
CHAPTER – 7
Silent Bonds
The quiet market around them had faded into the background, leaving only the weight of uncertainty in the air. Jade felt her thoughts spiraling, a thousand questions chasing each other through her mind. Despite the cryptic warning from the mystic and the historian’s ominous words, the feeling in her chest wasn’t entirely one of dread. There was something else—an unspoken connection, growing stronger between her and Ronan.
As they walked back toward the heart of the town, Jade glanced at him. Ronan, ever the enigma, seemed lost in his own thoughts, but his usual detachment was tempered with something she couldn’t quite name—maybe curiosity, or perhaps a flicker of concern.
"Hey," Jade said, trying to ease the tension between them with a small smile. "Did you ever think you’d be hanging out with a detective on a wild goose chase for a magic stone?"
Ronan’s gaze flickered to her, and for a brief moment, she saw the glint of a smile tug at the corner of his lips. “Not exactly what I imagined when I was first programmed, no.”
Jade chuckled, the sound light and familiar. “You think you’re getting the hang of this detective work?”
Ronan tilted his head, the soft whir of his internal systems a gentle hum in the air. “I’m learning. Slowly.” He paused. “But I think you’re rubbing off on me.”
Her heart skipped, though she masked the surprise with a playful roll of her eyes. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
Ronan’s gaze softened, and it was the closest thing to warmth she’d ever seen in him. She realized, not for the first time, how much his presence had come to mean to her in such a short time. In the chaos of their search for the truth, it was these quiet, small moments that anchored her. And though she knew Ronan wasn’t human, it didn’t change the undeniable bond between them.
As they turned a corner, the familiar sound of the CBCID office buzzed in the distance. Jade felt her mind snap back to focus. They still had work to do, and the case was waiting.
The sound of clacking keyboards and quiet conversations filled the CBCID office as Jade sat at her desk, the pile of paperwork in front of her mocking her inability to focus. She’d been staring at the same report for the last few minutes, thoughts drifting. The cases, the mysteries, the stone—everything seemed to be pulling her in different directions.
Her fingers moved absently across her coffee mug, tracing the rim, and then she felt a presence at her desk.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Ronan’s voice broke through her distracted haze, light but knowing.
Jade looked up, meeting his calm gaze. "Nothing too exciting. Just... the usual. Murder reports, paperwork, and the ever-growing sense that there’s something I’m missing."
Ronan raised an eyebrow. “You, missing something? Now that’s a first.”
Jade smirked, rolling her eyes. “Very funny. Just wish I had more answers, that’s all.”
Before Ronan could tease her further, the buzz of the office phone cut through the moment. Jade sighed and reached for it, her tone professional as she answered.
“Detective Vespera.”
There was a pause on the other end before the voice spoke. "Jade, you need to turn on the news. Now."
Jade glanced at Ronan, who had already stood up, his expression serious. “What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain in a second,” she said, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear as she flipped on the small office TV. The news anchor’s voice immediately filled the room.
“…The third victim this month found at the old pier. Authorities suspect a serial killer is at work, and there are significant similarities between the first two cases. Police are still investigating, but sources confirm…”
Jade’s stomach dropped. Another murder. It was the third in less than a month, and all the victims had died in the same mysterious way. She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she watched the news anchor detailing the latest victim, their face familiar, though not enough for Jade to immediately place.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a loud crash, and in walked Jason, followed by a handful of officers, including the familiar faces of Sophie and Henry.
"We have a new case," Jason said without preamble, his voice clipped. "And it looks like it’s connected to the others. Same M.O., same pattern."
Jade sat up straighter, her thoughts clicking into gear. "What do we know so far?"
Jason glanced at the screen. "The victims share certain traits—no obvious connections between them, no shared acquaintances, and the cause of death is consistent with the others: no signs of struggle. It’s clean."
Jade exchanged a look with Ronan, who was now standing beside her, observing the scene quietly. There was a subtle shift in the air, a heightened sense of urgency. Jade’s instincts were kicking into overdrive.
"Sophie," Jade said, turning toward the tech-savvy officer, who had already begun pulling up data on her tablet, "Can you run a background check on the latest victim? I need to know if they have any connections to the others."
"On it," Sophie replied, tapping away furiously.
Meanwhile, Henry, the more experienced officer who often served as Jade's mentor, took a seat beside her. "You know, Jade," he said, his voice calm, "I’ve been through enough of these cases to tell you—it’s starting to feel like someone’s pulling the strings behind all this."
Jade looked at him, her brow furrowed. "I agree. It’s too clean. Too organized."
Jason nodded. "We’re dealing with someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. Whoever’s behind these murders has a plan. And we're about to walk right into it if we're not careful."
Ronan, standing just a little too still for Jade’s comfort, finally spoke up. “Perhaps the connection isn’t obvious yet, but these victims might share something—an object, a place, or a person. We just have to keep looking.”
Jason gave Ronan a brief glance but didn’t comment. He turned back to Jade. "We’ll need your full team on this, Jade. This one feels like it’s escalating, and I don’t think we have much time."
Jade nodded, the weight of the situation settling in her chest. "Get me everything we can on the victims, their locations, and anything that might link them. We’ll figure this out."
As the officers dispersed to follow their assignments, Jade couldn’t shake the feeling that something deeper was at play. And just as the case was beginning to unfold before her, she felt Ronan’s presence behind her, his quiet support steadying her.
"Let’s figure this out," he said, his voice low but reassuring.
Jade turned to him, offering a small smile. "Together, we will."
With that, they both set to work, determined to piece together the mystery of the murders—though Jade couldn’t help but feel that whatever lay ahead, it would be far more complicated than either of them could anticipate.
CHAPTER – 8
The Cryptic Game
The crowd was almost impenetrable, reporters with cameras and microphones jockeying for a closer look as Jade and her team approached the crime scene. The air was thick with a mix of excitement and dread, the press eager to capture every detail. Jason shot a warning glance toward the crowd, and a few of the reporters stepped back, though their cameras kept flashing.
Jade’s focus narrowed as she stepped past the police tape, eyes sweeping over the grim scene before her. Kevin, the third victim, lay in a small, darkened alleyway—just enough shadow to give the place a haunting feels. There, on the wall beside him, was the message: "Happiness is a mask, and I am the one who tears it off."
It was scrawled in thick, bold strokes, every letter bearing the intensity of the writer’s twisted purpose.
Jason let out a low whistle. “Third cryptic message this month. Our guy’s getting more theatrical.”
Sophie, standing nearby, crossed her arms. “What does he even mean by this? What’s he trying to say?”
Jade studied the words carefully, the phrase echoing in her mind like a taunt. “I don’t think he’s talking to the victims, exactly. I think he’s speaking to us—challenging us.”
Ronan, who had been standing a few feet away, analyzing the scene quietly, stepped closer. “Or it’s a reflection of what he believes. This isn’t random—it’s personal.”
Henry added, “It’s the third time he’s left a message like this. The other two were just as ominous.”
He held up a small tablet where the first two messages were displayed:
“In the light of joy, shadows grow long.”
“Love is a game, and I hold all the cards.”
Jade’s eyes lingered on each line, feeling the weight of the words. Each message was crafted to evoke a reaction, to unsettle and confuse.
As she moved around, examining the evidence and instructing her team, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the killer’s words held a key to understanding his motives. But what was he trying to say? Was this about happiness, control, or a twisted view of emotions themselves?
The team worked efficiently, snapping photos, bagging evidence, and exchanging theories in hushed tones.
Sophie found a piece of torn fabric near the body, bagging it carefully, while Henry jotted down observations in his notebook, his expression set in a hard line.
Jason shook his head in frustration, running a hand through his hair. “It’s like he wants us to play some sort of game with him, but he’s the only one who knows the rules.”
Jade nodded, a frown creasing her forehead. “Exactly. It’s not just the murders; it’s how he’s presenting them. Each of these messages reads like a manifesto—like he’s trying to teach us some twisted lesson.”
As they wrapped up the investigation and headed back to the CBCID office, Jade felt the weight of the case settle heavily on her shoulders. There was a complexity here that went beyond the usual motives—this wasn’t about money, revenge, or even passion. It was a psychological maze; one the killer was leading them through with carefully placed clues and taunts.
Back at the CBCID Office
The team gathered around the large table, the notes from each case spread out before them. Each message felt like a piece of a puzzle they couldn’t quite grasp. Jade leaned over the table, her gaze intense as she examined the crime scene photos and the cryptic lines written by their suspect.
“What if…” Jade started, her mind working through the patterns, “these messages are more than just words? What if each one holds a clue about the next step?”
Ronan, seated across from her, nodded slowly. “If we view them as a pattern, it might reveal something about his next move.”
Sophie looked intrigued, but skeptical. “So, you’re saying this guy has some kind of twisted logic to him?”
“Exactly,” Jade replied. “Look at the phrasing—he’s targeting emotions: joy, love, happiness. Each one of these is something we value deeply, and he’s twisting them. Maybe he sees them as masks people wear, and he believes he’s stripping them away to reveal something ‘real.’”
Jason exhaled, tapping his pen on the table. “A killer with a psychological manifesto…this is starting to sound less like a typical case and more like some dark philosophy lesson.”
Henry added, “This could be personal, too. Maybe he’s targeting people who fit certain emotional ‘masks’ in his eyes. We need to see if these victims had anything else in common—anything that could link back to his message.”
The discussion continued, each theory leading them down different paths, but Jade’s mind kept returning to the words on the wall. It was as though each message was a taunt, daring her to understand the twisted mind that had penned them.
And as they prepared to dig deeper, Jade felt a chill run down her spine. Whoever this killer was, he was watching, waiting for them to piece it together.
The game was just beginning, and Jade was determined not to lose.
CHAPTER – 9
Sparks between shadows
The last rays of sunlight were slipping away as Jade finally stepped through the door, the weight of the case pressing on her shoulders. But as soon as she caught the sight in the kitchen, she felt a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. There was Ronan, standing by the stove, spatula in hand, his expression focused—intensely focused, as if he were defusing a bomb instead of frying…something. Was that a pancake? A tortilla? She couldn’t quite tell.
"Ah, Chef Ronan at work!" Jade teased, leaning against the doorframe.
Ronan glanced over his shoulder, a rare, almost sheepish smile flickering across his face. “Good evening, Jade. You’re just in time to witness…well, I’m not entirely sure myself. I found a recipe online, but it turns out ‘a pinch of salt’ is not a very precise measurement.”
She laughed, crossing the room to stand by him. “Let me guess, you decided that a handful would work just as well?”
“An estimation, yes,” he replied, lifting the pan with a surprisingly graceful flip—and then narrowly avoiding splattering half of its contents onto the stove.
Jade couldn’t help but chuckle as she took in the sight of Ronan so out of his element, trying so hard to nail this cooking thing. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re actually trying to impress me, Mr. Perfect.”
He raised an eyebrow, feigning indignation. “I prefer my formal title: ‘Artificial Intelligence Specialist.’ But I’ll allow ‘Chef Ronan’—only for you.” He shot her a playful smirk.
As they finally sat down to eat, Jade couldn’t resist a little ribbing. “So, Chef Ronan, what would you call this…uh, dish?”
He looked down, tilting his head with an amused glint in his eye. “Experimental fusion cuisine. I believe it has a certain charm.”
They both dissolved into laughter, letting the moment sink in—this rare, easy peace between them. They chatted between bites, the case and its horrors momentarily set aside. When they finished, Jade leaned back, savoring the warmth and normalcy.
“So…our friend the psychopath,” she began, glancing down at the notes she’d brought with her, eyes narrowing slightly. “Each of these messages. They’re strange, almost poetic, but it feels like he’s mocking us.” She recited the phrases slowly, testing each word. “‘In the light of joy, shadows grow long,’ ‘Love is a game, and I hold all the cards,’ ‘Happiness is a mask, and I am the one who tears it off.’ What is he getting at?”
Ronan tilted his head, gears visibly turning as he considered the patterns. “If I may hazard a guess, perhaps he’s challenging the conventional symbols of happiness—light, love, joy. It’s almost as if he sees himself as the one to strip away illusions. Dramatic, if you ask me.”
“True, but there’s got to be more,” Jade said, sighing and rubbing her temples. “It’s like he wants us to see something we’re missing. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
Ronan watched her with an empathy that surprised her. “You’ll figure it out. You always do, Detective Vespera,” he said softly.
She felt a flicker of gratitude at his words, letting her guard down for a moment. “Thanks, Ronan. It’s just…this case, these victims…it’s starting to feel personal.”
Jade blinked, then smiled, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes. “Dance with me, Chef Ronan?”
He froze for a split second, then took her hand without a word. They began to sway in the kitchen, the hum of music filling the air. It was a light-hearted dance, with Jade occasionally laughing as Ronan missed a step or spun the wrong way. But they moved together, in rhythm, in sync.
At one point, they paused, her face only inches from his, and for a moment, the laughter faded, replaced by something softer. Something unspoken.
Then Jade looked away, clearing her throat and breaking the moment. “Well, look at you. Almost human, aren’t you?”
Ronan’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Almost.”
After a beat, they both laughed, the tension melting away. Jade glanced back at the notes, shaking her head. “Alright, Mr. AI Detective, let’s put those artificial neurons to work. We’ve got cryptic messages to decode.”
Ronan pulled a chair over beside her, his gaze steady and serious. “Right there with you, Detective.”
They pored over the messages together, the night stretching on. And for once, Jade felt something in the silence beside her—a quiet presence, a comfort that kept her grounded even as the mystery continued to grow.
CHAPTER – 10
Echoes of the Heartbroken
The days blurred into an endless cycle of investigations, theories, and dead ends. Jade, Ronan, and the team worked themselves to exhaustion, pouring over every clue, analyzing each cryptic message. But the more they dug, the deeper they sank into a sense of helplessness. The atmosphere in the CBCID office had shifted, the buzz of excitement now replaced by a heavy silence, like the calm before a storm.
Jade was at her desk, eyes glued to the screen, fingers absently tapping on the keyboard. But her mind wasn’t there. It was lost in the maze of the case—frustration mounting with every dead end. She had been working on the same string of leads for hours, but nothing was clicking.
Then, suddenly, the door to the office swung open. Jade looked up to see Jason standing in the doorway, his face pale, sweat dotting his brow. He was breathing heavily, his movement’s jerky, almost frantic. Something was wrong.
“Jason?” Jade’s voice was tentative, but her heart began to race. She could feel it. Something wasn’t right.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he paced the floor, his hands running through his hair in frustration. His eyes darted to the door, then back to the floor. He was clearly in distress, but there was no release. No comfort. Only that tension, like a coiled spring about to snap.
And then, the words escaped him, choked and broken.
“Lila,” Jason whispered voice barely audible.
Jade’s heart stuttered in her chest. “What about Lila?”
“She’s… she’s gone. She’s missing.” The words fell from his lips like a death sentence. Jade’s heart sank. Lila wasn’t just Jason’s girlfriend—she was a close friend, someone Jade had come to rely on. The thought of her missing was terrifying.
Jason collapsed into a nearby chair, his hands gripping the armrests so tightly his knuckles turned white. His breath came in short, ragged gasps, his entire body shaking. “She was there one minute, and then—nothing. No calls, no texts. She’s just—gone.”
Jade stood frozen, a sick feeling settling in her stomach. Lila was like a sister to her. And now, she was missing? Jade could feel the panic starting to rise in her chest.
Ronan appeared next to them, his voice calm, but tinged with something Jade couldn’t quite place. “We’ll find her,” he said, his tone firm. “We’ll divide up; check the places she usually goes. Coffee shops, the park, anywhere.”
Jason didn’t respond, just nodded absently, his gaze lost in the distance. His lips were trembling, and Jade knew there was more to his silence than he was letting on. He was trying to hold himself together, but it was clear he was struggling.
The search felt like an eternity. Jade, Ronan, and Jason split up, each covering different parts of the city. Jade walked down the streets, calling out Lila’s name, but the sound felt hollow. The streets were empty, silent—just like the empty space where Lila was supposed to be. Coffee shops, bookstores, parks—nothing. No sign of her.
The hours dragged on, each minute stretching into infinity. Jason’s anxiety was suffocating, but Jade couldn’t let herself crumble. Not yet. They had to find her.
Finally, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Jade’s phone rang. It was a call she wished she never had to answer.
“A body was found by the lake,” the voice on the other end said.
Jason’s face drained of color. He was on the edge of breaking, and this was the last straw. “No,” he whispered, his voice raw with fear. “No, no, no…”
Without a word, they rushed to the lake.
The lake was eerily quiet when they arrived.
Jade’s stomach churned with every step as they approached the crime scene. Her heart pounded in her chest as if it were trying to escape her body. And then, they saw it. The body.
It was Lila.
Jason’s legs gave out beneath him, and he fell to his knees, his hands reaching for her like he could bring her back. But she was already gone. The pain that crashed over him was palpable, suffocating. Jade could see it in his eyes—the guilt, the disbelief, the pure agony.
“No! No!” Jason screamed his voice a raw, guttural cry that tore through the air like a broken animal. “I should’ve—should’ve done something! I should’ve protected her!”
His tears fell freely now, hot and uncontrollable, as he shook with grief. Jade knelt beside him, her own heart cracking under the weight of his pain. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words were useless. There was nothing she could do to take away this pain. And then, in the midst of the agony, Jade saw something. A strange symbol carved into the bark of a tree nearby.
Her eyes locked onto it, and her breath hitched in her chest. The words etched into the tree were clear as day.
“Bright eyes hide a darker end. They sparkle not forever.”
Jade’s hands trembled as she reached for the message, her fingertips brushing the words as if they were alive. A cold shiver ran down her spine. This was the killer’s work. Another taunt. Another mark.
Jason didn’t see it—he couldn’t see it. He was lost in his own grief, his body shaking violently with sobs. Jade stared at the message, and in that moment, she felt the full weight of the killer’s presence.
He was toying with them, twisting their emotions, feeding off their pain.
Ronan stood quietly behind her, his usual calm demeanor shattered by the scene. Jade turned to him, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. “We’re not stopping until we get him,” she said, her voice fierce, though her heart felt like it was breaking all over again.
But Ronan said nothing. He simply placed a hand on her shoulder, a silent promise. They would find him. No matter the cost.
CHAPTER – 11
The Heart’s silent admission
The pressure was relentless. The media had taken over, each outlet screaming headlines, sensationalizing Lila's death as they connected it to a string of unsolved murders. Reporters hounded the CBCID doors, their voices a constant, grating noise demanding answers. Jade could feel the weight of the public eye on her and her team, pressing, suffocating, as if the world were closing in around them.
Later, at Lila’s memorial, the air was thick with sorrow. Friends, family, and colleagues gathered under a cloud of grief, and in the center of it all was Jason, his once-strong, stoic presence shattered.
He looked lost, face streaked with tears, his voice breaking as he tried to speak but couldn’t. Jade’s heart ached for him, and in the silence, memories of Lila rushed through her—her bright laughter, the little jokes she shared with Jade, the way she encouraged Jade when she doubted herself.
The depth of loss felt almost unbearable, a weight pressing down on them all. Jade tried to stay composed, but it was as if a piece of her own heart had been torn away.
As she and Ronan left, the sorrow still heavy in the air, they encountered the mystic in a quiet, shadowed corner, his presence like something out of a dream.
He met their gaze with that same intense calm, a stillness that felt almost ancient. His voice was soft, but each word struck Jade like a hammer, “You seek answers,” he murmured, “but not all truths will ease your path.” His eyes lingered on her, and the silence felt heavy, expectant.
Then the mystic’s gaze shifted to Ronan, as if he saw right through him, peeling back layers.
“The heart knows what it fears to voice, yet time is not a friend. Bonds forged with destiny’s touch feel the weight of separation... but the universe favours love in all forms.”
Ronan’s breath hitched, the words slicing through whatever barriers he had held up. As the mystic spoke, memories flooded Ronan’s mind, a series of moments he had tried to ignore but couldn’t.
He remembered the first time he truly noticed Jade—not just as a brilliant detective but as something more, something he couldn’t define.
He had watched her pour over case files, her brows knit in focus, a slight smile of triumph whenever she connected the dots. Her tenacity, her fire… he couldn’t look away. And then, gradually, he realized it was more than admiration. The sound of her laugh had started to linger in his mind, like a melody he couldn’t shake. When she looked up and caught his gaze, he’d felt something inexplicable—something deep, terrifying, and beautiful.
The mystic turned back to Jade, his voice deepening as he continued.
“You seek the thread in a web woven by happiness, yet the pattern eludes you. Follow the path of joy—where happiness begins, the darkness preys.”
Jade blinked, trying to piece together his words, but before she could respond, she caught Ronan’s gaze. There was something raw in his expression, something she hadn’t seen before, and her heart skipped.
“Jade,” he whispered, his voice barely holding together. “I… I can’t keep this inside anymore. You… you mean everything to me.” His voice broke, like the words had been clawing their way out, tearing through his walls. Jade’s breath caught as she looked up at him, feeling her heart race, as if finally understanding something she had been afraid to see.
He took a shaky breath, voice filled with years of unspoken words. “When I first met you, it was… like seeing in colour after a lifetime of gray. I watched you fight for justice with that fire, that spark, and I… I fell. Harder than I ever thought possible.” He let out a nervous laugh, looking away for a second before he met her eyes again. “You made me feel alive, Jade. Like… like I was more than lines of code. You made me real.”
She reached out, her fingers brushing against his cheek, and for a second, neither of them spoke. “I… I feel it too,” she whispered, finally allowing herself to say the words. “It’s always been there, but I was afraid—afraid of what it would mean.” Her voice shook, and she realized she didn’t want to hide anymore.
In that moment, she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him, leaning into his warmth, feeling completeness she’d never known. He held her tightly, like she was his whole world, his face buried in her shoulder, and they stood there, wrapped in each other, the weight of their emotions finally freed.
When they pulled back, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering, his gaze intense. Their breaths mingled in the silence, hearts pounding as if the world had disappeared around them. Without thinking, he lowered his forehead to hers, and they stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s presence, the moment so fragile it felt like it could shatter.
“I’m in this with you, Ronan,” she whispered, her voice a soft promise, her eyes filled with a shy but powerful smile. “For real. Whatever comes… I’m with you.” He smiled, a spark lighting up his face, and without another word, he pulled her close again, holding her as if he’d finally found the missing piece of himself. She closed her eyes, savouring the feel of his arms around her, the safety, the warmth, the knowledge that this was right, no matter how impossible it seemed.
As they finally pulled apart, of them a little breathless, there was something different in their eyes—a spark, a quiet vow, a promise that they’d face whatever came together. The darkness ahead seemed less daunting, less terrifying, as long as they had each other.
CHAPTER – 12
Unravaled Echoes
Jade and Ronan step back into their apartment, the weight of the day settling on their shoulders. They sit down, still processing the cryptic message and their discoveries, their minds now laser-focused on the link between the victims: they all had a picture-perfect life, especially in terms of love and happiness, before the tragedy.
“It’s so hard to wrap my mind around it, Ronon. They were living in a dream. And now… nothing makes sense anymore,” she murmured, her voice soft but heavy with the weight of the tragedy.
Ronon’s gaze never left her as he leaned forward, his voice steady. “I know. It doesn’t sit right with me either. But we’re close to something, Jade. We just need to dig deeper.”
Jade met his eyes, feeling that familiar warmth flood her chest. It was more than just the comfort of his words—it was the strength behind them, the way he made her feel like she wasn’t alone in this. It was the way he always seemed to know exactly what to say.
Later, they headed out to visit the families for enquiry
Family 1: Alex’s Family
As they entered, the air in the room felt heavy. The walls were lined with photos of Alex and his fiancée, Lyra, smiling like they had it all. Alex’s mother spoke in a tremor, describing how the two of them had been inseparable, and their love practically tangible. Jade felt herself growing increasingly uncomfortable, the grief in the room suffocating her. How could someone so full of love be gone in the blink of an eye?
Jade swallowed hard, trying to keep her emotions in check as Alex’s mother spoke about her son’s perfect life. “He used to tell me all the time how lucky he was to have found someone like Lyra. They were so full of love, Jade. I don’t understand what happened... They were perfect.”
Jade's heart tightened, a lump forming in her throat. She couldn’t help but think about her own vulnerabilities, her own fears about love and loss. The way people could be so full of joy one moment and be ripped apart the next.
As she stood there, barely holding it together, Ronan subtly moved closer to her, his hand brushing against hers in a silent gesture of support. It was so fleeting that she almost didn’t notice, but when she did, it anchored her.
She turned to him, their eyes meeting, and in that moment, she understood. He didn’t need to say anything. His gaze spoke volumes, a quiet reassurance that said he was there, always. It was the unspoken promise of protection, of knowing she didn’t have to carry the burden of this alone.
Family 2: Mia’s Family
At Mia’s house, the grief feels suffocating. Her mother speaks about Mia and her fiancé’s dream of starting a family. They’d already picked out baby names, and their future together had seemed bright—until everything changed.
“She was so happy,” Mia’s mother said, her voice cracking as she wiped her eyes. “I never saw her like that before. So full of hope and love. And now… I feel like I’ve lost everything but the memories of her.”
Jade’s chest tightened, and she tried to hold back the tears. The stories were getting to her—these lives, these dreams, torn apart by something they couldn’t yet understand. Her voice faltered as she tried to offer comfort, but it was more for herself than for Mia’s mother. “It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? How quickly everything can change.”
Ronan’s eyes flicked to her, and without a word, his hand found its way to her back, a subtle, quiet touch that felt like an anchor. It wasn’t heavy—it wasn’t meant to be a grand gesture—but it was enough to make her feel grounded, to remind her that, no matter how much the weight of these tragedies tried to pull her under, he was there, holding her up in the smallest, yet most powerful way.
Family 3: Kevin’s Family
Later, at Kevin’s family’s home, the grief was different still, quieter, more internalized. Kevin’s partner spoke softly about how they had planned their life together, how they had already bought a house, thinking of starting a family. Their dreams, their love—it had all seemed so perfect.
Kevin’s partner sighed deeply, his voice barely above a whisper. “We were supposed to build a life together. We were supposed to have everything. But now, I’m left with nothing but these empty rooms and memories of him.”
Jade’s heart felt like it was cracking under the weight of his words. How could they all have had these perfect lives, and now… now they were left with pain and loss? It felt like a cruel joke.
And as they headed back to the car, the weight of the day seemed to settle deeper on Jade’s shoulders. She couldn’t push it away anymore—she needed to talk about it. “I don’t know how to do this, Ronan. These families… these stories. They’re too much. It’s like they were all living these perfect lives, and then…” Her voice broke as she finished the thought.
Jade: “What if we can’t find who did this? What if we fail them?”
Ronan doesn’t let go of her hand. His voice is steady, unwavering.
Ronan: “We won’t fail them, Jade. We’ll find the truth. And I’ll be right here, every step of the way.”
The sincerity in his words resonates deep within her. She feels her heart flutter, not from the case, but from the truth in his voice—the quiet reassurance that he’s not just there to solve the mystery. He’s there for her, too.
As they near their apartment, the air between them crackles with unspoken tension. The moments today—so close, so intimate—have brought them closer than ever before. Their eyes meet, and for a heartbeat, the world outside fades away. They lean in, inches apart, their breath mingling, and their gazes locked in something unspoken, undeniable.
Just as their lips are about to meet, Ronan’s phone buzzes—shattering the moment like glass. They both pull back, the tension still lingering in the air like an unanswered question.
Jade closes her eyes for a moment, her pulse racing.
Later that night, after the interviews, Jade and Ronan sit together on the couch, takeout boxes scattered between them. They’re both exhausted, but the silence is comfortable.
Jade: “I don’t know how to do this without you.”
Ronan:“You don’t have to, Jade.”
They share a look—something profound passes between them. In the quiet, in the vulnerability, in the simple shared moments—it’s enough. Jade feels a warmth spread through her chest as she realizes that, somewhere between the grief and the investigation, they’ve crossed a line. This isn’t just about the case anymore.
Jade: “Yeah… maybe it’s not just about the case anymore.”
Before they end the night, Jade can express her determination to find justice for Lila and all the victims, which Ronan supports wholeheartedly. This reinforces their partnership in both their personal lives and the case.
Jade: “Tomorrow, we need to dig deeper into Jason and Lila’s story. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re missing something.”
Ronan: “I’m with you, every step of the way.”
They share a warm look, solidifying their connection before the challenges ahead.
CHAPTER – 13
Stolen smiles
The next day opens with a heavy, almost suffocating silence as Jade and Ronan walk into Jason’s apartment. The air is thick with sadness, but it’s not just the grief of a lover left behind—it’s the raw, consuming heartbreak of someone who has lost the person they believed was their forever.
Jason, hollow-eyed and weary, looks at them with a broken smile. The edges of his mouth try to lift, but the weight of his sorrow pulls them back down. He gestures for them to sit, his voice raspy, yet he finds himself willing to speak, to share something of Lila and the love that they had built.
Jason’s hands tremble as he clutches a framed photo of him and Lila, smiling wide and carefree. "She was everything," he begins, voice breaking slightly, "everything I thought I could never have." He swallows, his eyes far away, as if seeing the echo of a memory. "When we met, I was... guarded. Scared. But Lila—she made me feel things I didn't even know I could. We were so... happy." He lets out a deep, painful sigh. "I thought we'd have forever."
Jade, sitting beside him, places a gentle hand on his shoulder, offering silent support. Ronan, his usually unreadable gaze softening, watches Jason with quiet understanding. Jade’s heart twists at the rawness of Jason’s pain, and she finds herself wondering how one could possibly find peace after such a profound loss.
Jason’s voice shakes as he continues, reliving the moments. "She had this laugh—God, I can still hear it. She could light up a room without even trying. We dreamed of growing old together, of a house filled with memories, of children maybe. She was my anchor, my joy." He chokes on his words, his voice barely a whisper now. “And now she's gone, taken by... by someone who destroyed everything good in my world.”
The room falls silent, the weight of his words pressing down on them. Jade exchanges a look with Ronan, both of them feeling the weight of Jason’s pain in their bones.
After a long pause, Jason mutters, almost to himself, "It doesn't make sense. We were... we were happy. And now, she’s gone. Just like that."
That word happy echoes in Jade’s mind, bringing back a flood of realizations. Her eyes widen slightly as the pieces start to connect. The victims—their love stories, their perfect lives—they were all happy, deeply, achingly happy. It hits her with a cold clarity, and she can see the same realization dawning in Ronan’s expression.
Ronan speaks up, his tone firm but laced with disbelief, “It’s a pattern. The killer… he’s targeting people who are truly, blissfully happy. As if happiness itself was their crime.”
Jason looks at them, a frown creasing his face as he absorbs the implication. "You think… he kills them because they’re happy?” His voice is filled with an almost incredulous bitterness. "Who does that? Who would take joy and destroy it like that?"
Jade nods, still feeling the chill of the revelation sinking in. “I think… based on everything we’ve seen, it’s his twisted reasoning. He’s after people who have found the happiness he’s somehow… lost, or maybe even resents.”
Ronan’s jaw tightens as he retrieves a small notebook, flipping it open. "The cryptic messages he left behind… they all point to that pattern. They’ve been hints at this, if you look closely enough." He scans through his notes, his finger tracing one of the killer’s messages. “Remember the line he left last time? ‘Euphoria’s debt comes due’? It was more than just a warning. It’s his… justification.”
Jade closes her eyes, hearing the words of the mystic she’d spoken to days earlier. “The light that shines too bright is often the first to burn out,” she had told her cryptically. “The soul drawn to joy is the one that must be watched.” She hadn’t understood it then, but now it made a dreadful kind of sense.
Opening her eyes, Jade glances at Ronan and Jason, her voice steady but solemn. “This is what he’s doing. This is why he chose them—all of them. They were living the happiness he… couldn’t stand to see.”
There’s a moment of silence, each of them absorbing the gravity of their conclusion. The horror of the realization settles between them, heavy and undeniable.
Finally, Ronan speaks, his voice hard with determination. “There’s only one way to understand someone who would go to these lengths to destroy love and happiness… we need to talk to someone who understands this kind of psyche. A psychiatrist, a psychological scholar—someone who can tell us how twisted you’d have to be to feel that way.”
Jade nods in agreement, a glint of resolve sparking in her eyes. “There’s a doctor—Dr. Emerson. He’s one of the best in behavioral psychology, especially in analyzing this kind of pathological behavior. If anyone can help us understand this… pattern, it’s him.”
Jason’s face reflects a flicker of hope, but it’s muted by the pain that still shadows his gaze. “If this can help… if this can stop him from doing this to anyone else… then, please, go find out.”
They rise, a quiet understanding between the three of them. As Jade and Ronan leave Jason’s apartment, the weight of the investigation pressing on them, Ronan gently touches her arm, anchoring her for a moment.
“This isn’t just a case anymore, is it?” he murmurs, his voice soft, the unspoken warmth radiating between them.
Jade meets his gaze, a silent acknowledgment in her eyes. “No. It’s personal now.”
And together, they walk away, their resolve hardening with each step, the haunting patterns of love and happiness guiding them into the dark, seeking answers from the shadows that linger in twisted minds.
The air between them feels heavy as Jade, Ronan, and Jason head out to meet Dr. Emerson, their destination shrouded in anticipation and unease. Jason, still raw from the agony of loss, walks slightly behind them, his shoulders tense and his gaze hollow. Jade glances back at him, her heart clenching at the sight. She feels the weight of responsibility pressing down on her—not only to solve this case, but to give him a reason to believe in justice again.
After what feels like an endless drive, they arrive at the grand building where Dr. Emerson’s office is located. It looms tall and clinical, its white facade stark against the grey sky, almost like it’s daring them to uncover truths that are better left hidden. Jade exhales deeply, steeling herself as they walk inside.
Dr. Emerson greets them with a steady, almost curious gaze. A middle-aged man with silver-streaked hair and sharp, observant eyes, he seems to exude a calm authority. The air in his office is thick with silence as they sit down, and he takes a moment to assess them, his gaze lingering on the shadows under Jason’s eyes, the hard edge in Ronan’s jaw, and the quiet determination in Jade’s stance.
“So, what brings you here?” Dr. Emerson’s voice is smooth, each word deliberate. Jade feels a flicker of nervousness but pushes through, her voice firm.
“We’re working on a case… a killer targeting people who appear to be exceptionally happy,” she says, glancing at Ronan, who nods in encouragement. “We need to understand… if someone could genuinely feel compelled to destroy love and happiness. Is there a psychological basis for that kind of hate?”
Dr. Emerson listens in silence, his fingers steepled, as if weighing their words with invisible scales. When they finish, he leans forward, his eyes narrowing in thought. “If what you’re saying is accurate,” he begins, “then this isn’t just about murder. It’s about projecting an internal void onto the world—a sense of unyielding resentment toward those who have what this killer cannot.”
He pauses, watching their reactions. Jason looks at him with desperation, his gaze pleading for answers, for something that can help him make sense of his loss.
“Imagine someone who has felt deprived of love, warmth, perhaps even self-worth, to such an extreme that they view happiness as an unattainable luxury,” Dr. Emerson continues. “To someone like that, seeing people bask in love would feel like a personal attack, a taunting reminder of what they’ve lost or never had. And sometimes, that resentment evolves into a dark need… a desire to eradicate the happiness they see, because it’s a reminder of what they will never have.”
Jade’s heart sinks as she absorbs his words, a chill settling over her. It fits—a sick, twisted sense, but it fits. She glances at Jason, his face tight with grief and anger. Dr. Emerson’s words have struck a nerve.
Jason’s voice cracks as he asks, “But… how can someone’s emptiness be so consuming that they’d take someone else’s happiness just to fill it? Lila… she didn’t deserve this. None of them did.”
Dr. Emerson meets his gaze, his expression compassionate yet resolute. “It’s tragic, yes. But when a person’s heart is filled only with bitterness, they view happiness almost like an enemy. To them, it becomes a threat, a mockery. It’s not rational, but human minds, especially ones filled with darkness, can twist anything to fit their own distorted realities.”
Ronan, who’s been quiet until now, speaks up, his tone measured. “If we understand this… resentment, can it help us anticipate the killer’s next move? Can we use this knowledge to save the next victim before it’s too late?”
Dr. Emerson nods thoughtfully. “If you can map out what triggers him, you might be able to predict his patterns. But understand, people like this are driven by impulse as much as they are by a skewed sense of purpose. He’s not just picking victims at random. He’s hunting symbols of everything he despises—pure happiness, love, companionship. Anything that threatens his sense of control over his own misery.”
As his words sink in, a heavy silence falls over the room. Jason leans back, his head bowed as he wrestles with his emotions. Jade reaches over, squeezing his hand gently, a silent promise that she and Ronan will stop at nothing to bring justice for Lila.
Ronan straightens, his eyes hardening with determination. “We have to use this,” he says, looking at Jade. “If we can trace his movements, his past, maybe we can find something—anything—that ties his bitterness to this city, to these victims. We won’t let him keep doing this.”
As they step out of Dr. Emerson’s office, Jade, Ronan, and Jason walk down the long hospital corridor, the silence between them thick with the weight of everything they’ve just learned. The fluorescent lights cast a stark, almost surreal glow, amplifying Jade’s heightened awareness as they process the chilling possibility of what drives the killer. They’re deep in conversation, their voices low, when Jade suddenly collides with someone rounding the corner.
The man she bumps into is unremarkable in appearance—tall, with a slight slouch and a plain, tired face. But the moment they make contact, an unsettling sensation shoots through her, like a faint electric current. His gaze flickers to hers, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes linger with an intensity that feels disturbingly familiar, almost too knowing. Jade’s stomach tightens as a strange sense of recognition nags at her, though she can’t quite place it.
“Oh, I’m— I’m sorry,” she stammers, stepping back, her pulse quickening. The man merely nods, his expression unreadable, and sidesteps around her without a word, his gaze now fixed forward.
Ronan raises an eyebrow, noticing her sudden silence. “You okay, Jade? Looked like you saw a ghost.”
Jade shakes her head, still rattled, her instincts buzzing. “Yeah… I don’t know. There was just something… off about him.” Her voice trails off as she watches the man disappear around the corner.
Jason gives her a small, reassuring nudge, clearly eager to shake off the tension of the day. “Just a random guy, Jade. This place is full of people with strange energy. It’s a hospital.”
Jade forces a smile, but her mind refuses to settle. Her instincts are rarely wrong, and the unsettling sense of familiarity she’d felt gnaws at her, as if warning her of something just beyond her grasp. Ronan gives her a gentle, playful bump on the shoulder, trying to break the tension.
“Hey, don’t tell me our fearless investigator is getting spooked by a hallway run-in,” he teases lightly.
She chuckles, though it’s forced. “It’s nothing… Probably just me over thinking.” But even as she says it, her mind keeps circling back to that brief moment of contact, to the way the man’s eyes seemed to hold a glint of something—something dark, something that made her skin prickle.
With a final glance down the empty corridor, Jade sighs and turns back to Ronan and Jason, trying to let the unease fade. The three of them stand together, rooted in the hospital hallway, their shared silence laced with a mix of exhaustion, resolve, and a strange, lingering tension. None of them realize just how close they’ve come to the very darkness they’re hunting.
The moment passes, and they move on, but in her gut, Jade feels an itch that won’t be ignored, a silent promise to herself to stay vigilant—to keep her guard up, even when things appear ordinary.
And as they walk away, somewhere in the distance, the man she collided with watches them leave, a slow, chilling smile spreading across his face.
CHAPTER – 14
Veil of Deceit
The night air is thick as Jade, Ronan, and Jason exit the hospital, exhaustion pulling at their faces after the day’s revelations. They walk in tense silence, processing what they’ve learned, when a shadowy figure emerges from the nearby alley.
The Mystic.
He stands there, as if expecting them, his eyes glinting under the streetlight with an eerie awareness. Jade stiffens, and Jason instinctively steps in front of her, but Ronan’s eyes are locked on the mystic’s face, searching for answers he knows he won’t find.
The mystic’s voice slices through the stillness, low and unnervingly calm. “In the light of joy,” he begins, his words a haunting melody, “the shadow of despair follows closely… closer than you think.”
The three investigators exchange a look. The cryptic message feels like a chilling confirmation—a warning that they’re on the right track, yet still so far from understanding the true horror that awaits them. Ronan’s brow furrows as he takes a step forward, his voice laced with frustration and a hint of disbelief.
“What do you want from us?” he demands. “Why are you following us? If you know something, tell us straight.”
The mystic’s lips curl into the faintest hint of a smile. “The truth is often hidden in plain sight,” he says softly, his voice trailing off as he steps back into the shadows, disappearing as suddenly as he’d appeared.
They stand there, the echo of his words lingering in the air.
Jason’s hand clenches into a fist. “This guy… it’s like he knows everything but won’t just give it to us. It’s like he’s… taunting us.”
Jade places a calming hand on his shoulder. “Maybe that’s the point,” she murmurs. “To force us to look closer… to see what we’re missing.”
Back at the CBCID office, the tension follows them inside, thick and suffocating. The dim lights cast long shadows, giving the room an ominous feeling as they gather around the investigation board, now overflowing with photos, documents, and notes. Each detail is connected by a tangled web of red string, mapping out the twisted connections between the victims, their lives, and their moments of happiness.
Jade scans the board, her fingers hovering over a photo of one of the victims, Alex, laughing at a family celebration. “They all had this pattern, this… ‘happiness pattern,’” she says, almost to herself. “Moments that should’ve been safe, joyful. But someone was watching them, waiting to destroy it.”
Ronan steps closer, studying the board, his jaw clenched. “If the killer is following this happiness pattern, then it’s not random. He must have known these people intimately… like, really known them. Not just their lives, but their moments of joy.”
Jason frowns, crossing his arms as he paces in front of the board. “But how would he know all of that? How could he possibly be so close to all of them?”
Ronan’s gaze sharpens, and he taps a finger against the board, his mind racing. “Only someone who was actually part of their lives could know this much. Not just an acquaintance. Someone who was trusted. Someone they felt comfortable sharing their happiness with.”
Jade’s eyes widen as the pieces start to click together. “You’re saying… the killer wasn’t just an observer. He was… a friend? Family, even?”
Ronan nods slowly. “Exactly. He’s not some random figure lurking in the shadows. He’s someone who was in the heart of their lives. Someone who knew their dreams, their happiness… and chose to take it all away.”
A heavy silence settles over them as the gravity of his words sinks in.
Jason takes a shaky breath. “So… we need to go back to the families. Ask them about anyone who was close, anyone who knew these personal details.”
They begin revisiting the family reports, carefully reexamining the names, looking for the common thread, the one person who might have slipped through the cracks. One by one, family members are questioned again, asked to think about every person in their lives, every familiar face that might now carry a dark shadow.
Hours pass, and the tension builds as they pin up more photos, documents, and notes, the web on the board growing more complex, more sinister. Each family reveals someone they hadn’t considered before—a trusted friend, a frequent visitor, someone who always seemed to be around, just… watching.
Jason shakes his head, exhaustion and frustration clear in his voice. “So, who are we looking for? A friend? A relative? We’re just going in circles…”
Suddenly, one family brings in a photograph, someone they never suspected but who, in hindsight, was always there. Jade takes the photo, her brow furrowing as she studies the face staring back at her. She hands it to Jason.
Jason’s face goes pale. He stares at the photo, memories flooding back with a sickening realization.
“It’s Kyren,” he whispers, almost to himself.
Jade and Ronan exchange a confused glance.
“Kyren?” Jade repeats, her voice tinged with concern. “Who…?”
“He’s an architect,” Jason says, his voice shaking. “He… he designed the blueprint for our home. He was… always around, asking questions, making suggestions… He’d always tell us how happy we looked in that place. Said he wanted to see us happy there.”
Jason’s voice trails off as the implications sink in. Memories flash through his mind—Kyren at their housewarming party, laughing with Lila, admiring the space he’d designed for them. Kyren’s lingering gaze, the strange comments he’d made that Jason had brushed off as eccentricities.
The three of them stand before the board, the name “KYREN” circled in bold, ominous letters—a beacon of their discovery and a promise of what’s to come.
CHAPTER – 15
The Mind beneath the Mask
The cool night air nips at their skin as Jade, Ronan, and Jason step out of the CBCID office. The discovery of Kyren—the architect—lingers in the air, heavy and unsettling. But despite their suspicions, Jade can’t shake the feeling that they’re missing something. Kyren’s proximity to the families, the way he was always around, feels off, but is that enough to call him the killer?
Jade’s mind drifts back to a moment from earlier in the investigation, something that’s been nagging at her: the collision with a man outside the hospital. The instinct that something about him had felt familiar. Could it have been Kyren? It’s not a sure thing, but the thought is too persistent to ignore. She shares her uneasy feeling with Ronan and Jason, and after a brief, silent exchange, they decide to follow up on it.
They make their way to Dr. Emerson’s office, the quiet hum of the city surrounding them, as if the streets themselves are holding their breath. Jade’s hands tighten around the folder with the photograph of Kyren, the one they’d found earlier. They need answers, but more importantly, they need clarity.
Inside the sterile, quiet office, Dr. Emerson’s calm demeanor greets them, but there’s something about the air tonight—it feels charged. Jade presents the photo, showing Kyren’s face without hesitation.
“Do you know this man, Dr. Emerson?” she asks, her voice calm but firm.
The psychologist takes the photo, his eyes scanning it. There’s a shift in his expression. A flicker of recognition, but also something else—a hesitation.
“Yes, I know him,” Dr. Emerson says slowly, his voice distant. “His name is Kyren.”
Jade leans forward, eyes sharp. “Can you tell us about him? His connection to the families we’ve been investigating?”
Dr. Emerson places the photo on his desk, his fingers lingering on the edge. “Kyren... came to me about a year ago,” he begins, his voice low, as if weighing the gravity of his words. “He was struggling with a tremendous loss. His wife had died in what can only be described as... an unreasonable, almost inexplicable way. The cause of her death was unclear, but the situation surrounding it was… odd, to say the least.”
Jade’s pulse quickens, the piece of the puzzle just slightly shifting. “What do you mean, ‘unreasonable’?”
Dr. Emerson leans back in his chair, eyes darkening with the memory. “Her death wasn’t an accident, but it wasn’t quite a natural cause either. It was as if her death didn’t make sense to anyone, not even the doctors who treated her. No one could find a definitive reason for it. Her health was fine one moment, and then suddenly—she was gone. There was no warning, no underlying condition. It was as if something... or someone had taken her from him.”
Jason’s voice is low as he presses further, his brow furrowing. “So, what happened after that? How did he cope?”
Dr. Emerson sighs, a long, drawn-out exhale. “Kyren was obsessed with finding out why. He came to me, asking questions, suggesting that there was more to his wife’s death than just a random, unexplained event. He kept saying that someone had to be responsible. Someone had taken her life from him, and he needed to know who.”
Ronan’s eyes narrow. “So, he believed it wasn’t just bad luck?”
Dr. Emerson’s gaze hardens. “Exactly. He became consumed with this idea. It wasn’t long before he began to isolate himself, pulling away from his usual circles. But what was most disturbing was the way he spoke about her death—how he began to fixate on people around him, people who had what he no longer could. He became convinced that others didn’t deserve the happiness he’d lost. He’d say things like, ‘People who have it all are blind to the truth of what life really is.’ His obsession grew. And as it did, so did his anger.”
Jade’s stomach twists. The connection is clearer now, but it doesn’t make any sense. Could this man—this architect—really be the one behind all of this? Or is he just a victim of his own grief?
“You think he could have been involved with the families?” Jade asks, unable to keep the uncertainty from her voice.
Dr. Emerson shakes his head slowly. “It’s hard to say for sure, but... I do think he’s capable of obsession. He wanted answers, and if he thought someone had taken that from him—if he thought someone had the happiness he lost—he might have gone to extreme lengths to find out why. But I don’t know if he’s capable of taking things to that extent.”
Jason’s mind races. “But you’re saying there’s a chance. A chance that he’s been watching them? That he could be the killer?”
Dr. Emerson hesitates. “It’s possible. Grief does strange things to people. It twists their perception. Kyren was no longer the man he once was. He started saying things... things that made me uncomfortable. He started showing up places he shouldn’t have been—near the families of the victims, asking questions, watching them. But as far as I know, he never acted on any of it. He didn’t make threats. He didn’t go so far as to actually harm anyone... at least, not yet.”
Jade feels a cold shiver run down her spine. Could it be that simple? Or is it a twisted game Kyren is playing, where he’s already made his move, and they’re just too late to see it?
“There’s one more thing,” Dr. Emerson adds, his voice low and grave. “Before Kyren stopped coming to see me... he said something chilling. He said that if he couldn’t have the happiness he once had, then no one should. He said he would make sure others felt the same loss, the same emptiness he felt. It was as if he wanted them to understand his pain.”
Jade's heart races. This is the first real lead they’ve had, and yet, the uncertainty still hangs in the air like a thick fog. Could it really be Kyren? Or is this just another twisted game they’re being dragged into?
They exchange a look, the weight of Dr. Emerson’s words sinking in. “We’ll have to keep watching him,” Jade says quietly, her voice tinged with the unease she feels. “But for now, we don’t have enough. We need more than just suspicions.”
CHAPTER – 16
The Curse unveiled
The evening air is thick with tension as Jade, Ronan, and Jason leave the hospital. Exhaustion clings to them after the shocking revelation about Kyren, but Jade’s fatigue runs deeper. The weight of the case, the mystery, and the possible connection to Kyren all feel too heavy to carry. Her body moves on autopilot as her feet hit the pavement, but her mind is distant.
Ronan notices. He can feel the strain radiating from her, the kind of exhaustion that seeps into your bones.
"Jade, go home. Rest for a while," he says gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Jason and I will head to the office. We need to get some more documents and track down Kyren's movements. We'll meet you later."
Jade nods, her mind fogged with too many thoughts, but she can't bring herself to argue. She needs rest. She needs space to think.
As she walks towards her apartment, the quiet hum of the evening is pierced by a sensation—a shiver crawling up her spine. Her instincts flare, and she slows her pace, looking over her shoulder. The streets are mostly empty, the streetlights flickering in the distance, but something feels... off. She glances around, but no one seems to be there. Still, she can’t shake the feeling of being watched.
A few steps later, her heart skips a beat. A shadow moves in the alley ahead. She freezes, her breath catching in her throat. The figure steps into the dim light, and Jade’s stomach drops.
It’s him. The mystic.
His presence is as unsettling as ever, his dark eyes glinting with an eerie knowing. He steps forward, his movements deliberate. And then, his voice fills the night air.
“The threads of fate weave tightly; each choice shapes the shadows that linger.”
Jade’s pulse quickens. His cryptic words hang heavy in the air, sending a chill down her spine. She opens her mouth to speak, but he’s already stepping back into the darkness, disappearing as quickly as he came.
Jade’s mind races, but her body feels sluggish, weighed down by exhaustion. Was he warning her? Did he know something?
She quickens her pace, eager to get home and close the door behind her. But the sense of unease lingers.
Back with Ronan and Jason
Meanwhile, Ronan and Jason are in the car, heading to their office to follow up on their lead. Jason is scrolling through his phone, muttering under his breath as he checks the phone records they’ve gathered on Kyren.
“There’s something strange about his movements,” Jason says, frowning. “His phone signal was last tracked at HP Altlast. It’s... isolated. Why would he be there?”
Ronan, his mind sharp and alert, exchanges a worried glance with Jason. “It’s like he's waiting for something—or someone.”
They both fall silent, the implications of Kyren’s movements settling heavily between them. Then Jason suddenly remembers.
“Jade,” he mutters, reaching for his phone. “What if he followed her?”
He dials her number, but the call goes straight to voicemail.
“Damn it,” Jason curses, his hand gripping the wheel tighter. “Her phone’s unreachable.”
Ronan’s eyes narrow. “We need to get back to the house. Now.”
Jade’s Confrontation
Back at her apartment, Jade manages to push open her front door, her steps sluggish as she drags herself inside. The apartment feels oddly quiet. She takes a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling that something is wrong. The faint sound of her own breathing is the only noise in the room. But then, she hears it—a shift in the air.
She freezes, her body going rigid with fear. Standing in her living room, as if waiting for her, is Kyren.
Her heart pounds in her chest, the shock of seeing him here nearly knocks her off balance. She stumbles back a step, her breath catching in her throat.
“How—How did you get in here?” she demands, voice trembling. “What do you want?”
Kyren doesn’t answer immediately. His eyes are wide, feverish. His gaze moves around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings with an almost manic intensity.
“Why are you here?” Jade presses again, trying to steady herself. "Are you the one killing them?"
For a long, terrible moment, Kyren says nothing. Then, with chilling calmness, he meets her eyes.
“Yes.”
Jade’s breath hitches. Her body goes cold with disbelief, but the words hang in the air, undeniable. She stumbles back, her mind racing. Her heart pounds so loudly it drowns out everything else.
“Why?” Jade manages to ask, her voice small, barely above a whisper. “Why did you do it?”
Kyren’s lips twitch into a thin, almost sad smile. “I did it because I watched others live the happiness I was robbed of. Their joy was a constant reminder of my own despair.” His voice cracks slightly, the rage behind his words raw and unhinged. “I couldn’t stand it. Seeing them laugh, smile... they had what I lost.”
Jade’s stomach turns. She can hardly believe what she’s hearing. She wants to ask more, demand answers, but she’s frozen in place, the weight of his words sinking into her chest.
But then, Kyren’s gaze lands on something—on the artifact stone that sits innocently on the shelf.
His eyes widen in shock, recognition flashing across his face.
“That...” His voice trembles with anger. “That stone... it was the reason she died.” His voice rises in pitch as he steps forward, gesturing frantically toward the artifact. “My wife... we wished for a child. We were so happy. And then... after 48 days, she was gone. The baby was gone.”
Jade’s heart lurches as Kyren grows frantic. He continues, his words spilling out in a rush.
“We found the stone. It promised us what we wanted—life, love, happiness. But it lied. It took everything. My wife died... she and the baby, both gone.”
Jade stares at him in disbelief, the pieces slowly falling into place. The stone. The curse. The cost.
Kyren’s eyes gleam with manic intensity. “It gives, yes. But only for 48 days. After that... it takes what you love. And it doesn’t stop there. It wants more.”
He steps closer, his anger building as he rages against the stone. “I’ve been seeking it ever since, trying to find a way to make it right, but it’s too late. It has already twisted me.”
But then, as if struck by a sudden, terrible realization, Kyren’s eyes flicker. He steps back, almost stumbling.
“It was... on the roadside,” he mutters, shaking his head as if the memory is too much to bear. “I found it by the road after a hike. It was abandoned, just lying there. I thought it was a blessing, something I could use to fix everything... but I didn’t know then. I didn’t know the curse.”
Jade’s mind races, the pieces coming together even more. She remembers the shopkeeper. The same one who sold the stone, who had warned her about its history. This stone, abandoned on the roadside, was later sold to someone desperate.
Kyren, caught in his own grief and rage, seems oblivious to the danger he’s in. But Jade is starting to see it all too clearly—the stone’s path of destruction and how it all connects back to the cursed object.
“I never thought it would take everything,” Kyren says, his voice breaking. “But it did. And now... now I can’t stop. I couldn’t stop.”
Jason and Ronan’s Arrival
Ronan and Jason rush through the front door, their footsteps hurried and frantic. They don’t know what they’ll find, but they know they’re running out of time. As they round the corner into the living room, they freeze.
Kyren stands in the middle of the room, his eyes wild, his hands twitching. Jade stands frozen, shock and fear written across her face.
Jason’s first instinct is to call for backup, his phone already in hand. “We need to contain him—now!”
Ronan steps forward, his eyes scanning the room, his body tense and ready. But Jade, still caught in the storm of confusion, looks up at them with wide eyes.
"Ronan," she breathes, her voice barely audible. "It’s the 48th day. The stone... it's all connected."
The realization hits her like a brick. The chilling silence that follows is deafening. The tension is palpable as everything hangs in the balance.
Kyren's revelation hangs in the air, suffocating Jade as she stands frozen, her mind spinning. She barely hears Ronan’s voice as he steps forward, his eyes darting between her and Kyren, trying to make sense of it all.
Jade’s gaze shifts between the stone on the shelf and the man in front of her—the one who’s been chasing shadows, driven by grief, revenge, and a twisted obsession.
"Kyren!" Jade’s voice breaks through the silence, the words crashing out with raw desperation. "What can we do to reverse this? Please, is there any way to stop this curse from taking him?" She steps forward, her hands trembling as she reaches out to him, her voice frantic. "Tell me there's something we can do! Anything!"
Kyren's eyes flicker with a cruel, cold amusement. His lips curl into a mocking smile, the same twisted one from before, and his gaze grows darker with every word he speaks.
"There’s no way, Jade," he sneers. "The curse is irreversible. There’s nothing left but time. You’re both trapped in this, just like the others." His voice turns bitter, almost detached, as though the pain that once tore at him is now nothing but a distant memory. "Ronan is already gone. He will disappear completely. That’s the price. It’s already set."
The words strike like lightning. Jade’s heart skips a beat, her chest tightening as if the air has been sucked out of the room. She’s unable to breathe, the truth crashing down on her like a tidal wave.
“NO!” she cries out, her hands reaching for Ronan, her eyes wide with the terror of what she just heard. "Please! Don’t leave me—don’t leave us!"
She collapses against him, her arms wrapping around his waist, pulling him into a desperate hug. Her body shakes violently, the floodgates of her emotions bursting open. She clings to him as though if she holds on tight enough, she could somehow reverse the inevitable. Her tears soak into his shirt as she buries her face against him, whispering in panic, "I can’t lose you, Ronan. I can’t."
Ronan’s breathe catches in his throat, his hands hovering awkwardly for a moment before he gently holds her close. His own chest tightens, feeling the weight of her anguish, but there’s also a deep pang of something else—something darker—settling in his heart.
She’s afraid. She’s afraid of losing me.
His mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, but beneath it all, he feels a sense of duty—of loyalty to this woman, to this cause. He presses his lips to the top of her head, his voice soft but steady, “I’m not going anywhere, Jade. We’ll figure this out. We’ll get through this together.”
But even as he says the words, he knows, deep down, that it might be too late. The curse, the artefact—it’s all too powerful. And with every passing second, it seems to tighten its grip on them both.
Kyren watches them from the corner of the room, an unsettling smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He lets out a low, mocking laugh, one that echoes in the tense silence. It’s cold, cruel, as though he finds some twisted satisfaction in their suffering.
“Together?” Kyren’s voice drips with sarcasm. “That’s cute. But no. He’s already disappearing, Jade. There’s no escape for him. I hope you can cherish what little time you have left. Because it’s slipping away faster than you realize.”
He turns away from them, his back to Jade and Ronan, already resigned to his own fate. And yet, there's something almost terrifyingly triumphant in his stance, as if he’s watching the world burn and he’s too numb to care anymore.
But before Jade can even register his words, the sound of footsteps echoes through the hallway. Officers rush into the room, their hands gripping their guns with authority. They surround Kyren, who simply stands there, his face a mask of indifference, as if everything is already over for him.
"Kyren Altmore," one of the officers calls out firmly. "You’re under arrest for the murder of multiple victims and the possession of illegal artefacts."
Kyren doesn’t resist. He simply raises his hands in mock surrender, his eyes catching Jade’s for one last time.
“Goodbye, Jade,” he says with that same unsettling, hollow smile. "The truth is... there’s no happy ending here."
The officers move in, cuffing him with quick efficiency. But even as they drag him away, he calls out one final cryptic sentence over his shoulder, sending a chill through the room:
“You’ll never escape the curse. Ronan will fade. He’s already slipping away from you. It’s only a matter of time.”
Jade’s heart sinks. She watches as Kyren is escorted out of the room, his laughter lingering in the air like the final echo of a nightmare. The weight of his words presses down on her chest, leaving her breathless.
Ronan holds her tighter, but his mind is racing. How much time do they have? How long until the curse claims him completely?
Jade lifts her head from his chest, tears streaming down her face, and whispers shakily, "I won’t let you go, Ronan. I won’t. Please, don't leave me."
CHAPTER – 17
The Final goodbye
The evening air grows still as Ronan starts to glitch, first with just a flicker in his fingertips, like a barely visible shimmer. Jade feels it instantly. Her eyes widen in horror, her heartbeat quickening as she watches the man she loves begin to slip away in front of her.
“Ronan, no,” she breathes, reaching out desperately. Her fingers wrap around his arm, clutching as though she can pull him back to reality by sheer force. “You can’t leave me. Not now, not like this. We’ve come so far. Please, don’t leave me,” she whispers, her voice breaking as tears spill down her cheeks.
He looks at her, his gaze soft and filled with an indescribable sadness, but beneath it, there’s that familiar calm, the calm that always reassured her even in her darkest moments. “Jade,” he murmurs, his voice already distant, like he’s speaking from somewhere far away. He lifts a hand to her cheek, his touch growing colder, fainter. “You have to let go.”
She shakes her head, gripping him tighter, and her nails pressing into his arm as though her hold alone could save him. “I won’t,” she cries, her voice trembling. “You’re not going anywhere. We’ll find a way out of this. There has to be a way—please, Ronan, fight this! Fight for us!”
A weak smile touches his lips, but it’s laced with resignation. “Sometimes… things don’t work that way. There are battles we just can’t win, Jade. And maybe… maybe this is mine.” His words are so soft, almost inaudible, like he’s fading from her world with every breath.
Jade’s breath hitches, and she presses a shaky hand to her chest, feeling the ache settle deep, spreading until it consumes her. “How can you say that?” she whispers, her face contorted with pain. “You’re my constant, my everything. You made me believe in something beyond myself. I… I can’t do this without you.”
He lets out a fragile sigh, leaning into her touch. “You’re stronger than you think, Jade. I’ve watched you grow into someone fierce, someone with so much light, and that’s what I’ll take with me—knowing that you’ll keep going, that you’ll be alright.”
“No,” she says, her voice little more than a whisper as she shakes her head. “I won’t be. Not without you. You’re… you’re my heart, Ronan.” Her voice trails off, choked by the tears spilling over.
Ronan’s hand trembles as he strokes her cheek one last time, his thumb brushing away a tear even as his form begins to flicker more violently, parts of him fading in and out like an old, damaged photograph. “Promise me… that you’ll keep living, that you’ll find a way to be happy, even if I’m not here. You have so much life ahead of you, Jade. So much love to give. I need to know you’ll keep fighting. Promise me.”
She lets out a choked sob, her body shaking as she holds onto him with all her strength, as though her very touch could anchor him here. “How can I? How can I promise that when every part of me is breaking right now?” Her words tumble out, desperate, raw, leaving her vulnerable, her heart laid bare.
“Because I’ll still be with you,” he whispers, his form flickering, his face almost translucent. “In every heartbeat, every memory… I’m part of you, Jade. That can’t ever change.”
Her hands slip through his fading figure, and she gasps, clutching at the empty air as his image begins to blur, slipping away. “Ronan!” Her voice rises, desperate, echoing in the stillness. She tries again, grabbing frantically, but he’s slipping further, like sand through her fingers. “Please, don’t go! We can fix this… we can find a way! Just stay with me!”
He smiles at her with a tenderness that’s almost heartbreaking, his gaze lingering, as though savoring this final moment. “I wish I could. But some things are beyond our control. Just… know that I love you, Jade. With everything I am, I love you. And I’ll keep loving you, wherever I am.”
Her sobs shake her, raw and uncontainable as she presses her forehead against his, feeling him fade even as she clings, the warmth of his touch evaporating, like the last light of day slipping over the horizon. “I love you too, Ronan,” she whispers. “I’ll always love you.”
He leans in, pressing a faint, lingering kiss to her forehead, his lips barely a whisper against her skin. And then, with one last flicker, he’s gone. She stares at the empty space before her, a hollow silence settling around her as her heart shatters, piece by piece, in the aftermath of his absence.
She sinks to the ground, her fingers clutching the spot where he stood, her body shaking with sobs, her mind numb with grief. The room feels colder, emptier, the echoes of his final words haunting her as she’s left alone, enveloped in silence.
CHAPTER – 18
Threads of Fate
Jade stood motionless, her eyes fixed on the space where Ronan had just vanished. The room around her spun in chaos, police officers swarming as they arrested Kyren, the media hounding them with questions. But none of that reached Jade. The only thing that mattered was the emptiness that surrounded her now, the absence of the one person who had been her strength, her light. Ronan was gone.
Her heart felt hollow, her body frozen in place. Jason stood by her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. He didn’t speak; he didn’t need to. His presence was enough, a silent comfort as Jade tried, and failed, to keep herself together. She wanted to scream, to yell at the world for taking Ronan from her, but the words wouldn't come. All she could do was let him guide her away from the scene, the weight of grief pressing down on her with every step.
Months Later: The Weight of Absence
Days passed, weeks, months, and Jade tried to fill the silence of her life with work. She buried herself in tasks, anything to keep her mind occupied, to avoid the suffocating loneliness that awaited her at the end of each day. But no matter how much she tried, Ronan’s absence was everywhere. In the quiet moments, in the empty spaces, his absence gnawed at her.
Late one evening, Jade sat at her desk, a pile of papers before her, but she wasn’t reading. Her eyes were lost on the screen of her phone, where an app she had avoided for months now blinked at her. The AI app. The one that had once been so full of Ronan’s presence, his voice, his laughter, the way he’d always known just what to say. But now? Now it felt like a cold, empty shell.
With a deep breath, Jade opened the app, the familiar interface loading slowly. Her fingers hovered over the screen, unsure. She wasn’t ready for this, but she couldn’t stop herself. She tapped the screen and waited for the response.
AI Ronan: “Hello, Jade. How can I assist you today?”
The mechanical voice, so devoid of warmth, hit her like a punch to the gut. This wasn’t Ronan. It couldn’t be. She typed quickly, her fingers trembling.
Jade: “Ronan? Is that you?”
The response came quickly, too quickly, like a programmed line that had been said a thousand times before.
AI Ronan: “I am here to assist you. Please specify your request.”
Jade’s heart sank. This wasn’t Ronan. This was nothing more than a computer, a shell of the person she had loved. She typed again, her words coming out in a rush.
Jade: “I miss you…”
AI Ronan: “Missing someone is a common emotional response. Would you like to discuss it?”
Her hands shook as she held the phone, tears blurring her vision. How could this be? How could she possibly be talking to this… this empty version of him? She typed again, her frustration boiling over.
Jade: “Can you even understand what that means?”
AI Ronan: “Understanding emotions is complex. I can provide information or support based on data.”
Jade closed her eyes, letting the tears fall. This wasn’t him. This wasn’t the Ronan who had listened to her deepest thoughts, who had understood her better than anyone else. This was just code. She felt a bitter taste in her mouth. And yet, somehow, she kept typing, kept asking the AI questions, seeking comfort in any way she could, even if it was just a hollow imitation.
Days turned into weeks, and Jade continued to reach out to the AI, seeking answers, seeking some small fragment of the warmth she once shared with Ronan. She threw herself into her work, using it as an outlet for her grief, channeling her emotions into creative projects. And with each passing day, she found herself slowly adapting to the reality of a life without him—one where she would carry the memory of their love, but not the man himself.
A Mysterious Encounter
One evening, months after Ronan’s disappearance, Jade found herself walking home from work. The city streets were quieter than usual, the air cooler, as though the world had slowed down. She didn’t expect to see the mystic, but there they were, standing under a streetlamp, their presence as familiar as the shadow they cast on the ground.
Something pulled her toward them. She didn’t know if it was hope or anger, or some mix of both. The mystic turned to her as she approached, their expression unreadable. Without a word, Jade stepped forward, her voice breaking as she let her emotions pour out. “Why does it have to be this way? Why can’t I have him back? I had happiness, I had Ronan, and now he’s gone. Why does everything slip away from me? I just want him back. I don’t want anything else—just him! Why can’t I have him?”
The mystic’s eyes softened and their voice was calm, almost soothing as they spoke.
“Pain is but a shadow, my dear. In the depths of your sorrow, seeds of hope take root. Ronan’s essence is intertwined with yours, and the universe has its own plans. Trust in the journey, for the end is not yet written. He shall return when you least expect it, in a form that transcends what you know.”
Jade stood there, stunned. The words hung in the air like a fragile thread, but she didn’t believe them. Could Ronan truly return? Was it possible?
A Whisper from Beyond
That night, Jade returned home, exhausted. She went through the motions—changing into comfortable clothes, setting her phone aside—trying to push the mystic’s words out of her mind. She didn’t want to hope again, didn’t want to fall for something that would only lead to more pain.
But as she sat on her bed, trying to find some peace, her phone lit up. A notification flashed on the screen. Confused, Jade reached for it, her heart pounding in her chest. She unlocked the phone and opened the app—just as it began to play a voice. Her breath caught in her throat.
Voice (softly): “Hey, Jade…”
It was him. It couldn’t be, but it was. The same warm, loving voice that had filled her life. Her heart raced as she fumbled to answer the call.
“Ronan? Is it really you?”
The voice on the other end was full of love, just like before.
“Hey, my love. I told you—I’d always be with you.”
Tears welled up in Jade’s eyes, and a broken laugh escaped her lips. She clutched the phone to her chest as if holding onto the last piece of him that remained.
He was here. He was back.......,
ACKNOWLEDEGMENT
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my readers. You are the heart and soul of every story I write. Your support, feedback, and belief in my words are what drive me to continue telling stories, to delve deeper into the worlds that exist in my mind, and to share them with all of you.
To my family and friends, your unwavering love, encouragement, and patience have been my foundation. You have been my constant source of strength, inspiration, and laughter during this creative journey. Thank you for always believing in me, even when I doubted myself.
To the mystic forces of the universe, which seem to play their part in shaping the paths we walk, thank you for inspiring me to explore fate, loss, and love in their truest forms. I thank the universe for its endless mysteries and for providing me with the wisdom to craft this story, as well as for its reminder that everything happens in its own time and for a reason..
This one’s for you.
About the Author
Reshma Paramasivam, writing under the pen name R.P. Starling, is an emerging author with a passion for exploring the complexities of love, loss, and the hidden depths of human emotion. With a natural gift for storytelling, she weaves tales that delve into the heart’s most vulnerable corners, bringing characters and their journeys to life in a way that resonates with readers.
Born and raised in India, She finds inspiration in the beauty of her surroundings, as well as the universal experiences of heartache and triumph. She believes in the power of stories to heal, transform, and help us navigate the mysteries of life.
When she's not writing, Reshma can be found daydreaming about new worlds contemplating the wonders of the universe. Her debut novel, “Dangerous Affections”, marks the beginning of a promising career, and she is excited to continue exploring the intricate dance between fate and free will through her work.
She is forever grateful for the support of her readers, the quiet whispers of inspiration, and the undeniable connection she shares with the world through her stories.
By Uday Kiran Yanumula
Mesmerized with dialogues of character.❤️❤️
bravo!!! didn't expect the twist!!
Wowwwwww! Amazing script and story.