Prologue

Rain poured in sheets, drenching the city in a relentless downpour. Neon lights reflected off the wet pavement, casting an eerie glow that seemed to deepen the shadows. In the heart of the metropolis, a dimly lit alleyway became the stage for a gruesome tableau.

The city had seen its fair share of horrors, but this was different. The lifeless body of a man lay sprawled on the cold ground, his vacant eyes staring up at the sky. His face bore an expression of shock and disbelief, frozen in time by the brutality of his death. It was clear that this was no ordinary crime.

Detective Hiroshi Tanaka crouched beside the body, his trench coat soaked through, but his focus unwavering. He had seen countless crime scenes, but there was something about this one that sent a shiver down his spine. The victim, a well-known lawyer named Robert Ellis, had been a cunning manipulator, known for his mistreatment of women both inside and outside the courtroom. Tanaka couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye.

As Tanaka surveyed the scene, his phone buzzed with a new message. It was a grainy photograph sent from an unknown number. The image showed a woman, her face obscured by shadows, standing in the rain-soaked streets. In her gloved hand, she held a bloodied knife, the blade glinting ominously.

The detective's heart raced as he stared at the photo. It was as if the sender knew he was here, knew he was investigating this crime. He looked around, his senses on high alert, but the alleyway remained still, save for the sound of rain pattering on the pavement.

Meanwhile, in a small apartment across town, Linda sat in front of a mirror, her hands trembling as she removed her wet clothes. Her dark hair clung to her face, and her eyes held a mixture of fear and exhilaration. She had done it again, succumbed to that irresistible urge that had plagued her for years.

Linda's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She despised the darkness that lived within her, the part of her that reveled in the act of taking a life. Yet, with every victim, a twisted sense of justice welled up inside her. Each kill felt like retribution for the pain and suffering men like Robert Ellis had caused.

As Linda changed into fresh clothes, she glanced at the news on the TV. The headline blared about the latest victim, his face now a permanent fixture in her memory. She knew that eventually, her actions would catch up with her, that the delicate balance she maintained would be shattered.

Back in the alleyway, Detective Tanaka's phone buzzed once more, this time with a text message. The words were chillingly simple: "You're getting closer, Detective. But do you really want to know the truth?"

The rain continued to fall, washing away the bloodstains and secrets scattered across the city. Unbeknownst to both Linda and Tanaka, their lives were on an inexorable collision course—one that would unravel mysteries, ignite passions, and challenge the very boundaries of their existence.