Chapter 12: The Clown

Avery took a slow breath, going over the killers he had been assigned to manage.

Four in total.

And one of them was himself.

Enigma – Himself.

Lacuna – A 'trophy hunter' who collects victims' hearts.

Shadow Stalker – A clown who preys on young men.

Siren Song – A predator who exclusively targets women working in strip clubs.

Among them, Avery's first target was obvious.

"Shadow Stalker."

A clown who tortured and toyed with young men before killing them.

His atrocities were beyond forgiveness.

Avery clenched his jaw, replaying the horrific crimes in his mind as he read the document.

"Trash belongs in the garbage dump."

And he would personally—

drag that clown into terror.

But what about the other two?

Lacuna and Siren Song?

Blindly eliminating them was too risky.

The organization would notice something was off.

"Should I make them fight each other?"

No.

Something that reckless could lead to unpredictable variables.

Too dangerous.

"I need a smarter approach."

Of the two, Lacuna would be easier to deal with.

"I can use Sheriff Davis and Jenkins."

Lacuna's twisted trophy collection.

There had to be a stash of hearts somewhere.

If the police were to find that evidence—

Lacuna would be eliminated by the law itself.

And Avery?

He would remain untouched, maintaining a perfect alibi.

But Siren Song...

was trickier.

"How do I handle this one?"

Siren Song's targets were women working in strip clubs.

"He's going after people who are hard to protect and even harder to track."

Avery pondered.

If he couldn't stop him directly—

then he could lead him astray.

"Let's send Siren Song in the wrong direction."

If he assigned him a target that couldn't be tracked?

He'd waste his time chasing nothing—

and eventually, the organization would have no choice but to punish him.

The organization demanded targets be handled within the deadline.

But—

if that deadline passed without a kill?

Siren Song would be branded with 'mission failure.'

Avery sorted the plan in his mind.

Meanwhile, thanks to the information he had planted beforehand—

Sheriff Davis had already begun investigating.

Now, all he had to do was push her a little further.

If he leaked some files on Lacuna's past victims?

Lacuna was a collector of hearts.

There had to be evidence left behind somewhere.

And once Davis picked up on the trail—

it would lead her straight to Lacuna's den.

Like a blood-stained map.

As for Siren Song?

Avery had six men at his disposal.

Using them, he could spread false information throughout the city.

Send Siren Song chasing ghosts.

And once he was completely lost—

set the trap.

***

Avery's gaze sharpened.

Before him, a man in clown makeup was laughing loudly, raising his drink in a toast.

A ridiculous, over-the-top face.

A fool in costume.

But Avery knew what lay behind that mask.

Shadow Stalker.

Real Name: William Hansen.

A 'predator' operating under Night Gallery.

A vile murderer who only targeted young boys.

Now, it was time to bring an end to this clown.

Just looking at him made rage bubble up.

But Avery gritted his teeth and forced himself to suppress it.

"Don't let personal feelings get involved."

"Lose your composure, and everything falls apart."

William Hansen.

Alias: 'Shadow Stalker.'

A children's party clown, putting on a ridiculous act.

But that was just a mask.

He looked like an innocent clown—

but behind that smile, a monstrous evil lurked.

He lured children in with magic tricks and toys.

"I can show you even cooler magic at my house!"

And the naïve children followed him.

But the moment they stepped inside—

their illusion of safety was shattered.

Instead, what awaited them were—

handcuffs and terror.

Just the thought of those filthy hands touching innocent lives—

made Avery's teeth grind in rage.

He had been arrested once.

But William had slipped through the cracks of the law.

"He was a model inmate, so we granted early release."

That was the official reason.

But the truth was different.

A closer look at his profile made it clear—

He had never once suppressed his urges while in prison.

His release had nothing to do with good behavior.

It was a calculated transaction.

Night Gallery.

They had decided to use William's insatiable 'desires.'

The deal they offered him:

Join the organization as an 'artist.'

He no longer needed to hide in the shadows to commit his crimes—

He could now create his 'works' in plain sight.

With the organization's support, he was guaranteed a stable income.

For William, there wasn't even a need to hesitate.

He signed the contract immediately.

And now, he had become even bolder in creating his 'works.'

"Disgusting."

Avery gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath.

He was watching from a distance.

A perfect vantage point where he had a clear view—

yet remained completely undetected.

'Shadow Stalker' William Hansen.

Dressed as a clown, putting on an exaggerated performance in front of the children.

A wide, painted-on smile stretched across his face, his exaggerated gestures drawing laughter from the kids.

But Avery knew the truth.

He knew the monstrous nature hiding behind that grin.

And he knew—

that today would be the clown's final act.

Not for a second did Avery lose sight of his target.

His trained eyes tracked William Hansen's every move.

But—

Hansen remained completely unaware.

He had no idea that he was already caught in the sights of a skilled assassin.

To the world, he was just a friendly neighbor.

A man who played with children, smiling warmly, someone parents felt safe enough to leave their kids with for a moment.

That was the mask he wore.

However—

as the sun began to set, the atmosphere shifted.

The children, exhausted from hours of playing, began to slow down.

One by one, parents started gathering their kids and heading home.

The lively energy of the party gradually faded.

Avery did not miss this shift.

Finally, he saw Hansen packing up his balloons and magic props.

The clown waved goodbye to the remaining families, and then—

he walked toward his old car.

Clunk—

His car looked old and worn on the outside, but somehow, it suited his double life perfectly.

Vroooom—

The engine roared loudly as it started.

Hansen casually pulled onto the road.

Avery moved silently.

He climbed onto his bicycle, keeping a safe distance as he tailed him.

He had no intention of striking Hansen in broad daylight.

No—

There was no need.

He would wait for the night.

Because that was when Hansen would believe he was the safest.

The deeper the darkness, the more Hansen would think he was in control.

...

Night had fully fallen.

The streets were cloaked in silence, only the distant hum of passing cars breaking the stillness.

Avery was blended into the shadows.

His presence was as light as the wind, as invisible as the night itself.

He watched William Hansen's car.

Silently.

Without missing a single movement.

For a while, the car remained completely still.

It idled near a bus stop, the engine running but going nowhere.

Avery sharpened his focus.

Something felt off.

Hansen wasn't moving.

It was as if he was waiting for something.

No—

for someone.

And then—

Shhhh—

A bus pulled up to the stop.

When the doors hissed open,

a young man stepped out.

He looked around nineteen.

And at that moment—

Vrrrrm—

Hansen's car suddenly lurched forward.

The headlights flashed on,

casting a ghostly glow over the young man.

Avery's heart began to race.

He narrowed his eyes, his ears tuning in sharply.

As he read their lips, he started deciphering their conversation.

"Hey, Don. Need a ride home?"

Hansen spoke in a smooth voice.

"No, I'm good. My place isn't far—just a few blocks away."

The young man, Don, refused politely but firmly.

Avery frowned.

Judging by their conversation, they already knew each other.

Perhaps they had crossed paths before.

But there was something else.

Something far more concerning.

Sweat.

Under the streetlight, he could see the sheen on Hansen's forehead.

Sweat?

Avery found that strange.

Hansen had been sitting in his car for a long time.

The air conditioning must have been running.

And yet—he was sweating?

There was only one explanation.

He was nervous.

Or—

He was hiding something.

Avery's gaze flashed sharply.

He remained hidden, his eyes locked onto William Hansen.

Fidgeting fingers.

Sticky beads of sweat.

Something was off.

Hansen—who was always eerily calm—

now looked restless.

Uneasy.

Could it be…

Another "episode" was about to start?

The organization had strict rules.

The killers here—

the so-called "Artists"—

were only allowed to indulge their urges within their designated cycle.

If they broke that rule—

The punishment was merciless.

Avery's mind spun quickly.

If Hansen broke the rules—

taking him out wouldn't just be justified.

It would be necessary.

A perfect chance to eliminate a "beast" without drawing the organization's attention.

"Don, you must be tired. Let me give you a ride. It'll be way more comfortable in the car."

Hansen spoke in a gentle voice.

But his eyes—

they wavered, restless.

Like a rat searching for an escape.

Don's fingers tightened around his bag strap.

He hesitated.

His exhaustion was obvious.

It had been a long day.

After a brief pause, he finally stepped into Hansen's car.

Avery's heart dropped.

Should've said no.

Vroom—

The car pulled away.

Avery silently mounted his bike.

Like a shadow, he followed—

Soundless. Unnoticed.

But close enough to intervene at any moment.

"Let's stop by my place first."

Hansen said casually.

"I have something for your mom. Won't take long."

"Oh, uh… okay."

Don nodded, unbothered.

Avery gritted his teeth.

That bastard was setting a trap.

The car rolled slowly as Hansen continued his casual chatter.

"How's school?"

"Still into those video games?"

Don nodded absently.

Avery kept pedaling, maintaining a steady distance.

The darkness was his ally.

Slipping through the dim glow of the streetlights, he trailed the car in silence.

Finally, Hansen's rickety old car came to a stop.

Before them stood a small, run-down house.

Stepping out, Hansen did what he always did.

He glanced around nonchalantly,

Feigning normalcy.

Trying to appear like just another friendly neighbor.

But Avery knew.

Knew the malice lurking behind that mask.

"Come in, Don."

Hansen said in a soft voice.

"I've got some snacks, and I just need to get something ready. Just wait a second."

Don, ever polite, nodded without hesitation.

And just like that, the two vanished inside the house.

Click.

The heavy sound of the door locking sank into the air.

But neither of them knew.

That Avery was right behind them.

Moving like a shadow, he quietly circled to the back of the house.

A window caught his eye.

A small, dirty pane coated in grime, barely allowing a view inside.

Avery closed his eyes.

Every sense focused on the sound.

Inside, a faint conversation drifted through the air.

Don's voice came from the living room.

Relaxed. Unbothered.

But Hansen's voice—

It came from farther away.

From another room.

Rustling.

The sound of things being moved around.

"Help yourself to some pizza and soda."

Hansen called from the other room.

"Just heat up the pizza in the microwave."

Don, hungry, didn't think twice.

He headed for the kitchen.

On the counter, a half-open pizza box sat waiting.

Not exactly fresh, but not quite spoiled either.

A strange in-between.

Don placed a slice on a plate and popped it into the microwave.

As he waited, he poured himself a glass of soda.

Outside, Avery remained perfectly still.

The low hum of the microwave.

The faint rustling of Don's movements.

He caught every sound.

His entire body coiled with tension, ready to strike at any moment.

Ding!

The microwave beeped.

Don reached for the pizza.

And then—

Footsteps.

Hansen's footsteps.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Drawing closer.

"Don."

Hansen called out in a gentle voice.

But it was too soft—so much so that it sent chills down the spine.

Avery clenched his teeth.

"Want me to show you a magic trick while you eat?"

Hansen whispered.

"Try these handcuffs on. I'll show you something incredible."