
The night grew colder as the officers loaded Serena's body into the coroner's van. Ryan gestured for the officers to leave but decided to stay himself. He sensed something unusual between David and the brothers, who had just arrived and seemed closer to Anna.
Ryan could smell the hostility in the way David and Jimin exchanged glances and how Jungkook seemed to enjoy David's helplessness.
Everything looked suspicious at that moment. Ryan had so many things on his mind. Serena's death wasn't natural—something terrible had happened to her. Yet, it was different from the previous murders, suggesting that another killer had emerged in the town. David had wanted to hide Serena's condition from Anna, but now, because of Jimin, she had seen Serena's lifeless body.
Ryan took a deep breath. "I'll stay here until the situation is under control," he told himself. His duty as a police officer was done, but now he wanted to stay by Anna's side as her friend.
Anna's sobs quieted to whimpers, her face pressed into Jimin's chest. Jimin held her tightly, seemingly trying to comfort her, but deep down, he felt a sense of joy whenever his eyes met David's. He knew this was only the beginning—David's secrets were unraveling, and Jimin planned to destroy him in every way possible.
Jungkook lingered nearby, annoyed and frustrated. He wanted to go home but feared leaving his brother alone. His sharp eyes followed David, who stood frozen, his face pale and haunted. David seemed lost in thought, but Jungkook prepared himself for any scenario.
"Why aren't we leaving?" Jungkook sent a telepathic message to Jimin.
"Wait for the drama. Today, I'll finish my task. It's a great opportunity for us," Jimin replied, brewing a new plan to end David's game.
"I promise I'll find out everything about Serena," Jimin said, but his words brought Anna back to reality.
Anna finally pulled away from Jimin, her tear-streaked face illuminated by the moonlight. She turned to David, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and desperation. "Tell me the truth, Dad. What happened to Serena? Those marks on her neck—what are they? Why are you hiding this from me?" she demanded.
David's throat tightened. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. How could he explain the unexplainable? How could he tell his daughter that her sister's death was tied to something far darker than she could ever imagine?
"You should tell Anna what happened to Serena," Jimin interrupted, his words only fueling the fire inside David. "Your silence is only making her angrier."
David gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and glared at Jimin. He wanted to control his anger and certainly tried his best, but Jimin wasn't the old, fragile Aquanis whom he had kept as his prisoner. Now, Jimin possessed enough power to control the situation. He had complete access to Anna's mind, and she was doing everything Jimin wanted her to do.
Ryan stepped closer to Anna. "I'll tell you everything, but for now, calm down," he pleaded.
Anna glared at him. "Ryan, please stay out of this," she said. "I know you and Dad are hiding something, and I want to know the truth." Her tone was firm.
Ryan felt defeated. He shifted his gaze to Jimin, and for a moment, he realized why Anna was so infatuated with him. Jimin possessed a haunting beauty that could drive anyone crazy. Both Jimin and Jungkook had an otherworldly allure—blue eyes, colored hair, and pale skin that seemed to glow under the dim moonlight. Every detail about the brothers seemed to align with the myths about the Aquanis.
Ryan's eyes widened as he recalled a conversation about the Aquanis with a fellow officer. The Aquanis, an organization captured in 1991, were said to have blue oceanic eyes and ethereal beauty. His mind now raced with memories of Google searches about the Aquanis, where many people claimed to have seen them, and numerous articles had been written about their existence.
"So... Jimin is the one who's been killing people," Ryan thought. Fear gnawed at him, and he felt petrified, but he refused to lower his guard.
"Tell me what happened to Serena, Dad!" Anna shouted, gasping for breath as panic rose within her. "I want to know what happened to her. I know you're hiding something from me, so please tell me!"
David couldn't resist anymore. He had failed to protect Serena, but he couldn't lose his other daughter. He pulled out his gun and pointed it at Jimin. "Everything is happening because of you!" he shouted.
Anna's eyes widened. "What are you doing, Dad? Why are you pointing your gun at Jimin? He doesn't even know you!" she defended Jimin, stepping in front of him.
"I think he's lost his mind because of Serena," Jimin said, a victorious smile appearing on his lips. He noticed Ryan observing him, but a bug like Ryan couldn't do anything.
Jungkook couldn't endure it any longer. He took a huge step forward and approached David. With a quick motion, he grabbed David's wrist and twisted it. "Dare to touch my brother, and I'll rip your heart out," Jungkook threatened, shoving David to the ground and snatching his gun.
David stumbled on the pavement, his mind clouded with anger, pain, and regret. "I lost my daughter because of you! If you hadn't returned to this town, Professor Ben would never have killed my daughter!" he screamed hysterically, unaware that he was about to reveal his own secrets.
Anna grabbed her hair, unable to understand why her father had suddenly attacked Jimin, blaming him for everything when they barely knew each other. Who was Professor Ben, and why had he killed her sister? Her mind was tangled, and she couldn't make sense of anything.
Ryan felt just as confused. "How do you know the killer's name?" he asked curiously, directing everyone's attention to David.
David froze for a moment, realizing he had said too much. His face turned pale, and his hands trembled. He quickly stood up, trying to regain his composure, but his voice shook as he spoke. "I... I don't know what I'm saying. I'm just upset. Serena's death has messed with my mind." He avoided eye contact with Ryan and Anna, clearly hiding something.
Anna stepped closer, her eyes filled with confusion and anger. "Dad, stop lying! You just said Professor Ben killed Serena. Who is he? Why are you hiding this from me?" Her voice rose, demanding answers.
David clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "Anna, please, just drop it! This is not the time or place. You don't understand what's going on!" he shouted, his voice cracking under the pressure.
Jimin smirked, enjoying David's struggle. "Seems like you're the one who doesn't understand, David. Secrets have a way of coming out, don't they?" he said, his tone mocking.
David glared at Jimin, his anger flaring. "Stay out of this, Jimin! This is between me and my daughter!" he snapped, but his words only made Anna more suspicious.
Ryan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "If you know something about Serena's death, you need to tell us. Hiding the truth won't help anyone, especially not Anna."
David looked at Ryan, then at Anna, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He was trapped, and he knew it. But before David could explain anything, Jimin, who had read David's mind, interrupted.
"David is the leader of a secret organization that performs experiments, and Professor Ben was also a part of it," Jimin revealed. "David left the organization many years ago, but now Professor Ben has returned and abducted Serena. He wanted to work with David again, and when David refused, Professor Ben killed Serena." Jimin explained everything.
Anna stared at her father in stunned silence, as did Ryan. But Jimin felt a weight lift off his chest. Jungkook could sense his brother's emotions; he knew how long they had both waited for this moment.