Chapter 3

The atmosphere at dinner was as dead silent as a morgue.

The long dining table was covered with exquisite dishes, but no one dared touch their utensils.

The family sat stiffly in their seats.

The TV was playing a news segment. "...Today, police discovered a dismembered male corpse in the suburbs. The methods were extremely brutal. Police are working to apprehend the killer..."

On screen, the body was heavily pixelated, but the scattered outline was still horrifying.

Violet pretended to be frightened, covering her eyes and leaning weakly against my mother. "How scary. These criminals are so cruel nowadays."

I stared at the news footage, my brow furrowed. [Huh? Isn't that the one I processed a while back? They're only releasing the information now?]

[The police department's efficiency is terrible these days. Even their case notifications are half a beat behind.]

[That guy really suffered before he died though. They dismembered him piece by piece while he was still alive, and he was injected with nerve stimulants to stay conscious the whole time. He watched himself get sliced into pieces.]

Cameron, being a doctor, immediately visualized that scene. His stomach churned violently. He couldn't hold it in anymore. Face pale, he rushed to the bathroom and started vomiting.

My mother was startled by the commotion. Her head lolled to the side, and she fainted again.

The dining room erupted into chaos.

Only Violet still looked confused, not understanding when everyone in the family had become so timid that they could get this scared just watching the news.

My father Maxwell tried to maintain his composure, reaching for his water glass with a trembling hand.

Just then, a loud, piercing siren suddenly rang out in the silent dining room. "Wee-oo---wee-oo---"

Everyone in the family, including Cameron who'd just emerged from the bathroom, jumped in their seats.

I calmly pulled my phone from my pocket. "It's my phone," I explained.

My father's mind was already in turmoil. He thought I'd become so brazen that I dared to use a police siren as my ringtone while doing these things---clearly showing no fear of the police at all!

I didn't know what he was thinking. I answered the call on my own.

An anxious voice came from the other end. "Hello? What's up? Mm, another assignment?"

I listened to the phone, my brow slightly furrowed. "This time it's blunt force trauma to the skull? Alright, I'll be right there. Keep an eye on him for me."

I hung up, wiped my mouth with a napkin, and stood up.

"Stop right there!" My father slammed the table and shot to his feet. "Raven! Where are you going this late at night!" Veins bulged on his forehead. "I'll give you money! However much you want! Just... just stop doing this!"

[Give me money?]

[Is this about money? I've got an assignment from above. If I don't go, what if someone else takes the job?]

My father heard this thought, and the anger on his face instantly froze, replaced by a deeper despair.

He and Cameron exchanged glances. Both their faces drained of color. "She... she has accomplices..." Cameron muttered.

My father collapsed back into his chair in despair.

I just thought this family was acting bizarre, then turned and walked out.