Star-Killer

"A murder happened today on 15 street! The killer left the body in the river!" - 14 March

"A dead body found outside the morgue with a star saying 'I saved you some time by bringing it here'!" - 17 March

"A man was found hanged. Officials considered it a suicide but it appears to be a murder!" - 20 March

...

"The Star-Killer strikes again! 8th murder in a month!" -29 March

....

"The Star-Killer extinguished his last victim and left a star saying: 'I am done'!" - 4 April

..........

Mossfield was never able to catch the Star-Killer, but they were able to maintain peace ever since 4 April, 2007. The same streets where terror was so extreme that they remained empty most of the time, now had toddlers playing calmly. It's amusing how fear eventually vanishes away with time. A killer was still out there, but people forgot about him in the end. Years went by and Mossfield became the safest town in the whole country.

But then one night, the whole town came to a halt when the horrifying news came live:

"Star-Killer strikes after nearly 19 years! The body was found in the Mossfield Park and Star-Killer's signature paper star was on the dead body. Police have instructed people to stay inside or to never go outside alone. The Star-Killer never had any preference! Everyone can be his next victim. Police have taken the stars to forensics to look for fingerprints and to check if there's any message this time!"

After an hour, another news report came on all the screens of the town:

"Star-Killer's star conveys message, 'I am back, baby!' He has announced his return! And like always there's no trace on the paper to find him. Everyone must be careful."

Aaron, who had just finished his drink, asked the bartender, "Did he always leave messages in his paper stars?"

Bartender, old enough to witness the terror of the killer's crimes, sighed and answered, "No. He only did it last time when he announced that he was done. We were relieved. But deep down, we always knew he could come back."

Aaron stared at the screen, absorbing the news and the bartender continued to do his work. Aaron was an adult but still too young to know the terror this killer caused. After some time, he asked the bartender, "Does he have any pattern?"

"No. Police got help from those experts who understand serial killers brains too but no luck.", the bartender replied.

"How did police know that it was him then?"

"You heard the news. The lad always left a paper star at the crime scene. Can you imagine how evil one has to be to create those stars while a real person is dead in front of them? I can't believe we ever let our guard down while he was still out. If I ever come to know who he is, I would take revenge personally. It's not acceptable at all....."

Bartender kept going and Aaron regretted asking him any question. Finally Aaron found a way out, he excused himself and went to the restroom. He entered the rest room and went to the sink. He rinsed his face and stood there silently thinking about the killer. A man who was standing beside Aaron and was cleaning his hands, spoke warmly, "Worried 'cause of the Star-Killer, huh?"

Aaron snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the man. The man's hat was adjusted in a way that Aaron couldn't see his face completely. "No, I am just curious. How can a serial killer stay hidden for so many years without going crazy?", Aaron answered.

The man chuckled, patted Aaron's shoulder and said as he left the restroom, "That's the thing, boy. He's probably more bloodthirsty and crazy now."

Aaron stayed in his place, thinking about what the man has said. The man was right, wasn't he? Star-Killer was back after so long and would probably be starving now. How many lives would he be able to take before he's caught or before he stops again?

With all these thoughts, Aaron went back to his seat, to grab his things and to head home. Bartender wasn't there anymore. Aaron sighed in relief and was grabbing his things when he saw something lying on the bar counter. It was a neatly folded Paper Star. His heart stopped for a minute then after a long deafening silence, he grabbed the star. Who could have left it here? Was the bartender trying to pull a prank on him? Was it just a teenager who thought throwing paper stars everywhere in such a situation would give them the thrill they are so very much longing for?

Or could it be that man from the restroom?

Aaron never really saw that man's face properly. He never thought it would be important but now it definitely felt important. What if he was indeed the Star-Killer?

Aaron took a deep breath and decided to undo the star. The strip was unusually longer than normal paper stars. He prayed that it wasn't anything serious but life is never easy, is it?

The words written on the strip were:

"Did you enjoy the first show, Aaron?

- StarKiller"

To be continued.....