6. The Masked

Chapter six

The Masked

I STOOD IN THE SHADOWS, my back pressed against the rough bricks of a building, as the neon lights from the theater danced across my face. My eyes followed Devin and Michael as they purchased their tickets and a large bucket of buttery popcorn before disappearing into the brightly lit lobby.

Just then, she appeared with another girl by her side, and they headed straight for the theater where Devin and his friend were.

Fuck .

I returned to my car, removed my black hoodie, threw on a black and white plaid button-up shirt, and tossed the mask in the back seat. The mission had taken a dangerous turn, and I couldn't risk her being alone with those fuckers in a secluded location. My new plan was to stay hidden and only intervene if there was no other choice.

I sprinted across the busy street and reached the crowded ticket booth. I hastily purchased a ticket for the latest action movie. While waiting for my popcorn, I discreetly turned the cashier's screen to see which theater Lyric and her friend were in. With this crucial information in mind, I flashed a smug grin at the clueless cashier before grabbing my large, buttery popcorn and heading toward the theater not listed on my ticket.

Lyric and the other girl were in the middle seats, leaving me in the back row alone. I sank into the red plush cushion, enveloped by darkness, as the previews began to play. Just a few rows ahead, douchebag Devin's obnoxious laughter echoed through the theater, accompanied by his equally repulsive sidekick, Michael. The thought of slitting Devin's throat flitted through my mind, but I pushed it away - too many witnesses. So, instead, I gritted my teeth and focused on the flickering light of the movie screen in front of me.

Lyric's infectious laughter filled the theater as the movie played and drew my attention. I couldn't help but stare at her, noticing for the first time how stunning she was without her signature hood covering her dark locks. Her dimpled smile lit up her face, making her even more adorable as she chuckled at the on-screen comedy. At that moment, I realized just how beautiful she truly was.

She would regain the ability to feel happiness and express it with laughter instead of being too terrified to reveal her stunning amber eyes to the world. Lyric would never have to feel fear again once I rid the world of those evil bastards.

I am the only one who can instill fear in her.

As the final scene faded to black, I checked my watch and cursed. If I move quickly, I will be able to catch Devin tonight. With urgency, I slipped out of the theater before the credits began to roll and rushed back to my car. Swapping out my plaid button-up for my usual black hoodie and mask, I stealthily positioned myself in the shadows. I eagerly awaited the exit of Devin and Michael.

Lyric and the girl stepped out of the theater onto the bustling sidewalk, followed closely by Devin and Michael. The city's bright lights illuminated their faces as they navigated across the street toward me.

Devin's eyes tracked Lyric's every step as she scanned the bustling intersection before darting across. He followed closely behind her, his long strides matching her cautious pace.

Devin's face was contorted with rage as he stormed towards the girls, his fists clenched at his sides. Michael followed close behind, his expression a mix of worry and determination. "Don't you feel any guilt, Lyric? Carl is dead because of you!" he yelled, getting closer with each step.

The girl with Lyric stood tall, her charcoal hair whipping around her face as she faced the boys. "Fuck off, assholes!" she spat, extending a defiant middle finger. She grabbed Lyric's hand and guided her away, but the boys continued to jeer and taunt them with lewd comments.

Devin smirked, his lips curling into a cocky grin as he retorted, "I already did, and she fucking loved it." My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and I couldn't help the low growl that escaped from my throat in response to his smugness, but I refrained and stayed in position.

In the alley, I watched the girls approach, and once they passed, I stepped out from the shadows just as Devin quickened his steps, preparing to grab Lyric.

Devin's hand shot out to grab my arm, but I moved quickly and took hold of his throat with one hand. With a swift motion, I slammed him onto the nearest car hood. His accomplice lunged towards me, but I grabbed him by the nape of his neck and slammed his face into the metal door frame. He immediately went limp, unconscious from the impact.

The two girls hugged each other tightly, high-pitched squeals filling the air. I turned to look at them for a moment before turning back to face Devin. With one swift motion, I swung my fist and connected it with the side of his head. The impact was so strong that he immediately crumpled to the ground like a rag doll, sliding down the side of the car before hitting the pavement with a thud.

Lyric's eyes widened in awe as the other girl grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her away from me. But Lyric stood rooted to the ground, her feet seemingly stuck to the concrete below. She couldn't bring herself to move.

"Lyric, we need to go! It's the guy from the video!" she urgently exclaimed. Despite her friend's urgency, Lyric said nothing. She just stared at me.

I grabbed Devin with fierce strength and heaved him over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. My gaze locked onto Lyric's, and a heavy message passed between us in that wordless exchange, conveying the depth of our unspoken bond.

As I approached, the other girl's face twisted with discomfort, and she quickly backed away. Lyric remained still. Her eyes locked onto mine as I slowly approached her. Her breath became shallow, and her hands trembled at her sides as I closed in on her. A mix of anticipation and fear was evident in her expression.

Lyric's voice was barely above a whisper as she asked, "Who are you?" She squinted and leaned closer, trying to see through the mask that covered my face to meet my eyes.

"Lyric!" the other girl screamed, her voice trembling as she backed away.

Leaning forward, I allowed Lyric to peer into my deep, dark eyes. With a calm voice, I whispered, "Boo."

Taken aback, she pulled away and quickly scampered off with her friend, throwing a few anxious looks back before they disappeared.

Once Lyric and her friend were gone, Michael began to wake up. I quickly dropped Devin on the ground and kneeled beside Michael.

"I'll be seeing you," I threatened before throwing a right hook to his temple, putting him back to sleep.

I picked up Devin and slung him over my shoulder before returning to the car.

Devin's eyelids fluttered open, his body stiff and disoriented. He found himself lying on a metal table in a bright room, the harsh light blinding him. The metal table shook beneath him each time thunder struck outside, adding to his confusion and fear.

I thought Devin would enjoy the continuous repetition of Three Days Grace's "Animal I Have Become". It was fitting since he acted like an animal.

I logged into my anonymous TikTok account, making sure no one could trace it, and pressed the live button. Afterward, I confidently approach the examination table, causing Devin's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Welcome to hell, Devi," I declared as I grabbed a scalpel from the table and sat on a steel stool. With deliberate intention, I held the instrument out towards Devin to ensure he acknowledged it. "Care to join me in a little game?" I taunted, pressing the sharp tip against his forehead above his hairline.

"What do you want?" He tried to yank out of the restraints connected to the bed.

I stood angrily, causing the stool to screech as I leaned over and placed the scalpel against his throat. "I want you to admit how much of a piece of shit you are."

"You've got the wrong person," he pleaded.

I tilted my head and met his gaze. "You have beautiful eyes." I couldn't help but smile beneath my mask, even though he couldn't see it. My fingers wrapped tightly around the scalpel's handle, hovering millimeters from his eyeball. I pressed against his eyelids with my other hand, exerting enough pressure to keep them open even as he squirmed and whimpered beneath me. "I think I'll keep them," I said as my fingers dug into his eye socket. I could feel the squish of wet tissue and the pop of resistance. He screamed and writhed beneath me, but I growled in triumph as I finally managed to pry out his honey-brown eyeball, and then it was on to the next one.

I reached for the jagged glass jar on the table next to me, and with a satisfying clink, I dropped his bloody eyeballs into it. A sick smile spread across my face as I turned back to the camera. I knew she was watching. I wanted her to witness the pain and suffering of these monsters, and I wanted her to see it as they met their fate.

Turning back to Devin, I took the scalpel and began carving into his chest. "Devin, I want you to bleed for her," I said as I finished the first letter.

He only screamed like the little punk he was. A fucking bitch boy who was only powerful when making others feel powerless.

When I finished, I walked over, grabbed the camera from the tripod, brought it over, and let the people see my beautiful artwork. Her name was beautifully carved into his flesh.

L-Y-R-I-C in big letters.

"You will die saying her name, and you'll know what begging for it to end feels like, but your pain won't end because even after you're dead, I will haunt you in hell." I stood over him, grasping his jaw firmly and tilting his head back. My fingers wrapped around the cold metal of my pliers as I positioned them at the base of his front tooth. With a sharp tug, I ripped it out of his gums, and blood and saliva were dripping from his mouth. He uttered a muffled cry as I triumphantly held up the tooth, now free from his mouth.

"Ah!" Devin screamed.

"Say it." I thundered.

Devin's voice was muffled by the blood filling his mouth as he pleased, "Please, man."

"Nope, that's not it, Devi." I had another tooth extracted from his mouth.

He kicked and screamed for a few moments before shouting at me. "Fuck you!" He spat at me, but I managed to dodge it. Of course, considering he had no eyes, it wasn't as if he could see where I was in the first place.

"Oh, Devi, that wasn't very nice. You like to hurt people, don't you?" I said it quickly, grabbing the hammer and smashing it into his shin. "So do I," I barked.

The blood-curdling screams echoed off the rusted metal walls of the abandoned factory. Savannah was miles away, and the police rarely ventured out this far into the deserted landscape. It seemed like a forgotten place where even law enforcement didn't dare to tread.

"Let's continue, shall we?" I placed the stool from earlier back at his side and sat, saying, "So, you like filming poor girls being assaulted and posting them on social media?"

Devin remained silent, his trembling lips betraying the pain he must be experiencing from losing his eyes and two front teeth. Oh, and don't forget the shattered shin.

"Aw, come, Devi, what's the matter? I thought we were having fun," I pinched his cheek, causing him to wince.

"You're a psychopath," Devin muttered, his breath heavy,

I tilt in my head, perplexed. Was he accusing me of being a psychopath when he had committed rape on camera? I shrugged inwardly, acknowledging his perspective. After all, my profession does involve taking lives.

"You're right, Devi. I do have a bit of an anger problem. How about you admit what you did, and we can move on from this? I mean, you've already lost so much." I grabbed the jar, holding his eyes, and rattled it for him to hear. "I do have your eyeballs around bouncing in a glass jar." I laughed maniacally. "All it would take to stop the pain would be to tell our wonderful viewers you're a rapist."

"I… I'm not sure what you're talking about." Devin spoke in a husky whisper, his breathing shallow.

I growled and forcefully slammed my hands on the metal table, causing him to startle. "Calling me a psychopath is one thing, but calling me stupid is another." I cautioned. "I know more about you than you know about yourself, like your mother, Debbie, who works at the diner in a small town in Kentucky, or your little brother, who plays varsity football just like his big brother did, hoping he could live up to his role model. Oh, how his heart would be broken to find his hero was a villain."

Devin became tense when he realized I knew every detail of his life and had the power to meddle in his family's lives, just as I had done with his.

"I don't want to visit your mother and inform her about the type of person you've become," I said, regaining my composure as I resumed my seat.

"Alright… I raped her," he confessed, hoping that would stop his torment or save his family from death. I was never going to mess with his family in the first place. It wasn't their fault that he was a piece of shit.

I cracked my neck and leaned forward, positioning myself just a few inches away from his ear. "Say her name," I snarled.

Another round of silence drifted through the air until the hammer went through his shin again, and the sounds of bones cracking replaced it.

"FUCK!" Devin screamed.

"Say. Her . Name." I clenched my teeth as I repeated each word, pausing between them.

L… Lyric." He sighed, finally giving in.

I patted his head. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" I walked around the table, giving a full view of Devin, who was bloody, broken, and ready to give up. "See you in hell." I crouched down beside him. I reached for my knife, its cold metal handle providing a reassuring grip. With one swift motion, I sliced his throat, and he let out a gurgled cry as blood spurted from the wound. He struggled to gasp for air, but it was too late.

As soon as he stopped wiggling and the life left his body, I twirled the knife closed and walked toward the camera. I stepped in the same position as before, my dark eyes piercing the viewers through the lens.

"You can hide or run, but not for long," I warned before the video ended.