"So, how's it going, sir?" Coby asked, leaning forward, his voice calm yet observant. He was in the middle of a session with his patient, Floyd Harold. There was something about Floyd—Coby respected him, even cared for him. Almost like a father.

  Floyd smirked. "I don't know, man... sometimes, it just feels good."

  "Well, that's good to hear." Coby studied him carefully. "Can I ask you something? If you don’t mind."

  "Sure."

  Coby hesitated for a second before speaking. "Where's your family? I've never seen them in the past twelve months."

  Floyd's smile faded. The air in the room shifted.

  Coby knew the truth—Floyd had abused his wife and children for years. That was why he needed therapy in the first pce. Guilt had brought him here. Slowly, session after session, Floyd had confessed everything.

  But still, Coby had never once seen his family. And that made him curious.

  Floyd exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah... that's probably because they don't like me. They don't like meeting my friends, and maybe... they just don't like going out anymore."

  Coby frowned. "That's an odd thing to say, but fine. If they don't want to meet me, I won't force them."

  Floyd let out a dry chuckle. "I know how badly you want to see them, Coby. But trust me... it's better if you don't."

  He paused. His fingers tapped against the chair, restless.

  "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Floyd continued. "Since the day I met you."

  Coby's heartbeat quickened. There was something in Floyd's tone... something off.

  "And I know you won't believe me at first. But in time... you will."

  Coby narrowed his eyes. "What—what do you mean? I don't understand."

  Floyd smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you really want to know, come to my house. Tomorrow night."

  Coby hesitated. "Fine... I'll try to."

  Floyd leaned back, sighing. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to go."

  And just like that, he left. Leaving Coby with a question that wouldn't let him sleep.

  That night, as Coby y in bed, his mind wouldn't rest. What was Floyd trying to tell him? What secret was he hiding?

  Then, suddenly—his phone buzzed.

  An unknown number.

  He answered. "hello?"

  A voice, low and cold, whispered through the line.

  "Your patient, Floyd Harold, is dead. Brutally murdered in his own house."

  Coby froze. His fingers clenched around the phone.

  "And don't try to find out who did it. Or you'll be next."

  The call ended.

  Coby stared at his phone. His chest felt tight. His head spun. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

  He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV.

  Breaking News.

  "Floyd Harold, 55, found dead in his home. Sources report a violent attack. Police have yet to identify the suspect."

  The room felt colder. His mind screamed at him to move, to breathe, to think—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell.

  Coby rushed to open it.

  The police were waiting.

  Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Handcuffed him.

  "What the hell?!" Coby struggled, his pulse racing. "Why are you arresting me?!"

  One officer looked him dead in the eye. "You're a suspect."

  Now, sitting in the interrogation room, Coby's world was spinning.

  A few hours ago, he was a psychiatrist helping a patient. Now, he was being treated like a criminal.

  The officers whispered among themselves. Then, suddenly, one of them turned to him.

  "You can go."

  Coby walked out, his mind drowning in questions.

  Who the hell killed Floyd?

  For the first time in his life, Coby found himself asking questions he never thought he would. He was terrified. Not just of the truth—but of the possibility that someone out there wanted him dead. And he had no idea who.

  TWO MONTHS LATER…

  Coby hadn't slept in weeks. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by questions that refused to leave him alone. No answers. No peace. Just endless, suffocating thoughts.

  And then—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell. A sound too normal for a life that had become anything but.

  Coby hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

  She stood there. A woman, unlike anyone he had ever seen. There was something hypnotic about her presence. Her lips, deep red like fresh cherries. Her eyes, an ocean of unknown depths. Her hair, dark as midnight shadows.

  For a moment, Coby just stared. Had he seen her before?

  Then, in a voice so soft it almost melted into the air, she whispered:

  "Are you Dr. Coby?"

  Coby blinked, pulling himself back to reality.

  "Uh... yes. Yes, it's me." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Are you... Ravenna?"

  She tilted her head slightly, a small smirk on her lips.

  "Yeah." Her voice was smooth, controlled—almost too controlled. "Can I come in now?"

  "Yeah, sure. Of course, have a seat."

  Coby was still caught in her beauty—her cherry-red lips, ocean-deep eyes, and hair dark as a midnight forest. But he forced himself to focus. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet ced with concern.

  "Now tell me, Ravenna... what's wrong? Why are you here? What do you want to tell me?"

  He couldn't stop himself. The questions tumbled out one after another. He barely knew her, yet something about her felt strangely familiar—as if he had known her forever.

  "I... I'm confused now. What did you ask me?" Ravenna blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You asked me multiple questions at once."

  Her voice was soft—too soft. Coby felt himself slipping again, drowning in the way her words wrapped around him like a whisper in the dark.

  "Hello? Dr. Coby, are you alright?" Ravenna's voice snapped him back, pulling him out of the trance her words had created.

  "No. Nothing. Everything's alright." Coby quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I asked you... what are you here for?"

  Ravenna hesitated, her eyes flickering with pain as she looked down at her hands. "I don't know where to start. But I was never loved. I think I was never treated the right way."

  Coby felt his heart sink, yet there was an eerie coldness to her words. "Even my family hated me. I don't have any siblings, and I was my parents' only daughter. But still, they hated me."

  "Yeah, it happens, but I don't think you're fully opening up to me right now. There’s something you’re hiding." Coby's voice was calm, but firm. "Look, I'm your psychiatrist. You need to tell me everything. You can trust me."

  Ravenna’s eyes locked with his, her gaze sharp and intense. "How can I even trust you?" Her words cut through the silence, each one heavy with pain. "Are you worth my trust? Is there anyone I can trust?!"

  Her voice cracked, breaking apart with each word. Desperation seeped into her tone as she screamed, her tears finally breaking free.

  Calm down. Take a deep breath." Coby's voice was soft, but there was an edge of urgency. "I know how it feels, but still, you have to tell me so that I can help you, Ravenna."

  He spoke with empathy, but the more he looked at her, the more he realized that she wasn't just in emotional turmoil—there was something deeper, darker beneath the surface.

  Her eyes were locked on his, yet they were distant. As if her soul was somewhere far away, crying for help.

  "I think I need some rest... I'll see you ter," she said, but her eyes told a different story—they were silently begging for help. Coby wanted to stop her, to ask more, but something held him back. He simply nodded, watching as she walked away, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness in the room.

  The next day, when Ravenna arrived, she looked more awake—but the sadness still clung to her like a shadow. Today, she was ready. Ready to tell Coby everything. Ready to let him in.

  "Welcome. I hope you got some rest," Coby said gently, studying her face.

  She let out a hollow ugh. "Rest? No. I can’t sleep. It feels like sleep is forbidden for me. Every time I close my eyes… he screams at me. he yells his voice never stop. Even after all these years, those words haunt me. he have left scars inside my heart that will never heal."

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, shining like stars—but behind them was a story that could break even the coldest soul.

  Coby leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Please, Ravenna. Open up to me. I need to understand. I want to help you."

  He searched her deep, sorrowful eyes, waiting for the truth that could change everything.

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  “I can't just stay at your house like this,” she replied hesitantly. “You're my psychiatrist... wouldn’t it be inappropriate? I don't want to bother you.”

  But the way she said it—it almost felt like she wanted to stay.

  “No, no—it's not a problem at all,” Coby insisted. “You're exhausted. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

  There was something in his tone that made her pause. He genuinely cared.

  “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she whispered. “But... I’ll stay if you say so.”

  That night, she stayed at his house. Coby made dinner and served it with quiet gentleness. They ate together in silence, and then retreated to their rooms.

  But the next morning, when Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat—Coby was standing right next to her bed, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Oh! You scared me, Coby.”

  “Didn't mean to,” he chuckled softly. “Here's your coffee.” The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Coby watched Ravenna, her delicate form still curled beneath the covers. Her breath was slow, steady. She was still lost in the world of her dreams, or perhaps, nightmares. The moment felt delicate—he didn’t want to disturb her peace. But he had to.

  The coffee was ready, and so was the situation that seemed to demand his attention.

  He stood by her bedside, the cup of coffee in his hand. His footsteps were quiet, but they felt too loud in the heavy silence.

  When Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Coby standing right next to her, a mere few inches away, startled her.

  "Oh! You scared me, Coby," she whispered, her voice a little shaky.

  Coby smiled faintly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Didn’t mean to," he chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he held out the coffee. "Here’s your coffee."

  She stared at the cup for a moment, then at him. Something flickered in her eyes—a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took the coffee, but didn’t immediately drink from it. Her fingers lingered on the rim, as if they were searching for the warmth it offered.

  "Thanks," she murmured, her voice low, her eyes avoiding his for a moment as if afraid of the comfort he might offer. But then, she looked up again, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Coby, I... I feel like I’m losing control of everything. Like... I’m drowning in it."

  Coby sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to cross any boundaries. His mind raced with thoughts, yet he forced himself to stay calm, to listen.

  "It’s okay to feel like that," Coby said, his voice steady but filled with understanding. "You’ve been through so much, Ravenna. this is is just... part of the healing. You’re not alone in this."

  Ravenna’s eyes welled with tears, and she turned her gaze away, but not before Coby saw the flicker of pain there.

  "I don’t know if I can ever be the same again. I feel... so broken." Her voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time, her walls seemed to come down just a little.

  Coby reached out gently, his hand resting just above hers. "Healing doesn’t mean you forget, Ravenna. It’s about learning to live with it, to grow stronger from it." He paused, taking a slow breath. "And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."

  Ravenna's lips trembled, but she nodded, the silence between them stretching long before she spoke again.

  "You say that, but... I don’t know if I believe it. I don’t know if I can trust anyone again."

  "I’m not asking you to trust me right now," Coby said, his voice unwavering. "Trust takes time. But... I’m here, whenever you’re ready."

  For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ravenna drank her coffee, the warmth of it matching the warmth beginning to form in her heart. It wasn’t a solution, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.

  Later that morning, as Coby watched her walk around his kitchen, he realized just how much she had suffered, just how much was buried beneath the surface. Her pain was undeniable, but so was her strength.

  Ravenna wasn’t ready to face everything yet. But at least, for now, she had a safe space. Coby would help her through it. He wouldn’t give up on her.

  She was no longer alone.

  Then she left the house. As the door clicked shut behind her, Coby realized that his home had felt like a real home for the first time. A warmth had settled in the corners of his heart, and a strange sense of happiness lingered in the air.

  But as soon as she stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The silence crept in like a thick fog, enveloping him. Alone. Quiet.

  In that moment, the absence of her presence felt almost deafening. The ughter, the shared moments, the brief yet meaningful conversations—everything faded away, leaving him in an echoing void. He felt an overwhelming sense of solitude wash over him.

  It dawned on him—he needed her more than she needed him. The realization was like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

  Was it possible to feel this way for someone he had just met?

  Coby leaned against the wall, lost in thought. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He was used to being alone, but this was different. He craved her company, her ughter, the way she had looked at him with vulnerability.

  He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Maybe she was right to be cautious. Maybe trusting someone was a risk—one he was willing to take.

  But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait to see if she would let him help her. it looked like he needed her more than she needed him.

  Months passed, and it looked like Ravenna was getting better and better, and Coby was happy to see her like that.

  "I don't know how to thank you, Coby, but I feel so much better now, and I'm actually recovering. If you don't mind, I’d love to invite you to dinner. I’d really appreciate it." Her voice had an excited, almost pyful tone.

  Coby saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't deny her. "Yeah, why not? That sounds great."

  "Okay then, I’ll see you soon. But... I have one thing to say first, Mr. Coby."

  Coby raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "Mr. Coby again? Come on, just call me Coby."

  She stepped closer, her voice lowering slightly with a pyful edge, her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mister Coby, I think I’ll keep calling you that, unless you mind." She let out a soft ugh, clearly enjoying the teasing moment.

  Her words lingered in the air, and Coby couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange warmth from her pyful flirtation.

  “Okay. I guess I can’t do anything about it,” he said with a chuckle.

  Later that night...

  “What is this pce? It’s amazing,” he said, looking around in awe.

  She smiled, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. “I used to come here with my friends... before they moved abroad. It’s been a while, but this has always been one of my favorite restaurants.”

  Coby pulled out her chair like a gentleman, and they both sat down at a corner table lit by a dim, golden mp hanging above.

  “I can see why you love this pce,” he said, gncing around at the warm tones, vintage decor and soft jazz music in the background.

  She rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling. “Back then, we used to sit here for hours, just talking about everything and nothing.”

  He looked at her, noticing how her voice carried both joy and a tinge of sadness.

  “You miss them?” he asked gently.

  She nodded. “Sometimes, yeah. But tonight feels... nice.”

  A soft silence settled between them, not awkward—just comfortable.

  Coby leaned in slightly. “Well, I’m gd I get to be here with you tonight.”

  She ughed quietly. “You say that like you're not usually surrounded by women.”

  “I’m not usually surrounded by you,” he said, his voice low, eyes locked on hers.

  She looked away for a moment, then back at him, smile fading just enough to show she wasn’t used to being seen like that.

  “You’re trouble, Coby,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “You have no idea. well, I think e should order now." he said while changing the topic.

  "yeah sure."

  A few minutes ter, as Ravenna was finishing her food, Coby cleared his throat — like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked, looking up at him.

  "Oh... yeah," he said, hesitating for a moment. "I just realized your sessions with me are about to end, and... I guess I just wanted to say that I’ll miss you."

  Ravenna raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly. "Oh really? Well, I was actually thinking we could still be friends after the sessions."

  Coby's face lit up. "Oh, that would be great!"

  They finished their dinner and went their separate ways, but that night, Coby couldn’t sleep. His mind kept circling back to Ravenna. He didn’t know why, but something about her stuck with him.

  Then suddenly, another thought hit him — he had completely forgotten about his patient, Floyd.

  Coby got out of bed, opened his ptop, and started researching recent criminal cases. One case caught his eye: a secret group that had been murdering people for specific reasons. The police still hadn’t identified the members.

  Coby wondered if Floyd might have been one of their victims. He picked up his phone and called his old friend, Roman.

  Roman had been a detective once but retired early. He now worked at a research facility that colborated with w enforcement to track down criminal and murderers.

  He told his friend everything he knew. His friend told him to meet him in person if he wanted to find out more about the group. Coby hesitated—his friend lived in another city, and meeting him meant leaving Ravenna behind, even if just for a while.

  Coby asked for some time to think it over, promising he’d call back with a decision.

  The next day, when Ravenna came to his house, they discussed her therapy session and chatted like usual. But just as she was about to leave, Coby said softly, “Don’t go yet.”

  She paused, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she decided to stay a little longer. Then suddenly, heavy rain began pouring outside, trapping her there for the night. As the evening grew darker, the power went out, leaving the house in complete darkness.

  Ravenna felt a rush of anxiety—Coby’s house was eerily quiet and unfamiliar in the dark. Suddenly, she felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She gasped, about to scream, when a hand gently covered her mouth.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. Don’t scream, please,” Coby whispered.

  “Are you crazy, Coby? You scared the hell out of me!” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart racing.

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow around the room. Then, without warning, he got down on one knee. His eyes, filled with love and nervous hope, locked onto hers. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

  Ravenna stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the proposal from the man who had once been just her psychiatrist. But in her heart, she already knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling through tears. “Yes, I will"

  They married each other. Ravenna was now living with him happily not knowing what was waiting for her.

  Few months ter...

  Coby had opened his very own clinic to serve the people. Every evening, he returned home to have dinner with his wife.

  One evening, while they were eating, he suddenly said, “I’m going.”His eyes were glossy.

  “Where?” she asked, worried.

  “I forgot to tell you... I have some work outside the city. It's really important, try to understand. I’ll be gone for a few months.”He hesitated.

  “A few months?” she repeated, eyes widening. “Do you even realize how hard it is for me without you? How will I live here alone?”Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m sorry... I really have to leave,” he said, struggling to hold back his own tears.

  “Fine. If you leave—don’t ever talk to me again.”

  Later, while packing his things, he looked at her and said, “Give me a hug, at least... come on.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped, turning away.

  “I said I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to hug me. I’ll leave now.”

  Suddenly, Ravenna ran toward him and hugged him tightly from behind.“Don’t leave,” she whispered through her tears.His heartbeat quickened.

  “Remember that night... when I asked you to stay, but you chose work instead?” he said softly.“Well, now... I’m the one leaving because of work.”

  He turned around, pced his hands gently on her face, and wiped away her tears.

  Then he whispered:“See how it feels... when someone leaves you even when you need them the most.”

  He kissed her on the cheek—gently.And then he walked away, like nothing had happened.

  When Coby reached the location, he found himself standing in front of a worn-down building next to a junkyard. From the outside, it looked abandoned — lifeless and forgotten. But as soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned.

  The interior was completely different — clean, high-tech, almost like a secret facility hidden in pin sight. He walked around cautiously until a familiar voice called out.

  “Hey buddy,” Roman greeted him with a smile. “These guys here are my teammates. I’m basically managing the whole operation now. As soon as I told them what you shared with me, they jumped straight into research.”

  Coby nodded. “I see. So... why am I here?”

  Roman’s expression turned serious. “The task I’m about to give you is dangerous — maybe the most dangerous thing you’ve done. It might take months. There are ten people in this group... but no one knows who they are or what they look like.”

  Coby's eyes narrowed.

  “As soon as you mentioned those patterns and that name, I started digging. My team’s been at it for months, and this —” he gestured to a thick folder — “is all we’ve managed to gather. It’s almost impossible to find them... but I think you’re the missing piece. You’re going to help us find them.”

  Coby tilted his head. “And how exactly do I do that?”

  Roman smiled faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest.”

  “Alright,” Coby said, still unsure of what he’d just walked into.

  Later that morning...

  “Okay, so first, you should eat your breakfast. Then we’ll talk,” said Roman.

  “No. Tell me now,” Coby insisted, his curiosity burning.

  Roman sighed. “Fine. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But listen carefully—this might cost you your life. Someone has to stop them, right?”

  He paused, then asked, “First, tell me... do you have any family left?”

  “Not really,” Coby replied. “I was adopted, as you know. After my parents died in a car accident, I was taken in by a retive. I don’t even know where my elder brother is now… so technically, I just have that one retive left.”

  “You were adopted? I didn’t know that. And… you had an elder brother? Where is he now? Who adopted you?” Roman asked, clearly intrigued.

  “You’re asking too many questions at once,” Coby said with a slight chuckle, then continued, “But I’ll answer anyway. Yes, I was adopted. And yes, I had an elder brother—Edward Steve. My guardian, George Ben, adopted only me. I was just four years old back then. I still don’t know why he didn’t adopt Edward too. That’s all I really remember about him.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Roman said, his tone softening. “Do you still see George?”

  “No,” Coby replied firmly. “To be honest, I never liked him. I left as soon as I became a psychiatrist. He didn’t want me to be a writer. It’s because of him that I had to choose psychiatry instead.”

  Roman frowned. “Just one question—why?”

  “What?” Coby raised an eyebrow.

  “Why didn’t he want you to become a writer?”

  Coby’s expression changed. “Now you’re dragging it,” he said coldly. “Just tell me what I need to do.

  Yeah, I almost forgot about the job I brought you here for," Roman said, snapping back into focus. "I asked about your retives because if your patient was killed by that group, you and your loved ones could be next. This isn’t just about one person anymore."

  He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Coby.

  "If you want to end this — truly end this — you’ll have to kill. And before you ask anything — yes, I mean it. You’ll have to kill. Not just for yourself, but for everyone they might hurt next. There are over a hundred people in this building. But no one’s brave enough to face them. I believe you can be that person. And don’t worry — you won’t be alone. My best bodyguards are yours now."

  Coby's heart sank. He clenched his fists.

  "Why me? Why do I have to kill? Isn’t there any other way? What about the police? What if they find out? And don’t you work with them?" he asked, the panic clear in his voice.

  Roman leaned back, his expression calm but firm.

  "You’re overthinking, buddy. Yeah, I work with the police — but not always for them. Some things can’t go through w and order. Sometimes justice demands silence. The police won’t know... and trust me, they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they did. This is the only way. Now, go get some sleep, buddy. its already evening bud we've talked too much. get some rest We'll pick this up in midnight. And one more thing... I believe the police know something about the group, but they're hiding it. Hope you sleep well."

  Roman left, leaving Coby in a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he mean? Was the police involved somehow? Because of these questions, Coby couldn’t get a wink of sleep that evening and night. Someone knocked on the door, pulling Coby out of his troubled thoughts. "Sir, manager Roman is calling you out."

  "Fine, I'll be there in a minute," Coby replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements slow, and spshed cold water on his face.

  When he stepped into the room, Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Woah, you look like you’ve been through a war. Did you even sleep?"

  Coby shot him a weary gnce. "You’re not wrong. I haven’t slept since you told me all that st night. Now tell me, what do I have to do next?"

  "You look like you can’t do anything right now, but I still want to show you something. Look, we’ve got some easy work lined up for you. Here’s some footage of two members from the group. They snuck into an old dy’s house, killed her, and vanished without a trace."

  "They usually operate in pairs," he continued, "but when the mission gets too risky, they send up to five. We’re still trying to track down where they gather. We’ve figured this much out based on their walking patterns, height, and their unique way of killing. We’ve also installed ultra-tiny cameras at the locations we suspect they visit the most. Too small for anyone to notice."

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Coby asked, puzzled.

  "Because you’ll be the one to kill them when they’re in pairs — that’s when they’re most vulnerable," Roman said bluntly. "And there's one more thing. They have a leader — the mastermind. We don’t know who he is yet, but he’s the key. We find him, we end this. But for now, you need to rest and train here. We'll only send you out when they're spotted near our area. And I'm telling you this because... they’ve been here before too."

  "So you're telling me I have to train here… and give up my profession?" Coby's voice trembled with disbelief.

  "This is your war, Coby. Only you can fight it. None of us can. If this is truly about you… you'll have to leave everything behind—even yourself."

  "Do I?" Coby asked, his voice barely a whisper, as much a question for Roman as it was for himself.

  "it is."

  A month ter...

  Coby had been training relentlessly every day, leaving everything behind, including the clinic he had worked so hard to open. It was as if he wasn’t a psychiatrist anymore. His focus had shifted entirely to ending the evil, not realizing that he himself was becoming part of it. In the past few weeks, he had received multiple missed calls from his wife, but he had ignored them, consumed by what he considered more important.

  That night, after all the training and isotion, Coby decided to call her. He missed her, in his own way. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

  Ravenna picked up immediately.

  "Hello?" Coby’s voice cracked through the silence.

  The moment Ravenna heard his voice, she began to cry. "Where have you been? Where were you all this time? Do you even know me anymore? Why did you marry me if you never intended to take care of me?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  "Hey, calm down. Please..." Coby's voice softened, and he whispered, "I’m going to be there as soon as I’m done with what I need to do. Okay?"

  "You know what? You're the father of my child! A careless father!" Ravenna’s voice cracked as she spoke. "I won't ever forgive you, Coby. You’ve been brutal to me. Now, you’re busy trying to calm me down, huh?!"

  "What? Are you pregnant?!" Coby's voice was filled with shock and regret. "I’ll be there in a few months, I promise. I’m sorry."

  "I won’t listen to you! If you're not coming here, I’ll abort this child!" she warned him, her words sharp with pain.

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Coby shouted, panic in his voice. "Don’t do this to my child. I promise I’ll come back soon. Baby, I love you... just don’t do this to me, please." His voice trembled with desperation.

  "I will never, ever forgive you for what you’ve done, Coby," she said coldly before hanging up the phone.

  "Whoa, looks like someone’s carrying the weight of the world today. What’s up, bud? If you don’t mind me asking?" Roman asked casually.

  "It’s nothing, really. I just didn’t sleep well," Coby replied, trying to brush it off.

  "Alright… if you say so," Roman said, sensing there was more to it.

  "I said it’s nothing! Why can’t you just understand?! Fucking idiot!" Coby snapped, unable to hold back his frustration. A moment passed before regret washed over him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just... I don’t know. Fuck it."

  He looked like a complete mess, torn between what he was feeling and what he couldn’t say out loud.

  ter that night...

  Coby was sparring with Roman’s bodyguards in the private training area when everything suddenly changed. He nded multiple punches so fierce that one guard colpsed, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

  A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the fallen man’s body. Instead of stepping back in horror or offering an apology, Coby stood over the corpse, his eyes cold and unblinking. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he raised his fist and struck the body again—harder than before.

  The remaining guards exchanged fearful gnces. Roman, watching in disbelief, rushed forward. “Coby—stop!” he shouted, but his voice barely registered.

  Coby was relentless. Each blow echoed in the hollow chamber until Roman, dread pooling in his chest, motioned for the other guards to retreat. One by one, they fled, leaving Coby alone with the bloodied body.

  In the oppressive stillness, Coby finally lowered his fist. He stood amid the carnage—alone, silent, and strangely calm.

  The next morning, everyone in the training area looked tense—everyone except Coby. Roman stood apart, his face drawn and grave.

  “This is getting out of hand, Coby,” Roman said, his voice breaking. “I forgave you once… but I can’t do it again. What have you done?” Tears glistened in his eyes.

  Coby met his gaze evenly. “If you want answers, come into my room. There’s something you need to know.”

  Roman’s jaw clenched. “Why should I listen? You killed a man st night!”

  “It’s necessary,” Coby insisted. “You need to understand why I did it.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Roman snapped.

  Without warning, Coby seized Roman’s arm and pulled him into his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.

  "So, how's it going, sir?" Coby asked, leaning forward, his voice calm yet observant. He was in the middle of a session with his patient, Floyd Harold. There was something about Floyd—Coby respected him, even cared for him. Almost like a father.

  Floyd smirked. "I don't know, man... sometimes, it just feels good."

  "Well, that's good to hear." Coby studied him carefully. "Can I ask you something? If you don’t mind."

  "Sure."

  Coby hesitated for a second before speaking. "Where's your family? I've never seen them in the past twelve months."

  Floyd's smile faded. The air in the room shifted.

  Coby knew the truth—Floyd had abused his wife and children for years. That was why he needed therapy in the first pce. Guilt had brought him here. Slowly, session after session, Floyd had confessed everything.

  But still, Coby had never once seen his family. And that made him curious.

  Floyd exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah... that's probably because they don't like me. They don't like meeting my friends, and maybe... they just don't like going out anymore."

  Coby frowned. "That's an odd thing to say, but fine. If they don't want to meet me, I won't force them."

  Floyd let out a dry chuckle. "I know how badly you want to see them, Coby. But trust me... it's better if you don't."

  He paused. His fingers tapped against the chair, restless.

  "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Floyd continued. "Since the day I met you."

  Coby's heartbeat quickened. There was something in Floyd's tone... something off.

  "And I know you won't believe me at first. But in time... you will."

  Coby narrowed his eyes. "What—what do you mean? I don't understand."

  Floyd smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you really want to know, come to my house. Tomorrow night."

  Coby hesitated. "Fine... I'll try to."

  Floyd leaned back, sighing. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to go."

  And just like that, he left. Leaving Coby with a question that wouldn't let him sleep.

  That night, as Coby y in bed, his mind wouldn't rest. What was Floyd trying to tell him? What secret was he hiding?

  Then, suddenly—his phone buzzed.

  An unknown number.

  He answered. "hello?"

  A voice, low and cold, whispered through the line.

  "Your patient, Floyd Harold, is dead. Brutally murdered in his own house."

  Coby froze. His fingers clenched around the phone.

  "And don't try to find out who did it. Or you'll be next."

  The call ended.

  Coby stared at his phone. His chest felt tight. His head spun. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

  He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV.

  Breaking News.

  "Floyd Harold, 55, found dead in his home. Sources report a violent attack. Police have yet to identify the suspect."

  The room felt colder. His mind screamed at him to move, to breathe, to think—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell.

  Coby rushed to open it.

  The police were waiting.

  Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Handcuffed him.

  "What the hell?!" Coby struggled, his pulse racing. "Why are you arresting me?!"

  One officer looked him dead in the eye. "You're a suspect."

  Now, sitting in the interrogation room, Coby's world was spinning.

  A few hours ago, he was a psychiatrist helping a patient. Now, he was being treated like a criminal.

  The officers whispered among themselves. Then, suddenly, one of them turned to him.

  "You can go."

  Coby walked out, his mind drowning in questions.

  Who the hell killed Floyd?

  For the first time in his life, Coby found himself asking questions he never thought he would. He was terrified. Not just of the truth—but of the possibility that someone out there wanted him dead. And he had no idea who.

  TWO MONTHS LATER…

  Coby hadn't slept in weeks. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by questions that refused to leave him alone. No answers. No peace. Just endless, suffocating thoughts.

  And then—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell. A sound too normal for a life that had become anything but.

  Coby hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

  She stood there. A woman, unlike anyone he had ever seen. There was something hypnotic about her presence. Her lips, deep red like fresh cherries. Her eyes, an ocean of unknown depths. Her hair, dark as midnight shadows.

  For a moment, Coby just stared. Had he seen her before?

  Then, in a voice so soft it almost melted into the air, she whispered:

  "Are you Dr. Coby?"

  Coby blinked, pulling himself back to reality.

  "Uh... yes. Yes, it's me." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Are you... Ravenna?"

  She tilted her head slightly, a small smirk on her lips.

  "Yeah." Her voice was smooth, controlled—almost too controlled. "Can I come in now?"

  "Yeah, sure. Of course, have a seat."

  Coby was still caught in her beauty—her cherry-red lips, ocean-deep eyes, and hair dark as a midnight forest. But he forced himself to focus. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet ced with concern.

  "Now tell me, Ravenna... what's wrong? Why are you here? What do you want to tell me?"

  He couldn't stop himself. The questions tumbled out one after another. He barely knew her, yet something about her felt strangely familiar—as if he had known her forever.

  "I... I'm confused now. What did you ask me?" Ravenna blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You asked me multiple questions at once."

  Her voice was soft—too soft. Coby felt himself slipping again, drowning in the way her words wrapped around him like a whisper in the dark.

  "Hello? Dr. Coby, are you alright?" Ravenna's voice snapped him back, pulling him out of the trance her words had created.

  "No. Nothing. Everything's alright." Coby quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I asked you... what are you here for?"

  Ravenna hesitated, her eyes flickering with pain as she looked down at her hands. "I don't know where to start. But I was never loved. I think I was never treated the right way."

  Coby felt his heart sink, yet there was an eerie coldness to her words. "Even my family hated me. I don't have any siblings, and I was my parents' only daughter. But still, they hated me."

  "Yeah, it happens, but I don't think you're fully opening up to me right now. There’s something you’re hiding." Coby's voice was calm, but firm. "Look, I'm your psychiatrist. You need to tell me everything. You can trust me."

  Ravenna’s eyes locked with his, her gaze sharp and intense. "How can I even trust you?" Her words cut through the silence, each one heavy with pain. "Are you worth my trust? Is there anyone I can trust?!"

  Her voice cracked, breaking apart with each word. Desperation seeped into her tone as she screamed, her tears finally breaking free.

  Calm down. Take a deep breath." Coby's voice was soft, but there was an edge of urgency. "I know how it feels, but still, you have to tell me so that I can help you, Ravenna."

  He spoke with empathy, but the more he looked at her, the more he realized that she wasn't just in emotional turmoil—there was something deeper, darker beneath the surface.

  Her eyes were locked on his, yet they were distant. As if her soul was somewhere far away, crying for help.

  "I think I need some rest... I'll see you ter," she said, but her eyes told a different story—they were silently begging for help. Coby wanted to stop her, to ask more, but something held him back. He simply nodded, watching as she walked away, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness in the room.

  The next day, when Ravenna arrived, she looked more awake—but the sadness still clung to her like a shadow. Today, she was ready. Ready to tell Coby everything. Ready to let him in.

  "Welcome. I hope you got some rest," Coby said gently, studying her face.

  She let out a hollow ugh. "Rest? No. I can’t sleep. It feels like sleep is forbidden for me. Every time I close my eyes… he screams at me. he yells his voice never stop. Even after all these years, those words haunt me. he have left scars inside my heart that will never heal."

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, shining like stars—but behind them was a story that could break even the coldest soul.

  Coby leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Please, Ravenna. Open up to me. I need to understand. I want to help you."

  He searched her deep, sorrowful eyes, waiting for the truth that could change everything.

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  “I can't just stay at your house like this,” she replied hesitantly. “You're my psychiatrist... wouldn’t it be inappropriate? I don't want to bother you.”

  But the way she said it—it almost felt like she wanted to stay.

  “No, no—it's not a problem at all,” Coby insisted. “You're exhausted. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

  There was something in his tone that made her pause. He genuinely cared.

  “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she whispered. “But... I’ll stay if you say so.”

  That night, she stayed at his house. Coby made dinner and served it with quiet gentleness. They ate together in silence, and then retreated to their rooms.

  But the next morning, when Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat—Coby was standing right next to her bed, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Oh! You scared me, Coby.”

  “Didn't mean to,” he chuckled softly. “Here's your coffee.” The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Coby watched Ravenna, her delicate form still curled beneath the covers. Her breath was slow, steady. She was still lost in the world of her dreams, or perhaps, nightmares. The moment felt delicate—he didn’t want to disturb her peace. But he had to.

  The coffee was ready, and so was the situation that seemed to demand his attention.

  He stood by her bedside, the cup of coffee in his hand. His footsteps were quiet, but they felt too loud in the heavy silence.

  When Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Coby standing right next to her, a mere few inches away, startled her.

  "Oh! You scared me, Coby," she whispered, her voice a little shaky.

  Coby smiled faintly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Didn’t mean to," he chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he held out the coffee. "Here’s your coffee."

  She stared at the cup for a moment, then at him. Something flickered in her eyes—a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took the coffee, but didn’t immediately drink from it. Her fingers lingered on the rim, as if they were searching for the warmth it offered.

  "Thanks," she murmured, her voice low, her eyes avoiding his for a moment as if afraid of the comfort he might offer. But then, she looked up again, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Coby, I... I feel like I’m losing control of everything. Like... I’m drowning in it."

  Coby sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to cross any boundaries. His mind raced with thoughts, yet he forced himself to stay calm, to listen.

  "It’s okay to feel like that," Coby said, his voice steady but filled with understanding. "You’ve been through so much, Ravenna. this is is just... part of the healing. You’re not alone in this."

  Ravenna’s eyes welled with tears, and she turned her gaze away, but not before Coby saw the flicker of pain there.

  "I don’t know if I can ever be the same again. I feel... so broken." Her voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time, her walls seemed to come down just a little.

  Coby reached out gently, his hand resting just above hers. "Healing doesn’t mean you forget, Ravenna. It’s about learning to live with it, to grow stronger from it." He paused, taking a slow breath. "And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."

  Ravenna's lips trembled, but she nodded, the silence between them stretching long before she spoke again.

  "You say that, but... I don’t know if I believe it. I don’t know if I can trust anyone again."

  "I’m not asking you to trust me right now," Coby said, his voice unwavering. "Trust takes time. But... I’m here, whenever you’re ready."

  For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ravenna drank her coffee, the warmth of it matching the warmth beginning to form in her heart. It wasn’t a solution, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.

  Later that morning, as Coby watched her walk around his kitchen, he realized just how much she had suffered, just how much was buried beneath the surface. Her pain was undeniable, but so was her strength.

  Ravenna wasn’t ready to face everything yet. But at least, for now, she had a safe space. Coby would help her through it. He wouldn’t give up on her.

  She was no longer alone.

  Then she left the house. As the door clicked shut behind her, Coby realized that his home had felt like a real home for the first time. A warmth had settled in the corners of his heart, and a strange sense of happiness lingered in the air.

  But as soon as she stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The silence crept in like a thick fog, enveloping him. Alone. Quiet.

  In that moment, the absence of her presence felt almost deafening. The ughter, the shared moments, the brief yet meaningful conversations—everything faded away, leaving him in an echoing void. He felt an overwhelming sense of solitude wash over him.

  It dawned on him—he needed her more than she needed him. The realization was like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

  Was it possible to feel this way for someone he had just met?

  Coby leaned against the wall, lost in thought. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He was used to being alone, but this was different. He craved her company, her ughter, the way she had looked at him with vulnerability.

  He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Maybe she was right to be cautious. Maybe trusting someone was a risk—one he was willing to take.

  But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait to see if she would let him help her. it looked like he needed her more than she needed him.

  Months passed, and it looked like Ravenna was getting better and better, and Coby was happy to see her like that.

  "I don't know how to thank you, Coby, but I feel so much better now, and I'm actually recovering. If you don't mind, I’d love to invite you to dinner. I’d really appreciate it." Her voice had an excited, almost pyful tone.

  Coby saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't deny her. "Yeah, why not? That sounds great."

  "Okay then, I’ll see you soon. But... I have one thing to say first, Mr. Coby."

  Coby raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "Mr. Coby again? Come on, just call me Coby."

  She stepped closer, her voice lowering slightly with a pyful edge, her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mister Coby, I think I’ll keep calling you that, unless you mind." She let out a soft ugh, clearly enjoying the teasing moment.

  Her words lingered in the air, and Coby couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange warmth from her pyful flirtation.

  “Okay. I guess I can’t do anything about it,” he said with a chuckle.

  Later that night...

  “What is this pce? It’s amazing,” he said, looking around in awe.

  She smiled, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. “I used to come here with my friends... before they moved abroad. It’s been a while, but this has always been one of my favorite restaurants.”

  Coby pulled out her chair like a gentleman, and they both sat down at a corner table lit by a dim, golden mp hanging above.

  “I can see why you love this pce,” he said, gncing around at the warm tones, vintage decor and soft jazz music in the background.

  She rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling. “Back then, we used to sit here for hours, just talking about everything and nothing.”

  He looked at her, noticing how her voice carried both joy and a tinge of sadness.

  “You miss them?” he asked gently.

  She nodded. “Sometimes, yeah. But tonight feels... nice.”

  A soft silence settled between them, not awkward—just comfortable.

  Coby leaned in slightly. “Well, I’m gd I get to be here with you tonight.”

  She ughed quietly. “You say that like you're not usually surrounded by women.”

  “I’m not usually surrounded by you,” he said, his voice low, eyes locked on hers.

  She looked away for a moment, then back at him, smile fading just enough to show she wasn’t used to being seen like that.

  “You’re trouble, Coby,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “You have no idea. well, I think e should order now." he said while changing the topic.

  "yeah sure."

  A few minutes ter, as Ravenna was finishing her food, Coby cleared his throat — like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked, looking up at him.

  "Oh... yeah," he said, hesitating for a moment. "I just realized your sessions with me are about to end, and... I guess I just wanted to say that I’ll miss you."

  Ravenna raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly. "Oh really? Well, I was actually thinking we could still be friends after the sessions."

  Coby's face lit up. "Oh, that would be great!"

  They finished their dinner and went their separate ways, but that night, Coby couldn’t sleep. His mind kept circling back to Ravenna. He didn’t know why, but something about her stuck with him.

  Then suddenly, another thought hit him — he had completely forgotten about his patient, Floyd.

  Coby got out of bed, opened his ptop, and started researching recent criminal cases. One case caught his eye: a secret group that had been murdering people for specific reasons. The police still hadn’t identified the members.

  Coby wondered if Floyd might have been one of their victims. He picked up his phone and called his old friend, Roman.

  Roman had been a detective once but retired early. He now worked at a research facility that colborated with w enforcement to track down criminal and murderers.

  He told his friend everything he knew. His friend told him to meet him in person if he wanted to find out more about the group. Coby hesitated—his friend lived in another city, and meeting him meant leaving Ravenna behind, even if just for a while.

  Coby asked for some time to think it over, promising he’d call back with a decision.

  The next day, when Ravenna came to his house, they discussed her therapy session and chatted like usual. But just as she was about to leave, Coby said softly, “Don’t go yet.”

  She paused, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she decided to stay a little longer. Then suddenly, heavy rain began pouring outside, trapping her there for the night. As the evening grew darker, the power went out, leaving the house in complete darkness.

  Ravenna felt a rush of anxiety—Coby’s house was eerily quiet and unfamiliar in the dark. Suddenly, she felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She gasped, about to scream, when a hand gently covered her mouth.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. Don’t scream, please,” Coby whispered.

  “Are you crazy, Coby? You scared the hell out of me!” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart racing.

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow around the room. Then, without warning, he got down on one knee. His eyes, filled with love and nervous hope, locked onto hers. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

  Ravenna stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the proposal from the man who had once been just her psychiatrist. But in her heart, she already knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling through tears. “Yes, I will"

  They married each other. Ravenna was now living with him happily not knowing what was waiting for her.

  Few months ter...

  Coby had opened his very own clinic to serve the people. Every evening, he returned home to have dinner with his wife.

  One evening, while they were eating, he suddenly said, “I’m going.”His eyes were glossy.

  “Where?” she asked, worried.

  “I forgot to tell you... I have some work outside the city. It's really important, try to understand. I’ll be gone for a few months.”He hesitated.

  “A few months?” she repeated, eyes widening. “Do you even realize how hard it is for me without you? How will I live here alone?”Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m sorry... I really have to leave,” he said, struggling to hold back his own tears.

  “Fine. If you leave—don’t ever talk to me again.”

  Later, while packing his things, he looked at her and said, “Give me a hug, at least... come on.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped, turning away.

  “I said I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to hug me. I’ll leave now.”

  Suddenly, Ravenna ran toward him and hugged him tightly from behind.“Don’t leave,” she whispered through her tears.His heartbeat quickened.

  “Remember that night... when I asked you to stay, but you chose work instead?” he said softly.“Well, now... I’m the one leaving because of work.”

  He turned around, pced his hands gently on her face, and wiped away her tears.

  Then he whispered:“See how it feels... when someone leaves you even when you need them the most.”

  He kissed her on the cheek—gently.And then he walked away, like nothing had happened.

  When Coby reached the location, he found himself standing in front of a worn-down building next to a junkyard. From the outside, it looked abandoned — lifeless and forgotten. But as soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned.

  The interior was completely different — clean, high-tech, almost like a secret facility hidden in pin sight. He walked around cautiously until a familiar voice called out.

  “Hey buddy,” Roman greeted him with a smile. “These guys here are my teammates. I’m basically managing the whole operation now. As soon as I told them what you shared with me, they jumped straight into research.”

  Coby nodded. “I see. So... why am I here?”

  Roman’s expression turned serious. “The task I’m about to give you is dangerous — maybe the most dangerous thing you’ve done. It might take months. There are ten people in this group... but no one knows who they are or what they look like.”

  Coby's eyes narrowed.

  “As soon as you mentioned those patterns and that name, I started digging. My team’s been at it for months, and this —” he gestured to a thick folder — “is all we’ve managed to gather. It’s almost impossible to find them... but I think you’re the missing piece. You’re going to help us find them.”

  Coby tilted his head. “And how exactly do I do that?”

  Roman smiled faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest.”

  “Alright,” Coby said, still unsure of what he’d just walked into.

  Later that morning...

  “Okay, so first, you should eat your breakfast. Then we’ll talk,” said Roman.

  “No. Tell me now,” Coby insisted, his curiosity burning.

  Roman sighed. “Fine. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But listen carefully—this might cost you your life. Someone has to stop them, right?”

  He paused, then asked, “First, tell me... do you have any family left?”

  “Not really,” Coby replied. “I was adopted, as you know. After my parents died in a car accident, I was taken in by a retive. I don’t even know where my elder brother is now… so technically, I just have that one retive left.”

  “You were adopted? I didn’t know that. And… you had an elder brother? Where is he now? Who adopted you?” Roman asked, clearly intrigued.

  “You’re asking too many questions at once,” Coby said with a slight chuckle, then continued, “But I’ll answer anyway. Yes, I was adopted. And yes, I had an elder brother—Edward Steve. My guardian, George Ben, adopted only me. I was just four years old back then. I still don’t know why he didn’t adopt Edward too. That’s all I really remember about him.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Roman said, his tone softening. “Do you still see George?”

  “No,” Coby replied firmly. “To be honest, I never liked him. I left as soon as I became a psychiatrist. He didn’t want me to be a writer. It’s because of him that I had to choose psychiatry instead.”

  Roman frowned. “Just one question—why?”

  “What?” Coby raised an eyebrow.

  “Why didn’t he want you to become a writer?”

  Coby’s expression changed. “Now you’re dragging it,” he said coldly. “Just tell me what I need to do.

  Yeah, I almost forgot about the job I brought you here for," Roman said, snapping back into focus. "I asked about your retives because if your patient was killed by that group, you and your loved ones could be next. This isn’t just about one person anymore."

  He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Coby.

  "If you want to end this — truly end this — you’ll have to kill. And before you ask anything — yes, I mean it. You’ll have to kill. Not just for yourself, but for everyone they might hurt next. There are over a hundred people in this building. But no one’s brave enough to face them. I believe you can be that person. And don’t worry — you won’t be alone. My best bodyguards are yours now."

  Coby's heart sank. He clenched his fists.

  "Why me? Why do I have to kill? Isn’t there any other way? What about the police? What if they find out? And don’t you work with them?" he asked, the panic clear in his voice.

  Roman leaned back, his expression calm but firm.

  "You’re overthinking, buddy. Yeah, I work with the police — but not always for them. Some things can’t go through w and order. Sometimes justice demands silence. The police won’t know... and trust me, they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they did. This is the only way. Now, go get some sleep, buddy. its already evening bud we've talked too much. get some rest We'll pick this up in midnight. And one more thing... I believe the police know something about the group, but they're hiding it. Hope you sleep well."

  Roman left, leaving Coby in a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he mean? Was the police involved somehow? Because of these questions, Coby couldn’t get a wink of sleep that evening and night. Someone knocked on the door, pulling Coby out of his troubled thoughts. "Sir, manager Roman is calling you out."

  "Fine, I'll be there in a minute," Coby replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements slow, and spshed cold water on his face.

  When he stepped into the room, Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Woah, you look like you’ve been through a war. Did you even sleep?"

  Coby shot him a weary gnce. "You’re not wrong. I haven’t slept since you told me all that st night. Now tell me, what do I have to do next?"

  "You look like you can’t do anything right now, but I still want to show you something. Look, we’ve got some easy work lined up for you. Here’s some footage of two members from the group. They snuck into an old dy’s house, killed her, and vanished without a trace."

  "They usually operate in pairs," he continued, "but when the mission gets too risky, they send up to five. We’re still trying to track down where they gather. We’ve figured this much out based on their walking patterns, height, and their unique way of killing. We’ve also installed ultra-tiny cameras at the locations we suspect they visit the most. Too small for anyone to notice."

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Coby asked, puzzled.

  "Because you’ll be the one to kill them when they’re in pairs — that’s when they’re most vulnerable," Roman said bluntly. "And there's one more thing. They have a leader — the mastermind. We don’t know who he is yet, but he’s the key. We find him, we end this. But for now, you need to rest and train here. We'll only send you out when they're spotted near our area. And I'm telling you this because... they’ve been here before too."

  "So you're telling me I have to train here… and give up my profession?" Coby's voice trembled with disbelief.

  "This is your war, Coby. Only you can fight it. None of us can. If this is truly about you… you'll have to leave everything behind—even yourself."

  "Do I?" Coby asked, his voice barely a whisper, as much a question for Roman as it was for himself.

  "it is."

  A month ter...

  Coby had been training relentlessly every day, leaving everything behind, including the clinic he had worked so hard to open. It was as if he wasn’t a psychiatrist anymore. His focus had shifted entirely to ending the evil, not realizing that he himself was becoming part of it. In the past few weeks, he had received multiple missed calls from his wife, but he had ignored them, consumed by what he considered more important.

  That night, after all the training and isotion, Coby decided to call her. He missed her, in his own way. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

  Ravenna picked up immediately.

  "Hello?" Coby’s voice cracked through the silence.

  The moment Ravenna heard his voice, she began to cry. "Where have you been? Where were you all this time? Do you even know me anymore? Why did you marry me if you never intended to take care of me?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  "Hey, calm down. Please..." Coby's voice softened, and he whispered, "I’m going to be there as soon as I’m done with what I need to do. Okay?"

  "You know what? You're the father of my child! A careless father!" Ravenna’s voice cracked as she spoke. "I won't ever forgive you, Coby. You’ve been brutal to me. Now, you’re busy trying to calm me down, huh?!"

  "What? Are you pregnant?!" Coby's voice was filled with shock and regret. "I’ll be there in a few months, I promise. I’m sorry."

  "I won’t listen to you! If you're not coming here, I’ll abort this child!" she warned him, her words sharp with pain.

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Coby shouted, panic in his voice. "Don’t do this to my child. I promise I’ll come back soon. Baby, I love you... just don’t do this to me, please." His voice trembled with desperation.

  "I will never, ever forgive you for what you’ve done, Coby," she said coldly before hanging up the phone.

  "Whoa, looks like someone’s carrying the weight of the world today. What’s up, bud? If you don’t mind me asking?" Roman asked casually.

  "It’s nothing, really. I just didn’t sleep well," Coby replied, trying to brush it off.

  "Alright… if you say so," Roman said, sensing there was more to it.

  "I said it’s nothing! Why can’t you just understand?! Fucking idiot!" Coby snapped, unable to hold back his frustration. A moment passed before regret washed over him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just... I don’t know. Fuck it."

  He looked like a complete mess, torn between what he was feeling and what he couldn’t say out loud.

  ter that night...

  Coby was sparring with Roman’s bodyguards in the private training area when everything suddenly changed. He nded multiple punches so fierce that one guard colpsed, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

  A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the fallen man’s body. Instead of stepping back in horror or offering an apology, Coby stood over the corpse, his eyes cold and unblinking. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he raised his fist and struck the body again—harder than before.

  The remaining guards exchanged fearful gnces. Roman, watching in disbelief, rushed forward. “Coby—stop!” he shouted, but his voice barely registered.

  Coby was relentless. Each blow echoed in the hollow chamber until Roman, dread pooling in his chest, motioned for the other guards to retreat. One by one, they fled, leaving Coby alone with the bloodied body.

  In the oppressive stillness, Coby finally lowered his fist. He stood amid the carnage—alone, silent, and strangely calm.

  The next morning, everyone in the training area looked tense—everyone except Coby. Roman stood apart, his face drawn and grave.

  “This is getting out of hand, Coby,” Roman said, his voice breaking. “I forgave you once… but I can’t do it again. What have you done?” Tears glistened in his eyes.

  Coby met his gaze evenly. “If you want answers, come into my room. There’s something you need to know.”

  Roman’s jaw clenched. “Why should I listen? You killed a man st night!”

  “It’s necessary,” Coby insisted. “You need to understand why I did it.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Roman snapped.

  Without warning, Coby seized Roman’s arm and pulled him into his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.

  "So, how's it going, sir?" Coby asked, leaning forward, his voice calm yet observant. He was in the middle of a session with his patient, Floyd Harold. There was something about Floyd—Coby respected him, even cared for him. Almost like a father.

  Floyd smirked. "I don't know, man... sometimes, it just feels good."

  "Well, that's good to hear." Coby studied him carefully. "Can I ask you something? If you don’t mind."

  "Sure."

  Coby hesitated for a second before speaking. "Where's your family? I've never seen them in the past twelve months."

  Floyd's smile faded. The air in the room shifted.

  Coby knew the truth—Floyd had abused his wife and children for years. That was why he needed therapy in the first pce. Guilt had brought him here. Slowly, session after session, Floyd had confessed everything.

  But still, Coby had never once seen his family. And that made him curious.

  Floyd exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah... that's probably because they don't like me. They don't like meeting my friends, and maybe... they just don't like going out anymore."

  Coby frowned. "That's an odd thing to say, but fine. If they don't want to meet me, I won't force them."

  Floyd let out a dry chuckle. "I know how badly you want to see them, Coby. But trust me... it's better if you don't."

  He paused. His fingers tapped against the chair, restless.

  "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Floyd continued. "Since the day I met you."

  Coby's heartbeat quickened. There was something in Floyd's tone... something off.

  "And I know you won't believe me at first. But in time... you will."

  Coby narrowed his eyes. "What—what do you mean? I don't understand."

  Floyd smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you really want to know, come to my house. Tomorrow night."

  Coby hesitated. "Fine... I'll try to."

  Floyd leaned back, sighing. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to go."

  And just like that, he left. Leaving Coby with a question that wouldn't let him sleep.

  That night, as Coby y in bed, his mind wouldn't rest. What was Floyd trying to tell him? What secret was he hiding?

  Then, suddenly—his phone buzzed.

  An unknown number.

  He answered. "hello?"

  A voice, low and cold, whispered through the line.

  "Your patient, Floyd Harold, is dead. Brutally murdered in his own house."

  Coby froze. His fingers clenched around the phone.

  "And don't try to find out who did it. Or you'll be next."

  The call ended.

  Coby stared at his phone. His chest felt tight. His head spun. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

  He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV.

  Breaking News.

  "Floyd Harold, 55, found dead in his home. Sources report a violent attack. Police have yet to identify the suspect."

  The room felt colder. His mind screamed at him to move, to breathe, to think—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell.

  Coby rushed to open it.

  The police were waiting.

  Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Handcuffed him.

  "What the hell?!" Coby struggled, his pulse racing. "Why are you arresting me?!"

  One officer looked him dead in the eye. "You're a suspect."

  Now, sitting in the interrogation room, Coby's world was spinning.

  A few hours ago, he was a psychiatrist helping a patient. Now, he was being treated like a criminal.

  The officers whispered among themselves. Then, suddenly, one of them turned to him.

  "You can go."

  Coby walked out, his mind drowning in questions.

  Who the hell killed Floyd?

  For the first time in his life, Coby found himself asking questions he never thought he would. He was terrified. Not just of the truth—but of the possibility that someone out there wanted him dead. And he had no idea who.

  TWO MONTHS LATER…

  Coby hadn't slept in weeks. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by questions that refused to leave him alone. No answers. No peace. Just endless, suffocating thoughts.

  And then—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell. A sound too normal for a life that had become anything but.

  Coby hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

  She stood there. A woman, unlike anyone he had ever seen. There was something hypnotic about her presence. Her lips, deep red like fresh cherries. Her eyes, an ocean of unknown depths. Her hair, dark as midnight shadows.

  For a moment, Coby just stared. Had he seen her before?

  Then, in a voice so soft it almost melted into the air, she whispered:

  "Are you Dr. Coby?"

  Coby blinked, pulling himself back to reality.

  "Uh... yes. Yes, it's me." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Are you... Ravenna?"

  She tilted her head slightly, a small smirk on her lips.

  "Yeah." Her voice was smooth, controlled—almost too controlled. "Can I come in now?"

  "Yeah, sure. Of course, have a seat."

  Coby was still caught in her beauty—her cherry-red lips, ocean-deep eyes, and hair dark as a midnight forest. But he forced himself to focus. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet ced with concern.

  "Now tell me, Ravenna... what's wrong? Why are you here? What do you want to tell me?"

  He couldn't stop himself. The questions tumbled out one after another. He barely knew her, yet something about her felt strangely familiar—as if he had known her forever.

  "I... I'm confused now. What did you ask me?" Ravenna blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You asked me multiple questions at once."

  Her voice was soft—too soft. Coby felt himself slipping again, drowning in the way her words wrapped around him like a whisper in the dark.

  "Hello? Dr. Coby, are you alright?" Ravenna's voice snapped him back, pulling him out of the trance her words had created.

  "No. Nothing. Everything's alright." Coby quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I asked you... what are you here for?"

  Ravenna hesitated, her eyes flickering with pain as she looked down at her hands. "I don't know where to start. But I was never loved. I think I was never treated the right way."

  Coby felt his heart sink, yet there was an eerie coldness to her words. "Even my family hated me. I don't have any siblings, and I was my parents' only daughter. But still, they hated me."

  "Yeah, it happens, but I don't think you're fully opening up to me right now. There’s something you’re hiding." Coby's voice was calm, but firm. "Look, I'm your psychiatrist. You need to tell me everything. You can trust me."

  Ravenna’s eyes locked with his, her gaze sharp and intense. "How can I even trust you?" Her words cut through the silence, each one heavy with pain. "Are you worth my trust? Is there anyone I can trust?!"

  Her voice cracked, breaking apart with each word. Desperation seeped into her tone as she screamed, her tears finally breaking free.

  Calm down. Take a deep breath." Coby's voice was soft, but there was an edge of urgency. "I know how it feels, but still, you have to tell me so that I can help you, Ravenna."

  He spoke with empathy, but the more he looked at her, the more he realized that she wasn't just in emotional turmoil—there was something deeper, darker beneath the surface.

  Her eyes were locked on his, yet they were distant. As if her soul was somewhere far away, crying for help.

  "I think I need some rest... I'll see you ter," she said, but her eyes told a different story—they were silently begging for help. Coby wanted to stop her, to ask more, but something held him back. He simply nodded, watching as she walked away, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness in the room.

  The next day, when Ravenna arrived, she looked more awake—but the sadness still clung to her like a shadow. Today, she was ready. Ready to tell Coby everything. Ready to let him in.

  "Welcome. I hope you got some rest," Coby said gently, studying her face.

  She let out a hollow ugh. "Rest? No. I can’t sleep. It feels like sleep is forbidden for me. Every time I close my eyes… he screams at me. he yells his voice never stop. Even after all these years, those words haunt me. he have left scars inside my heart that will never heal."

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, shining like stars—but behind them was a story that could break even the coldest soul.

  Coby leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Please, Ravenna. Open up to me. I need to understand. I want to help you."

  He searched her deep, sorrowful eyes, waiting for the truth that could change everything.

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  “I can't just stay at your house like this,” she replied hesitantly. “You're my psychiatrist... wouldn’t it be inappropriate? I don't want to bother you.”

  But the way she said it—it almost felt like she wanted to stay.

  “No, no—it's not a problem at all,” Coby insisted. “You're exhausted. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

  There was something in his tone that made her pause. He genuinely cared.

  “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she whispered. “But... I’ll stay if you say so.”

  That night, she stayed at his house. Coby made dinner and served it with quiet gentleness. They ate together in silence, and then retreated to their rooms.

  But the next morning, when Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat—Coby was standing right next to her bed, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Oh! You scared me, Coby.”

  “Didn't mean to,” he chuckled softly. “Here's your coffee.” The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Coby watched Ravenna, her delicate form still curled beneath the covers. Her breath was slow, steady. She was still lost in the world of her dreams, or perhaps, nightmares. The moment felt delicate—he didn’t want to disturb her peace. But he had to.

  The coffee was ready, and so was the situation that seemed to demand his attention.

  He stood by her bedside, the cup of coffee in his hand. His footsteps were quiet, but they felt too loud in the heavy silence.

  When Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Coby standing right next to her, a mere few inches away, startled her.

  "Oh! You scared me, Coby," she whispered, her voice a little shaky.

  Coby smiled faintly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Didn’t mean to," he chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he held out the coffee. "Here’s your coffee."

  She stared at the cup for a moment, then at him. Something flickered in her eyes—a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took the coffee, but didn’t immediately drink from it. Her fingers lingered on the rim, as if they were searching for the warmth it offered.

  "Thanks," she murmured, her voice low, her eyes avoiding his for a moment as if afraid of the comfort he might offer. But then, she looked up again, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Coby, I... I feel like I’m losing control of everything. Like... I’m drowning in it."

  Coby sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to cross any boundaries. His mind raced with thoughts, yet he forced himself to stay calm, to listen.

  "It’s okay to feel like that," Coby said, his voice steady but filled with understanding. "You’ve been through so much, Ravenna. this is is just... part of the healing. You’re not alone in this."

  Ravenna’s eyes welled with tears, and she turned her gaze away, but not before Coby saw the flicker of pain there.

  "I don’t know if I can ever be the same again. I feel... so broken." Her voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time, her walls seemed to come down just a little.

  Coby reached out gently, his hand resting just above hers. "Healing doesn’t mean you forget, Ravenna. It’s about learning to live with it, to grow stronger from it." He paused, taking a slow breath. "And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."

  Ravenna's lips trembled, but she nodded, the silence between them stretching long before she spoke again.

  "You say that, but... I don’t know if I believe it. I don’t know if I can trust anyone again."

  "I’m not asking you to trust me right now," Coby said, his voice unwavering. "Trust takes time. But... I’m here, whenever you’re ready."

  For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ravenna drank her coffee, the warmth of it matching the warmth beginning to form in her heart. It wasn’t a solution, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.

  Later that morning, as Coby watched her walk around his kitchen, he realized just how much she had suffered, just how much was buried beneath the surface. Her pain was undeniable, but so was her strength.

  Ravenna wasn’t ready to face everything yet. But at least, for now, she had a safe space. Coby would help her through it. He wouldn’t give up on her.

  She was no longer alone.

  Then she left the house. As the door clicked shut behind her, Coby realized that his home had felt like a real home for the first time. A warmth had settled in the corners of his heart, and a strange sense of happiness lingered in the air.

  But as soon as she stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The silence crept in like a thick fog, enveloping him. Alone. Quiet.

  In that moment, the absence of her presence felt almost deafening. The ughter, the shared moments, the brief yet meaningful conversations—everything faded away, leaving him in an echoing void. He felt an overwhelming sense of solitude wash over him.

  It dawned on him—he needed her more than she needed him. The realization was like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

  Was it possible to feel this way for someone he had just met?

  Coby leaned against the wall, lost in thought. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He was used to being alone, but this was different. He craved her company, her ughter, the way she had looked at him with vulnerability.

  He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Maybe she was right to be cautious. Maybe trusting someone was a risk—one he was willing to take.

  But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait to see if she would let him help her. it looked like he needed her more than she needed him.

  Months passed, and it looked like Ravenna was getting better and better, and Coby was happy to see her like that.

  "I don't know how to thank you, Coby, but I feel so much better now, and I'm actually recovering. If you don't mind, I’d love to invite you to dinner. I’d really appreciate it." Her voice had an excited, almost pyful tone.

  Coby saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't deny her. "Yeah, why not? That sounds great."

  "Okay then, I’ll see you soon. But... I have one thing to say first, Mr. Coby."

  Coby raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "Mr. Coby again? Come on, just call me Coby."

  She stepped closer, her voice lowering slightly with a pyful edge, her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mister Coby, I think I’ll keep calling you that, unless you mind." She let out a soft ugh, clearly enjoying the teasing moment.

  Her words lingered in the air, and Coby couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange warmth from her pyful flirtation.

  “Okay. I guess I can’t do anything about it,” he said with a chuckle.

  Later that night...

  “What is this pce? It’s amazing,” he said, looking around in awe.

  She smiled, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. “I used to come here with my friends... before they moved abroad. It’s been a while, but this has always been one of my favorite restaurants.”

  Coby pulled out her chair like a gentleman, and they both sat down at a corner table lit by a dim, golden mp hanging above.

  “I can see why you love this pce,” he said, gncing around at the warm tones, vintage decor and soft jazz music in the background.

  She rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling. “Back then, we used to sit here for hours, just talking about everything and nothing.”

  He looked at her, noticing how her voice carried both joy and a tinge of sadness.

  “You miss them?” he asked gently.

  She nodded. “Sometimes, yeah. But tonight feels... nice.”

  A soft silence settled between them, not awkward—just comfortable.

  Coby leaned in slightly. “Well, I’m gd I get to be here with you tonight.”

  She ughed quietly. “You say that like you're not usually surrounded by women.”

  “I’m not usually surrounded by you,” he said, his voice low, eyes locked on hers.

  She looked away for a moment, then back at him, smile fading just enough to show she wasn’t used to being seen like that.

  “You’re trouble, Coby,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “You have no idea. well, I think e should order now." he said while changing the topic.

  "yeah sure."

  A few minutes ter, as Ravenna was finishing her food, Coby cleared his throat — like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked, looking up at him.

  "Oh... yeah," he said, hesitating for a moment. "I just realized your sessions with me are about to end, and... I guess I just wanted to say that I’ll miss you."

  Ravenna raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly. "Oh really? Well, I was actually thinking we could still be friends after the sessions."

  Coby's face lit up. "Oh, that would be great!"

  They finished their dinner and went their separate ways, but that night, Coby couldn’t sleep. His mind kept circling back to Ravenna. He didn’t know why, but something about her stuck with him.

  Then suddenly, another thought hit him — he had completely forgotten about his patient, Floyd.

  Coby got out of bed, opened his ptop, and started researching recent criminal cases. One case caught his eye: a secret group that had been murdering people for specific reasons. The police still hadn’t identified the members.

  Coby wondered if Floyd might have been one of their victims. He picked up his phone and called his old friend, Roman.

  Roman had been a detective once but retired early. He now worked at a research facility that colborated with w enforcement to track down criminal and murderers.

  He told his friend everything he knew. His friend told him to meet him in person if he wanted to find out more about the group. Coby hesitated—his friend lived in another city, and meeting him meant leaving Ravenna behind, even if just for a while.

  Coby asked for some time to think it over, promising he’d call back with a decision.

  The next day, when Ravenna came to his house, they discussed her therapy session and chatted like usual. But just as she was about to leave, Coby said softly, “Don’t go yet.”

  She paused, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she decided to stay a little longer. Then suddenly, heavy rain began pouring outside, trapping her there for the night. As the evening grew darker, the power went out, leaving the house in complete darkness.

  Ravenna felt a rush of anxiety—Coby’s house was eerily quiet and unfamiliar in the dark. Suddenly, she felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She gasped, about to scream, when a hand gently covered her mouth.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. Don’t scream, please,” Coby whispered.

  “Are you crazy, Coby? You scared the hell out of me!” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart racing.

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow around the room. Then, without warning, he got down on one knee. His eyes, filled with love and nervous hope, locked onto hers. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

  Ravenna stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the proposal from the man who had once been just her psychiatrist. But in her heart, she already knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling through tears. “Yes, I will"

  They married each other. Ravenna was now living with him happily not knowing what was waiting for her.

  Few months ter...

  Coby had opened his very own clinic to serve the people. Every evening, he returned home to have dinner with his wife.

  One evening, while they were eating, he suddenly said, “I’m going.”His eyes were glossy.

  “Where?” she asked, worried.

  “I forgot to tell you... I have some work outside the city. It's really important, try to understand. I’ll be gone for a few months.”He hesitated.

  “A few months?” she repeated, eyes widening. “Do you even realize how hard it is for me without you? How will I live here alone?”Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m sorry... I really have to leave,” he said, struggling to hold back his own tears.

  “Fine. If you leave—don’t ever talk to me again.”

  Later, while packing his things, he looked at her and said, “Give me a hug, at least... come on.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped, turning away.

  “I said I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to hug me. I’ll leave now.”

  Suddenly, Ravenna ran toward him and hugged him tightly from behind.“Don’t leave,” she whispered through her tears.His heartbeat quickened.

  “Remember that night... when I asked you to stay, but you chose work instead?” he said softly.“Well, now... I’m the one leaving because of work.”

  He turned around, pced his hands gently on her face, and wiped away her tears.

  Then he whispered:“See how it feels... when someone leaves you even when you need them the most.”

  He kissed her on the cheek—gently.And then he walked away, like nothing had happened.

  When Coby reached the location, he found himself standing in front of a worn-down building next to a junkyard. From the outside, it looked abandoned — lifeless and forgotten. But as soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned.

  The interior was completely different — clean, high-tech, almost like a secret facility hidden in pin sight. He walked around cautiously until a familiar voice called out.

  “Hey buddy,” Roman greeted him with a smile. “These guys here are my teammates. I’m basically managing the whole operation now. As soon as I told them what you shared with me, they jumped straight into research.”

  Coby nodded. “I see. So... why am I here?”

  Roman’s expression turned serious. “The task I’m about to give you is dangerous — maybe the most dangerous thing you’ve done. It might take months. There are ten people in this group... but no one knows who they are or what they look like.”

  Coby's eyes narrowed.

  “As soon as you mentioned those patterns and that name, I started digging. My team’s been at it for months, and this —” he gestured to a thick folder — “is all we’ve managed to gather. It’s almost impossible to find them... but I think you’re the missing piece. You’re going to help us find them.”

  Coby tilted his head. “And how exactly do I do that?”

  Roman smiled faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest.”

  “Alright,” Coby said, still unsure of what he’d just walked into.

  Later that morning...

  “Okay, so first, you should eat your breakfast. Then we’ll talk,” said Roman.

  “No. Tell me now,” Coby insisted, his curiosity burning.

  Roman sighed. “Fine. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But listen carefully—this might cost you your life. Someone has to stop them, right?”

  He paused, then asked, “First, tell me... do you have any family left?”

  “Not really,” Coby replied. “I was adopted, as you know. After my parents died in a car accident, I was taken in by a retive. I don’t even know where my elder brother is now… so technically, I just have that one retive left.”

  “You were adopted? I didn’t know that. And… you had an elder brother? Where is he now? Who adopted you?” Roman asked, clearly intrigued.

  “You’re asking too many questions at once,” Coby said with a slight chuckle, then continued, “But I’ll answer anyway. Yes, I was adopted. And yes, I had an elder brother—Edward Steve. My guardian, George Ben, adopted only me. I was just four years old back then. I still don’t know why he didn’t adopt Edward too. That’s all I really remember about him.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Roman said, his tone softening. “Do you still see George?”

  “No,” Coby replied firmly. “To be honest, I never liked him. I left as soon as I became a psychiatrist. He didn’t want me to be a writer. It’s because of him that I had to choose psychiatry instead.”

  Roman frowned. “Just one question—why?”

  “What?” Coby raised an eyebrow.

  “Why didn’t he want you to become a writer?”

  Coby’s expression changed. “Now you’re dragging it,” he said coldly. “Just tell me what I need to do.

  Yeah, I almost forgot about the job I brought you here for," Roman said, snapping back into focus. "I asked about your retives because if your patient was killed by that group, you and your loved ones could be next. This isn’t just about one person anymore."

  He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Coby.

  "If you want to end this — truly end this — you’ll have to kill. And before you ask anything — yes, I mean it. You’ll have to kill. Not just for yourself, but for everyone they might hurt next. There are over a hundred people in this building. But no one’s brave enough to face them. I believe you can be that person. And don’t worry — you won’t be alone. My best bodyguards are yours now."

  Coby's heart sank. He clenched his fists.

  "Why me? Why do I have to kill? Isn’t there any other way? What about the police? What if they find out? And don’t you work with them?" he asked, the panic clear in his voice.

  Roman leaned back, his expression calm but firm.

  "You’re overthinking, buddy. Yeah, I work with the police — but not always for them. Some things can’t go through w and order. Sometimes justice demands silence. The police won’t know... and trust me, they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they did. This is the only way. Now, go get some sleep, buddy. its already evening bud we've talked too much. get some rest We'll pick this up in midnight. And one more thing... I believe the police know something about the group, but they're hiding it. Hope you sleep well."

  Roman left, leaving Coby in a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he mean? Was the police involved somehow? Because of these questions, Coby couldn’t get a wink of sleep that evening and night. Someone knocked on the door, pulling Coby out of his troubled thoughts. "Sir, manager Roman is calling you out."

  "Fine, I'll be there in a minute," Coby replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements slow, and spshed cold water on his face.

  When he stepped into the room, Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Woah, you look like you’ve been through a war. Did you even sleep?"

  Coby shot him a weary gnce. "You’re not wrong. I haven’t slept since you told me all that st night. Now tell me, what do I have to do next?"

  "You look like you can’t do anything right now, but I still want to show you something. Look, we’ve got some easy work lined up for you. Here’s some footage of two members from the group. They snuck into an old dy’s house, killed her, and vanished without a trace."

  "They usually operate in pairs," he continued, "but when the mission gets too risky, they send up to five. We’re still trying to track down where they gather. We’ve figured this much out based on their walking patterns, height, and their unique way of killing. We’ve also installed ultra-tiny cameras at the locations we suspect they visit the most. Too small for anyone to notice."

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Coby asked, puzzled.

  "Because you’ll be the one to kill them when they’re in pairs — that’s when they’re most vulnerable," Roman said bluntly. "And there's one more thing. They have a leader — the mastermind. We don’t know who he is yet, but he’s the key. We find him, we end this. But for now, you need to rest and train here. We'll only send you out when they're spotted near our area. And I'm telling you this because... they’ve been here before too."

  "So you're telling me I have to train here… and give up my profession?" Coby's voice trembled with disbelief.

  "This is your war, Coby. Only you can fight it. None of us can. If this is truly about you… you'll have to leave everything behind—even yourself."

  "Do I?" Coby asked, his voice barely a whisper, as much a question for Roman as it was for himself.

  "it is."

  A month ter...

  Coby had been training relentlessly every day, leaving everything behind, including the clinic he had worked so hard to open. It was as if he wasn’t a psychiatrist anymore. His focus had shifted entirely to ending the evil, not realizing that he himself was becoming part of it. In the past few weeks, he had received multiple missed calls from his wife, but he had ignored them, consumed by what he considered more important.

  That night, after all the training and isotion, Coby decided to call her. He missed her, in his own way. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

  Ravenna picked up immediately.

  "Hello?" Coby’s voice cracked through the silence.

  The moment Ravenna heard his voice, she began to cry. "Where have you been? Where were you all this time? Do you even know me anymore? Why did you marry me if you never intended to take care of me?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  "Hey, calm down. Please..." Coby's voice softened, and he whispered, "I’m going to be there as soon as I’m done with what I need to do. Okay?"

  "You know what? You're the father of my child! A careless father!" Ravenna’s voice cracked as she spoke. "I won't ever forgive you, Coby. You’ve been brutal to me. Now, you’re busy trying to calm me down, huh?!"

  "What? Are you pregnant?!" Coby's voice was filled with shock and regret. "I’ll be there in a few months, I promise. I’m sorry."

  "I won’t listen to you! If you're not coming here, I’ll abort this child!" she warned him, her words sharp with pain.

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Coby shouted, panic in his voice. "Don’t do this to my child. I promise I’ll come back soon. Baby, I love you... just don’t do this to me, please." His voice trembled with desperation.

  "I will never, ever forgive you for what you’ve done, Coby," she said coldly before hanging up the phone.

  "Whoa, looks like someone’s carrying the weight of the world today. What’s up, bud? If you don’t mind me asking?" Roman asked casually.

  "It’s nothing, really. I just didn’t sleep well," Coby replied, trying to brush it off.

  "Alright… if you say so," Roman said, sensing there was more to it.

  "I said it’s nothing! Why can’t you just understand?! Fucking idiot!" Coby snapped, unable to hold back his frustration. A moment passed before regret washed over him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just... I don’t know. Fuck it."

  He looked like a complete mess, torn between what he was feeling and what he couldn’t say out loud.

  ter that night...

  Coby was sparring with Roman’s bodyguards in the private training area when everything suddenly changed. He nded multiple punches so fierce that one guard colpsed, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

  A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the fallen man’s body. Instead of stepping back in horror or offering an apology, Coby stood over the corpse, his eyes cold and unblinking. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he raised his fist and struck the body again—harder than before.

  The remaining guards exchanged fearful gnces. Roman, watching in disbelief, rushed forward. “Coby—stop!” he shouted, but his voice barely registered.

  Coby was relentless. Each blow echoed in the hollow chamber until Roman, dread pooling in his chest, motioned for the other guards to retreat. One by one, they fled, leaving Coby alone with the bloodied body.

  In the oppressive stillness, Coby finally lowered his fist. He stood amid the carnage—alone, silent, and strangely calm.

  The next morning, everyone in the training area looked tense—everyone except Coby. Roman stood apart, his face drawn and grave.

  “This is getting out of hand, Coby,” Roman said, his voice breaking. “I forgave you once… but I can’t do it again. What have you done?” Tears glistened in his eyes.

  Coby met his gaze evenly. “If you want answers, come into my room. There’s something you need to know.”

  Roman’s jaw clenched. “Why should I listen? You killed a man st night!”

  “It’s necessary,” Coby insisted. “You need to understand why I did it.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Roman snapped.

  Without warning, Coby seized Roman’s arm and pulled him into his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.

  "So, how's it going, sir?" Coby asked, leaning forward, his voice calm yet observant. He was in the middle of a session with his patient, Floyd Harold. There was something about Floyd—Coby respected him, even cared for him. Almost like a father.

  Floyd smirked. "I don't know, man... sometimes, it just feels good."

  "Well, that's good to hear." Coby studied him carefully. "Can I ask you something? If you don’t mind."

  "Sure."

  Coby hesitated for a second before speaking. "Where's your family? I've never seen them in the past twelve months."

  Floyd's smile faded. The air in the room shifted.

  Coby knew the truth—Floyd had abused his wife and children for years. That was why he needed therapy in the first pce. Guilt had brought him here. Slowly, session after session, Floyd had confessed everything.

  But still, Coby had never once seen his family. And that made him curious.

  Floyd exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah... that's probably because they don't like me. They don't like meeting my friends, and maybe... they just don't like going out anymore."

  Coby frowned. "That's an odd thing to say, but fine. If they don't want to meet me, I won't force them."

  Floyd let out a dry chuckle. "I know how badly you want to see them, Coby. But trust me... it's better if you don't."

  He paused. His fingers tapped against the chair, restless.

  "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Floyd continued. "Since the day I met you."

  Coby's heartbeat quickened. There was something in Floyd's tone... something off.

  "And I know you won't believe me at first. But in time... you will."

  Coby narrowed his eyes. "What—what do you mean? I don't understand."

  Floyd smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you really want to know, come to my house. Tomorrow night."

  Coby hesitated. "Fine... I'll try to."

  Floyd leaned back, sighing. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to go."

  And just like that, he left. Leaving Coby with a question that wouldn't let him sleep.

  That night, as Coby y in bed, his mind wouldn't rest. What was Floyd trying to tell him? What secret was he hiding?

  Then, suddenly—his phone buzzed.

  An unknown number.

  He answered. "hello?"

  A voice, low and cold, whispered through the line.

  "Your patient, Floyd Harold, is dead. Brutally murdered in his own house."

  Coby froze. His fingers clenched around the phone.

  "And don't try to find out who did it. Or you'll be next."

  The call ended.

  Coby stared at his phone. His chest felt tight. His head spun. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

  He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV.

  Breaking News.

  "Floyd Harold, 55, found dead in his home. Sources report a violent attack. Police have yet to identify the suspect."

  The room felt colder. His mind screamed at him to move, to breathe, to think—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell.

  Coby rushed to open it.

  The police were waiting.

  Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Handcuffed him.

  "What the hell?!" Coby struggled, his pulse racing. "Why are you arresting me?!"

  One officer looked him dead in the eye. "You're a suspect."

  Now, sitting in the interrogation room, Coby's world was spinning.

  A few hours ago, he was a psychiatrist helping a patient. Now, he was being treated like a criminal.

  The officers whispered among themselves. Then, suddenly, one of them turned to him.

  "You can go."

  Coby walked out, his mind drowning in questions.

  Who the hell killed Floyd?

  For the first time in his life, Coby found himself asking questions he never thought he would. He was terrified. Not just of the truth—but of the possibility that someone out there wanted him dead. And he had no idea who.

  TWO MONTHS LATER…

  Coby hadn't slept in weeks. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by questions that refused to leave him alone. No answers. No peace. Just endless, suffocating thoughts.

  And then—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell. A sound too normal for a life that had become anything but.

  Coby hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

  She stood there. A woman, unlike anyone he had ever seen. There was something hypnotic about her presence. Her lips, deep red like fresh cherries. Her eyes, an ocean of unknown depths. Her hair, dark as midnight shadows.

  For a moment, Coby just stared. Had he seen her before?

  Then, in a voice so soft it almost melted into the air, she whispered:

  "Are you Dr. Coby?"

  Coby blinked, pulling himself back to reality.

  "Uh... yes. Yes, it's me." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Are you... Ravenna?"

  She tilted her head slightly, a small smirk on her lips.

  "Yeah." Her voice was smooth, controlled—almost too controlled. "Can I come in now?"

  "Yeah, sure. Of course, have a seat."

  Coby was still caught in her beauty—her cherry-red lips, ocean-deep eyes, and hair dark as a midnight forest. But he forced himself to focus. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet ced with concern.

  "Now tell me, Ravenna... what's wrong? Why are you here? What do you want to tell me?"

  He couldn't stop himself. The questions tumbled out one after another. He barely knew her, yet something about her felt strangely familiar—as if he had known her forever.

  "I... I'm confused now. What did you ask me?" Ravenna blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You asked me multiple questions at once."

  Her voice was soft—too soft. Coby felt himself slipping again, drowning in the way her words wrapped around him like a whisper in the dark.

  "Hello? Dr. Coby, are you alright?" Ravenna's voice snapped him back, pulling him out of the trance her words had created.

  "No. Nothing. Everything's alright." Coby quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I asked you... what are you here for?"

  Ravenna hesitated, her eyes flickering with pain as she looked down at her hands. "I don't know where to start. But I was never loved. I think I was never treated the right way."

  Coby felt his heart sink, yet there was an eerie coldness to her words. "Even my family hated me. I don't have any siblings, and I was my parents' only daughter. But still, they hated me."

  "Yeah, it happens, but I don't think you're fully opening up to me right now. There’s something you’re hiding." Coby's voice was calm, but firm. "Look, I'm your psychiatrist. You need to tell me everything. You can trust me."

  Ravenna’s eyes locked with his, her gaze sharp and intense. "How can I even trust you?" Her words cut through the silence, each one heavy with pain. "Are you worth my trust? Is there anyone I can trust?!"

  Her voice cracked, breaking apart with each word. Desperation seeped into her tone as she screamed, her tears finally breaking free.

  Calm down. Take a deep breath." Coby's voice was soft, but there was an edge of urgency. "I know how it feels, but still, you have to tell me so that I can help you, Ravenna."

  He spoke with empathy, but the more he looked at her, the more he realized that she wasn't just in emotional turmoil—there was something deeper, darker beneath the surface.

  Her eyes were locked on his, yet they were distant. As if her soul was somewhere far away, crying for help.

  "I think I need some rest... I'll see you ter," she said, but her eyes told a different story—they were silently begging for help. Coby wanted to stop her, to ask more, but something held him back. He simply nodded, watching as she walked away, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness in the room.

  The next day, when Ravenna arrived, she looked more awake—but the sadness still clung to her like a shadow. Today, she was ready. Ready to tell Coby everything. Ready to let him in.

  "Welcome. I hope you got some rest," Coby said gently, studying her face.

  She let out a hollow ugh. "Rest? No. I can’t sleep. It feels like sleep is forbidden for me. Every time I close my eyes… he screams at me. he yells his voice never stop. Even after all these years, those words haunt me. he have left scars inside my heart that will never heal."

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, shining like stars—but behind them was a story that could break even the coldest soul.

  Coby leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Please, Ravenna. Open up to me. I need to understand. I want to help you."

  He searched her deep, sorrowful eyes, waiting for the truth that could change everything.

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  “I can't just stay at your house like this,” she replied hesitantly. “You're my psychiatrist... wouldn’t it be inappropriate? I don't want to bother you.”

  But the way she said it—it almost felt like she wanted to stay.

  “No, no—it's not a problem at all,” Coby insisted. “You're exhausted. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

  There was something in his tone that made her pause. He genuinely cared.

  “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she whispered. “But... I’ll stay if you say so.”

  That night, she stayed at his house. Coby made dinner and served it with quiet gentleness. They ate together in silence, and then retreated to their rooms.

  But the next morning, when Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat—Coby was standing right next to her bed, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Oh! You scared me, Coby.”

  “Didn't mean to,” he chuckled softly. “Here's your coffee.” The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Coby watched Ravenna, her delicate form still curled beneath the covers. Her breath was slow, steady. She was still lost in the world of her dreams, or perhaps, nightmares. The moment felt delicate—he didn’t want to disturb her peace. But he had to.

  The coffee was ready, and so was the situation that seemed to demand his attention.

  He stood by her bedside, the cup of coffee in his hand. His footsteps were quiet, but they felt too loud in the heavy silence.

  When Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Coby standing right next to her, a mere few inches away, startled her.

  "Oh! You scared me, Coby," she whispered, her voice a little shaky.

  Coby smiled faintly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Didn’t mean to," he chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he held out the coffee. "Here’s your coffee."

  She stared at the cup for a moment, then at him. Something flickered in her eyes—a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took the coffee, but didn’t immediately drink from it. Her fingers lingered on the rim, as if they were searching for the warmth it offered.

  "Thanks," she murmured, her voice low, her eyes avoiding his for a moment as if afraid of the comfort he might offer. But then, she looked up again, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Coby, I... I feel like I’m losing control of everything. Like... I’m drowning in it."

  Coby sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to cross any boundaries. His mind raced with thoughts, yet he forced himself to stay calm, to listen.

  "It’s okay to feel like that," Coby said, his voice steady but filled with understanding. "You’ve been through so much, Ravenna. this is is just... part of the healing. You’re not alone in this."

  Ravenna’s eyes welled with tears, and she turned her gaze away, but not before Coby saw the flicker of pain there.

  "I don’t know if I can ever be the same again. I feel... so broken." Her voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time, her walls seemed to come down just a little.

  Coby reached out gently, his hand resting just above hers. "Healing doesn’t mean you forget, Ravenna. It’s about learning to live with it, to grow stronger from it." He paused, taking a slow breath. "And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."

  Ravenna's lips trembled, but she nodded, the silence between them stretching long before she spoke again.

  "You say that, but... I don’t know if I believe it. I don’t know if I can trust anyone again."

  "I’m not asking you to trust me right now," Coby said, his voice unwavering. "Trust takes time. But... I’m here, whenever you’re ready."

  For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ravenna drank her coffee, the warmth of it matching the warmth beginning to form in her heart. It wasn’t a solution, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.

  Later that morning, as Coby watched her walk around his kitchen, he realized just how much she had suffered, just how much was buried beneath the surface. Her pain was undeniable, but so was her strength.

  Ravenna wasn’t ready to face everything yet. But at least, for now, she had a safe space. Coby would help her through it. He wouldn’t give up on her.

  She was no longer alone.

  Then she left the house. As the door clicked shut behind her, Coby realized that his home had felt like a real home for the first time. A warmth had settled in the corners of his heart, and a strange sense of happiness lingered in the air.

  But as soon as she stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The silence crept in like a thick fog, enveloping him. Alone. Quiet.

  In that moment, the absence of her presence felt almost deafening. The ughter, the shared moments, the brief yet meaningful conversations—everything faded away, leaving him in an echoing void. He felt an overwhelming sense of solitude wash over him.

  It dawned on him—he needed her more than she needed him. The realization was like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

  Was it possible to feel this way for someone he had just met?

  Coby leaned against the wall, lost in thought. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He was used to being alone, but this was different. He craved her company, her ughter, the way she had looked at him with vulnerability.

  He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Maybe she was right to be cautious. Maybe trusting someone was a risk—one he was willing to take.

  But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait to see if she would let him help her. it looked like he needed her more than she needed him.

  Months passed, and it looked like Ravenna was getting better and better, and Coby was happy to see her like that.

  "I don't know how to thank you, Coby, but I feel so much better now, and I'm actually recovering. If you don't mind, I’d love to invite you to dinner. I’d really appreciate it." Her voice had an excited, almost pyful tone.

  Coby saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't deny her. "Yeah, why not? That sounds great."

  "Okay then, I’ll see you soon. But... I have one thing to say first, Mr. Coby."

  Coby raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "Mr. Coby again? Come on, just call me Coby."

  She stepped closer, her voice lowering slightly with a pyful edge, her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mister Coby, I think I’ll keep calling you that, unless you mind." She let out a soft ugh, clearly enjoying the teasing moment.

  Her words lingered in the air, and Coby couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange warmth from her pyful flirtation.

  “Okay. I guess I can’t do anything about it,” he said with a chuckle.

  Later that night...

  “What is this pce? It’s amazing,” he said, looking around in awe.

  She smiled, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. “I used to come here with my friends... before they moved abroad. It’s been a while, but this has always been one of my favorite restaurants.”

  Coby pulled out her chair like a gentleman, and they both sat down at a corner table lit by a dim, golden mp hanging above.

  “I can see why you love this pce,” he said, gncing around at the warm tones, vintage decor and soft jazz music in the background.

  She rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling. “Back then, we used to sit here for hours, just talking about everything and nothing.”

  He looked at her, noticing how her voice carried both joy and a tinge of sadness.

  “You miss them?” he asked gently.

  She nodded. “Sometimes, yeah. But tonight feels... nice.”

  A soft silence settled between them, not awkward—just comfortable.

  Coby leaned in slightly. “Well, I’m gd I get to be here with you tonight.”

  She ughed quietly. “You say that like you're not usually surrounded by women.”

  “I’m not usually surrounded by you,” he said, his voice low, eyes locked on hers.

  She looked away for a moment, then back at him, smile fading just enough to show she wasn’t used to being seen like that.

  “You’re trouble, Coby,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “You have no idea. well, I think e should order now." he said while changing the topic.

  "yeah sure."

  A few minutes ter, as Ravenna was finishing her food, Coby cleared his throat — like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked, looking up at him.

  "Oh... yeah," he said, hesitating for a moment. "I just realized your sessions with me are about to end, and... I guess I just wanted to say that I’ll miss you."

  Ravenna raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly. "Oh really? Well, I was actually thinking we could still be friends after the sessions."

  Coby's face lit up. "Oh, that would be great!"

  They finished their dinner and went their separate ways, but that night, Coby couldn’t sleep. His mind kept circling back to Ravenna. He didn’t know why, but something about her stuck with him.

  Then suddenly, another thought hit him — he had completely forgotten about his patient, Floyd.

  Coby got out of bed, opened his ptop, and started researching recent criminal cases. One case caught his eye: a secret group that had been murdering people for specific reasons. The police still hadn’t identified the members.

  Coby wondered if Floyd might have been one of their victims. He picked up his phone and called his old friend, Roman.

  Roman had been a detective once but retired early. He now worked at a research facility that colborated with w enforcement to track down criminal and murderers.

  He told his friend everything he knew. His friend told him to meet him in person if he wanted to find out more about the group. Coby hesitated—his friend lived in another city, and meeting him meant leaving Ravenna behind, even if just for a while.

  Coby asked for some time to think it over, promising he’d call back with a decision.

  The next day, when Ravenna came to his house, they discussed her therapy session and chatted like usual. But just as she was about to leave, Coby said softly, “Don’t go yet.”

  She paused, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she decided to stay a little longer. Then suddenly, heavy rain began pouring outside, trapping her there for the night. As the evening grew darker, the power went out, leaving the house in complete darkness.

  Ravenna felt a rush of anxiety—Coby’s house was eerily quiet and unfamiliar in the dark. Suddenly, she felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She gasped, about to scream, when a hand gently covered her mouth.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. Don’t scream, please,” Coby whispered.

  “Are you crazy, Coby? You scared the hell out of me!” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart racing.

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow around the room. Then, without warning, he got down on one knee. His eyes, filled with love and nervous hope, locked onto hers. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

  Ravenna stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the proposal from the man who had once been just her psychiatrist. But in her heart, she already knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling through tears. “Yes, I will"

  They married each other. Ravenna was now living with him happily not knowing what was waiting for her.

  Few months ter...

  Coby had opened his very own clinic to serve the people. Every evening, he returned home to have dinner with his wife.

  One evening, while they were eating, he suddenly said, “I’m going.”His eyes were glossy.

  “Where?” she asked, worried.

  “I forgot to tell you... I have some work outside the city. It's really important, try to understand. I’ll be gone for a few months.”He hesitated.

  “A few months?” she repeated, eyes widening. “Do you even realize how hard it is for me without you? How will I live here alone?”Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m sorry... I really have to leave,” he said, struggling to hold back his own tears.

  “Fine. If you leave—don’t ever talk to me again.”

  Later, while packing his things, he looked at her and said, “Give me a hug, at least... come on.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped, turning away.

  “I said I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to hug me. I’ll leave now.”

  Suddenly, Ravenna ran toward him and hugged him tightly from behind.“Don’t leave,” she whispered through her tears.His heartbeat quickened.

  “Remember that night... when I asked you to stay, but you chose work instead?” he said softly.“Well, now... I’m the one leaving because of work.”

  He turned around, pced his hands gently on her face, and wiped away her tears.

  Then he whispered:“See how it feels... when someone leaves you even when you need them the most.”

  He kissed her on the cheek—gently.And then he walked away, like nothing had happened.

  When Coby reached the location, he found himself standing in front of a worn-down building next to a junkyard. From the outside, it looked abandoned — lifeless and forgotten. But as soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned.

  The interior was completely different — clean, high-tech, almost like a secret facility hidden in pin sight. He walked around cautiously until a familiar voice called out.

  “Hey buddy,” Roman greeted him with a smile. “These guys here are my teammates. I’m basically managing the whole operation now. As soon as I told them what you shared with me, they jumped straight into research.”

  Coby nodded. “I see. So... why am I here?”

  Roman’s expression turned serious. “The task I’m about to give you is dangerous — maybe the most dangerous thing you’ve done. It might take months. There are ten people in this group... but no one knows who they are or what they look like.”

  Coby's eyes narrowed.

  “As soon as you mentioned those patterns and that name, I started digging. My team’s been at it for months, and this —” he gestured to a thick folder — “is all we’ve managed to gather. It’s almost impossible to find them... but I think you’re the missing piece. You’re going to help us find them.”

  Coby tilted his head. “And how exactly do I do that?”

  Roman smiled faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest.”

  “Alright,” Coby said, still unsure of what he’d just walked into.

  Later that morning...

  “Okay, so first, you should eat your breakfast. Then we’ll talk,” said Roman.

  “No. Tell me now,” Coby insisted, his curiosity burning.

  Roman sighed. “Fine. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But listen carefully—this might cost you your life. Someone has to stop them, right?”

  He paused, then asked, “First, tell me... do you have any family left?”

  “Not really,” Coby replied. “I was adopted, as you know. After my parents died in a car accident, I was taken in by a retive. I don’t even know where my elder brother is now… so technically, I just have that one retive left.”

  “You were adopted? I didn’t know that. And… you had an elder brother? Where is he now? Who adopted you?” Roman asked, clearly intrigued.

  “You’re asking too many questions at once,” Coby said with a slight chuckle, then continued, “But I’ll answer anyway. Yes, I was adopted. And yes, I had an elder brother—Edward Steve. My guardian, George Ben, adopted only me. I was just four years old back then. I still don’t know why he didn’t adopt Edward too. That’s all I really remember about him.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Roman said, his tone softening. “Do you still see George?”

  “No,” Coby replied firmly. “To be honest, I never liked him. I left as soon as I became a psychiatrist. He didn’t want me to be a writer. It’s because of him that I had to choose psychiatry instead.”

  Roman frowned. “Just one question—why?”

  “What?” Coby raised an eyebrow.

  “Why didn’t he want you to become a writer?”

  Coby’s expression changed. “Now you’re dragging it,” he said coldly. “Just tell me what I need to do.

  Yeah, I almost forgot about the job I brought you here for," Roman said, snapping back into focus. "I asked about your retives because if your patient was killed by that group, you and your loved ones could be next. This isn’t just about one person anymore."

  He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Coby.

  "If you want to end this — truly end this — you’ll have to kill. And before you ask anything — yes, I mean it. You’ll have to kill. Not just for yourself, but for everyone they might hurt next. There are over a hundred people in this building. But no one’s brave enough to face them. I believe you can be that person. And don’t worry — you won’t be alone. My best bodyguards are yours now."

  Coby's heart sank. He clenched his fists.

  "Why me? Why do I have to kill? Isn’t there any other way? What about the police? What if they find out? And don’t you work with them?" he asked, the panic clear in his voice.

  Roman leaned back, his expression calm but firm.

  "You’re overthinking, buddy. Yeah, I work with the police — but not always for them. Some things can’t go through w and order. Sometimes justice demands silence. The police won’t know... and trust me, they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they did. This is the only way. Now, go get some sleep, buddy. its already evening bud we've talked too much. get some rest We'll pick this up in midnight. And one more thing... I believe the police know something about the group, but they're hiding it. Hope you sleep well."

  Roman left, leaving Coby in a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he mean? Was the police involved somehow? Because of these questions, Coby couldn’t get a wink of sleep that evening and night. Someone knocked on the door, pulling Coby out of his troubled thoughts. "Sir, manager Roman is calling you out."

  "Fine, I'll be there in a minute," Coby replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements slow, and spshed cold water on his face.

  When he stepped into the room, Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Woah, you look like you’ve been through a war. Did you even sleep?"

  Coby shot him a weary gnce. "You’re not wrong. I haven’t slept since you told me all that st night. Now tell me, what do I have to do next?"

  "You look like you can’t do anything right now, but I still want to show you something. Look, we’ve got some easy work lined up for you. Here’s some footage of two members from the group. They snuck into an old dy’s house, killed her, and vanished without a trace."

  "They usually operate in pairs," he continued, "but when the mission gets too risky, they send up to five. We’re still trying to track down where they gather. We’ve figured this much out based on their walking patterns, height, and their unique way of killing. We’ve also installed ultra-tiny cameras at the locations we suspect they visit the most. Too small for anyone to notice."

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Coby asked, puzzled.

  "Because you’ll be the one to kill them when they’re in pairs — that’s when they’re most vulnerable," Roman said bluntly. "And there's one more thing. They have a leader — the mastermind. We don’t know who he is yet, but he’s the key. We find him, we end this. But for now, you need to rest and train here. We'll only send you out when they're spotted near our area. And I'm telling you this because... they’ve been here before too."

  "So you're telling me I have to train here… and give up my profession?" Coby's voice trembled with disbelief.

  "This is your war, Coby. Only you can fight it. None of us can. If this is truly about you… you'll have to leave everything behind—even yourself."

  "Do I?" Coby asked, his voice barely a whisper, as much a question for Roman as it was for himself.

  "it is."

  A month ter...

  Coby had been training relentlessly every day, leaving everything behind, including the clinic he had worked so hard to open. It was as if he wasn’t a psychiatrist anymore. His focus had shifted entirely to ending the evil, not realizing that he himself was becoming part of it. In the past few weeks, he had received multiple missed calls from his wife, but he had ignored them, consumed by what he considered more important.

  That night, after all the training and isotion, Coby decided to call her. He missed her, in his own way. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

  Ravenna picked up immediately.

  "Hello?" Coby’s voice cracked through the silence.

  The moment Ravenna heard his voice, she began to cry. "Where have you been? Where were you all this time? Do you even know me anymore? Why did you marry me if you never intended to take care of me?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  "Hey, calm down. Please..." Coby's voice softened, and he whispered, "I’m going to be there as soon as I’m done with what I need to do. Okay?"

  "You know what? You're the father of my child! A careless father!" Ravenna’s voice cracked as she spoke. "I won't ever forgive you, Coby. You’ve been brutal to me. Now, you’re busy trying to calm me down, huh?!"

  "What? Are you pregnant?!" Coby's voice was filled with shock and regret. "I’ll be there in a few months, I promise. I’m sorry."

  "I won’t listen to you! If you're not coming here, I’ll abort this child!" she warned him, her words sharp with pain.

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Coby shouted, panic in his voice. "Don’t do this to my child. I promise I’ll come back soon. Baby, I love you... just don’t do this to me, please." His voice trembled with desperation.

  "I will never, ever forgive you for what you’ve done, Coby," she said coldly before hanging up the phone.

  "Whoa, looks like someone’s carrying the weight of the world today. What’s up, bud? If you don’t mind me asking?" Roman asked casually.

  "It’s nothing, really. I just didn’t sleep well," Coby replied, trying to brush it off.

  "Alright… if you say so," Roman said, sensing there was more to it.

  "I said it’s nothing! Why can’t you just understand?! Fucking idiot!" Coby snapped, unable to hold back his frustration. A moment passed before regret washed over him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just... I don’t know. Fuck it."

  He looked like a complete mess, torn between what he was feeling and what he couldn’t say out loud.

  ter that night...

  Coby was sparring with Roman’s bodyguards in the private training area when everything suddenly changed. He nded multiple punches so fierce that one guard colpsed, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

  A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the fallen man’s body. Instead of stepping back in horror or offering an apology, Coby stood over the corpse, his eyes cold and unblinking. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he raised his fist and struck the body again—harder than before.

  The remaining guards exchanged fearful gnces. Roman, watching in disbelief, rushed forward. “Coby—stop!” he shouted, but his voice barely registered.

  Coby was relentless. Each blow echoed in the hollow chamber until Roman, dread pooling in his chest, motioned for the other guards to retreat. One by one, they fled, leaving Coby alone with the bloodied body.

  In the oppressive stillness, Coby finally lowered his fist. He stood amid the carnage—alone, silent, and strangely calm.

  The next morning, everyone in the training area looked tense—everyone except Coby. Roman stood apart, his face drawn and grave.

  “This is getting out of hand, Coby,” Roman said, his voice breaking. “I forgave you once… but I can’t do it again. What have you done?” Tears glistened in his eyes.

  Coby met his gaze evenly. “If you want answers, come into my room. There’s something you need to know.”

  Roman’s jaw clenched. “Why should I listen? You killed a man st night!”

  “It’s necessary,” Coby insisted. “You need to understand why I did it.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Roman snapped.

  Without warning, Coby seized Roman’s arm and pulled him into his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.

  "So, how's it going, sir?" Coby asked, leaning forward, his voice calm yet observant. He was in the middle of a session with his patient, Floyd Harold. There was something about Floyd—Coby respected him, even cared for him. Almost like a father.

  Floyd smirked. "I don't know, man... sometimes, it just feels good."

  "Well, that's good to hear." Coby studied him carefully. "Can I ask you something? If you don’t mind."

  "Sure."

  Coby hesitated for a second before speaking. "Where's your family? I've never seen them in the past twelve months."

  Floyd's smile faded. The air in the room shifted.

  Coby knew the truth—Floyd had abused his wife and children for years. That was why he needed therapy in the first pce. Guilt had brought him here. Slowly, session after session, Floyd had confessed everything.

  But still, Coby had never once seen his family. And that made him curious.

  Floyd exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah... that's probably because they don't like me. They don't like meeting my friends, and maybe... they just don't like going out anymore."

  Coby frowned. "That's an odd thing to say, but fine. If they don't want to meet me, I won't force them."

  Floyd let out a dry chuckle. "I know how badly you want to see them, Coby. But trust me... it's better if you don't."

  He paused. His fingers tapped against the chair, restless.

  "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Floyd continued. "Since the day I met you."

  Coby's heartbeat quickened. There was something in Floyd's tone... something off.

  "And I know you won't believe me at first. But in time... you will."

  Coby narrowed his eyes. "What—what do you mean? I don't understand."

  Floyd smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you really want to know, come to my house. Tomorrow night."

  Coby hesitated. "Fine... I'll try to."

  Floyd leaned back, sighing. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to go."

  And just like that, he left. Leaving Coby with a question that wouldn't let him sleep.

  That night, as Coby y in bed, his mind wouldn't rest. What was Floyd trying to tell him? What secret was he hiding?

  Then, suddenly—his phone buzzed.

  An unknown number.

  He answered. "hello?"

  A voice, low and cold, whispered through the line.

  "Your patient, Floyd Harold, is dead. Brutally murdered in his own house."

  Coby froze. His fingers clenched around the phone.

  "And don't try to find out who did it. Or you'll be next."

  The call ended.

  Coby stared at his phone. His chest felt tight. His head spun. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

  He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV.

  Breaking News.

  "Floyd Harold, 55, found dead in his home. Sources report a violent attack. Police have yet to identify the suspect."

  The room felt colder. His mind screamed at him to move, to breathe, to think—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell.

  Coby rushed to open it.

  The police were waiting.

  Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Handcuffed him.

  "What the hell?!" Coby struggled, his pulse racing. "Why are you arresting me?!"

  One officer looked him dead in the eye. "You're a suspect."

  Now, sitting in the interrogation room, Coby's world was spinning.

  A few hours ago, he was a psychiatrist helping a patient. Now, he was being treated like a criminal.

  The officers whispered among themselves. Then, suddenly, one of them turned to him.

  "You can go."

  Coby walked out, his mind drowning in questions.

  Who the hell killed Floyd?

  For the first time in his life, Coby found himself asking questions he never thought he would. He was terrified. Not just of the truth—but of the possibility that someone out there wanted him dead. And he had no idea who.

  TWO MONTHS LATER…

  Coby hadn't slept in weeks. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by questions that refused to leave him alone. No answers. No peace. Just endless, suffocating thoughts.

  And then—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell. A sound too normal for a life that had become anything but.

  Coby hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

  She stood there. A woman, unlike anyone he had ever seen. There was something hypnotic about her presence. Her lips, deep red like fresh cherries. Her eyes, an ocean of unknown depths. Her hair, dark as midnight shadows.

  For a moment, Coby just stared. Had he seen her before?

  Then, in a voice so soft it almost melted into the air, she whispered:

  "Are you Dr. Coby?"

  Coby blinked, pulling himself back to reality.

  "Uh... yes. Yes, it's me." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Are you... Ravenna?"

  She tilted her head slightly, a small smirk on her lips.

  "Yeah." Her voice was smooth, controlled—almost too controlled. "Can I come in now?"

  "Yeah, sure. Of course, have a seat."

  Coby was still caught in her beauty—her cherry-red lips, ocean-deep eyes, and hair dark as a midnight forest. But he forced himself to focus. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet ced with concern.

  "Now tell me, Ravenna... what's wrong? Why are you here? What do you want to tell me?"

  He couldn't stop himself. The questions tumbled out one after another. He barely knew her, yet something about her felt strangely familiar—as if he had known her forever.

  "I... I'm confused now. What did you ask me?" Ravenna blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You asked me multiple questions at once."

  Her voice was soft—too soft. Coby felt himself slipping again, drowning in the way her words wrapped around him like a whisper in the dark.

  "Hello? Dr. Coby, are you alright?" Ravenna's voice snapped him back, pulling him out of the trance her words had created.

  "No. Nothing. Everything's alright." Coby quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I asked you... what are you here for?"

  Ravenna hesitated, her eyes flickering with pain as she looked down at her hands. "I don't know where to start. But I was never loved. I think I was never treated the right way."

  Coby felt his heart sink, yet there was an eerie coldness to her words. "Even my family hated me. I don't have any siblings, and I was my parents' only daughter. But still, they hated me."

  "Yeah, it happens, but I don't think you're fully opening up to me right now. There’s something you’re hiding." Coby's voice was calm, but firm. "Look, I'm your psychiatrist. You need to tell me everything. You can trust me."

  Ravenna’s eyes locked with his, her gaze sharp and intense. "How can I even trust you?" Her words cut through the silence, each one heavy with pain. "Are you worth my trust? Is there anyone I can trust?!"

  Her voice cracked, breaking apart with each word. Desperation seeped into her tone as she screamed, her tears finally breaking free.

  Calm down. Take a deep breath." Coby's voice was soft, but there was an edge of urgency. "I know how it feels, but still, you have to tell me so that I can help you, Ravenna."

  He spoke with empathy, but the more he looked at her, the more he realized that she wasn't just in emotional turmoil—there was something deeper, darker beneath the surface.

  Her eyes were locked on his, yet they were distant. As if her soul was somewhere far away, crying for help.

  "I think I need some rest... I'll see you ter," she said, but her eyes told a different story—they were silently begging for help. Coby wanted to stop her, to ask more, but something held him back. He simply nodded, watching as she walked away, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness in the room.

  The next day, when Ravenna arrived, she looked more awake—but the sadness still clung to her like a shadow. Today, she was ready. Ready to tell Coby everything. Ready to let him in.

  "Welcome. I hope you got some rest," Coby said gently, studying her face.

  She let out a hollow ugh. "Rest? No. I can’t sleep. It feels like sleep is forbidden for me. Every time I close my eyes… he screams at me. he yells his voice never stop. Even after all these years, those words haunt me. he have left scars inside my heart that will never heal."

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, shining like stars—but behind them was a story that could break even the coldest soul.

  Coby leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Please, Ravenna. Open up to me. I need to understand. I want to help you."

  He searched her deep, sorrowful eyes, waiting for the truth that could change everything.

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  “I can't just stay at your house like this,” she replied hesitantly. “You're my psychiatrist... wouldn’t it be inappropriate? I don't want to bother you.”

  But the way she said it—it almost felt like she wanted to stay.

  “No, no—it's not a problem at all,” Coby insisted. “You're exhausted. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

  There was something in his tone that made her pause. He genuinely cared.

  “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she whispered. “But... I’ll stay if you say so.”

  That night, she stayed at his house. Coby made dinner and served it with quiet gentleness. They ate together in silence, and then retreated to their rooms.

  But the next morning, when Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat—Coby was standing right next to her bed, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Oh! You scared me, Coby.”

  “Didn't mean to,” he chuckled softly. “Here's your coffee.” The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Coby watched Ravenna, her delicate form still curled beneath the covers. Her breath was slow, steady. She was still lost in the world of her dreams, or perhaps, nightmares. The moment felt delicate—he didn’t want to disturb her peace. But he had to.

  The coffee was ready, and so was the situation that seemed to demand his attention.

  He stood by her bedside, the cup of coffee in his hand. His footsteps were quiet, but they felt too loud in the heavy silence.

  When Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Coby standing right next to her, a mere few inches away, startled her.

  "Oh! You scared me, Coby," she whispered, her voice a little shaky.

  Coby smiled faintly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Didn’t mean to," he chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he held out the coffee. "Here’s your coffee."

  She stared at the cup for a moment, then at him. Something flickered in her eyes—a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took the coffee, but didn’t immediately drink from it. Her fingers lingered on the rim, as if they were searching for the warmth it offered.

  "Thanks," she murmured, her voice low, her eyes avoiding his for a moment as if afraid of the comfort he might offer. But then, she looked up again, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Coby, I... I feel like I’m losing control of everything. Like... I’m drowning in it."

  Coby sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to cross any boundaries. His mind raced with thoughts, yet he forced himself to stay calm, to listen.

  "It’s okay to feel like that," Coby said, his voice steady but filled with understanding. "You’ve been through so much, Ravenna. this is is just... part of the healing. You’re not alone in this."

  Ravenna’s eyes welled with tears, and she turned her gaze away, but not before Coby saw the flicker of pain there.

  "I don’t know if I can ever be the same again. I feel... so broken." Her voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time, her walls seemed to come down just a little.

  Coby reached out gently, his hand resting just above hers. "Healing doesn’t mean you forget, Ravenna. It’s about learning to live with it, to grow stronger from it." He paused, taking a slow breath. "And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."

  Ravenna's lips trembled, but she nodded, the silence between them stretching long before she spoke again.

  "You say that, but... I don’t know if I believe it. I don’t know if I can trust anyone again."

  "I’m not asking you to trust me right now," Coby said, his voice unwavering. "Trust takes time. But... I’m here, whenever you’re ready."

  For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ravenna drank her coffee, the warmth of it matching the warmth beginning to form in her heart. It wasn’t a solution, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.

  Later that morning, as Coby watched her walk around his kitchen, he realized just how much she had suffered, just how much was buried beneath the surface. Her pain was undeniable, but so was her strength.

  Ravenna wasn’t ready to face everything yet. But at least, for now, she had a safe space. Coby would help her through it. He wouldn’t give up on her.

  She was no longer alone.

  Then she left the house. As the door clicked shut behind her, Coby realized that his home had felt like a real home for the first time. A warmth had settled in the corners of his heart, and a strange sense of happiness lingered in the air.

  But as soon as she stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The silence crept in like a thick fog, enveloping him. Alone. Quiet.

  In that moment, the absence of her presence felt almost deafening. The ughter, the shared moments, the brief yet meaningful conversations—everything faded away, leaving him in an echoing void. He felt an overwhelming sense of solitude wash over him.

  It dawned on him—he needed her more than she needed him. The realization was like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

  Was it possible to feel this way for someone he had just met?

  Coby leaned against the wall, lost in thought. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He was used to being alone, but this was different. He craved her company, her ughter, the way she had looked at him with vulnerability.

  He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Maybe she was right to be cautious. Maybe trusting someone was a risk—one he was willing to take.

  But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait to see if she would let him help her. it looked like he needed her more than she needed him.

  Months passed, and it looked like Ravenna was getting better and better, and Coby was happy to see her like that.

  "I don't know how to thank you, Coby, but I feel so much better now, and I'm actually recovering. If you don't mind, I’d love to invite you to dinner. I’d really appreciate it." Her voice had an excited, almost pyful tone.

  Coby saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't deny her. "Yeah, why not? That sounds great."

  "Okay then, I’ll see you soon. But... I have one thing to say first, Mr. Coby."

  Coby raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "Mr. Coby again? Come on, just call me Coby."

  She stepped closer, her voice lowering slightly with a pyful edge, her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mister Coby, I think I’ll keep calling you that, unless you mind." She let out a soft ugh, clearly enjoying the teasing moment.

  Her words lingered in the air, and Coby couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange warmth from her pyful flirtation.

  “Okay. I guess I can’t do anything about it,” he said with a chuckle.

  Later that night...

  “What is this pce? It’s amazing,” he said, looking around in awe.

  She smiled, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. “I used to come here with my friends... before they moved abroad. It’s been a while, but this has always been one of my favorite restaurants.”

  Coby pulled out her chair like a gentleman, and they both sat down at a corner table lit by a dim, golden mp hanging above.

  “I can see why you love this pce,” he said, gncing around at the warm tones, vintage decor and soft jazz music in the background.

  She rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling. “Back then, we used to sit here for hours, just talking about everything and nothing.”

  He looked at her, noticing how her voice carried both joy and a tinge of sadness.

  “You miss them?” he asked gently.

  She nodded. “Sometimes, yeah. But tonight feels... nice.”

  A soft silence settled between them, not awkward—just comfortable.

  Coby leaned in slightly. “Well, I’m gd I get to be here with you tonight.”

  She ughed quietly. “You say that like you're not usually surrounded by women.”

  “I’m not usually surrounded by you,” he said, his voice low, eyes locked on hers.

  She looked away for a moment, then back at him, smile fading just enough to show she wasn’t used to being seen like that.

  “You’re trouble, Coby,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “You have no idea. well, I think e should order now." he said while changing the topic.

  "yeah sure."

  A few minutes ter, as Ravenna was finishing her food, Coby cleared his throat — like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked, looking up at him.

  "Oh... yeah," he said, hesitating for a moment. "I just realized your sessions with me are about to end, and... I guess I just wanted to say that I’ll miss you."

  Ravenna raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly. "Oh really? Well, I was actually thinking we could still be friends after the sessions."

  Coby's face lit up. "Oh, that would be great!"

  They finished their dinner and went their separate ways, but that night, Coby couldn’t sleep. His mind kept circling back to Ravenna. He didn’t know why, but something about her stuck with him.

  Then suddenly, another thought hit him — he had completely forgotten about his patient, Floyd.

  Coby got out of bed, opened his ptop, and started researching recent criminal cases. One case caught his eye: a secret group that had been murdering people for specific reasons. The police still hadn’t identified the members.

  Coby wondered if Floyd might have been one of their victims. He picked up his phone and called his old friend, Roman.

  Roman had been a detective once but retired early. He now worked at a research facility that colborated with w enforcement to track down criminal and murderers.

  He told his friend everything he knew. His friend told him to meet him in person if he wanted to find out more about the group. Coby hesitated—his friend lived in another city, and meeting him meant leaving Ravenna behind, even if just for a while.

  Coby asked for some time to think it over, promising he’d call back with a decision.

  The next day, when Ravenna came to his house, they discussed her therapy session and chatted like usual. But just as she was about to leave, Coby said softly, “Don’t go yet.”

  She paused, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she decided to stay a little longer. Then suddenly, heavy rain began pouring outside, trapping her there for the night. As the evening grew darker, the power went out, leaving the house in complete darkness.

  Ravenna felt a rush of anxiety—Coby’s house was eerily quiet and unfamiliar in the dark. Suddenly, she felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She gasped, about to scream, when a hand gently covered her mouth.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. Don’t scream, please,” Coby whispered.

  “Are you crazy, Coby? You scared the hell out of me!” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart racing.

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow around the room. Then, without warning, he got down on one knee. His eyes, filled with love and nervous hope, locked onto hers. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

  Ravenna stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the proposal from the man who had once been just her psychiatrist. But in her heart, she already knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling through tears. “Yes, I will"

  They married each other. Ravenna was now living with him happily not knowing what was waiting for her.

  Few months ter...

  Coby had opened his very own clinic to serve the people. Every evening, he returned home to have dinner with his wife.

  One evening, while they were eating, he suddenly said, “I’m going.”His eyes were glossy.

  “Where?” she asked, worried.

  “I forgot to tell you... I have some work outside the city. It's really important, try to understand. I’ll be gone for a few months.”He hesitated.

  “A few months?” she repeated, eyes widening. “Do you even realize how hard it is for me without you? How will I live here alone?”Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m sorry... I really have to leave,” he said, struggling to hold back his own tears.

  “Fine. If you leave—don’t ever talk to me again.”

  Later, while packing his things, he looked at her and said, “Give me a hug, at least... come on.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped, turning away.

  “I said I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to hug me. I’ll leave now.”

  Suddenly, Ravenna ran toward him and hugged him tightly from behind.“Don’t leave,” she whispered through her tears.His heartbeat quickened.

  “Remember that night... when I asked you to stay, but you chose work instead?” he said softly.“Well, now... I’m the one leaving because of work.”

  He turned around, pced his hands gently on her face, and wiped away her tears.

  Then he whispered:“See how it feels... when someone leaves you even when you need them the most.”

  He kissed her on the cheek—gently.And then he walked away, like nothing had happened.

  When Coby reached the location, he found himself standing in front of a worn-down building next to a junkyard. From the outside, it looked abandoned — lifeless and forgotten. But as soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned.

  The interior was completely different — clean, high-tech, almost like a secret facility hidden in pin sight. He walked around cautiously until a familiar voice called out.

  “Hey buddy,” Roman greeted him with a smile. “These guys here are my teammates. I’m basically managing the whole operation now. As soon as I told them what you shared with me, they jumped straight into research.”

  Coby nodded. “I see. So... why am I here?”

  Roman’s expression turned serious. “The task I’m about to give you is dangerous — maybe the most dangerous thing you’ve done. It might take months. There are ten people in this group... but no one knows who they are or what they look like.”

  Coby's eyes narrowed.

  “As soon as you mentioned those patterns and that name, I started digging. My team’s been at it for months, and this —” he gestured to a thick folder — “is all we’ve managed to gather. It’s almost impossible to find them... but I think you’re the missing piece. You’re going to help us find them.”

  Coby tilted his head. “And how exactly do I do that?”

  Roman smiled faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest.”

  “Alright,” Coby said, still unsure of what he’d just walked into.

  Later that morning...

  “Okay, so first, you should eat your breakfast. Then we’ll talk,” said Roman.

  “No. Tell me now,” Coby insisted, his curiosity burning.

  Roman sighed. “Fine. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But listen carefully—this might cost you your life. Someone has to stop them, right?”

  He paused, then asked, “First, tell me... do you have any family left?”

  “Not really,” Coby replied. “I was adopted, as you know. After my parents died in a car accident, I was taken in by a retive. I don’t even know where my elder brother is now… so technically, I just have that one retive left.”

  “You were adopted? I didn’t know that. And… you had an elder brother? Where is he now? Who adopted you?” Roman asked, clearly intrigued.

  “You’re asking too many questions at once,” Coby said with a slight chuckle, then continued, “But I’ll answer anyway. Yes, I was adopted. And yes, I had an elder brother—Edward Steve. My guardian, George Ben, adopted only me. I was just four years old back then. I still don’t know why he didn’t adopt Edward too. That’s all I really remember about him.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Roman said, his tone softening. “Do you still see George?”

  “No,” Coby replied firmly. “To be honest, I never liked him. I left as soon as I became a psychiatrist. He didn’t want me to be a writer. It’s because of him that I had to choose psychiatry instead.”

  Roman frowned. “Just one question—why?”

  “What?” Coby raised an eyebrow.

  “Why didn’t he want you to become a writer?”

  Coby’s expression changed. “Now you’re dragging it,” he said coldly. “Just tell me what I need to do.

  Yeah, I almost forgot about the job I brought you here for," Roman said, snapping back into focus. "I asked about your retives because if your patient was killed by that group, you and your loved ones could be next. This isn’t just about one person anymore."

  He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Coby.

  "If you want to end this — truly end this — you’ll have to kill. And before you ask anything — yes, I mean it. You’ll have to kill. Not just for yourself, but for everyone they might hurt next. There are over a hundred people in this building. But no one’s brave enough to face them. I believe you can be that person. And don’t worry — you won’t be alone. My best bodyguards are yours now."

  Coby's heart sank. He clenched his fists.

  "Why me? Why do I have to kill? Isn’t there any other way? What about the police? What if they find out? And don’t you work with them?" he asked, the panic clear in his voice.

  Roman leaned back, his expression calm but firm.

  "You’re overthinking, buddy. Yeah, I work with the police — but not always for them. Some things can’t go through w and order. Sometimes justice demands silence. The police won’t know... and trust me, they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they did. This is the only way. Now, go get some sleep, buddy. its already evening bud we've talked too much. get some rest We'll pick this up in midnight. And one more thing... I believe the police know something about the group, but they're hiding it. Hope you sleep well."

  Roman left, leaving Coby in a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he mean? Was the police involved somehow? Because of these questions, Coby couldn’t get a wink of sleep that evening and night. Someone knocked on the door, pulling Coby out of his troubled thoughts. "Sir, manager Roman is calling you out."

  "Fine, I'll be there in a minute," Coby replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements slow, and spshed cold water on his face.

  When he stepped into the room, Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Woah, you look like you’ve been through a war. Did you even sleep?"

  Coby shot him a weary gnce. "You’re not wrong. I haven’t slept since you told me all that st night. Now tell me, what do I have to do next?"

  "You look like you can’t do anything right now, but I still want to show you something. Look, we’ve got some easy work lined up for you. Here’s some footage of two members from the group. They snuck into an old dy’s house, killed her, and vanished without a trace."

  "They usually operate in pairs," he continued, "but when the mission gets too risky, they send up to five. We’re still trying to track down where they gather. We’ve figured this much out based on their walking patterns, height, and their unique way of killing. We’ve also installed ultra-tiny cameras at the locations we suspect they visit the most. Too small for anyone to notice."

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Coby asked, puzzled.

  "Because you’ll be the one to kill them when they’re in pairs — that’s when they’re most vulnerable," Roman said bluntly. "And there's one more thing. They have a leader — the mastermind. We don’t know who he is yet, but he’s the key. We find him, we end this. But for now, you need to rest and train here. We'll only send you out when they're spotted near our area. And I'm telling you this because... they’ve been here before too."

  "So you're telling me I have to train here… and give up my profession?" Coby's voice trembled with disbelief.

  "This is your war, Coby. Only you can fight it. None of us can. If this is truly about you… you'll have to leave everything behind—even yourself."

  "Do I?" Coby asked, his voice barely a whisper, as much a question for Roman as it was for himself.

  "it is."

  A month ter...

  Coby had been training relentlessly every day, leaving everything behind, including the clinic he had worked so hard to open. It was as if he wasn’t a psychiatrist anymore. His focus had shifted entirely to ending the evil, not realizing that he himself was becoming part of it. In the past few weeks, he had received multiple missed calls from his wife, but he had ignored them, consumed by what he considered more important.

  That night, after all the training and isotion, Coby decided to call her. He missed her, in his own way. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

  Ravenna picked up immediately.

  "Hello?" Coby’s voice cracked through the silence.

  The moment Ravenna heard his voice, she began to cry. "Where have you been? Where were you all this time? Do you even know me anymore? Why did you marry me if you never intended to take care of me?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  "Hey, calm down. Please..." Coby's voice softened, and he whispered, "I’m going to be there as soon as I’m done with what I need to do. Okay?"

  "You know what? You're the father of my child! A careless father!" Ravenna’s voice cracked as she spoke. "I won't ever forgive you, Coby. You’ve been brutal to me. Now, you’re busy trying to calm me down, huh?!"

  "What? Are you pregnant?!" Coby's voice was filled with shock and regret. "I’ll be there in a few months, I promise. I’m sorry."

  "I won’t listen to you! If you're not coming here, I’ll abort this child!" she warned him, her words sharp with pain.

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Coby shouted, panic in his voice. "Don’t do this to my child. I promise I’ll come back soon. Baby, I love you... just don’t do this to me, please." His voice trembled with desperation.

  "I will never, ever forgive you for what you’ve done, Coby," she said coldly before hanging up the phone.

  "Whoa, looks like someone’s carrying the weight of the world today. What’s up, bud? If you don’t mind me asking?" Roman asked casually.

  "It’s nothing, really. I just didn’t sleep well," Coby replied, trying to brush it off.

  "Alright… if you say so," Roman said, sensing there was more to it.

  "I said it’s nothing! Why can’t you just understand?! Fucking idiot!" Coby snapped, unable to hold back his frustration. A moment passed before regret washed over him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just... I don’t know. Fuck it."

  He looked like a complete mess, torn between what he was feeling and what he couldn’t say out loud.

  ter that night...

  Coby was sparring with Roman’s bodyguards in the private training area when everything suddenly changed. He nded multiple punches so fierce that one guard colpsed, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

  A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the fallen man’s body. Instead of stepping back in horror or offering an apology, Coby stood over the corpse, his eyes cold and unblinking. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he raised his fist and struck the body again—harder than before.

  The remaining guards exchanged fearful gnces. Roman, watching in disbelief, rushed forward. “Coby—stop!” he shouted, but his voice barely registered.

  Coby was relentless. Each blow echoed in the hollow chamber until Roman, dread pooling in his chest, motioned for the other guards to retreat. One by one, they fled, leaving Coby alone with the bloodied body.

  In the oppressive stillness, Coby finally lowered his fist. He stood amid the carnage—alone, silent, and strangely calm.

  The next morning, everyone in the training area looked tense—everyone except Coby. Roman stood apart, his face drawn and grave.

  “This is getting out of hand, Coby,” Roman said, his voice breaking. “I forgave you once… but I can’t do it again. What have you done?” Tears glistened in his eyes.

  Coby met his gaze evenly. “If you want answers, come into my room. There’s something you need to know.”

  Roman’s jaw clenched. “Why should I listen? You killed a man st night!”

  “It’s necessary,” Coby insisted. “You need to understand why I did it.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Roman snapped.

  Without warning, Coby seized Roman’s arm and pulled him into his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.

  "So, how's it going, sir?" Coby asked, leaning forward, his voice calm yet observant. He was in the middle of a session with his patient, Floyd Harold. There was something about Floyd—Coby respected him, even cared for him. Almost like a father.

  Floyd smirked. "I don't know, man... sometimes, it just feels good."

  "Well, that's good to hear." Coby studied him carefully. "Can I ask you something? If you don’t mind."

  "Sure."

  Coby hesitated for a second before speaking. "Where's your family? I've never seen them in the past twelve months."

  Floyd's smile faded. The air in the room shifted.

  Coby knew the truth—Floyd had abused his wife and children for years. That was why he needed therapy in the first pce. Guilt had brought him here. Slowly, session after session, Floyd had confessed everything.

  But still, Coby had never once seen his family. And that made him curious.

  Floyd exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah... that's probably because they don't like me. They don't like meeting my friends, and maybe... they just don't like going out anymore."

  Coby frowned. "That's an odd thing to say, but fine. If they don't want to meet me, I won't force them."

  Floyd let out a dry chuckle. "I know how badly you want to see them, Coby. But trust me... it's better if you don't."

  He paused. His fingers tapped against the chair, restless.

  "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Floyd continued. "Since the day I met you."

  Coby's heartbeat quickened. There was something in Floyd's tone... something off.

  "And I know you won't believe me at first. But in time... you will."

  Coby narrowed his eyes. "What—what do you mean? I don't understand."

  Floyd smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you really want to know, come to my house. Tomorrow night."

  Coby hesitated. "Fine... I'll try to."

  Floyd leaned back, sighing. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to go."

  And just like that, he left. Leaving Coby with a question that wouldn't let him sleep.

  That night, as Coby y in bed, his mind wouldn't rest. What was Floyd trying to tell him? What secret was he hiding?

  Then, suddenly—his phone buzzed.

  An unknown number.

  He answered. "hello?"

  A voice, low and cold, whispered through the line.

  "Your patient, Floyd Harold, is dead. Brutally murdered in his own house."

  Coby froze. His fingers clenched around the phone.

  "And don't try to find out who did it. Or you'll be next."

  The call ended.

  Coby stared at his phone. His chest felt tight. His head spun. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

  He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV.

  Breaking News.

  "Floyd Harold, 55, found dead in his home. Sources report a violent attack. Police have yet to identify the suspect."

  The room felt colder. His mind screamed at him to move, to breathe, to think—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell.

  Coby rushed to open it.

  The police were waiting.

  Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Handcuffed him.

  "What the hell?!" Coby struggled, his pulse racing. "Why are you arresting me?!"

  One officer looked him dead in the eye. "You're a suspect."

  Now, sitting in the interrogation room, Coby's world was spinning.

  A few hours ago, he was a psychiatrist helping a patient. Now, he was being treated like a criminal.

  The officers whispered among themselves. Then, suddenly, one of them turned to him.

  "You can go."

  Coby walked out, his mind drowning in questions.

  Who the hell killed Floyd?

  For the first time in his life, Coby found himself asking questions he never thought he would. He was terrified. Not just of the truth—but of the possibility that someone out there wanted him dead. And he had no idea who.

  TWO MONTHS LATER…

  Coby hadn't slept in weeks. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by questions that refused to leave him alone. No answers. No peace. Just endless, suffocating thoughts.

  And then—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell. A sound too normal for a life that had become anything but.

  Coby hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

  She stood there. A woman, unlike anyone he had ever seen. There was something hypnotic about her presence. Her lips, deep red like fresh cherries. Her eyes, an ocean of unknown depths. Her hair, dark as midnight shadows.

  For a moment, Coby just stared. Had he seen her before?

  Then, in a voice so soft it almost melted into the air, she whispered:

  "Are you Dr. Coby?"

  Coby blinked, pulling himself back to reality.

  "Uh... yes. Yes, it's me." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Are you... Ravenna?"

  She tilted her head slightly, a small smirk on her lips.

  "Yeah." Her voice was smooth, controlled—almost too controlled. "Can I come in now?"

  "Yeah, sure. Of course, have a seat."

  Coby was still caught in her beauty—her cherry-red lips, ocean-deep eyes, and hair dark as a midnight forest. But he forced himself to focus. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet ced with concern.

  "Now tell me, Ravenna... what's wrong? Why are you here? What do you want to tell me?"

  He couldn't stop himself. The questions tumbled out one after another. He barely knew her, yet something about her felt strangely familiar—as if he had known her forever.

  "I... I'm confused now. What did you ask me?" Ravenna blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You asked me multiple questions at once."

  Her voice was soft—too soft. Coby felt himself slipping again, drowning in the way her words wrapped around him like a whisper in the dark.

  "Hello? Dr. Coby, are you alright?" Ravenna's voice snapped him back, pulling him out of the trance her words had created.

  "No. Nothing. Everything's alright." Coby quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I asked you... what are you here for?"

  Ravenna hesitated, her eyes flickering with pain as she looked down at her hands. "I don't know where to start. But I was never loved. I think I was never treated the right way."

  Coby felt his heart sink, yet there was an eerie coldness to her words. "Even my family hated me. I don't have any siblings, and I was my parents' only daughter. But still, they hated me."

  "Yeah, it happens, but I don't think you're fully opening up to me right now. There’s something you’re hiding." Coby's voice was calm, but firm. "Look, I'm your psychiatrist. You need to tell me everything. You can trust me."

  Ravenna’s eyes locked with his, her gaze sharp and intense. "How can I even trust you?" Her words cut through the silence, each one heavy with pain. "Are you worth my trust? Is there anyone I can trust?!"

  Her voice cracked, breaking apart with each word. Desperation seeped into her tone as she screamed, her tears finally breaking free.

  Calm down. Take a deep breath." Coby's voice was soft, but there was an edge of urgency. "I know how it feels, but still, you have to tell me so that I can help you, Ravenna."

  He spoke with empathy, but the more he looked at her, the more he realized that she wasn't just in emotional turmoil—there was something deeper, darker beneath the surface.

  Her eyes were locked on his, yet they were distant. As if her soul was somewhere far away, crying for help.

  "I think I need some rest... I'll see you ter," she said, but her eyes told a different story—they were silently begging for help. Coby wanted to stop her, to ask more, but something held him back. He simply nodded, watching as she walked away, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness in the room.

  The next day, when Ravenna arrived, she looked more awake—but the sadness still clung to her like a shadow. Today, she was ready. Ready to tell Coby everything. Ready to let him in.

  "Welcome. I hope you got some rest," Coby said gently, studying her face.

  She let out a hollow ugh. "Rest? No. I can’t sleep. It feels like sleep is forbidden for me. Every time I close my eyes… he screams at me. he yells his voice never stop. Even after all these years, those words haunt me. he have left scars inside my heart that will never heal."

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, shining like stars—but behind them was a story that could break even the coldest soul.

  Coby leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Please, Ravenna. Open up to me. I need to understand. I want to help you."

  He searched her deep, sorrowful eyes, waiting for the truth that could change everything.

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  “I can't just stay at your house like this,” she replied hesitantly. “You're my psychiatrist... wouldn’t it be inappropriate? I don't want to bother you.”

  But the way she said it—it almost felt like she wanted to stay.

  “No, no—it's not a problem at all,” Coby insisted. “You're exhausted. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

  There was something in his tone that made her pause. He genuinely cared.

  “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she whispered. “But... I’ll stay if you say so.”

  That night, she stayed at his house. Coby made dinner and served it with quiet gentleness. They ate together in silence, and then retreated to their rooms.

  But the next morning, when Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat—Coby was standing right next to her bed, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Oh! You scared me, Coby.”

  “Didn't mean to,” he chuckled softly. “Here's your coffee.” The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Coby watched Ravenna, her delicate form still curled beneath the covers. Her breath was slow, steady. She was still lost in the world of her dreams, or perhaps, nightmares. The moment felt delicate—he didn’t want to disturb her peace. But he had to.

  The coffee was ready, and so was the situation that seemed to demand his attention.

  He stood by her bedside, the cup of coffee in his hand. His footsteps were quiet, but they felt too loud in the heavy silence.

  When Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Coby standing right next to her, a mere few inches away, startled her.

  "Oh! You scared me, Coby," she whispered, her voice a little shaky.

  Coby smiled faintly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Didn’t mean to," he chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he held out the coffee. "Here’s your coffee."

  She stared at the cup for a moment, then at him. Something flickered in her eyes—a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took the coffee, but didn’t immediately drink from it. Her fingers lingered on the rim, as if they were searching for the warmth it offered.

  "Thanks," she murmured, her voice low, her eyes avoiding his for a moment as if afraid of the comfort he might offer. But then, she looked up again, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Coby, I... I feel like I’m losing control of everything. Like... I’m drowning in it."

  Coby sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to cross any boundaries. His mind raced with thoughts, yet he forced himself to stay calm, to listen.

  "It’s okay to feel like that," Coby said, his voice steady but filled with understanding. "You’ve been through so much, Ravenna. this is is just... part of the healing. You’re not alone in this."

  Ravenna’s eyes welled with tears, and she turned her gaze away, but not before Coby saw the flicker of pain there.

  "I don’t know if I can ever be the same again. I feel... so broken." Her voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time, her walls seemed to come down just a little.

  Coby reached out gently, his hand resting just above hers. "Healing doesn’t mean you forget, Ravenna. It’s about learning to live with it, to grow stronger from it." He paused, taking a slow breath. "And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."

  Ravenna's lips trembled, but she nodded, the silence between them stretching long before she spoke again.

  "You say that, but... I don’t know if I believe it. I don’t know if I can trust anyone again."

  "I’m not asking you to trust me right now," Coby said, his voice unwavering. "Trust takes time. But... I’m here, whenever you’re ready."

  For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ravenna drank her coffee, the warmth of it matching the warmth beginning to form in her heart. It wasn’t a solution, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.

  Later that morning, as Coby watched her walk around his kitchen, he realized just how much she had suffered, just how much was buried beneath the surface. Her pain was undeniable, but so was her strength.

  Ravenna wasn’t ready to face everything yet. But at least, for now, she had a safe space. Coby would help her through it. He wouldn’t give up on her.

  She was no longer alone.

  Then she left the house. As the door clicked shut behind her, Coby realized that his home had felt like a real home for the first time. A warmth had settled in the corners of his heart, and a strange sense of happiness lingered in the air.

  But as soon as she stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The silence crept in like a thick fog, enveloping him. Alone. Quiet.

  In that moment, the absence of her presence felt almost deafening. The ughter, the shared moments, the brief yet meaningful conversations—everything faded away, leaving him in an echoing void. He felt an overwhelming sense of solitude wash over him.

  It dawned on him—he needed her more than she needed him. The realization was like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

  Was it possible to feel this way for someone he had just met?

  Coby leaned against the wall, lost in thought. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He was used to being alone, but this was different. He craved her company, her ughter, the way she had looked at him with vulnerability.

  He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Maybe she was right to be cautious. Maybe trusting someone was a risk—one he was willing to take.

  But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait to see if she would let him help her. it looked like he needed her more than she needed him.

  Months passed, and it looked like Ravenna was getting better and better, and Coby was happy to see her like that.

  "I don't know how to thank you, Coby, but I feel so much better now, and I'm actually recovering. If you don't mind, I’d love to invite you to dinner. I’d really appreciate it." Her voice had an excited, almost pyful tone.

  Coby saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't deny her. "Yeah, why not? That sounds great."

  "Okay then, I’ll see you soon. But... I have one thing to say first, Mr. Coby."

  Coby raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "Mr. Coby again? Come on, just call me Coby."

  She stepped closer, her voice lowering slightly with a pyful edge, her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mister Coby, I think I’ll keep calling you that, unless you mind." She let out a soft ugh, clearly enjoying the teasing moment.

  Her words lingered in the air, and Coby couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange warmth from her pyful flirtation.

  “Okay. I guess I can’t do anything about it,” he said with a chuckle.

  Later that night...

  “What is this pce? It’s amazing,” he said, looking around in awe.

  She smiled, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. “I used to come here with my friends... before they moved abroad. It’s been a while, but this has always been one of my favorite restaurants.”

  Coby pulled out her chair like a gentleman, and they both sat down at a corner table lit by a dim, golden mp hanging above.

  “I can see why you love this pce,” he said, gncing around at the warm tones, vintage decor and soft jazz music in the background.

  She rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling. “Back then, we used to sit here for hours, just talking about everything and nothing.”

  He looked at her, noticing how her voice carried both joy and a tinge of sadness.

  “You miss them?” he asked gently.

  She nodded. “Sometimes, yeah. But tonight feels... nice.”

  A soft silence settled between them, not awkward—just comfortable.

  Coby leaned in slightly. “Well, I’m gd I get to be here with you tonight.”

  She ughed quietly. “You say that like you're not usually surrounded by women.”

  “I’m not usually surrounded by you,” he said, his voice low, eyes locked on hers.

  She looked away for a moment, then back at him, smile fading just enough to show she wasn’t used to being seen like that.

  “You’re trouble, Coby,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “You have no idea. well, I think e should order now." he said while changing the topic.

  "yeah sure."

  A few minutes ter, as Ravenna was finishing her food, Coby cleared his throat — like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked, looking up at him.

  "Oh... yeah," he said, hesitating for a moment. "I just realized your sessions with me are about to end, and... I guess I just wanted to say that I’ll miss you."

  Ravenna raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly. "Oh really? Well, I was actually thinking we could still be friends after the sessions."

  Coby's face lit up. "Oh, that would be great!"

  They finished their dinner and went their separate ways, but that night, Coby couldn’t sleep. His mind kept circling back to Ravenna. He didn’t know why, but something about her stuck with him.

  Then suddenly, another thought hit him — he had completely forgotten about his patient, Floyd.

  Coby got out of bed, opened his ptop, and started researching recent criminal cases. One case caught his eye: a secret group that had been murdering people for specific reasons. The police still hadn’t identified the members.

  Coby wondered if Floyd might have been one of their victims. He picked up his phone and called his old friend, Roman.

  Roman had been a detective once but retired early. He now worked at a research facility that colborated with w enforcement to track down criminal and murderers.

  He told his friend everything he knew. His friend told him to meet him in person if he wanted to find out more about the group. Coby hesitated—his friend lived in another city, and meeting him meant leaving Ravenna behind, even if just for a while.

  Coby asked for some time to think it over, promising he’d call back with a decision.

  The next day, when Ravenna came to his house, they discussed her therapy session and chatted like usual. But just as she was about to leave, Coby said softly, “Don’t go yet.”

  She paused, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she decided to stay a little longer. Then suddenly, heavy rain began pouring outside, trapping her there for the night. As the evening grew darker, the power went out, leaving the house in complete darkness.

  Ravenna felt a rush of anxiety—Coby’s house was eerily quiet and unfamiliar in the dark. Suddenly, she felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She gasped, about to scream, when a hand gently covered her mouth.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. Don’t scream, please,” Coby whispered.

  “Are you crazy, Coby? You scared the hell out of me!” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart racing.

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow around the room. Then, without warning, he got down on one knee. His eyes, filled with love and nervous hope, locked onto hers. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

  Ravenna stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the proposal from the man who had once been just her psychiatrist. But in her heart, she already knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling through tears. “Yes, I will"

  They married each other. Ravenna was now living with him happily not knowing what was waiting for her.

  Few months ter...

  Coby had opened his very own clinic to serve the people. Every evening, he returned home to have dinner with his wife.

  One evening, while they were eating, he suddenly said, “I’m going.”His eyes were glossy.

  “Where?” she asked, worried.

  “I forgot to tell you... I have some work outside the city. It's really important, try to understand. I’ll be gone for a few months.”He hesitated.

  “A few months?” she repeated, eyes widening. “Do you even realize how hard it is for me without you? How will I live here alone?”Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m sorry... I really have to leave,” he said, struggling to hold back his own tears.

  “Fine. If you leave—don’t ever talk to me again.”

  Later, while packing his things, he looked at her and said, “Give me a hug, at least... come on.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped, turning away.

  “I said I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to hug me. I’ll leave now.”

  Suddenly, Ravenna ran toward him and hugged him tightly from behind.“Don’t leave,” she whispered through her tears.His heartbeat quickened.

  “Remember that night... when I asked you to stay, but you chose work instead?” he said softly.“Well, now... I’m the one leaving because of work.”

  He turned around, pced his hands gently on her face, and wiped away her tears.

  Then he whispered:“See how it feels... when someone leaves you even when you need them the most.”

  He kissed her on the cheek—gently.And then he walked away, like nothing had happened.

  When Coby reached the location, he found himself standing in front of a worn-down building next to a junkyard. From the outside, it looked abandoned — lifeless and forgotten. But as soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned.

  The interior was completely different — clean, high-tech, almost like a secret facility hidden in pin sight. He walked around cautiously until a familiar voice called out.

  “Hey buddy,” Roman greeted him with a smile. “These guys here are my teammates. I’m basically managing the whole operation now. As soon as I told them what you shared with me, they jumped straight into research.”

  Coby nodded. “I see. So... why am I here?”

  Roman’s expression turned serious. “The task I’m about to give you is dangerous — maybe the most dangerous thing you’ve done. It might take months. There are ten people in this group... but no one knows who they are or what they look like.”

  Coby's eyes narrowed.

  “As soon as you mentioned those patterns and that name, I started digging. My team’s been at it for months, and this —” he gestured to a thick folder — “is all we’ve managed to gather. It’s almost impossible to find them... but I think you’re the missing piece. You’re going to help us find them.”

  Coby tilted his head. “And how exactly do I do that?”

  Roman smiled faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest.”

  “Alright,” Coby said, still unsure of what he’d just walked into.

  Later that morning...

  “Okay, so first, you should eat your breakfast. Then we’ll talk,” said Roman.

  “No. Tell me now,” Coby insisted, his curiosity burning.

  Roman sighed. “Fine. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But listen carefully—this might cost you your life. Someone has to stop them, right?”

  He paused, then asked, “First, tell me... do you have any family left?”

  “Not really,” Coby replied. “I was adopted, as you know. After my parents died in a car accident, I was taken in by a retive. I don’t even know where my elder brother is now… so technically, I just have that one retive left.”

  “You were adopted? I didn’t know that. And… you had an elder brother? Where is he now? Who adopted you?” Roman asked, clearly intrigued.

  “You’re asking too many questions at once,” Coby said with a slight chuckle, then continued, “But I’ll answer anyway. Yes, I was adopted. And yes, I had an elder brother—Edward Steve. My guardian, George Ben, adopted only me. I was just four years old back then. I still don’t know why he didn’t adopt Edward too. That’s all I really remember about him.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Roman said, his tone softening. “Do you still see George?”

  “No,” Coby replied firmly. “To be honest, I never liked him. I left as soon as I became a psychiatrist. He didn’t want me to be a writer. It’s because of him that I had to choose psychiatry instead.”

  Roman frowned. “Just one question—why?”

  “What?” Coby raised an eyebrow.

  “Why didn’t he want you to become a writer?”

  Coby’s expression changed. “Now you’re dragging it,” he said coldly. “Just tell me what I need to do.

  Yeah, I almost forgot about the job I brought you here for," Roman said, snapping back into focus. "I asked about your retives because if your patient was killed by that group, you and your loved ones could be next. This isn’t just about one person anymore."

  He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Coby.

  "If you want to end this — truly end this — you’ll have to kill. And before you ask anything — yes, I mean it. You’ll have to kill. Not just for yourself, but for everyone they might hurt next. There are over a hundred people in this building. But no one’s brave enough to face them. I believe you can be that person. And don’t worry — you won’t be alone. My best bodyguards are yours now."

  Coby's heart sank. He clenched his fists.

  "Why me? Why do I have to kill? Isn’t there any other way? What about the police? What if they find out? And don’t you work with them?" he asked, the panic clear in his voice.

  Roman leaned back, his expression calm but firm.

  "You’re overthinking, buddy. Yeah, I work with the police — but not always for them. Some things can’t go through w and order. Sometimes justice demands silence. The police won’t know... and trust me, they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they did. This is the only way. Now, go get some sleep, buddy. its already evening bud we've talked too much. get some rest We'll pick this up in midnight. And one more thing... I believe the police know something about the group, but they're hiding it. Hope you sleep well."

  Roman left, leaving Coby in a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he mean? Was the police involved somehow? Because of these questions, Coby couldn’t get a wink of sleep that evening and night. Someone knocked on the door, pulling Coby out of his troubled thoughts. "Sir, manager Roman is calling you out."

  "Fine, I'll be there in a minute," Coby replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements slow, and spshed cold water on his face.

  When he stepped into the room, Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Woah, you look like you’ve been through a war. Did you even sleep?"

  Coby shot him a weary gnce. "You’re not wrong. I haven’t slept since you told me all that st night. Now tell me, what do I have to do next?"

  "You look like you can’t do anything right now, but I still want to show you something. Look, we’ve got some easy work lined up for you. Here’s some footage of two members from the group. They snuck into an old dy’s house, killed her, and vanished without a trace."

  "They usually operate in pairs," he continued, "but when the mission gets too risky, they send up to five. We’re still trying to track down where they gather. We’ve figured this much out based on their walking patterns, height, and their unique way of killing. We’ve also installed ultra-tiny cameras at the locations we suspect they visit the most. Too small for anyone to notice."

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Coby asked, puzzled.

  "Because you’ll be the one to kill them when they’re in pairs — that’s when they’re most vulnerable," Roman said bluntly. "And there's one more thing. They have a leader — the mastermind. We don’t know who he is yet, but he’s the key. We find him, we end this. But for now, you need to rest and train here. We'll only send you out when they're spotted near our area. And I'm telling you this because... they’ve been here before too."

  "So you're telling me I have to train here… and give up my profession?" Coby's voice trembled with disbelief.

  "This is your war, Coby. Only you can fight it. None of us can. If this is truly about you… you'll have to leave everything behind—even yourself."

  "Do I?" Coby asked, his voice barely a whisper, as much a question for Roman as it was for himself.

  "it is."

  A month ter...

  Coby had been training relentlessly every day, leaving everything behind, including the clinic he had worked so hard to open. It was as if he wasn’t a psychiatrist anymore. His focus had shifted entirely to ending the evil, not realizing that he himself was becoming part of it. In the past few weeks, he had received multiple missed calls from his wife, but he had ignored them, consumed by what he considered more important.

  That night, after all the training and isotion, Coby decided to call her. He missed her, in his own way. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

  Ravenna picked up immediately.

  "Hello?" Coby’s voice cracked through the silence.

  The moment Ravenna heard his voice, she began to cry. "Where have you been? Where were you all this time? Do you even know me anymore? Why did you marry me if you never intended to take care of me?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  "Hey, calm down. Please..." Coby's voice softened, and he whispered, "I’m going to be there as soon as I’m done with what I need to do. Okay?"

  "You know what? You're the father of my child! A careless father!" Ravenna’s voice cracked as she spoke. "I won't ever forgive you, Coby. You’ve been brutal to me. Now, you’re busy trying to calm me down, huh?!"

  "What? Are you pregnant?!" Coby's voice was filled with shock and regret. "I’ll be there in a few months, I promise. I’m sorry."

  "I won’t listen to you! If you're not coming here, I’ll abort this child!" she warned him, her words sharp with pain.

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Coby shouted, panic in his voice. "Don’t do this to my child. I promise I’ll come back soon. Baby, I love you... just don’t do this to me, please." His voice trembled with desperation.

  "I will never, ever forgive you for what you’ve done, Coby," she said coldly before hanging up the phone.

  "Whoa, looks like someone’s carrying the weight of the world today. What’s up, bud? If you don’t mind me asking?" Roman asked casually.

  "It’s nothing, really. I just didn’t sleep well," Coby replied, trying to brush it off.

  "Alright… if you say so," Roman said, sensing there was more to it.

  "I said it’s nothing! Why can’t you just understand?! Fucking idiot!" Coby snapped, unable to hold back his frustration. A moment passed before regret washed over him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just... I don’t know. Fuck it."

  He looked like a complete mess, torn between what he was feeling and what he couldn’t say out loud.

  ter that night...

  Coby was sparring with Roman’s bodyguards in the private training area when everything suddenly changed. He nded multiple punches so fierce that one guard colpsed, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

  A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the fallen man’s body. Instead of stepping back in horror or offering an apology, Coby stood over the corpse, his eyes cold and unblinking. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he raised his fist and struck the body again—harder than before.

  The remaining guards exchanged fearful gnces. Roman, watching in disbelief, rushed forward. “Coby—stop!” he shouted, but his voice barely registered.

  Coby was relentless. Each blow echoed in the hollow chamber until Roman, dread pooling in his chest, motioned for the other guards to retreat. One by one, they fled, leaving Coby alone with the bloodied body.

  In the oppressive stillness, Coby finally lowered his fist. He stood amid the carnage—alone, silent, and strangely calm.

  The next morning, everyone in the training area looked tense—everyone except Coby. Roman stood apart, his face drawn and grave.

  “This is getting out of hand, Coby,” Roman said, his voice breaking. “I forgave you once… but I can’t do it again. What have you done?” Tears glistened in his eyes.

  Coby met his gaze evenly. “If you want answers, come into my room. There’s something you need to know.”

  Roman’s jaw clenched. “Why should I listen? You killed a man st night!”

  “It’s necessary,” Coby insisted. “You need to understand why I did it.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Roman snapped.

  Without warning, Coby seized Roman’s arm and pulled him into his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.

  "So, how's it going, sir?" Coby asked, leaning forward, his voice calm yet observant. He was in the middle of a session with his patient, Floyd Harold. There was something about Floyd—Coby respected him, even cared for him. Almost like a father.

  Floyd smirked. "I don't know, man... sometimes, it just feels good."

  "Well, that's good to hear." Coby studied him carefully. "Can I ask you something? If you don’t mind."

  "Sure."

  Coby hesitated for a second before speaking. "Where's your family? I've never seen them in the past twelve months."

  Floyd's smile faded. The air in the room shifted.

  Coby knew the truth—Floyd had abused his wife and children for years. That was why he needed therapy in the first pce. Guilt had brought him here. Slowly, session after session, Floyd had confessed everything.

  But still, Coby had never once seen his family. And that made him curious.

  Floyd exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah... that's probably because they don't like me. They don't like meeting my friends, and maybe... they just don't like going out anymore."

  Coby frowned. "That's an odd thing to say, but fine. If they don't want to meet me, I won't force them."

  Floyd let out a dry chuckle. "I know how badly you want to see them, Coby. But trust me... it's better if you don't."

  He paused. His fingers tapped against the chair, restless.

  "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," Floyd continued. "Since the day I met you."

  Coby's heartbeat quickened. There was something in Floyd's tone... something off.

  "And I know you won't believe me at first. But in time... you will."

  Coby narrowed his eyes. "What—what do you mean? I don't understand."

  Floyd smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you really want to know, come to my house. Tomorrow night."

  Coby hesitated. "Fine... I'll try to."

  Floyd leaned back, sighing. "I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to go."

  And just like that, he left. Leaving Coby with a question that wouldn't let him sleep.

  That night, as Coby y in bed, his mind wouldn't rest. What was Floyd trying to tell him? What secret was he hiding?

  Then, suddenly—his phone buzzed.

  An unknown number.

  He answered. "hello?"

  A voice, low and cold, whispered through the line.

  "Your patient, Floyd Harold, is dead. Brutally murdered in his own house."

  Coby froze. His fingers clenched around the phone.

  "And don't try to find out who did it. Or you'll be next."

  The call ended.

  Coby stared at his phone. His chest felt tight. His head spun. No—no, this couldn't be happening.

  He grabbed the remote, turned on the TV.

  Breaking News.

  "Floyd Harold, 55, found dead in his home. Sources report a violent attack. Police have yet to identify the suspect."

  The room felt colder. His mind screamed at him to move, to breathe, to think—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell.

  Coby rushed to open it.

  The police were waiting.

  Before he could speak, they grabbed him. Handcuffed him.

  "What the hell?!" Coby struggled, his pulse racing. "Why are you arresting me?!"

  One officer looked him dead in the eye. "You're a suspect."

  Now, sitting in the interrogation room, Coby's world was spinning.

  A few hours ago, he was a psychiatrist helping a patient. Now, he was being treated like a criminal.

  The officers whispered among themselves. Then, suddenly, one of them turned to him.

  "You can go."

  Coby walked out, his mind drowning in questions.

  Who the hell killed Floyd?

  For the first time in his life, Coby found himself asking questions he never thought he would. He was terrified. Not just of the truth—but of the possibility that someone out there wanted him dead. And he had no idea who.

  TWO MONTHS LATER…

  Coby hadn't slept in weeks. His mind was a battlefield, haunted by questions that refused to leave him alone. No answers. No peace. Just endless, suffocating thoughts.

  And then—

  DING DONG.

  The doorbell. A sound too normal for a life that had become anything but.

  Coby hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

  She stood there. A woman, unlike anyone he had ever seen. There was something hypnotic about her presence. Her lips, deep red like fresh cherries. Her eyes, an ocean of unknown depths. Her hair, dark as midnight shadows.

  For a moment, Coby just stared. Had he seen her before?

  Then, in a voice so soft it almost melted into the air, she whispered:

  "Are you Dr. Coby?"

  Coby blinked, pulling himself back to reality.

  "Uh... yes. Yes, it's me." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Are you... Ravenna?"

  She tilted her head slightly, a small smirk on her lips.

  "Yeah." Her voice was smooth, controlled—almost too controlled. "Can I come in now?"

  "Yeah, sure. Of course, have a seat."

  Coby was still caught in her beauty—her cherry-red lips, ocean-deep eyes, and hair dark as a midnight forest. But he forced himself to focus. He leaned forward, his voice steady yet ced with concern.

  "Now tell me, Ravenna... what's wrong? Why are you here? What do you want to tell me?"

  He couldn't stop himself. The questions tumbled out one after another. He barely knew her, yet something about her felt strangely familiar—as if he had known her forever.

  "I... I'm confused now. What did you ask me?" Ravenna blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You asked me multiple questions at once."

  Her voice was soft—too soft. Coby felt himself slipping again, drowning in the way her words wrapped around him like a whisper in the dark.

  "Hello? Dr. Coby, are you alright?" Ravenna's voice snapped him back, pulling him out of the trance her words had created.

  "No. Nothing. Everything's alright." Coby quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I asked you... what are you here for?"

  Ravenna hesitated, her eyes flickering with pain as she looked down at her hands. "I don't know where to start. But I was never loved. I think I was never treated the right way."

  Coby felt his heart sink, yet there was an eerie coldness to her words. "Even my family hated me. I don't have any siblings, and I was my parents' only daughter. But still, they hated me."

  "Yeah, it happens, but I don't think you're fully opening up to me right now. There’s something you’re hiding." Coby's voice was calm, but firm. "Look, I'm your psychiatrist. You need to tell me everything. You can trust me."

  Ravenna’s eyes locked with his, her gaze sharp and intense. "How can I even trust you?" Her words cut through the silence, each one heavy with pain. "Are you worth my trust? Is there anyone I can trust?!"

  Her voice cracked, breaking apart with each word. Desperation seeped into her tone as she screamed, her tears finally breaking free.

  Calm down. Take a deep breath." Coby's voice was soft, but there was an edge of urgency. "I know how it feels, but still, you have to tell me so that I can help you, Ravenna."

  He spoke with empathy, but the more he looked at her, the more he realized that she wasn't just in emotional turmoil—there was something deeper, darker beneath the surface.

  Her eyes were locked on his, yet they were distant. As if her soul was somewhere far away, crying for help.

  "I think I need some rest... I'll see you ter," she said, but her eyes told a different story—they were silently begging for help. Coby wanted to stop her, to ask more, but something held him back. He simply nodded, watching as she walked away, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness in the room.

  The next day, when Ravenna arrived, she looked more awake—but the sadness still clung to her like a shadow. Today, she was ready. Ready to tell Coby everything. Ready to let him in.

  "Welcome. I hope you got some rest," Coby said gently, studying her face.

  She let out a hollow ugh. "Rest? No. I can’t sleep. It feels like sleep is forbidden for me. Every time I close my eyes… he screams at me. he yells his voice never stop. Even after all these years, those words haunt me. he have left scars inside my heart that will never heal."

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, shining like stars—but behind them was a story that could break even the coldest soul.

  Coby leaned in slightly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Please, Ravenna. Open up to me. I need to understand. I want to help you."

  He searched her deep, sorrowful eyes, waiting for the truth that could change everything.

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  "I had a husband once," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "He used to beat me... abuse me... lock me away for days. He was violent, unpredictable—like living with a ticking time bomb."

  She took a shaky breath, her eyes dark with distant memories. "I kept forgiving him, convincing myself he would change. But that... that was the biggest mistake of my life."

  "For an entire year, I lived in that nightmare—trapped, scared, broken. Until one day, I found the strength to run. I called the police. They came, took him away. and he never came back."

  Her voice faltered, trembling on the edge of tears. "But the scars—" she touched her chest lightly, "—they never left. I'm still trying to heal... still fighting to forget. But some nights, it feels impossible."

  Coby didn't know how to console her. He told her to rest so he could figure out the next steps.

  “I think you need some rest. You're going through a lot right now. Once you’re settled, I'll figure out what medications might help. I have a guest room—you're welcome to stay if you don’t feel like going back home.”

  “I can't just stay at your house like this,” she replied hesitantly. “You're my psychiatrist... wouldn’t it be inappropriate? I don't want to bother you.”

  But the way she said it—it almost felt like she wanted to stay.

  “No, no—it's not a problem at all,” Coby insisted. “You're exhausted. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

  There was something in his tone that made her pause. He genuinely cared.

  “I don’t know what to do anymore,” she whispered. “But... I’ll stay if you say so.”

  That night, she stayed at his house. Coby made dinner and served it with quiet gentleness. They ate together in silence, and then retreated to their rooms.

  But the next morning, when Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat—Coby was standing right next to her bed, holding a cup of coffee.

  “Oh! You scared me, Coby.”

  “Didn't mean to,” he chuckled softly. “Here's your coffee.” The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Coby watched Ravenna, her delicate form still curled beneath the covers. Her breath was slow, steady. She was still lost in the world of her dreams, or perhaps, nightmares. The moment felt delicate—he didn’t want to disturb her peace. But he had to.

  The coffee was ready, and so was the situation that seemed to demand his attention.

  He stood by her bedside, the cup of coffee in his hand. His footsteps were quiet, but they felt too loud in the heavy silence.

  When Ravenna opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Coby standing right next to her, a mere few inches away, startled her.

  "Oh! You scared me, Coby," she whispered, her voice a little shaky.

  Coby smiled faintly, the tension in the room momentarily easing. "Didn’t mean to," he chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he held out the coffee. "Here’s your coffee."

  She stared at the cup for a moment, then at him. Something flickered in her eyes—a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. She took the coffee, but didn’t immediately drink from it. Her fingers lingered on the rim, as if they were searching for the warmth it offered.

  "Thanks," she murmured, her voice low, her eyes avoiding his for a moment as if afraid of the comfort he might offer. But then, she looked up again, her expression filled with vulnerability. "Coby, I... I feel like I’m losing control of everything. Like... I’m drowning in it."

  Coby sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to cross any boundaries. His mind raced with thoughts, yet he forced himself to stay calm, to listen.

  "It’s okay to feel like that," Coby said, his voice steady but filled with understanding. "You’ve been through so much, Ravenna. this is is just... part of the healing. You’re not alone in this."

  Ravenna’s eyes welled with tears, and she turned her gaze away, but not before Coby saw the flicker of pain there.

  "I don’t know if I can ever be the same again. I feel... so broken." Her voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time, her walls seemed to come down just a little.

  Coby reached out gently, his hand resting just above hers. "Healing doesn’t mean you forget, Ravenna. It’s about learning to live with it, to grow stronger from it." He paused, taking a slow breath. "And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."

  Ravenna's lips trembled, but she nodded, the silence between them stretching long before she spoke again.

  "You say that, but... I don’t know if I believe it. I don’t know if I can trust anyone again."

  "I’m not asking you to trust me right now," Coby said, his voice unwavering. "Trust takes time. But... I’m here, whenever you’re ready."

  For a long while, neither of them spoke. Ravenna drank her coffee, the warmth of it matching the warmth beginning to form in her heart. It wasn’t a solution, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.

  Later that morning, as Coby watched her walk around his kitchen, he realized just how much she had suffered, just how much was buried beneath the surface. Her pain was undeniable, but so was her strength.

  Ravenna wasn’t ready to face everything yet. But at least, for now, she had a safe space. Coby would help her through it. He wouldn’t give up on her.

  She was no longer alone.

  Then she left the house. As the door clicked shut behind her, Coby realized that his home had felt like a real home for the first time. A warmth had settled in the corners of his heart, and a strange sense of happiness lingered in the air.

  But as soon as she stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The silence crept in like a thick fog, enveloping him. Alone. Quiet.

  In that moment, the absence of her presence felt almost deafening. The ughter, the shared moments, the brief yet meaningful conversations—everything faded away, leaving him in an echoing void. He felt an overwhelming sense of solitude wash over him.

  It dawned on him—he needed her more than she needed him. The realization was like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless.

  Was it possible to feel this way for someone he had just met?

  Coby leaned against the wall, lost in thought. The emptiness of the house mirrored the emptiness he felt inside. He was used to being alone, but this was different. He craved her company, her ughter, the way she had looked at him with vulnerability.

  He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. Maybe she was right to be cautious. Maybe trusting someone was a risk—one he was willing to take.

  But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait to see if she would let him help her. it looked like he needed her more than she needed him.

  Months passed, and it looked like Ravenna was getting better and better, and Coby was happy to see her like that.

  "I don't know how to thank you, Coby, but I feel so much better now, and I'm actually recovering. If you don't mind, I’d love to invite you to dinner. I’d really appreciate it." Her voice had an excited, almost pyful tone.

  Coby saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't deny her. "Yeah, why not? That sounds great."

  "Okay then, I’ll see you soon. But... I have one thing to say first, Mr. Coby."

  Coby raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "Mr. Coby again? Come on, just call me Coby."

  She stepped closer, her voice lowering slightly with a pyful edge, her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mister Coby, I think I’ll keep calling you that, unless you mind." She let out a soft ugh, clearly enjoying the teasing moment.

  Her words lingered in the air, and Coby couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange warmth from her pyful flirtation.

  “Okay. I guess I can’t do anything about it,” he said with a chuckle.

  Later that night...

  “What is this pce? It’s amazing,” he said, looking around in awe.

  She smiled, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. “I used to come here with my friends... before they moved abroad. It’s been a while, but this has always been one of my favorite restaurants.”

  Coby pulled out her chair like a gentleman, and they both sat down at a corner table lit by a dim, golden mp hanging above.

  “I can see why you love this pce,” he said, gncing around at the warm tones, vintage decor and soft jazz music in the background.

  She rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling. “Back then, we used to sit here for hours, just talking about everything and nothing.”

  He looked at her, noticing how her voice carried both joy and a tinge of sadness.

  “You miss them?” he asked gently.

  She nodded. “Sometimes, yeah. But tonight feels... nice.”

  A soft silence settled between them, not awkward—just comfortable.

  Coby leaned in slightly. “Well, I’m gd I get to be here with you tonight.”

  She ughed quietly. “You say that like you're not usually surrounded by women.”

  “I’m not usually surrounded by you,” he said, his voice low, eyes locked on hers.

  She looked away for a moment, then back at him, smile fading just enough to show she wasn’t used to being seen like that.

  “You’re trouble, Coby,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “You have no idea. well, I think e should order now." he said while changing the topic.

  "yeah sure."

  A few minutes ter, as Ravenna was finishing her food, Coby cleared his throat — like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked, looking up at him.

  "Oh... yeah," he said, hesitating for a moment. "I just realized your sessions with me are about to end, and... I guess I just wanted to say that I’ll miss you."

  Ravenna raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly. "Oh really? Well, I was actually thinking we could still be friends after the sessions."

  Coby's face lit up. "Oh, that would be great!"

  They finished their dinner and went their separate ways, but that night, Coby couldn’t sleep. His mind kept circling back to Ravenna. He didn’t know why, but something about her stuck with him.

  Then suddenly, another thought hit him — he had completely forgotten about his patient, Floyd.

  Coby got out of bed, opened his ptop, and started researching recent criminal cases. One case caught his eye: a secret group that had been murdering people for specific reasons. The police still hadn’t identified the members.

  Coby wondered if Floyd might have been one of their victims. He picked up his phone and called his old friend, Roman.

  Roman had been a detective once but retired early. He now worked at a research facility that colborated with w enforcement to track down criminal and murderers.

  He told his friend everything he knew. His friend told him to meet him in person if he wanted to find out more about the group. Coby hesitated—his friend lived in another city, and meeting him meant leaving Ravenna behind, even if just for a while.

  Coby asked for some time to think it over, promising he’d call back with a decision.

  The next day, when Ravenna came to his house, they discussed her therapy session and chatted like usual. But just as she was about to leave, Coby said softly, “Don’t go yet.”

  She paused, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she decided to stay a little longer. Then suddenly, heavy rain began pouring outside, trapping her there for the night. As the evening grew darker, the power went out, leaving the house in complete darkness.

  Ravenna felt a rush of anxiety—Coby’s house was eerily quiet and unfamiliar in the dark. Suddenly, she felt someone’s hands on her shoulders. She gasped, about to scream, when a hand gently covered her mouth.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. Don’t scream, please,” Coby whispered.

  “Are you crazy, Coby? You scared the hell out of me!” she said, taking a deep breath, her heart racing.

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  He lit a few candles, casting a warm glow around the room. Then, without warning, he got down on one knee. His eyes, filled with love and nervous hope, locked onto hers. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

  Ravenna stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the proposal from the man who had once been just her psychiatrist. But in her heart, she already knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling through tears. “Yes, I will"

  They married each other. Ravenna was now living with him happily not knowing what was waiting for her.

  Few months ter...

  Coby had opened his very own clinic to serve the people. Every evening, he returned home to have dinner with his wife.

  One evening, while they were eating, he suddenly said, “I’m going.”His eyes were glossy.

  “Where?” she asked, worried.

  “I forgot to tell you... I have some work outside the city. It's really important, try to understand. I’ll be gone for a few months.”He hesitated.

  “A few months?” she repeated, eyes widening. “Do you even realize how hard it is for me without you? How will I live here alone?”Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m sorry... I really have to leave,” he said, struggling to hold back his own tears.

  “Fine. If you leave—don’t ever talk to me again.”

  Later, while packing his things, he looked at her and said, “Give me a hug, at least... come on.”

  “Don’t talk to me,” she snapped, turning away.

  “I said I’m sorry. It’s fine if you don’t want to hug me. I’ll leave now.”

  Suddenly, Ravenna ran toward him and hugged him tightly from behind.“Don’t leave,” she whispered through her tears.His heartbeat quickened.

  “Remember that night... when I asked you to stay, but you chose work instead?” he said softly.“Well, now... I’m the one leaving because of work.”

  He turned around, pced his hands gently on her face, and wiped away her tears.

  Then he whispered:“See how it feels... when someone leaves you even when you need them the most.”

  He kissed her on the cheek—gently.And then he walked away, like nothing had happened.

  When Coby reached the location, he found himself standing in front of a worn-down building next to a junkyard. From the outside, it looked abandoned — lifeless and forgotten. But as soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned.

  The interior was completely different — clean, high-tech, almost like a secret facility hidden in pin sight. He walked around cautiously until a familiar voice called out.

  “Hey buddy,” Roman greeted him with a smile. “These guys here are my teammates. I’m basically managing the whole operation now. As soon as I told them what you shared with me, they jumped straight into research.”

  Coby nodded. “I see. So... why am I here?”

  Roman’s expression turned serious. “The task I’m about to give you is dangerous — maybe the most dangerous thing you’ve done. It might take months. There are ten people in this group... but no one knows who they are or what they look like.”

  Coby's eyes narrowed.

  “As soon as you mentioned those patterns and that name, I started digging. My team’s been at it for months, and this —” he gestured to a thick folder — “is all we’ve managed to gather. It’s almost impossible to find them... but I think you’re the missing piece. You’re going to help us find them.”

  Coby tilted his head. “And how exactly do I do that?”

  Roman smiled faintly. “We’ll talk in the morning. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest.”

  “Alright,” Coby said, still unsure of what he’d just walked into.

  Later that morning...

  “Okay, so first, you should eat your breakfast. Then we’ll talk,” said Roman.

  “No. Tell me now,” Coby insisted, his curiosity burning.

  Roman sighed. “Fine. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But listen carefully—this might cost you your life. Someone has to stop them, right?”

  He paused, then asked, “First, tell me... do you have any family left?”

  “Not really,” Coby replied. “I was adopted, as you know. After my parents died in a car accident, I was taken in by a retive. I don’t even know where my elder brother is now… so technically, I just have that one retive left.”

  “You were adopted? I didn’t know that. And… you had an elder brother? Where is he now? Who adopted you?” Roman asked, clearly intrigued.

  “You’re asking too many questions at once,” Coby said with a slight chuckle, then continued, “But I’ll answer anyway. Yes, I was adopted. And yes, I had an elder brother—Edward Steve. My guardian, George Ben, adopted only me. I was just four years old back then. I still don’t know why he didn’t adopt Edward too. That’s all I really remember about him.”

  “I’m sorry about your parents,” Roman said, his tone softening. “Do you still see George?”

  “No,” Coby replied firmly. “To be honest, I never liked him. I left as soon as I became a psychiatrist. He didn’t want me to be a writer. It’s because of him that I had to choose psychiatry instead.”

  Roman frowned. “Just one question—why?”

  “What?” Coby raised an eyebrow.

  “Why didn’t he want you to become a writer?”

  Coby’s expression changed. “Now you’re dragging it,” he said coldly. “Just tell me what I need to do.

  Yeah, I almost forgot about the job I brought you here for," Roman said, snapping back into focus. "I asked about your retives because if your patient was killed by that group, you and your loved ones could be next. This isn’t just about one person anymore."

  He paused for a moment, locking eyes with Coby.

  "If you want to end this — truly end this — you’ll have to kill. And before you ask anything — yes, I mean it. You’ll have to kill. Not just for yourself, but for everyone they might hurt next. There are over a hundred people in this building. But no one’s brave enough to face them. I believe you can be that person. And don’t worry — you won’t be alone. My best bodyguards are yours now."

  Coby's heart sank. He clenched his fists.

  "Why me? Why do I have to kill? Isn’t there any other way? What about the police? What if they find out? And don’t you work with them?" he asked, the panic clear in his voice.

  Roman leaned back, his expression calm but firm.

  "You’re overthinking, buddy. Yeah, I work with the police — but not always for them. Some things can’t go through w and order. Sometimes justice demands silence. The police won’t know... and trust me, they wouldn’t be able to do anything even if they did. This is the only way. Now, go get some sleep, buddy. its already evening bud we've talked too much. get some rest We'll pick this up in midnight. And one more thing... I believe the police know something about the group, but they're hiding it. Hope you sleep well."

  Roman left, leaving Coby in a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he mean? Was the police involved somehow? Because of these questions, Coby couldn’t get a wink of sleep that evening and night. Someone knocked on the door, pulling Coby out of his troubled thoughts. "Sir, manager Roman is calling you out."

  "Fine, I'll be there in a minute," Coby replied, his voice thick with exhaustion. He dragged himself out of bed, his movements slow, and spshed cold water on his face.

  When he stepped into the room, Roman couldn’t help but chuckle. "Woah, you look like you’ve been through a war. Did you even sleep?"

  Coby shot him a weary gnce. "You’re not wrong. I haven’t slept since you told me all that st night. Now tell me, what do I have to do next?"

  "You look like you can’t do anything right now, but I still want to show you something. Look, we’ve got some easy work lined up for you. Here’s some footage of two members from the group. They snuck into an old dy’s house, killed her, and vanished without a trace."

  "They usually operate in pairs," he continued, "but when the mission gets too risky, they send up to five. We’re still trying to track down where they gather. We’ve figured this much out based on their walking patterns, height, and their unique way of killing. We’ve also installed ultra-tiny cameras at the locations we suspect they visit the most. Too small for anyone to notice."

  "Why are you telling me all this?" Coby asked, puzzled.

  "Because you’ll be the one to kill them when they’re in pairs — that’s when they’re most vulnerable," Roman said bluntly. "And there's one more thing. They have a leader — the mastermind. We don’t know who he is yet, but he’s the key. We find him, we end this. But for now, you need to rest and train here. We'll only send you out when they're spotted near our area. And I'm telling you this because... they’ve been here before too."

  "So you're telling me I have to train here… and give up my profession?" Coby's voice trembled with disbelief.

  "This is your war, Coby. Only you can fight it. None of us can. If this is truly about you… you'll have to leave everything behind—even yourself."

  "Do I?" Coby asked, his voice barely a whisper, as much a question for Roman as it was for himself.

  "it is."

  A month ter...

  Coby had been training relentlessly every day, leaving everything behind, including the clinic he had worked so hard to open. It was as if he wasn’t a psychiatrist anymore. His focus had shifted entirely to ending the evil, not realizing that he himself was becoming part of it. In the past few weeks, he had received multiple missed calls from his wife, but he had ignored them, consumed by what he considered more important.

  That night, after all the training and isotion, Coby decided to call her. He missed her, in his own way. Picking up his phone, he dialed her number.

  Ravenna picked up immediately.

  "Hello?" Coby’s voice cracked through the silence.

  The moment Ravenna heard his voice, she began to cry. "Where have you been? Where were you all this time? Do you even know me anymore? Why did you marry me if you never intended to take care of me?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion.

  "Hey, calm down. Please..." Coby's voice softened, and he whispered, "I’m going to be there as soon as I’m done with what I need to do. Okay?"

  "You know what? You're the father of my child! A careless father!" Ravenna’s voice cracked as she spoke. "I won't ever forgive you, Coby. You’ve been brutal to me. Now, you’re busy trying to calm me down, huh?!"

  "What? Are you pregnant?!" Coby's voice was filled with shock and regret. "I’ll be there in a few months, I promise. I’m sorry."

  "I won’t listen to you! If you're not coming here, I’ll abort this child!" she warned him, her words sharp with pain.

  "Are you out of your mind?!" Coby shouted, panic in his voice. "Don’t do this to my child. I promise I’ll come back soon. Baby, I love you... just don’t do this to me, please." His voice trembled with desperation.

  "I will never, ever forgive you for what you’ve done, Coby," she said coldly before hanging up the phone.

  "Whoa, looks like someone’s carrying the weight of the world today. What’s up, bud? If you don’t mind me asking?" Roman asked casually.

  "It’s nothing, really. I just didn’t sleep well," Coby replied, trying to brush it off.

  "Alright… if you say so," Roman said, sensing there was more to it.

  "I said it’s nothing! Why can’t you just understand?! Fucking idiot!" Coby snapped, unable to hold back his frustration. A moment passed before regret washed over him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just... I don’t know. Fuck it."

  He looked like a complete mess, torn between what he was feeling and what he couldn’t say out loud.

  ter that night...

  Coby was sparring with Roman’s bodyguards in the private training area when everything suddenly changed. He nded multiple punches so fierce that one guard colpsed, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

  A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the fallen man’s body. Instead of stepping back in horror or offering an apology, Coby stood over the corpse, his eyes cold and unblinking. Then, as if driven by some unseen force, he raised his fist and struck the body again—harder than before.

  The remaining guards exchanged fearful gnces. Roman, watching in disbelief, rushed forward. “Coby—stop!” he shouted, but his voice barely registered.

  Coby was relentless. Each blow echoed in the hollow chamber until Roman, dread pooling in his chest, motioned for the other guards to retreat. One by one, they fled, leaving Coby alone with the bloodied body.

  In the oppressive stillness, Coby finally lowered his fist. He stood amid the carnage—alone, silent, and strangely calm.

  The next morning, everyone in the training area looked tense—everyone except Coby. Roman stood apart, his face drawn and grave.

  “This is getting out of hand, Coby,” Roman said, his voice breaking. “I forgave you once… but I can’t do it again. What have you done?” Tears glistened in his eyes.

  Coby met his gaze evenly. “If you want answers, come into my room. There’s something you need to know.”

  Roman’s jaw clenched. “Why should I listen? You killed a man st night!”

  “It’s necessary,” Coby insisted. “You need to understand why I did it.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Roman snapped.

  Without warning, Coby seized Roman’s arm and pulled him into his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them.