Forum Thread

[TW Gore Warning]
In the world that has erupted from all the revolutions, there is no one as dangerous as a serial killer that no one can find. The only thing that can take them down is their emotions. But, unfortunately, most have none. In the city of Lorient, France, chaos claws through peace, and soon, there had been a mandatory lockdown order for citizens to spend most of their time in their homes. Walking around in the public required licences for looking at the cases. Not sure if that helps...

𝔄𝔱𝔱𝔦𝔠𝔲𝔰 ℜ𝔢𝔡𝔡𝔦𝔫𝔤

As the wealthy man walked through the silent streets, soft pinging sounded from his watch. Showtime. He walked up to a house and inserted a key he made. The door swung open as the door creaked open. It was quite convenient for him. To not have to ambush someone in the streets. Killing someone privately was much more... soothing if that was the word.
Atticus slid up the stairs, unsheathing his knives. The serrated edges faced away from his legs as he walked into the room. He handled the knife and quickly slit the victim's main arteries in their legs. Guess 8 years of medical school turned out to be useful.
He finished the victim off with a swift but visibly painful for the victim slice up their spine. He then took his white gloves off and grabbed a red rose from his coat. He couldn't find the best deep hue, but he figured the blood would just stain the petals. Atticus dropped the flower and hastily left through a door, not bothering to lock it. Checks wouldn't happen in a week.
He smiled to himself as he pictured the headlines, 'The Stained Rose's despotism; a fear striking all'

---

Ayran Herpich
A few hours later, Ayran Herpich who was just peacefully sleeping in his bed suddenly received a call. He grabbed and turned around, intending to ignore it.

But it rang, and rang, and rang, unstopping. Annoyed he sat up and aggressively grabbed the phone, with an expression clearly to vicious for the usual gentlemanly Dr. Ayran if anyone sees it. But this is what he truly is like. Everything he puts on is just a mask, like a charade!

"This is Dr. Ayran speaking, who is this?" Ayran voice is gentle, calming and elegant, completely the opposite of the vicious face he is wearing right now from being awakened.

"...Ayran, we have another case by the "Stained Rose, I'll send you the address immediately""

When he heard of the alias "Stained Rose" Ayran's thought instantly thought that the killer was a middle schooler or something with a name like that. Ayran almost wanted to laugh if it weren't for the fact that the situation doesn't permit him to.

He squinted at the bright phone screen as he receives the address. Seeing the address he narrows his eyes.

"Yes, I'll be there in 10 minutes"

It wasn't too far from his place, but what made him narrow his eyes is that the address seem oddly familiar...

It took him a moment to realize that the address belongs to the person who he have been tirelessly stalking for weeks and weeks!

He gripped his phone hard almost in a death grip, and leaped out of the bed grabbing everything he needed and got dressed. During this whole time, there wasn't a single noice except the shuffling of the drawers opening and closing, there wasn't any other. noise.

Ayran's expression was now more than just vicious, he almost wanted to laugh, someone l actually stole his prey! A wannabe murderer name "Stain Rose" at that!

In less than 10 minutes he arrives at the scene.

---

Atticus twirled in an office chair, watching the news reporters scramble about on the screen. He clicked a few buttons and it zoomed in on the entrance of the house. A very irritated forensic pathologist showed up on his screen.
"Tch."
He scoffed. Just probably a man angry that he had more work to do. He should be the next victim. He ran scans on the man's face and eventually came up with one name. Ayran Herpich.
"Well shi[]."
The detailed image of the man was very generous and Atticus found himself fantasizing about ruining the man's good looks.
He checked his list, going through the list of people, but finally having his eyes land on the one person he wanted to kill the most.
"Cadfael. You will burn for what you did."
He sat up and walked outside to go home, carefully avoiding police officers. If it did come to it, he could just lie and tell them that he was going home after a long day of adding more money to his 46 billion dollars. Not that the last part was a lie or anything.
As he hurried home, he didn't notice the small piece of paper with the list of victims fluttering through the air, the bloodred rose circling 'Cadfael Aiko' sticking out in the dull, gloomy, grey.

---

When Ayra. Arrived at the scene, he immediately greeted the officers first before entering the house that he has visited many times in the past.

With familiarity, he steps around the house before crouching down to examine the corpse. He put on his blue latex gloves and mask and carefully touching the corpse.

'Rain Arlend' a aspiring painter.

Cause of death: weapon, slip through the throat.

Ayran hummed, it seems like the murderer first cutted the artery and blood vessels of the victim first to add red, and just before the victim dies, the merder slits the throat finally putting the victim at rest. Leaving behind a fluttering bloody red rose as a sign that the "Stained Rose" has been here.

Ayran shook his head, the lips that was covered by the mask was quirking up. Though the scene was bloody, it wasnt his type of style, he would have preferred Red Lilies for Mr Rain, instead of roses, that were thorny.

After sending his report in, he drove back home, that was until a piece of white paper got stuck on the front window of his car.

Annoyed, he got out and plucked the paper out, but before he read anything, The first think that he noticed was the rose petal that floated out of the paper and fell onto the muddy road.

Seeing the rose petal, he threw away the thought of crumbling the piece of paper and throwing it into the trash and instead, out of spite he curiously looked at it's contents.

Interestingly enough, there were people's names on there. Ayran raised an eyebrow at the name "Cadfael" that was circled with a red pen that almost looked blood in certain angles.

He looked into the distance as strong blew the paper towards him. Just as his lips touched the paper, he smelled a fleeting rose scent and.... something else

Something that he was more familiar with thab anyone else, blood.

Suddenly Ayran just bursted out laughing in the middle of the empty road, completely disregarding his image. He was laughing so crazily that tears were coming out of his eyes.

A few moments later when he stopped and took a deep breath, his slender fingers caresses the paper with gentleness as if he is caressing a letter that his lover sent him softly, especially around the circled names.

It seems like he knows who his next victim will be, and he'll be sure to decorate the body with purple and white anemones, and for sure...

Make sure the "Stained Rose" sees his masterpiece.

---

Atticus felt a pit of worry in his stomach. He glanced around, trying to place his finger on what it was.
“Oh crud.”
The paper. Cadfael. It was gone.
He stood abruptly and began pacing in his small room. If someone found those, the people would be placed under specialized protection. Especially since Cadfael was the mayor. He cursed and punched the wall, blood dripping from his knuckles.
He turned and opened his shutters to glance at the sky. It was starting to clear up and the sun was slowly coming out.
Too bad. No one’s coming out anyway.
He found a suit and quickly undressed and changed. He buttoned up the last gold-embossed button and shook his head to clear it up. His reddish-pink curls fell on his face as he quickly walked to his nearest rose supplier. The one right next to the hospital and death study center. He picked out roses, dark red, light red, all of the reds.
He took them outside and sat on the streets, hoping not to get recognized. He pricked a finger with a thorn and watched the blood drip onto the cement.
He sat there for a good twenty minutes. When he finally got up to leave, a small red stain was left on the concrete.

---

Ayran hid the slip of paper in his pocket and walked back into his car, back into quite a good mood. Such a good mood that he even bothered to hum a little tune that he forgot where he heard it from.

As he drove down the road, in the side by the rose garden, there was a curl haired man picking roses. Ayran didn't know when, but he unconsciously slowed down and watched the man pick the roses, inwhich during the process he pricked his own finger tips.

Ayran was almost mesmerised, the man wasn't just good looking, but in a garden of roses, he looked... ethereal, breathtaking. So much that Ayran almost wanted to run out of the car right now and kill him there on the spot.

Let him lay on the thorny bed of roses, and stain the rose red.

Kill him and make him bleed till dry.

Imagining the ethereal picture in his head almost made him drunk on this desire. So much that he was afraid if he stayed a minute longer he might not able to contain the dark desire that seems to spread like a prairie fire anymore.

Thus he stepped on the accelerator and sped of with no destination in mind since Ayran already forgot where he actually wanted to go.

---

Atticus silently slipped in between the buildings. That night was very successful. Already five kills. The day before’s rose spree really did help, he was already low.
He winced as his arm touched a wall. One of his victims fought back though… A jagged scar with burns surrounding it glared from the skin.
This isn’t the time to be weak.
He held himself against the wall and scaled it.
Finally. I found you.
Just below, Cadfael Aiko’s home sat. He circled it once, twice, as many times as he could count.
He walked up the doorstep, rose in hand. He planned to leave it there just for intimidation and warnings.

---

It has been a couple days days since the murder of the Mr Rain Arlend. The police still hasn't found the 'Stained Rose' as usual, inwhich he wasn't surprised at all.

Afterall, a killer with a middle school name who has been on a murder spree lately and still hasn't gotten caught by the police has to be atleast somewhat skilled.

However, according to Ayran, this spree isn't going to last long.

He glanced at the slip of paper in his hand, with the name Cadfael circled in red and suddenly smiled. He brought the slip of paper beneath his nose, and breathed in gently.

He could smell the faint rose scent still persistently sticking to the paper...

Shaking his head, he stuffed the paper away in his pocket, before looking at the building in the distance. It was the resident that belonged to Cadfael, the Mayor.

To be frank, The Mayor wasn't the slightest clean, if anything he is more polluted than the air around him.

But in the distance, he saw someone move, and it definitely was the Mayor.

Ayran narrow his eyes, it was truly unfortunate that the person is heading to the opposite side of the building, in a blind spot that he can't see.

But it wasn't long before the person came back into his view again, because of the far distance, all he could see is a blob, not the details.

Ayran sighs, it truly was unfortunate that he didn't bring any binocular with him.

Checking his watch, Ayran stood up realizing that he has to go now, he quickly packed up and exited the building and headed into one of the alleyways.

---

Atticus sat on the front steps, resting. His arm was throbbing by then and he was out of breath.
He stood and staggered away. A figure came towards him.
Oh sh*t. The handsome forensic.
His hand lingered at his knives, the desire to kill him strong. No. He told himself.
"Hahah. Good evening, kind Ayran."
He quickly rushed away, a light trail of blood falling from his arm, a rose waiting at the front steps of the mayor's home.

---

For Ayran, it was suppose to be a last minute trip to the mayor's house to double check the situation, but to also see if the.'Stained Rose' left anything behind.

But when he was by the entrance he suddenly passed by the same handsome, curly hair male from a few days ago.

But that wasn't what caught his attention, it was the fact that the man knew his name even though he was sure that they have neve met before.

The question of why either of them are here was not voiced out by either of them.

But deciding to play along with charade, he gave his most realistic smile he could offer "..Yes, good evening.."

Ayran paused, he does not know the name of the man Infront of him.

---

"Just watch out in the news for my name." Atticus called behind his back.
His arm was throbbing and he knew he needed immediate medical attention.
He ran and when he finally got back to his home, something struck him.
A piece of paper with a list of names on it was in Ayran's pocket.
Was Ayran the special reinforcements?
Atticus shook his head.
C'mon Att. Just get medical help.
He picked up the phone and dialed the hospital.

---

Ayran watched the man's back as it get further and further away from him. During the whole entire interaction he did not notice the rose at the doorstep.

Perhaps he was so mesmerized, that his observational skills shut down.

A few moments later, Ayran suddenly realized something, when the handsome dude brushed past him just now, the left arm movements were awkward. He narrows his eyes, and turned around. With his barely decent vision, he could still barely see the back of the man.

After thinking for a few seconds, Ayran smirked, he knew that Mr. Handsome was hiding something... and Ayran wants to know exactly what that secret was.

Thus he picked up his pace and discreetly followed.

With step by step.. their distant slowly gets smaller and smaller.

Soon Mr. Handsome stopped and dialed something on his phone.

It seems like he is calling the ambulance...

Ayran narrows his eyes dangerously, he didn't want to stop their game so early, thus he stepped forward, step by step getting closer to the back of Mr. Handsome.

Just when Mr. Handsome was just about to speak, Ayran covered his mouth gently.

"Shh.. Now don't panic, I can help you with that injury" He gently whispered into Mr. Handsome's ear. Accidently, Ayran's lips lightly brushed against Mr. Handsome's earlobe.

The touch was as light as a feather and Ayran barely notices it.

---

Atticus's eyes widened as he dropped the phone in surprise.
His face warmed as Ayran's lips touched his ear.
Mr. Handsome????
He tried to turn and back away, but the pain in his arm trumped all and he staggered to the ground.
"Wha-why did you follow me?"
The fear of being found out as the killer overcame him.
The roses were still in his jacket. Blood stained them.
He fell to the floor, clasping his arm.
"Stay back!"

---

Seeing Mr. Handsome about to kiss the ground, Ayran clasped his arms around his waist, catching him.

Ayran looked at Mr. Handsome innocently and pretended that he didn't hear the question, and instead with his other hand, he shoved it into Mr Handsome's pocket searching for something.

Soon he found what he needed, in Ayran's slender hands, were a set of keys carefully arranged by Mr. Handsome.

Ayran jingled the keys Infront of him, and asked, "Say Mr. Handsome, which one of those is your house key?"

Ayran's lips were right behind Mr. Handsome's ear, while his warm breath lightly caresses his earlobe. In their current position with Ayran's chest practically sticking to Mr. Handsome's back, with one of his arms looped around the waist, it looked especially intimate.

---

Atticus's face turned bright red.
"What? Uhm..."
He was so flustered and confused by this new developement that he could barely form a sentence.
"I- The-the one with 56921 on it."
He carefully stepped away from Ayran and wobbled slightly on his feet.
"I-I can get there myself."

---

Ayran's previous smiling face became a little sullen, seeing Mr. Handsome wobble on his feet.

Ayran wrapped his arm around his shoulders firmly, "...Seeing your condition right now, I doubt it"

He searched through the keys, before inserting one into the keyhole, opening the door.

Inside were furnitures.much more luxurious than Ayran could afford, suppressing his surprise, he looked around with a calm face, "Now, now Mr. Handsome, if you could guide me to a place where I can set you down while I find a first aid kit, that'd be great~"

They were still sticking very close together, and so far, Ayran has no intentions to let go.

---

Atticus nodded to a nearby couch. Ayran's hands comforted him a bit.
"I'm Atticus. Atticus Redding."
He staggered to the couch and revealed his arm. It was an angry red now and the skin around it was charred.
"So... Ayran, tell me. What skin products do you use? You're stunning."
He was back to his old self. The sudden touch confused him, but now he was feeling better. On the walls, a single diploma hung in a formal frame.
Atticus Redding
MD Oncology

---

Ayran finally let go of Mr. Handsome when he sat down on the couch.

He rummaged through the cabinets to search of the first aid kit, but then raised his head up to look at Atticus questionably.

"...What other skin care products are we supposed to use other than lotion?" Ayran's was very confused, he had zero knowledge on cosmetics, since he had never had the need to use the.

Soon Ayran found something that looked like a first-aid kit, and sat it down beside Atticus on the couch, while he himself kneeled on one knee infront of Atticus.

"..So, Mr. Redding had a MD in Oncology right?"

Ayran opened the first-aid kit, and grabbed a few thing.

---

Atticus raised his eyebrow. Guess the man was just naturally handsome.

"Yeah. I got my degree at Yale. Total waste of my time. The job was depressing and the pay was not that great."

He grimaced at the thought of Ayran putting rubbing alcohol on his arm.

"You're certified, right? I think you usually work on cadavers but still..."

He had tossed his coat on the ground, hoping to conceal the roses and blood.

---

Ayran raised an eyebrow right back at him, "It's just a burn, as long as it is a injury doesn't require stitches, I can handle it." he replied simply.

After rubbing the alcohol, he grabbed the roll of bandage, and propped his arms up on the sofa, at the same time getting closer to Atticus.

His head was close to Atticus's face as he rolled the arm up in bandages, he could smell the faint scent of roses enter his nostrils.

Ayran lowers his long eyelashes, he suddenly wanted to scratch his nose, but that wouldn't seem polite in the current situation, so he just kept it in.

---