I Can Hear a Serial Killer's Voice in My Head

Chapter 77: National Forensic Service (13)

As I stand in the bustling precinct, a storm of thoughts swirls within me, each revelation from Kim Eunji's suicide note reverberating through my consciousness like aftershocks from an earthquake. The cacophony of the station fades into the background as I grapple with the weight of this new information.

Kim Eunji's confession to murdering Sung with tetrodotoxin-laced candy confirms our suspicions, but the calculated nature of her actions sends a chill down my spine. Her admission of volunteering for the NFS training specifically because she knew Sung would be there reveals a level of premeditation that's both impressive and disturbing.

The lack of remorse in her words, her steadfast belief that Sung deserved his fate for past transgressions and the alleged assault at the NFS, paints a picture of a woman consumed by a thirst for vengeance.

But it's the bombshell about Senior Inspector Hong that truly staggers me. Their relationship, a clandestine affair stretching back to Kim's days as a fresh-faced trainee, adds layers of complexity to this already convoluted case.

Hong's deep involvement in orchestrating Sung's murder, his abuse of power to procure the lethal tetrodotoxin, and his betrayal of the entire department by leaking sensitive information about the investigation - it's a breach of trust so profound it makes my head spin.

I find myself pondering the tragic irony of Kim's unwavering faith in Hong. She believed they shared a "complete love," only to have that illusion shattered in the aftermath of the press conference. Hong's ultimatum, threatening to leverage his power and connections to obliterate her career if she refused to end their relationship, speaks volumes about the insidious abuse of authority at play here.

Kim's final words resonate with a haunting poignancy. Her expressions of devastation and disillusionment, not just with Hong but with men in general and the world she inhabited, sketch a portrait of a woman driven to the brink by betrayal and systemic disappointment. It's a stark reminder of the human cost of corruption and abuse of power.

As I mentally sift through these revelations, a maelstrom of emotions churns within me. There's a grim satisfaction in having my suspicions validated, but it's overshadowed by a profound unease at the intricate web of deceit and corruption we've stumbled upon. Hong's involvement raises alarming questions about how far this rot has spread through the ranks of law enforcement.

As I stand there, lost in thought, a familiar voice suddenly echoes in my mind. It's Aileen, her tone as sharp and clear as if she were standing right beside me.

"Are you happy now?" she asks, a hint of amusement in her voice.

I frown, confused by the question. "Happy? Why would I be happy about any of this?"

Aileen's laughter, cold and mirthless, reverberates through my consciousness. "Oh, come now. It's obvious, isn't it? Hong wanted to end his relationship with Kim after you planted the idea that she might be a betrayer. This was all thanks to your actions."

Her words hit me like a physical blow. I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. Could she be right? Was I inadvertently responsible for this chain of events?

Aileen continues, her voice growing colder. "This world is better without men, you know. That's why I only killed men. They're the root of all evil."

I remain silent, not rising to her provocation. My mind is too preoccupied with the implications of her earlier statement to engage with her misandry.

After a moment of silence, Aileen's tone softens slightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you specifically."

But I barely register her apology. My thoughts are racing, considering the possibility that my actions did indeed change Hong's mind. If that's true, then in a roundabout way, I've helped solve the case. The truth about Sung's murder has come to light, and Hong's corruption has been exposed.

Yet the cost of this resolution weighs heavily on me. Kim Eunji is dead. A life has been lost, partly due to my meddling. The realization sits like a stone in my stomach.

I find myself at a moral crossroads. On one hand, justice has been served, and a corrupt officer has been exposed. On the other, a woman driven to desperation has taken her own life. Can I really consider this a victory?

Aileen's voice returns, cutting through my thoughts with a chilling observation. "You know, sometimes I think you have the traits of a cold serial killer."

Her words catch me off guard, and I find myself responding aloud, though quietly enough that no one in the bustling precinct notices. "What does that mean?"

I can almost feel Aileen's shrug in my mind. "I can't explain it exactly," she muses, her tone a mix of fascination and admiration. "It's just... the way you think, the way you act, how you see things. It's calculating, detached. Sometimes you don't even need my help to come up with these intricate plans."

She pauses, and I can sense her amusement growing. "I have to admit, I'm surprised... and a little impressed. You navigate through these moral gray areas with such ease. It's like watching a predator move through its natural habitat."

Her words send a chill down my spine. I've always prided myself on my analytical skills, my ability to see the bigger picture and make tough decisions. But hearing it described this way, compared to the mindset of a serial killer, is unsettling.

"The way you manipulated Hong through Kim, knowing it could potentially lead to devastating consequences," Aileen continues, her voice tinged with something akin to respect. "You didn't hesitate. You saw the move that needed to be made and you made it, regardless of the potential collateral damage. That's not something just anyone can do."

I remain silent, processing her words. Am I really that cold? That calculating? I've always believed I was working towards justice, towards the greater good. But where is the line between justice and ruthlessness?

Aileen's voice softens slightly. "Don't misunderstand me. I'm not criticizing. If anything, I find it... intriguing. You're more like me than you might want to admit."

Her final statement hangs in the air, a uncomfortable truth that I'm not sure how to confront. As her presence fades once again, I'm left with a growing unease. The line between detective and criminal, between justice and vengeance, suddenly seems much thinner than I ever realized.

***

The crisp autumn air greets me as I step out of the National Forensic Service building for the last time as a trainee. The training program, delayed and disrupted by the tumultuous events of Sung's case, has finally come to an end. I pause for a moment, taking in the sight of the imposing structure that has been my second home for the past few weeks.

A sense of accomplishment mingles with a undercurrent of melancholy as I reflect on the journey that brought me here. Inspector Han's words echo in my mind - "This will be great for your career." He's right, of course. The knowledge and skills I've gained here are invaluable, opening up new avenues for advancement and professional growth.

Yet, as I walk towards my car, I can't shake the shadow that hangs over this achievement. Kim Eunji's absence is a constant reminder of the high stakes and tragic consequences that our work can entail. Her empty seat in the lecture hall, the gap where she should have been during practical exercises - these served as silent testimonies to the complex web of events that unfolded.

I reach my car and slide into the driver's seat, the familiar leather cool against my back. As I sit there, key in the ignition but not yet turned, a realization dawns on me. It's been weeks since I've heard Aileen's voice in my head. The constant companion, sometimes mentor, sometimes tormentor, has been conspicuously absent.

I frown, trying to pinpoint the last time I heard from her. With a jolt, I remember - it was after she compared me to a cold serial killer. Those words had unsettled me deeply, and I realize now that I've been subconsciously avoiding any attempt to communicate with her since then.

The silence in my mind where her voice used to be is both a relief and a source of unease. Have I finally managed to silence that part of my psyche? Or am I simply avoiding a truth about myself that I'm not ready to face?

I sit in my parked car, the engine idling softly. After a moment of hesitation, I cautiously call out in my mind, "Aileen?"

Silence.

I try again, this time with more intent. "Aileen, are you there?"

A fleeting thought crosses my mind - does this mean I'm finally free from the serial killer's voice? The idea brings a momentary sense of liberation.

Shaking off these thoughts, I put the car in drive and pull out of the parking lot. As I merge into traffic, my mind begins to wander, considering the implications of this newfound silence in my head.

Suddenly, without warning, a voice erupts in my consciousness. I jerk the steering wheel in surprise, barely managing to correct course before drifting into the next lane. My heart pounds in my chest as I realize - this isn't Aileen.

The voice is unmistakably male - dark, creepy, with a hoarse and low timbre that sends chills down my spine. It's as if someone is whispering directly into my ear, yet the sound is coming from within my own mind.

"Hello," the voice says, the single word dripping with menace.