A series of murders has recently taken place in N City. There are three victims, all middle-aged women around forty. They were killed on rainy nights during the Huangmei rainy season, and their bodies were desecrated afterward. Only twenty days passed between each murder.
The crime scenes are all in desolate little alleys, with no surveillance cameras and no witnesses.
Xu Rong, the detective in charge, is at her wit's end. She learned that a discussion thread about the case had grown huge on a forum, with many people speculating about the killer's identity. Thinking that someone on the forum might come up with an unusual lead, she registered an account and logged in to take a look.
[150th Floor] I heard the third victim was a single mother. Her son is still in high school, and she worked three jobs a day to support her family. So, so tragic.
[151st Floor] The person above is right. The victim was my neighbor. Her body was in the alley right below my home... She was just a little way from getting home. Sigh.
[152nd Floor] The killer was born. Hope he gets hit by a dump truck when he goes out. Over.
[153rd Floor] +1
[154th Floor] Murder -10. The killer is a total psycho. Is he taking revenge on society?
[155th Floor] Why does the killer only target women around forty? Wouldn't going after young girls be more... thrilling? Just expressing a personal question. Don't flame me for my choice of words, okay? (Covering my bases.)
[156th Floor] Reply to 155th Floor: Everyone says he's a psycho. Maybe he's just into older women
[157th Floor] Aren't 155 and 156 both sleazy men? Now you're even judging the victims. Go sit at the same table as the psycho killer.
Nothing but useless rubberneckers. Xu Rong was speechless. She was about to turn off her computer when a new reply suddenly appeared:
[158th Floor] To the Rainy Night Killer:
Mr. Killer, you did what I wanted to do but didn't dare to. Zhao Enjing deserved it. Good riddance.
I know you're reading this thread. I want to warn you that the police are watching it too. They might say provocative things to lure you into replying and revealing a slip, like the person on the 152nd floor. No matter what, please don't reply. Don't reply.
My friend, my benefactor, I sincerely hope you are never caught.
I wish you happiness.
Xu Rong froze.
Zhao Enjing was the third victim's real name.
*Suspense and horror, partly told through forum posts, mainly plot-driven, around 200,000 Chinese characters. The complete manuscript is finished before serialization begins.
Theme: Love and redemption
