Unknown killer

Crossing paths

Two Days Later

This supermarket felt like another world. With its vast size, it was the largest in the country! It boasted an array of attractions— a gaming hub, amusement park, Olympic-size swimming pool, casino, and more, drawing people from far and wide.

Kelvin maneuvered his way through the bustling aisles, pushing his cart as he navigated around shoppers. He glanced at his phone.

“I’m running a bit late,” he thought, tossing a toiletry into his cart.

In front of him, three girls grabbed items and tossed them into their carts, laughing and chatting animatedly.

“Oh damn!” One of the girls stretched to reach an item on a high shelf where beverages were stocked. “Should we ask one of the staff for help?” one suggested.

Kelvin continued pushing his cart, lost in thought. “Please!” One of the girls, noticing him a few paces away, ran after him and grabbed his hand.

“Who the hell is this?” he wondered, turning toward her with a forced smile. “Can you help me with something?” she asked, her eyes hopeful.

“Ahem, sure,” Kelvin replied, somewhat reluctantly.

“This way, please,” she said, leading him back to the shelf.

“That beverage up there,” she pointed, and he reached up to retrieve it. “Here you go,” he said, handing it to her.

“Thank you!” she beamed.

“Meet…” Before she could finish her introduction, Kelvin pulled away, pushing his cart and walking off.

“Does she think I have all day?” Kelvin muttered under his breath.

“What!” one of the other girls exclaimed.

“I think he’s the shy type,” another observed, trying to suppress a smile.

“Hmm, at least he helped us out,” the third girl chimed in. The trio burst into laughter.

After gathering what he needed, I pushed my cart toward the cashier to check out. As the cashier scanned my items, I caught sight of the three girls lining up behind me.

“Is it not you?” One of the girls stepped forward. “Thanks for helping us out the other time,” she said.

“It’s nothing,” I replied, trying to be nonchalant.

“Good day, ma’am,” the cashier said, confirming my payment.

“Stop calling us ‘ma’am’; we’re still kids,” the girl joked.

“Okay,” the cashier smiled.

“You owe $5,000,” the staff said, facing me.

“Add his bill to mine,” the girl said without hesitation.

“What? I can pay! Don’t worry,” I insisted, glancing at her.

“I’ve already added it,” she replied, a playful smile on her lips.

I had a feeling this was going to happen. I thanked her and her friends and collected the items I had purchased.

I stood beside my Ducati bike, waiting for the girls to emerge. Sure enough, after a few minutes, they appeared, their faces lit up with joy as they carried their shopping bags. They walked toward a Rolls Royce, opened the boot, and placed their items inside. I took a deep breath and approached them.

“Ahem, thank you for…” I started, but the girls turned to me, curious.

“For what?” one asked, a hint of confusion in her tone.

“It’s like I didn’t do anything to deserve this,” I said, trying to downplay the gesture.

“Let’s skip the formalities,” one of the girls said. “You must be curious about me, right?”

“Yes, I am,” I admitted. “Who wouldn’t be?” They erupted in laughter.

“Actually, this is my mom's supermarket,” the girl who paid for my items explained.

“Oh, now I understand. My name is Swizz,” she said, shaking my hand.

“Meet Haley.” I shook her hand as well.

“And Juliet.” I shook her hand too.

“It’s nice to meet you all! Thanks for covering my bill.”

“It’s nothing,” Swizz said, slipping her business card into my hand. “That’s my card. I’d like to get your contact too.” She passed her phone to me.

I entered my contact information. “I’ll call you,” I said, handing her back the phone.

“Should we give you a ride?” Haley offered.

“Do you mind?” Swizz added, her tone friendly.

“No, I’ll manage,” I replied.

“Okay, cool,” Swizz said, winking at me. They hopped into the car and sped off.

[Inside the Car]

“He’s really handsome,” Haley remarked, glancing at Swizz.

“Yeah, he is,” Juliet added, a teasing edge to her voice.

“Don’t tell me you like him already,” Juliet continued, a playful challenge in her tone.

“I’m curious, that’s all,” Haley chimed in, both of them focusing their attention on Swizz.

“Ahem, I don’t know,” Swizz said, trying to hide her blush.

“Woo-hoo!” Juliet exclaimed. “Focus, ladies; we’re on the highway!” Haley reminded her.

Once home and after sorting everything out, I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

“Wow, I struck luck today! If what she said is true, then she must be incredibly wealthy, considering this is just one of her mother’s many branches. And why do their faces and names seem so familiar? I contemplated where I had seen them before, biting my fingertips slightly.

Oh wait… it can’t be! I remember now; we are in the same school! What the hell…”

I jumped up and walked to the corner of my room where my laptop sat on a cluttered desk. I pulled out the chair, which had been wedged between the table for ages, and powered on my laptop.

“I need to confirm this. It should be easy since I’ve hacked the school portal before; I should still have access to everyone’s credentials.” I scrolled through files in the school’s database.

“There it is! These girls are popular in school, among the best students. I know all this, but wait—something isn’t right. Why didn’t they recognize me? What am I thinking? We’re in the same school but different classrooms; that’s why! I’m a loner, keeping my head down. The school kept anything about the top students anonymous, and if I hadn’t hacked it, I wouldn’t have known there are ten of us in my year, including myself. Hmmm, this is interesting. They’ll recognize me now. Oh s**t, I just blew my cover! Now I’ll attract unwanted attention. Damn it!” I threw myself onto the bed in frustration.