Chapter 1
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOx5Yv7OhK
It was a fine morning. A man in his early forties stepped out of his home, dressed neatly in a proper jogging outfit and striking blue running shoes. A pair of wireless Beats earbuds nestled in his ears, pulsing with a steady rhythm. His slightly tousled hair and golden-brown framed glasses gave him a distinctive, intellectual look. On his wrist, a bold G-Shock sport watch gleamed, displaying the time—6:30 AM.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4IjA30uDs
The world outside was still cloaked in darkness. Not a single soul stirred on the street, except for a stray dog wagging its tail, pacing back and forth like a silent guardian of the early dawn.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDygiVGrc6A
A notification popped up on his phone screen:
"Please come early. Don’t miss the appointment like last time."
The date read 01 August 2025.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZFusVWKlc
Seeing the message, the man—Johnny—smiled. A series of memories suddenly played like a reel in his mind.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvKL1flvMo
"Jack, why are you smiling like that?"
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv2TLcJo2h
The unexpected voice came from the other side of the street. It was Susan, his longtime partner. She was elegant even in casual wear, her confident aura matching her title as the CEO of Melisphere Corporation. A single mother, Susan had been in a relationship with Jack for almost twelve years.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNNfGpUGxy
Their relationship had once stirred whispers. Jack had been the reason Susan left her husband. But neither of them carried guilt. Their love had endured the years, and they lived it unapologetically.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqSt88o0jD
Jack chuckled and responded, “It’s from Johnny. I told you—we have a meetup this evening. He just sent me a reminder.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyb6sKdBI6
“A reminder? At 6:30 in the morning?” Susan raised an eyebrow. “What are you two planning? I hope this isn’t like those times…”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy2toUdJXN
Jack quickly interjected, “No, babe. Nothing like that. That was a bad nightmare—long gone. We're moving on now.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXmh02ClRC
“Even after 25 years,” she sighed, “it still feels like it happened yesterday. And it shouldn’t have ended that way… but sometimes, fate doesn’t ask for permission.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyq7ROKGm8
Jack nodded silently.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBrdD6zMgO
Susan smiled faintly and said, “Come on, let’s go. Time to start our day on a healthy note.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgZRYWUIkI
“Right behind you,” Jack said, picking up his pace to catch up with her.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NwpKVkGZv
The trail was quiet, covered in a thin layer of dew. Jack and Susan jogged side by side, their footsteps in sync. The rising sun painted golden streaks across the sky, but the chill in the air lingered.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNLuAQfpxK
Jack’s mind, however, wasn’t on the run. It kept circling back to Johnny’s message.
Don’t miss the appointment… like last time.
Those words weren’t just a reminder—they were a warning.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO69gNYPhO
He glanced at Susan, her face calm, focused on her breathing. If she knew what Johnny really meant… No. Jack shook the thought away.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAacVQyZgHc
“Do you still think about it?” Susan suddenly asked, without looking at him.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1048fp7Z3m
Jack slowed down just slightly. “Every day.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAnNtzsDMP
Susan gave a faint nod. “It’s like we’re being pulled back into it. Like we never really got out.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzfFVyWVT7
Jack stopped running. The same old weight returned, heavy on his chest. “Do you think Johnny blames us?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tECfxJoT7
Susan turned to face him. “He doesn’t have to. We already blame ourselves.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbOlyyGo0E
For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant bark of a dog and the rustle of leaves. Jack exhaled sharply and took a few steps forward.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYTolJM3aE
“We made choices,” he said. “We thought they were right. But people got hurt.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa850orGCsx
Susan’s gaze was unreadable. “Some deserved it.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4RuaqMgcX
Jack looked at her. “Some didn’t.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV1W2Go28b
The phone buzzed again in his pocket.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDIA1SWIQ4
New Message from Johnny:
“Don’t forget the location. 7:30 PM. Same place.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CshulsouS
Jack’s grip tightened around the phone.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZrrDPYiLG
Whatever this meeting was… it wasn’t just a reunion.
It was unfinished business.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJzB97idAC
Evening fell with a strange stillness.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA98fqTwMH
Johnny stood near the old park entrance, where the streetlights flickered like they were struggling to stay alive. He checked the time—7:27 PM. Just a few minutes early.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBToLsqpJ3W
Then he noticed something.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSWJ1sQt9o
A figure was standing across from him, barely ten feet away.
Not Jack. Not Susan.
Someone else.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed8mL7cFRj
The man wore a red shirt with bold white letters that read: "Are You Serious?". A grey hoodie hung loosely over it, sleeves slightly frayed, and he had on worn blue denim jeans with a pair of spotless Puma sneakers.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3QXRvkXJe
He wasn’t just standing there.
He was smiling.
A slow, deliberate, evil smile.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNh1bG5HrY
Johnny’s breath caught in his throat.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzc7z2UpZB
In a flash, it all came back—25 years ago. The screams. The blood. The betrayal.
And the one mistake that changed everything.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBDDR68BKz
Tears welled in Johnny’s eyes. Not just from fear—but guilt. And this time, Susan wasn’t with him. She had said she’d come, but now… he was alone.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEMu35of2V
The man took a step closer.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJSBIRQ5T7
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he said quietly, almost like a whisper inside Johnny’s mind.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG9AeX6GG7
Before Johnny could speak, pain exploded in his right eye.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfMJserHNU
A small knife—clean, quick, and merciless—stabbed into the side of his face.
He stumbled backward, clutching his head, but the agony didn’t stop. The man slammed Johnny's skull against a streetlamp post with brutal force.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYSIkFAm2I
Johnny dropped to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6SY5EE2MD
Suddenly—“STOP!”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKJubZCFcD
The voice rang out, breaking the nightmare.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gq42hcs8V
Susan.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdF5wmaWZ3
She ran toward them, face pale with horror. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she screamed, but her body gave out before she reached Johnny. She collapsed, unconscious, hitting the pavement hard.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwnA4k74wZ
And just like that—the red-shirted man was gone. No footsteps. No sound.
Only the silence. And Johnny, barely breathing.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgN56k0TMM
It was 9:30 PM when Jack’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eJtrSr5aA
He hesitated for a moment before picking up.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp6rYMjO3T
“Hello?” Jack answered.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZRpWBXVpu
A calm but firm voice came through the speaker. “Good evening, sir. Is this Mr. Jack?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTQaIitDdl
“Yes, speaking.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXzqvmxI1E
“Sorry to disturb you at this hour. My name is Detective Michael. I’m calling from Cheras Police Station. By any chance, do you know someone named Johnny?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvCFeNdwEI
The name hit Jack like a brick wall. A knot twisted in his stomach. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf64vHbSiq
“Yes… I know him well,” Jack said cautiously, his voice suddenly dry. After a pause, he asked, “Why? What happened, sir?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncLwaBHiVx
There was a brief silence.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTF4WrCKFA
“Sir, I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss this over the phone,” the detective said. “Can you come to Cheras Police Station immediately? It’s urgent. Delaying even a minute could put another life at risk.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zda1ltcCi
Jack’s hand trembled slightly as he ended the call. His world was spinning—something inside him screamed that this wasn’t just about Johnny.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MpjlFWzOi
From behind him, a familiar voice broke the silence.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP4AmyCSUj
“Hey, what’s up, buddy? Why so serious?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDviBs9T23j
It was Vikram, Jack’s business partner. His usually bright demeanor turned concerned the moment he saw Jack’s face.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QkaIU568c
Jack didn’t turn around. “It was Detective Michael. From Cheras station,” he said flatly. “From the tone of his voice… I think Johnny’s gone.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAj5ddWClh
Both men went pale.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPwItl4Fup
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gQJidD2gq
Then Vikram asked, his voice low: “Is it… him?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS7bMlzMMr
Jack didn’t answer right away. He stared at the floor, breathing heavily. “I don’t know, buddy. But I have to get to the station. Fast.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetBTDTaT4E
“I’ve been trying to call Johnny for days. He wasn’t answering anything—not calls, not messages.” Jack ran a hand through his hair. “We were supposed to meet today. At my house. But instead… something happened with Susan. Something stupid. And now—now we’re in real trouble.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4z8MRsnMk
Vikram looked like he wanted to ask more, but Jack was already grabbing his keys and rushing toward the door.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfuEpaNiKv
As it slammed shut behind him, the storm that had been buried for 25 years began to rise again.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oGtqSlUen
Jack sped through the near-empty streets of Kuala Lumpur, the city lights blurring past as Detective Michael’s words echoed in his mind.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx0Akk8x89
> “Delaying even a minute could put another life at risk.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80ugX9VnsO
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3iwH4545p
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcWfl2FxZi
His hands tightened around the steering wheel of his white BMW, but it wasn't the road he was focused on—it was the storm in his head.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNzfyLkbgm
> Johnny, why didn’t you answer my messages?
Why did you run away from me?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdR83qRRMR
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52lEFoEdSh
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25nq0ac5kz
His jaw clenched. None of it made sense. Something about this night felt like a bad dream that had finally caught up with him.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD2dsCaFNu
15 minutes later, Jack pulled up and parked just across the street from Cheras Police Station.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz31TKryPNW
Before he could even step onto the pavement, a figure came rushing out of the shadows.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVcfmlMijE
Susan.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoclqRJevzA
She looked broken, her face soaked with tears, her expression wild with rage and grief. Without warning, she grabbed Jack by the collar of his shirt and shoved him back.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLmN0FNxh2
"You killed him!" she screamed. “You kept sending him those filthy appointment messages! For a week! I told you something bad would happen. I knew it! And now look—LOOK what you’ve done!”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTQldsyl8U
Jack’s eyes widened, stunned by the sudden attack. “Stop it, Susan! Are you out of your mind?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK54D8V7Q3
Her hands trembled against his chest.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqn8t0YuKJ
“You know I’ve been out of town,” Jack continued, voice tight. “I told you—there was an issue with my wife. I was trying to fix things. I’ve been away for almost a week.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM5AKIF09D
He stepped back, trying to compose himself. “And when I got back, I immediately reached out to Johnny. I even told him to come over today. Ask Vikram. Ask my wife if you don’t believe me.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RB2dCRPCJ
Susan’s breath hitched. Her anger hadn’t left, but it was tangled in confusion now.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwZ4Ze5dGM
Jack’s voice softened, but his pain cracked through. “You’re not the only one who feels lost, Susan. I still can’t accept it. I still can’t believe Johnny is… gone.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkXSOwbOX7
They stood there under the streetlight, shadows dancing across their faces, both drowning in a truth they weren’t ready to face.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGwwCrln5E
Just then, the door of the police station creaked open.
Detective Michael stood there, waiting.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIxtVQYecZ
INT. DETECTIVE MICHAEL'S INTERROGATION ROOM – NIGHT
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSzuN4S0o3
Detective Michael sits behind his desk, calm but observant. Across from him sit Jack, Susan, and Vikram.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavDaWe8tUo
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
(leaning forward slightly)
Good evening, everyone. I’m Detective Michael, handling Mr. Johnny’s case. I’ll need to ask you all a few questions. Let's start with you, Jack.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQNZ65tFDU
(turns to Jack)
Hi, Mr. Jack. How are you? Where were you on the night of August 1st, 2025?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NwsWrE70p
JACK
(nods politely)
I'm doing okay, Detective. That day, I was in Johor during the morning. I returned to KL around 6:30 p.m. After I got back, I tried calling Johnny, but he didn’t pick up.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs1xEkR1rU
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
According to Susan’s statement, you’d been in touch with Johnny for about a week prior. She mentioned you were planning some kind of reunion. She also felt it wasn’t just an ordinary gathering. Care to explain?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4tTCnuWqi
JACK
(looking surprised)
What’s going on here? I’ve been trying to reach Johnny for almost a week, but I couldn’t get through to him.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxTL0FKt2k
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
Can you back up that claim?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7XYeoGoQz
JACK
Absolutely. I’ll need the phone company’s help to verify my call records. Also, I can prove I wasn’t in town that night.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFVZmIma8t
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
Noted, Mr. Jack. We’ll verify your movements. We already have Mr. Johnny’s cellphone and belongings. Our forensic team is working on them.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlq5vsVil5
(then turns to Susan)
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVKFiSVZe4
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
Susan, how long were you in a relationship with Johnny?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdYMUnoHRN
SUSAN
More than ten years.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbb6GFG8rB
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
Did Johnny have any enemies… any personal issues?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF6OqRJRNv
As soon as the question drops, Jack and Vikram visibly tense. Their expressions shift subtly—faces pale. Detective Michael notes the reaction without a word.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc6sutLrE0
SUSAN
(shakes her head softly)
Honestly, Johnny was a kind man. Despite being a multimillionaire, he was always grounded. He helped people whenever he could—donated generously, ran charities, and even set up a trust that helps hundreds of students graduate every year. I can’t imagine someone like him having enemies.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0DytAKTef
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
(picking up on a discrepancy)
Mrs. Susan, you mentioned you’ve been with Johnny for over ten years. But records show you became a single mother about seven years ago. Are you saying you were in a relationship with Johnny while still married?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvUv8bOeHk
(pause)
Could it be your ex-husband had a motive? Maybe... he’s the one behind this?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oGzjMufev
SUSAN
(sighs deeply, composed)
I knew that question would come up. James and I separated a long time ago. He migrated to Canada shortly after we parted ways. I don’t see why, after all these years, he would suddenly seek revenge. Besides, our children are still under his custody. He wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktdT5ZCIco
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
(pointed tone)
Still, Susan, we’ve seen evidence suggesting your marriage broke down because of Johnny. Infidelity, emotional fallout. Would you care to explain how Johnny factored into that?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISeLorkbEt
SUSAN
(looks away for a moment, then back at the detective)
Johnny didn’t ruin my marriage, Detective. My marriage was already falling apart. James and I were just... surviving under the same roof. Johnny showed me what it felt like to be seen, to be appreciated. Yes, I admit we got close before my marriage officially ended—but love doesn’t always follow rules. And whatever happened, it doesn’t make James a killer.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhblohE2Le
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ1e60cyjc
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrU4kY0yt9
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVHNW0bpCG
