"Ma'am, is there anyone you suspect? Did your son have any enemies?"
"No… my son was good to everyone. He didn't have problems with anyone.
His teacher used to beat him every day for not doing well in class…
His exam results were terrible last time.
Maybe he ran away.
Please… please find him.
It's all my fault. I don't care about grades anymore, I just want him back."
She breaks down into sobs. Her husband holds her tightly.
"Honey… it'll be alright. We'll find our son."
Police Officer: "We'll do our best. Leave it to us—and pray."
The officers leave.
Elsewhere…
"Wh-Who are you?! Leave me alone—LET ME GO!"
The child screamed, trembling.
"You talk way too much, kid," said the man coldly.
"I've still got a few more hours before I end your miserable little life."
"Why am I here? Please… I'll do anything you want. Just let me go.
I have exams coming up…
My teacher will beat me if I don't do well…"
"Pfft—HAHAHAHAHA!"
The man laughed maniacally.
"Hey, Parvej, did you hear that?
He's more afraid of exams than death!
What a broken generation. The education system really messed them up."
"Please… I—"
A hand covered his mouth—Parvej stepped in silently.
"Good job, Parvej. Thanks for shutting him up.
When is he coming? It's already been six hours.
I don't want to deal with feeding this brat. He's always so late.
I hate people like him."
Parvej: "Relax. He'll be here soon. Don't talk behind his back—
You know how he is.
He might already be listening."
The other man paused.
"Oh… right. You're right."
"Right about what?"
A tall, sharply dressed man entered the room, his presence suffocating.
"M-Master! You're here!"
(Shit, he was listening. I hope he doesn't kill me.)
Parvej: "Take a seat, Master. This is the boy we caught. What do you think? Looks good, right?"
"Get me a coffee first. My head's spinning."
Parvej: "Yes, I'll make it myself."
He rushed to the kitchen.
"How are you?" the Master asked suddenly.
"H-Huh? Did you ask how I'm doing?"
"Yes. Do you have hearing problems?"
"N-No, Master. I was just confused. Thank you for your concern.
I'm doing fine."
"Do you want to stay fine?"
"Y-Yes… obviously."
"…Then watch your mouth.
You might not be so fine the next time I see you."
The man froze.
Parvej: "Your coffee, Master. Here—it's my special brew."
Sips
"Mmm… Delicious. You really are a good cook, Parvej."
Parvej: "Thank you for the praise, Master. Though… I probably don't deserve it."
"What do you mean, you don't deserve it?"
He stared.
Parvej gulped.
Parvej: "Y-Yes, I do! I do deserve it!"
"Good.
I hate fake compliments.
I never give them."
"So, Master… what are we doing with the boy?"
Parvej: "Hey, shut up. You talk too much."
"No, it's fine," the Master replied.
"We'll deal with it soon.
Did you take good pictures of him?"
Parvej: "Not yet, I'll do it now."
He snapped photos, quickly uploading them.
"Put a high price on him," the Master ordered.
"The market's hot right now—our clients are online.
We won't get a better opportunity."
Parvej: "So that's why you came late… You're incredible, Master."
Minutes passed.
"Whoa… The price is skyrocketing!
Someone just offered $100,000 for him!
We're in luck!"
Parvej: "$100K?! Who the hell wants him that badly?"
"Someone else bid $80K—so this one offered more."
Parvej: "Wait—it's a woman. Not a guy. See the name?"
"A woman?"
Parvej: "Yeah, never seen her on the site before. Maybe she got a referral."
"Ask her how she wants the product:
Fresh meat, or a whole body?"
Parvej: "Got it. I'll prepare everything."
"Oh—and Parvej?"
Parvej: "Yes?"
"Set up a dinner table for two. Make it nice."
Parvej: "We're fine, Master. You don't need to worry—"
"I wasn't talking about you."
"Oh… so it's Parvej, then?"
"Not him either.
It's the boy."
"What?!"
Parvej: "Why him?!"
"I want to feed him before I kill him. That's how I like it.
It's more… fun.
Look at his hands…
Aahh… it makes me feel alive.
I want to cut them off myself…
Boil that soft skin, feel it break under my knife…"
"Ahhh… I can't even describe how excited I am.
Hurry and message that woman. I can't wait any longer."
In their minds…
This guy is insane. Am I like him too?
No. I only do this for money. As soon as I get paid, I'm leaving.
This whole organization is full of freaks like him.
Parvej's thoughts:
He gets sexual pleasure from killing.
He's the real monster. I need to stay careful.
Parvej: "The lady replied… and um… Master, you might not like what she said."
"Just tell me."
Parvej: "She wants the boy… alive."
"She wants him what?!"
Parvej: "Alive. She says she prefers killing the product herself. Wants the meat fresh."
"Is this a joke?! Who does she think she is?!
We can't deliver products like that. It's too risky."
Parvej: "So… should I cancel the deal?"
"Yes. Tell her it's not possible.
Give the boy to the $80K bidder instead."
Parvej: "But Master, that's a $20,000 loss…"
"You don't understand the risk.
If he escapes and talks—we're finished.
I won't gamble with that."
Parvej: "Understood.
I told her no, gave her two hours to decide.
She replied—said she enjoys killing her meat personally.
That's why she wants him alive."
"I don't care. Let's wait.
But I swear—this boy won't leave the room with his head still attached."
Parvej: "Got it. We'll wait."
One hour later…
The boy stirred. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes.
"W-Who… who are you? You look like a gentleman…
Please, sir, help me.
These two locked me in here—I didn't do anything!
I swear—I've never hurt anyone!"
"I know, boy. I know.
Now eat this meat."
"W-What is it?"
"You'll know once you try it."
He took a bite, immediately gagging.
"Yuck! That's horrible…
I thought my mom was a bad cook…"
"Oh? I made it myself. Thought you'd like it."
"Wait—you made it?
Ahaha, I was just kidding! It's not that bad.
Actually… it's pretty good!"
"Pretty good, you say? Then have some more."
"More? Uh… actually, no thanks.
I don't want to eat anymore."
"But you said it was good.
That means you must eat more."
"I don't want to!"
"Eat.
That's an order."
The boy froze under the man's chilling stare.
Suddenly, a punch landed on the back of his head.
Parvej: "Master told you to eat, brat!
Eat it—NOW!"
"Okay, okay! I'll eat!"
Tears streamed down the boy's face as he choked down the awful food.
Parvej: "Pathetic.
Crying over food? What a weakling."
The boy continued to cry—silently, hopelessly—each bite heavier than the last.