Chapter 1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sZZNVKYqR
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzygN95XH8
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1usKEwfjb
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg2tRPuclr
Seeing the message, the man—Johnny—smiled. A series of memories suddenly played like a reel in his mind.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6m8QPwkHo
"Jack, why are you smiling like that?"
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg3jo0gNqL
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbKROmepA6
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORjm8ypuAy
Jack chuckled and responded, “It’s from Johnny. I told you—we have a meetup this evening. He just sent me a reminder.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6ZOG7N3Qv
“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…”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoZ2wmIjSD
Jack quickly interjected, “No, babe. Nothing like that. That was a bad nightmare—long gone. We're moving on now.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSn37zVBgR
“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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNEK3fZwsM
Jack nodded silently.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2chmehzqyh
Susan smiled faintly and said, “Come on, let’s go. Time to start our day on a healthy note.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo1jwbwkXW
“Right behind you,” Jack said, picking up his pace to catch up with her.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp7Vhbrhyr
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihbfwtspa0
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD3wUiQNn5
He glanced at Susan, her face calm, focused on her breathing. If she knew what Johnny really meant… No. Jack shook the thought away.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb4TWVSRLK
“Do you still think about it?” Susan suddenly asked, without looking at him.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9lMSIhFQO
Jack slowed down just slightly. “Every day.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33wA9QMXqs
Susan gave a faint nod. “It’s like we’re being pulled back into it. Like we never really got out.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbYkgiHRPw
Jack stopped running. The same old weight returned, heavy on his chest. “Do you think Johnny blames us?”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI4XpE1B0n
Susan turned to face him. “He doesn’t have to. We already blame ourselves.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchs4rOfDRU
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlzb699wkQ
“We made choices,” he said. “We thought they were right. But people got hurt.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv4DN8jdls
Susan’s gaze was unreadable. “Some deserved it.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC00gTIpU1
Jack looked at her. “Some didn’t.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQpddVedxL
The phone buzzed again in his pocket.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6cHJw7AKU
New Message from Johnny:
“Don’t forget the location. 7:30 PM. Same place.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEE0H3WdS8
Jack’s grip tightened around the phone.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDCDbLAYoH
Whatever this meeting was… it wasn’t just a reunion.
It was unfinished business.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5G5b91XR0
Evening fell with a strange stillness.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaoJV9H7KD
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TZVpktUF3
Then he noticed something.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjbAizZooD
A figure was standing across from him, barely ten feet away.
Not Jack. Not Susan.
Someone else.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA0whYHo85
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZllhf63gVj
He wasn’t just standing there.
He was smiling.
A slow, deliberate, evil smile.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz4d416iIb
Johnny’s breath caught in his throat.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP62EdiDv6
In a flash, it all came back—25 years ago. The screams. The blood. The betrayal.
And the one mistake that changed everything.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl9KVwAaHP
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfBPAPeJVt
The man took a step closer.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0npC3VTxbh
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he said quietly, almost like a whisper inside Johnny’s mind.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnIVWeuv10
Before Johnny could speak, pain exploded in his right eye.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8SXiWF6Po
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFX1Z18sGe
Johnny dropped to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKaM8yFBdK
Suddenly—“STOP!”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVYNv5YOEE
The voice rang out, breaking the nightmare.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNS82OZ4h9
Susan.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7nxMUnLBY
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEz09nbat7
And just like that—the red-shirted man was gone. No footsteps. No sound.
Only the silence. And Johnny, barely breathing.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlXYsoigxD
It was 9:30 PM when Jack’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgqlFB3Twm
He hesitated for a moment before picking up.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUU2BTpVex
“Hello?” Jack answered.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUha8LQ0Wz
A calm but firm voice came through the speaker. “Good evening, sir. Is this Mr. Jack?”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIHABWb9zN
“Yes, speaking.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aisw1TEb6
“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?”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAs8kUFBVm
The name hit Jack like a brick wall. A knot twisted in his stomach. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhKTOBaoWL
“Yes… I know him well,” Jack said cautiously, his voice suddenly dry. After a pause, he asked, “Why? What happened, sir?”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVP8AeVP91
There was a brief silence.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzeOMY69WE
“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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRszgH3jfte
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxAiRJ4v52
From behind him, a familiar voice broke the silence.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zqa0ltqpR
“Hey, what’s up, buddy? Why so serious?”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI63zkLE7t
It was Vikram, Jack’s business partner. His usually bright demeanor turned concerned the moment he saw Jack’s face.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mGkqOX16F
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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxRdHsJtoj
Both men went pale.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVpeOTve75
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAG0ackYnY
Then Vikram asked, his voice low: “Is it… him?”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6mU5geBSu
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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgh4e8jn5Q
“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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCSE1wHIhR
Vikram looked like he wanted to ask more, but Jack was already grabbing his keys and rushing toward the door.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh1ydxkuGZ
As it slammed shut behind him, the storm that had been buried for 25 years began to rise again.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14fJNGDl7z
Jack sped through the near-empty streets of Kuala Lumpur, the city lights blurring past as Detective Michael’s words echoed in his mind.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9An0iHRTr3
> “Delaying even a minute could put another life at risk.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVue29Pxc4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kq0sOWAHK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshICtZ7Qnw
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcnsOLvzyd
> Johnny, why didn’t you answer my messages?
Why did you run away from me?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQq3i52yyp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA1MMhWqs4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aZwwaAED0
His jaw clenched. None of it made sense. Something about this night felt like a bad dream that had finally caught up with him.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL2CSnT95q
15 minutes later, Jack pulled up and parked just across the street from Cheras Police Station.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ6BB58djP
Before he could even step onto the pavement, a figure came rushing out of the shadows.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd6LBBveT9
Susan.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIluw7FIyoM
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dS5W7eyRj
"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!”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyaNzdzbXL
Jack’s eyes widened, stunned by the sudden attack. “Stop it, Susan! Are you out of your mind?”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTqhHt7G3I
Her hands trembled against his chest.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oF0FaR2Vk
“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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmhiQzFIa1
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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRbuTuqtTR
Susan’s breath hitched. Her anger hadn’t left, but it was tangled in confusion now.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDgDFYUtZL
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.”
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoln8OA2As
They stood there under the streetlight, shadows dancing across their faces, both drowning in a truth they weren’t ready to face.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ1NxvazA9
Just then, the door of the police station creaked open.
Detective Michael stood there, waiting.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlw7GavHUN
INT. DETECTIVE MICHAEL'S INTERROGATION ROOM – NIGHT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzbmAAariZ
Detective Michael sits behind his desk, calm but observant. Across from him sit Jack, Susan, and Vikram.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTltNaqfWnN
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmkZ8PS9jr
(turns to Jack)
Hi, Mr. Jack. How are you? Where were you on the night of August 1st, 2025?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr79bjEw6C
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpFgty9Oue
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?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2X9r0AnDa
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceIjb3XMf0
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
Can you back up that claim?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O7a44YWmJ
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwWiCL7eSD
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN2MQzFEL8
(then turns to Susan)
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxjoZaoY3E
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
Susan, how long were you in a relationship with Johnny?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3wGvIWURV
SUSAN
More than ten years.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADf4zG6d0W
DETECTIVE MICHAEL
Did Johnny have any enemies… any personal issues?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2kV6nYSJO
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RNz65LYMa
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wi7i7VW0D
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?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcId8DAcpM
(pause)
Could it be your ex-husband had a motive? Maybe... he’s the one behind this?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIfkPJzKWR
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GzfvEQeeQ
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?
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSymrWKA7pf
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.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoalbF0nStJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cWd6ASFDm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVVSXS5OBl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaZHXl7Ww1
and then Add to home screen.