Chapter 78

Chapter 78

A few days later, Jian Yao is rescued by the FBI from the devils’ den.  When she looked back at the experience, she remembers the immense pain she suffered both physically and psychologically.  But she is also amazed how life can be so much like an unpredictable plot of a novel.  

Nobody, except for the person who planned the moves, expected how the events would played out.

Let’s take the story from where it all started - the video footage that was sent to the TV station by Tommy.  A secret footage that nobody else knew existed, except for Tommy, Xie Han… and him.

…….

Afternoon,  In the underground cellar.  

It’s hard to tell the time of the day when there’s no natural light coming through.  Jian Yao is sitting on the sofa.  She watches as Xie Han arranges the fresh flowers and places the candles on the dining table. 

She can tell he is in an extremely good mood. Every word, every action.  He is like a well mannered gentleman.  He even gave her a nice bunch of yellow daisies.  

Jian Yao feels as if every cell in her body is withering, like a plant that is about to die.  Xie Han takes a look at her and sits facing her on the other side of the table.

“Bon appetite.”  He says with a smile.

Jian Yao picks up the chopsticks.  As they touch the white rice in the bowl, she hears Xie Han makes a “Oh” sound.  Her hand shakes and the chopsticks fall onto the tablecloth.  

Xie Han stares at her: “I have not introduced tonight’s entertainment.  We are about to see another video about Simon.  Are you happy about that?”

Jian Yao has an uneasy feeling about this.  She keeps quiet.  

Xie Han stands up and walks over to her.  This movement sends chills to her spine.  He casually place his hand on her shoulder, and says softly: “I know that you are woman with depth and good character.  I am honoured to share my feelings with you.”

He starts to converse with her!  Like Bo Jinyan says, he is an unpredictable and moody man.

“People say, ants can overcome elephants.  Even an insignificant pawn can completely change the course of an event.  I didn’t expect our little Tommy to give me such a big surprise!  I am amazed.”

Jian Yao is getting more and more afraid.  Her whole head starts to hurt. 

He continues: “I didn’t know he kept the footage.  And to send it out at this time… I understand why he is doing this.  Once this is broadcasted, Bo Jinyan’s reputation will be completely ruined.  This is his present for me.  He seems to think that by destroying Bo Jinyan, Bo Jinyan will be of no interest to me anymore.

I can only say Tommy underestimates Bo Jinyan, and he underestimates me - This is exactly what I wished for - to put Bo Jinyan to destruction, is to push him towards me.” 

Jian Yao sits very still.  Her heart is sore.  Jinyan, what’s happening to you?

He smiles at her: “You don’t understand what I am talking about?”

Jian Yao bits her lower lip.  She is not answering him.

Xie Han laughs.  He picks up the bunch of yellow daisies and put it to his nose for a sniff: “Let’s just say that Simon has a secret…. a secret that was revealed two years ago.  Only I know about it, Tommy knows about it.  And Simon… does not.”

So Bo Jinyan has made a fatal mistake.  Using Tommy as a bait as allowed him to reveal this secret to the rest of the world.  Bo Jinyan’s plan backfired. What is about to happen is going to be out of Bo Jinyan’s control.”

Jian Yao is confused and worried.  A secret?  Bo Jinyan has a secret?  That’s impossible.  Is this another trick Xie Han is using on her?  It must be.

She must stay sober.  Stay in control.  

Xie Han presses the play button on the remote.  He says with a dreamy voice: “Enjoy.  This is what I am after.  This is what I have been waiting for.  It’s a time for fiesta and celebration for serial killers around the world."

Even though she keeps telling herself this is just a trick of his, she can’t help but tense up.  She is afraid to see what’s on the video.  

—————-

A small room.  A prison cell with a lonely light bulb hanging from the middle of the ceiling, and a rectangular desk.

A man is sitting in front of the video camera.  He is bare chested.  There are rows of cuts on his back.  Jian Yao recognises him at first glance.  It’s Bo Jinyan.  His hands and feet are tied to chains.  Obviously, he is imprisoned.  

He lifts his head.  

The familiar handsome face that she knows too well.  But he is a lot thinner here.  And his hair is much longer too. 

But this Bo Jinyan is somewhat different from the man that she loves.  

It’s his expressions! 

Callous.  Cruel.  His eyes looks looks cold and uncaring.  

Why is that? 

Then he picks up a little knife on the table.  He licks off the blood with his tongue.  Then he speaks: “Tommy.”

Jian Yao’s heart shivers.  

What happened to his voice?  Why… why does he sound… so different?

Tommy is probably outside of the range of the camera lens.  Bo Jinyan has an devilish smile on his face.  

“I’m not that stupid guy, Simon.”  He is holding the dagger in his hand.  He plays with it like a skilful hunter: “I am Allen.”

Suddenly, Jian Yao can hear a buzzing sound in her brain.  There is no sound other than Bo Jinyan’s voice.  Her heart feels like it’s being shredded into pieces.

The same man.  But with a different expression and a different voice.  Usually, Bo Jinyan’s voice is deep and low, but this voice sounds very husky, and a bit brighter than his normal voice.  It sounds like it’s from a completely different person.  Even the accent he speaks is different.  

How is this possible? 

A second personality…. Allen?

In the images, where Bo Jinyan refers to himself as ‘Allen’,  smiles and says: “I have killed more people than you.”  

 “Don’t drag me into this immature game of yours.”

“If you can completely kill off Simon’s consciousness so I can have this body all to myself, I’ll join you.” 

————-

The video footage went viral.  It’s broadcasted on very major television channel in the US.  And it’s all over the internet.

As the news presenter has predicted, it shocked the whole of the US.  Everyone needs time to digest this piece of information - Angel and demon… it’s the same person. 

Allen even admitted to some murders that he committed over the years.  These were unsolved mysteries.  He even told Tommy the details of how he went about committing those crimes. 

……..

FBI Analyst Office.  

Everyone looking at the television live broadcast is in shock.  They can’t believe the man in the video is the same man they used to work with.  Someone mutters: “Shit!”

In the Maryland Hospital, Fu Ziyu  is lying in bed. He watched the broadcast on his laptop.  Tears starts to trickle.  He keeps very quiet.  Anam is standing beside his bed.  He is nonplussed by the news.  He is so shocked he is rooted to the spot.

The family members of the victims that Bo Jinyan claimed to have killed look at the TV in disbelief and anger.  

At the same time, countless reporters gathering in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel, where Bo Jinyan is staying.  The hotel security and police stops them from getting to Bo Jinyan’s room.   A lot of them goes outside and point their camera towards the window of Bo Jinyan’s room.  

A tall man appears before the window.  He partly open the curtains so that he takes a look at the crowd that’s gathered on the ground.  Then he closes the curtains, and disappears from the crowd’s gaze.  

———————- 

The broadcast is over.  Jian Yao sits on the chair with her body shaking. She doesn’t know what to believe.

Xie Han is well pleased with her reactions.  He takes up his chopsticks and enjoys his meal.  

“You are surprised?”  He says: “I don’t blame you.  Even Simon himself don’t know that Allen exist.  You are only his girl friend, how would you know.”

Jian Yao’s is speechless.

Xie Han looks at her. then he smiles. He picks up a slice of beef and put it into her bowl: “Actually, it’s not hard to understand why he has split personality.  Did Simon ever tell you how his mother died?  His father killed her in a villa and used cement to hide her body in a wall.   Allen remembers it.  But Simon has forgotten.  They are the same person, with different sets of personality and memories.

I bet he never told you what happened when he was captured by Tommy.  They are too painful to bear, even for Simon.  He’s not as strong as you think he is, that’s why he’s split into two persons.  

Let me think…. what else?  Does he suffer from insomnia and walk around the house at night?”

He continues: “That’s Allen.  He’s just hiding himself from Simon.”

Jian Yao’s heart aches.  Her head starts to spin.  She supports her forehead with her hands as her dizziness makes her feel like she is going to faint.    From the corners of her eyes, she notices Xie Han looking at the TV screen, and with an extremely contented tone, he murmurs: “Hi Allen.  You have returned… finally… My greatest friend.”