Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

With the trail of drugs as a lead, it was a complicated maze to navigate, but persistence would inevitably point the finger at Dorian.

Besides, I had already seen him at Phoebe’s place; he was one of the first to blow his cover.

It was only a matter of time before the cops caught up with him.

And it was he, of all people, who nearly killed Dexter, getting nabbed by the law right at this crucial moment.

It did seem a bit too coincidental.

“He doesn’t have a red birthmark on his arm, does he…” I murmured softly.

If Dorian didn’t have one, then there had to be an accomplice.

Despite doubting my own recollection, I clearly remembered clawing at my attacker’s arm and the red birthmark on it before my death.

I couldn’t be wrong.

Robin patted Colin’s shoulder before leaving. He needed to get back to the interrogation room to see what kind of tricks Dorian was playing.

“When did you start funding Dorian?” I asked Colin in a hushed tone, gripping his hand.

Colin looked down. “He was severely burned, living off welfare, but when the orphanage couldn’t take him anymore, those kids–scars from the fire, unwanted by families–were left to institutions that struggled with the medical bills.

But… this world isn’t black and white. There’s so much charity that never reaches those who need it, and it doesn’t solve the core issues. His life was a painful one.” Colin lifted his gaze briefly, unsure if I could empathize.

I did feel a suffocating wave–of a life reduced to mere survival, clinging on through infections that ravaged the organs, desperate enough to rely on drugs just to ease the pain…

“After I was rescued from the mental institution, I returned to the orphanage to wait.” Colin hesitated, then continued, “Dorian came back around the same time. We shared similar fates, and I’d give him the money I made from collecting bottles and selling scraps so he could buy his medicine. Later, when the Langley family took me in, I asked them to look after him too.”

Colin’s nature was inherently good, something I came to realize through our time together. From what remained of my childhood memories, Colin would fight for me, knowing full well the severe punishments that awaited him, yet he did it anyway.

I leaned on his shoulder, whispering. “It’s okay… as long as you’re not involved.”

If Dorian’s soul had been twisted by pain, seeking vengeance on those responsible for the fire,

using himself and Colin as a cover, the motive seemed plausible.

Yet, something still felt off.

“The police have many investigative methods. They’ll solve the case soon, and Robin’s quite skilled.” I murmured, seemingly to reassure Colin but also to comfort myself. Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

“Robin… he’s smart.” Colin conceded, rare praise coming from him.

Robin was one of the sharper tools in the police shed, privy to many secrets and truths about the orphanage, but as an officer, he couldn’t disclose them.

Robin’s presence surely affected the person lurking in the shadows. His team was also the

most determined to catch the real murderer.

With a serial murder case on their hands, the higher–ups were pushing Robin for a quick resolution, pressuring him to pin it on someone like Colin, who had turned himself in.

Robin had fought with his superiors over it; he was a man of integrity.

Cory had hinted at this in our last conversation.

“But only somewhat so,” Colin added after a pause.

I let out a small “huh“.

He had said Robin was smart but only somewhat smart.

“Still, with Dorian caught, it’ll root out the others, too.” I couldn’t help but feel excited, even though it wasn’t Dorian who killed me in the orphanage’s basement. The culprit would soon be apprehended.

Robin was a responsible cop; he would undoubtedly clear my name and find the murderer, allowing me to rest in peace.

No. ‘rest in peace‘ probably wasn’t the best choice of words, considering I had been reborn.