The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the sleek, modern office. Vivian Donovan was engrossed in her work, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she reviewed the latest financial reports. The hum of activity surrounded her, a constant backdrop to her focused productivity.  A knock at the door pulled her from her concentration. She looked up to see Mark, one of the junior executives, standing in the doorway. He was grinning, but there was something unsettling in his eyes.


    "Vivian, do you have a minute?" he asked, stepping into her office without waiting for an answer. His tone was too familiar, too confident. She nodded, motioning for him to sit. Instead, he walked around her desk, leaning in close. "You know, Vivian, I''ve always admired your... determination," he said, his hand brushing against her arm. Vivian''s body tensed. She was no stranger to the lecherous advances of men who mistook her professionalism for something else. But Mark had crossed a line. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping the floor. "I think you should leave," she said, her voice cold and unwavering. Mark chuckled, moving closer. "Come on, Vivian. We both know you''re not as tough as you pretend to be." Before he could react, Vivian grabbed his wrist and twisted it behind his back, forcing him to his knees. Her voice was a low, dangerous whisper. "If you ever touch me again, you''ll regret it." She released him, and he stumbled to his feet, a mixture of fear and anger on his face. Without another word, he left the office, slamming the door behind him.


    Vivian sank back into her chair, her hands shaking slightly. She had made sure Mark learned his lesson, but the encounter stirred memories she had tried to bury. That night, she fell onto her comfy sofa, tears rolling down her cheeks. She closed her eyes, and the past came rushing back.


    In the chaos of that fateful night, Vivian found herself facing a man twice her size, his eyes filled with cruel intentions. She had been pushed to the brink, every ounce of her being screaming for survival. As he lunged at her, she felt something deep inside her awaken—a monstrous strength she had always harbored but never unleashed. This monster within her had been nurtured for years, feeding on the fear and anger she felt every time her father beat her mother. Those memories, etched into her psyche, had forged a resilience and a latent fury that now erupted with primal force. The man grabbed her, his grip like a vise, but Vivian''s fear transformed into a focused, deadly intent. She lashed out with all her might, aiming for his most vulnerable spots. She jabbed her fingers into his eyes, blinding him temporarily. As he recoiled, she used the moment to deliver a crushing blow to his throat, cutting off his air supply. He gasped, his hands instinctively going to his neck, and she didn''t relent. She brought her knee up with brutal precision, slamming it into his groin. The man doubled over in pain, and Vivian seized the opportunity. She wrapped her hands around his neck, her thumbs pressing into his windpipe with relentless pressure. The adrenaline coursing through her veins made her stronger than she ever thought possible. She used her body weight to keep him down, squeezing with all her might. His struggles grew weaker, his gasps more desperate. She didn''t let go until she felt his body go limp beneath her, the life drained from his eyes. As she stood over the lifeless body, her breath ragged and heart pounding, she caught sight of Emily. Her best friend, who had been laughing from the shadows, suddenly stopped. The look in Emily''s eyes was one of pure terror. She had never expected Vivian to fight back, let alone kill him and nor did Vivian ever thought that Emily her best friend for life would throuw her infront of hideous monsters thirsty for her life. For a moment, their eyes locked. Vivian''s gaze was filled with a mix of betrayal and fury, a silent condemnation of Emily''s cowardice and betrayal. Emily, realizing the gravity of what had just happened, turned and fled. She disappeared into the night, her laughter replaced by the sound of her hurried footsteps. It was as if she had never been there, leaving Vivian alone with the aftermath of her desperate struggle for survival. Vivian staggered back, her breath ragged, staring at the lifeless body before her. The monster within her had taken over, driven by the years of suppressed rage and fear. She had always known it was there, lurking beneath the surface, waiting for a moment like this to break free. In the aftermath, she realized that this inner beast, born from her traumatic childhood, had saved her life. She had protected herself and her chastity, but the cost was a part of her humanity. As she looked down at the man she had killed, she knew she could never go back to who she was before. The monster was a part of her now, a dark guardian that had emerged from the shadows of her past.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Vivian wiped her tears and removed her arm from her eyes. It’s been 20 years already. An awkward darkness of gloom filled the room, but a villainous smirk played on her lips. She sat upright, pouring herself a glass of grape juice from the decanter in front of her.


    As she took the first sip, she whispered to herself, "Well, he deserved it." Her laughter echoed through the penthouse, a chilling reminder of the lengths she would go to protect herself.


    Meanwhile, Detective Sarah Blake was tirelessly rechecking and analyzing every CCTV footage and report from the crime scene. Something was missing, a detail she couldn''t quite grasp. She delved into the sisters'' history, discovering that they were common workers at a local food factory.


    The sisters were notorious for their vicious comments, always joking and mocking those around them. Their behavior had earned them plenty of enemies, but there was nothing that pointed directly to a motive for their murders.


    Sarah rubbed her temples, frustration mounting. The sisters'' habits hinted that they must have had people who hated them, but finding that one person among many was like searching for a needle in a haystack.


    She knew she was close, but the pieces of the puzzle refused to fit together. Determined, she pushed on, aware that time was running out and that the killer was still out there, hiding in plain sight.