Bhairava entered his room, the soft hum of the ceiling fan brushing against the silence. His eyes landed on the diary and pen lying on the bed, remnants of the morning's chaos. He picked them up, stared for a moment, then placed them gently on the table.
"Let's think about this later," he murmured.
He needed something else. Something real.
He reached for his notebook, the thick one with frayed edges and pages filled with clippings. Then he pulled out a stack of newspapers from his bag. A week's worth, from different sources: The Daily News, News Hunt, The Daily Prophecy, and a few lesser-known ones.
This was his weekend routine.
He opened the notebook. Each page was already filled with carefully cut articles, pasted with precision. Each page was a mosaic of headlines, fragments of truth, and scribbled thoughts. He studied it. Compared headlines. Traced patterns. Found the gaps between what was said and what was hidden.
By reading multiple perspectives, he could piece together what really happened. It sharpened his instincts, taught him how to read between the lines. It was more than a hobby, it was training.
He opened the first paper, eyes scanning the columns with quiet focus.
🗞️January 7, 2008 – The Daily News – Another Murder
'There is an unknown body found at the forest area last week. The postmortem results have been given and by looking at the victim's death, experts say this is a serial killing.
There were already two bodies found in the last one month, and this was the third. Police are advising that it resembles the case from four years ago. All people from the city are afraid whether the Devil is back. Back then, a serial killer called as Devil by public was found and encountered by Inspector Ashok. Now the killings continue with the same method. Whether it's a new killer or the same one, the public is raising questions.
Police urge the public not to panic and to report any suspicious activity.' —By Thana
Bhairava clipped the article and pasted it into his notebook. His eyes lingered on the byline.
Thana… The man who caught a thief in the market yesterday. In the news industry, most journalists used pen names to protect their identity. Investigative reporting came with risks. But Thana didn't hide.
Some called him fearless. Others called him arrogant.
Bhairava had his own opinion.
"He wants attention. Not truth. He wants to be seen."
The thought irritated him. He clenched his jaw and muttered, "Just wait four months. I'll get selected. And then I'll be the number one journalist."
He had already sent his own article to The Daily News. And now, it had been shortlisted. His interview was scheduled.
🗞️January 8, 2008 – News Hunt – Killer or Punisher
'A third body was discovered in the forest on New Year's Eve, continuing a disturbing pattern that has shaken the city. Forensic analysis confirms the murder follows the same method as the previous two cases—precise, calculated, and consistent which makes the police think it's the work of a serial killer.
While police have withheld the identity of the victim, our investigative team has uncovered the truth. The man who died was a criminal – convicted rapist, who previously imprisoned for multiple assaults and murders of young women. He had recently been released and, according to sources, had resumed his criminal behaviour.
The first two victims were also people who had done serious crimes and were let out of jail. All three had escaped justice. All three were silenced.
Even after knowing this, the police and government didn't take any action. Now, someone else is doing what the system failed to do - punishing the guilty.
Is this the work of a murderer? Or a punisher?
So, the big question is: Is this person really a Devil? Or The Devil of Justice who is trying to bring justice?' – By Ghost
Bhairava read the article and whispered to himself: "Devil of Justice, huh? Not bad."
He smiled faintly, cut the clipping, and pasted it neatly into his notebook.
🗞️January 9, 2008 – News Hunt – Robbery Gang and Sleeping Cop
'Two weeks have passed since one of the world's most expensive diamond was stolen from the city museum. CCTV shows that seven people were involved, but no one knows who they are. Their identities remain unknown. Their escape, flawless.
This isn't the first time.
Two months ago, during the transfer of a royal crown - an artifact encrusted with rare stones, another robbery occurred. The circumstances were eerily similar.
So far, the police haven't made any progress. No updates. No suspects. Nothing.
People are starting to wonder: Are the police being fooled? Or are they just not doing their job?' – By Hunting Dog
🗞️ January 9, 2008 – News Hunt – Another Victim: The Punisher Strikes Again?
'Another dead body was found last night in the forest area, making it the fourth murder in the past two months. Forensic experts say the victim was killed two days ago, and the wounds match the same pattern seen in the earlier serial killings.
As usual, the victim's face was badly damaged, making it hard for the police to identify who it is. They are using other methods like fingerprints and missing person reports to find out the victim's name.
The article ends with a strong message from the reporter: "If the police don't do their job, our team will find the truth and bring it to the public."' — By Ghost
Bhairava found this article gripping. He clipped it, pasted it beside the others, and wrote in the margin: "Fourth victim. Identity unknown. The pattern continues."
🗞️ January 10, 2008 – The Daily News – Drunk Driving Accident: One Woman Dead
'A tragic accident happened last night on Azhagi Highway. A woman named Varsha was hit by a speeding car and died on the spot. The police checked CCTV footage from nearby cameras and tracked down the vehicle involved.
After investigation, they found that the driver was heavily drunk at the time of the accident. He lost control of the car and hit Varsha while she was walking along the roadside.
Police have taken the driver into custody and are preparing to file a case for drunk driving and causing death by negligence. They also reminded the public not to drink and drive, as it puts innocent lives at risk.' —By Unknown Light
When Bhairava read this article, his heart paused. "Varsha… that's Ananya's sister."
He didn't write anything beside the clipping. He just cut it out and pasted it into his notebook quietly.
🗞️ January 11, 2008 – The Daily News – Most Brutal Killer
'Police have found out who the woman was that got murdered two days ago in the forest. She was a divorced woman living a quiet and normal life. On the night of the murder, she was walking home from work when she was attacked and killed.
There were no signs of robbery or sexual assault. The killer didn't steal anything or touch her in any other way. Experts say the murder was done only with the intention to kill, and the method matches the same pattern seen in the recent serial killings.
Police are now warning people to be careful, especially at night. They said that even if the victim had done something wrong, killing is never the right answer. Murder is always a crime.
Experts believe the killer may be a psychopath, someone who enjoys killing. If he is not caught soon, more people could be in danger.
The case has now been given to Inspector Ashok, the officer who solved the serial killing case four years ago.' — By Ghost
When Bhairava read the article, he quietly thought: "Dad's going to take this case, huh?" But he didn't show any emotion. He just clipped the article and added it to his notebook.
🗞️ January 12, 2008 – The Daily Prophecy – Minister's Son-in-Law Got Arrested
'The man accused in the drunk driving accident on Azhagi Highway has been identified as the minister's son-in-law. The accident led to the death of a young woman named Varsha.
Police used CCTV footage to find the vehicle and arrested the minister's son-in-law. But the very next day, another person came forward and confessed to the crime. After that, the minister's son-in-law was released.
Sources say he had just received a promotion, and this case was affecting his career. It looks like the minister may be using his power to protect his daughter's husband and save his reputation.' — By Sunshine
Bhairava read the article slowly, his fingers resting on the edge of the page. "Varsha…" His thoughts drifted to Ananya.
"I wonder how she is now. How is she taking it?"
🗞️ January 13, 2008 – The Daily Prophecy – Atrocity of the Journalist
'Yesterday, there was a theft in the busy market street. A reporter from The Daily News tried to catch the thief, but instead of handling it calmly, he caused a lot of chaos.
According to people who were there, the reporter could have caught the thief easily. But instead, he fought with him in a dramatic way, damaging public property and roadside shops. Many people nearby got scared, and some say he may have even hurt someone during the chase.
Witnesses believe the reporter wanted to look like a hero, but ended up causing more trouble than help.' The article ends with a strong opinion: "This is not how a reporter should act." — By Sleeping Star
🗞️ January 13, 2008 – The Daily News – Bravery of Journalist
'Yesterday in the market street, a theft took place. Luckily, a reporter from The Daily News was present and acted quickly. He chased the thief, fought with him, and successfully handed him over to the police.
Many people in the area praised the reporter for his courage. The police also appreciated his brave action.' The article says: "This is the kind of reporter our city needs." — By Hidden Eyes
"In every news," he thought, "there's always a question. This might be the reason… or that could be the reason… but no one is telling the truth."
He smiled not out of joy, but recognition. "But this is exactly as I expected. Every story has multiple sides. Someone might be telling the truth. Someone might be hiding it. Or maybe… both are hiding it. Who knows."
Bhairava leaned back on bed, the notebook resting open next to him, pages filled with clippings and scribbled thoughts. He stared at the ceiling, letting the patterns settle.
Then he whispered to himself, almost like a sigh: "The crime is getting worse. There's no strong punishment. No one fears the law anymore. Justice… it's just hidden."
Bhairava paused his thinking for a moment and realized "That's right. Justice… in today's world, even that word needs justice."
The pages of notebook beside him starts fluttering in the breeze like restless truths trying to escape.
Crimes. Contradictions. Cover-ups.