The Last Victim Chapter 25

The lights hurt Niko's eyes when he first opened them. He rubbed his eyes and opened them again. He looked around him for a few moments and stood up, it was 9 o'clock in the morning. He took a shower and went downstairs. Roderigo and his father were in the lounge discussing something. They stopped when they heard him coming, they both turned and smiled.
''Hey, good morning!.'' Rouvas said.
''How do you feel now?'' Rouvas inquired.
''I am very hungry.'' He answered immediately.
Rouvas and Roderigo exchanged a quick look.
''We haven't consumed breakfast yet, come on.'' Rouvas said.
Niko ate with huge appetite as if it was his last meal.
''I'm off to work now.'' Rouvas said running his hand through Niko's hair.
''Ok.''
He rested on the couch in front of the TV, there was a comedy movie that failed to make him laugh. He lied and closed his eyes and didn't take him long to fall asleep. He didn't know how long he has slept when he woke up on an argument taking place outside between many people. He walked to the door still yawning and opened it to see what's happening. As soon as he opened the door dozens of camera flashes hit his face and people approached him with microphones and video cameras while Chris and Patrick, the bodyguards, were trying to push them away. He was bewildered and stood there like a stone.
''Get inside!'' Patrick yelled pushing him inside, he closed the door behind him.
Cathy was standing nervously.
''What's going on?!'' he asked.
''I don't know they suddenly showed up.'' She replied quietly.
''Oh my God, I thought Dad mentioned that he dealt with the press.'' He muttered.
He fell on the couch, still bewildered. Now his pictures will be everywhere, how can he continue his life normally after that? He walked to the French window and moved the curtain a little. Brandon was talking to the press outside. It took him five minutes and they surprisingly walked away and the garden became quiet again. He saw Brandon and Stephen heading to the door so he told Cathy to open it for them.
''Oh man!'' he whispered releasing the curtain.
He beckoned Brandon and Stephen to follow him to the living room.
"What did they want?'' Niko asked.
''They want to know how the investigation is going especially after identifying some of the victims.'' Brandon replied.
''I didn't know that the case is that much under the media attention.''
''How so? the whole country is interested in the case and you especially being the first person who survived to tell the story. Another thing is the gruesome way the victims were killed makes the public very interested to know more about the case.''
''You are talking as if it is a movie or something.'' Niko said lighting a cigarette.
''Unfortunately, to the public it is more of a real life thriller.'' Stephen murmured.
''How did the others die?'' Niko asked curiously.
''As he described it in his diary and what he told us during the investigations he used various methods.'' Stephen declared.
''I want to know.'' Niko insisted.
Stephen and Brandon exchanged a quick look followed a gesture from Brandon meaning, ''Tell him.''
''Well, mmm.... his favorite methods were skinning and disembowelment.'' Stephen choked.
''What?!''
''It is....''
''I know what it is.'' Niko interrupted.
Silence invaded the room for a while, Niko's hands were noticeably shaking.
''We came to talk to you about something.'' Brandon initiated.
''I think you know everything and I have nothing more to say.''
''We are sure that he is planning to strike again and that he is watching you from a distance.''
''And?''
''He is waiting for the time when you are vulnerable and available. That's why want to use you as a decoy to catch him.''
Niko's eyebrows got closer and said ''How is that?''
''The bureau is still drawing the plan but we want to ask you, are you ready to do it?''
Niko's lips parted to say something but he closed them again and inhaled the tobacco.
''What do you say?'' Brandon asked looking into Niko's eyes.
''Ok........ok, I will do it.'' He confirmed not knowing if he really meant it.