The Graduation Massacre

Ms. Jackson left reluctantly, turning back with every step.

I closed my eyes in the interrogation room, resting calmly. If they thought uncovering the truth would be easy, they were in for disappointment.

After all, I was the killer.

When the first round of questioning ended, it was time for dinner. Captain Jefferson brought me a bowl of Alfredo pasta.

Seeing the steaming meal, my eyes stung unexpectedly. He noticed my reaction and chuckled. "Eat up, kid. Pasta isn’t as good when they get cold."

"Yeah. Pasta goes bad when they’re cold. Just like people—once they're completely cold, there's no saving them. And when the heart dies, there's no bringing it back either, right?"

Hearing me speak so much for the first time, Captain Jefferson perked up. "Tell me, how’ve you been living all these years?"

I inhaled my food and answered quietly, "School, home, back and forth. Nothing special."

"Your uncle’s just a retired factory worker. Your aunt doesn’t have a job. And your cousin, we saw he’s been unemployed since college, just playing video games at home. Yet they were supporting you?

“What on? Your inheritance from your parents?”

I nodded. "They did. But I get it, money’s needed for food and education.

"They take me in, spent my parents' money. All in the family, right?"

My words made Captain Jefferson frown. "The inheritance totaled around 1.2 million dollars. We looked into it, and there’s almost nothing left in your uncle Mike Wagner’s account."

Uncle Mike had long since stopped working, Aunt Rachel occasionally gambled, and my cousin, Pete, was a complete shut-in.

"Captain Jefferson, dig as deep as you want. I killed them, plain and simple."

I calmly continued eating my pasta as Captain Jefferson stared at me, his expression unreadable.

After the meal, the interrogation resumed with the same repetitive questions. However, I noticed something—Captain Jefferson was gone.

They could investigate all they wanted. It wouldn’t change a thing.

I refused to speak further. By the end of the session, it was already late, and I was locked up alone.

The night was quiet, and I slept better than I had in years.

Without monsters lurking around me, even a cell felt peaceful.

Meanwhile, the news of an innocent woman who poisoned thirty people in cold blood went viral.

The internet was ablaze.

People dug up my photos and backstory, fueling public outrage.

"Wow, women really can be the deadliest creatures! Look at that sweet face. Who knew she was so ruthless?"

"I went to school with her. Orphaned young, raised by her uncle. What a heartless snake!"

"What kind of hatred makes someone kill even the neighbors? Is she crazy?"

"Totally premeditated. She was just waiting for the right moment!"

"Good for her. They all deserved it!"

One particular comment caught the police’s attention. When they tried to trace the user, the account was quickly deleted.

For three straight days, I didn’t see a single officer.

I was held in solitary confinement, a surveillance camera fixed above me.

Staring directly into the lens, I flashed a cold smile.

On the other side, Sergeant Keller was fuming. "Sir, look at her! She’s smiling! She’s a psychopath!"

"Have you found anything? What about nearby investigations? I refuse to believe there’s no motive. She’s just a student. What’s the real reason?"

Captain Jefferson was puzzled. The truth gnawed at him.

How could they possibly know that beneath the calm surface, it had long been a lifeless, stagnant pool?