A/N: There are descriptions of the murder not highly detailed but enough to be potentially triggering

Chapter One

She smiled, satisfied with her work. Carefully, she set an origami bird on top of her masterpiece. The black bird stood out against the glistening crimson red; it appeared as if the bird was bleeding. She frowned, but quick glance at the clock reminded her of the time limit. This will have to do. She thought before reluctantly walking away.

Martin sat at the dinning table, papers and files spread across. He rubbed his temples and groaned.

"What's wrong, dad?" Mike inquired from the doorway, Amanda and Owen right behind him.

"Oh," He looked up, "nothing, just another case; there's a string of crimes and they only thing connecting them in a little black origami bird."

"An origami bird?" Owen questioned, "Why that on earth would you chose make origami right after-"

"So there are no pictures of the suspect?" Amanda cut off Owen's tangent.

Martin shook his head. "Unfortunately no; this guy is good. All camera and alarms are disabled ahead of time; there's never been a witness, and barely any DNA. We got a partial print on one of the birds, but not enough to match with anything in the data base."

The trio scanned the papers looking for something to go on other than a paper bird. Mike's eyes widened, "Dad," he grabbed a paper, "You didn't tell me they were murders."

Martin sighed. "I was hoping I wouldn't have too. The deaths at first appeared accidental. The bird was overlooked at first, but now it's obviously a sign of the killer."

Amanda and Owen read the paper. "Are all these people the victims?" Amanda asked.

"I really want you guys to be careful okay?" Martin took a deep breath. "We have a serial killer on the lose."

"You know Fukanaga, I'm pretty sure this isn't what your dad meant by 'be careful'." Owen said, only half watching the city street.

"Well how else are we going to stop this killer!" Mike retorted, diverting his attention.

"Guys shut up!" Amanda interjected. "We have a long night ahead of us and we won't get anything done if you two don't pay attention."

"You said that the past three nights." Owen responded, having to get the last word.

Amanda rolled her eyes and bit her tongue, now was not the time.

The knife sliced through the skin with ease and procession. Blood trailed along the knife. A whimper escaped the victim's lips. The knife stopped its deadly trail. The killer held one finger to her masked face and moved the bloodstained knife to the victim's eyes. A trail of crimson tears fell from the victim's temple down his face mixing with the salt tears.

A gloved hand motioned for him to take off his shirt, to which he complied. This cut was deeper than the others were; the knife grazed his ribs. The scream although muffled by duct tape was still spin chilling. Shit. At least a chose a secluded spot. In one fluid movement, she sliced his jugular; the screaming stopped.

"Drop, the knife." The voice startled her and the knife hit the worn tile. Carefully she turned around. She held her hand up. There was enough moonlight to identify three figures all dressed in black. Two males, one female, judging by stature.

"Good," the smaller male said. "Now step away from the person." She complied. The taller male examined the body then squealed. Huh, I thought ninjas were supposed to be quiet. "Uncle Chuck." He breathed. The other two gave the taller one a sympathetic look before returning their attention to her.

Her mind raced attempting to calculate the best way out. Under her mask, she smiled. She lowered her hand and began making frantic gestures, which were stopped when on pinned her hands behind her back.

"Wait, no she was trying to say something." The female said. "It was sign language." Impressive. Looks like I won't have to resort to plan B.

"But she's not deaf." The one pinned her hand countered. The killer rolled her eyes. Obviously.

"She's mute." The smaller male announced. The masked girl nodded. "Let her hands go; she has no weapon." Well, they're taking a risk aren't they? She deliberately signed each word, facing the female.

The ninja nodded and signed back. "Basically, she said she's being blackmailed into this. The person will kill her family in front her then her if she doesn't listen. She can't say anymore because if word gets out she and everyone she love will die."

The masked girl was able to take advantage of the situation, each time she sign she moved slightly. Now her position was perfect. Eyeing the female, she made one last sign. Swiftly she grabbed her fallen knife, kicking the taller in the balls, and through the knife in the direction of the other two. She used the ninja she kicked, who was doubled over in pain and a platform to make her way out the window. Ninjas. This will get interesting.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! A bit more gruesome compared to my other writings, but I see it fitting. Consider this a heads up, the goriness can only get worse.

Black origami, Sherlock anyone? My friend got me started on it (I'm not that far into it...) ... so I've been watching a lot of crime stuff and that's how you get this more darker (?) storyline. I just thought it was interesting to have a criminal that was... well a killer because that has not been done before (not that I'm aware at least)

Feedback is lovely and appreciated!