A month went by without a kill, and not of his own volition. He just didn't have an opportunity. But he supposed it was for the best. That way he could lie low and when he struck next, he'd have his third victim in over a month and collect his deserved title as a Serial Killer. But a moment didn't go by without thinking, dreaming, and planning. Each waking moment was filled with the jittery feeling of 'what are you waiting for?'.

He did indulge in following the talk about the murders online. It almost felt unreal that he was the cause for such a big fuss. What began as simple interest turned into routine checking multiple times a day and scrolling for hours at a time trying to soak up everything he could find. Each speculation had him enthralled. Some believed there was something supernatural in the woods, some others believed it was somehow tied to gang activity. Matthew couldn't understand that one, but there were worse theories. None of them were correct, but the further away from the mark - the more amusing it was. Matthew could get lost scrolling for hours as he consumed all content available on the internet sensation dubbed the 'Trail Killer'.

It was surreal to have a name. To have an identity. Despite the police trying their best to reassure the public and mislead them by saying there was no serial killer, the public had already considered a serial killer as fact. The Trail Killer had taken the city by storm and Matthew just couldn't believe that it was him.

Meanwhile, Alfred was almost back to his old self. Matthew knew he was still upset about Arthur, but he didn't show it half as much anymore. He was upset about Francis too, but at least he got to attend the funeral. For what it's worth, Matthew hoped it helped. His brother was always the emotional and reactive one of the two.

Matthew wasn't invited, but he could see it was for the best. It would be insincere for him to attend any more funerals, particularly if he was the reason for them.

He had a feeling he'd be the reason for many more to come.

As the weeks passed, his switchblade never left his pocket. Matthew's hand would always run over the sleek design as his mind wandered to a dark place with dark urges. He made no attempt to redirect the thoughts.

His daydreams were wild and violent. He imagined he could roam freely, make the most of his invisibility and hunt down those who had wronged him. Currently, he was fantasising about high school teachers who always mistook him for Alfred but never mistook Alfred for him. But those would just stay a fantasy. For now, he would have to settle on whatever scraps he could swipe. Something he was familiar with and something that would keep him safe.

But maybe one day he could hunt... once the Trail Killer had himself figured out a bit more. Once he knew the game a little bit better and was certain of his safety.

Until then, the shell of who everyone believed Matthew to be acted out his former life. He had gotten quite good at appearing how he was supposed to and going through the motions of his day-to-day activities without drawing suspicion. But it's not like anyone was watching, so who was he performing for?

He did make one small change to his life. He'd leave the house more often and walk around more than just the backwoods. Whenever he wasn't home, he wasn't required to act as expected. No one paid attention to him and knew how he was supposed to act. He didn't have to be over-the-top polite in an attempt to make people like him because for once in his life, he wasn't desperately begging to be seen and liked. It was too late for that. He tried so hard but now he'd accepted there wasn't a place for him here. No one would give him any comfort and he found it was much more comforting to take.

Unsurprisingly, Alfred didn't mention Matthew's escapades. He tried to not let it get to him. He would notice his twin's absence, but his twin lived in his delusional world without him. The pain hardly registered, only the truth he already knew.

Oh well, Matthew didn't think about it. Instead devoting his time to mapping out nearby areas and getting a feel of the atmosphere and patterns of each. One benefit to not being noticed is being able to notice everything without distraction. Matthew would just walk around, his face always resting as his sharp eyes peered through his glasses and observed. His hands were balled inside his plain red jumper and his fingers would run over the edge of the folded blade, reassured by the previously cold metal warmed by his burning heat.

He didn't wander at the same time or place each day, only whenever his restless mind took over his body. Today Matthew was wandering through the streets that were rife with life at 2 in the morning. It felt freeing to go wherever he wanted without anybody questioning him. Alfred probably didn't even know he wasn't in the house. He probably didn't even care to know. Either he was asleep or playing video games in his room, consumed by his own separate life without his twin. It was all too easy for Matthew to sneak out the window and he was free.

Buildings were loud with beats that made his heart thump to the tune. Everyone had been drinking too much to assume there was a world outside their friends huddled around them or whatever problems made them drink if they were alone. No one paid a sole wanderer any attention as Matthew strolled down the streets and took it all in. Once upon a time, being here was all Matthew could've ever hoped for. Not that he dreamed of becoming a drunk who stayed up long into the early hours of the morning, but just simply being here and having fun. He used to wish he had close friends who cared for him, likely to fill the hole his parents and own brother left inside of him. Instead, he slipped through the cracks of society and nobody ever reached out. Lonely and forgotten. He was destined to miss out on this milestone of human interaction, he would never bond with a friend over a drink, and he would never laugh as he watched someone attempt to dance to a song terribly off-beat because the liquor in their veins beat at the wrong rhythm.

He would never be included. As usual, his face showed none of his inner turmoil. As usual, no one paid him any attention.

But he was paying attention to everything going on around him, which led him to his inspiration. Matthew's hand tightened around the switchblade in his pocket. Perfect.

Across the street, he could see a familiar lone figure swaying against a light post with a bottle in hand and a scowl on his face. Matthew took note of the alcohol and distantly noted 'What are the chances?' that two out of three targets had abused alcohol before he found them? Not that it mattered, if anything it would only make it easier for him.

All he had to do was think of a plan to kill Lovino Vargas. Now that Matthew had laid eyes on him, it was all he could think about.

Matthew and Lovino had hardly said a word to each other before, but Lovino left a strong impression on anyone who had the misfortune of crossing paths with him. Lovino's twin brother, Feliciano was in Alfred's friendship circle. Or one of them, anyway. Alfred had too many social circles. But the point remained that Matthew was bitterly jealous of Lovino. He and Feliciano were close like twins should be, and not just in a possessive way. Lovino would like it if people assumed as much because he wanted to be seen as callous and unfeeling. Another reason Matthew detested him.

Lovino was a bitter boy who would bite every hand that reached for him, regardless if it was a helping or hurtful hand. Matthew passively watched him as his insides churned with turmoil. Why did people bother with Lovino? Why did people love him when he was nothing but horrible? Why did people exhaust themselves to try and earn affection they'll never receive? Oh... Matthew knew that one. But he wanted to know why they kept trying with futile efforts to appeal to Lovino... and never Matthew. Matthew could only dream of being seen instead of used, much less having anyone try to reach out to him in a meaningful way.

He'd never reject it. Why the hell does Lovino spit on the blessings sent his way?

He was despicable. But so was Matthew. Which only proved how unfair the world was. He wasn't meant to be despicable but now he was made this way. Lovino got everything for nothing. Matthew got nothing as he gave everything. His hand tightened on the blade. This was his opportunity.

First, he'd have to check if Lovino had come with anyone. He didn't need anyone looking for their dear friend and get in the way. But how should he do that?

Matthew scanned the scene and noted the single camera facing towards the pub. He crossed the road and moved to the mouth of an alley leading to a parking lot out of sight from the camera. The camera would definitely get checked when Lovino's body was found. No one in their right mind would forget a character like Lovino and very quickly pinpoint him being here. Matthew peeked around the corner of the alley, he didn't want to get seen by Lovino's friends if he had any loitering about, trusting that the one time he didn't want to be seen would be the one time people noticed him.

"Hey Lovino," he called from the shadows. If he could just get him to step into the alley then he could ask any questions he wanted without worrying. "Lovino!"

At first, he didn't think Lovino heard him. He was about to call again when the Italian swung around on the lamppost and squinted his way.

"Fucking what?" Lovino said as he took a sip of his drink, completely unaware of his volume. Matthew cringed.

"Come here!" He called, keeping his voice barely audible in an attempt to force Lovino to come close to hear him.

"Speak up bastard!" Lovino replied and Matthew internally fumed. Why wouldn't he just come over here?

"Lovino come here," Matthew repeated with an urgency that Lovino just wasn't picking up on. Matthew relented and stepped forward. "Lovino come here so I can tell you something!"

"Tch, Alfred you fucking idiot," Lovino growled, becoming more aggressive. "I should've known you were a lying bastard. The fuck you are too sick to get out of bed!"

Matthew's fingers dug painfully into the switchblade. So Lovino thought he was Alfred, huh? Matthew wasn't a stranger to mistaken identity. It seemed that Lovino had invited Alfred out, and for whatever reason Alfred had lied. Matthew knew his brother wasn't sick, but why the hell would he brush off an invitation to have a fun night? He was friends with Lovino! Matthew wanted to know why he'd lied- But he could figure that out later, right now, he was Alfred.

"Yeah, luckily I got better," Matthew said and plastered a bright smile on his face as he played the part. "So who ended up coming out tonight?"

"Tch, only fucking Toni, and the bastard went home crying," Lovino's annoyance turned into ruthless anger. "I hope the bastard that took his best friend fucking rots on a putrid pile of shit."

Matthew blanked for a moment and stopped himself from verbally saying 'huh'?

Right, Antonio was best friends with Francis. Everything was coming full circle and Matthew could only see it from the outside.

"Shit, that sucks eh? When did he leave?"

"Pfft, the fuck if I know. That bastard left me alone ages ago. Good riddance."

Matthew didn't exactly trust the perception of time from a drunken man, but he'd have to take it. Hopefully, the only one who knew of Lovino's exact location was long gone.

"Yeah, sucks that he left you all alone. What are you going to do now?"

"Finish this and getting another," Lovino sneered as he skulled the rest of the bottle before ditching it on the sidewalk. It looked like he wanted it to smash, but instead, it just bounced and rolled towards the alley. Lovino cursed and kicked it, sending it flying into the dark car park where it hit something metal.

"You fucking coming or what?" Lovino said as he stumbled backward. "I haven't fucking got all night!"

Matthew would say that yeah, they did have all night, but he didn't want to deal with an explosive and attention-bringing Lovino. Why couldn't Lovino be any different when he was drunk? Why couldn't he be nice? Or sad? Or anything that would make Matthew understand why he acted like such an asshole all the time for seemingly no reason at all other than to be mean.

Matthew was reinvigorated to go through with what he came here to do and he would enjoy it. Now he had to just think about how he would go about it and how he could make an impact... Got it. Before Matthew hated Lovino for being horrible... he was jealous about how he was a stand-up brother first. Wouldn't it be poetic if Matthew exploited the fact that Lovino actually cares about his twin?

"Actually, Lovino, the reason I came out tonight was because I got a call from Feliciano. He's in trouble and he needs your help."

"What?!" Lovino's brash voice was sharp as he lurched into action and Matthew edged back into the protective shadows of the alley. "That idiota! What kind of trouble? If anyone messes with him I'll make them regret it. Where the fuck is he?"

"I don't know, he isn't answering me anymore!" Matthew said in mock panic. "Can you try texting him? I'm sure he'll tell you!"

Lovino was muttering up a storm but offered no resistance to being told what to do when he took out his phone. For a single moment, Matthew could see something beyond spite and anger in his demeanour. Lovino was worried. Despite not being told exactly what was wrong with his brother or the nature of the emergency, he was quick to check on him and make things right.

Lovino was struggling to type and looked seconds away from throttling his phone as he brought it to his face and closed one eye like it would help him see the screen better.

"How many drinks have you had?" Matthew inquired. He wasn't entirely sure if it was normal for Lovino to have so much or not, but that was irrelevant now.

"Shut up. I'm trying to type," Lovino's fingers jammed on the screen and Matthew could only assume his text was riddled with typos. Lovino kept mumbling to himself but Matthew could only make out part of it. Something about how Feliciano was supposed to be safe at home and Lovino told him not to come out and stop him from drinking. Now Matthew had an angle and it seemed Lovino had a reason to believe him.

Now to get Lovino's phone. Matthew scanned the ground for something to use, something to prevent his fingerprints from leaving evidence on Lovino's phone. He spotted a flyer trampled on the ground. He picked it up and folded it around his hand.

"Hey Lovino? You should give me your phone and I can type for you. Feliciano will still get the message from you so he'll still answer."

Once again, Lovino surprised him by immediately stepping forward and holding out his phone. Matthew took it and then pretended to type as he walked around in circles, slowly leading Lovino deeper into the alley.

"I got a reply! This way!" Matthew started walking before Lovino could ask for his phone back, mindful to stay just out of reach. He'd just have to find the right time to discard it.

"Well? Fucking tell me, Alfred, is he ok?" Lovino huffed and followed, his eyes to the ground as he tried not to trip in the low light.

"I don't know," Matthew said as he scanned each path before he took it. He looked ahead for any signs of life or any objects protruding from the wall that could be a camera. All he had to do was take Lovino to a place where he wouldn't be discovered for at least a few hours and where they wouldn't be disturbed. When Matthew turned down another alley he tossed Lovino's phone in an open dumpster. When they turned down another sidestreet he crumpled up the flyer and stuck it down a drain. He avoided residential areas as he led Lovino away from the lively streets he found him on, he couldn't tell what houses had cameras but it was a safe bet that most businesses did. Luckily most businesses had their cameras angled at the street, but not at the road. Matthew led Lovino off of the sidewalk and out of range of anything that could place what path Lovino took, from the pub to his grave.

Matthew had been so focused on route planning that he only assumed Lovino was following. When everything went quiet he didn't realise why that didn't bode well until it hit him. He spun around to make sure he didn't lose Lovino and while he was relieved that Lovino was silently following, Matthew was shocked to see glossy stains running down the abrasive boy's cheeks.

"What, idiot?" He snapped as he stumbled. "Don't fucking stop! Keep walking! Where's Feliciano?"

Matthew couldn't imagine Alfred crying over him because of worry. Matthew felt hollow.

"Why are you crying?" He asked blankly.

"I shouldn't have fucking gone out tonight. I just wanted to make that bastard Toni feel better and instead I made him feel worse and Feli told me it was a bad idea but I called him a fucking idiot. All I do is shit on him and yell at him and he just fucking cares about me. Fucking idiot. Now he's come out here to fucking meddle and now he's probably dying in some dirty shit-fucking alleyway instead of safe at fucking home because I ruin everything!"

Matthew didn't expect Lovino to actually articulate so well what was making him cry. Maybe he was an honest drunk and actually in tune with why he acted like an asshole? Matthew didn't know why he asked when he didn't expect an answer or expected 'shut the fuck up, it's none of your business.' Matthew and Lovino stood, opposite each other and Matthew actually saw Lovino. It took all this for Matthew to understand him, even if only a little, but that didn't change that Lovino chose to be horrible and push others away with his mind at 100% and his inhibitions up. It almost made Matthew not want to go through with his objective, if only so Lovino could change and fix what he knew was broken.

But Matthew knew that wasn't going to happen. People didn't change. And he was sick of catering and caring for those who would treat him like trash. He didn't owe Lovino anything.

But he still found himself saying, in a quiet voice, "Feliciano's fine. He just rolled his ankle and got lost. He hasn't been beaten up or anything, he just wants his brother."

Matthew felt ashamed at his strength that he changed the story, but he was still certain that Lovino would still follow. He loved his brother, after all.

Matthew found himself wondering if he'd rather have a brother who acted like an asshole to everyone but still loved deeply, or rather a selfish brother who forgot he existed but wasn't an asshole.

"Well, why didn't you just fucking tell me," Lovino huffed and rubbed his face into his forearm, but with drunken precision, he punched himself in the eye. "Hurry up and get there."

Matthew turned away from Lovino and kept walking. He already had a destination in mind.

"What will you do when you get to him?" Matthew asked with soft curiosity. Sue him, he wanted to imagine what it was like to have a loving brother, even if it was an asshole one.

"I'll give him a big fucking hug and yell at him for coming after me, that idiota." Lovino then went into a rant about how he should be able to destroy himself without bringing his 'good' brother down. Matthew let him rant as they approached where he had in mind. The park where the first two murders was big and stretched throughout the city. Through the next alley, he could see the dense dark outline of the forest as a void compared to the well-lit city. He stopped in the alley. The forest was his escape route only, not for his third kill. He just imagined it would be more meaningful if it was outside the bounds of his previous killings, but close enough that there was no denying the murder for what it was and who did it.

"Well? Where the fuck is he?" Lovino was holding himself up against the wall as he squinted to make out the shadows of the junk lying about the narrow road. "Feliciano!" He called out, his words morphed into soft and affectionate as he called out for his brother who wasn't there. Matthew had to act now. Before Lovino got louder with desperation or caught onto the fact that the pretence was all a lie. Matthew took the switchblade from his pocket and flicked it open in front of his face. Lovino's eyes squinted to try and figure out just what the hell was being shoved right in front of his nose when Matthew pulled back and swung. All too easily, the knife dragged across Lovino's neck as the sound of flesh tore and blood splurted and soaked both of them. A moment later Lovino's eyes bugged and a withering sound broke from his mouth as he stumbled against the wall and slid down. Matthew folded the knife and put it in the pocket of his now soggy jacket. He frowned and unzipped it, turned it inside out before putting it back on. He really should've planned ahead. He knew just how messy murder was. Oh well, the feeling of blood was uncomfortable between his jacket and shirt as it seemed to slide against his skin, but at least he couldn't see anything alarming on the outside now. Once again, he only looked pleasant on the outside. Nothing to see.

Lovino was gasping like a fish out of water as he sobered up fast. He seemed to be struggling to make out Matthew as he stood over him and Matthew wondered why he didn't feel like stabbing him more than necessary. It must've been because he actually spoke to Lovino, and he honestly spoke back. Not that it mattered now, he could see Lovino was fading fast.

"I'm not Alfred," Matthew said as he knelt down. "Do you know who I am?"

At first, he thought Lovino didn't hear or just wasn't capable of answering, but then he was pivoting his head and staring at Matthew with renewed horror.

"I'm Matthew. Alfred's twin brother," he introduced himself and bit his lip, unsure where to go from here. He could rant and rave about how Lovino was such an asshole and brought this upon himself, but he knew Lovino was already aware.

Lovino was weakly grabbing at his throat and trying to mouth something, to wheeze a desperate message out. Matthew would've predicted it was 'fuck you' or something equivalent if it wasn't for a frantic and pleading look on Lovino's face as tears caught on his chin before mixing with the blood.

"Ffff-ell-"

Lovino managed to suck in a large gasp of air and blood seeped between his shaking hands.

"Fff-lll...i-"

His eyes were pleading, either for Matthew to get the message or adhere to it. Matthew leaned in.

"Ffele-chhh," the sounds weren't coming out how he wanted them to and Matthew could see his frustration.

"Feliciano?" He asked, completely sure that was what Lovino was saying. Matthew's heart felt strange at the notion and he decided that going out of his way for a kind reassurance wouldn't hurt him. "Sorry. He's not here. He never was and he's safe at home. I lied."

Lovino gasped and kept clawing at his neck like it would prolong the inevitable and shook his head. Matthew was confused for a moment but then Lovino made a weak slashing movement and gestured to his neck before attempting to repeat his brother's name-

In the few interactions Matthew had with Feliciano, he was never mistaken for Alfred. Feliciano was always forgetting his name but Matthew just knew it was nothing personal. Feliciano was just an airhead and honestly treated everyone kindly. Sure his kindness was always aimed at those he loved and Matthew wasn't one of them, but he could let it go because even just as a stranger, Feliciano never treated Matthew wrong in any way.

"I'm not going to go after him," Matthew reassured. Even if he came across the other twin he just didn't see any motive to kill him or punish him at all. Though he was sure that Lovino's death would be punishment enough. Matthew felt guilty that his twin's death would upset Feliciano but there was nothing he could do for Lovino now. At least he knew that Feliciano was widely loved and had more than enough friends to help him get through this.

Upon hearing that, Lovino completely removed his hands from his neck and let them slump in his lap. Matthew stepped back until he bumped into the opposite wall. Lovino was still alive but he clearly knew it was too late as his eyes struggled to focus and no more blood was seeping through the wound on his neck. Matthew felt pressure building up in his chest when he realised that Lovino loved his brother so much he held long enough to make sure that nothing would happen to him.

Matthew couldn't take it and ran into the forest.

It was hours later when he got home. Not because he was ultra, super careful, but because wandering in the forest always made him feel better. Now he was jealous of a dead man and his left behind brother because their broken love was stronger than anything his twin brother had for him.

AN/

Tell me if you thought I was gonna spare Lovino! I actually was really considering it for a second there...