A/N: Since this is October, it's time for some more horror-themed chapters! Enjoy!

It was an ordinary October day at UA. Deku and Todoroki were lazing about in the commons area of the dorms, doing nothing in particular except chatting with each other:

"I'm so bored," said Todoroki.

Deku smiled. "Hey, I'm kinda bored too, but it has nothing to do with the most beautiful girl in UA."

Todoroki giggled and playfully shoved Deku. "Oh, you! Seriously, though, let's think of something to do before I die of boredom!"

"Well, let me think…" Deku stroked his chin. "Hey, are you hungry?"

"Kinda. Why?"

Deku smiled. "Well, why don't we go to a restaurant we've never been to before?"

Todoroki smiled. "Good idea!" Her look turned serious. "But where are we gonna go?"

"Depends. What are you in the mood for?"

Todoroki shrugged. "I dunno; I'll go with whatever you go with."

"Well, I'm in the mood for Mexican food, so why don't we…"

"Midoriya, Todoroki, you guys gotta check this out!"

Kirishima came running up to Deku and Todoroki with his phone in his hand, and they sprang to attention.

"What's up, Kirishima?" asked Deku.

"I just saw this news article about a serial killer in this city!"

Kirishima handed his phone to Deku and Todoroki, who looked over the article:

"MUSUTAFU MAULER" CLAIMS FOURTH VICTIM

Since Thursday, September 19, an unknown serial killer has been claiming young women's lives in Musutafu. Nothing is known about the killer other than that they have used a large-bladed knife to commit their murders. Senior Commissioner Katsuro Nakano of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police has issued this statement in regards to the killings:

"We understand that the citizens of Musutafu are extremely worried right now, but let it be known that we are doing everything in our power to apprehend the killer. Japan has prided itself on being one of the safest countries in the world, and we'll work hard to ensure that it stays that way."

When asked if the Hero Public Safety Commission would lend a hand in stopping the killer, Acting President Yokumiru Mera had this to say:

"Even though we are short-handed in regards to the number of Pro Heroes working for us, we are committed to working alongside the Prefectural Police and will lend a hand in trying to stop the killer. We do not and will not tolerate such wanton violence in Japan."

Various citizens of Musutafu voiced their views regarding the killer:

"I think it's absolutely terrible that such a horrible person could be allowed to operate on our streets like this," said Choko Matsuda, mother of two. "I mean, what the Paranormal Liberation Front did was bad enough, but if stuff like this keeps happening, I may have to move elsewhere."

"I'm not afraid of a punk like this!" said Hideaki Honda, manager of the Toyota Store in Musutafu. "If the heroes can't catch this guy, then I'll do it myself! No one slices up young women like this on my watch!"

"Sure, it's bad what this guy is doing, but I know for sure that somebody's going to catch him sooner or later," said Kenzo Hamaguchi, a local restaurant employee. "Even if the heroes are in desperate straits now, they'll win in the end. They always do."

Regardless of who catches the "Musutafu Mauler", it's clear that the Hero Public Safety Commission and the police are doing what they can to solve the crime in spite of the ongoing unrest.

Deku looked at Todoroki. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"If you mean that you're thinking of trying to investigate this case, then I'm with you!" Todoroki clenched her fist.

"Mind if I come along?" asked Kirishima.

"Why?" asked Deku.

"Hey, you two might need protection, plus I'm not one to stand idly by in times like these!"

"Then let's do this! Shoko, you don't mind if Kirishima comes along, right?"

Todoroki smiled and gave a thumbs up. "Not at all! Let's go!"

Deku, Todoroki and Kirishima headed out to investigate the latest crime scene, located in an alley on John F. Kennedy Street. Nothing appeared really out of place at first glance, barring the faintly-glowing outline on the ground indicating where the body was. Police used these nowadays in lieu of chalk because not only did the chemical used not contaminate evidence, but it disappeared in hours. After a thorough search, however, it seemed their efforts were doomed:

"Deku, we haven't found anything," said Todoroki. "Shouldn't we go home?"

"I'm with Todoroki," said Kirishima. "This is pretty much a wild goose chase."

"Maybe not yet, but I have a feeling we'll…"

Deku froze when he heard the faint sound of soft plastic rustling against concrete. He looked down and found an empty bag of Rosebud frozen peas, which appeared to have blood on it. He took a pair of tweezers, picked it up and sealed it in a Ziploc bag.

"What's that?" asked Todoroki.

"It's a bag of frozen peas with someone's blood on it." Deku put the bag away. "Maybe it'll give us some clues about the killer's identity."

Kirishima clenched his fist. "Well I hope so, because I'm not about to let this guy get away!"

Deku, Todoroki and Kirishima headed to the Musutafu Police Department.

"Can I help you?" asked the desk sergeant, a cat girl with blue hair.

Deku produced the Ziploc bag with the evidence. "We found this at the scene of the Musutafu Mauler's latest killing. It has someone's blood on it, so we thought it might interest you."

The sergeant took the bag. "Thank you. We'll check it out. Have a nice day!"

Deku nodded. "You too."

Deku and co. left the police station.

"What do we do now?" asked Todoroki.

"We wait," said Deku. "I'm sure the police and the pros can handle this, but if things do go from bad to worse, we'll step in, guaranteed."

"I'm with ya, Midoriya," said Kirishima. "The police and the pros have their hands full as it is, so we may have to step in if this creep turns up the heat."

Deku and co. headed back to UA, hopeful yet cautious about the situation.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.