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Introduction
The story follows the main theme course of:
The story “The Adventure”, which deals with the reasoning of parallel worlds via catastrophe theory. To follow through the course of the story, “Seven Deadly Sins” present the following theme: Theme: Chaotic crimes in parallel worlds. Summary Detective Lieutenant Somerset, haunted by a tragic pattern across parallel worlds, fights to prevent a cycle of gruesome murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. As Somerset nears retirement, he and his brash new partner, Detective Mills, face John Doe, a methodical killer using his crimes to deliver twisted moral judgments. Each crime is a symbolic act tied to one of the sins, culminating in Mills committing "Wrath" by killing Doe after learning of his wife's murder, completing Doe's plan. Somerset discovers he is trapped in a loop, reliving this tragedy across 48 worlds, tasked by an unseen force to break the cycle. Each attempt reveals more of Doe’s intricate motives and the toll of unchanging outcomes. Despite countless failures, Somerset refuses to give up, driven by the hope of saving humanity and breaking the loop. His resolve remains: “The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for.” Contents Chapter 1- a fine place pg.1 Chapter 2-A city of shadows pg.6 Chapter 3-a pattern emerges pg.9 Chapter 4-Strange encounters pg.12 Chapter 5-The third sin pg.14 Chapter 6-The killer revealed pg.17 Chapter 7-personal stakes pg.22 Chapter 8-The final acts pg.26 Chapter 9-The parallel world unveiled pg.32 Chapter 10-A fine place pg.37 Chapter 1 A fine place The white cross on the church steeple stood stark against the vivid blue sky. Its silent proclamation resonated only through the deep, solemn tolling of the bell. Sunday Mass had ended, and the modest congregation trickled out onto the dirt road. Dust clouds swirled under the feet of farmers in worn boots and overalls, who ambled toward their pickup trucks or disappeared down footpaths leading to distant farms. Across the road, a two-story house stood alone, its weathered boards and sagging roof a silent witness to the passing years. The house seemed frozen in time, untouched by the life bustling around the church. Inside the house, the air was heavy and stale. Sunlight struggled to penetrate grime-coated windows, casting a dull, brownish glow across the room. Detective Lieutenant William Somerset stood in the second-story bedroom, a man whose deliberate movements and thoughtful expression betrayed years of carrying the city’s darkest secrets. Somerset ran his gaze over the room—the cracked ceiling, the scuffed wooden floor, the peeling wallpaper. Layers of history were written into every corner of the space. Approaching the wall, he stopped where the uppermost wallpaper had peeled back, revealing an older, floral pattern beneath it. The faded red roses seemed to call out to him. With a steady hand, he brushed away the grime, uncovering more of the delicate design. Slowly, methodically, he peeled away a square section of the wallpaper and held it up to the light. The roses seemed to bloom again, vibrant in the weak sunlight. For a moment, Somerset felt a strange pull. The light shifted. The room seemed to shimmer, and for a fleeting instant, it was transformed. The floor beneath his feet gleamed with polish, and the air was clear and fresh. Somerset blinked. The vision faded, leaving him unsettled.
He folded the piece of wallpaper and slipped it
into his pocket. Decided that this time the story will be different, not the one where he’ll lose but the one when he will thrive to find the answers for this tragic course of events. All he could do was live through this hell again. Chapter-2 A City of Shadows The city was a place of relentless noise and chaos, a far cry from the serene countryside. Its towering buildings cast long shadows over narrow streets teeming with life and crime. For Somerset, this was home—a home he was ready to leave behind. With just one week until retirement, he dreamed of quiet mornings and evenings free of sirens. But the city wasn’t ready to let him go. On Monday morning, Somerset was assigned a new partner: Detective David Mills. Young and brash, Mills had recently transferred to the city with his wife, Tracy, eager to prove himself in the department. Their first case together was grotesque—a morbid introduction to the city’s horrors. An obese man had been found dead in his apartment, slumped over a plate of spaghetti. The autopsy revealed he had been forced to eat until his stomach ruptured. At the scene, the word “Gluttony” was scrawled in grease on the wall.
“This isn’t just a murder,” Somerset said, his
voice calm but firm. “It’s a message.” Little did mills know that from now onwards the life he knew was no longer the one he was going to live. Mills scoffed. “A message? Looks like someone had a sick sense of humor.” Somerset didn’t argue. Years of experience had taught him that some truths revealed themselves only in time. Chapter-3 A Pattern Emerges The following day brought a second victim: Eli Gould, a high-powered lawyer known for his ruthless tactics. In summer of his days, he caged many innocents and freed the vulgar, most unhinged killers for hefty amount of money and properties. Many of cases were ruled against him but not one of them got hands on his profession of selling innocent lives of people for money and fame that got him here. When looked upon the officers found that he had been bound and forced to carve a pound of flesh from his own body to survive. There was a venomous patch carved to his belly that unless removed from his flesh would eventually kill him by rotting his inner organs and lead to malfunction of nervous system. He failed. Failed to carve the flesh that been there since his existence. When looked around, somerset found the old font and eked from the memory of seeing the same fonts written by blood over and over. The word “Greed” was written in blood on the floor.
Somerset’s suspicion deepened. He spent the
night combing through books on the seven deadly sins, piecing together the killer’s narrative. He had done this over thousand times but each time repeating the same pattern. He found these weren’t random acts of violence; they were deliberate, symbolic punishments.
“I need to be reassigned,” Somerset told his
captain the next morning. “This case... it’s not something I want to carry into retirement.” Somerset knew he would be denied of getting the permission, but the disparity and dread led him into doing the same things over in hope of getting different output in these worlds which were one way or other different from the world he once knew by heart and belonged to. Much to his dismay the answer remained same as the one he have always heard. The captain refused. Somerset had no choice but to continue. Chapter-4 Strange Encounters That night, Somerset returned to his apartment. The city hummed with its usual cacophony of distant sirens and honking horns, but inside, his room was quiet. Too quiet. As Somerset reviewed the case files, he felt a strange sensation—a pull, like the one he had felt in the old house. He looked up, and for a brief moment, his surroundings changed. The walls of his apartment disappeared, replaced by the familiar floral wallpaper from the country house. Somerset blinked, and the vision was gone. He was back in his apartment, but a cold chill lingered. Chapter-5 The Third Sin The next crime scene was even more disturbing. In a dilapidated apartment, the detectives found a man emaciated and restrained to a bed. He had been kept alive in this state for exactly one year. Beside the bed, photographs documented his slow decay. The word “Sloth” was painted on the wall. Mills sought out to the man and thought for a while, indicating he knew this man before hand but not quite pick the events. Mills shifted his focus to the scene and dusted the recognizing memory he had of the victim strapped to the bed. The scene was a grotesque tableau, a testament to the killer’s meticulous planning. Somerset and Mills stood in silence, the weight of the case pressing down on them. Somerset now was deeply engrossed in his thoughts. He was looking for every clue that they got there hands on, but everything was just repeating itself not unraveling anything new which could help somerset to lead this world towards peace. But turning towards Mills, he got a hunch that this time he won’t play along the course of events and tear through this undying loop. Save himself and somerset from this traumatizing defect of universe which led them here and wont end until a new turn is projected to the screen play of this world. Unaware of the things and thoughts going through Somerset’s mind, “This guy’s not just a murderer,” Mills said, his usual bravado faltering. “He’s... something else.” “He’s making a statement,” Somerset replied. “And we’re not even halfway through.” The time was once again slipping from Somerset’s hand. He have to run ahead fast and bolt to the end of it. End of this tragic story of heinous and chaotic crimes. Chapter-6 The Killer Revealed The break came unexpectedly. Somerset’s lengthy research led them to a library where someone had been checking out books on the seven deadly sins. The library card belonged to a man named John Doe. Mills scoffed on idiocy of the killer to choose the universal sampled name for carrying out his criminal study, that too in the renowned library ,which was the home for many forensic researchers and detectives having twisted mindset. The detectives raided Doe’s apartment, a dimly lit space filled with hundreds of notebooks detailing his twisted philosophy. Photographs of the victims covered the walls, along with cryptic symbols and sketches. Looking around as a officer, Mill’s mind was blank. He could not digest how twisted and unhinged a human can be when he’s out of his mind. One sketch caught Somerset’s eye—it was the country house, drawn in perfect detail. Beneath it were the words: “A world where sins are absolved.” Somerset was at lost for words as the house was the one he was constantly getting a look at in his strange visions with a slight shimmer added to it. He’s mind started working after a click of time he heard, which he knew was the indication that danger was around and he have to get it done. He knew the sound very well, the haunting sound which was there with him travelling to every world. For the person not knowing the actual course of story might think that this is the aid he is getting but Somerset was very well aware that this was just a sick aid provided by god for making him travel to every universe and finding the answer to this misery which caused the god to lose his precious creation called humans. The one thing that Somerset didn’t understand was if god created this universe, why isn’t he the one fixing it? Why was he forced to travel around in the mayhem of tangled parallel worlds and fall into the trap every single time?? Before Somerset could process the discovery logically after scooting his thoughts aside, Doe returned. A chase ensued, with Mills pursuing the suspect through the city streets. Mills ran through the roads and reached for doe. Boots slam against cracked pavement as Doe barrels through the alley, lungs burning. Behind, Mills gives chase, his gun drawn, footsteps echoing like thunder. Doe vaults a dumpster, yanking it down to block the path. Mills leaps, crashing into the debris but rolling to his feet, unfazed. A sharp turn—cars scream past as Doe dashes across the street, weaving through honking traffic. Mills follows, a cab screeching to a halt inches from him. Ahead, Doe yanks open a fire escape ladder, scaling it in seconds. Mills grabs the ladder, pulling himself up as Doe knocks loose a metal pipe, sending it crashing down. Ducking, Mills surges onto the rooftop just as Doe disappears into the maze of vents. Suddenly, Doe spins coming to scratching halt, Mills tackling the fugitive onto the gritty rooftop, a fierce struggle erupting. Doe managed to escape the deadly tackle of Mills, but not before coming face-to-face with Mills. Doe gave a scrutinizing look to Mills, scoffed, grinned and eloped him in open ended conversation just wanting to lead him to his ultimate doom. He states the facts related to Mills married life, also asks him to deliver his kind words to Somerset as well, “You are doing a good job, not to mention you managed to find me and track along just as I wanted you guys to. But know Mills my friend, for I have no personal issues with you or your senior Somerset. For all I care, I want you to keep on doing great work, keep the city clean of muggles and insect crawling and looking for murders to be executed”, finished doe. Mills struggles to get up, but to his disappointment he could not feel his left hand and back was arched, not allowing him to make any movement. Mills was scheduled lifelessly in a dim lit alley, drenched in shame and grief of being spared by killer along with rain. Somerset on the other hand chose a different way of chasing Doe but as clearly understood his way was of no use. He could not run along Doe’s footstep but got bugged by a handful of lead on to where Doe’s next victim might be. Somerset understood the motivation that led Doe up till here. He was in dilemma that he was the one who could cleanse the community and be held in the world where no sinners would reside. But oh, how wrong mentality he was walking through with. Chapter-7 Personal Stakes As the case dragged on, the strain began to show. Tracy- Mills wife, feeling isolated in the city, invited Somerset over for dinner. She hoped to bridge the gap between her husband and his reserved partner. Over the course of the evening, Somerset saw a side of Mills he hadn’t before—a man devoted to his wife but struggling to balance his ambition with the darkness of his job. Mills was a tactful and full of stamina which allowed him to never back off at the times of intense chasing. But if that could only make officer a detective then even thugs would be choosing this line of profession, what differentiates them is the utter distinction of knowledge and emotions reflecting in their ethical work which might be drenched and stink of blood; but was still a duty taken by brave citizens to ensure a life full of security and happiness to other citizens. Later, Tracy confided in Somerset. She was pregnant but unsure if she wanted to raise a child in such a bleak environment. Somerset shared his own regrets about persuading his former partner to have an abortion, a decision that haunted him to this day. He said that love and affection grows despite of surroundings and environment between a child and a parent. If she wants to have a child, she should prepare herself as well as Mills that raising a child in this environment will take much more effort than raising it anywhere else. Tracy took the advice in positive light and nodded as per affirming Somerset that she will take a thoughtful decision regarding the said issue. Chapter-8 The Final Acts The murders escalated. “Lust” claimed a prostitute, forced to wear a grotesque weapon. A woman, prostitute who earned her part of bread by selling her body to lustful geezers who in return paid her handsome amount was murdered. To say it was just a murder won’t do it justice as she was forced to enter and participate in the sexual intercourse where the man had worn an grotesque weapon aligned to his reproductive organ which caused the scratching and tearing apart of woman’s internal organs and leading to continuous use of the weapon during intercourse led the ultimate demise of the woman. Somerset and Mills overlooked this happening in the basement of the night club and sighed, feeling bottomless without a clue about the killer. The time kept on slipping from somerset’s hand who was yet to uncover the way of breaking this loop which was tangling the lives, fates and worlds together, creating mayhem in the universe. The following day, they attend the scene of a fifth victim, a model- Heidi Schanz whose face has been mutilated by Doe; she was given the option to call for help and live disfigured or commit suicide by taking pills. The weight of living disfigured rest of her life weighed more for Schanz and she chose the latter option, representing “Pride”. These course of actions infuriated Mills who in his career had never been outwitted by a killer. Following his bad temper, he was already in bad and tense mood just when an reporter came for taking photos of the scenes and demanded for answers from the him but was disrespectfully shooed away. Somerset was dwelling where to find refuge just when responsibility weighed him down of saving the world from the killer once again and stop the same loop from acting here; in this world. As Somerset and Mills unraveled, John Doe turned himself in. Calm and composed. Dread was visible on officer’s face who very well knew there’d be a sick trap following this event. Doe offered a deal: take him to a remote location where the final 2 victims awaited, or he would plead insanity and escape justice. Mills was high in anger and frenzy to get revenge for his insult the other day but was stopped by Somerset who worked more logically than emotionally. He reminded Mills that killer was needed alive to get information about the 2 victims which might be kept hostage to execute the last two remaining sins from 7 deadly sins. They arranged backup team, helicopter and tracking vans that would follow Somerset and Mills to the remote place that killer recommended. Leaving no room for killer to out turn them in this game that they got their hands onto. Chapter-9 The Parallel world Unveiled The location Doe led them to was desolate, far from the city’s chaos. A delivery van approached, carrying a package addressed to Mills. Somerset went to check what did the box carried in this world. He wished it not to be the same thing he saw in other parallel worlds. He went ahead leaving Mills and Doe facing each other having Mills pointing gun towards Doe. Somerset reached the van and took out the box, said the delivery man to leave the place quickly. Somerset intercepted it and opened the box. The world crashed for Somerset, he could not believe what he just saw. It was of all the things he got to see in the other parallel universe’s. Inside was Tracy’s severed head. Everything started to make sense for Somerset, he ran like mad man towards Mills shouting and yelling Mills to get away from Doe. But much to his dismay, Mills could not hear what he was meaning to pass across the field. Meanwhile Doe was starting a conversation with Mills, Mills tried his best to ignore Doe’s words but when a certain name Doe mention sparked his curiosity, he could no longer utter the courage to act indifferent to Doe’s yapping manipulating words. Doe revealed that he had visited Mills house a day back and saw how perfectly settled family he had. He said that he could not gobble up the fact that Mills was such a commendable officer, husband, and was soon going to be hopefully a wonderful dad. Mills felt as if the land was slipping under his foot and could no longer make out noises in the background, cause he could not recall Tracy informing him anything related to pregnancy. Just when Mills could divert his thoughts from Doe, Somerset arrived. He was heaving and out of breath. Mills turned towards him with eyes full of hope, just wishing that whatever Doe is indicating cant be true. He demanded Somerset to inform him what he saw in the box. Somerset could not phrase any words that would prevent the usual outcome that he had witnessed in the other worlds. He could only manage to beg Mills not to act out of rage and be calm in this situation, they need Doe alive for further investigation and an officer’s personal feelings must not be involved in the case. Mills had lost it. He was not in his right mind to comprehend any thing and started yelling at Doe and somerset for answers. That’s when dread game begins. Doe confessed that he had killed Tracy out of envy for Mills’s life. Doe urged Mills to act upon this misery that had fallen on him because of him, stating that he had committed the sin of “envy”. Doe in his final act, urged Mills to complete the cycle by embodying “Wrath.” Mills, by now understood what was going on and fell on ground. He was sobbing and scorching the ground as he was shouting and chanting Tracy’s name. As Mills wrestled with his emotions, Somerset felt the pull again. This time, it was stronger. The air shimmered, and the barren field transformed. He stood in the parallel world— the country house restored to its former glory. In this world, Somerset saw Tracy alive, holding a child. Mills was there too, smiling. It was a vision of what could have been, a world untouched by John Doe’s darkness. But the vision faded. Darkness of reality eloped him. Somerset was back in the field, watching as Mills succumbed to his rage and shot Doe dead. Committing the final two sins- “wrath” and “envy”. Chapter-10 A Fine Place In the aftermath, Mills was taken away, catatonic. Somerset returned to the country house, drawn by the lingering connection to the parallel world. Inside, he found the square of wallpaper he had peeled away, now vibrant and alive. A voice echoed in his mind: “The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for.” Somerset stood in silence, the weight of his choices heavy on his shoulders. He had glimpsed a better world, but he knew he couldn’t escape the one he lived in. This all he had lived exactly 48 times now. Every time Mills shot Doe, Somerset was teleported to another parallel world. It was all the god’s resolve to prevent this course of events from happening and for this job he had chosen Somerset. But in every universe Somerset failed to out turn Doe miserably, resulting in same output every time just by different means. He could not stop, as the world deserved to live and thrive in its shining glory which he was adamant to retrieve from the hands of John doe. In every world he tried different tactics of catching Doe before he could get to Mills head, but as destiny spares none; he could not make a change. He felt a pull. He was now in a strange yet familiar world full of misery again, only that it was the 49th world he was now looking over. But this time he was determined to not let Doe ruin that many lives which was dear to him. He now knew 48 outcomes of every action and variations he made to prevent the destruction from occurring. He kept chanting in his mind: “The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for.” With renewed resolve, he prepared to keep fighting, one day at a time.
As somerset kept travelling between worlds,
his journal found the quotes that shaped his journey-- “Find me before the world does before I learn hate, let me learn love.” “It’ll always hurt but eventually, you’ll learn to paint your canvas with all shades of color instead of blue.” “How do we tell the sea that we are drowning on the land.” “What’s more tragic? To live in a paradox that haunts? Or to drown in reality that aches?” “When moment seems fading and memories are blurring, when soul seems dissolving and heart stops rhythm. Then you’re in peace.” “May stars remind us why admiring dark was so necessary.”