God Complex

Black Serpent. The name sent chills down anyone’s spine and raised goosebumps on their skin. He was an infamous serial killer. There were many cases linked to him but no strong evidence, not beside the small pins stabbed into the victim's eyes. Their ends show a beautiful green jewel that was always placed perfectly in the pupil. It almost acted as a signature. 

But why would a killer want to leave such a thing behind? 

Maybe for recognition. Maybe so his legacy will be known.

Yet there was no evidence connecting the killings to anyone. All traces lead to nothing and there was never enough evidence to arrest suspects.

James Potter was a criminal psychologist and he was more than determined to pick at the Black Serpent’s brain and know every single thing that went on in it. This mission of sorts borders on obsession. While maintaining his normal work, James was always looking for new clues or facts. Something he may have missed before.

By no means was he a detective but he did know a few. They were close friends and fed him most of this information on a silver platter. He always ate it up, left the platter clean, and held on to the metallic taste it all left in his mouth. 

However, on this particular day, James seemed like he’d choke on that metallic taste, he wasn’t feeling well, and hearing about his favorite killer wouldn’t even make it better. 

He had an uneasy feeling. James was usually very good about keeping things professional and not letting his personal life or feelings interfere with his work life or situations. It was something required of him for the field he worked in but here he was, canceling the rest of his sessions for the day and returning to his office.

Sirius was standing in his office, rambling about something. He didn’t know he couldn’t exactly focus.

“James? Are you even paying attention?” Sirius had asked once he realized the other seemed to be dissociating.

“Yeah, mate. Sorry-” James softly shook his head as he looked over at Sirius. “What were you saying?” The question only earned a sigh from the other male who also proceeded to throw his hands in the air and roll his eyes.

“You never listen unless it’s about the Black Serpent cases-” Sirus was cut off by James who quickly repeated those last two words, “Black Serpent? Is there something new? Did he kill again? Is-” The doctor rambled out the questions his eyes sparkling as he stared at his friend. 

Maybe it could make things better.

Sighing in defeat Sirius pulled out his phone, bringing up the article that was published no less than an hour ago. “Yes, James. There was something new why else would I come here?” The male spoke, reluctantly passing the device to James.

‘ BLACK SERPENT IS KILLING AGAIN ‘

James shouldn’t have gotten so excited reading that title. It had been months since the last murder happened. Not everything was quiet, there were still deaths and disappearances but none that were able to be directly linked to his favorite killer.

Strange thing isn’t it? A criminal psychologist having a favorite serial killer.

“This reporter really didn’t hold back on the details.” James nearly whispered as his eyes darted across the screen, soaking in every word until he reached the victim's name. All life and color drained from James’ face as he slowly looked up at Sirius. “You.. you read this right?” He asked, a bit hesitant.

This time the metallic taste was bitter, it burned. It wasn’t something he wanted to eat. He felt like choking, spitting it out. He couldn’t swallow it, not this time.

Sirius lazily shrugged his shoulders while he checked his nails. “No, not really. I don’t think the case will be assigned to me. Usually Remus and Lily take care of the Black Serpent cases.” 

The doctor's expression only seemed to shift into one of sadness. He was filled with grief. “Pete was the victim, Sirius… he’s dead..” James nearly whispered as he handed the other back his phone. 

 A laugh sounded from the detective as he took the phone, “Good joke, James. I almost believed.. You…” James noticed how Sirius’ voice trailed off as he started reading the screen and how his hand quickly covered his mouth. 

“This can’t be true- I just talked to Pete yesterday..” James shook his head, listening to that sentence. “I haven’t spoken to him since we graduated.. I wish I would have stayed in contact now..” He sighed, removing his glasses so he could rub his eyes. 

Maybe that’s why he felt that taste he usually loved would choke him. A friend from his past was the victim and it hurt . 

“We should go talk to Lily and Remus, let’s see if they know anything about it.” Sirius had suggested, giving a friendly pat on James’ shoulder. 

So they did. They left the clinic and headed to the station Sirius works for. 

As soon as they arrived, it was obvious everyone around was tense and on edge. James was surprised they even let him in despite showing up with Sirius. Though this wasn’t an uncommon occurrence. 

Once they reached a conference room they saw Lily and Remus sitting at the otherwise empty table. 

The girl had her head in her hands, her red hair was a mess.

Meanwhile, Remus appeared deep in thought. 

“Hey guys, what's got you so stressed?” Sirius asked, pulling out the chair beside Remus, making himself comfortable with little to no effort.

Lily was the first to speak.

“Clearly you already know because Black Serpent’s number one fanboy is here.” She motioned rather dramatically to the doctor standing at the end of the table. Usually, this would make James laugh but not today.

“While I’d usually agree with you, Lils… I can’t today.” The sadness he felt was seeping out through his words and he couldn’t stop it. 

He wanted the metallic taste gone.

“Are you okay, Potter?” It was Remus who spoke this time. James simply shook his head while watching as Sirius leaned closer to Remus, whispering, “We knew the victim. Best mates in school, James isn’t taking it well.” Which earned an understanding nod from the taller male.

“I’m so sorry, James. I assume you don’t want to hear about this case then?” Lilly questioned, her tone gentle as she stood from her seat. 

“I do… It’s just- I can’t believe it.” He looked at the red-haired girl who responded with a reassuring smile. “We’ll catch him, for Peter.” She gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. 

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Evans.” Remus sounded from across the room, causing Sirius to chuckle. 

“I want to help.” James’ voice came out so quietly he wasn’t sure anyone heard. He wasn’t even sure he said it at all but the expression on the detectives' faces confirmed that he did. 

“James- We can’t just let you help. You know that.” 

“I know… but no one pays as much attention to detail as me! I could… I could help!” James argued, watching the three look at each other, speaking without saying a word.

They did this quite often when they weren’t sure about something. 

James knew what it meant most of the time but right now he was clueless.

Really, he couldn’t blame them. He knew it sounded like he was talking nonsense. 

“We’ll talk to Minnie and see what she says.” Sirius finally said after a moment. 

Finally, James smiled again. 

“Thanks, Sirius.” 

“No problem, Mate.” He watched the dark-haired boy sigh and turn to Remus. “So, What do you guys know so far?”

Lily motioned for James to join them at the table and James did, sitting beside her. 

“We don’t know much. We were about to head to the scene when you guys came barging in.” The girl opened a file and pulled out a few pictures, laying them out on the table. “The forensics team was out there this morning but- can’t really trust them to pay attention to details.”

“Can we come with you guys?” James looked between Remus and Lily then at Sirius know appeared to not have a care in the world. Only he would be unbothered by such a thing. 

Remus pinched the bridge of his nose, James knew he wanted to say no.

“Please?”

“Fine but James, don’t touch anything.” He warned once his hand was back on the table, earning a quick “I won’t.” from James who also threw his hands up in surrender.

The four of them gathered their things as well as some coffee and went to the crime scene. 

It hadn’t been touched, besides the body being removed and James was thankful for that much. 

It was enough knowing the victim was an old friend but seeing the body may have made him more upset than he initially was. 

Stepping into the apartment, James looked at the door frame. No signs of forced entry so he proceeded, noticing blood smeared on the walls and a pool on the floor. 

It must have been where the body was.

“This seems messy.” His eyebrows furrowed as he continued looking. 

The thing about the Black Serpent was that he wasn’t messy. He didn’t trash places and definitely wouldn’t let blood get smeared on the wall. Maybe this was a copycat killer.

“Most crime scenes are messy, James. Shouldn’t you know this by now?” Sirius was crouched down in front of the wall, examining the blood.

“Yes, but the Black Serpent has never been this messy.” 

“James has a point.” The voice came from Lily who stood behind him. 

“But there were pins in the eyes. That’s like his thing-” Sirius argued, standing up to look at them. “He’s right.” Remus agreed from the hallway. 

James shook his head, proceeding further into the apartment. 

“What if… what if Black Serpent isn’t just one person? What if there’s multiple or- what if this is a copycat?” James started rambling out the questions as he looked around. 

“Potter I think you chose the wrong job.” Lily joked, softly nudging him as she passed by. 

“I’m serious though. This looks like the work of someone who didn’t know exactly what they were doing! We all know the Black Serpent is skilled. He wouldn’t leave such a mess.”

“Maybe you are onto something.” Sirius stood up, a small object pinched between his gloved fingers. 

It was a pin. One like they’d usually see in the eyes. 

“He would have never been clumsy enough to drop this.” 

Instinctively, James reached out wanting to grab the pin but he remembered Remus telling him not to touch anything and dropped his arms back to his side with a sigh.

“Guys come here.” The voice came from down the hallway.

James looked at Sirius and then the hallways before he started walking that way to find Remus. As James approached he noticed a rather grotesque drawing on the wall. “Doesn’t this look like it was painted with blood?” Remus asked once all three of them gathered around him. “Yes, it’s got that rusty brown color.”

“We should take this stuff back to the station and have it examined,” Lily said, nodding toward Sirius this time. 

He nodded back and pulled evidence bags from his pocket handing one to Remus and placing the pin in the other.

James wasn’t aware of what he may be getting himself into but the entire time they were at the crime scene, he felt like he was being watched. Maybe knowing the victim was causing him to be paranoid.. Or maybe there was someone watching him.