Chapter 3

• 7❧
• “When I finish schooling my parents want me to move back and start my business there. Honestly I kind of want to travel a little before I buy my own home.”
• “So you are not going to stay here?”
• “I thought about it but as long as I can see my parents whenever I want. I may. Dunno. Traveling welders make pretty good money but just got to see after I graduate.”
• He pulled in to the parking lot at the dinner and they grabbed a booth.
• “So you work two jobs and then you go to school. You ever have any fun?”
• “Fun? What is this fun you speak of?”
• “Movies. Playing pool anything?”
• “I watch movies until I pass out and then when I wake up I may go jogging or sleep in.”
• “How early do you wake up on Monday?”
• “I try to get up around 10 so I can go walking at the park. Then shower and then get stuff ready for the next few days. Then class starts at six then I am there till ten.”
• “You ever just want to work one job?”
• “I would like to but….” She thought about her rent but she didn’t have a lot of bills to begin with. She lived poor and she knew it. However not that her parents were back on their feet along with her siblings who moved back in. Now maybe she didn’t have to work two jobs.
• “But.”
• “I was helping my family back home. They just informed me that things have gotten better.”
• She thought about the money that she deposited into the bank so maybe she could work at the bar full time instead of part time.
• “Earth to Karen.” He waved bringing her out of thought.
• “I am sorry. I space out a little.”
• “Why don’t you call in tomorrow. Take a day off for yourself?”
• “Or do you mean spend the day with you?”
• “Why not? Go to the movies or something. Halloween is around the corner we could go watch a scary movie.”
• “I’ll think about it.”
• The waitress came by and took their order. He was having steak and eggs and she was going to have an veggie omelet. The waitress filled their cups with coffee and brought some more water with ice. She looked at the motorcycle and saw that it was the same guy who had passed her earlier. A chill went down her spine for some reason. She thought about Tabitha wondering if she was okay. Because she didn’t have a cell phone or else she would have called to check in on her. She use was use to these feelings and her mother use to tell her that women on her side would have visions and dreams. So as she grew up she knew them to be gifts. However because she had been stressed out she was thinking that Tabitha could handle herself. Everything was okay she was nervous cause she was out with a really good looking guy.
• “So how tall are you really?”
• “Six feet and six inches.”
• “I feel like a midget now.”
• “Most of the men in my family are tall and the women are average and few are short. My dad is six feet and four inches. You would think I was good playing basketball but I was horrible.”
• “Did you play sports.”
• “Football and baseball and some bowling.”
• “My dad loves football and my mother loves baseball. I was more of a bookworm.”
• “So you go jogging at the park? I did enough running in the army. I prefer going to the gym or hiking.”
• “I like hiking but because I was working a lot. I have to wait till breaks from school or holidays to go.”
• “So what books are you into?”
• “Scary or murder mystery and some fantasy books.”
• “Not romance books?”
• “Some not all. I do enjoy history books, especially ancient studies.”
• She looked outside and still had a cold chill considering it wasn’t cold yet here.”
• “Something wrong?”
• “No. Just a cold chill. I probably have low iron.”
• Their food finally came and she ate while feeling his eyes on her and she looked up and found herself lost in his deep dark blue eyes. She wondered what he saw in her because he could have had any girl. Right now he was watching her. She wondered if he really wanted her or if there was something in it for him that would cause her pain later on. They finished and he paid even though she protested that she could pay for her own.
• “I invited you and I got the tab.”
• “I just don’t want to owe anyone or feel like I am in debt to anyone.”
• “You never went on a date?”
• “No. I wasn’t exactly girlfriend material. The guys at my school never gave me a second look so I was a wallflower.”
• “I didn’t date a lot in high school to be honest. I had at least five dates and six girlfriends since my tenth grade to about last year.”
• “What happened to them?”
• “They were youthful lust. They wanted to be in a relationship but they wanted things their way. I enlisted to put my own dreams into motion. I want to own my farm and business. I help my dad during the day and work now at the bar.”
• “What kind of business do you want own?”
• “Flipping houses.”
• “I have family that builds houses from the ground up. So you buy houses that are bankruptcy or short sale or what?”
• “Homes that no one would want to touch and then fix them and then either rent them out or rent to own. I am taking electrical and hopefully later plumbing so that way I can help my father out. I did roofing with my uncle and I am running my mouth now.”
• “I can see you have passion in what you want to do. Your eyes lighten up when you were talking.”
• “So why welding?”
• “I dunno. I don’t care for working in large groups. The bar and waitressing sometimes is overwhelming. I like the fact I can work by myself and focus on what is at hand.”
• “Did you ever want to do anything else?”
• 8❧
• “I do like working at the bar just not as a waitress. I don’t really know. Welding just seemed interesting and I already am a head in my work.”
• “So what about calling in tomorrow so we can talk and not be rushed.”
• “I am starting to like that idea. I can get my scooter our and drive myself back to my apartment now.”
• “Yeah and hell is freezing over as we speak. Don’t be ashamed. I like you and there is no regrets with me.”
• “I don’t understand why though. I mean you can date anyone and I am not a barbie doll or the cheerleader type.”
• “Thank God for that. Look you are real even though you are real shy. At least this is the real you. If I wanted someone fake then I would have dated one of my sister’s friends. Their communication skills and their dreams are mind numbing to say the least.”
• “How old are you anyways?”
• “Twenty-six years old and going on twenty-seven.”
• “You know I am twenty-two right?”
• “I knew you were in your early twenties but you act and demonstrate you are older. Not full of drama or a disaster.”
• “I am a klutz, though so doesn’t that count as a disaster.”
• “Just means I need to carry a first aide kit at times.”
• He said that with a half smile and not being hurtful like her cousin had been.
• “At least you are not cruel like my cousin was.”
• “Oh that guy from the bar who was making jokes at your expense here is your cousin?”
• “Yes. We use to be close and was at one time best friend. But he lost weight and became popular. He wants to take me to the gym Monday.”
• “You going then on Monday?”
• “Yeah at noon to the Gym world here in town.”
• “I don’t really like him.”
• “He is a good guy just full of himself.”
• Gregory didn’t say anything but Monday he decided to be around there to keep an eye. Not where she could see him. His cousin ran the place so he could watch and not be seen by anyone.
• “You ready to leave now?”
• “Yeah. I am still no tired but I know I need to at least try so I don’t miss church.”
• CHAPTER TWO
• THE LAST BREATH
• The kiss he shared with the girl named Tabitha lingered on his lips. He was washing her body making sure there were no trace of him on her. It was now after three in the morning and he had dumped her body in lake that was six miles away from the bar. Her clothes he had taken to the dumpster had been doused in bleach and had drove off passing the dinner. He saw the truck from the bar and saw that the girl he had chosen if his mother and sister were not here would be the one when he left town. The guy she was with looked as though worked out every waking moment. He would find out where she lived because the guy he knew would be a problem. He normally didn’t keep anything from his victim because he didn’t want a link to them but tonight Tabitha her locket reminded him of his mother’s that she always wore. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and made a sandwich for himself. The dead girl had over three hundred dollars on her in cash. He didn’t take her bank card or her two credit cards because that something the law would be checking. He threw her cell phone as he had drove off on his motorcycle so again she would not be found right away. The clothes he wore earlier was in a plastic bag and would be washed in another town laundry’s mat. While he was out he would check the graveyard to make sure his mother and sister were not buried there. If they were then he would dig them up and destroy their remains and even though their souls were gone. He wanted some vengeance even a small slice.
• He saw the truck leave the dinner and passing the motel which wasn’t too far from the bar. Earlier he noted she was on her scooter so she didn’t live too far from the bar. He grabbed another beer before turning on the television to watch some detective show and made some more mental notes. When he finally was getting tired he turned on an old sitcom and retired for the night. Dreams of killing Tabitha right after they had sex and seeing her face he felt a smile cross his face. The horror of her eyes had excited him as he dreamed she had turned into his mother and he was choking her watching her as life exited her body. He woke up squeezing his pillows and released them before going back to sleep and slipping into darkness.
• It was eight in the morning when he woke up and decided to take a walk through the area and get a feel of the place. He passed old apartment building and along the way he saw a few stores and then couple of thrift store that wouldn’t be open till Monday. He went to the fast food joint and ordered a sausage biscuit and coffee and sat down to read the newspaper. The State he had just left showed the picture of the murdered girl he had killed. The sheriff department had requested the FBI to assist and they believed her death and the one of her boyfriend at first looked at as a robbery gone wrong. However the FBI were looking into it as a serial killer cover up. There were no pictures of sightings of the serial killer and no witness could identify him. They believed he was still at large and hunting for his next victim. From what he read the crime scene was too clean and most robberies were messy so they didn’t buy his attempt. Next time he would make the scene more like teenagers if need be or just torch the place. He looked around and saw older people were sitting together in clusters not really paying any attention to him. Which was good. He kept his looks average so that he wouldn’t stick out. No tattoos or anything that could be spotted easily. No he wanted to remain average. Someone who blended in and didn’t look like he stood out of place. He had one scar which was on the back of his head where his father had hit him with a beer bottle however his medium hair covered it and in the winter turtle necks helped. He had no finger prints but he was aware of every cut just in case he could lose DNA. He preferred strangling his victims because he wanted to see their eyes. Knives were for fools who were careful. Guns would take away the joy he wanted to feel. He never wanted to hurt animals or children because he was once a happy child. He could remember a day when his parents loved each other. One day that all changed when his father accused his angel mother of cheating. Sure at first he believed her. That she wasn’t the one hurting the family. She would work late but she said they needed the money. His dad would drink all day after he had that accident at the mill. His sister three years older than him would watch over him while their mother was away. There were times his father made him leave the house. Everyday his father would beat them both. He would say to them that their mother had cheated and they were not his kids. After his mother and sister left the beatings got worse. His father brought home girlfriends over and they would stay for two or three months then another took their place.
• Everyday his father would tell him that his mother hated him and that she only loved his sister. His father would say that he was a mistake and that he should have been aborted. Yes that was his life for a long time till he killed his father and the sperm donor’s body would never be found. On the outside he looked like a calm and simple fellow but on the inside he was full of rage. On the way back from his walk he saw that the girl he saw at the bar and on scooter was coming out of the apartment he had passed earlier. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 9:45. She was dressed in slacks and blouse as she put on her helmet. She went across the street to another road and didn’t look around. Now he knew she lived at the apartments. He would start his count down after Monday. For now he would just watch and stake out the place till the time would come and it would be over for her. He continue on his walk till he was back at his apartment.
• 2❧
• She left a little early because she needed to pray and thank God how grateful she was. Her family was blessed and their prayers were answered. Now she was seeing a guy and if he was what God wanted for her then she prayed that their relationship would be blessed. When they got home it was after three in the morning and she had hard time sleeping because she was having nightmares. She saw a body floating in the water and saw a demon laughing in her dreams. This was different that it really did scare her that she woke up and started praying. She could still feel the water and how she felt in that water. During service the choir had comforted her through their songs. The preacher went over Ephesian about putting the whole armor of God. Which let her know that her dream had been a warning to her. She thought people would probably think she was paranoid but her gut feeling had never led her astray either. The church was over before noon and she decided to swing by the restaurant and talk to the owner and let them know she was quitting. She was worn out and wanted to relax. The owner knew this day was coming and even said that his daughters needed to learn the business anyways. So she left with a clear mind as drove back to her apartment. What she didn’t know was that someone was watching her seeing which apartment was hers. She stopped right in front of the building and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
• He watched noticed she didn’t move or anything just stood there. She didn’t turn around but got back on her scooter and drove further down the road and went to the store. She didn’t know why but she didn’t want to go back to her apartment. She reached into her pocketbook and called Gretchen to come and get her.
• “Hey girl, how are you?”
• “Can you come and get me please?”
• “What’s wrong honey?”
• “I am not feeling well is all.” She couldn’t tell her friend she was having a bad feeling because everyone already felt sorry for as is. No she wanted to leave and maybe shake this feeling off.
• “I am not in town right now. Can you call Gregory or your uncle?”
• “I don’t want to bug my uncle and his family since it’s the only day they have off. What if Gregory gets annoyed that I called him?”
• “I am sure Gregory wouldn’t get mad if you called him. Eric partner won’t be off the clock till after six anyways.”
• “I will call Gregory then.”
• “You and I will meet up this week and you can tell me all about him okay.”
• “Yeah. Sure.”
• She took a deep breath and called Gregory’s phone and after three rings she was about to hang up but he answered in a sleepy voice, “Hello.”
• “I am sorry. Um no worries sorry I woke you.”
• She hung up and was about to leave when the phone rang back and the manager handed her the phone, “You are not bothering me. What is wrong?”
• “I need a ride. But no worries I can call my cousin or…”
• “Where are you?”
• She told him where she was and she waited for him to come and get her. Molly at the store looked at Karen and handed her a cup of coffee, “Are you okay honey?”
• “Yeah. Just don’t like bothering anyone.”
• “You worry too much. Here take this cup and relax a little. I got the book you were asking about last week.”
• “How much?”
• “With tax and everything fifteen dollars.”
• “Can I pick it up tomorrow?”
• “Of course. My friend tells me you are getting good at welding one of his best.”
• “He is a really good instructor.”
• “He says if you continue to do as good as you are doing now. That he maybe able to get you a job offer once you graduate.”
• “Did he say exactly what?”
• “Working at the steel factory. They need welders and normally everyone has to wait five years before applying there.”
• “Something to think about right?”
• “Do what you think is best for you okay.”
• “Always. When I get done at the gym I’ll stop by and pick up the book.”
• “You come when you can okay.”
• Karen smiled and she saw Gregory’s truck pulling up at the bookstore. She walked out with her scooter and he was dressed in jeans and random shirt and put her scooter in the back of his truck.
• “Do you want me to take you to your apartment?”
• “No. Um just well you will think I am crazy.”
• “Try me.”
• “Well you know when you go hunting and you know that you are not alone?”
• “Yes.”
• “Well I had just got back to my apartment and I had that feeling and I just don’t feel like it’s safe for me to go back there at the moment.”
• “Have you had breakfast yet?”
• “So you think I am crazy?”
• “No. I do think that a woman’s intuition is real. Many times I have had friends in the army they spoke of similar cases where they had a bad feeling. So if you don’t feel safe then who am I to question that emotion.”
• He drove her to his place which was ten minutes from town in a little bungalow house. However inside was not small at all. She felt that her lifestyle was definitely far from his. She was poor where he was upper class. No wonder his sister didn’t approve of Karen being with Gregory. He started cooking eggs and made some waffles and then poured some orange juice for her who was standing near the door.
• “What’s wrong?”
• “I am sorry.Maybe I should go.”
• He looked at her then looked around and remembered her apartment and it dawned on him why she didn’t want to move from the door. She really was insecure. He wondered who made her feel so bad about herself that she couldn’t see that she fit that she wasn’t below standards.
• “You know Karen my mother, well my stepmother wasn’t rich either. She worked two jobs and she had lost so much in her life. Her own father had raped her. She watched as her mother killed. She ran away from home fearing that her father would someday find her. She was nineteen when she married my dad who was thirty at the time. I of course was twelve. Fourteen years later she had finally learned to be happy. However my sister you met didn’t care for our stepmother. She went to live with our real mother. Probably why she is spoiled brat. I have a little sister who was now twelve and she is a very loving little sister. Point is you are not worthless or should feel undeserving. You can be yourself around me and not feel like you should hide. I am sorry that whoever have hurt you made you feel this way. But I am here and I won’t let anyone hurt you. Okay.”
• Karen looked at him as though he didn’t see her as someone that needed pity. She sat down on the couch and he placed the glass of orange juice on a coaster. He went back into the kitchen and few minutes later brought them both breakfast he had just prepared.
• 3❧
• She looked down at her orange juice as a tear slid down her face, “I was fourteen and I was in the girl’s locker room and going to the shower. I didn’t know the girl’s softball team would be coming back and I quickly showered because I was chunky. When I was getting dressed they filmed me getting dressed. The boys football team was shown that the footage and every day I was barked at and they shouted how ugly and fat I was. I wanted to quit school but my father and mother didn’t have the funds to send me to another school. So every day I endured the jokes and the pranks and everything that they were dishing out. Not one adult said anything or did anything. So I stopped eating and went into depression. I had lost thirty pounds so one day I was walking to my truck. The one I had to sell. Two boys in the football team grabbed me and I tried fighting back and because I did I was rewarded by broken ribs and luckily my older brother came by in time and he beat them up. Of course then my secret was out and the school still didn’t do anything. So my brother brought me to school and was there to pick me up. I was upset that my parents had to find out what was going on like they did. My dad made me take self defense but the damage was already done.”
• He wiped away her tears while she talked and afterward he held her as the pain and the tears were being released. Even though the food was cold she finally let him in.
• She helped him wash the breakfast dishes and afterward he put on a movie so they could watch something to lighten the mood.
• “I quit my job at the restaurant. So I am going to ask my uncle to hire me full time on Friday and Saturday.”
• “You keeping your schedule with night schooling then?”
• “I am going to finish out this term but next term I will go full time.”
• “What time do you want to leave here then?”
• “Before it gets too late. I mean I don’t want to over stay my welcome.”