Through The Eyes Of A Killer
I gaze across the street at the attic window of what used to be the Lawrence house. A young couple bought it, and today they’re moving furniture. I take a sip of iced tea and rock back and forth in the old porch rocker.
Carson, his mother’s voice echoes in his head; don’t be sitting out front staring at those people. It just isn’t polite. Little did she know; he didn’t care. She was always so strict and always telling me what to do.
I remember back twenty years ago when I was seventeen. Charlie and I met out at the sand pits to swim in the lake. We were getting out of the lake and at the edge of the water when Charlie told me he had a date with Amanda. She was my girl. I had liked her since junior high. Charlie knew how I felt about her. I’d never asked her out, but she was mine. How could you betray me like that?
I picked up a big rock and smashed him in the head as hard as I could. I heard the sound of his skull cracking and saw the blood gushing. He fell into the water face down. I watched as he lay there lifeless. I could have helped him; at that point, I think he was still alive. No way was I going to help him go out with my girl. Amanda is mine. I looked around to make sure there was no one around. That’s why we liked the place; it’s always deserted.
I stepped back into the water and pulled his lifeless body to the center of the lake. I wanted to tie him to a rope and something heavy to sink his body, but then it wouldn’t look like an accident. I left him there and got out of the lake. He was my best friend. That’s what happens when you mess with something that’s mine.
The days that followed I felt stronger and better than ever. It’s like all of Charlie’s strength was transferred to me. I felt powerful. I realized I now have the power to take life. But that feeling didn’t last. So, I had the desire to kill again. Charlie was only my first; there have been seven more.
I smile as I think how Amanda turned to me after Charlie died. She and I grew close and dated for a while. I went away to college then we parted. She’s still single and calls me often. Maybe I’ll start dating her again.
I’m the guy that all the parents want to date their daughters. The funny thing is they still do. I guess I would be considered a catch. I’m handsome, athletic, educated and have a great job. Little do they know I have a lust for killing?
I watch the young couple as they continue to unload. The woman is very attractive, and something tells me she’d make a good number nine. In the attic of their new house is the scene of my number five. It was Mrs. Lawrence; she was too nosy for her own good. I caught her up in her attic and smothered her then pushed the body down the stairs. She was old, so the police thought it was an accident. I’m good at finding ways to make it look like an accident; at least most of the time.
No one would ever suspect me; the church going guy that grew up here. I ease out of the rocker and grab my empty glass to go inside. I can still watch my next target from inside the house. I can’t kill her at the house. Two deaths in the same house might look suspicious. I’ll have to watch her and plan for the kill.
I still have time because my last kill gave me a lot of strength. It was a high school boy. He fought hard, and he was strong and powerful, but I was stronger. I remember he and his friend were at the park late. No one was around as they sat drinking and throwing rocks into the river. His friend said he had to get home and left him just sitting on the edge of the water. My task was so easy. I waited for his friend to leave. I crept slowly up behind him and smashed his head with a rock. He fell forward, and I pushed him into the river. The current of the water swept him away, and I was left with his strength.
I smile as I think of each of my victims. Each selected for different reasons — some for being careless and in a remote place. But Charlie and Mrs. Lawrence deserved what they got. She was nosy, and he was stealing my girl.
The young woman across the street is just beautiful and vibrant. I have to have her. I look at the clock and realize it’s almost time for church. I shrug knowing that I don’t want to go, but who would ever suspect this church going guy ever to do such a horrible thing.
I smile at the thought and lick my lips knowing the thirst for blood is still there. I climb into my car and drive to church. I’m just blocks away when a big rig honks his horn. I look up and realize I’ve run the red light and collide with the truck.
****
A few days later the hearse pulls into the cemetery, and the pallbearers take Carson’s casket out of the back.
The minister stands to speak to the crowd that has gathered.
“Carson was a nice man. It’s a shame that his life was taken too soon. The police said that Carson was reading a text when he collided with the truck. It’s just an example of life is short.”
Amanda smiles knowing the text was from her. She knew Carson hurt people and well; it was just karma.