Written By Ross Hughes
“Red…Red…Wine…
Goes to your head….
Makes you forget yourself…”
Melanie sung, quietly underneath her breath as she stood up from the sofa and marched towards the television. The red wine actually had gone to her head as she turned the television off by the mains. How she loved that song, it brought back so many memories of her single life, with the girls, the drink and the madcap parties. Way before the life of a married woman with two kids and a newborn. Always when the drink run through her veins that the song would just come out, like a tradition of hers, a trigger in her mind that would only activate after the first hint of drunkenness had hit her brain. It’s not as if she loved the group that sung the 80’s classic, yes they made a few decent songs, but being the party girl she was, Melanie was more into disco and rave, but that song! That one song she loved, everyone who knew her realised it, even her husband Michael who was asleep upstairs sang it to her at their wedding even though she had to admit herself it was sung badly.
She giggled to herself as memories of that wonderful day invaded her mind. That was when the song that brought back so many memories would stop and despite the fact that she missed those days with the girls, she thought of Michael and the great life that she had. Her wonderful children and the house that they shared. She stood by the window and looked out. There was a cold chill in the air as midnight approached and a new day began. She looked out across the street. There was no-one around, just houses on the opposite side either with lights on or off. She decided right then that it was time for bed. Working as a part-time nurse and with a nice day off tomorrow, and a nice night of relaxation behind her, she knew that with Michael promising to have the little one tonight and get up in the morning to take the other two to school, she smiled with knowing satisfaction that she should have a peaceful night sleep as well. With the once full bottle of wine sat stood up by the side of the settee, she nearly knocked it over as one final glance outside, Melanie reached out and closed the curtains.
Working as a part-time nurse is where he first met her.
Intrigued by her beauty and the gentleness of her voice as she spoke, he knew he had to have her there and then. For Melanie was a beautiful woman. Her short brown hair, thin body and lovely hand cupped breasts. His heart skipped a beat as he thought of her naked body next to his, and that is when he got excited.
That is when he pulled out the knife……..
—————————————————————————
He waited as patient as ever.
No need to rush.
Savour the moment.
Besides this was not his first time.
He made a game in his head just to pass the time. He knew Melanie had closed the curtains because he saw her, but he didn’t see what she was doing now. Watching from the outside, his imagination went wild. He saw as the light in the front room went out. He imagined her reaching over and switching the light off. His eyes closed as he thought of her kicking off her shoes and her bare feet touching the cream carpet. He did not know for sure, she could have had a wooden floor, but this was his fantasy, no-one else’s, just his…only his.
He imagined her now going into the kitchen, checking the windows and back door. Melanie looked like a safe guarded woman, someone who was security conscience, he liked that in her. Especially in this world where too many crazy people existed, you have to be careful these days.
The small knife which he held tightly in his right hand gently rubbed up and down on his leg. He continued to think. What would Melanie be doing now? He knew that being the quick and skilled person she was every lock and bolt would have been checked by now so that means she must have been going up the stairs. Her hair, beautiful and brown, swaying back and fore as she made her way to the master bedroom. She didn’t have any kids. She was too pure for that. She looked like a lady. A person who would save herself for someone special, someone like him.
Oh! That excited him again.
The virgin Melanie, pure and sweet. His fantasy took her to the bedroom where silk sheets laid on the king size bed. Her trousers being replaced by the thinnest panties that clenched to her body. It was a warm night, too warm for any bed wear. So there she was, standing there, just in matching bra and panties, looking at herself in the long mirror that was situated by the bed.
She had to look at herself. Anyone with so much beauty could not help but look at herself, admire the gift that she had been given.
That is when he thought!
Could it be possible?
Is that why she dressed like that? Did she see him hiding behind the tree before she closed the curtains? Is that why she is checking herself, making sure she looks good for him.
Oh! My pure, virgin Melanie Are you that clever, are you lying there now waiting for me to come up.
His heart skipped, beat as fast as it ever could, the idea enthralled him, paralysed him with excitement.
But not for long!
He smiled
“Oh Melanie, I’m coming!” he whispered.
He moved from the tree and towards the house.
With the knife still clenched in his hand……………
———————————————————————————-
It was the start of a new day and the moon was out in full force. It was a beautiful night, the stars glittered with pride and there wasn’t even a hint of coldness in the light breeze. The street where Melanie lived was quiet. No one was around at that time and he liked that. He crossed the road with a stride of confidence and with an ease like he never had before. Some say falling in love was hard and you be lucky to find happiness with the right person just once in your lifetime. Well for him, this was not the first time he got his hopes on one particular girl.
He thought of this as he stood outside Melanie’s house and looked up to the front bedroom window. He had been let down so many times in in the past, he felt that he deserved this level of happiness. The last time his feelings were like this it all went wrong.
Why was he thinking of ‘”her” and “them” at this particular time.
This confused him a little. Was this nerves?
The last “bitch” as he liked to refer to her too, promised him so much and yet she ended up a total disappointment. Like them all before, they just didn’t live up to the dream, the fantasy he imagined and for that, they all had to pay.
He grasped the knife tightly in his hand and for the first time since he arrived at Melanie’s house he felt a bit of anger and a rage started to fill his body, He shook his head!
“No no no!” he muttered.
He can’t let those other women make him angry anymore. Melanie would not like it. If they had worked out then he wouldn’t be here now, outside her house looking up to her bedroom window, knowing she was wondering where he was. All those other women were not meant to be and this was fate, simply put and that one single thought made the anger subside and the joyful feeling return.
He was excited now.
More than he ever had been.
The tingles of joy were spreading through his body, all the way from his toes to his head, his brain gathering the full force of this overwhelming feeling. There was like a tiny artist inside his head, painting a picture of what was to come and it was delightful sight.
He had been waiting all his life for a woman like Melanie to arrive. Fate had played a huge part in bringing her to him and he was not going to let the moment slip from his grasp. In about twenty minutes she would be in his arms, embracing the same love that he was feeling and that moment in time, it would be something they both would not forget.
He was delighted at the thought of her now, in bed waiting for him to walk through the bedroom door. A smile on her face as they make eye contact for the first time. What follows would be the start of something really special. No other couple would be like them, the happiness, the perfect world they would start to create. There be those watching from afar, jealous of what they had and a part of him liked that thought. They would be the perfect couple, living the dream that only others wished for, he knew that this was what was planned and how it was going to be and there was no one or nothing that was going to stop this from happening.
He moved away from the front of the house and gently opened the side gate that led to the garden. He was on his way now, no more waiting, thinking of past mistakes. He was coming Melanie and he would not disappoint you. This was going to be the best moment of his life and nothing was going to ruin it. Nothing would make him angry and lash out!
That was until he saw what was in the garden……..
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Even with just the light of the moon showcasing the garden, the area was beautiful. Flower beds were scattered around the place, wonderfully arranged and attractive, a touch only a person with a gift could offer. The garden was huge, the cut grass brought a sort of elegance to the area, while a large wooden shed stood at the bottom right hand side, with a pose that it was proud to be a part of such a nice kept place.
His eyes though were only fixed on the objects that were in the middle.
One simple three letter word was circling his head over and over!
Why? Why? Why? Why?
The knife dug into the side of his right leg. It was not enough to make him bleed but it was close. What was this that was in front of him and why was it here? There had to be a reason, a simple logical reason?
He had to compose himself, take a deep breath and think of what was happening. There was no point in losing his temper just yet! Just think of the reasoning behind this, fate bought him and Melanie together. he couldn’t have made a mistake again, not here, not with her.
He walked slowly up to the pair of children swings. His hand reached out and gently pushed the one swing and it swung slowly, without making a noise. It was a sight that would have looked eerily for anyone who stumbled upon this scene. It had gone midnight, the place was quiet and there was this tall stranger all dressed in black with a silver mask, standing in a garden gently pushing an empty child swing!
He had an urge to push the swing. His mind usually plays tricks on him and by touching the child’s toy, it was confirmation that it was actually here and not some bad vision which awakes the anger within.
The doubts started to surface.
He turned to face the large slide that was next to the swing and with his free hand, he gently stroked from the top of the slide all the way to the bottom, shaking his head, realising that this was happening. He glanced over to the inflatable paddling pool that had not been emptied. Yesterday had been a warm day and all he could see in his head was young children playing out here, having fun with their Mum and Dad, looking on proud.
His stomach felt like it was tied in knots.
Was his Melanie not that pure after all? Had she not waited for him? Why did she entice him from the window? Is it possible that she was a tease? Like them all!
There had to be a reason! Some logical explanation why these were here! Maybe Melanie was a really good Aunt who loved her niece’s or nephews!. Fill the place up full of love so the kids would loving coming here.
His mind was overflowing, he stood there for nearly a minute but it seemed like hours and this was not good. He had to do something, he had to find out! He stared at the white back door and he glanced at the lock!
“Easy!” he muttered.
He knew how to open a locked door but this time he didn’t have too. This was not good at all. Melanie, the woman who in his eyes was security conscience had forget to lock the door. For a brief moment he had the idea that maybe she left the door open for him but with the swing set, slide and now this, Melanie was becoming a disappointment and as he set foot into the house…..
He was about to find out just how much of a disappointment she was……
——————————————————————————————–
Melanie had planned this day since she was a nine year old girl and yet even she would admit that it went more perfect than she could have imagined. She and Michael had been childhood sweethearts, a love at first sight occasion and they would have got married many years before but an unexpected pregnancy put paid to that.
Their day was beautiful! The sun was shining, the skies were blue and everyone they loved came to their wedding. When she posed for her picture with Michael she dreamt right there of a future of happiness and bliss. His arm around her shoulder offered protection for the woman he loved. The smiles on both their faces were not false, it was a sign of undying love that not many shared. The picture spoke a thousand words, it was their favourite of all that was taken that day and it stood proud on their fire surround in their front room, a spot where whoever walked in, their eyes were immediately drawn to the happy image!
This is how he saw it.
>Melanie could not imagine that three years after that picture was taken, it would be in the hands of a total stranger in the middle of the night, in her own living room, while she slept upstairs. He held the picture frame in his left hand and stared at it. Soon as he crept into the front room and saw that photo staring back at him he had to have it in his hands. Any hope and happiness that he once had was long gone and all he felt was anger and a feeling of let down by this “bitch” who teased and enticed him.
There was nothing he could do at that particular time than just stare at Melanie. Even with all his rage spreading through his body, he could not deny how beautiful she looked.
He wanted her there and then. He needed her! He could feel the hunger and the want of urge that he had experienced many times before. The knife started to twist back and fore in his right hand, his breathing became faster and deeper. There was something twisted and deep in this feeling he had. He really expected Melanie to be the one! A woman who waited for him all her life, stayed pure and good! Seeing this photo made him feel let down and hurt, a feeling that he never wanted again. But while the hurt engulfed him, he was also excited at what was coming now. He loved the outcome that was going through his mind at the moment.
Carnage and blood, pain and payback!
This was what he lived for, the only thing that made him feel alive. Such was the feeling of excitement, the grip of his hand on the photograph tightened and with it the glass of the frame cracked.
Underneath his mask, a minor smile appeared and with that, he threw the wedding frame onto the leather settee, somehow not making a noise. There was no going back now! His mind was made up! He glanced across to the other photo frame that was next to the wedding photo and it was of two young boys. Both of them looked happy, two young brothers with the rest of their lives just waiting to be discovered.
Not any more.
He was on a mission now! No one was going to stop him. He turned and walked out of the front room and came to the hallway that led to the staircase. He was so quiet, so good at doing this, even he could understand how he had never got caught.
He glanced back to the front room and took one final look at the photograph of the two young boys and not once did a hint of guilt surface over what was about to happen. He felt alive now, days like this he lived for. He happened to see the empty wine bottle that Melanie left there.
A whore, a drunk, oh this tease of a woman was such a disappointment!
The knife swayed back and fore and he took one last look up the staircase, totally ignoring the rest of the photos that were placed on the wall, leading up to where this family slept. His mind was only on one thing now……
And with that one single thought, he slowly started to walk up the staircase……………
>——————————————————————————————————————
There was no noise. Not even a squeak of a floorboard. He was calm now, no panic, this is what he was good at. He thrived at what was about to happen and yet even though he knew he was good, it was one single thought that made sense prevail.
No one can be too good!
This is why he had to be careful. N0 mistakes could happen here, one slight careless thought would lead to all this coming to an end. When he was doing this, he had to do it right. That is why he remained calm. Deep breath and think, always think! Make sure he was always one step ahead as you would never know who or what could be around the corner.
The top of the staircase was huge and he was surprised at just how big the top floor was. There were five doors, two on one side, two on the other and one white double door facing straight him at the far end of the room. That had to her’s. No question in his mind. It was like a grand gesture, calling him to walk over and open the door. He felt quite excited by the calling of the room. He could feel her in there, breathing, naked underneath the bed sheets. His sexual urge began to surface but then he thought of the downstairs photo frames of the life she leads. He then thought of “him!”the fact that right now, this man was in that room with her, holding her, touching her, probably having sex with her.
Not Pure!
Not a Virgin!
Just a tease! Like them all! No guilt with this one, her life was a waste sharing it with him, it was time to put the bitch out of her misery.
There was no sound coming at all from the house so he knew everyone had to be asleep. Now was the time! He moved silently but quickly, the bedroom door to his left was slightly open and with ease he walked it. In front of him on the bedroom wall was a poster of some cartoon character grinning back at him, an image that he stared at for a while. He looked at this silly creature and wondered why a sponge was wearing squarepant’s and smiling like some demented fool and why was this stupid image on this wall? He glanced over to the bed and at a young boy sleeping, dreaming most probably of a life that he never will experience after tonight.
There was no guilt at what he was about to do. No worries and no self doubt! This is what he was born to do. Rid the Earth of these disgusting creatures who do not deserve to share the same breath as he! It was time to put things right. Put this young child born into a disgusting family out of his misery.
And with not one ounce of remorse, he began to work and blood began to pour…..
——————————————————————————————————–
It was scary how good he was!
From one bedroom to the other, silent like a mouse.
The horror he left behind, the scenes of brutality and coldness were not suited with anyone who had a soul. But that was the thing, he never had one. Not since the day he was born, even when he was only five years of age he felt hated towards his mother. This was not like a cliche horror film tale. His parents were not evil people who hurt and abused him. Some would say they were the nicest pair any child could wish for. But not for him! All he wanted was for them to be hurt and in pain. There was no motive, no long back story and sudden twist, he was evil….simple as!…..
Evil and good! Too good at what he does.
As he closed the second bedroom door, a sense of pride overcame him. These two children did not deserve the lives that they were given. Why was it fair that they were born with a mother who was a liar and a cheating whore. They were at peace now, he had saved them! A small sigh of satisfaction was released and then he looked and turned to face the whole point of his destination. Her bedroom……..
He walked slowly towards the double white door, he knew beyond this entrance was the woman who he loved, a person who promised him so much and yet offered so little. A woman who betrayed his needs, someone who he thought could have offered him a new life. away from the rage that fulfills his day. How could he have got it so wrong? Why wasn’t Melanie the one? At the hospital she was so nice to him. Kind and considerate. Her brief smile towards him had him elated. He loved her there and then and wanted to be with her.
Even when she left her workplace and he followed her to this home, he had a sense that maybe she knew that he was following him! Why else would she drive so slow?
He began to savoir the sweet taste of hope again. His tongue licked his lips as he thought of a different outcome. Maybe she wanted out of this life! Maybe she was forced into this marriage! That smile was one of hope that he would follow her to her home, to save her from this pig of a man and of the children she never wanted. It all started to make sense to him now. That is why the door downstairs was open and not locked. That is why there was an empty wine bottle downstairs, his poor Melanie was just crying put for attention. For him to come to her rescue. The unhappiness of being married to man who did not love her the way she should be loved……..the way he could love her.
Yes!
This had to be it! His hand began to tremble now, banished were the feelings of hurt and despair. Hope ran through his veins, excited that without the kids and the pig of a husband. she could be happy again, with him an no one else.
This was it!
He was coming Melanie!
No going back now! Her knight was about to slay the dragon…
And with that, he kicked the bedroom doors wide open!……..
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Melanie could not move or make a sound.
Tears had began to slowly trickle down her face as fear gripped her like never before. One minute she was dreaming of something good, something which was now long forgotten and now, she was seeing her beloved husband on the bedroom floor by the side of the bed, holding his stomach and screaming out in pain.
Blood was all over his hands, his eyes fixed on the gaping hole from his stomach. His screams of despair slowly turning to mumbles of unspeakable dialogue. He knew he was only matter of seconds from dying and while the saying goes “life flashes before your eyes!” while on the brink of death, he just had a feeling of total helpless.
Melanie looked on as the man she loved fought for every inch of breath. Michael reached out to her, like a child reaching out for his mother, blood dripping from his hands, but Melanie could not move from the bed. She shook her head with fear as Michael took his last breath and slowly slumped to the floor, only then, like an instinct for a man she loved and adored, she reached out her arms and screamed “Michael!”…………….
But it was too late!
Now her eyes moved to “him!”.
This figure of all in black and a faceless silver mask stood over her, his knife covered in blood held tight in his right hand. He leaned over Melanie, his free hand reaching out and wiping away the tears from cheek. Melanie’s heart skipped hard and fast. Sitting up and cuddling the pillow tight into her chest, she tried her best not to move. She had never been so scared, feelings of nausea and passing out engulfed her whole body. She turned her head to the side as she could feel him slowly start to sniff her hair. The knife moved from his hand and he gently started to rub it against her naked leg. Melanie could feel the blood being rubbed against her bare skin and she could hear his breathing getting deeper and heavier.
He was getting very excited now.
He looked down at the knife and slowly he moved the knife up her leg and tried to place it between her legs. Melanie refused to budge, an act that only made him more determined and with his free hand, he grabbed her throat and pushed her onto her back. Melanie still refused to even look at him, instead focusing on the wall on her right. She could feel the knife now being rubbed up and down onto her underwear. Only the sound of his deep breathing from underneath the mask could be heard as the excitement he was getting was shown by the fast movement of the knife which continued to rub against her.
Then, Melanie’s eyes came wide open. From all the confusion and chaos, a thought suddenly entered her mind.
“Noooo!” sbe screamed out! and with all her strength, she pushed this figure out of the way an act that took him totally by surprise. Melanie with a sudden movement got out of the bed, her eyes looking down to the dead body of her husband, and with a second sigh of despair she quickly regained her determination and thought of only one thing only………her children.
She stood over her husband’s body and headed towards the bedroom doors, she had to protect her children at all costs but before she could even reach the hallway, a sudden pain hit her back. She fell head first onto the bedroom wall, just a foot away from the exit. Her hand raised and reaching towards her back, she screamed out at this incredible pain that was so severe it made her fall to her knees.
She was quick getting up from the bed, but he was quicker. When she pushed him away, the movement startled him first but with composure and a level of calm, he threw the knife towards her and it went straight into her back.
“Not going anywhere bitch!” he muttered as he walked towards her.
“Please no! My children, not my children!”…… she begged.
But he weren’t listening. He grabbed the knife handle and yanked it from inside her, a movement that brought even more severe pain to poor Melanie. He then grabbed her by her hair and pulled her up and pushed her against the wall, his masked face leering straight at her.
“Please no…..” she repeated one more time “Don’t hurt my children!”…..
He tilted his head left and right in a slow deliberate tease of a moment. “Too late for that!” he whispered before plunging the knife repeatedly into her stomach. After he finished he let go and Melanie gently slid down the wall and onto the floor, virtually next to her dead husband. Her last moments was seeing blood all over her, her husband and over the carpet. Ironically for some strange reason it looked like red wine and with that thought, she died with the tune of
“Red…Red…Wine…
Goes to your head…..”……………going through her mind!…..
He looked down at the two dead couple and a sense of pride and satisfaction came over him. He longed so much for these nights, to feed the urges that overcome him at times. A smile underneath the mask appeared and it was time to go home, he didn’t care about the chaos here, that was for the dumb police to sort out. All he wanted now was to leave this place, get out of there quickly and he moved into the direction of the the bedroom door when a noise from behind startled him……
He turned sharply, grasping the knife and he quickly realized that there was someone else in the room….
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
There was nothing in his mind.
No thought! No remorse!…………..nothing!!!!!
He did not care who lived or died, why would he? They do not care about him, about his life, his problems. Rid the world of this filth is what he was good at. For a while he has been doing this, making his mark, doing it his way. He knew that he could leave this house tonight without a care in the world. Sometimes he sits there, thinking of these “people” who he “puts out of their misery”, but when those thoughts do enter his mind, instead of guilt, he feels pangs of excitement. That is when the urges start to become, when he wants to taste the delight of mayhem and blood.
He sat on the edge of the bed, totally oblivious to the two dead bodies nearby who were going cold as each second passed. The noise was getting louder and he took a deep breath. How could he have so nearly missed this? “Stupid Mistake” he began to thought. He clenched the knife once more and stood up from the bed and walked towards that noise that was coming from the corner of the bedroom. He looked down and saw a baby clearly agitated, upset and in distress from the noise that awoke the young child from its deep sleep.
“Shut up!”…..he muttered………….
“Shut up!”…………..
“SHUT UP!”……………………this time with a louder tone.
The baby, too young to understand the words or the danger carried on crying for its mother who laid dead on the floor only yards away. He started to walk back and foe, and with his one free hand, rubbing the temple of his head as the noise was beginning to become unbearable.
“Shut…up…..please….shut up…….just shut up…….shut up…..shut up……shut up!”……………………
He dropped the blooded knife onto the bedroom floor and picked the crying baby up from the cot and raised the crying infant towards his masked face.
“Why can’t you just be quiet?”…………..
Those spoken words seemed to have an effect as the baby stopped crying and stared back at him and his mask. He realised by judging the nightwear of the baby, he was holding in his hands a baby girl.
“Are you going to end up like your whore of a mother? A tease, a disgrace to the human race”…….
The baby did not answer, how could she…….. anger that should be filing his body, the rage that usually drives him was somewhat missing, instead he carried on looking at the baby girl, staring deep into her eyes. He watched as a small tiny tear ran down her cheek, a left over from the cries of earlier. Instead of a young face of misery, the young child stared back and smiled, much to his shock. She reached out and touched his mask. Her small fingers brushing down the side, he could not feel the innocent touch of affection, no did he want too, but a new feeling began to engulf his body, something which he did not want or require.
“What are you doing?”…………………
The baby carried on reaching out towards him…….
“No…..No……No…….Nooooooooooooo!”…………
He threw the young baby back into the cot and she landed on her back and the shock of such force bought on tears once more……….
He shook his head furiously and started to walk back and fore from the cot. The baby cried out louder and louder and to block out the noise he put his hands over his ears. Thoughts were running through his mind, some which he never had before, and he tried to fight it……
“What have you done to me?”………..
In anger now, he bent down and picked up his knife and turned sharply back to the cot and looked down to the baby who was crying out loud.
He raised the knife and for the first time ever in his life, he uttered these two words…..”I’m sorry!”………..
The baby stopped her crying once more and stared back at him, her eyes seemed to go past his mask, into his eyes and for some reason, touching his soul. Troubled and feeling on edge, he closed his eyes, trying not to be drawn towards her and whatever game she was playing…..
“No!”…he said for the last time and he swung the knife towards her direction……………..
TO BE CONTINUED…………………………..
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