by Jason Wood
Chapter three
The music was pumping and the guys were grinding in their tiny speedos with packages that were not exactly hidden from view. This guy was wearing a fireman’s hat and the jacket was wide open with his two hands on the two strings on the side of that Speedo. The girls were clamoring and screaming. It was hard to hear anything that was going on around me.
“He’s going to do it. I think that I might just have to do something about the way that he’s looking at me.” Ginger was not exactly subtle, but this guy was not exactly looking at her. He was keeping his attention on the crowd. I was not even sure that he saw anybody other than shapes in the darkness. The screams got louder when that thong dropped away from his chiseled body. I didn’t really react, but I was right there with them. I pretended to enjoy myself, but my eyes were constantly darting around the room to see if anybody was going to do anything that would be considered suspicious.
All these girls and one of them could’ve been a killer. I looked for that sign in their eyes and back in the day I was very good at using that type of radar to determine somebody’s guilt or innocence. Most of these girls were hyped up on the adrenaline of the liquor running through their veins and the scantily clad men in various states of undress. There were only a few that I signaled out as being bored and not wanting to be here. I was one of them, but Emily was trying to get me into the swing of things.
“Come here big boy.” This naked man was of no interest to me knelt down on his knees in front of us in front of the stage. She took my hand and placed it on his chest and I feigned innocence and made it look like I was embarrassed by doing something so blatant and bold. I actually found nothing appealing about this man. He was built the way that a man should be built, but I had seen Neil and I was very pleased with the results of his many hours in the gym.
“I really don’t know how you talked me into these things, Emily.” She probably thought that she was getting me out of my comfort zone, but this really didn’t faze me in the least. I thought I saw someone going down the hall on the other side of the club. They were obscured by the shadows. I wasn’t sure, but I could almost swear that the maestro had come here of all places. I should’ve known that he would be watching from a distance.
“You like it and you can’t tell me otherwise.” I could’ve told her otherwise, but I don’t think that she would’ve believed me. “I know that I’m having a great time and getting out of my house for the evening is better than sitting around and reading old text books from those days that I was in college. Do you know that I never really did anything but study in college? How sad is that?” It appeared that I was to be her therapist for the evening. I guess we could switch roles and even therapists have bad days where they feel like they are going nowhere fast.
There was definitely somebody in the shadows and I got this feeling that they were watching me. “You are a bad influence on me, Emily. I don’t think that Neil would take kindly to you taking me to a place like this.” I had told him honestly about what I was doing and the most that I got was a cocking of an eyebrow. I told him that he had nothing to worry about and that it was only looking and I would come home to him. He told me that he wasn’t worried and that he trusted me and that meant more to me than I could ever say.
“I think that we are all bad influences on each other that we need this from time to time and you can say that it doesn’t do your heart good to act a little out of control. Throwing money around and ogling these guys is a way of getting back a bit of our youth.” I wasn’t exactly in my teens anymore, but I didn’t consider myself to be prime real estate. I was still finding my sea legs in life and dealing with these tendencies had a way of crippling me from enjoying a thing of beauty.
Just the other day, I stopped off at a nearby florist shop and I walked around and enjoyed the many colors I had never done anything like that before. I was smelling the roses and that was a me day just for myself. It helped me to realize that the beauty of nature was all around me and I just had to take the time to really see it and not just flash by it in the blink of an eye. I think that everybody should do that once in awhile. Just say the hell with the work and it’s not like it wasn’t going to be there when you got back.
“Tt’s nice to have these connections with those of my own sex.” The most that I had with other killers were noncommittal nods and dismissive waves. We weren’t exactly friendly and that spirit of competition was nothing compared to the actual act of killing. We did compare notes and there were times that we actually used a few different techniques to keep the police and those that might be suspicious off our trail.
“I think that I’m going to use the facilities. I’ll be right back and I do hope that I get back in time for the police twins.” They were the main attraction. Every girl in here was waiting for the chance to see double. I’m sure that all of them would have loved to double their pleasure and double their fun. These guys had the kind of ass that look like they were supposed to be on teenagers. From behind, you could definitely mistake them for not being old enough to shave. From the front, they were sculpted from marble and should’ve been without their shirt on everyday.
“I’ll be sure to text you if you are longer than expected. This will be your first time seeing them and trust me they are worth the money that we paid at the door.” The drinks were remarkably priced high, but that was not uncommon for places like this. The markup on liquor was astronomical. “You haven’t lived, until you have had them shake their money maker in your face. I come here all the time when they are in town. It’s too bad it’s not more than three or four times a year. There is a strip club that has men mixed with the girls. It’s their idea of gender equality. It’s a few miles out of town, but it’s worth it for an excursion for the weekend.” I was glad to see that she was smiling. I excused myself and pushed myself through the crowd hoping that I would find who was lurking in the shadows.
As I got closer, the shadow vanished and when I turned the corner, there was nobody there. I heard a click of a door and I ran down the hallway to see that there was an exit sign leading to the Alley outside. We had arrived when there was a slight drizzle, but now I could hear the driving rain striking against the door like it was trying to blow it off its hinges.
My phone rang and I looked down and thought that it might be Emily telling me that the twins had taken to the stage little bit earlier than expected. It wasn’t a text and somebody was actually trying to call me. I pressed the receive button and I think deep down I already knew what I was going to hear.
“Michaela… Michaela… Michaela… The past is the past and it’s not over till the last. Time is not lost, but it does have a cost. Pick up the knife and it’s time to take a life.” The emoticon of a smile appeared with a wink and then a photo slapped me in the face like a hard brick. I figured that I might see Emily’s face or even one of the girls, but this was something else. It was a photo of me, but it was the person that I was with that made me gasp. Neil was now targeted for elimination and they wanted to make sure that it was by my hand. They had even chosen the method of death. They didn’t care what kind of knife I used, but it would appear that they wanted me to make it as messy as possible.
I swallowed hard, not quite believing that I was going to have to do this, but Rebecca was counting on me. I had to choose between one of my best friends and a man that I had just met a couple of months ago. This was not an easy thing to do and I had no idea how I was going to pick from one to the other. I knew that most would let Rebecca fend for herself, but I would never be able to live with myself. Then again, I don’t think that I would be able to live with Neil’s death on my hands literally and figuratively.
I turned away from the door and then I heard what sounded like a muffled scream coming from outside. I ran into the driving rain and found myself staring at the makeshift cross hanging in the air with two hooks between buildings. It was swinging and the person that was looking at me with his hands nailed to the cross was the maestro.
THE END
(FREEBOOK)
Romance
Chapter 1
Miss itchy feet
10/3/2005
Dear diary,
I am Samantha Hurlock from a small town if you must know my origin in a conventional manner. I cannot say any more about it and mind you even this I have written very reluctantly. Why I am so reluctant to introduce myself is a simple matter of choice. My choice derives its logic from my unconventional opinions about the origin. I don’t want to be defined by my hometown, my lineage, my language or even by my name. I had rather be known for what I do and what I think, that is what I am.
I have written a poem about this. Do you want me to write it for you?
I am not what I used to be,
I am not what I will be,
This moment what I am,
Is really who I am.
The moment lasts only,
Depart till we.
Yet you can capture,
If you wish,
A glimpse or a glim of me.
For even though the time has passed,
That bit will still be me
I am here, right here at this moment, the past and the future is not my concern. I have no roots because I am not a tree, but I have legs, a brain and most importantly a heart! They take me where they like and I happily oblige. The uncertainty is what makes my life worth living! Uh-oh! Write about the devil and there he comes, my uncertain life doesn’t allow me to write any fu—
The chief of the caravan shouted again for me to listen loud and clear that I was not welcome on board anymore. I was in the middle of the desert at the back of a slightly small camel, the journal in my hand half opened and my index finger resting between the pages that I had been staining with the ink of my feelings. I looked around with difficulty as my eyes failed to cope up with the strain despite the shades and the cap that I was wearing. It was all gold, the desert, and the sun. I had no choice but to get down the camel that I had begun to get attached to even though we were together for only two days. I was half dead when I joined these people or when they rescued me would be a more accurate expression. I patted Mohini, the she-camel on the back and she gave me a slight nod. Somehow she knew that I was to depart now and surprisingly she seemed to be very understanding about it. Maybe she was accustomed to being forsaken in the middle of the deserts then I realized that it was I who was being forsaken and not her.
I was not being ungrateful to these people. They had helped me a lot, but now they were to head in a different direction and my purpose was to cross this desert that seemed to have no end at all. I saw the chief coming towards me. I put the journal inside my backpack, checked my goat-skin water bottle which as I expected was empty. I looked at him innocently and he ordered someone from his clan to fill it with water for me. He did not know English and I did not know Arabic, but we understood each other on the grounds of common sense. I thanked him profusely and he accepted it. Then he looked perplexed, he wanted to guide me through it without wasting much time which was kind of impossible with the great language barrier. Suddenly, he looked around and said something in Arabic and the boy who had been handling Mohini for me came. He was wearing a large checkered scarf on his head like the rest of them but his face was not visible and I suddenly realized that I had not seen his face at all. I had not even noticed this because he seemed so insignificant but as it came out he knew both the great languages and could act as an interpreter for us. With his help, I understood how to cross that terrible desert. As I was about to turn around, he said, have a safe journey, Signorina and as I moved away I caught a glimpse of his intriguing blue eyes!
Chapter 2
The comfort zone
21/3/2005
Dear diary,
I am sitting in my warm bed in the hotel around the corner of the street with a cup of tea at the side table. I have just eaten a delicious breakfast of bread, butter, scrambled eggs and an orange. My room is small but looks rather roomy because of the use of cool colors for the paint and minimal amount of furniture. There are two windows in this room. One is in front of the bed and the other is westward from the bed. The front window shows the busy streets and the city as the humans have developed it, but a single glance from the other one takes my breath away every single time. From there you can see how God had made the beautiful city, green, blue and golden. I can see my half-unpacked luggage in the corner beside the cupboard. I never unpack completely because I never know when I would leave my accommodations for the next journey.
I have seen so many places now. I don’t belong to my hometown only, anymore. If I must be compared to a tree than I am this giant one with the trunk protruding out on the surface, but my roots have spread all over the world. I am a traveler and love what I do. I have witnessed so many cultures and made so many friends but more than the people and their ways, what has inspired me really is the beautiful and varying shades of nature which despite differing so much still shares a commonality. In the versatility, I have experienced the universality.
Yes, I am different from other people around me but no so much. While other people are slaves of money, knowledge and lust, I am a slave of my wanderlust. If I can resist from scoffing at their desires, they should do the same for me. How is it possible that society defines our wishes? I cannot make myself love the things that are desired by a majority only because it is the norm. So I keep moving around the world and even when I am at a place I am also somewhere else too.
This is me and I am comfortable with it.
Love,
Samantha
Xoxo
Chapter 3
The unforgettable encounter
She was standing on the gallery of an old mansion in front of which were grilled. It was around 1:00 AM and all the valley was engulfed in the darkness. The weather was not in its senses today. The wind was blowing making such strange noises as if it is a wounded animal unwilling to die or ready to kill. There was a thunderstorm and the rain was falling on the wet leaves continuously as if the fire has been opened and there will be no way out for anyone. The light was striking illuminating the dark sky as if it would snatch the light out of one’s eyes. She was wearing a black scarf that covered her face except a slit through which her large green eyes were protruding out.
Perfect weather just according to the forecast, for a change. She thought. This was the only time the weather was supporting her. Otherwise, it had always hindered her in her plans. She knew it was necessary to carry out the business right now. It was now or never. She had never liked her missions very much lately, but this one was interesting. It was last! It was personal!
She could not help but remember the face of her savior. She had always loved how that smiling calm face comes in front of her eyes whenever she was about to set the right what was wrong in this great world. He was handsome, too old for her but still appealing. She would have died that night and if she did survive, she would have been broken and bitter which would be even worse than being dead, but he had calmed her.
She smiled at the thought and checked her pockets for her revolver and her boots for her favorite weapon; knives. She loved knives. It was a host of knives that had attacked her in the valley on that dark night. It is all about sides, she knew. Being on the right side of the weapons makes all the difference. She loved to use what had been used on her.
The lights in the sky were a distraction, but she knew how to distinguish between a real and an artificial light. She recognized the signal; a green light deeper than the shades of her eyes as her cue to come into action. She turned around and checked her image in the puddle of water at her legs; a woman of mid-forties all clad in black stared at her with her sharp green eyes. Are you ready? She asked her and found the willing approval in the image.
*------------------------------*-----------------------------------*---------------------------*
His orders were to shoot at sight, but he had himself to answer to before anyone else. A consc
ience is a terrible, terrible thing, he realized. So many times he had been told to just follow the orders, but it did not work for him. He just couldn’t bring himself to shoot people. It was his preference was to catch them. Sometimes, it frustrated him. Why can’t I just let it go and make life simple for me?
Today, his task was even more peculiar than usual. This time it was a woman, a young woman of 25 who he needed to kill at the spot. She was supposed to be very dangerous. Actually he had been looking for her for a while and though he is sure he had encountered her a few times but did not dare touch her or even confront her at those occasions because he was never sure it was her.
She was reported to roam around in different disguises and he had suspected about three women to be the criminal. This time it was confirmed that she will attack this place. He was not sure if he even wanted to stop her. He had been posted here to protect a famous social worker. Until recently, I had respected him a lot too. Although some of his ideas were different from what he had believed but he did not dislike him, but his posting here has shown him the real face of this man who was considered as an icon of love, peace, and mercy among the people. This man was corrupt and lived off the money of innocent people, but there was no evidence against him because he was protected by the government.
It was strange for him to feel for a nation that was foreign to him. His stay here was only for the purpose of catching the woman who has been involved in killings all around the world because she was reported to be a citizen of his own great country, the Great Britain. The people here was so different than his own people, but it was okay for him to adjust as he had been trained for this.
He was Augustus Hemsworth, the most adept undercover officer to be found in the whole wide world. He had been responsible for the catching of a variety of criminals from different countries. This woman had been a particularly difficult case for him, though. He understood her psychology enough to know that all her victims had been hypocrites. The kind of people praised by the world but in reality were monsters were mostly her targets. He saw that green light in the sky as well, illuminating it which could have easily passed to be a stroke of lightning. He knew it was the cue and alerted his team as well.
