by Emily Ford
***
Rose sits up in the dark and vaguely remembers how she climbed into her bed a few hours before. Almost as suddenly as she remembers Johnny walking her home from the bar, her stomach revolts. She throws herself off the bed, stumbling into the adjacent bathroom. She vomits from the five Jester drinks until her stomach finally settles, and then rinses out her mouth. As she stumbles back to her bed, she remembers Johnny telling her she’s in trouble.
“Good job, Rose, you’re in trouble with the police now,” she mumbles to herself, concerned about her run-in with him. She crawls back into bed and turns onto her side facing away from the bathroom and hallway.
It only takes a few minutes for her to fall asleep again. She did not notice the dark figure standing in the corner of her bedroom, watching her silently. While studying her, his eyes pass over an item of interest. The Black Jester waits until he’s sure she is sleeping again to leave the shadows and approach her.
He had been watching her all night. Guarding her. He knew the police officer wouldn’t harm her, and he didn’t feel compelled to intervene. He was able to hang back and protect her from the shadows.
His purpose now is specific and he moves silently to the nightstand by her bed. He picks up the bottle of prescription pills and examines the label. Even in the darkness of the room, he can still make out the words on the label. Filling with rage, he sets the bottle back down and swiftly leaves her house. He has chosen his next target.
