Inferna Nuntius

Chapter 12

12

Eddie found his feet firmly planted on the ground, unable, unwilling to move him forward. He couldn’t believe what the drive had just asked him to do. Per their agreement, Eddie had another week before he had to claim his next victim; a full seven days. Twenty-one days ago he had ambushed and brutally murdered the Asian-he still had seven days left. He paused, wondering if he could reason with the drive, but he shook his head. He realized that now was neither the time nor the place for rationalization with his other half. As he stood on the crowded street, arms and bodies grazed his, their energy colliding with him. He tried to move, but his drive kept him firmly in place.

Kill her or I’ll kill you, his drive threatened him. Moments passed, then minutes. Neither spoke to each other. Kill her or-

Fine! He screamed in his head. I’ll kill her. His reply was quieter in case his two realities had merged into one once again and every else could hear his thoughts again. His drive chuckled softly and then allowed his feet to move on their own again. They carried him forward swiftly, just shy of a jog in order to catch up with the woman. As he entered the next intersection, Eddie paused, glancing to his left, then to his right.

Find her or I’ll stay in your mind for the rest of your miserable life! His drive yelled. The deep baritone voice vibrated in his entire body, propelling him forward and to the left. He kept his steady pace, afraid that if he slowed down, even for a minute that he would lose her again. As the traffic broke up in front of him, Eddie let out a light moan as he realized that the left had once again done him right. He smiled and slowed his pace, not wanting to get too close to his victim too soon. He felt his heart swell with a sense of accomplishment as he knew he wasn’t going to let his drive down.

Pride befalleth the man, his drive informed him. You don’t have her yet.

I don’t have anything with me! Eddie realized, immediately sensing defeat.

Nothing? His drive asked. Eddie felt his right arm creep around his back, feeling for his backpack. He quickly twisted is around to his front and peered inside. A small gasp escaped his lips as his eyes settled on the metallic shine given off by his knife. His heart skipped a beat, then another. He quickly zipped his bag back up and continued following the woman. You’re welcome, his drive muttered a moment later. Eddie smiled and tightened the straps. He followed the woman for ten more minutes before she finally came to a stop in front of a coffee shop. He was tempted to follow her inside, to get a closer look at her, to study her face, but the intense smell of strong coffee kept him outside waiting patiently for her to rejoin him.

As the minutes ticked away, Eddie found himself growing more and more impatient with the woman. He glanced at his watched and shook his head in disbelief. It was already 11:30 and he was supposed to meet Jimmy at 1:00. He knew that if this kill was anything like his last he would have more than enough time, but he needed to make sure he had enough time to make it back to his apartment to shower and change in case he got dirty in the process.

He might enjoy you being a little dirty, his drive snidely commented. Save the water-you’ll need a shower when he’s done with you anyway.