Shadows of the Past

Prologue

It was dark outside the apartment complex, but he didn't mind. The dark was a necessary part of his plans for the night. It let him watch his target go about her night, blissfully unaware of the terror that lurked just outside her unlocked and easily opened windows. Her roommate was an obstacle he had been prepared to deal with, but luck was on his side tonight as she had decided to go out for the night, leaving him free to do as he wished to the woman left all alone inside. 

He waited, crouched in the shadows, until she had finally gone to bed hours later. Then he slowly crept towards her window, watching her as she tossed and turned in her sleep. After he was sure she wouldn't wake suddenly, he slowly pushed her window open and crawled inside her room. With one gloved hand firmly grasping the handle of the knife in his pocket, he very softly stroked her cheek with the other before covering her mouth and laying his full body weight on top of her. 

Her eyes shot open, momentarily filled with confusion and panic as she struggled to free herself. He watched her face, smiling coldly as he saw the recognition and fear he had been waiting for. He had been dreaming about this moment for years, and now it was finally here. He slowly pulled the blade from his pocket and reveled in the pure terror on her face as it shone in the moonlight. With one quick motion, he slit her throat and sat back as he watched the blood pour down her pale body and pool on the sheets. As the life drained out of her, he watched her eyes dull and her breath slow, but he wasn't done yet. He raised his blade again and set to work, ensuring that whoever found her would understand why he had done what he did. He may be sick, but he wasn't crazy, so he left anyone that saw her a gruesome message, written in blood.