TAMED

Hide and Seek

A horrified and pleading voice gave a chilling scream throughout the midmorning air as a train barrelled down the tracks. Vince, meanwhile, walked idly across the bridge, one of his favorite bands blasting through his earbuds. He promised himself not to listen to his victims when their end came, he didn't have the stomach to handle it, plus not knowing what exactly happened right before they died gave him a little anonymous security, something he safeguarded very much. That being said, he was always drowned in a sea of nausea when things came to pass. Just the knowledge that he was at least half responsible was enough to make him horribly sick.

Finally on the other side of the bridge, he took his phone out of his pocket and paused the Muse track he'd been listening to. He wasn't picky when it came to music, and he usually just let Alexa pick something for him. He brushed his long blonde hair out of his face and tucked it behind his ears, he hadn't had a hair cut since the chaos from months ago. Now it framed his face and tickled his shoulders if the breeze came at just the right angle. Today was warmer than it had been, but the clouds were moving in and with them brought the sweet smell of rain. He preferred to do his work on days with uncertain weather, but he made sure not to make any consistent habits out of it.

The wind swept a chill up his spine as he adjusted his black hoodie.

Hailing a taxi, he pulled his phone out to make a few google searches before the yellow cab came to a halt at the sidewalk's edge. Casually, the young man clambered in and leaned against the seat. It was tiring, changing residences so frequently, but it was the only way he could live now. He had known it wouldn't take too long for the authorities to link some of the crimes to him, though he was proud of himself for staying under the radar for as long as he had. His time frame for remaining a ghost was six months, and it was only a couple of weeks ago that he'd realized they were onto him.

Feeling tired, he tilted his head to the side and peered out the window, watching as rain plips quickly turned to streaks and streams trailing down the cool glass.

"You good kid?" The driver asked, she was an older lady with an aged face and outdated glasses .

He gave her an innocent smile.

"Sure thing. I'm just a bit sleepy. College work is hard, and I let myself get a bit behind." He casually lied, a skill he'd become quite proficient at.

The old woman gave him a sympathetic grin as she shifted her hands on the wheel, then slowed to a stop at an intersection.

"I understand, my granddaughter is always swamped with homework. I hope you can find some time to relax. Maybe you could do something to relieve the stress?" She suggested as she pulled through the intersection and made a left. Another twenty feet or so after that and they pulled up to his address.

He tucked his phone back into his pocket and gave her yet another sweet smile. "Yes, I have some things I do to help me feel better. I actually had just done it today, it really helps to keep my mind clear."

She nodded and waved as he climbed out. "Don't worry about the bill sweetheart. You just go get some rest and try to catch up on your work."

"You sure?" He asked with a gentle tone, holding his hand over his head to keep the rain off his face.

"Yep! Now go on! You're getting soaked!"

With that he closed the door and waved her goodbye, watching as the yellow vehicle became smaller and smaller down the road.

...

Vince watied impatiently for the microwave to beep, he mostly lived off of cheap microwave foods these days, but he also occasionally stopped by a cafe for a sandwhich or donut. Honestly, it wasn't too bad. As long as he stayed organized, he didn't have anything to worry about. Right now he lived in an RV which belonged to an old couple he worked for. He tended to her Azaleas and did other odd house and yard work and in return they let him live there. The only thing he requested was access to her internet and electricity.