Murder On The Waterway: The Case Of The Kanaima Demon

Chapter Twenty Two

The anticipation of Christmas seemed to creep in prematurely, with "Last Christmas" already playing on the radio despite Bonfire Night being just around the corner. As I reflected on my earlier encounter with Miss Walker, I found her presence increasingly captivating, which presented a potential source of trouble. I needed to be vigilant, especially when recognising flirtation and controlling my inner beast.

Stopping at a fast-food restaurant to satisfy my growling hunger, I placed my order with a distracted mind, struggling to shake off the thoughts of Miss Walker. The cashier, seemingly unperturbed by my distracted demeanour, commented on my unique-looking eyes. I realised, to my surprise, that my eyes had taken on an unsettling crimson hue.

In response to the cashier's comment, I casually explained that it was a Halloween-themed choice, intending to surprise or scare children. He seemed to buy into the story, and I felt relieved that my excuse appeared believable.

The cashier's curiosity got the better of him, and he inquired further, "Oh, oh, we are out of chicken burgers. Beef, okay?"

I reluctantly agreed to the beef substitute, hoping to avoid any triggers. However, his next comment sent a shiver down my spine. "You sure you don't want it fucking raw, detective?"

My jaw dropped at the audacity of his words, and my heart seemed to leap into my mouth, pounding against my tongue. I was in shock, struggling to comprehend what I had just heard. Had he hinted at something that I could hardly believe?

In a daze, I stammered, "What do you say?"

The cashier continued with an ominous tone, "Don't be coy now; we both know what's inside of you fighting to come out."

My world had shifted into a surreal nightmare, and my mind raced to process the encounter. The cashier's appearance had changed—his eyes were now pitch black, his skin pale, with dark veins creeping across his face like sinister vines. His voice carried a spine-chilling gravel, leaving me stunned.

I demanded answers, "What the hell is happening? Who are you?"

The cashier's response was eerie and cryptic, "Is it that hard for you to imagine outside of the books? While you look for us, we can find and get to you anywhere and anyone."

Attempting to make sense of the situation, I asked, "Which of you am I talking to?"

The voice seemed to shift between two entities, but remained enigmatic. "Both, but as time has passed, we've become like 'one.' It's different now."

Fear coursed through my veins as the encounter took on a nightmarish quality, and I shivered involuntarily. The situation was beyond my comprehension.

The cashier's demeanour changed again, returning to normal, as he casually dismissed my inquiries about the blood moon and Halloween. It was as though the unsettling encounter had never occurred.

Feeling disoriented and unnerved, I gathered my food and paid, quickly driving away from the fast-food restaurant, leaving my appetite behind. The bizarre and terrifying experience consumed my thoughts, and I was left with a sense of unease about the strange world I now found myself in.

Fatigue caught up with me, and I could feel my eyelids growing heavy as I drove through the city streets. Each passing streetlight had a blurred yellow streak at the top of my windshield, and I struggled to stay alert. I cranked up the radio to jolt myself awake, with "Genesis" blasting through the speakers.

As I pondered the events of the evening and the unsettling encounter with the cashier, my thoughts inevitably turned to Miss Walker. Her phone number, perched just above the gear stick, beckoned my attention. The question of her intentions gnawed at me—had she given me her number as a gesture of friendship, or was it a subtle hint of something more? I wrestled with my feelings, knowing that I couldn't afford to entertain romantic thoughts while the blood moon's influence loomed over me.