Murder On The Air

Tuer Un Cerf

Autumn, nineteen hundred and eleven

Alastor stalked through the forest in the dark. With his dark clothing and stealth, he was barely noticeable in the shadows. Especially on a dark starless night. It was a new moon, a time for new beginnings. Alastor had learned how to use weapons, and to barely make a sound when he was on the hunt. He remembered his father all those years ago, warning him about bears and alligators and how "you never know when you might become the prey."

Oh how true that was, not just for him, but for everyone. Many people didn't know this...perhaps the greatest predators in the animal kingdom were not bears, gators, or sharks...but humans themselves.

But humans could also be easy, gullible prey. Alastor knew that, firsthand.

Alasor had been entrapped and scrutinized by his father for far too long.

Now it was time to free himself and settle things for good.

The hunted had become the hunter.

He moved from the forest and into the city. New Orleans was very beautiful in the dark. Chatter and light pulsed from inside stores that were still open during the late hours. Several fireflies hovered in circular patterns near the bayou lake and the glow of tall iron street lights. Cars and passerby roamed the cobblestone streets without a care in the world.

Alastor smiled as the lively jazz music coming from nearby bands spurred him onward.

"Is that...the Vigilante?"

"He's...back?"

Passerby whispered and gawked as he walked by.

"He's the one who saved my daughter from her deranged boyfriend," said a man.

"Or when he finished off that drug dealer who tried to escape with our money," added a woman.

"Vigilante...thank you!"

"Over here!"

Secretly enjoying the praise, Alastor ignored him and pressed on toward his goal.

"Hey, you!"

Alastor whirled around. Several police officers stood with guns and batons, blocking his way.

"You're under arrest for the murders of...get back here!"

Alastor sprinted down another street as the sounds of footsteps echoed not too far behind. A bullet hit a ladder with a ping to Alastor's right.

He had no energy for harder spells...but if he was going to survive...

"I'm sorry, Mama," he thought as he eyes glowed red.

A metal trash bin tilted over and rolled down the street toward the policemen.

"What the..."

Two of them avoided it, but the third officer scurried away as the bin rolled after him, downhill.

Alastor turned the corner and raced up some stairs, the police following. He leapt over the black railing, bending his knees, and landing feet first on the ground before running.

"What is up with that kid?" one officer asked.

Alastor picked up speed, maneuvering between alleyways and roads. He pressed himself against a brick wall in one alleyway as the officers thundered past.

He peered around the corner, checking is surroundings. He emerged and quietly snapped his fingers. The officers stopped running and instead looked confused. They quickly forgot about Alastor and his alter identity. Seizing the opportunity, Alastor raced off back in the other direction.