"It's perfect. Oh god, it's absolutely perfect. He's worth is ten thousand; all we'd need to do is give him to those men, and we'll be free. We're going to escape. I'm going to escape. I'm not going to die in eleven days... I'm going to live."
The realization shocked him to his core. JJ wasn't prepared for this feeling - it made him feel light; too light. He felt frozen and unable to process it. For what felt like forever, JJ had been trapped in a deep fear and paranoia of inevitable death. Finally being able to escape from it felt strange, but as he sat with it longer, it became refreshing.
First refreshing, then exciting. His heart beating out of his chest, his body shaking, JJ felt like he was going to faint, but he resisted - despite it being overwhelming, he was relishing the feeling of finally being free from his paranoia.
"I can spend the rest of my life with Mikey." He realized. "I can marry him, and we'll love each other for years and years... endlessly. It's everything I've ever wanted. Now, all I have to do is wait out until the day comes, and I can leave with my precious. From then on, the happiest years of our lives will begin."
But first, he then remembered, he'd have to kidnap Banana Kid and hold him captive until January 12th. Would the task be hard? JJ didn't think so at first, but he then started to realize it wouldn't be as easy as he thought.
"I could have Alfred help, since he's the one who kidnaps people for me. But I don't want to depend on him like that. I need to do this myself. Besides, it'll surely be exhilarating to abduct the very person I've held a personal rage towards ever since he started being around my Mikey too much. Once this is over with, Banana Kid will never see him again. Mikey will be mine, with nobody to get in the way. Hmm, maybe I'll kill Carrie afterwards as well, just to ensure that statement."
JJ and Alfred radiated excited energy as they went back toward their secret room. And after all of this, he could return to his meal as well? Things were really going his way today.
"And it's only going to get better from here." He realized, giddy with euphoria. "After this, I may not be able to commit cannibalism as much, but I'll still have Mikey. My love for him and my joy and appreciation for life will override my hunger. I'll adjust to eating normal food again, and I'll be able to live normally and happily. I can't wait."
As they were walking, a shuffling noise suddenly made them stop. It sounded like it was coming from behind a house.
"Is someone watching us?" JJ wondered. The shuffling continued, until eventually, he could see a pair of eyes spying on them from the shadows. However, they didn't seem afraid or shocked, but rather just plain curious. The eyes were small as well, giving the impression that they belonged to-
"A kid." Alfred whispered. "You know what? This is fine. Kids are easy to kill. Let's just lure it over here and get it over with."
"Wait-" JJ stopped him before he could advance, watching as the child realized they'd been spotted, and eventually came out from their hiding place. "I don't think this is a threat."
"What do you mean? Any witness is a threat!" Alfred retorted, but was silenced by JJ as he began to slowly advance. The kid did the same, still staring at him with curiosity.
"Dayday?" He asked, once he was close enough. "Fwom Maiden?"
JJ instantly stopped.
"Jesus christ," He observed out loud. "This kid's got to be at least five years old."
"So?" Alfred interrupted from behind. "Snap his neck. It'll be easy."
JJ shot him a warning glare, and he went quiet.
