MR. MANIAC

Prologue

Laguna Beach, California... The bright summer rays of the Sun shined bright on the car as it rode past an endless stream of trees that flew past the car as it headed towards Orange County. The man and woman in the car were lovers. Apparent and obvious lovers. The woman had long flowing blonde hair that came down to her lax lean shoulders. Her ocean blue eyes were almost mind numbing, there was an essence to them that grabbed the soul and shook it to its very core. On the driver's side was a tall man with raven hair. He wore a simple t shirt and shorts with sandals. It seemed as if he would look at home even in the most unknown of places, at peace even in the most unstable of environments. He had a faraway gaze along with dreamy eyes. As if he were seeing something quite unworldly.

They drove up to Boat Canyon where all the good shopping plazas and yogurt stores were, they were getting a couple groceries from a local organic store. The man picked out Yellow Tail Merlot and before they knew it they were back in the car. On the drive back to Laguna Beach where their beach side house awaited them; they conversed sweet tender nothings to each other in the car. Each sentence has more passion and feeling than the one before.

"Dean, baby, this sunset... it's beautiful... we should eat out on the balcony tonight." Said the beautiful woman to the man

"Whatever you want honey... besides, I wouldn't mind seeing a beautiful sunset on a beautiful woman." Dean said with a grin and a wink.

"You're silly, I hope your taste in wine is as good as your jokes or we're fighting." She playfully joked, flashing one of her mesmerizing smiles towards him.

"And in the red corner, weighing in at one hundred thirty five pounds... Lucy Harris!" Dean shouted in his best Bruce Buffer impression

They laughed together and kissed lightly for a single second, Dean's eyes returned back onto the road.

†

They arrived at the house. It sat right on the beach, along the shore with the rest of the houses that towered over the beautiful Laguna. Lucy started cooking right away, after stripping into her bikini.

"When we're done... I want sex on the beach. I'm talking about the drink" She giggled with a wink and a smile.

"It's not a honeymoon without that now is it? Oh wait... damn it." Dean said, remembering he forgot some things.

"What's wrong baby?" Lucy said in a schoolgirl like tone

"I forgot my damn comic books." Dean said as if it were of importance

"Oh baby fuck the comic books... I'll be your heroine tonight." She said again with that smile

"As sexy as that will be, I got to get it. I promise I'll only be a minute." Dean said grabbing the keys, giving her a kiss on the cheek

"Dinner will be ready when you get home... so hurry up slow mo!" She said playfully

On the way out to the car Dean smiled in spite of himself for creating such a good excuse. He had really forgotten his gift he was supposed to get her while they were out getting groceries earlier without her knowing. He honestly stopped reading comic books when he and Lucy became engaged in what seemed to him now like a century ago. As he drove back to Boat Canyon to grab a nice hallmark card and single rose. He had hoped the shops would still be open, it was getting late. He couldn't help but think endlessly about the look on her face when he would romantically present her this last minute honeymoon gift. As if the very fact that she is in his life forever wasn't enough for him. He needed that extra mile. He wanted to get his point across... he loved her more than the world over and then some.

†

He found a Walgreens a few blocks up from Boat Canyon drive, on his way back home now he did a little bit over the speed limit. Eager to present her the extra token of his love. He hurriedly drove home but kept caution not wanting to get pulled over by some judgmental cop. Newlyweds always got the same type of judging treatment from people in authority. People who thought because of their age and enduring marriages that they had the right to pass judgment on young weds. Ignoring the fact that most of them themselves started out the same way, some even eloping. But Dean put that out of his mind for now. He only focused on the love of his life... his wife.

Pulling up to his driveway now Dean stopped the car with an overwhelming feeling of confusion. He felt instantly as if something were wrong. Something was wrong... his door was cracked open. He swore he shut it on his way out. He got out the car quickly, stepping towards the door slowly. The smell of burnt chili peppers filled the air, he ran inside now, seeing all of the house ransacked and partly destroyed, some things even missing.

"Lucy!" Dean called out, checking the kitchen for her.
Blood, only a little on the countertop, but not a lot... and no Lucy. Dean cut off the stove...

"Lucy!" Dean yelled out again louder, he looked around hysterically, suddenly noticing the balcony glass doors were broken and open. He instantly got a cold sweat of fear run over him

"Oh God no. No. Lucy!" Dean yelled once more, running outside onto the balcony. He stepped foot outside,

There she was... Dead. Her bikini ripped apart and signs of rape apparent. Blood from her face and stomach bled out from her back. She had been raped and then killed... right there in front of him. Gone. The life and light in her eyes that he had come to love were now dim and empty, as if someone had turned off a lamp somewhere inside. Dean broke down beside her, sobbing and weeping uncontrollably. Holding her bloody body in his arms, his tears washing away tiny bits of the blood. He cried and wept for what seemed like eternity.

He could barely let her go, after 2 hours of just sitting there with her wrapped in his arms he couldn't bear the thought of staying there anymore. He got up, picking up the body as well. Laying her body gently on one of the beach chairs. He kissed her soft dead lips. Walking calmly into the house again, he threw everything in his sight towards any nearby wall. Going into a blind rampage he smashed just about everything in his sight, all until he fell on the couch. Weeping to himself even more. He laid there and wept more for 10 minutes. Then just sat there, tears falling from his face, sitting there in silence. He was thinking that he should be calling the police now, but it would do no good in his mind. He knew she was gone. As soon as he proved his alibi they would be on a ghost chase trying to catch the bastards who did this.

He would call... but he wouldn't leave her alone. He got up now, wiping away his tears. Composing himself. He walked into the bedroom; they left the vintage stereo set. Probably too heavy for them. They took everything in the living room hands could carry. That didn't matter anymore. He put on a song, Just Hold On, We're Going Home. Letting the music play, while he searched for his gun. Top drawer in the nightstand is where he found it. His father's old .38 Detective Special Revolver. He popped out the cylinder, grabbing the small box of bullets in the drawer, loading each of the six bullets slowly as the song played out. By the time he loaded the final bullet. The song was on its last chorus, just as he would be.

He walked slowly into the bathroom, spinning the cylinder hard like one would a wheel of fortune. Then flipped it back into place. Cocking back the pin, he held the gun up to his head. Singing along the last verse.

Just Hold On, We're Going Home... it's hard to do these things alone... just hold on we're going home. Home. Going Home.

He pulled the trigger.