MR. MANIAC

CHAPTER 12

The sun shined bright that day. The wind blew a cold, sti breeze. Dean arose from his bed, the room so cold it made the room an icebox. He said not a word as he washed himself, cooked breakfast, got dressed. Dean trudged slowly with not a care in the world, His route to work was a normal one. The site manager Ben wouldn't be in until noon that day. Dean worked hard as if nothing were the matter, He didn't' speak a word to anyone, he tried and tried to nap out of his trance but found it all too familiar.

"Feels damn good out." Gary said, hitching up his pants

"Might just sit out front and drink a twelve pack with my dog. Seems like as good a day as any for it."

"Hell I might just join you."

Dean watched them conversate as ordinary men. Saying not a word, disappearing into the background. Wanting to be as invisible as possible, but Gary wouldn't let him.

.gnos siht ekil uoy woh ees s'tel ,eromyna em evol t'nod uoY
.....
.esool lrig taht tuc retteb uoy ,ecneitap on evah uoy fI
,enihw ot ,strats ehs sa noos sa tuB .enif s'gnihtyreve ,emit fo tsoM
.esool lrig taht tuc retteb uoY ..dnuora reh swolloF
...rednuht eht lla dna ,niar eht lla yhw ...rednow ot trats reve , uoy fI

"You good bro? Haven't heard you say a word all day." he came out of nowhere oering a consoling hand on Dean's shoulder.

Gary was making it hard for Dean to retreat into his murderous self, and even harder for Dean to want to kill him. He feigned a smile,

"I'm good. Just chilling. Relaxed I guess."

"I get days like that too. It's like I'm in the passenger seat and God's just taking the wheel and shit."

"True. Just ready to get o. Ya' know?"

"Hell yeah man, ready to go home and drink a tall boy. Speaking of those, don't worry bout taking me home today man. My new car's coming today. Ti's gonna pick me up in it."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. Got a brand new truck. A big, vicious fucker. It's gonna be nice when I take my family out to our summer home in the woods. You should come man, maybe bring a girlfriend. Or shit, find one and bring her." Gary said with a chuckle

Dean chuckled back
"Bet. I just might do that."

"Good shit." Gary said, pausing, slightly sighing

"I'll leave you to do bro. Just wanted to check up on ya. I love you like a brother man. Wanna make sure you good."

"I'm good big bro." Dean said reassuringly, smiling

Gary smiled in return and patted him roughly on the shoulder then went back into the front to smoke and chatter with Dan and Ben. It was noon. Dean had three more hours. He'd wait.

∞

They all left, Dean assured them he'd stay and lock up. After they had all gone, Dean locked himself in, nothing but the windows open, all the lights o. All the doors closed and locked, with Dean standing in a closet, sleeping while standing. Awaiting nightfall. He re-awoken around six in the evening. It wasn't pitch black, but it was dark enough. People were settling down, he had known the neighborhood. He needed something to work with but didn't have much around him. He walked to a nearby store, he had gone to at least three to find what he needed. A cheap damascus long knife. He walked back to the work site house, it was around six thirty now. Dean walked to the neighbor's house, creeping in through the side door they always left unlocked to allow their St. Bernard to roam out freely. He made not a sound as he

walked in, but heard the dog barking, their daughter playing with her toys, the television telling reality stories. His body surged with blood, and adrenaline. His jaw clenched and ready, his entire body tense, yet his mind completely at ease.