Stalker

Chapter 9~ face to face

The streets fall silent as the sun sets. I'm the only one out at this hour besides the few stragglers.

Everyone knows that Jeff the killer has been on a killing spree and no one wants to be out during the night.

What they don't know is, I'm supposed to be his next victim. No one understands that I'm the one he's after. That man, Rem, and everyone else that has been hurt or killed are in this because of me.

It's all my fault and I need to fix it.

I let the thought pass through my head slowly, making sure every word sinks in.

"It's all my fault. Everything is. I'm the only one who can fix it." My voice is a soft whisper, like I'm afraid someone will hear me.

I clench my M9's grip tighter as I walk down the moonlit streets. I'm prey who stands out in the open, waiting for my predator. I know I'm being hunted, I know that Jeff wants me dead.

But I want him dead, too.

I shakily walk down the street, cautious of my surroundings; who know where he could be.

An insane cackle breaks out from nearby and I spin around to face a figure hidden in the shadows of an alleyway.

"Zachariah!" The figure steps out, "you finally made it!"

I stare at the young man, roughly 19 or 20, fairly long black hair, a burned face, and a forever smile. He wears a white blood-stained hoodie and black slacks.

"Jeff..." I clench my jaw and aim the gun at him.

He laughs and holds a knife up to his face, sticking the point into his cut cheek, "I could've killed you a long time ago, but no. I showed you mercy. And this is how you repay me? By pointing a gun at me?"

I scoff, "you've killed people close to me. You're the reason I lost Anne's trust." My hand shakes and I try to steady it.

"Scared much?" Jeff laughs again and takes a step forward.

"No!" I shout and get ready to pull the trigger.

"Yes you are. You're denying it. Don't deny it." Jeff frowns and drops his hands to his sides.

"I'm not denying it!" I drop my arm.

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are, Zachariah! Don't deny it!" Jeff is angry now.

Is this idiot really Jeff the Killer?

"I'm not denying it!" I stomp my foot like a kid would.

Jeff slaps his forehead, "why am I wasting my time doing this when I could be chopping you into pieces?"

I shrug, "I dunno, what's stopping you?"

Jeff shrugs back, "that is a very good question."

I'm talking to Jeff... Like he's a friend... What the hell, Zach?

"Anyways," Jeff gets ready to lunge at me.

I raise my gun to him again, "I don't want to do this, Jeff!"

"Oh, but I do." He grins devilishly and sprints at me.

I dodge in a swift motion but he slashes at me and cuts my cheek.

Damn!

I fire my gun but miss, shattering a nearby window with the bullet.

He looks back to the window then at me, "you missed."

"You think I don't know that?!" I cock the pistol again.

By this time, police sirens wail nearby and the lights from the cars flash from far up the street.

I go to hit Jeff with the butt of the gun, but he dodges and jabs his chef's knife in between my ribs.

I cough and splatter Crimson on Jeff's white hoodie.

He smiles and drives the blade deeper, "got you."

I spit blood on him and scowl, "I know." I push the barrel of my pistol against his chest, "and I have you."

His eyes widen and I pull the trigger, ending it all.

I cough again, falling to my knees with the fit.

He must've hit a lung... And got it bad.

Everything comes in and out of focus.

The police cars are right by me now. I hear voices, one saying to call for an ambulance, another asking if that man next to me was Jeff.

I fall to my side. My vision begins to tunnel.

It's too late... They can't save me now...

Not too long after, everything goes black.