Petals of Rose Valley

The Zebra Man

It's been a week since we found the body, a very long and stressful week. After we found the body we reported it to the police, and there have been two more cases just like it since.
The bodies are being found with large chunks of their flesh cut out like stripes, so the serial killer has been called "The Zebra Man." His victims have all been Caucasian women, and everyone's been told to stay safe and don't stay out past dark.
Without the Queen here I've had to deal with all of this, reassuring crowds and interviews have taken up my week. But tonight is Saturday and I can finally relax.
I was hoping to spend some time with May today but I forgot she has that date tonight with that model guy, so I decided to go see a movie by myself.
The movie I'm seeing is called "Waves of Amber." It's about this love story of a star crossed couple who got separated during the plague. It's supposed to be really good and everyone is raving about it.
I arrive at the cinema and buy a ticket. I walk in to go grab some popcorn and see Noel on line.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" I ask as I join him on line.
"Hey, back of the line, lady!" Some jerk calls out behind me.
"It's okay she's with me," Noel tells the man. He turns back to me and says, "I'm here to see that new movie 'Waves of Amber'. I've heard so many people dying over it and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."
"I'm here to see Waves of Amber too! Wow, what a coincidence," We laugh. It comes to our turn in line and we order two small popcorns and Noel gets a soda. We walk into our theater and take a seat at the top.
"So, what is this movie about?" Noel asks me.
"Wait," I turn to him "So you came to see a movie you know nothing about?" I ask him.
"Well, kind of," He tells me. I laugh and start to explain.
"So it's about this couple and the girl gets kidnapped during the plague and the whole thing is about the guy trying to find her. It's supposed to be like a romantic action or something like that."
"Oh, so I'll be getting a glimpse of what it was like back then?" He asks.
"I guess you will be." The lights start to dim and the crowd goes quiet. The film begins with a man riding a horse down a road.
We watch the movie making little jokes and comments quietly to each other. We had a pretty good time. The movie ends and we leave the theater.
"Wow, I can't believe that they would make the end like that," Noel tells me as we walk down the hall of the cinema.
"Yeah really, the girl getting killed then the man killing himself? It was an amazing plot twist though, no wonder everyone was freaking about it." We leave the cinema and start walking down the sidewalk.
"It's pretty late," Noel says, "I should probably walk you home. It's not safe with that maniac Zebra Man running around."
"Oh, what a gentleman," I joke.
"Well it's my pleasure my lady."
"This city is so beautiful at night. The buildings and roads are all lit up," I tell Noel.
"Yeah, you're right. This city is so huge though, I don't think you could ever see all of it. Do you know if there are any cities larger than this one?" He asks.
    "Actually, I only know of one. It's way down in the Middle Eastern Empire. It has a total of 4 million people living in it," I explain.
    "Oh wow, that's a ton of people,"
    "You've got that right. I've always wanted to go there, but I've never really had the chance with work, plus it takes weeks to get down there on horse," We turn the corner onto my street and walk up to my front steps. "This is me," I tell him. "Thanks for walking me home."
    "Anytime."
    "I had a really great time tonight."
    "Yeah, me too. It's really awesome how we keep bumping into each other. First the park, now the movies."
    "It must be the universe giving us a sign," I laugh. "Well, have a good night. And stay safe out there! Just because The Zebra Man only has gotten women doesn't mean he isn't going after men too!" I tell him.
    "Don't worry, I can take him!" We start to laugh. "Well, have a good night."
    "You too," I shut the door and lay down on the couch. I really needed that tonight. I run upstairs and get changed into some pajamas. I pull out my book and start to read.
    Then I hear knocking at my door. I peek through the window and see Noel. I go and open the door.
    "Lindsey," He says breathless. "There's another one."