Dark Purpose

Chapter One: The First to Fall

Most people fear the darkness, but that fear is unreasonable. After all, we spend nine months surrounded by darkness and silence until we're ripped from that abundant peace and thrown into a world of light ... and pain.

Humans go through great lengths to avoid the darkness, whenever possible.

They've been conditioned to park next to streetlights to avoid criminals.

They instructed to never walk alone at night, as if evil only attacks the solitary.

They carry flashlights with them so they can peer into the unknown, without a clue as to how to face that unknown.

They shudder during the coming thunderstorm, readying their candles as if it will burn away the wicked thing that awaits them.

Perhaps it's because people fear what's coming.

They should.

I'm coming.

Their efforts to secure their own safety are meaningless to me, but it's nice to see them try.

I don't want them to run, but it is nice when they do.

I don't need them to scream.

The fear in their eyes is enough; at least at the start.

I don't fear it.

Darkness is neither my ally nor my enemy.

Darkness is simply necessary.

I wrap myself up in it like a cloak, but never allow it to touch me.

I'm not evil.

I, like Darkness, am necessary.

When I chose the first one, I wasn't looking for a weakling. There's no fun in that. I wanted a fighter. It gets the adrenaline pumping and helps me focus.

Focus is important when you plan to turn an ordinary killing into a statement.

I need to make a statement.

The First to Fall broke all the rules that night. He walked alone. He parked a little too far away from the light casting an orange glow around a 30-foot area of the parking lot. He maneuvered his six-foot frame at a slow, steady pace.

He was bold. I had to give that to him.

He never sensed my approach; too busy punching commands into his phone that he didn't see me coming.

They never see me coming.

He struggled. He lost.

He looked me in the eye. I smiled.

My smile was the last thing he saw.

Then – darkness.

See. Nothing to fear.

********

Bonnie Bennett cocked the 9mm Reuger, and aimed at her target in an effort to take him down as quickly as possible. She locked her wrists and elbows in position. She gripped the gun firmly. She tuned out every other sound. Her nerves settled.

She fired.

The bullet quickly blew through the center of the forehead, leaving a hole slightly larger than a centimeter in the front and one twice as large in the back.