The Killer's Apprentice (Jeff The Killer)

Shhh.... Just Get Dressed.

I was in a house. I was standing in the middle of a room. There was nothing in the room but white curtains that were blowing in the breeze from the open window. It was dim and the walls were faded white, the hardwood floors uneven and scuffed.

There was nothing interesting about the room. It was bare and a bit eerie. It was creepy. I found myself staring at the window. The curtains themselves were creepy. They were stange, flowing like that when there was hardly a breeze.

I heard a creaking sound and slowly turned. The door was open and I could see inside the hallway. It was dark, but I could make out a staircase going downstairs. The door was swinging slightly do to the breeze. It's paint was faded and peeling.

I heard a shuffling from the hallway. It sounded like some kind of rustling. But what?

Taking a deep breath, I began to walk toward the dark hall. I felt watched, like every move I made was being monitored. It was the most frightening feeling ever.

There was another shuffling sound. Afterward I thought I heard an exhale of breath. Whose? Maybe my own? I was breathing hard.

I walked into the hallway. It was dark, really dark. I couldn't see anything else. I did keep hearing the shuffling, though. It was getting louder.

"Hello?" I called. The closer I got, I realized the ragged breathing wasn't me. It was a man. The breathing I heard was so ragged and strange. The very sound was scary.

"Hello? Who's there?" I asked.

Suddenly I felt a cold hand cover my mouth. "Shhh.." whispered a man.

I woke up, but I kept my eyes closed. Just because I was awake didn't mean I didn't feel that cold hand currently over my mouth, or ragged breathing of someone.

I stayed still. Maybe if I pretended to be a really deep sleeper, whoever had me would let go. There was a long silence in which all I heard was that raspy breath, and then, "Open your eyes. I know you are awake."

I squinted my eyes shut at this point. The voice had been just as raspy as the breath. It was a man's voice, a young man. He sounded... Amused.

"Kimberly," said the voice, "Open your eyes and look at me."

I tensed but slowly opened my eyes, gasping into the hand when I saw the face. Paste white skin, dark eyes that never blinked, and a too-wide smile.

"Shhh..." he said quietly. "No need to panic. You must remain completely calm. Keep poised and calm, even when you are frightened." As he spoke, I saw his smile widen even more.

"Are you calm yet, Kimberly?"

Was I calm yet? What kind of stupid question was that? No, I was not calm! To show this, I squirmed under his grip.

The man let out a sigh, but with his smile he looked more amused than exasperated. He held me down. "Kim," he whispered, "Calm down. I'm not here to harm you." He reached over and put one hand on my forehead carefully. "Calm down."

I stopped struggling and stared into his eyes. They were so dark and strange. Those large eyes that always stared, never blinking.

"Very good," he whispered, "That's much better."

I stared back up silently, not moving or trying to speak. He sighed and shook his head. "Now, are you calm enough for me to move my hand?"

I nodded.

"Good. I will remove my hand, you will stay quiet, and we can talk. Deal?"

Another nod.

The man slowly moved his hand and I tried to bolt up. He grabbed my shoulders. "Careful," he said, "Slow down."