Knife

6 - Mission Success

Lizzy's house was an average one. A light blue house of nine rooms, it was perfectly ordinary. Lizzy's room was full of Barbie dolls, stuffed bunnies, and pink flowers. The stereotypical 5-year-old girl's room.

She held up a blonde Barbie doll in a silky blue dress. "This was the limited edition doll that you were talking about earlier! It's so pretty, isn't it?"

I couldn't find the energy to fake it, so I just said, "Yeah. It's really pretty."

She immediately turned a trusting frown on me. "What's wrong? You're usually so energetic."

I tried to fake it again. I can't break down now. I can't break down now. I can't break down now. "It's nothing. I'm just a little tired, that's all." I smiled, as if it could wash away all my mistakes and clear up everything.

Her frown stayed. "Do you want anything? I don't know, maybe some juice or chips?"

"Um, I guess I'd like some apple juice."

Her smile was back. "All right then! I'll get you some in just a minute! Wait right here, okay?"

"All right." I smiled back at her, undetected caution in my face.

Lizzy ran out of the room, her curls still bouncing, making fun of my straight brown hair. My thin, thin hair that could never hold a single wave or curl.

Just wait. In a few days, these macaroons will poison you and close up your throat. Revenge for everything horrible you have done to me.

In a minute, she returned, a small box of Apple and Eve's apple juice in her hand. "Here's your juice!" she said, smile bright and happy on her face.

Not for much longer. Soon, I will wipe that grin right off your face, and those lips will never curve again. Treasure these last pleasures, because soon, you will never be able to experience them again.

For I would take them away, away from her. Forever.

***

The playdate passed in agonizingly slow moments of buffering frames.

"Lexi, let's host a tea party!"

"Lexi, let's play with the dolls!"

"Lexi, why don't we play Candy Land?"

Shut up. Shutupshutupshutup. You're annoying, and I wish you'd stop telling me to do stuff.

Yet against that incredibly strong will of hers, my wishes simply weren't enough. Her resistance simply made me remember why I needed her life so badly, why I hated her existence so much.

But I could smile a little. Because in the end, the only time it really mattered, she wouldn't resist at all.

***

6 o' clock started rolling around as Lizzy started whining that she was hungry.

Go get something to eat, stupid. It's your house.

But I only say, "How about you get something to eat, then?" Trying hard to sound nice, to sound polite. Trying to make sure that she didn't suspect, that she would never suspect.

Never forget the original objective.

The doorbell rang, a light ding-dong intruding on the peaceful lives of those inside.

Don't forget the weapon. Don't forget the macaroons. Don't forget the poison. Don't forget. Never forget. Never, never, never.

The conversation played out just as it went in my thoughts.

"Mrs. Glasden, here's some raspberry macaroons for Lizzy!" I said, keeping my voice light and happy. Strawberry poison macaroons, I sang to myself. Perfect for a bad girl like Lizzy.

"My, how nice of you!" she said, not even checking to make sure that the color seemed right. "But why not give them right to Elizabeth?"

"Shh," I said, a single finger before my lips. "I want them to be a surprise. Give them to her when she's good, all right?"

Her eyes would lit up."Sure thing, Lexi!"

I smiled, a seemingly innocent smile because I was happy that Lizzy would get the treats. In all honestly, I was happy that Lizzy would get the treats. But not just that. I was happy that I wasn't resisted, that I wasn't suspected of anything. Because after all, this was the first time that I over at Lizzy's house; I wouldn't be surprised if my gift was resisted a bit. I'd still smile and laugh; I couldn't let them suspect anything. If they suspected anything, then my plan was truly and completely foiled.

I couldn't let that happen.

Never forget the original objective.

"Is that it, then?" Lizzy asked, a frown on her face. Her adorable, cute little face that would be gone from this world soon.

"Yeah, sorry," I said, obviously fake except to her. I wasn't sorry at all; I wanted to be out of that house as soon as possible. "Maybe I'll come back soon?"

No. I won't. Because you'll be dead, and I have no more reason to act like you're my friend, after all. The macaroons are delivered. The poison is delivered. The strawberries are delivered.

My mission just needs time, and then everything will be finished.

Everything will be finished.

Everything.

I just need to be patient.

My patience simply couldn't run out now. I had to wait. Be patient. Patient.

Yet it was running low. So low. I was almost out of patience, my blood screaming out to take out the blood, to slit that throat, to cover myself with scarlet warmth.

I was already addicted to the excitement that came with murder, to the power that I had over other unsuspecters. I was completely, thoroughly addicted. Inside my mind, I was already chanting who's next? Who's next? I needed the exhilaration, the adrenaline that pumped in my blood wanting to consume, to kill more.

I wanted lives. More and more lives. I wanted to consume until my tastes were satisfied.

How much blood would I spill?

***

Two days later, Lizzy didn't come to school. I almost started cheering right then and there, but I couldn't reveal myself.

Never forget the original objective.

Rumors soon spread that Lizzie had to go to the hospital because she had a severe allergic reaction.

That's right. That's exactly what was supposed to happen.

The next day, she didn't show up either.

She's gone. Dead. You'll never see her again.

The day after that, the news was set in stone: Lizzy was dead.

I cheered silently inside. I could never reveal myself, but I could be happy for my accomplishments, couldn't I? Lizzy's dead, dead, dead. My reign kept going. And if I could help it, it would continue forever.