The Rectifier

Prologue

Gemma groaned as the dog across the street began its routine nightly yapping. Turning over in her bed she buried her face in her pillow. Some where distant another dog howled its response that pierced through the night. Her bed was warm and inviting. She snuggled in further, curling up into her usual sleeping position, willing herself to fall back asleep before having to endure another dreary day at uni.

The howling commenced further into the night until her eyes finally gave into her and flickered to sleep. The wind stirred the tree outside her window, shadows falling on her moonlit wall. Gratefully, she let sleep take her deeper in to the dark abyss. Her auburn locks gently falling over her angelic face. She looked so careless when she slept. It was a shame I had to spoil it for her.

But if I didn't fix her I wouldn't be doing my job properly, would I? It was my job to fix her. Without me there would be no balance in the world, no definition of right and wrong. It just had to be done and there was no other better qualified to do it.

I stood from my crouched position in the corner of her room, shadowed by her old oak wardrobe. I'd done my research: Second year of university; No room-mate or boyfriend; Studied medical law and mental health law at Northumbria Law School; A few close friends she kept in touch with almost every day, Ivy States and Charlotte De-ath who they referred to as "Charlie". God knows why, Charlotte is such a pretty name. And I like pretty.

Gemma stirred again, interrupting me from my thoughts. Drawing out my anlace I crept closer. She rolled back over to face me. She lay still. Perfect. I thought to myself as I came to a stop at the edge of her bed. The light of the moon reflected over the blade onto her face. Her beauty distracted me if only for a moment. I stepped back. The floor creaked. Her emerald eyes shot open. Her pale lips unfurled ready to let out a scream. Fright washed over her eyes. I put my black gloved hand across her mouth to silence her.

"Hello Beautiful" I whispered, tracing the blunt edge of my knife across her jaw line. She shivered under the cool touch of my trusty old knife. The stench of fear in the air, the thrill of the kill surged through me. I could no longer control my animal urges. I had to have the blood. It was calling me, screaming in my ears. My knuckles whitened as my grip on the knife tightened. A single tear tumbled over her cheek.

"Night my baby"