Are You Kidding Me?!

Chapter 2: A Good Day? (Part 2)

"You've gotta be kidding me?!" I quietly shouted. "Murders? Near my neighborhood?!"

Shin nodded her head as she took the newspaper from Ron. I noticed the headline splayed out across the top showing everyone what was going on in the world. These murders really were close to my place.

"This is insane." I said while reading. "Who would've done this to such innocent people?"

Shin slammed her hand on the table making me jump.

"That," she exclaimed, "is where I come in. Apparently these 'innocent' people were long time running criminals. One man managed to be alive and he was captured after being kept in the infirmary for so long. When he was interrogated the police thought he was insane."

"Why?" I prodded. "Why did they?"

"The man started spouting out nonsense about the killer." Shin continued. "He said that the killer was a beast in the form of a human man. He wore black everything with his hood up, but you could clearly see his face. The man had fangs like vampires, but did not use them for drinking, and his face held a mask of an animal with its horns potruding from the hood. Around its horns were glowing flowers held on a string that stood for a darker message."

That was scary. I'm glad I don't walk home; otherwise, I'd probably be like one of those criminals. I was so caught up in these thoughts that when a chair was pulled out beside me I jumped.

I turned to see Kohl sitting down sliding my order towards me. I nodded my thanks then started eating my bagel.

"Oh hey, Kohl." I heard Ron say. "How have you been?"

"Better than ever." Kohl replied. "What brings you here? You usually never come here because you think books are boring."

"I'm doing research for my father."

"Your old man is still a detective? Geez, when is he going to retire?"

"I don't know, man. Things have been getting pretty hectic at the station."

"Why's that?"

"Well they think they might be able to catch the murderer. They've been planning ever since the most recent victim caught a glimpse of him."

I thought I saw Kohl tense up a bit but dismissed it at I sipped on my coffee.

"Is that so?" Kohl inquired. "Have they given this murderer a nickname yet like they usually do?"

"No not yet." Ron sighed taking the newspaper back from Shin. "They just started targeting him. However, this guy knows what he's doing. He covers all traces of himself even going as far as to wear shoes that don't leave prints. He probably even wears gloves since the station can't find fingerprints on the mauled men."

That last comment made my ears perk up. Mauled men? This man sounded a bit like a wannabe cannibal to me. Even the description of this murderer sounded a bit far fetched. I mean a beast in the disguise of a human man. C'mon, who thinks of that? Nevertheless, I had to express my curiosity for the matter.

"What do you mean by mauled?" I asked with my curiosity at its peak. "You make it sound like some animal ate him. Even the description of this man sounds like he's part animal. So, if you don't mind, do please explain."

"It's exactly how it sounds, Aidyn."  Ron explain. "'Fangs like vampires, but not for drinking.' What else would fangs be used for? This 'beast/man' tears these guys apart. It's a miracle that the coppers can even identify the victims."

"True. It still sounds a bit crazy, though. I mean something like this killer shouldn't even exist."

"I see where you're getting at; however, edvidence is still evidence. There is no changing it."

"I guess I understand. Well, I need to get back to my job. Nice seeing you again, Shin. Ron."

Shin chirped her farewell back while Ron nodded at me. Kohl watched me leave with my trash before getting up himself to go work back at his post. The conversation still ran clear through my head.

...

By the time I finished with work it was dark and I was tired. I had just checked out the last customer when Cherry came up to me with a proud smile on her face.

"You did great, Aidyn." she squealed making me flinch. "And it was just your first day."

I smiled a bit forcefully as I nodded.

"Well I'll lock up for today." she continued. "Kohl already left. He seemed to be a bit uptight when he went. Anyways, see you tomorrow, Aidyn."

"See you tomorrow, Miss Cherry." I said walking out the door. I was pratically running towards my car only to realize one thing. My car was gone.

I was on the verge of tears before I decided that it was a miracle I left my important stuff behind at home along with an extra i.d. card in case I lost the old one. I tend to lose a lot of stuff. With an angered huff I started my walk towards home. Good thing I knew the way.

While walking I noticed the amout of alleyways on the side. All of them were darker than the other. I started walking faster eager to get back home to my precious bed. Nevertheless, things never seem to go my way.

As soon as I passed the umpteenth alleyway a guy game out with a psychotic grin and knife. I stopped in my tracks watching as the guy came closer towards my now trembling figure. Was I really going to die here, at this age, tonight?

I opened my mouth to scream only to snap it shut as I heard a growl from behind me. The sound also made the madman in front of me stop dead in his tracks too. I slowly turned around to see a figure slowly prowling towards us. Their footsteps were light and airy making absolutely no sound as they moved closer and closer.

Then they stopped. I was finally able to get a good look at them only to feel ice cold dread settle in my stomach. This was the murderer they were talking about. I could see his mask and the glowing string of flowers and I could feel the sharpness of his fangs on my skin. This man was no joke.

I stared at the guy for a little longer watching as he crouched down; then he jumped. I screamed as his figure flew towards me only to feel him pass right by me. The horrifying sounds of teeth tearing flesh combined with the screams of the madman shook me to the bones.

I ran leaving the man to die on the streets in the arms of a beast laced with malice.