Regrets

The Blade

               Chapter 3

         Jeff awoke to see the light of the full moon filtering through the window. It sent shadows sprawling across the room. He watched outside to see the trees dancing in the wind. The city was silent. Not one person to be seen wandering the streets. Jeff was greatful for that. He didnt want to bump into anyone he didnt have too.

      He opened the drawer in the table beside his bed and took out a large kitchen knife. He glared at his reflection in the blade and smiled. There was work to be done. He was absolutely ecstatic about his work. He loved the people, and the magnificent colors that came with the job. He peered outside one more time before he got up off his bed and exited the apartment.

        The stairs leading down to the main floor didn't seem as tiring to Jeff at night then they did during the day. He lived for the darkness. When he arrived at the main floor of the old Building he slid the knife into his hoody pocket and walked outside. Jeff took a couple seconds to enjoy the feeling of the moon light against his face. He then turned and put the padlock in its proper place.

       He took a step out onto the street lined with street lights. Jeff knew where he had to go almost automatically. It was as if his mind was operating like some sort of machine. He was headed toward the docks.

       When he arrived at his destination the docks were lined with boats of different shapes and sizes. From fishing boats to the occasional Marine tanker. His target was on a medium sized boat, A fishing boat. It had nets dangled over its sides and it was fairly old.

       Jeff took a deep breath in. His nostrils filled with the smell of the sea and fish rot. He swung his legs over the side of the boat, landing with a muffled thump. He silently walked over to the cabin door and peered in through the window. "Bingo" he whispered. He was grinning ear to ear with anticipation. In the cabin was a middle aged man who wore old worn out jeans and a cotton striped shirt. On his face was a medium sized beard.  He was whistling a tune to himself unaware of Jeff watching.

        The lights on the boat shut off and the man layed down on a small bed adorned with many animal pelts. Jeff shifted his weight over to his other leg. His fist was clenched tightly around the hilt of the knife in his pocket. He never took his eyes of the man.

        Not soon after the man was asleep. Jeff tested the door knob making sure it was unlocked and he slowly swung the door open. Jeffs breath was coming out in quick exasperated breaths. He set his foot down and the floor boards creaked. Shit. The man rolled over but other then that he seemed unfazed by the noise.

        Jeff stood beside the bed looking down at the man. He slid the knife out of his pocket. The light of the moon shimmering through the window gleamed off the blade. Jeff laughed. His laugh sounded like that of a mad man. The middle aged man rolled over and opened his eyes. Upon seeing Jeff he tried to scream but Jeff held his hand over the mans mouth muffling the scream.

         Jeff smiled "Shhhhh, we wouldnt want anyone to get hurt. would we?" He had a firm grip on the knife in his right hand. Jeff removed his left hand from the mans mouth "W-what do you want? Im not afraid of you!" the man asked. His voice was shaky. He was clearly frightened. Jeff tilted his head at the man. "What do I want? I want to make everyone else as beautiful as I am."

        Jeff pulled back his hood revealing the long jagged cuts along his face. The man gasped "What the hell?! What happened to your face?!" Jeff licked his lips and said "Aren't I beautiful?" the man tried to throw a punch at Jeff "The hell you are!" Jeff dodged his attack and simply said "Wrong answer."

        Jeff pushed the man back down into the laying position. The man tried to refuse "What are you doing to me?!" Jeff whispered to the man. "Shhh, Go to sleep." Jeff pulled the knife back above is head and repeated "Just go to sleep." The man screamed and Jeff brought the knife down and landed the blade right into the mans chest. He repeated this 4 more times.

         Blood from the man poured everywhere. The walls were covered. Jeff was covered. The blade of the knife was covered. Jeff just stood there smiling. Watching as the blood pooled onto the floor. Red. He loved the color red. He loved that it stood out against anything. All Jeff could think about was the blood painting the gray world a beautiful red.

         He took the knife and rubbed the blade against the white fabric of the sweater, Making sure it was clean. He stared at his reflection in the blade. He was satisfied at the work he had done. Now this man could be as beautiful as he was.

        Jeff basked in the glory of his job one last time before exiting the boat and heading for home.