"My name is Phenelope Nixon" -short crime story

He saw her everyday.

They passed each other onthe school corridor,without looking and without a word. He would follow her on every occasion,unable to take his eyes off hers magnificent fox-red hair and dark broun eyes.

She dressed humbl, oftenin the same old t-shirts and shabby jeans. Her only jawellery was agentle silver necklase with name "Penny" on it. During breaks shewas sitting alone in the corner, writing with zeal something in her notebook. Her gaze was focused and her eyes seemed to turn a littlered. He considered that magical and didn't want to hide his feelingfor her anymore.

It took him along time to approach her and introduce himself. She was withdrawn,and did't want to walk with him at first, but every conversation madehim fall in love in her more and more, so he did not give up. The boy was bothering her almost every day. At the begining she wasavoiding him, but after a few weeks she decided to give him a chance.She stopped dropping her head and she sometime even approaed himherself. In these moments he was the happiest man alive.

Penny was secretive and for sure she hide a lot from the world.. He decided toplay the role of a detective, and explore mistery of her mind.

After a couple months he openly proposed her to become a couple, for which she agreed willingly. He was happy about it, but there was one deatail.Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes became even more sad.

With every moment spent with her, and with every new information about her, she seemed to be closer to him.He even started to write a special notebook, where he precisely noted all that he had learned about her.

He knew that she came from a poor family, but it did not matter for him. He wantedto be her knight and saviour.

It seemed strange to him, that she stopped carrying her notebook, which shere placed with a pink diary, even thought the previous one was mostly empty. When he asked her about it, she said that she had lost it.

He saved his poems, which she inspired him to write. He was describing in detailsher appearance, and in the evening he drew. Nothing did he enjoy more than porttraiting her from memory. After a couple of weeks they started to look pretty good.

Valentine's daycame and he decided to use it as an opportunity to share his workwith her.

He approachedher during lunch break and greeted her with words:

-Hello Penny!I'm sure you know what day we have today. On this occasion I have agift for you.

He handed herhis drawing.

-Wow, it'sbeautiful. Thank you!

On his portraitshe indeed looked beautiful. This boy apparently saw in her more,than she was able to notice.

-I have been drawing you for some time now. I have all notebook filled with the portraits of you and poems about you... hope you don't consider me a freak now?-he asked with anxiety.

-No, it's really sweet. I would love to see it. Maybe you'll come to my hause this evening and showe me? -she said seductively, while looking him in theeye

-With pleasure! What time should i come?

-At 7 pm. And please, don't be late. I prepared something special for you.

-I'll be punctual.- Peter smiled broadly

In the mean time, the bell rang for the lesson and the students went to classes.

-I almost, forgot! I have something for you too. -she took off her necklase and put it in his hand.- I want you to have it.

-I can't take it. I gave you only a drawing.-he begane to refuse it, but involuntarily he truly wanted to have such a relic.

-I want it to be at your place. Always have it with you to remember about me.

Giving up her mum's souvenir turned out to be easier than she expected. She knew, that she had to bear this sicrifice.

-Uhm...ok!

After thease words she gave him a kiss. She did it briefly and fleetingly,but that was enaugh to stir in his head for the rest of the day.

When he got off the train it was 6.30pm, and GPS in his telephone showed him that, for less than half an hour he will reach his destination. He dressed elegantly, hung a gift from her around his neck and carried folder with his drawings and notebook in the backpack.

He was afraid of her reaction, but the first time she didn't found him weird, so maybe it will not be so bad?

Just in case he took with him candles, clothes for a changeand...condoms. You never know what is's going to happen. He wouldn't be intrusive, of course, but if the evening goes exceptionally well,and her parents wouldn't be at home, then...

Out of daydream pulled him out something he couldn't predict. Overthe horizont was rising a bright glow, in the fox-red color. He shuddered in fear and rushed at his feet in the direction of hi sbeloved's home.

In front of the hause he saw terrible view. Penny lay on the ground, panting, barely breathing. She was wearing a dirty torn dress, and some fragments of her naked body were exposed, but the boy didn't pay attention to it. What absorbed his attention were the ruins of a small wooden house, bursting with flames for several meters up. The building was a ruin that left  no hope of rescue. Neighbors gathered around, when police sirens and fire brigades were heard louder and louder.

He moved quickly towards the girl, wanting to help her or to comfort her, but what he heard, caused that he froze in place
- It's him!Get him! -saying these words, her eyes took on the color of blood

The local police station had not dealt with such acruel and rash criminal for a long time. Bythe accused were faund,evidence clearly indicating obsession with theinjured party. Schoolmateswho know Peter H. confirm that he has been bothering Phenelope N. formany months, and on the day of committing the offense he boasted thathe intends to visit her at home. Duringthe arrest, he also wore a stolen necklace. Care for Phenelope N. was given to her biological mother who hadpreviously lost this right through divorce. Thefinal proof was the diary found in the vitmim's school locker,describing her toxic relationship with her boyfriend, attempts ofintimidate and beating, as well as cases of sexual harassment by thefather struggling with alcoholism. The signature on the inside of thecover left no doubt about the owner:

„My nameis Phenelope Nixon.

I'm a PHOENIX."