Entrapped By Vengeance

Prologue

UNKNOWN ASSAILANT PERSPECTIVE:

Sitting in the dark room as the television light flickered around him. His smile widened as the commercial ended and the pretty news anchor came on talking about the farmers market and how big the cucumbers were this year.

"I could show you a bigger cucumber Miss Kelly Summers." The assailant said while grabbing his crotch laughing out loud.

Breaking off a piece of Brie cheese popping it into his mouth while taking a sip of his Chardonnay. Placing his glass on the table while sitting up a little straighter as he notices the smile slip from the sexy anchor woman's face.

"Kelly, we have breaking news," Derek said as he turned his chair to look at the camera.

An evil laugh broke through the wicked man's lips as he gripped the remote turning the volume up. "It's about time!"

"We go live to the gruesome scene, please viewers if small children are watching, please take them to the other room. April Sanchez is on Baltimore road in Ft. Worth Texas, where there has been a brutal murder and kidnapping. Over to you April." Derek turns in his chair watching the screen.

"Thank you, Derek...In this quiet neighborhood, a young married couple lived a life full of love and hope. Today that changed when a next-door neighbor and friend came over for the weekly book club." April runs the interview footage of the friend/neighbor.

"I am standing with Dora Randal who lives next door to the victim and has been friends with the wife Gabby for five years now." The reporter states in the camera

April Sanchez: "Did you hear anything last night or early morning that could have called attention to the young couple?"

Dora Randal: "No Ma'am.... everything was quiet as always. I-I do not know what happened." She answered visibly shaken.

April Sanchez: "Did the couple argue the day before?"

Dora Randal: "No Ma'am, Gabby and Steven Ryder were so loving, and I would always tease the young couple, they needed to hurry up and get out of the honeymoon stage. Steven was so attentive to his lovely wife and was working on having some young ones of their own. Even though I am in my fifties and they were in their mid-twenties...both treated me as if I was a part of the family." Breaking down crying as the taped interview turns off, turning back to April.

"You can tell Derek... Gabby and Steven Ryder were both well loved and great assets to this community. The police state the crime happened around the time of 3:00am-5: 00 am. The front door was unlocked, either the assailant knew the victims or this person or persons had a key. The husband's mutilated body was found in bed beheaded with his genitals in his very own hand. On the back wall a simple message, (I am coming for you my sweet angel.) We do not know whom this message is to or if the message was for the wife and she was able to get away. Her where about is unknown at this time but they suspect foul play with her as well since a sign of a struggle was noted in the Living room with the wife's bloody handprint with the words, (In book, help.) There are no other reports at this time on the missing woman. We are putting her picture on here if you have seen this woman, please call the Fort Worth Police Department. Please, everyone, make a note of your surroundings. If you have to go out at night, please go in a group of three or more people. The police have asked to lock your door at your home and cars and never let someone you do not know into your home."

"April, what should our audience do if a repair person comes to your home? There wasn't a description of the assailant, what should they look for?" Derek asked when the split screen came on the television.

"That is a great question, Derek...I have contacted several utility and repair companies today, and they all say the same thing. They will send a text message with the details and pictures of their employee. Also, you can call the company while the repair person or person from the utility company to confirm their identity with employee number and employee description."

"I know you said earlier April; there was no description. Do the police have any leads?"

"At this point, there are no leads, but the police are hopeful someone saw something."

"I would like to say one other thing, Derek... This person could be your next-door neighbor, your boss, someone you thought was a friend. This community needs to stick together and remember evil never looks hateful or mean until you are right upon it. Back to you Derek."

Picking his crystal glass up from the table and raising it up in the air and laughed out loud.

"Wise words April Sanchez, Cheers too you." The unknown assailant smiled to himself.

Placing his wine glass down on the table next to him as he picks up the small green book with gold letters swirling on the title of the book read magicis thesaurum istum (Magical treasure). Sliding his finger over the swirling gold letters, he could feel the energy it gave off.

"Soon, my list will be complete." Placing the book back down on the end table and picked his wine glass up once again. Swirling the contents of the sweet liquid, slowly he inhaled the bouquet of aromas ready to be devoured.