Insane - Who Are You To Judge? (Gripping Psychological Thriller)

Chapter 43 - Avery

Now you know that I'm serious. Better watch your back.

The words of the most recent letter play over and over in my head.

The police have concluded that this latest case matches all the others, so it's the same person – aka me. Stupid pigs, they have no idea what they're dealing with.

Although, I have to say I am slightly saddened that the fat one is retiring. I mean, he's been there since the beginning, along for the whole ride. I wonder what CSI: Grimm Reaper will be like after his departure.

But anyway, sentimentality over, it also looks like there was a fingerprint found and having gotten to know my new pen pal over the last few months, my guess is that that fingerprint is not just them being sloppy. Which worries me.

I never like admitting that I'm in over my head, but just this once, I'll say it – I'm in over my head. I have very little to go on to find this bastard and at the moment, every move I make is just playing right into his hands. Or is it her hands?

One thing I noticed about the glue used to stick down the letters is that it contains TMDD (I would give you its scientific name, but I doubt you'd be able to pronounce it), which is one of the most dangerous adhesive ingredients and from my very handy pharmaceutical knowledge and paying a visit to one of my pals down in the lab, I know that there are only a handful of companies that sell glue using this ingredient. So I guess that gets me somewhere.

"Bugger!" I exclaim and I quickly cradle my burnt hand. I forgot that the metal handle of a saucepan is hot. After grabbing a kitchen towel, I wrap it around the handle and reattempt lifting the saucepan.

The steam clouds my vision and I stumble blindly, aiming for the sink. Pouring the contents into the colander, I cough as the vapour flares up even more, pushing the oxygen aside and invading my lungs.

Once the air has cleared, I pluck out one strand of spaghetti, stick out my tongue and drop it coiled into my mouth.

I almost choke on it, startled by the knock at the door.

As of late, I am usually rather cautious when opening my home to anyone, but tonight I bounce into the hallway and unlock the door without hesitation.

To my disappointment and unhealthy paranoia, no one is there. Now I start to get wary again and I reluctantly poke my head into the hostile street and jerk my eyes around the area. When I am sure there is no one in sight, I retreat back inside and go to close the door, my legs shaking a little more with every breath.

"Boo!"

My heart leaps from my chest and my lungs scream all the air from them. The blood drains from my face and my eyes are clouded by red spots.

"Jesus, don't do that!" I screech as I get to grips with my surroundings again and see Him flash his white teeth. "I almost had a bloody heart attack."

He pouts and enters my house with his arms open.

I fall into his bear hug and he cradles me, comforting me with a gentle kiss on my head. "I'm sorry, baby, I only meant to scare you a little bit."

Once my heartrate has steadied, I tilt my head up so that I am looking into his deep eyes and I stretch up onto my tiptoes to kiss Him.

"This isn't the house I dropped you off at when we first started dating," he comments, furrowing his eyebrows.

I shrug within his grip. "I had only just met you. You could've been a murderer, or a perv wanting to have your way with me."

He laughs into my messy cooking bun and smirks, "Well, I did have my way with you, didn't I?"

I mimic his sideways smile and I stare up into the mischievous sparkle in his eye, shaking my head before stealing a quick kiss and pulling myself free.

"Shut the door, it's freezing," I demand as I make my way back to the kitchen to tend to my gourmet meal.

I stir the bolognaise sauce and lift the wooden spoon to my taste buds. I wouldn't say it's up to Gordon Ramsay's standard – but it'll do.

I feel his warm, coarse hands slide onto my hips and wrap around my waist. As I lower the spoon back into the mixture he nudges me.

"Let me have a taste. I can see what I'm in for."

I do as he asks and his lips curl around the end of the spoon. His expression is stern and serious while he lets his brain process the taste. He then nods in content, "not bad."

"Shut up," I joke and I go back to stirring my concoction. He nestles his head into my neck and then begins trailing his lips up to my chin. "Stop," I tell Him. My tone is not very convincing, even my reason is being quiet for once. "You're distracting me, this cooking thing is really tough."

He doesn't listen to me and continues to press his soft lips against my neck. I let out a little girl giggle and repeat, "stop," but I don't even believe myself. He then squeezes me tighter and I squeal, dropping the wooden spoon and spinning round to face Him.

As he bends down our lips touch. "You're in an especially good mood today. Any reason?" I say with our bodies so close I can only see those gorgeous eyes.

"Yes I am. Does there always have to be a reason? Can't I just be happy to see you?"

I contort my face, contemplating whether to let it slide or not. "Hmm, no," I finally answer. "There's got to be a reason."

Rolling his eyes, he sighs, "fine. I'm just realising how lucky I am to have you."

"Aw," I reply and shortly after add, "That's fine, you don't have to tell me."

We sit down on the sofa and as I turn the TV on, out of the corner of his eye he spots the cupboard placed to the side of the room with the door ajar.

He disregards his meal and walks over to the cupboard, gawking. "You have Battleship." He sounds like a little boy seeing a toy racing track he wants to play with. "Oh my God, screw Friends, we're playing it."

He doesn't even give me a chance to protest before he pulls out the box, pushing the centre table towards the sofa and begins setting up the game.

"Okay I guess we're playing Battleship then," I murmur under my breath, hurling myself from the sofa and onto the floor.

"I'm just warning you," I say as I strategically place my ships, "I'm amazing at this game."

"We'll see about that."