Symphony Of A Serial Killer

Chapter 6: The Inner Circle

December 23rd, 2014. Snow had begun to fall and blanket the ground as some students huddled around the mounted television on the wall and others remained in their seats. Things like this don't happen in our town, it's understandable why everything came to a brief stand still at school. Two bodies show up and so close to Christmas. If I were a deeply caring person it would be sad, however I'm more intrigued than anything else. As of now the police have no leads; they suspect the victims are tourists that were likely here for 'Running with the Reindeer', an event that's held every year. People attend it for charity, fund raising, and to overall have a good time. Pretty fucked up to think that people traveled to volunteer and lost their lives.

It's been so long since anything like this has happened in our borough; I guess everyone had receded back to the mindset of "Nothing like that can happen here." Yet here we are gawking at the news reporter telling us bodies were found in Bootleggers Cove. On the bright side I selfishly realize that my tardiness will go unnoticed. Through all of the mixed chatter, an always soft spoken yet distinct voice made it's way through the commotion and caught my attention.

"This is awful, I can't believe something like this happened." the jittery voice whispered.

Stephanie always sat at the back of the class where she felt the most safe, by far the most timid teenager I've ever come across. Quiet and to herself, she was a complete contrast to her best friend Missy who was loud and outgoing. Though both were brunette, Stephanie was slightly more on the pale side and always wore her hair down in an attempt to hide her face. Combined with her thick square framed glasses, she accomplished her goal pretty well . Not to down play her emotions or the seriousness of what happened, but being the classic shy nerd, of course she'd be more shaken than she probably should be.

Peeling her eyes away from the television, she reached into her backpack and pulled out her phone. Whether she was following instructions or just happy to get the text I sent her, I'll never know. She looked at her phone and though she tried to fight it, a smile appeared on her face as she pushed her glasses back up from sliding off her nose. It was nothing thought provoking, I just sent a simple text that said, "Smile ;)" She glanced up at me, gave a discrete little wave then quickly looked away.

"Alright everyone that's enough, take your seats." Mr. Ford stated, restoring order back to the room.

Several grunts and moans erupted as everyone made their way back to their desks. Mr. Ford is my favorite teacher and he deserves all of the respect that he gets. He's the kind that makes a difference and really cares about the student's future. Mr. Ford, the salty old sailor from Birmingham, Alabama. His stories are a favorite to both faculty and student. He's also my inspiration for wanting to join the Navy, a chance to start over and get away from James and the shit stain that is my life. He isn't a recruiter and gains nothing from me signing up but he's sat down with me and gave detailed information about the military and what to expect.

"Alright everyone, I know this comes as a shock but unfortunately things like this do happen. I've never sugarcoated anything with my students. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the world is an ugly place. Let this be a firm reinforcement to what we tell you every year, be safe during the break and be weary of your surroundings. Don't be out late by yourselves and if you must walk on foot, travel in groups."

Glancing at his watch he realized that 1st period was almost over. Looking up, he smiled and told us if we didn't have another class with him today then to enjoy our leave and be safe. Whenever he could, he'd speak in military jargon, in this case leave referred to our vacation from school.

Just then my best friend Lee came over and patted my shoulder, "Man Danté, today is a day for the unexpected. There's a double homicide not too far from here and to top if all off, you're actually late for once." he joked while taking the empty seat behind me.

I keep my circle small, there's Missy, Stephanie, and Lee. He's a gentle giant of sorts, naturally loud, his voice is always boisterous. That accompanied with his height and size gave him the title of our group's bruise, I turned sideways in my seat and looked back at him.

"Yeah, it's been one hell of a morning for me." I said with a light exhale.

"James again?" he replied.

"That and then some."

"Damn, that's messed up. Still can't sleep?"

"Yeah but that hasn't bothered me in years, it's just a part of me now, don't really think about it as a negative anymore."

"Right right, but you don't do that other thing anymore cause you ain't sleepin."

Yeah... that other thing, you see Lee is one of the only two people in the world that knows this weird little thing about me. For years now I haven't been able to exercise this... ability of mine. We think it's because of the break in my sleep habits. This is my mother's fault, it has to be. Hereditary maybe, when I was younger I'd have these dreams... only they were real, so real that they'd come true. It was nothing bad, just déjà vu amplified to the point of it being more than just a feeling of familiarity.

Fully aware of everything from the moment I'd walk into a room, mentally and physically in tune with my surroundings, waiting for everything to unfold. It got to the point of being able to know, in its entirety, what someone would say before they said it. Even mapping out exactly where they would walk, sit, or even scratch a random itch. Terrified of this, I went to my mother and received a response that I never would've expected. She told me that when she was younger...

Okay I was caught off guard and maybe even jumped a little bit. At that moment the bell rang and 1st period was over, students clamored to get out into the hall to socialize before their next classes started. I told Lee that I wasn't concerned with that either, it's been so long since that happened and I had real life problems to worry about. Carefree as always, he nodded then grabbed Stephanie by the hand as she tried to walk by.

"Hey hey slow down Steph, you know you gotta wait for your chocolate bear. There are predators out in these woods and you'll need protectin!"

She giggled as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into him. She's really is a sweet girl, though we're all different is obvious ways, somehow we came together and formed our tight knit group. I checked my phone after it vibrated in my pocket, ah its Missy. She's just as intrigued by this as I am. She's not going to be just any lawyer; she's wanting to be a famous criminal lawyer that takes on not only high profile cases but the meek as well. She wants to make a difference. I began typing out my reply but before I could finish Mr. Ford approached me.

"Danté being late, everything okay son?"

"Yes sir, it was just a very hectic morning."

So much for my tardiness going unnoticed, called out by two people. We chatted for a bit and I assured him everything was fine, nothing that I couldn't handle. He did agree to speak with me after school about the murders, so now I have something to look forward to. I always value his opinion on current events, he's an old spook so he holds nothing back. I bid him farewell and head out into the hall while finishing my text to Missy. After hitting send I turn the corner and look up just in time to see the inevitable collision.

"Is it your goal today to see how many times you can knock me over?" I ask while stepping back to put space between us.

"If I wanted you on your back, you would be." Missy replied while taking a step closer and smiling.

"Sorry little white girl, maybe if you were Asian." I jabbed while bending down to get her backpack that she dropped.

"I swear Danté, you and your Asian women."

"Not my fault you weren't born perfect." I chuckled with a wink while shoving her backpack into her chest.

With a very convincing eye roll, "Whatevs, we can't all be Ms. Yi. Anyway, glad you're feeling better." In clear reference to me being able to bend down unlike before.

As she tosses the strap around her shoulder, an oh-so familiar devious look spreads across her face. I know I shouldn't ask because it's never anything good. She's brilliant, but sometimes smart people do very stupid things.

As a preemptive measure, I release a sigh of regret, "What're you up to now?"

Her green eyes illuminate and widen with child-like glee as she excitedly whispers, "Cutting school and going to Bootleggers Cove to find stuff the police probably missed, wanna come!?"