I watched as the hands of Big Ben aligned to become one at midnight. The sonorousness of the bell echoed throughout town. The lights from the Westminster Bridge illuminated the river below. River Thames had never looked so lovely. The lamps that lined the bridge sparkled like stars in the night sky.
I carefully slid the remains of my last victim into the river, trying to not make a splash. Looking around, I made sure no one was watching or following me as I calmly walked away from the crime scene. Back roads and alleys were the only paths I took to make my way back to my house that was one mile away from the river. About one fourth of a mile away from the river, I reached the tree where I had tied my German shepherd. Walking a dog at night made my getaway less suspicious.
Upon arrival at my house, I started meticulously planning who my next victim would be. The time, the place, and the person all had to be decided with careful consideration. I couldn't risk another allergic reaction to peanuts. In order to find the next victim, I would have to research and stalk each person on my list very carefully for the next two weeks. Monitoring everything they did and everything they ate. Although it may be difficult, I've managed to do it time and time again.
The light from the window on the East side of the house slowly began to fill the room with sun rays as the morning came upon me. I had worked vigorously until the morning light blinded me and my work. Before I decided to finally rest my eyes, I skimmed over the list that I had assiduously put together. That list read:
" List of Potential Victims
-Adam Patel, manipulation of people for money
-Leroy Byrd, famous thief of the Harrison Jem
-Kayla Stone, commonly found deceiving children
-Ash Meyers, Royal guard that let the prince die
-Autumn Viker, pickles people's organs
-Hayden Castaneda, the knife shanker k"
After I skimmed over the wrinkled list that was in my hand, I carefully made my way over to the only other room in the house: my bedroom. Once in the room, I folded the list nicely and set it down in the middle of the black two-drawer nightstand that stood next to my stained full-sized bed. I climbed into the old bed and covered myself with a grey sheep's wool blanket. Not long after I closed my eyes, I dozed off into a peaceful slumber for the next 6 hours.
* * *
I awoke to the sound of glass shattering all over my bedroom floor. I looked around the room and noticed I had knocked over the glass of water that was sitting on my nightstand. Glancing over to the clock the hang on the wall, I came to the realization that it was time for me to start the stalking process.
Walking out the door of my house, I turned down the road to the place where I would observe and possibly meet my next victim. Memorizing Hayden Castaneda's daily schedule was my main priority for the day. I watched as Hayden exited Cafe Dewee with a cup of some type of hot beverage in their hand. Being the charming person I am, I decided to walk up to Hayden and start a conversation.
"So, what kind of beverage did you buy from Cafe Dewee? I was thinking of buying something, but I don't know what to get. Also, does that have peanuts in it? I have a very serious allergy," I questioned with the calmest voice I could.
"Oh, um... I got the caramel frappuccino with extra whipped cream on top. There's no peanuts in it. This may sound weird, but you look familiar...have we met before?" Hayden asked with a confused look on their face.
"No, I don't think we have met before. How about we go inside the cafe and talk for a bit? Well, if you're not busy or going somewhere, we could get to know each other," I stated in the most charming voice I had.
I lied when I said we hadn't met before. Hayden and I had met 3 years before at midnight. We were both dumping off our last victim in the River Thames at midnight. It was an accidental meeting. I was glad that Hayden didn't remember me because it was risky for me going there.
"Sure, I don't have anything planned for the rest of the day. And I guess I could use some company while I drink my frappuccino."
"Awesome! Also, thanks for the coffee recommendation, yours smells delicious," I replied as we walked into the cafe. I was surprised when Hayden willingly agreed to spend time with me, considering our past experience that they had forgotten.
After a few hours of time spent together, I had a basic understanding of Hayden's day to day life. We said our goodbyes with a tip of the hat.
This victim, luckily, didn't take as much time to research and observe as the rest of them. Now that I knew Hayden's schedule, I could kidnap, strangle, and eat them. The thought arose in my head that I could finish the job today and I would be promptly finished with this threat to society.
I left the cafe after Hayden and carefully followed them down the road. I made sure that Hayden did not notice me as I followed them down the street. After about one hour of following them I quietly slid into the door of their house. Hayden walked into their house and set down their tan backpack on the marble countertop in their kitchen. I looked around their home, and noticed a familiar headline of a newspaper: Cannibal of London Strikes Again. I tiptoed up behind Hayden and firmly wrapped my hands around their neck, strangling them in the process.
I had done it. I had killed Hayden Castaneda. My aching hunger from the day had finally set in. Unable to resist, I took a big bite out of Hayden's throat.
All of a sudden I felt extremely dizzy. I looked around and noticed a half-eaten Salted Nut Roll in Hayden's left hand. Screaming for help, yet nothing came out. I looked at my left hand. Is this my hand? My hand had grown twice its size. I searched through my bag, yet I couldn't grab anything. No epipen. I could sense my throat closing. My lungs felt like they were clawing their way out of my chest for air. I was stumbling as I attempted to get out of Hayden's house. Then, it all went dark...
