The Murder King (A First Draft)

In Which I Meet My Best Friend

        I remember the first time I met Josh.  Of course, I still have no idea if that is his real name.  He could be Bartholomew, Dean, or Jacob.  But I like Joshua.  I think it suits him.  And I do remember when I met him.  Oh, how I do. 

*** 

August 15, 2008 

        It was shortly after my first kills.  I was still on the run from the police and I was just drifting from city to city.  I had just run out of money from my emergency fund, so I chose a "comfy" alley and settled down.  I woke up a few times to make sure all of my stuff was still there.  Each time, I would look around to see if there were any people sneaking up on me.  Each time, I was sure that they weren't any.  About four hours before sunrise, I woke up once more.  I looked around and immediately saw him.  His eyes were glowing golden.  His hair was like ebony.  And his skin was pale, like he had never seen the sun.  So, predictably, I freaked out.  I screamed as loud as I could, so loud I was afraid that it might attract the police.  The boy jumped and ran, but not a noise escaped from his mouth. 

        I knew I needed to find that kid again.  I had overreacted when I first saw him.  I just wasn't used to people looking like that.  Like...  Me.  He looked like how I felt.  Alone.  As if nothing could surprise him anymore.  Like he had killed before.  So I hunted him.  It was like a game for me.  And I think he was playing too.  I would find hints where I knew no one was stupid enough to leave them.  He couldn't be far away, he just couldn't.  I had been searching for days when I finally found him.  He was just standing in the alley where I first saw him, waiting for me. 

        So I walked up to him and introduced myself.  "Hi.  I'm Damien Aeron.  I'm sorry I ran away earlier.  You scared me."  There was no reply.  "Hello?"  Still no answer.  "Hello?!  I'm talking to you!"  As you can see, I was not used to being ignored.  I walked up to this startling stranger and slapped him.  He still didn't make a noise.  He didn't hit back, or even look at me.  I grabbed his head and made him face me.  "WHY AREN'T YOU FUCKING ANSWERING ME!?"  When I looked at him again, I saw that he was sobbing.  The tears were streaming down his face and I didn't understand.  I was sure that I hadn't hit him that hard.  "What's wrong?  Why are you crying?"  There was still no answer.  It was infuriating.  I looked at him.  "WHY WON'T YOU TALK!?"  I was obviously missing something.  What reason would he have not to talk? 

        "Are you mute?" 

*** 

        And that's how I met Joshua Aeron.