Wattys 2020 Boot Camp

Ellen Reese - Got Guts?

Showcase entry for Ellen_Reese

Pitch:

Kevin Steelheart, an attractive chemistry student full of big dreams, has to draw on every ounce of his cleverness in order to outwit the delusional serial killer whose greatest desire is to watch him bleed.

Blurb:

Kidnap, torture, rape, kill, repeat. That's how this serial killer rolls. So, what does it take for one boy to escape his horrifying captivity?

It takes guts!

Best friends, Kevin and Josh, are trying to juggle college classes while finding a way to launch a chemistry startup, but their lives turn into a living hell when Kevin's bad luck drives him to the doorstep of a serial killer. While Josh desperately searches for Kevin, the psycho killer is enjoying torturing his young victim in every possible way.

However, there is one thing that the killer doesn't know; he picked the wrong victim to mess with.

First 1000 words:

In one of Chicago's popular restaurants, all heads turned to an attractive, young waiter. A shy, yet seductive, rosy smile dominated his features, paired with rare, ice-blue eyes that shone like a chaotic ripple on a crystal blue sea.

He took this job a little over a month ago, and he was already popular amongst the employees and the customers for being a hard worker, a friendly guy, and, of course, for his heavenly appearance. He sent a thrill of temptation into their weary souls. A strong desire to abandon their conversations so their eyes could follow him whenever he passed by. Some stretched trembling hands toward him in the hopes that he'd offer a friendly shake. Oh, to be touched by divinity like that.

His black outfit had a chili pepper logo sewed on the front pocket of his shirt beside a name tag with "Kevin" printed on it.

Self-conscious of the chaos his beauty caused, Kevin kept a good distance between him and the flirty, grabby customers. He made a point not to react to the awkward stares and creepy handshakes with anything but a smile. Even the most inexperienced waiters quickly learned to deal with situations that ranged from embarrassing to gross.

On any given day, waiters might be asked to clean the piss from under an old man's wheelchair, kick out a homeless person seeking shelter from the heavy snow, or pretend being sexually harassed by the customers didn't bother them. How else could a person without a degree earn so much, paid in cash at the end of each shift? A polite nature came naturally to the waiter, and Kevin excelled at this job.

It paid to be good.

On a Thursday night, the young waiter swept a table clean in a hurry, fighting off a jittery feeling. His hands shook just enough to draw the attention of a tattoo-covered worker with a tag that said "Supervisor."

"Hey." She stopped to place a friendly hand on his back. "You OK, kid?"

Kevin straightened up and sighed. A faint sheen of sweat wrinkled the chestnut-brown, silky hair threads that clung to the sides of his face.

He brushed up some of the strands to set them where they perfectly belonged, in a windswept, single-length spiky hairstyle. The highlights threading through his thick brown mane caught the cozy lighting of the restaurant and radiated as warmly as his dazzling smile.

He rolled the towel between his hands. "I'm fine. Why?"

"You're not yourself tonight." She squinted her eyes at him like she was interrogating him. Lowering her voice, she said, "Is it because of that businessman who comes here every Thursday?"

"No, no." He shook his head and looked at the floor. "It's just that next week is the University's midterms. That's all."

She leaned forward and drew a lopsided smile. "Kevin." Her piercing eyes saw right through him. "If that man is bothering you I can assign someone else to be his server."

"Don't." He begged her with his eyes. "It's nothing I can't handle. Plus, he's a good tipper." He forced a smile.

She pressed her lips together and paused. "OK." she nodded. "But you let me know if he ever crosses the lines."

"Of course! Thanks, Susan."

She gave him a motherly pat. They both smiled then parted.

Kevin's next customers were a group of high school girls. Their eyes followed him, longing to hear his husky, soft voice that melted their hearts. Giggles and whispers rose up from them whenever he glanced in their direction.

Long ago, a friend told him he was everyone's type. Shorter than other men. His innocent smile made him cute in the eyes of the youths. He was healthy-fit, catching the eyes of the adults too.

"Welcome to Chili's," he greeted the girls with a cheerful attitude. "My name is Kevin. I'll be your server for this evening." He placed the menus on the table, neglecting the flirty looks. "I'll be back to take your orders when you're ready."

One girl handed him back her menu and said, "I already know what I want."

"Oh. OK." Kevin took the menu and pulled his little notebook out. "What would it be, miss?"

The sassy girl looked at Kevin square in the eye and said, with the sexiest voice she could muster, "I want you. On a plate."

Kevin had heard all kinds of pick-up lines from his customers. From the classic "Here's my card," to the gross "I don't need sugar in my drink. I only need your finger in it," and, finally, the creepy "When does your shift end? Because I'd love to walk you home." But this girl came up with the weirdest line of all. It took him by surprise.

Kevin chuckled. "I'm sorry." His cheeks blushed, both embarrassed and nervous. "I. Umm." He scratched the back of his head. "I don't know what to—"

Just before he finished his sentence, a guy came along and grabbed Kevin from the back by the shoulders, startling him.

Kevin looked behind and said, "Josh?"

Josh was a raven-haired man of average height, which made him taller than Kevin. His smug little grin and his neat cashmere clothes gave people the impression of a stereotypical upper middle class kid.

Speaking in a hurry, Josh told the girls, "Sorry, ladies. He's taken." He winked at them then snatched Kevin away.

The girls squealed and one of them even said, "Aw, they're so cute together."

Kevin rolled his eyes, condemning both Josh's action and the girls' reaction.

Once they were away from the group, Kevin pushed Josh's hands off of his shoulders and turned around. "What is it this time?" He sighed as he leaned against the wall near the kitchen.

Josh pressed his hand against the wall and smirked. "First of all, that's my boy. How many numbers did you get?"

Kevin crossed his arms. "None. I only wanted one number." A half-smile spread on his lips. "And if you weren't too focused on your personal pleasures, you'd know that I got it a week ago."