Monster

She was a born leader; strong willed, fearless and confident.  For a twelve year old that translated into bossy, scary and arrogant.  Few of her classmates challenged her; all wanted to please or be liked by her and she enjoyed holding court.  She picked and chose her friends and foes daily, weekly, whenever the wind blew and everyone just hoped to stay on her good side.

Did I mention she was beautiful?  Oh yes, hair so black it was almost steely blue and eyes to match; exotic and dark.  If you stared too long you might lose yourself in there.  All of that and a charming personality; disarmingly so.  You didn't stand a chance to not like; love her, until it was too late.

Of course she caught his attention.  He did a double take and that was it.  He knew what she was trying to do; trap him.  Get him caught for something he hadn't even done, yet.  After all, guys like him weren't allowed to linger near school yards but she had looked at him one day as he was heading home from the bakery.  Most days he made sure he wasn't anywhere near these little treats but today the line had been long and the bread had been slow to come out of the ovens.  She had looked at him with those deep, wanting eyes.  She had licked her lips and smiled at him.  She and her little whorish friends with their skirts too short and their jeans too tight which sometimes played a not so innocent game of peek-a-boo with their panties.  They wore their shirts tied up to show off their tight tummies  He had to stay strong though.  He couldn't take another vacation...He had promised he was a reformed man; one that could be trusted. He was mumbling warnings to himself, forbidding to look  her way again when the ball skittered through the grass and happily rested at his feet.  He picked it up and cocked his arm to throw it and she was there.  In front of him.  He froze, feeling his chest tighten.  His breath hitched and he had to scream inside his skull to close his mouth before he drooled.  She reached her hand out for the ball and he barely chucked it toward her.  She caught it, smiled, waved and trotted back to her friends. And that sealed her fate.  He needed her.

He began to watch for her, follow her, get her pattern down.  She was too young to really understand the dangers of not being aware of your surroundings but arrogant enough to think nobody knew she was sneaking out or going to places she shouldn't have been; the park to meet some boys and sneak sips of shitty beer or to smoke half of a cigarette behind the convenience store or hurriedly French kiss some sweaty boy whose lips were chapped and hands trembled at the thought of being near a girl.  He would be kinder, gentler.  At first.

It was a typical night when she crawled out her window and headed down the street to pick up her partners in crime.  He smirked understanding that even her parents had been taken in. That naughty girl.  He had to act quickly and get her before she met up with the others.  He passed her once and knowing she would round the corner at Wingate Street, he waited for her in the Johnson's hedgerow.
Nobody should have a hedgerow.  It was simple to get up behind her and slip the cloth under her nose.  She was so tiny and frail that she melted back into his arms and he whisked her away.  To his play house.

He put her in her own room with some clothes from the others.  They no longer needed them.  They were with the angels now anyway or maybe devils.  If God had not forgiven them for their wickedness they might be burning in Hell.  He paused and thought on this for a moment, then continued watching her through the peep hole in the door as he had done so many times before.  She woke and stirred, confused and cautious.  He felt his groin tighten with her fear and curiosity as she tried to understand what had happened.  He smiled at his cleverness. All the little girls had this look and he treasured it.  He waited for the rest of it to unfold.

She cried and kicked; spunkier than most.  There were even fits of anger that brought him incredible joy.  She might get to live a little longer; this tender morsel he'd found.  He always covered his face when he brought her food, bathed or used her.  She was instructed to wear a blindfold.  He loved it when she wandered over his hands to take dishes from him to eat or bumped into things.  He often had to stifle his laugh when she crawled around and scurried like a tiny church mouse. As the days marched on, he noticed her trying to connect with him.  She wanted to talk to him; make a friend or connection.  This was a sign that she had overstayed her welcome.  Because she was so beautiful and he wanted her so much, he might give in and that could lead to feelings or an incident or worse, escape.  He knew he would have to cover her lovely face forever.  What a shame to lose this precious work of art.  He allowed himself to be drawn in to light conversation and asked her what food she missed most from home.

She paused sadly and thought for a moment.  He wanted to kiss her angelic pout.  He knew she wanted him to.  "Pork chops" she said quietly.  He nodded and headed for the store.  The night of her farewell, he had given her clean clothes and a bath.  He had brushed her hair and permitted her to sit at the table while he spoke of her release.  He of course made her promise she wouldn't tell.  He of course told her she would be going home.  he of course was lying through his teeth all the while chopping vegetables.  He asked her to set the table as he generously sprinkled his favorite poison into the gravy he would not eat. He hummed softly to himself.

"Biscuits too?" she asked marveling at the feast he was preparing for her.  She smiled and clapped lightly when he rolled his eyes and stalked past her to the pantry where he rooted around and found some.  He turned to see her standing next to her chair and for a moment a knot of panic pinched up inside his gut. He stopped and glowered at her.

"Sit down" he commanded through his dry chapped lips.  He'd been licking them incessantly in these days leading to her farewell.  It was a nervous habit. Too much excitement and anticipation.

"I was setting the table." she said but did as told. "It smells delicious.  I am so very hungry." she said demurely, resting her hand along the arm of the chair.  She let her fingers play with it, drumming and scratching.  He imagined his own body at her tender little hands and smiled forgiving her for her naughtiness and attempt to seduce him.

"It should be done..." he brushed by her and pulled open the oven to remove the chops.  He barely noticed the first sting as she stabbed him with the knife she'd snatched from the counter.  He hadn't noticed in time.  It was too late.  She childishly slashed at him again; giggling as he slipped and fell to the floor, forced to look at his prisoner.

"You monster. she laughed.  "Took you long enough.  After I found you on WatchDog" and viewed your page...even had to throw the fucking ball to you.  You pitch like a bitch" she said continuing to cut and carve him.  She backed away and brushed her hair from her cheek leaving a dark red smudge.  He realized for the first time it was his blood.  "No more monsters." she smiled sweetly.

He was defeated and weak.  He felt cheated and sad as his last breaths bubbled from his mouth.

"Wicked" he said to no one for she had turned away and began fixing her plate.  She was always so hungry after such a strenuous hunt and this poor chap had proven to be a wee bit of a challenge.  She began to look around for a place to dump him.  He had, she noticed already begun to dig out in some dead of the wood.  She would need to make the hole bigger or maybe cut him up.  Didn't matter.  She'd think about it.  All she had was time.  She dragged her fork around and drew a heart in her potatoes and gravy before shoveling it into her mouth.  She laughed and licked her lips as the droplets trickled down her chin.

"Delicious." she said aloud.


Hello there strangers! 
It's nice to see you again.  I hope you all had a safe and wonderful holiday.  We did.  It's hard to believe it's over so soon but at some level, I'm okay with that and more than a little tired.  I am glad you came to sit with me a bit and hope you've enjoyed my story.  Let's do it again soon, shall we? 

Until next time....