‘Jesus Nathan, what a show!’
‘Right place, right time’
‘So let’s get this straight……….he keeps the victim’s alive, brings them to a wood of his choice……a public place. He releases them and lets them run free……….then he chases, hunts his prey through the woods and kills them?’
‘Yeah, it’s the thrill Jack…………..the power of manipulation. He controls them even when they run free…….I imagine he tells them they are free to go and their life is spared……….filling them with hope. They run through the wood that is illuminated, children hate the dark……he knows this. They head off into the headlights and he flanks them, chasing his kill and thriving on the adrenalin rush it gives him. Then he pounces, takes them by surprise………..probably drags them out into the open field and………..removes the heart. The fact that the bodies have been found in a field means that there are no obstructions above them, the night will be visible………the moon and stars shining. That’s why I think he kills on a full moon……….it’s one of those pieces that go with a wolf, and why else would he kill them in an open space?’
‘Good effort………very good effort’, the car skidded on the frozen ground as Jack reversed and turned it back the way they came.
Nathan waited for him to start talking about the phone call he received whilst in the wood. Several minutes had passed and Jack remained silent, Nathan decided to throw the question at him.
‘Was that the team on the phone?’
‘When?’ he sounded confused.
‘In the woods…….your phone rang before I started to build the picture of the scene!’
‘Oh yeah, the surveillance team called’.
‘Ok……………..any news?’
‘No…..they said they have two teams of two PC’s, each team on a twelve hour shift. Neither has seen any movement for forty eight hours, not a single thing. They were just confirming how long they were needed to stay in place’.
‘How long did you give them?’
‘Another forty eight, if nothing comes up then we will have to collapse the task. We can’t waste time on needless operations’.
‘I agree………anything from the teams at the schools yet?’
‘No not yet, I’ll give them till midday then make a few calls…….get a situation report myself!’
Nathan pulled the small handle that sat to the left of his chair, lowering his back rearwards. He felt the exhaustion grab a hold of his body, the recent adrenalin rush from his find began to wear off. His muscles felt numb and his shoulder ached, he massaged it gently through his coat; his eye lids gradually falling to a close.
***
The news station broadcasted the findings from the morning. The reporter stood in the white surroundings; behind her left shoulder he could see the canvas tent that hid his recent kill. The two men stood in front looking into the crowd of flashing cameras. The volume was extinguished; he didn’t need to hear about the victim, he knew all the details. He watched his work as it was presented to the millions viewing the channel.
‘Fear meeeeeeeee’ he whispered to the television.
The room had been cleaned and organised, he looked over the layout for the third time; making sure it was as he required. The aroma of bleach stung at his nose, he flared his nostrils as it entered. He turned through the door way and turned the room into darkness, the light switch gave a click as it was pressed. It was time to view her, his new girl awaited and he didn’t want to miss an opportunity to visit her. His feet gave a hollow thud as they connected with each step, he ascended the cellar stairway whistling his favourite tune. Entering the kitchen he closed the door behind him. The room was filled with the blackness of space, the curtains were drawn and blinds closed tight. He moved through his domain, knowing where the obstacles lay in his path.
He lowered the sun glasses from his head onto his nose as the rear door was opened. The sun glared from above him, he squinted as he allowed his eyes to adjust. The door slammed shut as he entered the driver’s seat, he could smell the girl……..her fear………her pain. He looked into the rear view mirror, searching the back of the van as if she would appear from a dark corner. His eyes met the reflection, the young face gazed back at him. Its hair, black and shiny hung down against the ears, the comb over clung to one side. He raised his head and the image in the mirror followed his lead. He opened his lips to reveal clenched teeth, the breath forced out between the gaps to create a muffled sound. The tip of his tongue ran across the top row, polishing them as it moved. The tapping noise filled his ears as he brought his teeth together several times. He faced forward as the engine was started, he admired the reflection that played with him. The image had shown the slow transformation that he felt deep inside him, his teeth feeling larger; the tips still not sharp enough to rip flesh……..that can be fixed, he thought as the van rolled forward from the drive way.
***
‘Hello?’ the word bounced off his surroundings and came back from every angle. There was no answer. He raised his arms and extended them fully to his front, his fingers searched for something to touch. Nothing offered itself. He moved his arms to the sides, performing a slow full rotation on his heels. Nathan stood in complete darkness; his location was unknown and seemed sparse. It was as if his eyes were closed, unable to be opened. He lowered his body down to one knee and placed his palms upon the ground. The snow bit at his bare flesh, numbing it instantly.
‘Shit’ he jumped.
He remained low and began to crawl forward, each time he advance a hand was placed up in front to feel for anything. Nothing appeared. His hands and knees felt the pain from his freezing surroundings, he began to feel his warmth breath as he exhaled, his cheeks absorbing the heat from his core.
The whistling increased to his front, the purr of an engine appearing gradually. He stood and made his way towards the noise, it grew as he neared it. The wall broke his advance and he stumbled rearwards as his face made a connection with the brick. He landed on his back side, the ground nipping at him. He gathered himself to his feet and felt the obstacle to his front, the surface felt rough against his skin. His hands brushed the wall in circles as he looked for a way past. The engine growled angrily as he placed his cheek to the brick. He stepped back and brought his leg mid height, stamping forward and striking the wall. He kicked harder, the aggression building inside him.
The dust obstructed his view as the wall collapsed into a pile of rubble. He wiped his eyes free of the particles, blowing through his nose as the dust blocked his nostrils. The snow fell upon his bare head, his brown greying hair becoming damp as the flakes melted. He attempted to store his inner heat by reaching for his jacket, aiming to pull it tight to his skin. His chilled finger tips caused his skin to flinch as they touched his naked torso. He shivered and a plume of warm air escaped his mouth. He was naked……….naked and freezing.
He collapsed to his knees and curled over into a ball shape, his spine arched to close his chest to his knees. The ground pinched his skin, he felt vulnerable and weak. The girl screamed as she was removed from the vehicle, the sound softly drowned out by the engine. Nathan raised his head, keeping his body tightly closed. His face stung, his lips started to crack under the arduous conditions. Small droplets of blood escaped the splitting skin, they landed by his knees and disappeared into the arctic floor. He could see the beast, its large frame dragged the girl from the depths of the van. He tried to call out to him……to distract him, but the words were silent. It was as if they froze when fired from his mouth. The second attempt also failed. He watched from a distance as the girl was position in front of the van, the headlights emitted a blinding light, amplified by their black surroundings. The thing approached her from the rear, its head lowering to hers. Nathan could hear the breathing of the Wolf, as if he were leaning into his own ears. He felt the warmth it brought, the tingling sensation it delivered. The words caused him to stiffen, his body seized to tremble. Run little red riding hood…run…run….run. He heard them clearly and so had the girl, she darted towards the illuminated trees. Nathan fought the freezing extremities and gathered himself to his feet, his skin becoming pale.