MURDER AND LOVE: A KILLER'S GUIDE

The moon hung low in the sky, a cold witness to the night's events. The night eerily quiet, ready to bore witness to the horror that is about to happen. I could feel the pulse of my heartbeat in my ears as I approached his house. This wasn't like the others—the animals I had killed. No. This was personal, and tonight, I was finally in control. No more waiting. No more hiding behind the mask of a girl pretending to be innocent. I was ready to be the one in charge. The compulsion was worse now, I had been fantasizing about the kill for the past year since I made it my mission to kill him.

After that night, he had moved to the other side of town now. He was now very successful—he won the lottery, and used the money to open a company—that is now raising millions in for him. He knew I was alive but at that point I couldn't do anything—as he is now very powerful. He did give my mom a job at his work, making it easy to pay the debt but I could never forget what he did to me, and I promised myself wont rest until—I saw the light leave his eyes.

I had watched him for weeks, the pattern of his movements etched in my mind like a map. He had a very tight schedule and I made sure to follow every single thing he did so I could pick the perfect time. I had to break into his home a few times—to steal his schedule.

Tonight, he would be mine. I slipped the vial from my pocket, feeling the cool glass against my skin, and I couldn't help but smile. It was just like every time before—except this time, I had a new secret.

The gas, once released, would leave him in a daze. I would take him when he was vulnerable—his mind clouded, his will lost. I had all the time in the world now. 

I watched as he arrived in his home, opening the gate with the keypad at the entrance. I waited till all the lights in the house went out. I had sneaked in earlier this morning, placed the propofol tank in their humidifier to release the gas into the house. I pressed the button—as it dimmed a green glow, enabling the smoke in the house. I waited for an extra 30 minutes to assure the gas had taken control before going into the house.

I intercepted the security camera of the house to off for an hour, so I can carry out my operation. I stepped out of the car, checking the surroundings making sure no one was around. I had gotten to the point where I studied every single neighbors' schedule on this street to ensure I carry out this kill. I walked across the street, the sound of my feet echoing as I walked closer to the gate. My heart was pounding in my chest as I typed in the password from memory. The gate clicked as the keypad glowed, I slid the gate open carefully as I slid into the compound.

I crotched down and headed to the back door, as I scrambled for the key. A heard a low growl—a grumble behind me, I turned around to see the 100lbs Cane Corso standing beside me. I saw my throat drop down to my stomach as the dog ran towards my direction, he jumped at me licking my face. I let out a sigh as I pet him. I had made friends with him during my frequent visits to the house—I made sure I always bring the turkey leg with me.

 He slobbered all over me as I waved the turkey leg in his direction. "You want the leg boy. Come on, go get it!" I whispered, as I threw the leg into the bush. He ran towards the leg destroying it on impact with its teeth. Poor turkey.

I put on my face mask as I walked into the kitchen, the whole house was already covered in smoke. I wore my goggles immediately as I felt my eyes burning from the contact with the smoke. I tiptoed into his room—opening the door he and his wife were now passed out on the bed. I went to the side of the bed—ready to drag his body. I had put on gloves earlier on my hands and wore plastic on my shoes to avoid leaving footprints. My hair was in a wig cap and my clothes covered my entire body.

 I dragged him down from the bed and pulled him out of the room. He was heavy as he is now passed out. I was able to remove the tank from the humidifier before continuing my pull. I got him into the car, I tied his hands together and stuffed his mouth with cloth—just like he did to me. I switched on the security camera and sped off into the night.

The silence in the car was deafening, but I didn't mind. It was just the two of us now, and I was in control. This is amazing—this…thrill building inside of me. I have never felt this alive since forever, well pretty much after that night nothing ever excites me. I was happy a few times but not like this—I haven't felt this happy in a long time. I looked in the mirror to see him still fast asleep. I have to get there fast.

I pulled up behind the building, parked in the shadows, and carried him inside. The dim light flickered as I chained him to the bench. I satred at him as he was still immersed in his sleep. I grabbed the smelling salt and placed it by his nose. He sneezed, opening his eyes—which was now red. He began coughing, and gagging.

"Shut the fuck up!" I snapped at him as I smacked him across the face.

I could almost hear his thoughts, the confusion in his eyes. His body still fought the sedative, but it was futile.

"Where am I?" he mumbled.

I didn't answer this time. Instead, I moved to my bag, pulling out the surgical tools I had prepared. I had planned this. Every step. Every move. There was no room for mistakes. I set to work, cold and methodical.

"Who are you?" he looked towards my direction, struggling to set himself free. He screamed on top of his lungs for help.

"You are only straining your voice, no one can hear you." I said arranging the tools in order of how I wanted to use them. I had practiced well before considering killing him—on those animals—they died for a good cause. I changed my gloves to a more surgical one.

"The room is sound proof." I scurried unto him, closing the gap between his face and my face.

"Khloe? K, I—"

"Don't call me that" I cut him off placing a small knife on his chin. I felt his breath shake as he stared at the razor shar blade pointing towards his face.

"Don't do this K. Please, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did." His cried. His voice now sounding a like a toddler.

"Which part are you sorry about the manipulating me, the kidnapping me, the raping, and then trying to kill me."

"For everything, K. I'm sorry. I did it at the time because I love you". He sounded scared for his life. I could see the fear in it—I loved it. I love this control—this—feeling.

"Well it's too late now. The damage's been done" I grabbed the scalpel on the table and headed to the genitals.

"Khloe, Wait!" I paused looking at him

"You are making a very big mistake. I know some very powerful people who will stop at nothing to kill you"

"Don't we all?" I grabbed his genitals in my hands ready to cut it off

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" he screamed

"What!!"

"Think of Ruby, the kids. Do you want them growing without a father in their lives?"

"I think I'm doing them a favor." Without thinking, I cut off his genitals. He screamed at the top of his lungs, but it didn't matter. His screams wouldn't reach anyone. Not here. Not anymore.

The blood spilled from him in slow, deliberate waves, as if time itself had paused to watch. It was thick, almost sluggish, oozing from his wounds like it knew its purpose. The crimson liquid pooled beneath him, the deep red color stark against the cold concrete floor of the warehouse. It seemed to spread so effortlessly, a silent witness to the violence that had unfolded in this dimly lit space.

I watched it, hypnotized by the way it spread outward, seeping into every crack of the floor. There was something almost beautiful about it—the way the blood swirled, a violent, organic pattern against the sterile, gray concrete. It was a release, a freedom, and I felt every drop as if it were mine, a personal offering to the silence of the night.

It was amazing.

The scent of iron hung heavy in the air, mingling with the coolness of the warehouse, as I watched it, detached and mesmerized. There was no panic, no remorse—just the satisfying, methodical release of life. The warmth of it on my hands, as I wiped away the last remnants, felt like an answer to something I had long questioned. It was soothing in its own way, the finality of it all.

I stepped back, watching as his life bled away. Each breath he took was a struggle, a gasp for air he wouldn't get. I packed up, wiped down every surface, and left. No evidence. No trace. No one would know.

 The warehouse door closed behind me with a finality that resonated deep within my bones.

PRESENT DAY

The conference room was buzzing with the low murmur of voices, but I stayed silent. My hands folded neatly in front of me, my eyes cast downward, as if I was lost in thought. But really, I was just waiting. Waiting for them to make the connection. I already knew what was coming.

The case files on the table were spread out in front of me, details of a missing persons case two years ago now staring back at me. Asher leaned over the stack, flipping through the pages.

"Wait," he said, his voice sharp. "This... this can't be a coincidence." He pointed to the file. "Propofol. The same substance found in Wilder's house, was also found in this person's home. We could be looking at a pattern on our hands."

I let out a breath, not too loud, but just enough for the others to notice. I glanced at the papers, pretending to be just as surprised.

"We could be looking at a 2 time kill. Is that what you are implying?"

Asher narrowed his eyes. "No, it's more than that. This is the same kind of thing, the same victim profile. Another missing person, another man with a history."

"What if there were more. You know, a serial killer?" There was mumbling across the room. The whole crowd looked distraught.

"Could be," I agreed nonchalantly, tapping my pen on the table. "But let's not jump to conclusions."

"They're linked, for sure," Asher said, leaning back in his chair. "But I don't know how yet." He seemed to really be invested in this case. I hope he is not linked to it, I don't want to have to do the inevitable to protect myself. That would go against everything I stand for.

The conversation spiraled into further speculation, with theories being tossed around like breadcrumbs. They were getting closer, but they still had no idea what they were dealing with.

I glanced at the clock. Time to shift gears. I smiled slightly to myself, the thrill of it all still coursing through my veins.

"Maybe we should go talk to Robert," I suggested casually. "See if he knows anything about the woman's disappearance. At least we know one of the case is heading in a clear direction. Might be worth the interview."

"I don't care if it is a seral killer or not. I want to know whether this man is alive or dead. He is a big cause in this city and we can't risk failing the family." The lieutenant ordered.

The detectives nodded, and we moved to schedule the meeting.

"I'll meet you in the car." Asher signaled to me as he headed down.

I leaned back in my chair, grabbing my notebook and pen. The hum of the room faded into a distant noise, the conversation in the room becoming nothing more than background chatter. Inside my mind, however, the pieces were falling into place.

I had planted the evidence—Propofol in the missing persons case files. Asher was smart. Too smart. It wouldn't take him long to connect the dots, he would know it what too good to be true—like someone throwing them off course. But that's the beauty of it. He would figure it out, sure, but not yet. Not until it was too late.

I tapped my pen against the table, letting the rhythm calm my thoughts. I had done my part, set the stage. The rest was in Asher's hands. He'd pull on the thread eventually, unraveling the connection. But by then, I'd be moving on to the next phase. Nauthers' case needed more attention, and Robert's interview would be just the distraction I needed.

If I played this right, I'd be able to stay one step ahead. Let them chase their leads, while I focused on mine. They were still too far behind to know what I was really doing. And in the meantime, I'd be waiting, biding my time, watching the clock tick down.

Soon, everything would fall into place. I just had to make sure they didn't catch on too quickly. I headed out grabbing my coat.