Page 37 of Burn For Me

I hadn’t even thought of that, but as the words sank in, the demon in my mind uncurled itself from where it had been resting and stood tall, wanting the lives of those that had dared to hurt Dora.

I cracked my neck as the darkness filled me. Whoever had done this was going to find out what kind of monster I really was. I could already hear their screams in my mind and taste the smoke on my tongue.

Their blood was mine.

Not even the torrential downpour going on outside could tamp down the rage that was simmering in my veins. I refused to leave just in case the assholes that did this came back. So instead, I was reduced to hiding like a rat in the pantry listening to the cops as they talked and walked around. I knew it was a major risk, but it was one I was willing to take.

My hunch paid off when Dora went to the bedroom to get the officers something. They were currently parked at the small kitchen table with a coffee in hand. Dora insisted that they stay for a coffee since they had to come all the way out here to see her. I mean, it was their fucking job, but since I was stuck in the pantry, I didn’t get a say.

“Do you think it’s the same group we’re always having trouble with at the football field near town?” the one I named Dick asked, who sat next to the one I deemed as Head.

I peeked through the very narrow slat in the door and watched as Head jotted down some notes.

“Most likely. Same MO as the other break-ins. They were most likely looking for drugs and just smashed the place up for fun.” Head looked over his shoulder to make sure that Dora wasn’t coming back and then spoke again. “I just wish we had enough to arrest them.”

“Officers, can you come here for a moment?” Dora called out, and both Dick and Head left the kitchen. Seeing the opportunity, I pushed open the door and darted to the table, picking up the small notebook Head left behind.

I scanned over the notes until I found the scribble about the possible people involved. Using the new phone I’d ordered, I took a few pictures before sitting the book back on the table and making it inside the pantry just as their feet echoed along the hallway floor.

“If you think of anything else or notice anything else stolen, you let us know,” Head said as he grabbed the notepad off the table and jotted down another note before turning to face Dora.

“Thank you for coming out. I’m sorry if I’ve caused any inconvenience.”

Head, who seemed like the senior officer, commented on the statement. “No need to thank us, it’s our job.”

Fucking right, although you’re not doing a very good job.

“We’ll be asking your neighbors if they saw anything suspicious, and if we find anything, we will be sure to let you know.”

“Don’t worry about the farm down the road. The family is away, and they have someone coming in to do some maintenance, but he’s only around on weekends,” Dora said.

Smooth Dora, good thinking. I really was starting to like Dora as my accomplice. I didn’t think she’d like to be my accomplice for what I had planned next, though. As soon as the front door closed, I stepped out of the pantry.

“Dora, I’m going to head out for the night. Do you mind if I take the car home?” I said to Dora as she walked into the kitchen. I watched the police car’s lights flick on and drive around the small roundabout she had before disappearing down the driveway.

“Yes, of course, I’m off to bed.” Dora looked worn out as she shuffled down the hall a lot slower than she normally walked.

Grabbing the keys, I walked out of the house and locked the door behind me before jumping into the small white car. Making sure that good old Dick and Head weren’t sitting on the road first, I pulled out and flew along, sending little stones flying in every direction. Cranking the wheel hard, I drove up the Giltberts driveway and left the car running as I hopped out to get what I needed.

Ten minutes later, I was back on the road pushing the little white car to its limits as I went through the details I now had committed to memory. The large college football stadium was coming into view, and I slowed to do a lap and survey the landscape first. There were a couple of cars parked in the lot, but no one was standing around or sitting inside the cars.

The notes said that one of the guys was suspected of working at the stadium.

Perfect.

There was a main door that was at the back of the building near the loading dock for deliveries. Flicking the headlights off, I pulled into a spot that was between a large dumpster and a transport truck trailer. The area didn’t have any lights and was shrouded in thick darkness.

The damp night air punched me in the face as I stepped outside, but I took a deep breath of the sticky air into my lungs.

It was a good night to die.

An emptiness was consuming me, the emotionless sensation was the same as the night I split open my father’s skull with a crowbar, and I let it fill me and guide my hand. I could feel the long hunting knife strapped to my waist calling to me as a lover would. It wasn’t identical to the one I always used to carry around, but it was as close, and it was all I could find at the pawn shop. I had taken the time to sharpen the blade to a fine razor edge that would cut a sheet of silk with one slice.

Opening the car’s trunk, I pulled out the ax that I’d just sharpened and a container of gasoline. Next was a long coiled blue rope that I tossed over my shoulder. My hand paused on the open lid of the trunk. Then I wrapped my hand around the crowbar.

I didn’t expect the back door to be unlocked, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the door was an old piece of shit. The metal lock gave a slight groan in protest but then cracked with the force of the crowbar.

Feeling like a rat slinking through the dark corridors and hallways of the quiet stadium, I paused as I heard a hoot and then a cheer. There was a soft glowing sign for the men’s bathroom, and the light from inside pooled out into the darkened hall. Keeping to the darkness I stepped into the concession stand and sat down the gasoline and other toys I’d brought with me. I spun the ax handle in my hand, loving the feel of the polished wood and the weight of the weapon as I stared at popcorn maker and pop machine. My mouth began to salivate with the memory of movie popcorn. I’d become very skilled at sneaking into the movie theater, and it was surprising how many people would leave behind half eaten bags of perfectly good popcorn. It was one of Asher’s favorites and he would always light up whenever I’d sneak some into our room to share.