Page 13 of Freaks Of Nature
Em
“Can you turn that up,” I ask Drew, pointing at the small TV he keeps in the kitchen.
I recognize the footage of the news report about the young woman who was found dead right before I moved here. The same anchorwoman now speaks about the discovery of a second victim as new images flash on the screen. “Marisol Fuentes appears to have been killed days ago,” she relays.
“That’s correct, Susan,” the reporter at the scene picks up when the feed switches to an apartment building which is clearly marked with yellow tape, stretching behind her. “According to the authorities, both victims show signs of having had consensual intercourse prior to their deaths. But is that merely coincidence or a pattern?
“After the body of 22-year old Shelly Baker was found a month ago, police have been looking into ex-boyfriends as possible suspects; someone who is jealous or feels betrayed by her moving on. However, with this second victim, more questions about the motive and connections between the two arise.
“Did her killer know about her personal life? Had he been stalking her and lying in wait for her lover to leave? He might even be a scorned lover himself out for revenge.
“The bruising on their necks suggests the assailant might have been wearing gloves, and the DNA found under the victims’ fingernails remains inconclusive, so no arrests have been made, but the police says it’s only a matter of time.”
“What a shame.” Laura shakes her head beside me, a hand splayed on her chest. “I’m so glad you’re no longer walking home alone at night thanks to your gentleman caller.”
I stifle a laugh at the term. I have my car, of course, but parking is a bitch downtown, and the walk to my apartment is only a few minutes. Still, I’m glad, too, that I ran into Ash.
“I don’t know,” Jake says over his shoulder while rinsing the dishes in the sink. “Sex and asphyxiation? If you ask me, sounds like a fetish gone too far.”
“Seriously?” I stare at his back, my brows raised. “You think he got himself off by choking her?”
He huffs as though amused by my ignorance. “No.” He turns his head toward me. “I thinkshemight’ve been the one who got off.”
“Boy!” Laura’s tone warns.
I cringe. “That’s sick.”
“What?” He shrugs, refocusing on the dishes. “Breath play is a thing, you know? Supposedly, it makes you come harder.”
I can’t believe my ears. “Who tells you this shit?” He’s too young to have that kind of experience.
“The Internet.”
Now I’m the one to let out a huff. “Don’t believe everything you read online,” I advise him, removing my apron.
True, after four years with a boyfriend like Nate and his lack for adventure, I’m looking for more excitement when it comes to sex, but I’d have to really trust a person to give breath play a try. I mean, my life would literally be in their hands.
I step outside and don’t see Asher.
Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I check the time, even though I know I’m not early.
Dread prickles across my nape as I stuff it back into my pocket.Did he forget?
No. He promised. But maybe he fell asleep.
I shift the weight on my feet. I don’t know whether I should wait for him or walk home alone.
A screech like nails on a chalkboard rakes up my spine, making me cringe. I swing my head left to check what made the noise when my eyes land onhim.
My heart punches up my throat. He’s ambling toward me, mask hiding his face and his pace almost leisurely as he drags the tip of his knife along the brick wall in a taunt.
It’s a terrifying sound. I can almost feel it, like claws ripping through my flesh.
For a moment I’m so scared I can’t move.
I swallow my fear, and my feet regain their mobility. Eyes on him, I shuffle backward a few steps before my mind catches up, and I turn to run.
My pulse continues to accelerate even after I round a corner, and he can no longer see me. The last time I tried to outrun him, I got lost. Am I better off hiding?
