Mr. Serial Killer Loves Me

Westcoast, Alberta September, 1997 That would be the thirteenth person today with the local newspaper. I’ve been sitting on the window seat, watching as people pass and go by. It’s Monday, that’s why I feel too lazy to move and go to school. My coffee has gone cold, so I took the last sip and headed to the kitchen. I saw the bill held by the magnets on the refrigerator door. The landlady must have left it there since she’s already tired of reminding me. I live alone and currently rent an apartment near the college I attend. It’s just a small town near the coast. Some say this is the loneliest town. But I don’t care that much. I live for the loneliness. I went down the apartment to get the rolled newspaper on the porch. The newspaper boy usually just throws and leaves it there. I’m not really fond of reading or watching the news since I’m not that interested. I don’t know why I suddenly had the urge to read one on a Monday morning. Maybe because I was curious after seeing so many people reading it today. When I opened the front page, a revolting photo greeted me. The headline was about a crime. The girl in the picture was in uniform, with marks of rope still visible on her wrists. Blood splatters covered her arms. According to the report, the minor was r***d and tortured before being killed. Her body was found buried along the shore behind Cruzada Street. The same street where I live. I crumpled the newspaper and threw it in the trash. I was about to go back inside the apartment to get ready when the sound of sirens filled the once quiet neighborhood. The police and investigators were here again. I hurriedly followed the direction of the vehicles. A chilling feeling crept over me as I reached the crime scene. It says caution around the bay. “Kid, go back home! Haven’t you watched the news?!” an officer shouted angrily at me. “Make sure your doors and windows are always locked. This isn’t the first time it happened,” another officer warned. “There were victims before?” I couldn’t believe it. “Many. And there will be more. So be careful, kid.” They continued taking photos and gathering evidence. Our town might seem ordinary, but it has become a nest of crimes and strange happenings. I went back to the apartment and quickly changed into my uniform. The pleats of my skirt were neatly pressed, falling just to my knees. My blouse had a baby collar and a black ribbon. The image of the girl’s corpse flashed in my mind again. That’s when I realized our uniforms looked almost the same. I prayed that it was only a coincidence... because I couldn’t bear the thought that the killer was nearby—watching, waiting for the next victim. Our school is within walking distance. I’m used to walking, but not today. I went to the garage, got my bicycle, and started pedaling. It would be safer for now to ride than to walk, at least until the killer is caught. “Eve! There you are,” after I parked my bike, Niki appeared, holding a bag of pastries. “Breakfast? I know you haven’t eaten yet,” he offered. “By the way, there’s a newly opened café. Let’s hang out after class?” He sneaks around and puts one arm around my shoulder. “Have you heard the news?” I said instead, removing his arm. “A girl was murdered last night…” I said in a soft voice. “Not just any girl. Her name was Alice, a freshman.” “In this school?” “They didn’t release that information to avoid controversy. But judging by the uniform, it looks very similar to ours.” “It’s not safe anymore,” I blurted out. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get home safely. I’ll be your guard, if you want.” “The crime happened in the very street where I live. That could happen to me too. No one can tell.” “Let’s just trust the police. They’ll catch the demon soon.” Niki patted my head and slightly pinched my cheeks. After I got out of the orphanage, he was the first one to become my friend here in town. From when I was fifteen until now that I’m nineteen. I’m now taking Creative Writing and currently on my sophomore year. “Come on, Nina’s been looking for you,” he said. Nina is his twin sister. We’re taking the same course and year, so we’re very close. When Niki dropped me off at class, Nina snatched me away from him. “Back off, bro. You’re flirting with my best friend again!” she snapped at her twin. “I’ll go ahead. You’re embarrassing me, Nina.” Niki shrugged and waved goodbye. I sat beside Nina and hung my backpack on the side of the desk. “How are you, Eve? I’ve heard the news. Your neighborhood isn’t safe anymore,” she said, eyes full of concern. “I’m fine. I’ll call my landlady later. It’s hard being alone in the apartment.” “You could always spend the nights at our house, you know that,” she offered, but I refused. “Thanks, Nin. But I’ll be alright. I want you to take care too. That killer is wandering around. He wouldn’t stay in the same spot.” “He’s brutal. He brings misfortune to this town.” Our voices were very low. It was a sensitive topic. Since this is a small town, news and gossip spread fast. Our first class was terribly boring. I couldn’t summon the will to write since the professor’s teaching style wasn’t effective. But I still appreciated the literature they shared, especially the poetry. We were tasked to create our own literary folio. That’s the only thing I needed to focus on for the entire semester. I heard the bell ring and my classmates started standing up one by one. That’s when I finally came back to my senses. “Niki has soccer practice until 6 p.m., so I’ll wait for him. How about you? Want to go with us? It’s dangerous to walk alone,” Nina said. She was already packed and ready to go. I gathered a few books from my desk and slung my backpack over my shoulder. “I think I’ll go ahead. I have my bicycle anyway.” “Are you sure?” “Don’t worry about me. I still have somewhere to go, and besides, it’s not dark yet.”