Jack the Stripper

The Beginning

*This is Jack's memory on the photographs, continued from The Victims

Their bodies are settled nestled together on the couch, Hadley's body pressing against Blayne's as his arm encircles her shoulders. I waited my time, waited patiently as the GHB took effect. The male, Blayne, fought it at first while it coursed through his veins, but Hadley accepted it. Her body went limp within minutes, then his followed shortly after as he attempted a few garbled choice words. Not very kind of him considering the hospitality I gave out, but I'm very forgiving. Sometimes, anyway.

My footsteps are muted as I hurry out of the living room to the basement door just around the corner. It's not easy to notice. A pantry shelf, although fake, sits in front of it, blocking it from the view of any visitors. It comes in handy quite often, believe it or not. It also hides my trusty blade, which is duct taped to the back, and my ropes, which hang from the basement door handle. I shove the decoy out of the way and retrieve my items before flinging open the basement door and flicking the stairwell light on. A single bulb hangs in the middle of the room at the stairs' bottom, but a factory bulb sits along the wall so the stairs aren't dark.

I've got a window of about ten minutes to get everything set up and get them down to the basement, to their holding areas, before the drug wears off and they start to wake up. Depending on their size, the drug could still be in effect, or it could wear off quickly. I don't want to take that chance, especially with Blayne's size. He was distrusting from the start, which was smart, and he'll definitely be worse after this ordeal. Oh, no worries, though. He won't make it to see the light of day again. I chuckle lightly, the glee and adrenaline coursing through my veins as I fly down the steps two at a time to get their accommodations set up.

Hadley will be tied in one chair while Blayne is tied in another. They will face each other, both equally helpless to help the other. It's a game I like to play. Sort of like Truth-or-Dare, but the rules are different. You don't get to choose. I do. That makes it more fun, and fair, but more fun than anything. One will have to watch the other perish. I've already decided it will be Blayne going under first, and poor Hadley will just have to watch. Another giggle bubbles up, accompanied by a smile that stays plastered to my face as I tromp up the stairs and gather Hadley in my arms, my body quickly racing back down the stairs expertly with her limp body dangling over my arms. She's secured quickly and easily. The smile and glee are both still present as I ascend the stairs and struggle with Blayne's body.

His body is heavier, stock full of muscle, and he's taller. I'm 6'1", but he has to be at least 6'4". A growl of anger slips through my smile, which has turned into a snarl by now, as I drop him again and stumble sideways. I'm not going to get him downstairs in time before the drug wears off, and I don't want to be on the receiving end if he's not properly tied up when that happens. Just throw him down the stairs. It'll be faster, easier, more delightful. It will also give him an extra dose of being knocked out, and give you time. I decide to go with the voice's suggestion and throw him down the stairs. Or, rather, shove him down the stairs. It won't hurt him any...well, any more than he will be soon, anyways. He flops to the bottom with a satisfying thunk as I descend and drag him to his chair. A small trickle of blood snakes out from his hairline as I get him settled. Bummer. He must have hit his thick skull on the way down.

Hadley is already secure, her head resting serenely on her shoulder as her hair cascades over her face. In this state she looks peaceful and at ease, but she won't be for long as soon as she awakens. There's no inkling as to when she'll stir, but I have to wait until both of them are awake. Not coherent, no. Just awake with their eyes enough so that they can see and feel.

With Blayne secured across from Hadley, I relax a smidgen. It's hard to relax when you're excited, but I manage it just enough to where I'm not vibrating in place. To help dispel some of the excitement, I tromp over to my stand and methodically place my instruments in a neat, orderly line. Scalpels of various sizes, a wrench, some pliers of varying sizes, a rag, a little kerosene lamp, some shears, a pair of blindfolds, a gutting knife, and my favorite knife, the one from behind the decoy stand. I like to use different tools for each guest. It's always more fun to switch it up and get myself acquainted with new utensils. You never know which one you'll grow to love, and which ones will bring the most joy from a kill.

I pick up the blindfolds and turn to the couple. They're still knocked out, the drug still holding them in its grasp. They look almost at peace already, like their bodies and minds already know their time has come. I still blindfold them, though. Helps with the whole process. Makes things entertaining.

About an hour passes before they start to stir, their bodies alert and their minds awakened. I must have given a smidgen too much in their coffees in my excitement. First, Blayne. He starts awake and attempts to shake the blindfold off before reverting to jerking his hands and feet in an attempt to break free. He doesn't succeed in anything more than scraping his chair against the floor in an irritating manner.

"Hadley?" his voice is a thin croak, the ruggedness laced with fear. "Hadley, are you okay? Baby, please answer me."

Seconds later, Hadley stirs. She cries out in fright and whimpers, which causes Blayne to start asking her questions to get her thinking. Smart. It's a shame that her response is tears and sobs, though. Well, a shame for him.

I clap, a loud sound that reverberates around the room. A boom of thunder quickly accompanies it, the rumble shaking the cabin. You couldn't have planned that better. I bet they're shaking with fear already. I shush the voices as I step forward from the shadows I hid myself in. They can't see me, but I like an entrance, even if it goes unnoticed. Appearing from the shadows is a perfect entrance. A single bulb swings precariously from the ceiling between the two detainees, casting shadows everywhere, so, really, I'm not exiting the shadows at all. But a man can imagine.

"Ah, you're awake. Finally. I was starting to wonder how long you'd be out. I must have did a double dosage by accident. Silly me, always messing it up." I put exasperation into my voice. I believe myself to be a grand actor. This proves it. I walk over to Hadley and place a hand on her shoulder. My voice is calm, almost fatherly. "Hadley, my dear, you must be frightened. Are you frightened?"

A quick shake of her head accompanied by a strangled sob are her only responses.

"I figured as much." I squeeze her shoulder lightly. "But, no need to fear. There's nothing" I rip off her blindfold "to fear. As you can see."

Her scream echoes off the wall before I clamp a hand over her mouth. She whimpers underneath the pressure, her eyes practically tossing buckets of water out. I come around her chair so she can see my face before I give her a smile, one similar to the one she flashed to me in the rearview mirror. Hers was friendly; mine is not.

"No more of that. Otherwise, I'll give you something to scream about. Am I clear?" Though I have a smile on my face, my voice is cold and full of malice. She jerks her head up and down as tears continue to stream down her face. Petty females and their constant tears. Disgust flows through my veins. I turn my back to her and face Blayne. "Now, would you like to see as well, or..."

"I'll kill you. I swear I will if you've hurt her." I chuckle as he bares his teeth. Pearly white nubs radiating anger stare at me from between his lips. I stride forward and remove his blindfold so he's looking at me, eyes locked on eyes.

"You can try, but you won't succeed." I chuckle and step away so he and Hadley can look at each other. I clasp my hands behind my back before continuing. "I have a game I'm sure you're both interested in, and hopefully eager to play. It's called Crack." I walk around his chair and drag my fingertips along the back of the chair before I move around to Hadley's chair and run my fingers along her hair. "I want to see which one of you will crack first. Who will it be? Sir Steroids? Or perhaps Lady Leaks-A lot? My bet is on...well, now that takes the fun out of it. I hate spoiler alerts."

My fingers trail down Hadley's hair and come to rest on her shoulder. Blayne struggles some more as Hadley shies away from my touch and whimpers. My pace is slow, measured, as I walk to the table with my supplies. I pick up a small scalpel, replace it. Pick up the wrench, set it down. I settle on the pliers, clicking them together quickly to create a low sound before I turn and walk back towards Hadley, her jaw and lower face now clutched in my hand. I relish the excitement that flows freely as she stares helplessly up at me, her eyes filled with fear.

"Please...please no..." Her voice is shaking, a whimpered plea.

"If you touch her, I swear to God-" Blayne starts behind me, his voice laced with anger and underlined with fear.

"Swear to God what? There is no God." I don't even bother turning to acknowledge him. Instead I focus on the prize in front of me. I clutch the pliers tightly in front of my body. "And if I hear one more word out of your mouth, Blayne, I can promise you that you won't like the consequences. Am I clear?"

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