The Perfect Killer

**Chapter 1**
The hours of day have been completed and now the darkness of night sets in. It seems that the only light comes from the neighboring houses in a distant town, called Fullsville. It is a small town on the north side of the town Titan. Though small, it is an economical paradise. Large buildings house the best investors in the world. Fullsville is loaded with nationally reconized department stores and supermarkets. Upscale apartment complexes tower the many neighborhoods, near the Fullsvill park .All of the houses are lined in perfect columns and rows. Streets interlock.

The town's park is always full with elated citizens and their children and is a romantic location that overlooks the town's river. No one has any incredulous notions filling their minds. The only worries that people of Fullsville have are what is for dinner. This will be there undoing.

As the clouds cover the moon and the wind picks up, it would appear that it is a good night for blood. Bushes are rustling in the park. The gentle, doleful eyes of the trees watch a young couple looking into the depths of the river from a bench. They look so peaceful and tranquil. The man puts his arm around his girlfriend's neck. Sudden rustling of leaves fills the air. The couple doesn't flinch or think anything of it. They continue to be mesmerized by the rivers smooth current. From behind the bench a shadow appears. The man continues to stare into the river, as does his girlfriend. A gloved-hand lightly clamps on the bench, daring not to make a sound. Reassured that no movement was sensed by the couple. Once no sudden movement was sensed, the deathly hand jammed a knife right into the man’s neck. The women looked around and started to scream, but before she could, the figure slayed her with the knife.

**Chapter 2**
Michael woke up in his cozy bed and stared himself into the mirror. He admired his six-foot, three-inch stature, his short, blondeish hair that matched his green eyes. He flexed his bulging biceps and, of course, his firm abs with a delightful smile.

Stumbling down the stairs, in his two-story house and across the hall, Michael got into the shower. After getting dressed, he raced into the kitchen to prepare his breakfast of eggs and biscuits. Turning around with the ingredients, he put them on the counter and proceeded to turn on the television. Once he found that nothing was on, he turned to the news. They was a reporter by the Fullsville park. Intrigued, Michael increased the volume to hear what was going on. Michael almost went into a cardiac arress when he heard what had happened.

"A young couple is pronounced dead this morning as they were found by the Fullsville River. Examining them, police officials have found two cut marks on the man's neck and the female was decapitated, her head wasn't found at the scene," the reporter gasped. "This strange and unbridled killing has been traced to our sister town, Titan," continued the reporter.

Michael stared at the television in complete awe. He couldn't believe that which had happened. But something caught his eye. Something about the women reminded him of someone. His mind was working overtime trying to figure out the person seen on the screen. At last he came to a conclusion! His eyes widened and he let out a loud NO!

He rushed to the phone and dialed a number. There was no one picking up. He muttered, "Pick up, come on, pick up!" When no one had answered, he grabbed his coat and his keys and went out the door to his 1967 Dodge Challenger. Practically ripping off the door, he jumped into the car and started the engine. He swiftly pulled out of the driveway and headed southbound to an upscale apartment complex. Trying to keep his mind at bay, he turned on the stereo to his car. At first he switched to rock, but it didn't help much, so he switched to classical.

He pulled into complex's parking lot. Jumping out of the door, he rushed into the lobby and up the stairs to room 527 on the fifth floor. Out of breath, he made it to the door. Michael knocked on the door. He didn't hear any movement at all. He knocked on the door again. Aggravated, he tried kicking down the door. Michael was unsuccessful in completing this task. Soon citizens of the apartment complex were coming out of their rooms to see what all the fuss was about. Turning his head to view all the attention he had attained, Michael continued to kick the door.

Finally, after about twenty kicks, the door went down. Michael went in and searched the apartment. By this time, the citizens of the complex went back inside their apartments and barricaded their doors. Michael reached the bedroom. What he saw made him step back in total shock. The head of Michael's sister lay upon the bed. His sister, Virginia, was the victim on the television.

**Chapter 3**
Saddened by the loss of his sister, Michael cried himself to sleep for three consecutive nights. He didn't leave his house during that duration. He made but one phone call and that was to his best friend, Brian Miller.

Brian and Michael had been friends since early middle school. They shared the same classes and were in band together. Brian is now the second chair clarinetist for the Fullsville orchestra. The two of them had such a strong bond that nothing could break it. Through good times and bad they were there to help each other.

Brian tried to comfort Michael in his hour of need, but it seemed like nothing would make Michael cheer up. His sister being only twenty-eight, he felt that losing his older sister at an early age is simply unbearable. Brian invited Michael to his concert, in hopes of cheering him up just a little. Michael reluctantly agreed to go.

He put on his best suit and headed for the concert at the Reynolds Concert Hall in West Fullsville. Because Brian was a well-known player, he was able to get Michael one of the best seats in the hall. Sitting in his seat, Michael noticed some very familiar faces in the orchestra. Miriam was an acquaintance in middle school and is now first chair French horn player. He saw Emily, Philip, Elizabeth, and Patricia. Michael was simply ecstatic to see all of his former friends in the orchestra. He was trying hard not to think about his sister. A surprised visitor greeted Michael's eyes as he looked up. It was Ashley. Ashley had been one of Michael's best friends in high school. She had moved to northern New York to study art.

"Ashley, what are you doing here?" Michael questioned.

"I heard what had happened to your sister and Brian gave me a call to see his concert tonight," Ashley answered. "I know how much pain you must be in and I am sorry for your loss."

"Eh...I don't want to really talk about it," Michael said.

The lights in the concert hall dimmed and out walked the conductor, the first chair violinist the first chair clarinetist, and Brian. Brian's medium cut, black hair was tied back and he was clean shaven. They took their respective seats and began. Throughout the entire performance Michael couldn't help but think of his sister, even though he enjoyed the concert. During intermission, Michael and Ashley visited the backstage area, where the musicians rested until the finale of the concert. The room was large and full of director type seats, where the musicians were drinking their weight in water. Brian came up to them with an enthusiastic expression on his face.

"I am so glad you made it tonight!" exclaimed Brian.

"Well... You know I couldn't miss your performance," said Michael.

"You sounded great out there Brian!" Ashley said.

"Well what about me?" An all too familiar voice answered. "I think I did a better job than Brian. I am after all the first chair French horn player."

"Miriam, shut up," Brian voiced sourly.

"You better watch it Brian, or you will be the next to go," Miriam chuckled.

"What's her problem?" Inquired Ashley.

"She has been jealous of me for years, so she makes idol threats," Brian claimed.

The stage manager ushered Michael and Ashley back to their seats for the remaining part of the concert.

The concert went on smoothly, until midway into the last song. The lights went out and it was completely black. A scream was heard from within the concert hall. Suddenly roars of screams were coming from the crowd in all directions. The lights reappeared and there were still screams from the audience as one person laid on the stage, blood pouring from her side. Ashley and Michael looked over the balcony and gasped. Miriam had been killed. Brian rushed over to her and yelled for someone to call the authorities.

Police arrived shortly there after, followed by an ambulance. The policeman noted that there were multiple pieces of the curtains torn to shreds. Miriam also had the two knife cuts that were associated with Virginia and her boyfriend's death. Brian was called in for questioning, as was the conductor, Michael, and Ashley.

"Brian, was there anyone you can picture, that wasn't there after the concert?" Asked the policeman.

"Yes. Yes I can picture someone. There was one person who I didn't see after the incident. It was...Emily!"

**Chapter 4**
The thought of Emily being the one that killed Miriam, Virginia, and her boyfriend rocked the town. Michael spent much of the next day thinking of motives for why Emily would do such a thing. The only conclusion he could come up with was that Emily was always quiet and never really associated with anyone unless she was spoken to. Emily was so jealous of Miriam; she couldn't help but get rid of her. This still didn't answer the motive for the killings of Virginia and her boyfriend.

A funeral was held for Miriam at the Fullsville chapel two nights after the incident. Miriam's husband, Jamie, orchestrated it. It was indeed a very grievous event, especially for Michael. He was not only mourning Miriam, who wasn't really a good friend to him, but was mourning his sister too. Jamie gave the eulogy, but was so choked up by this, that he had to stop and the minister took over where Jamie left off.

That night, Brian was conversing with Michael about who would be the next to die. Michael couldn't think about it. But Brian wouldn't let the subject die. Michael couldn't think of names. The two killings were so heterogeneous; they couldn't be linked at all.

"I just don't know how this could happen...In our town of all places," Michael interrupted the brief silence. "It doesn't seem logical. And it won't stop. The killer won't stop until every single one of us is dead."

"I disagree. The killer has a motive. We just need to figure it out before it strikes again," Brian concluded.

"I will probably be the next. Emily never really had a liking for me anyway. Look at Miriam. She told me that Miriam was going to get hers one day. And now look what happened," Michael said in a pit of sorrow.

"We don't know for sure if she is the killer. All we know is that she is the only one to be missing after the concert," Brian thought.

"But don't you see Brian? All of the evidence points to her. She is the one that killed my sister and I will be damned if she kills again," Michael said in a huff and left.

Brian left the funeral, outraged that Michael didn't see the bigger picture, but was consumed with nabbing this killer. It is blinding Michael's vision, Brian thought to himself. Brian walked down an alleyway. It was a shortcut to his house. He looked closely and something prevented him from seeing the end of the alleyway. Coming closer he saw it was a person with something metallic in its right hand. Cloaked in all black, the figure appeared much closer. The object was a very seraded knife. Brian stopped in his tracks. He started walking backward as the figure moved closer.

"I can't believe it. You are the...killer!" Brian gasped.

The killer nodded in satisfaction. Brian turned his back to the figure and ran for his life. The killer continued to walk, stopped, and then projected the knife in the air. It impelled itself in the back of Brian, bringing him straight to the ground with a large smack. The killer walked ever closer to him. Brian had enough strength in him to crawl his way to the edge of the alleyway; the pain he felt was excruciating. The killer now stood over him. It grabbed the knife from Brian's back and pulled it out sharply. Brian yelled in agony. Fortunately, his yell of pain attracted some attention. Citizens came over to the alleyway. When they arrived, the killer was nowhere to be found. Brian was still on the ground bleeding from his back and screaming as if under a torture device, as the knife laid beside him. Paramedics arrived at the scene and loaded Brian into the ambulance.

Meanwhile, Michael was driving home from the funeral, when he caught sight of the ambulance. Still in an angry frame of mind, he decided to follow the ambulance to see what happened.

**Chapter 5**
Arriving at the hospital, Michael casually walked in and went up to the reception desk.

"The ambulance that just pulled up here. What happened?"

"A man is in critical condition and was wounded in the back by a blade," The receptionist replied.

"Do you know who it is?" Michael asked.

"Due to our patient confidentiality act, we are not allowed to give out personal information unless you or any other person has proof of responsibility," the receptionist read from her handbook.

"Look, I have no time for this. Who was hurt? And don't give me this 'patient confidentiality' crap," spitted Michael.

"Sir, do we need to escort you from the premise?"

Michael couldn't take it any longer. Frustrated and angered, he busted through the double doors to the patient room. The receptionist called after him, but Michael didn't stop. The large rooms full of the sick and dying scared Michael because he knew this could be his fate, if he runs into the killer. Twisted thoughts of death ran through his mind as he past each patient, who in turned, stared at him with pleading eyes. Michael couldn't help but act sympathetic towards these people.

He soon reached the ER observation hall. Assuring himself that this is where he would find the victim of the stabbing, he went in. Michael opened the door to find himself in a large, green corridor. He slowly walked into the corridor. Michael reached the window where they were operating on the victim. Michael pressed his face on the glass to see who it was, only to find out that the face was hidden under a white cloth. The doctors were working briskly to save the victim's life. Michael noticed that the pulse of the victim was losing strength.

One of the doctors, Stephanie, yelled out, "Give me one hundred CCs, stat!"

Michael's heart was beating faster and faster. He didn't want to see another person in his town die. He looked down at his feet to give a silent prayer. He looked up and a smile started to grow upon his face. The pulse of the victim was stable. Doctor Stephanie and her crew rejoiced and continued with the surgery.

Michael sat through the entire surgery. He was a little angered that he couldn't see who it was. It took nearly two hours for the surgery to be completed. As the doctors took of their gloves and masks, Michael rose to see a nurse about to pull back the sheet covering the victim. At last, Michael would be able to accomplish the one objective he set out for. The nurse pulled back the cover. Michael's mouth dropped and looked down at his feet with a tear rolling down his face.

**Chapter 6**
Michael muttered under his breath, "I can't believe it was Brian. How could it be? I truly regret everything I said to him at the funeral. What's going to happen if I don't see him again?"

Michael was so distraught over this most recent event. He barged through the doors out of the observation hall.

"All of my friends and family are dying because of this monster. I am sure to be next," Michael thought aloud.

Walking along the hall, Michael bumped into one of the nurses exiting the ER staff room. Michael promised himself that he would try and comfort Brian as best as he could, as Brian would have done from him.

"Where can I find Brian Miller's room?" pronounced Michael, trying to fight back his emotions.

"He will be in room 104 on the west wing," replied the nurse. "But he will be in recovery for at lest a half hour."

"Thank you," said Michael.

"Hey, why did you want the information for anyway? You know we can't be too careful, especially with this killer on the loose," said the nurse suspiciously.

"I am a friend of his. A good friend," Michael answered.

The nurse nodded and moved on. Michael turned around and walked to the west wing. Strolling along the ever-lasting corridors, Michael continued to hold back the mix of emotions he was feeling. He was feeling grief because he thought Brian was going to die, but he was also feeling rage, for he wanted to nab this killer before it striked again.

At last, Michael had reached the west wing of the hospital. He went down the long, blue hallway. It happened that room 104 was at the very end of the hall on the right. Michael knocked on the door. He could hear movement stirring in the room. Finally, someone slowly opened the room. The room was dark and a figure appeared in the doorway with something shiny in its right hand. Michael stepped back.

"Turn on the light," the voice hissed.

The lights turned on and Doctor Stephanie was in the doorway. With a sigh of relief Michael tried to maintain his composure.

"Why it looks like you just seen a ghost," Dr. Stephanie said, holding a scalpel in her hand.

"I'm sorry, it's just that with all the killings lately," Michael began.

"You thought I was the killer didn't you?" Dr. Stephanie finished.

"Well...Sort of," Michael looked embarrassed, scratching the back of his head.

"May I ask why you are here?" Dr. Stephanie inquired with a tone of seriousness.

"Well I am a friend of Brian Miller. The patient you just operated on just a few.."

"Yes, yes I know. Okay, come on in. Brian is in critical condition. We are only going to permit visiting hours for thirty minute sessions. We have gotten Brian to talk, very little as it was, but it looks like the fall to the ground, caused a small form of amnesia. So he might not remember who you are," Dr. Stephanie reported.

"What? What happened to Brian?" Michael sounded alarmed.

"According to eye witnesses, he was a victim of the killer. The killer lodged a knife in Brian's back and he was found on the ground screaming in pain. The knife was found beside him at the scene of the crime," Dr. Stephanie added, with a hint of excitement in her voice of retelling a story.

"Oh my god. So I was right. This was the killer that did this," Michael uttered.

"As far as we know. The killer wasn't found at the scene, but Brian said something about a killer. So we can only imagine that it is the Fullsville Killer," Dr. Stephanie announced.

A vibrating noise was heard coming from Dr. Stephanie's medical coat.

"I am sorry. I can't continue this conversation. Another patient needs my assistance," Dr. Stephanie exited.

Michael walked into Brian's room. An aura of death infiltrated Michael's mind. The room was painted sky blue, the curtains were completely drawn and the television was off. There was a heart monitor in the corner where Brian's bed was. The sound was very stable and sounded almost normal. Michael crept over to Brian's bed, not trying to cause any noise. Brian looked peaceful. He wasn't moving or awake for that matter and was lying on his stomach. There were all sorts of medical equipment attached to Brian. Michael sat down on the chair next to Brian. Water was filling up behind Michael’s eyes as he watched his best friend in the state he was in. Michael looked down to his feet; flashbacks of their best times together went through Michael's mind like a video projector.

Michael felt something on his shoulder. He looked up and his eyeballs almost popped out of his head. Brian's hand was on his shoulder with Brian's eyes staring straight at him.

**Chapter 7**
Brian's eyes looked so helpless as they stared into Michael's. It appeared that Brian was trying to say something, but couldn't.

"What is it Brian?" Michael said, looking concerned.

Brian still couldn't speak, but he looked worse for wear. Michael was then struck with a brillant idea on who the killer could be. He hypothesiezed that if he could get Brian to talk, Brian would be able to name the serial killer. Michael smiled from ear to ear with his full-proof plan. His obsession with this serial killer had dramatically increased.

"Brian...I need you to try and talk to me," Michael began. "You need to tell us who the killer is. Brian, who has done this to you?"

Brian said nothing. Michael was growing increasingly angrier with every minute Brian stayed quiet.

"Speak, Now!" he vented. "Damn you! Why won't you talk?" Michael started to yell.

Within a millionith of a second, Brian's eyes closed and the heart monitor's infamous flatline sound rang through the room. Michael started to panic as he covered his ears. A horde of nurses barged into the room, shoving Michael out the way.

Dr. Stephanie rushed into the room with a horror-strickened expression on her face. She told Michael to leave the room immediately. Michael left the room and stood in the doorway to see what was happening.

Several nurses started to check for heart failure. Dr. Stephanie ordered a couple of the nurses to fetch an dephibulator.

Ten minutes had passed and the nurses never came back. Dr. Stephanie had enough. She flipped Brian, to where his back was laying on the bed. The doctor performed CPR. It took three pumps, by Dr. Stephanie, into Brian's chest for the heart monitor to cease its noise. Brian's heart appeared to be coming back. He opened his eyes and slowly sat up. Dr. Stephanie was taken aback by this. Michael had a huge smile on her face.

**Chapter 8**
Brian glared at Dr. Stephanie sharply. A sick and twisted smile amounted on Brian's face as he tore out his IV's. Michael, looking frantic, called for some assistance.

Brian grabbed Dr. Stephanie by the throat and lifted her in the air. Not wasting another second, Michael ran at Brian and chopped him in the knees. Brian fell to the ground as nurses rushed in to rescue Dr. Stephanie. Michael grabbed Brian's arms, so he couldn't escape.

"Let go of me! She planted her lips on me!" Brian yelled out, trying to free himself from Michael's grip.

"She didn't kiss you. She didn't kiss you!" Michael stretched Brian's arms,"She performed CPR on you to keep you alive."

All movement made by Brian stopped. Dr. Stephanie was clasping her throat in pain. Michael released Brian, but made sure to be ready for another oncoming attack.

Things eventually settled down. Brian was kept heavily sadated with large doses of vicodin, to calm his built up tension. Exhausted and extremely tired from tonight's events, Michael fell asleep in one of the chairs adjacent to Brian's bed.

It was a quiet night in the hospital. Even though he was under huge amounts of medicine, Brian was very consious.

An unfamiliar doctor came into the room. The doctor was wearing a lab coat, a hood and a doctor's mask. Brian looked at the doctor with a confused, yet happy expression.

"I am here to finally get rid of you, Brian," The doctor whispered, walking over and placing masking tape over Brian's mouth. The doctor then taped Brian's hands on the railing of the bed. "You have become quite a nuissance to me. You survived that stab to back. I am impressed, yet dissappointed."

Brian reconized the doctor's voice as female. But he couldn't picture who it was.

"I wanted you dead. But you couldn't live with that could you?" The doctor continued, but didn't raise her voice in fear of waking Michael up. "You had to live and give hope to everyone that would name the serial killer. But you will not be alive for longer."

The doctor took the hood off. Her long blonde hair waved a little before settling down.

"If you haven't figured it out yet, I am the Fullsville serial killer. I am the one who killed Vriginia, her boyfriend, Miriam, and now you. I am not going to stab you again because that didn't work the last time. But what I will do is use this," the serial killer pulled a needle out of her lab coat. "This is a drug so powerful that it eats you alive. What it is," the killer leaned next to Brian, shoving the needle in front of his eyes. "This, when injected into your IVs, will release a virus that will deflate every major organ in your body. All of them except your brain. You will have enough oxygen and blood in your head to know that you are slowing dieing. Quite original isn't it?" The killer laughed.

Brian tried to struggle out of the bed, but couldn't. The serial killer took the needle and inserted it into his IV. A sick pleasure came over the killer's demeaner. Brian's movement immediately ceased. Brian's eyes started to close as the killer unmasked herself.

**Chapter 9**
Michael arose in the early morning. The curtains were open and the bright sun came through the big windows. He looked at his watch to see what time of the morning it is. It read eight o'clock. Michael stretched with his arms in the air, showing a little of his stomach. Just then, a shiver went down Michael's back as he looked acrossed the vast hospital room. He got up and looked around.

"Where is Brian?" Michael yelled.

A nurse walked by and opened the already half- opened door. She was wearing a tight nurses skirt with matching lab coat. She held a clip board in her left arm and a pencil in her right. Her blonde hair reached the middle portion of her back and the most gorgeous eyes Michael had ever seen.

"I am sorry to have over heard you. But the patient, Brian, has been taken into the E.R.," the nurse looked Michael from head to toe.

"What!" Michael's voice rang through the room with an ear-splitting shrill.

"I am afraid so. Brian wasn't moving at all earlier, so Dr. Stephanie took him into the E.R. The bad news is, though, they have been in surgery for several hours.."

"How did he become unconsciece?" Michael walked over to her.

"We still are unsure. If worse comes to worse, we will perform an autopsy on him."

"What are you saying? Are you telling me Brian is going to die?" Michael's mix of emotions was starting to erupt again.

"It is a possibility.."

"Tell me a yes or no," demanded Michael.

"Sir...umm..whats your name?" the nurse said in a seductive manner.

"What does it matter to you? I want to know if my best friend is going to die!"

"I promise you, he will not die. I heard it was just a minor surgery. But I can check if you want me to."

"Will you please?" Michael didn't hesistate to answer.

The nurse turned and walked out of the room. Michael surveyed the lower half of the nurse as she turned left.

'I really need a girlfriend,' Michael thought to himself.

An hour went by and no sign of the nurse or any doctors. Michael was starting to become worried. He got up from the chair next to the unoccupied bed. Stretching for just a moment, Michael started for door. As he was walking out of the room, another nurse was coming from the opposite direction and collided right into Michael. She, the nurse, apologized quickly and went on her way at the same pace as she started.

Michael walked through the long corridors for what seemed like hours, and no sign of the ER. The endless walking was starting to take its toll on Michael's rock-solided legs.

"Why can't I find the ER?" Michael questioned himself aloud. "It was just last night that I was there."

Passing through two more doors brought Michael to an extremely long room. He took a few seconds to look the place over. The walls were painted a light blue and had some sort of seventies style boarder around the entire length of the room. There were multiple trash cans designated for needles and like. An extremely tall portrait of a microscope hung on the left side of the room and about a thirty-two inch television was directly straight ahead. Michael's mind was puzzled by the TV in the a room that was totally isolated. What struck Michael was that the TV was on and flipping through channels in a perputual motion. Michael moved ever so closer and stopped. An image, dressed in all black, the face completely covered, and a metallic object in its right hand. It appeared the figure was speaking, but no sound came out.

Michael made his way directly toward the television and starting to turn up the volume. The button was broken, as was all the other buttons on it. Subtitles appeared suddenly on the television. It read:

"Michael. You have eluded me for some time. How many more people must I go through to get your attention? Or perhaps I have your attention right now as you are watching this."

'How could it know I am here,' Michael looked puzzled.

"I know you probably know who I am. Or shall I say, what I am. If you haven't guessed it, I am the Fullsville serial killer. Your worst fear... Your worse nightmare.

Michael's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. The serial killer was right infront of him. If only he could see who it is.

"You can't escape from me forever. Escape from me forever. Escape from me forever..."

The message kept repeating itself over and over. Michael decided to turn around and run for it. He turned around and started running as fast he could. He busted through the doors and smashed right into a familiar face.

Michael looked up at the person in shere excitement.

"Ashley! Your here," Michael got up and hugged her.

"Yes, yes. I am here," Ashley said, keeping Michael close. "You are going through too much for such a young adult. I want to tell you something. Well it was going to be a surprise, but we just happened to collide with each other."

"What is it," Michael pulled away with a serious expression.

"I have decided to quit my art education to come live in Fullsville," Ashley smiled. "You shouldn't go through this pain alone."

"Thats great!" Michael exclaimed.

"And since Brian is not here anymore, you need at least one best friend to pull you through this," Ashley remarked.

Michael looked up at her. A confused expression reappeared on his face.

"What do you mean by Brian isn't here?"

"You haven't heard have you?"

"No, what is it Ashley?"

"Well," Ashley had a tear in her eye. "Brian was pronounced dead this morning."

"What!" Michael shouted, looking away with his arms above his head. He turned back to her. "What was the cause of death?"

"The doctors believe it was a poisoning. The results from the otopsey will come back within a few hours," claimed Ashley.

"This can't be. There is no way Brian, my best friend, could be dead. I won't, I can't let this happen," Michael was on the verge of a breakout.

"Which is precisely why I am here for good. You need someone else to be by your side," Ashley pointed out smoothly.

"No."

"What," Ashley looked at him suspeciously.

"I can't let you be here. You are at too great a risk of dieing next," said Michael.

"Why do you think I..."

"Because everyone one close to me has died," lashed out Michael. "My sister, her boyfriend. Miriam, even though she wasn't always that friendly, she was still nice to me. And to top it off Brian has died. Who's next? Thats why you can't stay here. You aren't safe anymore."

"But I am staying. You will not go through this alone," Ashley said, putting a hand on Michael's shoulder. "This is a painful time for this town. But we will catch the person responsible."

"No we won't. Emily is the most wanted women in this god forsaken town. Ever since that night at the concert, no one has seen Emily. She has just disappeared without a trace."

"What if I told you that I could hand Emily over to you?" Ashley said with a tone of complete seriousness.

Michael looked at her carefully.

"What do you mean?"

**Chapter 10**
Ashley paused and stepped back. Realizing what she had just said, she looked up, slightly puzzled.

"Look, I know where Emily is. And if you want me to find her, I will."

"Then why haven't you? We need to get her into the police and charged for four counts of premediated murder," Michael grabbed onto her shoulder.

"I wasn't sure if I could catch her. If I was to give out that I knew where she was, would I be living?" Ashley removed Michael's arm from her shoulder.

"Ah. You got me there," Michael said in a chuckle.

"But, I need you to help me," seriousness came over Ashley.

"How can I?"

Ashley took Michael out of the hospital. The freshness of oxygen filled Michael's lungs. It had been an extremely tiring night for him.

She grabbed the keys to Michael's car out of his pocket and unlocked the doors. Confused, Michael got into the passenger seat. Apparently Ashley had an alternative motive because they pulled into Michael's driveway.

"The reason I brought you here, was so you could get into the shower and change your clothes because you really stink," Ashley pretended to cover her nose with a smirk.

"Ah...okay," Michael looked even more confused.

They both walked into Michael's two story house. Ashley gazed around the white round walls with cathedral ceiling. Classy chandeliers hung in the overpast of every room. She walked into the large living room as Michael climbed upstairs.

"Make yourself at home," Michael began, taking off his shirt to reveal his ripped body.

Michael tryed to jump two stairs at a time, but on the second to last step Michael tripped and rolled back down them.

"Oh my god! Michael are you okay," Ashley ran to help him.

Michael grabbed his knee in pain. Ashley acted quick and got him peroxide from the downstairs bathroom. She cleansed the wound that was spilling blood onto the stair carpet.

"Michael can get up?" Ashley concernly asked.

"Yea. Yea."

Michael gripped the railing of the stairs and started to ascend them, flanked by Ashley to proctor him. Reaching the top of the floor, Michael could walk no longer. Ashley grabbed Michael's right arm and put it over her shoulder. Limping and all, Michael and Ashley made it to the bathroom. She sat him onto of the toilet.

"Are you going to be alright right from here," Ashley checked his leg again.

"Yea. I can take care of myself thank you," Michael said stubbornly.

Michael got up only to fall to floor in agony.

"Oh my god. Why me? Why is it going to be me to bath hi?" Ashley pleaded to lord. "Well, its nothing that I haven't seen, but still."

Ashley turned around as Michael removed the rest of his clothes. Michael rose to turn his back to her. Ashley turned around to try and look straight ahead and not look down at Michael's buttocks.

She was able to place Michael in the shower. Michael rested his leg on the shower seat. Ashley backed out of the curtain as the shower knob turned on. Weird thoughts ran through her mind.

Michael tryed to bath himself , but because he couldn't move his leg he asked for assistance from Ashley. Ashley sighed and prayed to heavens to give her strength.

He handed her a sponge filled with soap. Michael could feel Ashley's hand grip the sponge and apply it to his back. It felt kind of relaxing to him. Ashley, on the other hand, was having a tougher time trying to keep her mind straight ahead.

After that fiasco, Ashley went downstairs to sit on the couch while Michael was trying to get dressed. Ashley massaged her temples trying to think about what she just did.

Michael slowly walked down the stairs, wearing blue jeans, and a green dragon T-shirt.

"Alright Ashley, I'm ready," Michael called out.

Ashley reappeared in the doorway out of the livingroom.

"Took you long enough. I will tell you this, if you make me give you a sponge bath again, I'm gonna hurt you," she said jokingly.

They both walked out the door and got back in the car. Ashley, once again, drove. Michael didn't speak, but refled on what just happened to him. He just got Ashley, his best friend from high school, to give him a bath. Dreams like that always came to Michael at night. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that would actually happen. He smiled and stared at Ashley, as she cautiously swerved in and out of winding roads.

Michael had no idea where he was or where he was going. But a happy sensation was in his gut.

'Could Ashley be the one for me?' he thought to himself.

**Chapter 11**
The darkening of the clouds loomed over a busy street at the heart of Fullsville. Percipatation seemed enevietable, as a cars glided down the smooth lanes. Rain started to drissle down in light sheets.

Michael looked out the window to the massive scenery infront of him. Thoughts of Ashley were still swirling in his head. He turned his head to look at Ashley, as soon as the window was covered in water. Coming out of his daydream

"Ashley, where are we going?"

"Well...we are going back to the place where it all started," Ashey answered.

"It is sure taking a long time. We have been in this car for nearly an hour," Michael began to become antzy. "Wait a minute. We are going to the park?" Michael looked alarmed.

"No. We are going back to Reynold's hall, where I believe I know were Emily is hiding," Ashley grinned.

"Oh. Ashley I want to ask you something" Michael turned his head to look out the window.

"Yes?"

"About that night. At the Reynold's hall. The lights went out and I couldn't see or hear you. Why was that" he said.

"That is because it was pitch black and I was pretecting myself by hiding under the seat. Yu can't be too careful anymore."

"Oh. I see. It makes sense now," Michael looked relieved.

Not too much longer, they both pulled into the parking lot of the Reynold's hall. Michael got out of the car. Suddenly, images of Miriam lieing on the stage filled his mind. The blood pouring out of her neck and side made Michael squat to the ground. Ashley looked over at him.

"Michael. Whats wrong?"

Realizing Ashley was watching him. He got to his feet and pretended to act macho.

"Why nothing. Just got a sudden image of an event," Michael smiled.

Ashley shrugged and rolled her eyes.

Both of them walked into the enormous hall. The place looked dead. Michael concluded that the place hadn't been used since that night at the concert. What was once an elegant and majestic theatre was now a crime scene from a television series. Everyplace, the ticket office, the concession stand, even the bathrooms, were taped off in yellow crime scene tape. Michael and Ashley made their way through the yellow tape to the entrance to the stage area.

Opening the doors, they found that it was even worse than the lobby. The backstage area, where Michael and Ashley visited Brian during intermission, was taped off so bad that it seemed like a yellow blur to Michael. Ashley grabbed Michael's back, telling him to halt.

"I think we should split up to cover more area. It is the easiest way to look for her," Ashley walked ahead of him.

Not wanting to sound scared or less of a man, Michael nodded reluctantly. Ashley walked straight ahead and told Michael to look for clues on the stage. He winced, but went through the doors and found himself on the stage where it all happened.

Michael looked around. The place had drastically changed. Music stands were turned over and the chairs the musicians sat in seemed like they were thrown everywhere. There was one seat, in the middle of the stage, that had the yellow tape wrapped around it heavily. Coming ever so closer, Michael saw the stain of blood on it. He looked down on the floor. He stepped back with his mouth ajar. The stains of Miriam's blood were still on the ground and on her chair.

Just then, Michael heard something snap. He looked up in complete horror. In the blink of a second, Michael ran in a direction as a very heavy sandbag fell from the ceiling. Knowing better, Michael knew that this wasn't merely a coincidence.

"Ashley!" he yelled out. "Ashley, I need you over here now!"

In a matter of minutes Ashley arrived on the scene.

"What is it?" She questioned.

"This sandbag fell and almost hit me. I know that this was a calculated plan."

"How so?" Ashley defended.

"Well it wasn't a freak accident. I know that for sure. And it happened to be in the same exact spot I was standing in. It could have landed anywhere else. But no, it landed in my direction," Michael turned around to massage his temples.

"This is very odd," she went in closer to inspect the bag. "There are blood stains on the bag. It looks like an arrow pointing to the intermission room, where we met Brian, the night of the concert."

"Why would it point in that direction?" Michael was even more perplexed.

"I don't know. Lets follow it," a jolt of excitement hit Ashley.

"I'm not sure it is very wise," Michael forwarned.

"Michael...Do you ever want to find this killer?" Ashley turned to him. "We will never have peace in our lives until this monster is caught. We need to follow all paths, because you will never know where they lead to."

Michael gave in and followed her out of the stage. He found himself back in the intermission room. Ashley pointed to seperate dressing rooms and instructed him to search the dressing rooms on the left, while she searches the ones on the right.

"You never know what we could find in here," Ashley yelled out from the other side of the room.

Michael went into the first dressing room. The lights were off. He was able to find the switch and turned them on. It was a small dressing room. Nothing in it but a vanity mirror and racks upon racks of costumes. It appeared to be more than a concert hall.

After finding nothing at all in the first one, he went into the second one. It was slightly larger, with a couch in the far end and a television in the right hand corner. Everything in this one was very plain and nothing out of the ordinary.

Michael reached the last dressing room. From the outside it appeared to be the largest of them all. He turned the handle to the door and went in. Like the first room, the lights were off. The switch wasn't as visible as the first one, so Michael decided to feel his way around the room. He grabbed onto something. It felt kind of clammy and life like.

"Ashley! Get in here!" He called out.

Ashley made it to the room and found the light switch quicker than Michael could. She turned them on and looked up. Ashley's face went pale and started to scream, deafening any other sound Michael made as he looked up to who he was holding onto. He was holding the hand of Emily, who was dangling from the ceiling.

...to be continued on a new static item, since I have used up my storage.