As the pilot's voice floated above announcing that we were descending for landing I leaned back into the chair and slowly ran my finger across my stomach. I was completely oblivious to anyone else around me, filled with dark thoughts and desires. Awakening from my trance as the plane bounced to its landing I reached into my pocket and gently rubbed the tiny piece of paper that was there. I couldn't help but check for that paper at least every half hour, I still couldn't believe that I was doing this.
It was just so easy though, so fucking easy! Even before I had a single thought of doing anything this drastic, I had all the information I needed that first time he called. Now he completely trusted me, and rightly so…after all, I had let him kill me at least thirty times online and on the phone…each time was just a little better and little closer to the real thing.
As I stood by the baggage conveyers and watched all of the bags circle before my eyes I could hear this hushed whispering beside me. Glancing over in the direction of the whispers I saw an elderly couple staring at me with obvious disapproval in their eyes. I suddenly realized that I had lifted my shirt again and was sliding my nails up and down my belly in full view, exposing my tiny and numerous scars. It had become such an unconscious habit; I don't even think about it anymore, it's just natural. Quickly I pull down my shirt and re-compose myself, again checking for that tiny piece of paper in my pocket.
"Jesus, I can't believe how damn hot it is here! It's freaking' October for god's sake!" I said exasperated to no one in particular as I lugged my bags up to the counter. The stern look on the rental agents face told me that I obviously was not from around these parts but also that all of Dallas would probably prefer it if I just went home! I wonder if Texas is in the Bible belt, eh regardless "Can I please just get my car, I would really like to get going" I retort back at him, glaring with the biggest 'fuck you' grin I can muster.
That seemed to have done the trick; I can't remember the last time I got out of any kind of rental place so fast! Pulling out of the driveway I clutch again at the tiny piece of paper and head to the hotel.
The room is perfect, although far from a honeymoon suite it is a picture of comfort. A huge king bed dominates the room and there are a few comfy chairs as well as a television. Pausing briefly at the entryway I take in the surroundings and then flop down on the bed feeling its mattress give in to the shape of my body a little.
Fighting the urge to sleep, I head out in search of the local mall. It didn't take long to find, the area is full of shopping centers. A Macy's, perfect! As I head to the house wares department, my adrenaline really begins pumping, the reality of what I am about to do starts to hit home.
"May I help you with selecting some cutlery?" the helpful assistant asked with a polite smile on her face. It was difficult to even tear my eyes away from all of the beautiful knives for more than a second. Such gleaming beauties lay before me, all of them shiny and new and undoubtedly very sharp. "Yes, I am looking for a knife, a nice butcher knife" I mutter under my breath as my chest begins to heave just a bit at the mere sight of all the blades before me. With a somewhat softer voice now, the assistant began walking away slowly "We have some lovely sets over here." I lift my head and meet her questioning gaze " I only need the one, tell you what – why don't you go round up all the butcher knives you sell and lay them out on the counter here and I will tell you which one I want" already I could feel myself growing impatient. As she began gathering up the various butcher knifes from different sets I caught myself stroking my belly again and forced myself to stop. This was neither the time nor the place.
As she began laying the knives out before me on the counter, I could feel my senses come alive, my body awaken and tingle. Even the sound that they made as she carefully laid them out was enticing to me. The gentle thud of the handle and then the soft clink of the metal hitting the glass counter sent shivers down my spine. Each one was a work of art, a stunning display of power, and passion, I stared at them with gleaming eyes as if I were setting eyes upon a fortune. I carefully made my way down the counter gently picking each one up and caressing it with my fingers. I can only imagine what the clerk must have thought at this point, but I really did not care, it needed to be perfect, everything needed to be perfect.
Finally coming to the last one, it was as if we were meant for each other. The black handle slid into my palm like it was custom made for an exact fit. Its steel blade caught the light as I turned it over in my hand, sliding my index finger along the length of its blade. It was so smooth and elegant, yet large enough to be menacing and very sharp. "It's perfect! I'll take it." I startled the clerk with my not so subtle enthusiasm, and she did not hesitate to wrap it up and quickly send me on my way.
I couldn't wait to get back to the hotel, it had been a long day and I was exhausted, I needed to be fully alert for tomorrow….yet still I knew I would have to examine the knife once more, in private.