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.
As I opened the door, I instantly felt the cool breeze of the A/C hit my face "mmmm, now that's more like it." Making my way to the bed, I pulled my t-shirt over my head and dropped it to the floor while removing my paper wrapped package from the Macy's bag. As tired as I was, there was no way that I was going to go to sleep without feeling it against my skin ….at least once.
As the handle slid into my palm once again, I knew I had chosen the right one; we were made for each other. I held the tip to my bare skin, just below my throat and felt its cool bite of sharpness. Slowly I began dragging it down my chest, watching the blade slide across my goose bumped flesh, slowly making its way over my bra and down my stomach. It felt divine, like a cold silk wave washing over me…..slowly creeping down until it slid right into the spot. I didn't even need to look anymore; my hand could direct a knife right to that spot in pitch blackness now. It was as if it pulled the blade there itself, calling the knife to it. I held it there for moment relishing the feel of it and then pushed it in swiftly. Squeezing my eyes closed and letting out a barely audible whimper, the familiar pain filled my stomach, hot searing pain. I sucked in my stomach tight pushing my breasts upward and arching my back into a shallow breath. I held that position for about a minute before releasing the blade from its home in my skin. That pain was now an old friend of mine, a comfort to me. As I let the knife drop to my side, I slipped into a blissful sleep, never letting go of the grip I held on it.
I woke long before my wake up call, the anticipation filling me with excitement. I stood in the shower and went over everything in my head one more time. I closed my eyes and pictured the events to follow in perfect detail as the hot water streamed down my body, stinging my sensitive stomach. Yes, it was absolutely perfect and I was finally ready to face my killer.
I toweled myself off quickly and smiled as I began to dress. As I slid into my black cotton shorts and white lace bra, I couldn't help but think of his reaction, his total surprise. I was so pumped up and filled with nervous excitement that I had put my t-shirt on backwards. As I turned it around I told myself to get a grip, maintaining control was going to be so important today, maybe even life or death. The thought alone made me let out a small giggle which echoed in the otherwise empty hallway.
Once in the car, I took a few deep breaths and then got the map I had picked up at the airport out and unfolded the piece of paper I had so carefully coveted. Talking to myself I carefully covered the paper with my hand "this is it, there is no turning back, if you look at the paper then you are damn well going through with this, otherwise just drive back to the airport and go home." I took a few more deep breaths and removed my hand, "14 Countryside Drive" as I located the street on the map, I had this nagging feeling that I should have chosen to go home, but what the hell, I didn't come all this way for nothing.
"10…….12…….14, hmmmm not a bad looking house" as I drove past the house I took a mental picture of the truck parked in the driveway. Turning around on the next block, I pulled to the side of the road and parked. Nothing to do now but wait. Again, I went over the plan in my head, envisioning every step of the way, every action and reaction.