Murder in Marenville

After they're dead I stand there as a sense of calm comes over me. They lay so still and their blood flows slowly across the floor, bright red and thick. Poetry in motion. Everything stops except the blood. The air is sweeter and the sun is brighter. No noise. The final climax. Peace.

"Mommy, where were you? Everyone is gone. Did you forget me?"
"I would never forget you, sweetheart. I'm sorry I'm late. I stopped at the store and forget the time. Let's go home."

Nothing on the local news. I guess he hasn't been found. Maybe he is still bleeding. Maybe the blood has covered the entire floor.

"Mommy, can you tuck me in?"
"Coming honey. Did you do your homework? Do you need any help? Let me take a look. Every answer looks right. I'm so proud of you."
"I love you, Mommy."
"I love you, too."

Maybe I should write a book. I'll call it something like "The Perfect Murder - Kill a Stranger and Never Get Caught." I'm really getting good at this. Six random strangers all blissfully, peacefully surrendering, the life's blood slowly spreading across the floor. That's real love; giving your blood to help someone calm down and feel so relaxed. A generous gift. I love them and they love me.

"You're home late tonight. I kept your dinner warm for you."
"Thanks. I'm starving. It was a long day. There was another murder in Marenville today. They still have no clue who's doing them."
"Really? I watched the news but they didn't say a word about it."
"It was just on the radio."

So they did find him. I wonder who it was. Maybe his wife. Maybe when the kids came home from school. It must be really thrilling to come home and find the body and the blood. What a rush. I wish I could do that some time.

"Did they say what happened?"
"A knife in the back, just like the rest."
"Oh."

I like Marenville. It's a beautiful town. The lawns are all mowed and the homes are always freshly painted. The streets are so clean. And it's quiet. During the day you hardly ever see a soul. I would live there if we could afford it. Of course I would have to stop killing the folks there because they would be my neighbors but I could go to another town. Maybe I should anyway. There are stay-at-home dads in other towns.

"Honey, next Thursday I'm meeting a friend for a 'girl's day out' really early. Can you take Amy to school?"
"Sure. No problem."

Thursday. I can wait that long. I can keep breathing until then. The air around me is always so thin. Sometimes I feel so dizzy. Just focus on Thursday. Get ready for Thursday. The knife. The gloves. The wig. Which school will it be? A new one? A revisit? Should I go to Marenville or find a new town? The police are really watching now. I better go to another. That means I have to leave earlier. I'll go south. Hampton School. That's it. Hampton School. I'll find a dad at that school for sure.

"Honey, I'll be home early tomorrow. Would you want to go out to dinner?"
"That sounds very nice."

Today I'm going to take a ride to the Hampton School to check out how the kids are dropped off. Dads don't usually go straight home. They go to the gym or the store. I need to chose one today and tag along. Ah - he looks nice. I bet he would be friendly to a damsel in distress. See, he's going to the gym. Out in an hour. That's good. And straight home. OK. He's my guy. Bye, handsome. See ya, Thursday.

"Mrs. Wilson, is Amy ok? Oh sure, I can go on the class trip Friday. It's been a while since I went on a trip. Don't tell Amy. Let's surprise her. I know she will be thrilled. Thanks for thinking of me."

The knife, the wig, the gloves. All ready. Tomorrow I will breathe again.

"Honey, I'm taking Amy to school tomorrow right?"
"Right."
"You know I had an idea. I think I'm going to play hooky and take a day for myself, too."
"You're not going to need me are you?"
"Of course not honey. Enjoy your day"

There he is. Pretty daughter. She'll miss him but she'll get over it. Kids forget fast.

We must have bought the same door bell.

"Excuse me, sir. My car just conked out right in front of your house. Do you know anything about cars? Really? Do you think you could take a look at it? I'd appreciate it. I've been meaning to join AAA but never got around to it. Could I step inside while you get your shoes? Thanks so much."

You really should never turn your back on a stranger at the door. You never know what they want. There it is. Do you smell the difference in the air? Do you feel the calm? You'll stop moving soon. Relax. It's a wonderful moment. Just you and me here together alone. Look. That's your blood. Slowly seeping out from under. It's over. How peaceful. How beautiful. I love to watch it move. The color. The music. Deep breath. Really deep breath. It's so hard to leave. Thank you. Thank you so much.

That's funny. He's not answering his phone. I hope Amy got to school all right. There's the car in the driveway. I wonder what he's doing.

"Honey, I'm home"
"Honey?"
"Are you there?"
What's this? Blood on the floor.
"Honey?"

"Oh my God."