GABRIEL (Killer Book 2) (13 page)

"Even psychopaths have emotions, then again, maybe not."

-Richard Ramirez

I sit next to Gabriel in the living room as we wait. He brought me a flowing, silk white gown in order to help me heal comfortably. He looks incredibly nervous.

Shit, I’m incredibly nervous.

I watch his knee bounce up and down erratically as he taps his left foot anxiously. I place a hand on his leg and his eyes meet mine. He hesitantly slides his hand over mine and squeezes my fingers gently.

We both startle when the doorbell rings throughout the house.

He gets up, and I watch him disappear into the foyer.

I nervously wring my fingers and stare at them as I wait on the couch.

My eyes dart to the entrance of the living room as Gabriel and his mother stand awkwardly.

She looks from Gabriel to me before she steps forward and extends a hand.

Standing, I walk towards her and wrap my fingers around hers. “Mrs. Smith, it’s nice to meet you.”

Smiling, she releases my hand. “Amelia, please. And you’re Dani?”

I nod. “That’s me.”

Gabriel places his hand on her back, “I’ve got some things that I’ve got to take care of. Please, call me if anything is wrong.”

She nods, “Everything will be fine son.”
“Nice place big bro!”

Our eyes travel towards the foyer where a younger version of Amelia stands, her eyes travelling around curiously.

“Jessy.” Gabriel says. Walking towards her, he wraps his arms around her shoulders.

“This is Dani.” He says as he ushers her towards me.

“Whoah.” She murmurs, and I flinch as she runs her fingers over my cheek. “What happened to you?”

“Jessy.” Gabriel warns.

I force a smile. “No. It’s okay. I got beaten up, that’s all.”

Amelia frowns as she looks towards Gabriel.

I watch as his jaw tenses. “Really?” He snaps.

“Oh,” I murmur, “It wasn’t him. It was my father.”

His mother’s eyes snap to mine. “Your father? Why would he do such a thing?”

Sighing, I plop my sore body back onto the couch. “He… I haven’t seen him since I was seventeen. He found me here.”

Jessy gasps. “You’re the girl that’s been missing.”
I nod slowly as my eyes travel to each of them.

Amelia’s eyebrows pinch together. “Gabriel, what is she doing here?”
He runs his hand through his hair, and when he’s about to explain, I jump in.

My eyes lock onto his. “Gabriel and I have been seeing each other for a while. We agreed that it wouldn’t be anything serious, but when I found out that my father was looking for me… he helped me. He brought me here. He’s been taking care of me. Then my father found me somehow.”

Jessy looks towards him. “So there was a lady in the picture. Liar.”

He pulls his eyes from mine. “Yes. And she has become something very special to me.”

My heart flutters as his eyes land on mine once more. “And I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

Amelia and Jessy look towards each other with a slight smile on their faces.

“On that note,” He continues, “I need to go get a few things taken care of. Please, call me if anything happens.”

“So how did you and Gabriel meet?” Jessy asks, her eyes never leaving her phone.

Amelia sits on the windowsill of the living room as she stares out aimlessly.

“Oh… We had a meeting. He was going to build the stage for my fall show, that’s actually supposed to happen in the next few weeks. I’m a designer.”

Jessy’s eyes snap to mine. “Really? Like, what kind of clothes do you make?”

“Jessy, leave the poor girl alone.” Amelia murmurs, her eyes never leaving the window.

Jessy scowls at her before her eyes meet mine. “So, how did you manage to get with my brother? He’s basically never dated anyone before.”
“Jessy,” Amelia says, standing and approaching us, “Why don’t you go take Bailey out for a walk.”

“But --”

Amelia holds a hand up. “Go on. I’d like to have a word with Dani.”

“I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.”

-Plutarch

I’ve learned how to hide away in the darkness as I help the demon’s voice echo. It bounce, bounce, bounces around, igniting the chaos that has yet to follow.

There is a way to madness, often it is learned. And if you’re unfortunate enough, you’ll have a shadow like me following you night and day, whispering imaginative ways to make them all fucking pay.

A shadow is not your friend, nor your enemy, but your conscience. A shadow is not your lord or your savior, but it will make sure you’re compliant.

There is evil in us all, and a shadow will make you rejoice in it, because when you’re evil – you can’t simply forfeit.

Yes, I am a shadow, and while you sleep, I will plot ways to make others weep.

I am the shadow that haunts your dreams, who helps you scheme your wrongdoings.

Those scary movies that you’ve been watching got it all wrong.

Because all along – monsters do not dwell in your closets or under your bed…

They live inside of your head.

"I haven't blocked out the past. I wouldn't trade the person I am, or what I've done - or the people I've known - for anything. So I do think about it. And at times it's a rather mellow trip to lay back and remember."

-Ted Bundy

Staring at my computer screen, I wonder what it is that I’m going to find. “The house” is what they called it. That would be the first place that I’d go, but how I’m supposed to find it, I have no clue.

I sigh as I recall what she’d said.

“Promise me that if you can’t end him, you’ll end me.”

I jump when I hear someone holler. Standing, I walk to the door and peer out of the blinds. My office is right across from my father’s, and I watch as he paces around like a madman. He’s having a heated discussion with someone on the phone. He probably thinks he’s the only one in the building since it’s after 8 PM.

His words are not audible as they are muffled by the glass windows and door. He’s definitely exasperated as he runs his hand through his hair and leans against the desk.

I decide to go to him, because my father never gets this upset. Something is wrong.

Once I exit my office, his blue eyes travel to mine, and when I reach his door – he scowls at me as he lowers his blinds and locks me out.

I stand flabbergasted as I look at the closed blinds. Perhaps he’s upset. I haven’t been involved in the family business lately. So much has been happening. I’m afraid that I’ve let him down. When I begin to turn, the door creaks open.

“Gabriel, come here.”

I walk slowly to the door and peer in.

“Who was that?”

His bloodshot eyes meet mine as he pours us both a tumbler of whisky. “Greedy bastard, deal or no deal type of guy. Sometimes you’ve got to strong arm them.”
He slides the tumbler towards me as I narrow my eyes at him before taking a seat. “What did he want? I’m sure that we could have worked out something.”

He laughs. “I’m sure we could have, Gabriel. I’m sure. You know, while I’m at it, why not just take a knife to my balls?”

I shake my head before diverting my eyes. He’s acting like a fool, surely it’s the alcohol in his system.

“Of course, you’d know all about getting what you want. Isn’t that right?” He says slyly, and my eyes meet his as he continues, “Isn’t that how you roll? Snatching up girls left and right, using them as you see fit, and then killing them in a sorry attempt to help them?”

My body grows rigid as my eyes stay locked on his.

“Yes.” He whispers. “Daddy knows all about you, son. I know what you like. I knew when you were younger. But hey, embrace it.”
“Stop.” I snap as I jump to my feet.

He snickers. “Dammit, Gabriel you’re always so serious. We’re just having some bonding time over a few drinks.”

“How do you know?” I ask shakily.

He smiles, “Let’s just say a little birdie told me.”

I frown at him and watch as his eyes move from me to the dark hallway outside of his office door. My eyes slowly move from him to the hall, and my breath catches in my throat when I see the shadow man standing still - right outside of the door.

Then, he takes off running.

“Hey!” I holler as my feet start moving after him. I follow him through hallways and around cubicles before he breaks open the doors with the glowing exit sign above.

I go down the many flights of stairs and stop when I see him standing right outside of the exit.

“What do you want from me?!” I scream.

He doesn’t respond, but I can see the outline of his lips curl into a smile.

Smoke clouds the stairway and when it clears, he’s gone.

My chest is heaving as I stare at the place where he was just standing. Turning, I run back up the stairs and to my father’s office.

The light is off, and when I flick it on, I grab handfuls of hair as I look over the neatly stacked papers of his once disheveled desk, the tumblers are clean and placed neatly on the shelf, the whisky remains unopened.

“No.” I whisper as tears rise in my eyes. “No, no, no. He was right there.”

My back slides down the doorframe as I sink to the floor. The tears that I’ve held in for so long run down my face.

It seems that madness is finally completely claiming my broken mind. My world is crashing around me as I question what’s real, and what’s not.

I question everything. Life, death, existence, decisions.

Dani.

Is she real? Is she the only thing that’s real?

I become angry as my tears transform from sadness to regret to anger.

My head flies back as I scream, releasing all of my turmoil into the atmosphere. I can’t keep it locked inside of my mind any longer.