“Good night, Miss Astrid! Don’t work too hard! See you tomorrow!” Nikki Waved as she left for the night. Fortunately, the rest of the day was pretty easy going. Mondays where never too exciting even for a book Stores standards. Though today's activities and profit were the last thing on the young woman's mind. It was where it had been for a while now. Michael the supposedly accomplished writer / stalker. Which one was his day job and what was his hobby. Either way it made her skin crawl at the thought of him just watching her... and dare she say a little exciting. Sure, Astrid was no saint by any standards these days. Having a body count much past what most of society, and not the kind that gross men would brag about to their pals. Though would that even slightly make it okay to have this feeling in the pit of her stomach? Yes, most women liked the idea of a guy fawning over her. But not exactly in this manner, and not from this kind of guy. She needed to stay focused, and be ready for anything. Michael was dangerous and there was no time to forget that. He knew her name, and where she worked. Who knew what else he could have knowledge of. Brandan was now star athlete, but he was still a grown man. Yet Michael the “writer” took him down with not even a peep. Yes, she was in a car, but she should have heard something right?
“ I was simply too excited to kill him myself! Some form of rose covered glasses. I just didn’t notice but that won’t happen again!” Next time she will be ready for the fucker. No tricks were going to happen this Friday. She would go there, get answers, possibly a decent meal, then bye bye Michael. Was it foolish to go to his place? Oh yes very much, but she needed answers. Astrid had four days to get ready. Figure out her questions for the crazy fuck, and how she was going to end him. Michael definitely had to go, there was no doubt about that. He was the perfect second victim and would be great experience going forward. The high from her first finally wore off the night before they met. Hence why she even let her friends drag her out. All those men in such a small space made her want to vomit. None of them probably had ever had a stable relationship. They were there to hurt someone, and not give a shit about it in the morning. They were going to be just like Dean, and Astrid wasn’t going to let that happen again. Exiting the shop, Astrid pulled out a key and locked the door. Throwing it back into her purse before looking around. She didn’t need a repeat of this morning and afternoon. No more men surprising her, and the next who tried to do so was going to be practice for Friday. Making her way down the street towards home. A car stood by in the nearby alley, as two people watched.
“Find out anything kid?” the small light of a match formed under a cigarette. The Rough face of Detective Scottson illuminated up as he took a drag. Taking in a deep breath of the nicotine filled object, before slowly releasing a thick cloud into the vehicle. His action being met with a series of coughs and waving of the passenger’s hand. With a roll of his eyes, Brian cracked his window. Smoke bellowing out of the open window, into the night’s air.
“Nothing Yet sir. And what makes you think the perp will return to see her?” The second body of the car leaned against their hand. Eyes following Astrid down the street before she disappeared around a corner. “I get the whole don’t leave any witnesses alive deal with most of these guys. But from everything you have told me sense we started working this case. This guy isn’t your normal serial killer, and the standard means of profiling others shouldn’t really apply to him.” Another slow drag and release of smoke excited the older detective's mouth. A few seconds of silence passed before finally answering.
“You’re right kid, he isn’t like most perps. He isn’t like most people in general, and that is exactly why I know he will come back. He doesn’t waste any time, and I,m almost 100% sure that he had enough time to do her in. Then why didn’t he? What made this woman so much different?” Reaching into the back seat, grabbing folder with a label reading “Astrid J. Von Rose”. Opening the first page Brian skimmed through it. This girl was as clean as he was sure his left eye didn’t work. “No troubled past, no rough upbringing, average grades through school, and runs a small pretty successful business. The most that has ever happened to her is a missing boyfriend a couple of months back. Now everything that happened last night. Like all of a sudden, she is magnet for bad shit.” With a toss of the folder into the back, he took one more drag, then tossing the cig out the window.
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“I guess that makes sense sir, and I guess we will just have to do our duty to catch him before more bad stuff can happen to her.” With a nod in response Brian revered the old cruiser to life. Shift in to gear he began to pull out of the ally. Only to be stopped when a young couple moved out in front of them. They looked like the text book definition of “rebels without a cause”. The pair jumped back before the male with them slapped the hood of the car.
“Watch where you’re going asshat!” Pulling the women back to his side. Flicking the two cops off before being on their way. “You alright babe? Ill gladly go kick their asses if you want me to.” The girl shook her head before placing it on his.
“Don’t worry about it love. You got a show on Friday remember? Don’t need anything happening to those perfect hands of yours now do we?” The two shared a kiss before being on their way.
“I swear kids these days don’t have an ounce of gratitude in their bodies. All we do for them and they have the nerve to act that way in public.” Much to the younger’s surprise, this was met with a hardy laugh from the other. Shaking his head, he pulled out of their spot finally.
“I remember being just like you when I first started. Also, I remember being just like them when I was that young. It,s just a difference of viewpoints, and we can’t change that. One day they will need to grow up, and one day you’re going to see that the world is full of injustice. All we can do is protect it the best we can.” Unexpectedly he reached up ruffled up the younger detective’s hair. “Look on the bright side though. Your statement put me in a good mood. So, first rounds on you kid.”
“Sir the first round is always on me.” They sighed shaking their head with a small smile. Passing the couple before just a few moments earlier. Giving them a honk, causing them to jump again. Once again getting a finger from the rockstar Wanna-Be. Unknown to the detectives and the young lovers, a third party stood by watching. Eyes moving to the traveling car then to them. With a smirk and an adjustment of his glass Michael started towards the couple. He too had to get ready for Friday. All so many plans for his dear Astrid. It was going to be a dinner she won’t yet forget. Well on the other side of town a shiver went up Astrid’s back.
“The hell?” the blond looked back and forth as she held onto the handle of the front door to her building. Shrugging it off, she entered and hurried to her apartment. Quickly getting in, locking every lock she had. Moving through the home closing the blinds and checking all possible hiding spots. With a sigh of relief, she plopped down on her couch. Whiskers being quick to join and begin his whining for food. “Come on fluff ball, Mama just got home and wants to relax a bit.” When the meowing and pawing continued, she groaned, getting back to her feet. Getting the feline what they wanted, she giggled as his face dove into the bowl. “You want to go to dinner for me instead chunk?” He lifted his face slightly to meow then went back to eating. “Yeah, didn’t think so.” Letting her fuzzy companion finish, Astrid went off to shower. Finding herself standing before her closet of clothes. Looking through everything she owned and seeing what looked best. Astrid stood in front of her mirror, holding a marron skirt before her. Turning ever so slightly at different angles. She gave a soft smile then shook her head throwing the dress down. “The fuck am I doing? You are going there for answers! This isn’t a date! Stop trying to look good for the creep” pausing looking down at the heap of her dress on the floor. She scooped the article of clothing up and hung it back in the closet. Backing slowly then falling to bed with a humph. Whiskers, having just finished his meal jumped on the bed. Brushing against her hand, then flopping to the bed beside her. Astrid stared at the ceiling, as she started petting him. “You think I’m going crazy buddy?” Not a peep came from the house pet, which made her laugh slightly. “Why can’t I find a man more like you. Knowing when exactly not to say anything.” rolling over to her side, bringing Whiskers close. She nuzzled into his fur with a deep sigh. Not wanting to think about it anymore, her eyes slowly closed. It was not long before she had finally found the sleep that alluded her so bad last night.