It was dark. She realized that she was going to need to light the match a little early in advance if she wanted to get the job done at all. Praying that it would not be noticed she turned on the flashlight she was carrying and covered it with her hand. The bedroom looked even spookier now with looming shadows on the purple walls and on the ceiling. She could feel a shiver run through her as she drew nearer and nearer to her victim’s bed. As she leaned down she could hear the girl’s silent breathing. Still covering the flashlight she let it shine over the bed. The bed was a regular sized one with a wooden headboard and purple sheets and comforters. The girl’s shiny blond hair was all that could be seen as she huddled beneath the covers on the cold winter’s night.

She jumped as the little girl moaned in her sleep. She felt her body shake a little. Her hands were starting to sweat as she knelt beside the little girl and took out the coarse rope that she had stolen from the father’s workshop. The gloves that she was wearing were drenched in sweat and she found it hard to keep her hands steady. Laying the flashlight on the headboard she carefully and quietly wrapped the coarse rope around the girl’s neck. Then she took a gag out of her pocket and shoved it into the child’s half opened mouth.

This woke the girl and her head sprang from the pillow and she felt the girl’s cold blue eyes look at her with horror and fear. She quickly pushed the little girl down before she could wrench the gag away with her free hands. Then, smiling, she gave the knotted rope a decisive tug and then kept tugging.

The choking started and the coughing. But they were both muffled due to the gag in the girl’s mouth. The girl tried to push her away with her hands but with each try her efforts were weakened and more feeble.

Then she was still.

Satisfied with her work she took her flashlight and stood up. Brushing dirt off of her pants she headed for the door of the little girl’s room. She heard footsteps then coming from the bedroom where the girl’s parents slept. Shit. She shut off her flashlight and made her way down the hallway edging further and further away from the little girl’s room and closer and closer to the steps that led down to freedom and safety. Was this really worth it? The footsteps were becoming more clear and pronounced and she knew that she had to hurry. She had forgotten in her haste that the little girl was often checked on in the middle of the night.

Trying not to breath she went down the stairs one slow and careful step at a time. When one of them creaked she tried not to scream or cry out. The footsteps had stopped and she did not dare make a move. When the footsteps started again they were going in a different direction, not hers. She sighed silently and took the next few steps two at a time hoping to get out as fast and quickly as possible.

When she reached the kitchen she risked her flashlight and made her way down the hallway and finally to the back door where she quietly stepped out of the house. Running across the backyard she raced through the back wood and into the park. When she reached the swing set she was panting and had to clutch at her side where a stitch had formed.

Lowering herself onto the swing she carefully placed the flashlight in her jacket pocket and then gripped the ropes of the swing. She could feel the sweat forming on her forehead now. Now she was waiting for the inevitable police sirens. She knew of course that when Daddy or Mommy when to check on the girl their instinct would be to go directly to the telephone and call the police. She supposed it was probably stupid for her to stick around but she could not help it to save her life. She loved the thrill of killing and its aftermaths. She wanted to watch as the parents wept on the television and cried out vengeance to the unknown killer.

Feeling her breath come back to normal she stood up and began to pace the deserted park. She looked around noting that there weren’t even the usual junkies or drunken teenagers that were usually out and about. Maybe they had a premonition. She smiled to herself wishing that at least one stray would decide to take a stroll. There was no such luck and she found herself circling the park over and over again. Where were the police? She could not see them. Nobody was parking into the driveway of 43 Weston Avenue. Then she realized something was wrong. It was too quiet, much to quiet. She jumped when she stepped on a patch of ice and nearly slipped and fell. The wind was picking up and it as starting to get chilly.

She wondered if she should just give up on this one and head back to her apartment. As she was making for the direction of her home she heard them. The sirens were sounding at last. She turned around only to be greeted by the sight of four shadows. Shit. She made a run for it then, knowing who those shadowy men were. They were going to get her and she would not let them. She ran and ran. She heard footsteps and ran faster...

After a mile or so she noted with distaste that there were still people chasing her. she kept running feeling her breath start to come in short gasps. Stop following me damn it! Glancing behind her she saw all four of them running at her with open arms. It was sickening to observe and she kept running and running.

When they came to one of the main intersections of the city she took advantage of their halting discomfort as cars zoomed back and forth. She ran right into the line of traffic and a car swerved to a careening stop as she jumped in front of it. Then she reached the other street and turned into an alleyway not even glancing behind her to see the shadowy policemen she knew were still in vain pursuit.

Feeling a little tired she continued running at top speed through several more streets and then finally when she could no longer move her legs she stopped and panted. She looked behind her and smiled with grim satisfaction. All four men were nowhere to be seen. It was truly relieving. It had been a close one of course. She resolved solemnly not to stroll the park again.

Regaining composure and control she walked the next two blocks to her apartment and stepped into the lobby. Getting into the elevator she went up to the third floor and ran for her room. Feeling a lot more secure she took off her shoes and coat and headed for the shower.

After showering she headed for bed feeling relaxed and safe.

A job well done.