The Creeper

Rose stood also, flipped her notebook closed. ‘Thank you for your time.’ She made her way to the door. She could feel his eyes on her all the way.

Weirdo, she thought. And his ex-girlfriend sounded like she made stuff up all the time. There was a feel of that from the case notes. And that’s what her report would say.

She left the house and went to find her car.

Outside on the street, the level crossing siren was broadcasting at air raid pitch once again.

She blocked it from her mind, thought about the first gin and tonic waiting for her at home.

30

The Creeper closed his eyes, willed the night to wrap itself around him.

He had learned to love the dark. The time of hunters. Of secrets. Of lovers. It made him feel truly alive, let him move, flow like a living shadow. His vision was at its strongest. The world was at its truest. And Rani would talk to him the most.

Whisper her secrets. Tell him what to do.

He smiled at the thought.

He used to hate the dark. Hate and fear it. It was where the demons lived. Waiting until nightfall when they would emerge, come hunting for him. Canvas-covered, smelling of sweat and drink, of secrets and lies. Of pain and fear.

He hid at first but that never fooled them. They knew all his secret places. They would find him. And hurt him.

But that wasn’t him any more. That boy died in the fire. Now he was the Creeper. And he could fight back. And the demons couldn’t hurt, couldn’t scare him any more.

His eyes were screwed tight shut but darkness refused to fall quick enough.

He thought again of the previous night. Kneeling beside Rani, his head next to hers, smelling along her arms, the soft, downy hair tickling his nostrils.

Then later, moving her T-shirt up and licking her stomach. One long line from the top of her trimmed hair to her belly button. He had savoured the taste. Relived it now… Smiled at the memory.

The smile stopped. There would be nothing like that tonight.

Not with the blonde bitch there.

Rani had found her present. It had moved her to tears once more. He enjoyed seeing that. Afterwards, he was sure she would have sent the blonde bitch home, let the pair of them be alone. Together. But she hadn’t. They had drunk a bottle of wine between them and it looked like they were embarking on another. And sometimes Rani had cried and the blonde bitch had consoled her. Sitting where he should have been. Her arm round his love.

Him bringing the smile back to her face. Him. Him. His hands begin to shake. Not a good sign. He had always been angry. Like that kids cartoon character, the Tasmanian Devil, spinning and punching and kicking his way through life. Until Rani appeared. And he had learnt how to harness it. Use it, don’t let it use him. Difficult at first, but he had managed it. But it was still there, slithering underneath his skin, threatening to return him to how he used be, threatening to take control.

He watched them again. Rani thanking the blonde bitch for staying, the bitch saying it was the least she could do. Control the shake. Keep breathing.

And still, he hadn’t heard her voice.

He closed his eyes, tried to concentrate. He could see his lover better that way.

He felt himself stiffening. Felt that curling and writhing in the pit of his stomach. His hand moved down his body, found the waistband of his trousers. He sighed. Kept his eyes closed. Kept touching.

What are you doing now?

He took his hand away quickly. Tried to control his breathing. ‘Nothing…’

You sure?

‘Yes, yes, I’m… Sorry, sorry, Rani…’

Don’t be sorry. It’s nice you make tributes to me. Shows you love me, doesn’t it?

‘Oh, I do, Rani, I do, you know I do. That’s why I left you the present…’

She was silent for a few seconds. He heard her breathing, thought she was going to disappear again. Then she was back. Her voice less playful, angry even. You’ve been naughty again, have you?

He froze. She knew. The police, everything. She knew. He had to be careful, not lose her again. He said nothing.

You just had to touch, didn’t you? You just had to touch me…

He said nothing.

Didn’t you?

‘Yes… yes…’

You came into my room… touched me while I was asleep. Didn’t you?

He nodded.

Can’t hear you…

‘Yes… I’m sorry…’

You’ve caused a lot of trouble, you know.

‘I know. And I’m sorry…’

Lot of trouble. The police, everything.

‘I know… I’m sorry…’

I might have to disappear.

Fear suddenly grabbed him, a childhood demon, its claw round his throat. ‘No, no, you can’t, please no…’ Life without Rani. Wasn’t worth living.

You’ve made things very difficult…

‘No, no, please, don’t go, I’ll do anything, anything…’

She sent silent. He thought she had disappeared.

‘Rani…’

I’m here. I’m thinking.

Relief washed over him. Flooded through to his nerve ends. ‘Whatever you want. I’ll do it.’

I know you will. Let me think.

He waited, hardly daring to breathe.

I think… it’s time for me to change.

‘What? Again? But you’ve just…’

Doesn’t matter. You know what to do. Don’t worry. You’ll see me again.

‘Yes. I will. I never doubt you.’

Good. I’ll tell you where I’ll be soon.

‘I know you will, but…’

But what?

He looked at Rani again, sitting there on the sofa, the blonde bitch with her arm around her, her mouth moving but different words coming out to the ones the blonde bitch was hearing. Words for him and him alone. The truth. The blonde bitch getting any old lies.

He smiled.

But what?

He heard the sharpness in her voice, jumped. ‘The blonde bitch,’ he said quickly. ‘What about that blonde bitch?’

What about her?

‘She’s sitting there, talking to you…’