There are so many things that could go wrong. Hell, she might not even show. But if she does, I still run the chance that someone could see me take her or that she’ll fight back and get away before I can subdue her. I could even end up killing her in the heat of the moment. Still, if I play this right—if I play it out carefully, I’ll have everything I’ve spent the last six months obsessing over.
Eventually, I spot the perfect place, an out of the way restaurant on the edge of town. The Blue Dragon is within a reasonable walking distance from where I live, but far enough that Violet will have to drive to get there. I can tell from the outdated bright blue sign with its fading dragon logo that they probably don’t get a lot of customers, but they’re still in business so they must get enough orders and reservations to remain open.
Driving home, my hands are shaking with anticipation on the steering wheel, and I feel almost as energized as I do after a fresh kill. I get out of the car and exit the garage. Inhaling deeply, I smell the intoxicatingly sweet aroma of new blooms mixed with the ones I’ve been growing for years. I’m proud of my garden, and as I take in the array of color in the neat beds, I smile to myself at the thought of showing this to Violet. I won’t tell her about the other flowers, but she will be able to see the fruits of my labor with her own eyes, and maybe she will understand her place within my little homegrown haven.
I’m excited at the prospect of what’s to come, but the anticipation awakens a dark urgency. I need everything to go smoothly. This almost aggravating itch to create pain and beauty is one I can’t ignore or avoid. I’ve fallen too far down the rabbit hole to turn back now, and for my own sanity and Violet’s chances of surviving me, at least for a while, I know what tonight will bring. Blood—death—and a scattering of ashes for another unsuspecting flower.
My hands are shaking as I pull out my phone and send Kit a quick text so he’ll know to expect me. I can’t keep sneaking into his place, even though he gave me a key and told me I'm welcome to use his place any time. It’s been a while since I saw him, so it’ll be good to catch up.
His own tastes might be darker and even more forbidden than my own, but he still appreciates my work and the fact he gets to reap the benefits from what I sow. Tonight I’m going to celebrate, and who better to witness the carnage than the man obsessed with the dead? Besides, while my physical interests are entirely focused on Violet, who am I to deny my closest friend his fun?
I leave the house just as twilight hits, and I pause for a moment to admire my creation under the setting sun and watch how the colors start to fade with the light. Getting in my truck, I pull out my phone and swipe through the unread messages on the app, searching for one that stands out. The name stops me first: Fleur, and then, when I see the picture of a soft looking young woman with a brief but boring description—which I skim read—I know I’ve found my next target. Tapping out a reply, I hit send and wait.
Barely a few minutes have passed when my phone dings with Fleur’s excited response along with her address. Smiling, I tell her I’ll be there soon and begin the drive to the next town, all the while trying to keep myself from diverting to go and find a much more enticing flower.
It takes me longer than I expect to arrive at Fleur’s. Some idiot had caused a traffic accident, creating a huge delay and a backlog of traffic. It’s dark by the time I pull up outside the small, rundown apartment block that looks more like a crack den than a place where people actually live. Maybe I’ll be doing her a favor with what I have planned. I’m hardly dressed up for a ‘date’, but with the short notice and the true intent behind my reaching out to her, it hardly matters.
I kill the engine and send her a message to let her know I’m here. There are a few people on the street, but with the steady passage of time and blackening sky, it’s the perfect moment for monsters to come out and play...I happen to be one of them. A few minutes tick by and eventually Fleur appears, wearing a nervous smile and a floral sundress. I can barely hold back a smirk as I take in the soon to be dead flower covered in flowers. She’ll be wearing them forever soon enough.
Switching the engine back on, I press a button to lower the window and call out to her, getting her attention. “Fleur. I’m over here. It’s Z.”
She quickly darts across the street and hops in my truck, putting on her seatbelt before turning to me.
“Where are we going?” she asks, and I smile at her.
“I thought we could go on a nighttime nature walk, then maybe we can get a few drinks and I’ll take you home.” I’m sweet talking her now, but if I’m going to keep up the ruse that I’m interested in her and keep Fleur’s guard down, then I need to play the role she expects.
Fleur fills the entire journey with chatter, and I’m already bored of listening to her. I'd rather be listening to Violet's soft, sweet voice and seeing what other sounds I could get her to make...but she's not here, and the woman beside me
