Serial Killer
He popped the top of the beer can and took a drink, and asked “Do you know who I am?”
The girl said nothing, she just shook her head no.
“I’ve been sitting in your section everyday for the past few months.”, he set the can on the counter.
She shook her head again.
He smiled at her. “Your name is Alicia Denton, you’re twenty eight years old. You were married to a man for three years, but he didn’t appreciate you. So you divorced, you often wonder if you did the right thing. You miss him, you were so optimistic, you thought he returned your love. You want someone who will accept you, and care about you. Someone who will encourage you and prove to you they are there.”
The woman didn’t move. Fear still gripped her, but it was a more silent fear. A more calming fear. She knew deep down there was nothing she could do.
He broke the gaze and looked at the plastic flooring. “But you don’t notice who’s there do you? You don’t see the people who stand in front of you. You don’t notice who follows you on social media.” He half laughed, and looked back up at her. “You’re not very social at all. All your posts are very one sided. You’re talking, but you’re talking to yourself not other people. As if you speak at them, and not with them. You’re very self absorbed.” He motioned about the trailer, “To the point of being defenseless.”
She meekly asked, “Are you going to kill me?”
“I’m going to teach you.”
“Teach me what?”
He replied flatly, “To be human.”
Alicia said nothing, this man was insane. She tried to keep her fear hidden, but she could not stop glancing out the windows.
Andy grabbed his beer and leaned against the counter. He stared at the trailer wall and drank slowly.
For hours nothing was said.
The initial shock had finally worn off Alicia and she had relaxed a little. Her stomach growled loudly breaking the silence.
Andy instinctively turned around and opened the overhead counter, pulling out a can of pork and beans. He reached into the counter cabinet and retrieved a thin metallic pan. After pouring the contents into the pan he turned around to face the stove. He warmed up the food and reached into the front overhead counter nearest the kitchen table, retrieving two disposable bowls. He opened up the ice chest and pulled out two bottles of water and plastic spoons.
He place the bowls of food and water on the kitchen table opposite each other, and sat down to eat. He ate without hesitation, without acknowledging that Alicia was even in the room.
Finally after he was half way finished, Alicia crawled over, grabbed her bowl and spoon, and promptly retreated to the farthest corner of the bed.
Andy said nothing, as she ate quickly. In his head one thought rose above all others, ‘This is our first meal together.’ Oddly, it made him feel complete.