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A Normal life

  A tip of my hat and a drop of my head as I enter the party. I’m greeted by my old friends, the Harrington’s, as I enter the home. I slip off my dress shoes, placing them gently on the shoe rack away from the others.

  “Cal! You’re certainly dressed to impress! Haha!” he says.

  “Always,” I say back, adjusting my glasses. “It’s been some time, perfect time to get away from the office my friend.”

  “Of course! Come on in, come on, there are drinks in the kitchen and the island has plenty of hors d'oeuvres to go around.”

  I really did need this. Work’s been extremely busy for me lately, even in my home office. All of the account files, all the phone calls, ugh. At least I get to talk to some normal people for once…and about things that aren’t their taxes. I grab myself a drink and meet back up with Robert in the living room.

  “So what’ve you been up to Bob? How are the kids?” I say.

  “Oh, fine, fine. Connie’s a part of the student council now. The treasurer, specifically. Kind of counts as a bonus to her good grades.”

  “Is that right? Damn, she’s really growing up now. Where is she by the way? She off with a friend?”

  “Probably snacking on some of the deviled eggs without me knowing. Better go check and make sure she hasn’t gotten into the really unhealthy snacks.”

  “huh. You do that, I’ll see if I can polish off this drink before you’re back.”

  He’s already left before I finish what I’m saying. Guess he’s about as invested in the conversation as I am. Not so reassured but I’ll keep myself the way I am. The house is pretty

  lively after all and I probably won’t be here terribly long. I’ve only got about a half hour until the sun sets anyhow.

  “Cal?”

  Ugh. Such is the nature of parties.

  “Calvin Harris, is that you? it’s been…three months? How are things?”

  I pause briefly before turning to respond. I did not plan on running into…her.

  “Three months indeed, Carla! How’s…life and such?” I said.

  “Well, pretty good but…I missed you of all people.” She says, leaning in close…uncomfortably close.

  I was really hoping she would forget our little endeavor. Foolish thinking on my part to try and socialize at that point in time. I need to get away from her, now.

  “That’s…not who I am anymore. I’m a busy man, and I’m not looking for extra commitments.”

  She gives me a stink-eye, turns heel and walks off.

  “Sorry to disappoint…neighbor,” I say to her back.

  I wipe the sweat bead from my brow and straighten my tie. How quickly I forget my past mistakes. I think that’s about all I can take though and I have important work to do.

  I leave without saying goodbye to my highly informative neighbor and head back down the mulberry cul-de-sac to my home, house number 7.

  I check my watch: it’s 7:45 on the dot. Karmic relief puts my mind at ease. I’m quite glad I didn’t miss my date with Ricardo. Two birds with one stone.

  I take off my hat and gently hang up my belongings. I take off my dress shoes and set them off to the side, away from the others. Home, sweet home.

  I give myself a breath mint, put on my shoe covers and my hospital mask. I can never be too careful with my work. I head down the stairs slowly and quietly. Don’t want to wake my guest.

  I reach the basement and flip the light switch. The blinding white lights flicker on after a moment as I move towards the basement back-room. I pause for a moment and take a deep breath. I look at my hands; I’m already got the jitters. I’ve been waiting for this.

  I push open the soundproof doors to the sweetest sound I could imagine: subtle breathing and the sound of chains dragging. My guest is awake.

  One more deep breath. The wait is finally over.

  “Good Evening, my friend,” I say. “I’m glad you’re awake.”

  “Wh-wha…? Where am I? What is this?!” He says.

  “Oh, this? This is my office. You won’t recognize it as I’ve made some…changes.”

  “Why am I in chains?! What the hell is go-“

  I cut him off by stuffing his mouth with a gag.

  “I think it’s only fitting that you know what’s happening here,” I say, slipping on my lab gloves. “So allow me to explain. You are fulfilling a ritual of mine, one that I have performed for some time now.”

  His panicked expression fills me with ecstasy. The same face that…oh this is- this is the same as my mother and father all those years ago. I needed this.

  His muffled screams puncture the moment unfortunately. I’m reminded that I am on the clock.

  “Unfortunately for you, my friend, I require you to take your time in the cold dark,” I say.

  Even more panic strikes his face as I turn to the table behind me and inspect my tools. First, I slice the tendons so that the chains can come off. That’s how he did mother. Next, I sever the femoral artery, just slightly though. This ensures the long agonizing process of anemia to take him.

  He attempts to move more. I can’t have him resisting now. I grab my last countermeasure: a syringe of Propofol, specially measured for my guest. I stick him in his leg and inject. It takes a few moments before he collapses, unconscious.

  Another deep breath. I have a long evening ahead of me.