Chapter 5

Kasey had picked her up on time for once. She did say much, just asked how she was doing. Amy got the feeling that Kasey was worrying about her again. If that was the case it was a good thing she was keeping it to herself. It was the last thing she needed at the moment. She was already as nervous as it was. It only took them 20 minutes to get there but the ride seemed much longer. She went in thru the back, Kasey dropped her off and parked in front. She talked to the manager for a minute or two. He didnt ask her many questions, just asked for her id to make sure she was legal. She was waiting back stage now. Listening to this musician play his saxophone. She closed her eyes and wondered how her voice would sound with the sound of a saxophone playing along. She was startled out of her day dream when the manager suddenly appeared behind her and told her in his very rough sounding tone, "Your on in 5". Her knees suddenly got weak. She wondered if she could really go thru with this. She still had time to leave. She could walk out of the door right now and never look back. But she'd never forgive herself for not trying. She had to try, just once. Before she knew it, she was being pushed out on stage, the spotlight shinning on her. For a split second she felt frozen in place, until she heard the sound of the piano playing softly in the background. She closed her eyes and sang from her heart as her body swayed to the music.

Chapter 4

Amy had no idea where her day had went to. She didn't meet up with Kasey like she usually did. So she had no way of knowing what had happened. She had woken up on her bed, still in the same clothes she had wore the day before. She ran to the bathroom to check herself out in the mirror. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. Besides her hair being a little messy, nothing seemed altered or out of place. She rolled her tongue around in her mouth, searching for a distinguishable taste. Lifting her hand up to her mouth she blew and sniffed. Certain that she hadnt been drinking, she sighed in relief. Still annoyed that she couldn't rememeber the missing hours, she quickly pushed that from her mind when she remembered, she had a job to do. She crawled across the bed, picked up her cordless phone and dialed Kaseys number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Kasey..its me."

"Is everything ok?", Kasey asked.

"Yeah..at least I hope so. We didn't go out today did we?"

"No. I came by. You didnt come out so I figured either you weren't home or still sleeping."

"Oh..not sure what I was doing."

"Another black out?"

"Yeah, I think so. But I know this time it wasnt from drinking. I seriously think something is wrong with me."

"I think you should see a Dr.", Kasey urged.

"You know I dont like doctors. I'll be fine."

"Sure..just trying to be a friend."

"I appreciate that Kasey, really I do. I just dont think this is something a Dr. can help me with."

"Well..Im here, you know."

"I know...hey, you still picking me up right?"

"As far as I know. What time?"

"8:30pm. I gotta be there at 9."

"Alright. I have to run and do a couple things first but I'll be there by 8:30. See you then, ok?"

"Yeah, see you. Bye."

"Bye"

Amy hung up the phone. She was nervous. She loved to sing but she wasnt used to singing in front of people. She decided to go ahead and get ready. Sitting around thinking about it was making her nerves worse. After she got dressed she would stand in the mirror and practice singing with her hair brush while she waited for her friend to pick her up.

Chapter 3

Jackson stared out the window of his hotel room. Always another hotel. But with the line of work he did, he couldn't afford to even begin to built a foundation or even hope to settle down in one place. He lit another black and mild as he watched the clock. In five minutes he should be getting a phone call. The calls always came on time. He felt on edge. The aniticipation driving him to smoke one cigarette after another. Along with the anticipation came excitement. The thrill of the next chase. The ritualistic dance of the hunter and its prey. The phone rings. As always he let it ring twice before picking up. It was his contact, Killer.

"Jackson", he said after picking up the phone.

"You in?"

"Yes, Im in."

"Your package will arrive tomorrow morning. Inform me when its recieved."

And that was it. The dial tone sounded in his ear. Killer was never one for small talk. Straight to the point as always. He liked it that way. No bull..just buisness. He got up from the bed after putting out his cigarette on the bedside table. He had to get out of these four walls. Seeing as he had to wait until the very next day before he could begin his next job. He might as well find something to do to help pass the time. He had spotted a decent looking night club on his way into town, he thought he'd stop in there. He could definately use a drink.

Chapter 2

After she had taken a quick shower, she got dressed in a plain white tee, tight blue jeans and white tennis shoes. Pulling her maroon curtains back she looked out the window, tapping her right foot impatiently. She was waiting on Kasey. And she was late as usual. Every morning Kasey would come by and pick her up. They'd go to star-bucks and drink ice coffees and Kasey would tell her all the things she couldn't remember. Altho she trusted her friend, she sometimes wondered if Kasey told her the full truth. Wondering if her words were sugar coated to protect her feelings. Today was no different than any other. She sat at a table across from her friend. Nestling her throbbing head in her hand. Waiting on the verdict Kasey was about to render.

"Lastnight was rough, you got really drunk", Kasey said.
Amy looked at her, waiting for her to finish the story. She hated these dramatic pauses in between.

"I tryed really hard to stop you, honestly I did, but you just wouldnt listen. You kept hanging on to this guy Joel the whole night. I didn't leave you alone tho, everywhere you went I went. "

"Kasey, what did I do", Amy sighed.

"Well, there was this one time..I left you, only to use the bathroom, I mean I really had to go or I would have pissed all over myself. Anway..when I got back you were gone. I asked Deon, the guy Joel was with, were you were and he said you had snuck off to the back with him. So I went looking for you. I ended up getting lost back there. By the time I found my way back you and Joel were stumbling out of the broom closet.

"Great, so I screwed another random guy?"

"Possibly", Kasey said.

"I really should stop drinking."

"You should stop doing alot of things", Kasey pushed.

"You should mind your own buisness!"

After Amy snapped on Kasey, she immediately felt sorry. But she didn't apologized. Her days lately have been full of apologies. Full of things done and things said that couldn't be taken back. So she did what she did best and quicky changed the subject.

"So I got that job at that dance club down town."

"No!"

"Yeah I did. I start tomorrow actually. Im scared girl!"

"And your gonna be doing what?"

"Singing..whatelse?"

"Theres other things.."

"Things I definately wont be doing!"

"Im just saying.."

"You say too much."

"So what are you singing?"

"Haven't figured it out yet. But you'll be there right?"

"Of course. How long will you be singing?"

"Well..Ive only got one night gauranteed so far. I guess its like trying out or something. But I sing three sets, so I need three songs. Im not sure how much I'll be getting paid but I gotta start somewhere right?"

"Yeah. Your right. So Im picking you up for this?"

"How else will I get there? You know I dont have a car."

"Im just checking to make sure."

"Im guessing we should go. I need to go home and practice."

They left Star-bucks. Kasey took her home. Made her promise to call her later and sped down the road to whereever she went when she left her. Dropping her purse in the middle of the floor she sprawled across the bed and began to sing to herself as she planned tomorrow in her head.

Orchid

Chapter 1

Amy lay back against the headboard sipping on a miller light. She looked at herself in the mirror across the room. Wondering if she was truly loosing her mind. Lastnight was something that she couldnt quite remember. She woke up the next morning on the bathroom floor. Her hair damp and matted to her head. It was shorter now..she had obviously cut it but why. It had hung slightly over her shoulders but now it was just pass her ears. Black hair with red streaks was the colors she sported now. She still wasnt sure if she liked the change. But there was nothing she could do about it now. She chugged the rest of her beer from the can and sat it on the bedside table. Laying on her stomach and stretching across the bed she continued to stare across the room. Not at anything in particular. More of a blank stare. She hated these black outs. Not knowing what had happened. What she had done, where she had been or even who she had been with. It was kind of scary. But she didn't know how to stop it.

Part 55 The Conclusion

Hours later Melanie Starkwell happened to be driving by and spotted Andrews apartment, or what was left of it. Her heart beat rapidly increased as she quickly turned and drove up to the blackened building. Andrew sat in the corner by a wall, legs pulled up to his chest, rocking back and forth. She got out of her car and walked over to him slowly. She didn't want to alarm him. The state he was in seemed so..fragile. She squatted beside him, trying to catch his eyes, but he was so far away.

"Andrew, its Melanie. Do you remember me, from the support group months ago?"

He said nothing. Just continued rocking. She wondered what had happened here. It had been awhile since she had seen him. Back then she could tell he was going thru something, and he didnt seem to want her around. So she had backed off. Now, she wished that she had stuck around. Fought harder to help him. But there was no going back. There was only now. And in that moment. She vowed that she would do whatever it took to help him.

To Be Continued....

Part 54

When Andrew arrived back at Ryans apartment, he pulled his .22 from the glove compartment. In all the years he had the thing he never once used it. He only had it with him for protection. Just in case. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined he would even think about using it for revenge. Yet here he was, making sure the safety was on before slipping it into his pocket. He didnt have to knock on the door or attempt to force it open. It was unlocked. He wasnt sure what he expected when he walked in but he was greeted with an empty room. For a split second he thought that Ryan had run. But then he heard the clinking of glasses coming from the kitchen. He moved quickly across the floor and pushed thru the double doors that led to the small kitchen. Ryan sat at the table a glass full of ice and a bottle of bourbon in front of him. Ryan looked terrified as he looked up at him. Andrew only smiled, a half smile. He walked over to the cabinet and retrieved a small glass.

"Mind if I join you?", he asked as he held up the glass.

"Be my guest", Ryan said with a tremble in his voice.

Andrew took the bottle from Ryan and began to pour them both a glass. Ryan lifted his glass and chugged it back in seconds. Andrew chuckled to himself. He slid his own glass over to Ryan.

"You look like you need it more than I do".

Ryan only nodded and chugged back the glass Andrew had originally poured for himself. They starred across the table at eachother for awhile. Before Andrew finally broke the ice.

"I just have one question. Why did you do it?"

"She was killing people Andrew! Can you honestly sit here and say that you think that was ok?"

"So your saying its wrong for her to kill other people but its ok for you?"

"Its not like that Andrew and you know it."

"Well, please enlighten me, how is it?"

"Im sorry Andrew, I dont know what else to say."

"Your sorry? You killed my girlfriend, and all you can say is your sorry! You saw what I went thru when I lost her the first time and then you do this to me? How could you!".

Andrew stood up and threw the bottle of bourbon at the wall. Ryan jumped as the glass shattered into pieces behind him, splashing the back of his head with the luke warm liquid. He pulled the gun from his pocket, released the safety and aimed the gun at Ryans head.

"Give me one good reason not to blow your brains out."

"Because your not a murder."

"But you are.", Andrew told him.

Ryan was shaking now. There was nothing he could say or do. This was it. He had taken action, and now he had to suffer the consequences. He wasn't going to beg for his life. He knew he didn't deserve to be forgiven. He looked Andrew right in the eyes and said,

"Im sorry Andrew. I know its not enough. And if it will make you feel better to take my life then, do what you gotta do."
Ryan closed his eyes as he waited for the inevitable.

"A life for a life", Andrew said as he pulled the trigger.

One shot to the head. Ryan toppled backwards in his chair. His body hit the floor with a thud. Andrew starred at his cousins lifeless body for so long his vision began to blur as he watched the pool of blood spread across the floor. Finally snapping hisself out of the daze he was in, he lay the gun on the table and walked away.

Part 53

Andrew flew down the road in his car, speeding thru stop signs and stop lights, hoping that a police cruiser was nowhere in sight because he would not stop, would not slow down for anyone. He had to get home. He had to see her. He refused to believe his cousin, who used to be his best friend would do something so horrible. He would not believe it until he saw it with his own two eyes. He almost ran into an on coming car but they swirved in time. Andrew didnt even flinch. He dared anyone, anything to try to stop him. Because if what he feared had occured, he welcomed death. No world could be so cruel as to take from him the only thing he lived for...twice. And if indeed it were true. If what Ryan said was possible, he didn't want to live in a world where this was allowed to happened. He couldn't, no..he wouldn't go on without her. Altho it only took him 15 minutes to get home at the speed he was going, he felt like an eternity had passed. When he made the turn on his street and saw what was left of his apartment, his heart stopped. Fire trucks were pulling away as he stepped out of his car. He walked slowly to the charred building. He fell to his knees in front of the left over walls covered with ashes and soot. Tears fell from his eyes as he inhaled the smoke that billowed in the air. He absent-mindedly ran his fingers thru the ash on the ground. He lifted his hands to wipe the tears away, leaving a smired black trail along the side of his face. His legs shook and his knees buckled as he struggled to stand. He forced himself to leave. To move his lifeless body in the opposite direction. There was nothing left here for him. Nowhere to live, noone to love, noone to love him, no reason to go on. But first. He had some unfinished buisness to take care of.

Part 52

Ryan sat out in his car for so long that his legs began to cramp up. Realizing that he couldn't avoid this forever, he finally got out of the car and went inside. Andrew was still passed out on the sofa. He wondered if he should try to wake him up. Or wait for him to come around on his own. He paced back and forth across the room. Still not sure what he should say to him. A simple, I killed your girlfriend, didn't seem like the right way to go. But what other way could it be said. Ah, sorry..but I accidently set Tracy on fire wouldn't fly either. No..it would be a flat out lie and Andrew would know it. Lost in his own thoughts he didnt realize Andrew was awake until he saw movement in the corner of his eye. Andrew sat up slowly, holding his head. Ryan just stood there, eyes wide. All thoughts ceased and his mind was a blank. A canvas only to be painted spontaneously.

"What happened?", Andrew asked groggily.

"Alot actually", Ryan said as he walked over and sat beside him. Unsure if he should be sitting so close to him.

"What did you do?"

Andrew could always read him like a book. He always knew when he was in trouble, or when he had did something he regretted. There was no surpise that he would be able to sense that something was horribly wrong.

"I drugged you."

"Why!"

"I had to. I knew that you wouldn't let me..".

"Let you do what?!" Andrew screamed.

Ryan got up from where he was sitting and walked across the room. He had the feeling that Andrew was about to flip and he didnt want to be in the way when he did.

"If you would give me a minute to explain", Ryan said as he started to pace back and forth again.

"You better start talking, and fast. So help me, if you laid one hand on Tracy...".

"I didn't touch her".

"What is that suppose to mean? What did you do you idiot? I know you did something...and you better spill it..Now!"

Andrew was on his feet now and walking toward Ryan slowly. Ryan backed up until he hit a wall. His eyes wide with fright. Andrew grabbed him by his shirt and lifted him up and asked him in the most calm and scariest voice he'd ever heard,

"What did you do to her?"

"I...I...a fire...she...burned...I...Im so..sorry", Ryan stuttered.

Andrew slammed Ryan into the wall, grabbed him by his neck and began to squeeze.

"I should kill you for this.", Andrew said thru clenched teeth.

"Please...dont! Im sorry! I had to, you should have seen her..she was eating someone."

Andrew had released him now. His back turned to his cousin.

"Is she dead?"

"I...I think so."

Andrew turned to face him again. The pain, hurt and anger in his eyes tore Ryan from the inside out. He didn't say a word. But his eyes said it all. He hated him, like he knew he would. And he couldn't blame him. He watched Andrew walk out the door. Wanting to ask him where he was going but too afraid to speak. So he watched him leave. Part of him hoping he'd come back, another part hoping that he wouldn't. Because now..he was afraid for his own life.

Part 51

Ryan almost retched right then and there but he held himself together. The sight before him was enough to confirm to himself that the decision he was about to make was the right thing to do. This poor soul who this creature was now devouring had lost his or her life, because of the monster that he and Andrew had created. Ryan knew what Andrew clearly couldnt see because he was blinded by love. Tracy was gone. She wasn't there any more. All that was left was a hungry animal willing to kill whoever and whatever in order to satisfy its insatiable hunger. That is why, this all had to end. Ryan took a deep breath and stepped toward the bed. Opening the gas canister he doused the bed with gasoline, splashing Tracy as well. She looked clearly confused as he emptied the can around her. He took three steps back, struck a match and tossed it on the bed. In seconds the bed was engulfed in flames. Wild screams escaped from Tracys throat as she thrashed about. She tumbled off the bed, rolling around on the floor, trying to fight off the flames that licked at her body. All Ryan could hear were her high pitched screams as he ran out the door, dropping the empty can to the ground as he went. He jumped inside his car, started and up and took off down the road so fast he almost ran into an on coming car. He managed to swirve out of the way in time. His heart thudded a thousand times a minute. Steadying himself on the road, he slowed down to a normal speed. Concentrated on breathing deep as he focused on the road again. He didn't know how he was going to tell Andrew, or what he was going to say to him. But he couldn't afford to think about it now. His nerves were shot, his mind racing. His hands shook and his heart pounded in his chest. His only goal at the moment was to concentrate on the road until he made it home safely. Once he got there..well, he'd deal with that road when he came to it.

Part 50

Ryan left his apartment with a gas can and a book of matches. On the drive to Andrews place he battled back and forth in his head on what options he could take that would do less damage to him and Ryans relationship. But he always came to the same conclusion. Tracy had to die, and Andrew would hate him. When he was in front of the apartment, he shut of the engine and took the keys out of the ignition. He sat there for what seemed like an hour to him but could have been less. When he finally drummed up enough strength to move he did so with a quickness. As if he believed the faster he moved, the less likely he would change his mind. Once he was standing in front of the apartment, gasoline and matches in hand, he couldn't decide what to do first. Should he set the house on fire from the outside and leave, hoping that she doesn't escape. Or should he risk his own life by going inside and attempt to set Tracy on fire. Not willing to chance that she might escape, he kicked in the door and ran inside. He stopped inside the door way startled by what he saw before him. Tracey sat in the middle of the bed, naked, covered in blood. Bits of human remains surrounded her as she chewed on what looked to be a finger.

Part 49

Ryan struggled to stretch Andrews slumped frame out on the sofa. He had hated to drug him like that, but he didnt know what else to do. He knew Andrew would never let him get close enough to do any damage to Tracy. When Andrew had said he'd die before letting him harm her, he believed him. He knew his cousin would fight him tooth and nail to keep him away from her. So he had to get him out of the way. It was his only shot at fixing this mess. He felt partly responsible being that he was the one to give her that first taste of blood she was now craving for. He had known it was wrong when he did it, but he had no idea..not the slightest that things would go this far..if he had..he paused as he heard a car outside, but relaxed when it passed on by. Now he was paranoid. He couldn't live like this. Constantly on edge, always looking over his shoulder. He was doing this as much for himself as for Ryan. Maybe more so for himself. Yeah it seemed selfish. But he needed to be able to live with himself. He needed to be able to sleep at night. He hadn't gotten a decent nights rest since he'd stolen that blood from the blood bank. But would killing Tracy silence his guilty conscience? Or would it make it worse, by adding murder to his list of offences. No..no, he was doing the right thing. He knew it. By setting things right. Back to the way things should have been. He'd not only be saving Andrew but countless other people who are in danger of being harmed by Tracy if left to continue as she is now. His mind was made up. He was doing this. He didn't want to, but he had to. He didn't know how he would find the strength to do it, but he would. He didn't doubt that. He knew that his and Andrews lives depended on it. The one thing that made him hesitate..was the fact that once he did this. He'd loose Andrew for good. He knew that. There was no going back after that. He stood over Andrew for what seemed like forever in his mind. Remembering all the things they had went thru together. The good, the bad, the ugly and the down right embarrasing. He laughed to himself as he thought of all the good times. All the memories. He'd always keep them close to him. In his heart and on his mind. He'd never forget, the strong bond they had. The one he was about to sever, the moment he murders Andrews one true love.

Part 48

Andrew shook his head slowly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Refused to believe his cousin, his closest friend would suggest he killed the woman he loved. Especially after loosing her once already. And all of the things he went thru, to bring her back to him. Did he really think he could ever do anything to harm her. He watched as Ryan paced back and forth in front of him.

"What are you thinking?", Andrew asked

"You dont wanna know."

"You dont have to say it. I already know. I wont let you do it."

"I dont know what your talking about."

"I'd die before I let you harm a hair on her head."

"You dont mean that."

"Can you really be so sure?"

"The only thing Im sure of is that this has to be stopped.

And you obviously dont have the balls to do it."

Andrew stood up slowly, finally feeling some stength in his legs again, he walked passed Ryan.

"Where you going?"

"Home."

"Wait...dont leave. Not yet. Not like this."

Andrew turned and looked at him. "Theres nothing left to say."

"Yes there is. Im sorry Andrew. I shouldn't have said those things. Im just freaking out here."

Andrew paused in the front of the door, not sure what to do next.

"Hey man, at least let me make you a cup of coffee before you go. It'll help you build your stength back up. Wouldn't want you passing out behind the wheel."

Andrew nodded and walked back over to the sofa. He waited as Ryan went into the kitchen. He tapped his left foot impatiently. He was worried about Tracy. Wondering what she was doing. Hoping she hadn't gone anywhere. Ryan returned a few minutes later with two cups of coffee. They sat in silence as they drank. Andrew drank the coffee faster than he normally would. He was anxious to leave. But didnt have the strength to fight with Ryan anymore, so he stayed for coffee, hoping it would pacify him. When he was done he sat the cup down on the table across from him and stood up but his legs felt wobbly. He sat back down. His vision started to get blury.

"What did you do?", he asked Ryan as he looked over at his empty coffee cup.

He slowly laid back against the sofa. Eyes rolling slowly back, he murred "I...I...cant..believe...you..p..poisoned me", before passing out.

Part 47

When Andrew finally made it to Ryans apartment. He was dizzy, blood dripping down his wrist like a slow river. Ryan must have saw him coming because he was at the door before he could stumble out of the car. He must have seen the blood because he stopped suddenly on his way over. Not sure what he was walking into. But when Andrew fell to the ground, Ryan wasted no time running over to him. He must have passed out because his next lucid moment was opening his eyes to Ryan standing over him, with a worried look on his face. He looked around slowly. It took him a minute but he began to finally realize where he was. He was inside Ryans apartment. Layed out on his sofa. He tryed to sit up but regretted it immediately when his head began to spin.


"Woah, buddy..take it easy, you've lost alot of blood", Ryan said as he eased him back down.


"What happened?"

"You passed out! Must have been from the loss of blood."

"Right...Tracy...", Andrew mumbled to himself as he looked at his bandaged wrist.

"She did this didn't she?"

"You dont understand Ryan, she cant help herself."

"Are you out of your mind?! She bit you!"

"Ryan..really, its not as bad as it looks."

"Your delusional man. I can understand wanting to defend your girl, but when she starts chewing on you, its a little bit much, dont you think?"

"Well, since your such an expert, what do you think I should do Rye?"

"Hey, I never claimed to be an expert at nothing..Im just saying.."

"Your just saying what?"

"Just forget it Andrew."

"No! Spit it out, this I gotta hear."

"Im just saying..maybe you should have just.."

"Just what?"

"Maybe she would have been better off staying dead!"

Andrew went to jump up and fell onto the floor. Ryan tryed to help but Andrew pushed him away. Moving slowly he managed to pull himself back up. He sat back down on the sofa and layed his head back against the cushions.

"I thought you were my friend man. Not just my cousin..but a real friend", Andrew said.

"I am your friend. And I didnt mean it the way it sounded. I was just saying, its not right..bringing people back. You gotta know that was wrong."

"Easy for you to say. You didnt have your dead girlfriend haunting you."

"Im not saying that I understand Andrew, cuz I dont. I'd be lying if I said I understood. But one thing Im sure of, is that you cant keep going on like this. Luckily she only bit a chunk out of your wrist. Next time you might not be so lucky. Its gonna get worse man...and then what? She's either gonna end up killing you or someone else, thats what!"

"What am I suppose to do? Its done. I cant take it back."

"Your gonna have to set things straight. Back to the way it should have been in the first place."

"Now your the one thats sounding crazy. I cant go back in time."

"You dont have to. The end result would be the same."

It took Andrew a few seconds before he caught on to what he was saying.

"Your not thinking..."

"Your gonna have to kill her man."

46

Andrew must have fallen asleep after watching her for hours. He woke up when he felt a deep sharp pain in his wrist. He struggled to focus his eyes as the pain shot thru his wrist more intensely. He began to jerk his arm away, finally zooming in on the source of his pain. Her gripped on his arm was tight and strong. Her teeth piercing deeper into his skin. He could hear the low growl deep within her throat as she clenched tighter to him. Finally able to pull away, he stumbled backwards, not sure what to do next. Her eyes were wild. Crotched on her hands and knees she resembled an animal about to pounce on its prey. He continued to stumble backwards until he found the door. He kept his eyes on her at all times. Her wild eyes never left him either. He fumbled with the door as he watched her. Not sure what he'd do if at any moment she decided to spring forward. When he was finally able to get the door open, he flung hisself backward and closed the door behind him. He dashed to his car, thankful that he always kept his keys in his pocket. He hopped in, cranked it up and sped off as fast as he could to the only place he could think of to go. His friend Ryans apartment.