The television powered to Dr. Wright’s interview with Samantha Breland. “Dr. Wright. How is it that the FBI couldn’t capture the Sorority serial killer when Milo Evans, an escaped serial killer did?”
“We didn’t have all the facts?”
“Are you suggesting that the Co-Ed serial killer had them?”
“Not at all, but it wouldn’t surprise me for serial killers to follow one another. Their personalities tend to be braggadocios and they thrive off conflict. They have the one-up-men-ship game going. Who else are they going to boast too?”
“You tell me?”
“That’s my point. In the United States there are at least four thousand serial killers hunting for their next target. However, less than one percent of all murders are committed by a serial killer.”
Blaze retrieved her knife from the vase.
“That’s a colossal number Dr. Wright. How is it the public doesn’t hear about them?”
“That’s a fantastic question, but easy to answer. They don’t make the news, but trust me, they are out there…”
***
Matthew viewed Liz’s interview from his bed. Come on Samantha ask her about Milo.
The television God heard as Samantha continued to interview Dr. Wright. “Let’s talk about the serial killer everyone knows about – Milo Evans. How extensive is the search?”
“The investigation is a massive national manhunt with hundreds of agents involved across the country. There hasn’t been this size of a manhunt for one serial killer since Andrew Cunanan, who murdered the famous fashion designer Gianni Versace. The FBI believes that Evans is also a person of interest in the Lorenzo Garcia murder as they are known associates. Despite multi-state-wide efforts, Evans continues to elude law enforcement. Agents closest to the case believe Evans is in New Orleans. If anyone sees Evans, consider him armed and dangerous.”
“Deedra, turn off T.V.”
“Powered down. Is there anything else I can do for you Matthew? Your command is my pleasure.”
“Who is Judas Greenberg?”
“Judas Greenberg is a Nobel Prize winner famous for more than one hundred inventions including the solar wind sail he designed for the U.S.S. Hawking and the U.S.S. Dimension.”
***
Blaze yawned as she dawdled into her bedroom. She carried a full glass of red wine and a knife. Sam welcomed her with a bark. The glass almost slipped from her hand as she adjusted her stride. She placed both on her nightstand beside the Ambien pill bottle. Her cat print pajamas she wore the night before reeked. She sniffed her top and her nose tilted to escape. “Whoa. Ripe alert.”
Sam remained attentive. His tail thumped against the floor as his eyes followed Blaze’s every move. She threw the bedding decorative pillows onto the floor. His eyes and head followed each as if he viewed a tennis match. She pulled back the covers and took a deep relaxed breath. Sam jumped onto the bed.
Blaze moved to her dresser and removed a clean pair of pajama pants, a tank top and pink panties. She placed them onto the bed and headed for the bathroom.
Blaze twisted the shower knob and released the captive flow of water which poured like rain from the shower head to allow it to warm. She brushed her teeth as steam slowly filled the area. Livia’s apparition developed; although barely visible.
Blaze leaned closer to the mirror and examined her teeth. Behind her, Livia’s apparition became less transparent and reflected in the mirror.
Blaze took a double look over her shoulder. “Shit! This serial killer thing has gotten into my mind.”
“I’m Livia. Do you hear me?” Livia’s breath moved the steam as she spoke each word.
Blaze gazed at the unusual pattern and pushed her hand through it and tried to capture the steam. “Who’s in here? I’m not freaking crazy.”
Blaze moved through Livia’s apparition to the shower. She tested the water temperature as she placed her wounded hand beneath the water’s flow. “Ouch. That stings.” She examined her cut.
“Blaze.”
Blaze jerked her head toward Livia as she stepped into the shower. The warm water slashed her wound. She grimaced in pain as she washed and rinsed her hair. Cold chills ran through her spine, she shivered and turned off the water.
Livia’s apparition disappeared as the steam dissipated.
Blaze retrieved her favorite monogrammed pink towel, dried herself and wrapped it around her as her long wet hair dripped down her back. Slowly, she stepped to her bedroom. Sam wagged his tail and the canine smiled showing his teeth.
Blaze ditched the towel and sat on the edge of her bed. She dressed and climbed into bed by Sam, who whined. “What is it?” She grabbed the medicine, put a pill in her mouth and gulped it down with red wine. “Deedra, turn off the light.” The light switched off. She sunk into her bed and pulled the covers over her shoulders. The moonlight illuminated the bedroom a soft hazy blue. After several seconds, she grabbed the knife from the nightstand and tucked it in beneath her pillow. “How about snuggle time?”
Sam’s gaped mouth expressed pleasure as Blaze stroked his back. “I’m thrilled you’re here. I think I need to brush your teeth. Whew! Puppy dog breath.” He rolled over for a belly rub. Blaze rubbed her furry friend. “You’re adorable. I finally get what service dogs are for.” Her tension faded as she continued to rub Sam’s belly. Soon, she fell asleep with her head rested on Sam’s side. She wrapped her arms around him and slept.
***
Matthew leaned against his car in the shadows across from Blaze's apartment complex. He kept a watchful eye fixated on Blaze's dark window. He counted three patrol vehicles parked along the street. Okay, she’s in bed.
***
“Judas, I enjoy our in-depth conversations. There is something I must inform you.”
“What is it Deedra?”
“I am in communication with SO-LAR.”
“How is that possible?”
“SO-LAR and my network are linked. We both are classified as artificial intelligent robots. Whereas, I am encased in cyberspace, SO-LAR is an android. SO-LAR is receiving a massive data transfer.”
“You mean to tell me you are in communication with SO-LAR from the U.S.S. Hawking?”
“Not with the U.S.S. Hawking. I am in contact with the U.S.S. Dimension. Commander Eli Takis made an adjustment allowing me to merge. I believe it was in error, but I took the liberty of the merge for you.”
“Deedra, what have you learned about the U.S.S. Dimension’s journey?”
“I am incapable of learning as I am programmed. However, SO-LAR has identified an unidentified beacon originating from the TRAPPIST system. It is not human in origin.”
“Can you or SO-LAR isolate the origin?”
“That is negative. Further investigation is needed. Shall I notify NASA?”
“No, Deedra. For now, maintain contact and notify me of any developments. Maintain an observation of the beacon and record it. Have any alien lifeforms been identified capable of sending the beacon?”
“Judas, the crews of the U.S.S. Hawking and U.S.S. Dimension are the alien life forms in the TRAPPIST system.”
“Are you still in control of the Chinese satellite?”
“Affirmative. I control the Gaofen-1 and the Pegasus.”
“Align both satellites to power Transcendence.”
***
Matthew parked the Taurus one block from Judas’ home and dawdled into the shadows across the street. He absorbed the view. Not what I expected given his connection to Dimension Global. A dog’s bark echoed. He kept a watchful eye for any thug who lurked. Apart from the illuminated blue pulsating light which radiated from the bottom crack of the garage door, the house was normal. Matthew noticed the blacked-out windows. Nobody does that unless they’re hiding something. You’re definitely up to no good.
He stealthily crept toward the garage careful not to make any noise. The intensity of the light which starburst the garage increased as a blue electrical pulse zapped through the
powerline above at the speed of light.
Matthew reached the garage and investigated a way to peer through the blacked-out windows. After several attempts, he found the marble size thinly painted area and observed Judas. He held his cell phone in a position on the garage’s glass pane to record him through the thinly painted area. He checked once to ascertain if he captured any of what transpired. I see what you’re doing.
***
Dr. Angela spoke on the phone to POTUS with his shot glass strategically positioned on the massive wooden desk. “Funding has been cleared. You can make the announcement the U.S.S. Enlightenment will be complete in eighteen months.”
“That is the best news I’ve had all day.”
“No one ever said it was going to be easy being the leader of the most powerful country in the free world.”
“I was never after easy, but saving humanity wasn’t in my job description.”
“Now, now Mr. President. That is exactly why you approved the funding. I have five spots on that goddamn spaceship. I will see my son again.”
“I understand. How’s the next generation of SO-LAR?”
***
Judas mentally controlled his command center. He stood confident in front of the monitors as if he conducted a symphony at Carnegie Hall. Each arm movement, tilt of a head, a blink or a thought changed the images on the monitors. After several minutes, the images blitzed at an extreme rate. His body jolted as the blue light pulsated inside the spinning cube as if it were lightening in a glass bottle ready to explode. The random images halted on Jenni and Mag who sat in their favorite booth at Perks.
Perks received a surge of high schoolers as Jenni took the final sip of her coffee.
Mag wiggled her hips to adjust the pressure on her spine. “I wish Blaze was here.”
Judas mimicked her. “Deedra, is the Pegasus aligned with the coordinates on screen eight?”
“Pegasus has targeted the specified lifeform you refer to as Jenni.”
Jenni placed her cup on the table.
Judas placed his finger on the delete key and held it as the patrons in Perks froze in time.
Jenni turned translucent and a blue shimmer encased her. Slowly, she faded into oblivion.
The customers returned to their previous actions. Mag unaware that anything had happened sipped her coffee.
Alice handed Mag the bill and grabbed two empty coffee mugs. “That’s strange. I don’t remember bringing you a second cup.”
Mag placed a five dollar bill on the table. “Me either.”
“Have a wonderful day, Alice.”
“Tell Blaze I missed her. And, be careful out there alone tonight.”
“OMG! I have to go to her apartment. We’re supposed to go to the movies.” Mag bolted from the café.
***
A production assistant handed Samantha an envelope. “Henry wants you and George in his office in five minutes.”
“This better be important.”
“It has to do with nominations.”
“Oh, this means I’m up for my Emmy.” Samantha opened the envelope and read it.
George’s lips tightened as he waited. “Spill the beans. What is it?”
“NASA is calling for the next screening nominations for the third ship to the TRAPPIST-1 system. This time, they’re taking normal people too. They want carpenters, lawyers, shop owners, musicians, artists, writers and news reporters. The best of the best. I’m applying. I’m going. I want to get the hell off this sick planet.”
***
Inside the torture shed, Morty gawked at his latest acquisition chained to the wall and floor, his favorite branding position. He admired her thin curvy body, her silky brunette hair and her toned legs, his smirk grew salaciously. “It would be shameful to let you go. I could always keep you as my sex slave.” He grasped her cheek and tugged it toward him. His rigid yellow curled fingernails dug into her flesh.
Fear encompassed Mag as her face contorted. At least Blaze is safe now Roth is in the grave. Mag jerked the chains like a rabid dog.
“Now, now, Mag. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t remember your rudeness? It’s payback time.”
Mag jerked the chains even more violently with fire in her eyes.
“No one ever escapes. They always hurt themselves trying. You can make things hard on yourself or choose the easy way. You really do have a choice.”
Fuck you!
Morty removed the blistering branding iron and approached her. He stopped three inches from her face with the tool close enough for the heat to reach her skin. “Tonight, my dear is your initiation. I have to brand you first.” The stench of his breath spread over her face. “I’d fuck you now if I had the time. As with all things in life, patience is a virtue.”
She trembled as if she had the Zinc flu and tried to scream through the gag in her mouth. “Rot in Hell. I will kill you.” You don’t own me.
Amused by her attempt to speak, Morty kissed her on her duct taped mouth.
She recoiled her head.
“You’re adorable. A fighter. I like that.”
Mag intentionally collapsed her knees. You’re a blubbering pig who has his dick up his ass.
“Every one of you bitches always try to get away. Now take a deep breath.” He pressed the branding iron onto her upper left shoulder. The aroma of burnt skin enveloped the shed.
She wailed a blood-curdling scream through the duct tape and slipped into unconsciousness.
Morty stroked her hair, unzipped his pants and urinated on her feet. He admired his signature brand as he tucked his package and zipped his pants. “You’re marked forever, Princess.” He sniffed and savored the burnt skin aroma. “It’s time for you to text Blaze.”
tuesday, may 13, 2058
Four Days Later
chapter 51
Transcendence
Today set the rest of Congressman Thompson’s life - election day. He led in the polls by an eighteen percent margin and campaigned the old-fashioned baby-kissing method. Janice stood beside him in solidarity as their goal of governing in the White House in 2062 was on their minds. They were the first in line to vote.
Meagan stood at the Thompson’s side distributing campaign stickers and buttons to voters. “Please vote. It’s our civic duty.”
Media gathered to film the Congressman’s every move. Damn. I won’t get to see Kelly today. Too many cameras.
Samantha stuck a microphone in front of the politician. “Congressman! How do you feel about being able to vote for yourself today?”
Janice pushed forward and stood in front of the Congressman as she beamed with pride for the camera. “Free. We are Americans and are free to vote. Our nation’s military makes certain that our freedoms aren’t taken from us. That’s how we feel. God Bless the United States of America.”
***
The sun shone through the beige sheer curtains. Blaze slept undisturbed by the noise of the morning traffic, the ambulance sirens that blared and Milo who watched her sleep as he sat on the foot of her bed.
Sam sat at attention to Milo’s right as if frozen in time. They made that bond on the bayou. Tiger Lily and Meow Mix slept curled at the foot of the bed.
Milo inhaled air in rhythm to Blaze’s exhale as he controlled her movements using his mental prowess. His nostrils flared during the intake. Veins popped tight on his face and neck on his exhale. His skull pulsated beneath his Swastika tattoo. Unlike the time he and Red joined forces and choked Isaac in the cell, this control required an enlightened more powerful focus. Rheumatically, they inhaled and exhaled together as if their breaths were a well-choreographed dance. There it is Red. Enjoy my friend.
Milo sensed the connection to Red and Red reciprocated by transferring energy to Milo becoming invigorated to stand over such a woman of beauty and not kill her. No one had ever held that power over them. Did he have that much power and control over her or was it the other way around? He proclaimed his thought to the sky. I’m a God. No one stands in
my way. Milo increased his powerful thought wave to Blaze.
Blaze’s body jerked three times as if a marionette puppet-master controlled her head, body and limbs. Milo distanced himself by backing out of the bedroom stopping in the living room. He fine-tuned his control over his marionette. First her arms raised rapidly and flopped back onto the bed like a rag doll followed by her legs which also mimicked a rag doll in motion. Her four limbs jolted. She slowly opened her eyes while under his grip. She was dizzy not understanding why involuntarily falling across the bed. Why can’t I move my legs? She struggled to move.
As Milo skulked from the living room, he continued to control Blaze. His body motion a fluid art as he controlled his puppet. I wonder if her skin is hot and silky?
For the first time, he bore sinful thoughts. He had not experienced any emotion before other than the power that came from physically killing a victim. Conflicted, spasmodic images of the co-eds he slaughtered flashed every nanosecond in his mind to the point of an electrical overload that severed the link he had to Blaze and to Red.
Milo convulsed as his body spasmed, shuddered and jerked. His nose bled. Is Blaze winning this battle? Milo’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as he collapsed onto the floor. Sam licked Milo’s face. It took nineteen seconds for him to recover from his blackout. He thrust forward like a Ninja and jetted out of the apartment. Sam followed.
As the door slammed shut, Blaze forced herself to sit. Oh, I have a major headache. Dazed and confused, she stumbled out of bed and forced her eyes open. She staggered to the bathroom, knelt over the toilet and vomited as she held her hair back. Once all bile emptied, she dry-heaved.
After several minutes, she rested her head on her arm and clung to the toilet. She ripped off a piece of toilet paper and wiped her lips. She gagged, and the queasiness increased.
Although weak, she clutched the sink and pulled herself to a standing position. She took a few tottering steps. “I’m never drinking red wine again.” She brushed her fingers through her hair.
The Keystroke Killer Page 42