He had gone into the living room at 11:30pm and sat and watched a random celebrity do the countdown to the New Year, whilst swigging cheap wine from the bottle. Adrian did not drink alcohol usually and the Lambrini which he had thought was so weak a fish could swim in it; actually had an effect on Adrian making him more forgiving towards the Pig. At midnight he happily grabbed her into an embrace, gave her a quick peck on the cheek and said, "Happy New Year mother." Pig had been delighted, breaking out into a truly terrible screeching rendition of Auld Lang Syne, slurring through the unknown phrases and filling in words with random sounds. This was where Adrian drew the line in his tolerance of his mother and he trundled back to his bedroom to see if Lacey was online.
-x-
Adrian lay back on his bed and closed his eyes for a short while. He instantly felt as though he was on the roundabout from the children's playground and could feel his brain moving around and around, even though his body was incapable of following. The constant swirling made him feel nauseous so he opened his eyes to get his bearings and to ward off the vomit he envisioned would soon come.
He concentrated on looking at his surroundings, hoping to give his brain something else to concentrate on. Adrian decided his room was very boring. He let his eyes wander over the plain grey curtains which hung limply from the white plastic curtain rail. Every other curtain hook had broken due to over-enthusiastic pulling, causing parts of the material to gape away from the rail. Bright white but worn nets gleamed in his window; what his mother lacked in wealth and personality she made up for with her tireless cleaning.
Adrian's eyes wandered down to his feet which were now touching the end of his bed. He hadn't had a new bed since he was moved from his cot into the divan he now lay in. The mattress where once had provided enough spring for Adrian to touch the ceiling as he jumped on it, would now creak in complaint at the slightest movement and the springs had most definitely sprung. Everything in Adrian's room was from the cheapest range in all the relative stores. The only shining opposite to that being his beloved computer, but even that was now approaching six years old and was in desperate need of an upgrade.
Adrian finally felt as if he could sit up on his bed and turned to retrieve his keyboard from the tired computer desk in his room. He leant the keyboard on his knees and sought the private messaging system he shared with Lacey so he could see if she was available online. Five minutes of 'poking' revealed Lacey was offline or ignoring him; Adrian was never sure which it may be ever since the game they had played had put a barrier between them.
He noticed at that moment that Lacey's friend Savannah was online. She would never speak to Adrian 'in the flesh', but would share a few moments online with him. Unhappily for Adrian the comments she shared with him were usually deriding him for his 'rabbit teeth' or his 'fuzzy hair'. She did not treat him in the same way that Lacey did. Rather than hate her for her cruel jibes, Adrian saw it as a challenge. His ability to manipulate was his one true talent in his mind and he was confident that if he came across Savannah at the right moment then his talent could truly shine. He decided to try his luck now.
ADE234: Hi Sav, what r u doing?
SAV1: Nothing, just sitting in my room.
This was an unusual response from Savannah. It contained none of the usual abuse she would levy at him whenever he attempted to contact her.
ADE234: Happy New Year :-)
SAV1: yh and u
ADE234: Wassup?
SAV1: None of ure business
ADE234: Ok, don't tell me. Did u have a nice xmas?
Adrian waited for a response from Savannah. He knew she was online because there was a green dot next to her name on the messaging list. After about five minutes he decided he was going to stop waiting and go to bed; the wine was still having an effect on him and he was tired. As he turned away from the screen a bong sound alerted him to Savannah's response.
SAV1: I h8 my parents.
ADE234: Y??
SAV1: They had a big ruck on xmas day. My stepdad smashed evryfing, even my Nintendo.........
ADE234: Oh no, y did he do that?
SAV1: Bcos he's a wanker. My mum didn't care, they just argue all the time, all they care about is there beer.
ADE234: Oh
SAV1: And drugs. I saw my stepdad put a needle in his arm ffs.
ADE234: They luv u tho, don't they?
SAV1: NO, NO, NO............ they don't luv me, they wudnt care if I was dead. I'm gonna kill myself.
ADE234: Don't do that Sav
SAV1: Y not? No 1 wud care.
ADE234: I would care.
SAV1: Really?
ADE234: Yh, I like u.
SAV1: But I am so horrible 2 u, y do u like me?
ADE234: I don't care about that, I really like u :-) I don't want u 2 die.
SAV1: Well I don't know what I'm gonna do. I feel like shit. :-(
ADE234: Do u need a cuddle ()
SAV1: Yh, lol, thnx
ADE234: What r u gonna do now?
SAV1: I don't know.
ADE234: Do u wanna have a drink? I've got some wine.
SAV1: I'm not sppsed to go out.
ADE234: Thght you didn't care about ure parents and you h8td them?
SAV1: Yh ure right. I'll come out, shall I call at ure window?
ADE234: No, I'll come and meet u, we can have some fun away from the parents :-) <3
SAV1: Ok, where?
ADE234: At the allotments.
SAV1: Ok.
ADE234: U shd delete this so ure parents dnt know where uve gone.
SAV1: uh ok, c u in a min. :-)
-x-
Adrian felt lucky; communication with Savannah was completely unexpected and now only a short conversation later and he was on his way to meet her. He had sneaked out of the flat; his mother had not quite made it to bed, he had seen her foot dangling off the sofa and could hear the television still playing in the confines of their front room. Slipping silently out of the front door he crept down the communal stairs and let himself out of the communal door, ensuring he caught it before it could slam shut and helping it to click silently closed.
The weather was very good for New Year, it was crisp and dry and Adrian could smell the sulphur in the air from the exploded fireworks which had lit up the sky at midnight. He kicked the odd empty fallen rocket as he walked through the children's playground. Moving briskly on the pavement, excited by his imminent meeting, Adrian made his way past Big Value and on past the gargantuan rugby stadium which sat proudly in Elisworth but declared itself as 'Twockford'; something most of the local residents were also prone to do as Twockford was a more affluent area, boasting residents with Class.
He looked up at the stadium awed by its presence in an otherwise residential area. It seemed strange to walk past houses and parked cars only to find this expanse of concrete and glass waiting for the arrival of the chanting crowds on rugby days.
As Adrian neared the dual carriageway he took a detour down an alleyway used only by the keepers of the allotments which were tucked away behind a line of bushes on the road. Adrian and the other kids in the neighbourhood had frequented these allotments on many occasions. The other kids to pull up plants and allow the pet rabbits and chickens to escape which would provide them with short term amusement before seeking pleasure elsewhere; Adrian generally went there to be alone in a different setting, away from the claustrophobic love of his mother and away from his life in general. He liked to see how tomatoes would develop and wondered at how strawberries went from small white flower to hard green nubbin into sweet and juicy red deliciousness. Adrian had spent many hours in these allotments and knew them well. He knew which squares were cultivated regularly and knew which ones had been abandoned. Adrian had actually put his name on the waiting list for an allotment when he had turned eighteen and was currently saving for a shed to put on the land when he finally got a plot. He had longed for a place where he could sit without the inevitable interruptions from his mother.
<
br /> One particularly well kept allotment which Adrian admired the most, boasted a blue painted shed with ornaments hanging from it; a squirrel, a robin and some butterflies. It also had a cast iron bench proudly displayed on a slab of concrete in front of the shed which Adrian would often sit on when the owner wasn't there. Adrian sat on the bench now to await the arrival of Savannah. He took out the Lambrini he had lifted from the corridor of the flat on his way out, opened it and took another swig while he waited. It was now about one o'clock and Adrian was feeling tired. He put his head back and fell asleep almost immediately.
-x-
"Adrian, wake up."
Adrian awoke to find Savannah pushing him gently on the shoulder.
"Adrian you doughnut, you fell asleep." Savannah giggled.
"Eh? What's the time?" Adrian asked.
"Half one, I had to run here, it's well dark outside and there was some weirdo standing on the corner."
"Did your mum and stepdad see you go out?"
"'Course not, like they'd let me out at one o'clock in the morning." Savannah sighed, "I don't know why I came here to see you anyway." She sneered at him.
"Well why did you come then?"
"I don't know, I'm pissed off with them fucking people. They always argue; I hate them. Every fucking Christmas I have to see them like that."
"Only at Christmas?" Adrian smirked. Savannah smiled at him, "Nah," she said, "Every fucking week."
Adrian didn't like Savannah swearing, it made her seem a lot older than her young years and he didn't think it sounded right coming out of her small delicate mouth. All the kids on the estate swore though; practically the minute they could talk, a tirade of fucks and bollocks would escape their mouths whilst at play.
"Where's Lacey?" asked Adrian.
"She's gone to her nans, not coming back till school starts. She hates it there; her Nan hasn't even got Sky." An incredulous Savannah answered.
Adrian now understood why Lacey had not returned his messages. It made him feel good to know she hadn't given up on him.
"Have you kissed Lacey?" Savannah sang, her eyes twinkling. Adrian didn't reply, he was surprised that Lacey had told anyone about their communications. He had expressly told her not to tell.
"No," he replied, "Did she say I had kissed her?"
Savannah shrugged her shoulders and looked away. "Nah, I just know she likes you." She turned back to look at Adrian. "And I saw that letter remember, don't know why she likes you, you're ugly."
"Well you aren't ugly Sav, you're very pretty."
"Really?" Savannah seemed surprised. It seemed no one had ever told her this before.
"Yes Sav, I love your hair." Adrian reached out to touch her shoulder length chestnut hair. In truth it was always dirty and hung in rat's tails around Savannah's face. Adrian could actually see a creature making its way through the tangles as he touched it.
Savannah moved herself out of Adrian's reach, "Get off." She admonished him, "You're not my boyfriend, where's the wine?"
Adrian produced the bottle of Lambrini, twisted off the cap and took a long gulp from the bottle neck. He passed the bottle to Savannah who took a hefty swig and screwed up her face afterwards, bringing her hand up to her mouth as if to keep the wine in.
"Have you had wine before?" Adrian gestured towards the bottle in Savannah's hand, "Do you like it?"
"I've had WKD before, that's much nicer, this tastes like piss." she exclaimed.
"Yeah but it gets you pissed." Adrian laughed.
Both Adrian and Savannah sat on the bench alternately swigging from the bottle and talking with each other. Adrian encouraged Savannah to talk of her problems with her family, she had been reluctant at first but the wine gave her courage and soon her sorrows were flowing. Adrian consoled Savannah with his words and ensured she had a good share of the litre bottle of wine. As time wore on Savannah became less hostile towards Adrian's advances which began once again with hair touching, arm touching and moved on to Adrian putting his arms around her to 'keep her warm' in the cold dark allotment.
Adrian brought his face closer to Savannahs. He was so close he could feel her breath on his face, it smelled of the sweet wine she was drinking. He could see her small white teeth twinkling in her mouth as she opened and closed it whilst talking. Adrian was overcome with an urge to kiss Savannah. Mindful of Charmaine's reaction to him grabbing her in the past, he resolved to take his time with Savannah. He was determined that this time he was going to get what he wanted.
Savannah's intoxication made her oblivious to Adrian's advances, she was a naturally tactile person and as she became more comfortable in Adrian's presence she didn't mind him consoling her.
"I really like you Savannah." Adrian whispered.
"Do you know what Adrian?" she slurred, "You're alright too." She knocked back the last dregs of the wine bottle and marvelled at the now empty vessel. "Cor we drunk all of that." she exclaimed.
"You drunk most of it," laughed Adrian.
"Oh," she giggled, "Can you get any more?"
"No."
A melancholy came over Savannah and she sat back, apparently reflecting on her problems. Both sat quiet for a short while and Savannah began to shiver; her body temperature dropping due to the alcohol coursing through her veins.
Adrian put his arm around Savannah once more and she leaned into him, enjoying the warmth his embrace gave her. Without words Adrian lowered his mouth to match Savannah's. She knew he wanted to kiss her and felt that she may like to kiss him as he had been so nice and seemed to understand her so well. Savannah reached for Adrian's mouth with her lips. Adrian became immediately excited at the feel of Savannah on him. He forced his tongue into her mouth, which made her pull back from him. "It's ok, this is what everybody does." He assured her. "It's nice Sav, you're nice."
Savannah shivered and Adrian pulled her closer, he could feel his erection pushing its way through his trousers and his body was starting to take control of the situation. Even though he knew it was wrong he saw his own hands reaching for Savannah's clothing and start to travel towards her immature breasts, still braless under her t-shirt. Adrian did not seem to have any control over what he was doing, it was as if he were looking through a window at a scene playing out in front of him; a type of surreal porn. Adrian watched as he held Savannah down, pinning her arms to the bench. He watched her fall to the ground and to kick out with her legs and then saw himself grab those legs and force them open, pulling at her jeans and knickers, ripping them off with his free hand. Adrian could feel his own hand take his penis from his trousers and then insert it into Savannah's vagina. He became lost in his emotions and in feeling her hotness, holding her by the neck as he had seen happen in the films he had watched online. He could hear only a rushing sound in his ears and was blinded momentarily as he pumped furiously into Savannah's body.
Adrian felt himself come back to his senses after a short while, once again his erection had begun to fail and the emotion which had overtaken him just moments earlier began to dissipate. He looked at Savannah's face which seemed to him to be very peaceful. She wasn't screaming or crying, her eyes were closed and he thought she must be enjoying herself. As he looked closer he saw his hand was still holding Savannah's throat and her two little hands were gripping the sides of his fingers.
Adrian snapped back into his body and mind. He could feel he was whole again and he withdrew himself from the ground where Savannah lay. Looking down at her body now gleaming white, legs naked and twisted against the concrete slab; he called her name. Her eyes remained closed and she did not respond to him. Adrian put his ear to her chest to see if he could hear or feel her breathing then slapped her hard on the face to try to get a response from her. She did not move. Nothing of her moved. She lay cold and still and silent on the floor at Adrian's knees. She was dead, he had killed her.
-x-
Still and silent; everything surrounding Adrian had come to a standstill. Even the wind had stopped its motion thro
ugh the leaves of the trees surrounding the allotments. Birds which had begun to twitter in the coming morn had stopped their chattering and car engines were no longer audible in the allotment. Adrian viewed Savannah as though at the end of a camera lens; his whole being focused on her lifeless face. From one moment of maddening passion came this cold lifeless angel before him. Adrian thought Savannah really did look like an angel now; it was almost as if death suited her. He spent a moment pondering the beauty of her but could feel truth creeping its way into his bones.
The truth was he had just raped and murdered a young girl. Adrian was surprised at how normal he felt about his situation. Her death did not upset him, he was calmed by it. The only panic he felt was in the being caught and having to go to prison. He had been silly not to plan this better and chided himself for getting caught up in the moment and carrying out his plan; one, at the wrong time and two, on the wrong person. He had been planning Lacey's demise for weeks, hoping the murder would be the edge he had needed to give him the release he required. He was disappointed that that had not happened and believed that he still needed Lacey as he had a real emotional connection with her.
Adrian gave silent thanks for the crime scene games he had played tirelessly since the computer became his. He began to view the scene before him as a chapter of the game he knew so well; DNA, fingerprints, hair samples. He knew he had to get Savannah to running water to clean her up and that he had to dispose of her clothing in case he had left any trace evidence behind. He took one last long look at Savannah, stroking his hardening penis as he did so. He thought he may as well make use of her while he had her. The night was nearly over and he resolved to get to work, he had a lot to do in the next few hours.
Chapter 13
'Love is blind.'
William Shakespeare
Mother Be The Judge Page 8