Living the American Dream

by Frank Cereo

  This hit knocks four of Jeb’s top and bottom teeth out. He spits them out as blood runs down his chin.

  “Is that all you got?” Jeb says in a faint voice.

  “I wish I had all night to beat you but I have a schedule to keep.” I say as I swing the butt stock of the rifle into his jaw.

  I hit him so hard and blatant that I could hear the bones crack in his jaw. Then I felt something snap inside of me as I started bashing his head against a tree with the end of the rifle. I just keep jabbing and jamming his head. Every hit sprayed blood all over the tree.

  “This is what happens to selfish people that only care about themselves. There are many good people out there that you purposely ruined their lives. I am sick and tired of working for assholes like you. I was raised by a father that fought in World War II. He was the hardest working man I ever seen. He went to work when he was sick he went work when he was dying. That man cared and that generation has to be rolling over in their graves seeing what you are doing to this once great nation.” I say as I beat Jeb like a madman.

  Jeb doesn’t say another word especially when his skull caves in. I didn’t stop there because I beat him until he was unrecognizable to anyone. By the time I finished with him there wasn’t much left above the neck with the exception of mush. When I finally came back to reality I was ashamed of my work. I really didn’t expect to snap but it is what it is.

  “Have a nice day!” I say as I walk away from the corpse.

  I look at my watch and see the time is 11:39 and I need to finish my work in Houston. I start to jog towards my car. I am really pumped up as I can feel my heart racing in my chest. From a jog I go into an all-out sprint. The cool air on my face feels good. When I get to my car I put my hands on my knees as I try and catch my breath. The temperature has fallen into the thirties as I can see my breath as it condensates into the air.

  “Holy shit that whole thing was exhilarating.” I say as I get into my car.

  I put the key in the ignition and start the car. I put the car in drive and pull out on the road. I pass by Jeb’s house and look up the drive. There is nothing moving and it’s so serene. I still know when Jeb’s wife comes around, she will phone the authorities but it will take time for them catch up to me. I think to myself I should have killed her but then I thought about the kids. It was going to be bad enough without a father so I couldn’t kill their mother.

  When I reached the main road I turned towards Steven Waynewright’s house. I already memorized my plan as I ran it though my head over and over again. Then my cell phone rings again. I look at the screen and see this woman is calling me again. Does she have telepathy because she only calls me after a kill? She must be able see inside my mind because there is no one following me.

  “Okay this is getting out of hand. I don’t know you so please leave me alone. Do you hear me?” I say into the phone.

  “Freddy this is all wrong you’re not supposed to be there. Come home now and all will be forgotten.” The woman’s voice says.

  “Are you kidding me? Nothing will be forgotten, I will be lucky to make it back home alive.” I reply.

  “This isn’t the way things were supposed to be for us. We had a great life together and we need you home.” The woman’s voice says.

  “Together are you kidding me? If you are my wife you left me a note telling me you were leaving me. So whoever you are, please leave me the hell alone.” I yell.

  “Freddy come home, come home, come home now.” The woman’s voice says as it fades away.

  “What the hell is going on?” I say as I put my cell phone on the passenger seat.

  I take my time making sure I stay at the speed limit. I drive careful as the roads are abandoned at this time of night. It takes me about twenty minutes to reach Steven Waynewright’s house. I drive by casually as I look for a place to park off a side road. When I find my parking spot I just sit and wait. I put my head back on the headrest and think about what’s to come. I dodged a bullet at Jeb’s house and this was going to be even harder to pull off. Not only are there three security guards but three federal agents also. So I put my head back and played my plan over and over again. I know everything has to be precise and everything has to be done with perfection.

  Chapter 19 – Steven Waynewright

  To put my plan in motion as I park my car on a service road that encircles the gated community. The sides of the service road are dark and overgrown with trees and shrubs. I take the jack out of the truck and jack up the backside of my car. Then I wait for the security guard truck to make its rounds. Like clockwork he arrives fifteen minutes after midnight. The security guard pulls up right behind me with his headlights shining on me. I can see the silhouette moving inside the cab of the pickup truck. The security guard turns on his flashlight before he gets out. I can see the light beam moving around inside the cab. Then he emerges from the pickup truck and proceeds to walk towards me.

  “This is a private road. What are you doing here?” The security guard asks with a snotty attitude.

  “I was taking a short cut when I got a flat tire.” I say to the security guard.

  “Did you not see the sign saying no trespassing? It’s fucking retards like you that make my job difficult. You know you’re going to get a citation and you will have to stand before a judge.” The security guard says.

  The security guard starts to walk back to his pickup truck to call in the incident. That was my indicator to make my move. I grab the cocky bastard around the neck and stick my knife into the lower portion of his back. I went handle deep and twisted the knife to destroy his internal organs.

  “Ugh, ahh what the fuck.” The security guard says as I pulled him to the ground.

  “I guess you get to stand in front of the real judge. I know where you’re headed and that is straight to hell.” I reply as he dies quickly from blood loss.

  I wipe the knife on his clothing and drag him to the side of the road. There I remove his brown baseball cap that has the security company’s logo. Then I push him down a small embankment. I watch the dead body as it rolls over and over to the bottom. There he lies face up staring into the darkness. I walk back to my car and lower the jack. I put everything in the trunk and lock the car up. I put the keys into my pocket and walk towards the pickup. I look inside the cab and see his coat. The coat is from the security company because it is also brown with the company logo located on the left side. I pull the coat off the hanger and put it on. I see the walkie-talkie lying on the seat. I pick it up and attach it to my belt. I turn the pickup truck around and head back towards the security guard shack. I drive right up and park the pickup truck with the headlights blinding inside the shack. I get out of the pickup and walk towards the entrance to the shack. I have my handgun with the silencer already attached.

  “Romeo, what the hell are you doing?” The female security guards asks.

  “Definitely not trying to pick up your ugly ass Juliette.” I say with a gun pointed at her head.

  The female security guard looks at me like she was a deer looking into headlights. She backs up against the wall unsure of what to expect.

  “You’re not Romeo?” She says as she reaches for something behind her.

  “No I am not, so please put your hands in front of you.” I say as I keep my eyes glued to her movements.

  The woman does as she is asked. I can see the look of fear in her eyes.

  “What are you trying to pull off here? There are three security guards and three federal agents here. Hey wait a minute you’re the man they think may be trying to murder Mr. Waynewright.” She says.

  “Call the other security guards back here now!” I say as I point my handgun at her head.

  “What did you do to Romeo?” She asks as she grabs the walkie-talkie.

  “Romeo is taking a dirt nap and so will you if you don’t follow my instructions. Do one thing wrong and they will be cleaning your brains off the window behind you” I say with sincerity.

  “
Dave come back to the office. There is a phone call for you.” She says into the walkie-talkie.

  “Sharon you know I can’t take personal calls it’s against regulations.” Dave replies.

  “Dave it sounds like it’s an emergency.” Sharon responds.

  “Is it my wife?” Dave asks.

  “I didn’t ask but they said it was urgent.” Sharon replies.

  “I’m on my way. I will be there in about two minutes.” Dave says.

  “10-4,” Sharon says as she sits in the chair at her desk.

  “Give me a cup of coffee?” I ask

  “Get it yourself. I am not your mother.” Sharon says with attitude.

  “Do you remember what I said about doing as I ask and what the end result would be?” I say with a stern voice.

  She gets up from the desk and pours me a cup of coffee and hands it to me. I take a sip of the hot coffee with no sugar or creamer. It’s a little on the strong side but I need the caffeine to keep me going. It’s been a long night of murder and I’m still not done yet.

  “You know they are going to kill you tonight. I hope I get one shot at you.” Sharon says as she sits back down behind the desk.

  “Don’t count on it.” I say as I can see Dave walking down the road towards the shack.

  I walk into the corner so Dave cannot see me. I keep the handgun aimed at Sharon as she sits still behind the desk. Then the door opens and Dave walks in. He sees the phone is still hanging in position.

  “What is this?” Dave says to Sharon.

  “It’s the last phase of a long night.” I say as I put the handgun against his temple and blow his brains out.

  Dave’s lifeless body falls harmlessly to the floor. Sharon is shocked and doesn’t believe I just killed him in cold blood. I watch as Dave’s body bounces once on the floor before it comes to a rest. I look up and see Sharon reaching for something under the desk. I don’t even have to think twice about it and lift the handgun up and fire one shot into her chest. I walk around to the backside of the desk and I see the handgun she was reaching for. I turn and look at Sharon while her blood is pumping out of her chest and into her clothing. I look into her eyes and she is looking at me. Her eyes are calling for help but it’s not coming any time soon.

  “Hurts like hell don’t it?” I ask as I can see a tear dripping down her face.

  Sharon doesn’t say a word but her eyes are telling me the story.

  “Maybe this will stop the pain.” I say as I put the gun against her head.

  Sharon closes her eyes as I pull the trigger. The window is showered with blood as Sharon’s body slumps over the chair on to the desk. I walk over to the coffee maker and pour two cups of coffee. I put the travel lids onto the cups. I carry the cups out to the pickup truck. I put the coffee cups into the cup holders inside the cab. I put the truck into gear and drive towards Steven Waynewright’s house. When I arrive at his house the federal agent in front of the house comes walking towards the pickup truck. I grab a cup of coffee and get out of the truck. The agent walks around the front of the truck. I take one quick look at the house and I see an agent inside looking out at me.

  “I thought you might want a hot cup of java on this cold night.” I say as I hand him a cup of coffee.

  “Oh yeah this is something warranted on this cold night.” The federal agent says as he rubs his hands together before he grabs the coffee.

  “Do you think that crazy man will make an attempt on Mr. Waynewright’s life?” I ask the agent.

  “Hell no, there are three of you protecting the perimeter and three of us guarding the house. An amateur doesn’t stand a chance.” The agents says while he takes a sip of coffee.

  “You know that’s what everyone seems to be thinking.” I say as I thrust my knife up and into his abdomen.

  The agent doesn’t say a word and the security guard disguise even fooled him. He falls down on the opposite side of the pickup truck. His body is out of site from inside the house. I look down at the agent as he dies almost instantaneously. I look back at the house and the agent inside has gone back to his post.

  “This is way too easy.” I say as I grab the second cup of coffee.

  I walk towards the back of the house where federal agent number two is in position. When I come around the corner he pulls his gun on me.

  “Hold it right there?” The second federal agent says.

  “Whoa, whoa there big guy. It’s Romeo the security guard. I thought you would like a cup of coffee.” I say as I reach out with a cup of coffee.

  “You shouldn’t startle a man working in the darkness.” The agent says as he puts the gun back in its holster.

  “Oh sorry about that I’ll leave you be.” I say as I start to walk away.

  “Hang on there, man. I will take that cup of coffee.” The agent says as I turn around and walk towards him with the coffee in hand.

  The agent reaches for the coffee and looks me right in the eyes. He see it’s not Romeo as he reaches for his gun.

  “You’re not Romeo.” He says as he pulls his gun out of the holster.

  “Exactly,” I reply as I plunge the knife up under his bullet proof vest.

  The agent tries to call for help but I pull his ear jack and phone off him. The agent drops to his knees and falls face first into my knees. When I pull the knife out and he is still breathing. So I slit his throat to make sure he was dead. Then I walk towards the back door and when I arrive someone opens it for me. I jump back not knowing what happened and to my advantage Steven Waynewright just opened the door for me.

  “Would you like a hot cup of tea or something?” Steven asks.

  “Sure, it’s cold out here.” I say

  “Well come on in.” Steven replies as he opens the door to allow me in.

  I walk into the kitchen which is located at the rear of his house. The kitchen is immaculate with all stainless steel appliances, large island with a pot and pan rack hanging from the ceiling, and the cabinets are made of oak. The room is something out of a magazine or from a TV show.

  “It’s a brutal winter and it only just beginning.” Steven says as he locks the door behind me.

  “Yes sir it is.” I reply.

  “What the hell are you doing letting someone into your house?” The last agent says as he comes running into the kitchen.

  “I’m just getting the young man something warm to drink.” Steven replies as he reaches for the pot on the stove.

  “Are you kidding me old man. There is a nut bag out there that might be on his way here to kill you.” The agent says.

  “Wrong agent, he is here. Goodbye,” I say as I shoot him in the head.

  The agent flies backward and hits the kitchen cabinets before he comes to rest. I turn the gun towards Steven and he quickly raises his hands.

  “Please don’t kill me!” Steven pleads.

  “All the money in world isn’t going to save you. You see I have already pushed the button for my own lethal injection so nothing is going to change my mind. I’m dead no matter what I do. I don’t want your money or anything you have to offer. The only satisfaction I have left is finishing what I started.” I say as I lift up my handgun.

  “Please sir I have a wife upstairs and she doesn’t need to see me dead on the floor.” Steven says as he grabs for a knife.

  I shoot Steven in his right hand. He drops the knife onto the countertop. Steven grabs his right hand with his left hand. He grimaces from the pain as blood drips onto the floor.

  “How does that feel?” I ask as I keep the gun aimed at him.

  “Fuck you.” Steven says

  “Is that the only phrase you people know? Be more your own person and strive for your own phrase.” I reply.

  “You’re going to die a painful death.” Steven says sarcastically.

  “What the fuck do you know? I already died a very slow and painful death by greedy business owners in this country. They never have enough money. They always need to make more no matter who it hurts. The w
orking man that built this country doesn’t stand a chance to live the American dream of owning a house and raising a family with a decent middle class wage. The workers that carried this country for so many years are starving. If you’re rich you have everything. If you’re a welfare recipient you get everything for free. There is no incentive any more in this country.” I say as I walk up to Steven and bash him in the face with my gun.

  “You know the saying if you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen.” Steven says as he wipes the blood from his mouth.

  “Guess what mother fucker. You’re never going to spend another single penny. I am going to show you how life feels when everything is pulled out from underneath you.” I say

  “Please don’t hurt my family!” Steven pleads.

  “I’m not going to touch your family. That’s even beneath me but I am going to make your death as painful as I can.” I say as I grab the knife off the counter.

  Steven starts to back up until he runs into the refrigerator. He stops and looks to his left and then right to see which directions he is going run. When he looks to the front I am standing there. He tries to run to the right towards the interior of the house. He isn’t looking where he is going because he is starting to panic. He doesn’t look down and trips over the dead federal agent. That’s when I take the knife and cut his Achilles tendon on his right foot. Steve lets out a yell and that’s when I cut the Achilles tendon on his left foot.

  “You keep yelling I am going to kill whoever comes into this kitchen.” I say in an angered tone.

  Steven tries to get up and with the severed tendons he falls flat on his face. He starts to use his hands to pull himself across the kitchen floor. That’s when I stab the kitchen knife deep into the back of his right thigh. Steven tries not to yell because he doesn’t want to see me kill anyone else in his family.

  “I bet that hurt!” I say sarcastically.