Stay Down

By James Aa. Keister

he sliced her and displayed her as a butterfly called her a masterpiece. the pain she endured brought him pleasure. he loved insects. his spider display was a work of art. the rest he fed to his angel. while the police were trying to find this psycopath they had their hands full with another type of sadism. she preferred to strip her victims of their private anatomy or cut them up into cubes. were they related or working together? or did they have two random killers on their hands. cunning and with no empathy the college town was a perfect place to find their next game and players to play the game of i kill and you die.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Aa. Keister
• Release date: Jan 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301056590

James Aa. Keister

James Aa. Keister, was born and lives in Monroe, Michigan. An artist in both the arts and music. Letting this strong sense of talent flourish over into his writings. With an imaginative endorsement of realism that brings forth an ever flowing twist to his novels.

Book preview

Chapter One

Courage is the opposite of fear, timidity and cowardice. We may think of a courageous person as one who is strong, valiant, even bold. Yet quiet courage is needed in order to pursue an upright course in anyone's life. While others display courage in circumstances common to the unexpected. It takes courage to live among the wicked upon this earth. And when your just twenty two and on your own, trying to make a living, plus collage, Cristina struggled each day. Hauling books to class then racing off to a no where job. She stumbled into the class room and over to her desk. Very few eyes even took notice of the tired looking plain Jane type girl that tried to hide herself from the rest of the world. She kept to herself...mostly. She did have one friend.

Cristina...hey! You're late again. Rene stated the obvious under her breath, then quickly went back to her own books. Cristina could only grin and try to catch up with the class. At the time, the class and it's professor had gotten used to her stumbling in late. Professor Ryan knew she had a job and it ran in to his time. But he also gave her the respect and leeway plus credit for her work. She was one of the best in his class. She never received anything less than an 3.9 in his class. Considered one of his top students. So professor Ryan over looked her tardiness.

What page? Cristina asked in a whisper.

One twenty seven. Rene whispered back then pointed at the paragraph they were working on. Cristina nodded and glanced the paragraph over as she listened to the professor. After class, Cristina and Rene ran off to Rene's room at the dorm. Enjoying what time they could before their next class came up.

So, you gotta work later? Rene asked as Cristina sat down and opened up her laptop.

Yes...you knew that.

Yeah, it really sucks that you have the most of your classes on your days off of work. You really need to let me take you out sometime. Rene whined. Spring break is in two weeks or so. Rene added. Cristina glanced over at her friend.

So you'll come with me to Dayton a? Rene excitedly stated.

Ah no. It means we can spend time together...if you decide not to run off to some beach party. Cristina took the air out of Rene's balloon.

Cristina! I want you to come with me. We'll have fun. You might just meet a nice guy. Cristina burst out laughing.

Have you taken time to look around lately? Who the hell wants someone like me? Besides, I'm in school all the time and when I'm not, I'm working. I don't have time to date.

Yeah well, don't be surprised. Some guy's gonna come along and change everything. Rene said.

Hardly likely. Cristina grinned with a sideways look. I'll wait for my prince charming once I'm through school and out working a better job. Besides, if a guy ever does...come along. He better have as much to offer as I do or his ass is out just as fast as he came in. That's what I say. Cristina growled.

Yeah well, you'll fall for someone and he'll change your whole life. And you won't care if he has a damn thing, but a hard... Rene paused.

Rene! Cristina huffed. You're such a whore.

Mm! Maybe you ought to try it. Rene began laughing. But Cristina was not amused. She got up and was headed out the door. Rene right behind her. They had classes to get to. Rene was studying to be a legal secretary while Cristina was still floating between Criminal law and Forensic. She had already taken enough classes and had enough credits to become either. Still she felt she needed to learn more and went over the top with classes. Which gave her excelled grades. Rene had finally convinced her to finish out the year's semester and take her labs, bars and tests. But staying busy with work and school was all she had known since high school. Back when she had graduated and instead of receiving a graduation party or a car, as most normal high school grads got, she received a swift kick in her ass and sent out of her parents home. So she told everyone. Which suited her just fine. Now away from the abuse and torture she endured, she kept herself busy with work and school. Her job barely made her enough to get by on. She lived as cheap as she could manage. Putting most of her money into classes and books. Rene had told her that she could always eat her books if she got hungry, but she simply sold back her old books and used that to eat on. And so she grudged through what she had.

Her once held hate for her parents drove her to push herself. But still held that hate inside. It never really went away. Sometimes it came out in tones of anger. Especially on her job when things did not go right. Other times, on those who happened to be around her when she would snap. Rene had felt the burn of that held anger a time or two, but blamed it on her job and schooling. Cristina knew it was more than being tired from her job and classes. She knew it went way deeper than that. And even though she was away from that life now, the thoughts of her abuse were burnt into her memories. Which was also why she avoided relationships. She could not tell her only friend that and risk losing her. So she tried to keep herself in check. And keeping herself so busy that she had no spare time to think, did just that.

She and Rene got back to the University steps and headed inside. Rene hugged her and ran off to her own class. Cristina stood a moment to watch Rene until she disappeared around a corner. But as she turned to go herself, someone had run into her and had knocked the books from her arms. The books and papers hit the floor in a tornado of scattered white flutter. The fire rose in Cristina's chest as she looked down at the mess he had made out of her things. She narrowed her eyes as she looked up at the back of his head while he unnervingly walked away. She was about to scream out at him but was distracted as someone else knelt down and began to help her pick up the papers and books. Once that had been taken care of, Cristina thanked the guy and paced off. She would need to take an hour or so to straighten out her papers. Putting them back in order. She felt someone breeze past her as he sat down next to her. She glanced up at the man who had helped her earlier. Again she felt compelled to thank him, but he said nothing. Just smiled shyly and went to his books. So she did the same.

Through out the week Cristina had been noticing something strange. She was being followed, watched, and had found small items moved or missing from her apartment. Even though she had changed the locks on the doors a couple times. "At first she thought it was Rene. Then maybe the creepy guy who helped her the other day. She could not be sure, but she could not stay at home to try and catch someone breaking in. And with her busy schedule, it made it impossible for her to catch someone stalking her. She could only hope it stopped. Her one friend Rene, tried to help by always watching over her shoulder and making sure that Cristina got into her apartment safe and sound. But still, the eerie feel of eyes on her back set in like cold weather. Giving her chills. She was about to burst into panicked anger. Yet it took courage for her to do what she did. And total courage to kill.

Dark Window

Chapter Two

Hated the day, but sometimes it was all too necessary to be out in it. That's when the world seemed to be busy with it's every day life. The hustle and bustle of cars and people who seem to be in some sort of hurry. All the while, the adage of what was really going on remained cloaked in shrouded torrents of lies and deception. Glassy figments that lure the unsuspected into believing this shiny bright world was the dream of one's freedom. When it's reality was a darker realm of mist that clouded one's eyes into seeing the deceiving truths that were designed to control the humans of this world. And we call it a government. Still mankind went about their daily tasks as if totally oblivious to it all. Or maybe it was that the humans of this world just did not care. Letting the wool be pulled over their eyes as long as they could go on living in some sort of real relative peace. While others plot and scheme, saying it's for the good of mankind, knowing it was only for themselves. Their vile bitter way of holding onto a control they felt was fading out. A control they never really had. Until it was said that they had succeeded. Then it became a race for riches. A world fallen to most every deception possible and what deception had not come naturally...man created. Ranking all of humanity into categories. Like that of the third world, where the lowest possible poverty ran rampant. Then those of the poorest class, hobos, bums and the homeless. The lower class who were just above the other poverty levels, yet not social enough to live well. The middle class that once was a large part of a thriving communicable system, now fallen, no...pushed back to that of poor status. While the rich, with their proverbial greed, continued to be just that...greedy.

But all this had no bearing on what he had become. No class of existence for what he was. Some would think that he was a criminal, a killer, assassin, psycho. But what he was, was simply...death. With no regard to human life. He worked for no one and killed all those who had asked for his hired hand. He took what he wanted and killed who he wished and it did not matter what they did or who they were. If he felt like it...he killed them. Men, women, children. He had no preference. It was what he liked to do. He had a system of things and a method to his madness. A way of doing that which he enjoyed doing without getting caught. He could move among everyday people unnoticed. But he preferred the night. That was when he could slide among the shadows and darker realms of black which concealed his wanton. Letting the glow of neon flashes spill out over black painted eyes of deaths embrace. He had set his sights on someone and would follow them for days. Watching each and every move this person had made. Where they went, what they did, ate, comings and goings. And when he was ready, felt it in his veins, he let the excitement flow through him.

Standing against a wall of some old building, he cared less to enter, he watched up at a single window in the building across the street. The window was dark. Yet his eyes never left it. The window sat on the third floor of some old red brick building that had turned to a faded burnt orange over the span of time. That very window. Why he had such a fascination for this one particular window was anyone's guess. But he had his reason. It was the window to that one person he craved, wanted, felt beneath his skin like some itching disease. And he was ready to scratch that itch with his six inch razor sharp piece of steel he held with one hand. He let a coy grin cross his lips as he stood watching a young couple pass by on the other side of the street. They walked hand in hand and were laughing at some inside joke, he thought to himself. Happy they were, just as he was. But in a whole different way. Their happiness came through love. His came with a hate. A hate that spilled over to a chaotic bliss of murderous fascination. At first, he played death like a game. Seeing how many different ways he could possibly kill someone. How slow or how quick. What he could kill with, and why. He had it all mapped out. And it tasted good. Appealed to his senses.

His eyes went back to the dark window. He could feel a light mist in the air that changed to a light rain. Good! He said beneath his breath, knowing that the rain would chase away prying eyes. The window went bright and so did his smile. He could feel the adrenaline spill through his veins and into his heart as the excitement grew. He watched a shadowed image pace just behind the veiled curtains, then took a quick glance either way down the street as he then stepped out of the dark and paced through the spills of light that spread like water colors across the wet street. He made his way over to the other side of the street. He could feel the rain as it came down harder. Stopped at the foot of the building steps. The very one he did wish to enter. Took a moment to say a little prayer to himself, even though he had no belief. He thought of himself as a god among men. Then bolted up the steps. He slid in through the door and made a quick search of the names posted on the mail boxes. Once he had found the name he was after, he smiled. Looked up the steps just ahead of him and went up to find his prize. The hallways were vacant of anyone, which was fine by him. Even if he had run into someone, he had no worries. He held a look that seemingly made people trust him. So he had no worries, otherwise, he would simply kill them. Drag them off some where and leave them to rot.

He slowly made his way up the old stairway to the next floor. Rounded the corner of the banister and up the next flight. Checking each hall as he came to it. By the time he had gotten to the third floor, he heard a voice behind him on the second floor. But it was only someone leaving and saying their goodbyes. He heard a door click shut then heard the rain as whoever it was, left the building. Then silence. He made a quick pace down the hallway. Glancing at the numbers that were poorly painted upon each door. When he had found the door he was looking for, he stopped. Ah! He quietly sighed to himself. Feeling the tingle of thrill rushing through him. His hand gently touched the door as if he could sense something on the other side. Then put his ear to the door to listen. From inside, he could hear as soft sweet voice singing some song he had never heard before. Of course, he was not a musical type person, so most any song was new to him. He was not intrigued. Anticipating his next move. Listening to the sound of the girl as she paced around her apartment, doing what ever it was she was doing.

Telling himself that these things she was doing right now, were her last acts. Her last moments of a life well lived and loved. He pulled his ear from the door and smiled. Raised up his razor sharp piece of steel. The one he held in his waiting hand, and let it slide slowly between the door and it's jam. Down toward the locking mechanism. The door cracked open.

Determined

Chapter Three

She left the campus yard and headed toward her apartment. She needed to make a stop at near by store. Where she picked up a few things and left. Unaware of the eyes that stared at her from a distance. Maybe it was that she did not care. Along the way, the sidewalk became busy, as she watched a young mother drag her child along behind her. The child, more interested in jumping over whatever was in his way. She was more interested in getting to where she wanted to be. Megan watched them as they passed her and smiled at the child. She then turned her attention to a dress she had seen in a shop window and stopped to stare at it with wanton envy. Wishing she had enough to afford getting it. While she was staring at the pretty aqua green dress, she caught a glimpse of someone staring at her from across the street. She could see the dark figure from the reflection in the glass. But as she turned, he was gone. Or so she thought. All she could see was people walking back and forth. But no signs of anyone staring over at her. She glanced back at the dress with a sigh and made a quick glimpse at the reflection. But saw nothing out of place. So she sighed with a loud huff and paced on. The night was closing in around her, and in the city, the night closed in quick, because of the tall buildings. Which blocked out most of the sky as it was. So Megan picked up her pace. She made sure to stay where there were lights that pushed the city shadows back into their low places of hiding. By this time, the shops and stores, eateries and restaurants, night clubs and bars were turning on their neon lights of glowing allured advertisement. Megan could see them blink to life as she reached the apartment steps. She made a quick glance over her shoulder and disappeared inside.

The five flights of stairs to the third floor was always a challenge. But she was used to it. No one was in the halls or anywhere in sight. She stopped at a door where she could hear a loud television playing out a drama scene from some old classic movie she had no clue of. Then another where a young couple sat arguing at each other over cleaning the house. She could hear the laughter of children and a baby crying out for attention. Once she had gotten to her own apartment, she paused to say thanks to herself for not having so much drama in her own life. She lived simple and alone. She worked at the collage store and found it better to separate herself from those who carried books. Better known as students. Even her coworker had no clue where she lived or much about her. And she liked it that way. Her family had sent her on her way years ago. Not caring much, whether she made it through life or not, but she had done well enough for herself.

Inside the apartment building she stopped and pushed the door shut with a foot, being her arms were full. She heard the lock click and made her way up the steps past all the voices and into her own place. Where she again did her little dance to shut the door. Then fumbled into the kitchen where she relieved her arms of the plastic bags she had carried for more than a few city blocks. Once she had set the bags onto her table, she began to go through them. Pleased with her self for the bargains she had made, which helped to save her money. She was humming to herself. Bouncing around the room, singing the song in her head. She was determined not to let the cares of the world bring her down. She was in the kitchen rifling through her bags of groceries as her front door slowly crept open. A shadow moved slow and steady across the carpeted floor. A long sliver of steel slid gracefully through the well lit room. As the shadow made it's way to the edge of the kitchen archway. Megan continued singing, unaware of the unwanted guest that stood staring at her. She was nose deep in her refrigerator, putting away the fresh veggies she had bought to create her famous salad. She was in the middle of placing the tomatoes into a crisp drawer. Bent over and humming the chorus of her song. She had forgotten the words so she just hummed. She stepped back and stood straight, just about to turn back to the table when she felt a hand wrap around her mouth and saw the long cold steel blade flash before her eyes. Megan's scream was muted as the man's hand muffled her calls. He shoved her against the refrigerator shelves and whispered into her ear. You see this knife? I will kill you with it. He told her. Then with an elbow, he hit her in the back of her head. Knocking her out. Her body went limp.

Narcissistic

Chapter Four

Rene was beside herself. Spring break was only a few days away. And she had made plans despite what her best friend Cristina thought. She had set up an inexpensive hotel room for her and Cristina. She was determined to get Cristina to have a nice time whether she liked it or not. Cristina on the other hand, had other plans, like work. But Rene would not give up. She pushed at Cristina as much as she dared. Cristina refused to budge. So Rene gave up and found someone else to go off to party beach with. While Cristina stayed to herself in her tiny little apartment, working her no where job, wondering how Rene was doing. Hoping the girl was not doing anything stupid. Yet knowing she would. After all, that's what Rene went to spring break for. To be stupid and have fun.

Then, Cristina thought, The next couple of weeks are gonna be long ones. Worrying about her friend. So Cristina kept herself busy working. She even let herself be convinced, of her own will, to treat herself with a nice dinner out. She found something nice to wear and lay it out on her bed. Then peeled off what she was wearing and threw the worn clothes into an already growing heap. She paced back across her living room, past the one window of her apartment and into the bathroom. She stopped at the full length mirror that hung on the back of the bathroom door and took a moment to stare at her nakedness. Cristina was always down playing her hidden beauty. She was supple and well proportioned with shapely curves that accented her five foot six inch thin frame. Well busted matched with a plump buttock. But she hated herself. Thinking she was nothing more than some plain ole Jane.

She twisted the handles of the shower and let the water run a few moments. She climbed into the warm spray of wet droplets. Letting it's warm wetness spill out over her. Soothing her senses and awaking another. She could feel the warmth rise within her. She pulled her loofah from off a hook and squirted some of her favorite body wash onto it. Then rubbed the loofah in her hands until the thick lather ran down her arms. Rubbing the washing sponge across her arms then over her shoulders and down her chest. She let it slide down her mid and down each leg. Pushing the foamy suds across her back side and squeezed the loofah over her shoulder to let the lather run down her back. Now that she was soap covered, she hung the loofah back on it's hook as she indulged in the heated feeling she could not resist. Letting her hands slide over wet soapy nipples and down between her legs as the feelings exploded in waves of quivering moans. She gave into her pleasures for an hour or so then rinsed the soap and silken flows down the drain. She dried off and got ready for her night out. Dressing up and even putting a little make up on. She checked her purse to make sure all her necessities were inside. Then headed out the door.

The streets had become even busier than they were when she came home. The bright neon lights caused her light blue dress to glow in illuminating hues of sparkle. The restaurant she had planned to dine at was just a block away. So she walked with an air of confidence. She made the restaurant doors and went in. a girl, standing at a small stand alone counter, pulled a menu from a shelf beneath her counter and smiled at Cristina. Just one?

Yes. Cristina said.

This way please. The cute girl waved. Cristina followed her to a table and sat down.

Can I get you something to drink?

Coffee...black. Thanks. Cristina sat and waited for her coffee, looking through the items in her purse. Smiling now and again at what she saw. Her coffee came with a side of sugar and creamer, which she ignored as she sipped the hot liquid. But then something strange fluttered across her senses. So she slowly looked up and around the room, but saw nothing out of place or so she could tell. People were engaged in their conversations and enjoying their meals. Yet she still felt as if she was being watched. She sighed loudly and went back to her coffee. But then, someone sat down across from her.

Do you mind? The male voice asked. Cristina looked up from her cup and was about to rudely excuse the man from her mere presence, but held her tongue. She said nothing as the man made himself comfortable.

I saw you were alone...hate seeing anyone as pretty as you, eat alone. Please. He continued as if she were wanting his rude conversation. Order whatever you'd like. I'll buy. He smiled. Cristina let a narrow smile cross her own lips. While the man went on babbling.

Oh, and we can share dessert. Unless you're too full. Then I guess we'll have to skip that part. Oh! By the way, He said, I'm Matt. He put out a hand for her to shake, but she had already felt it coming and picked her coffee cup up with both hands. So she simply nodded at him.

So, what's your name? He withdrew his hand.

Cristina. She whispered.

Sorry I didn't catch that. He said. Cristina realized that she had said her real name. One