All Monsters are Human

Fourth Murder
That night I didn't sleep well at all. Due to my reluctance to be around Andy, I had been allowed to sleep in the guest bedroom. At first I thought it'd be all right, but I spent half the night staring at the ceiling.

I rolled over and glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table. It was about three in the morning. The flat was quiet and I couldn't hear any noise in the streets. Maybe this was my chance to escape.

I would need to check to make sure the coast was clear. I quietly got out of bed and opened the door. I snuck down the hall and into the lounge. To my absolute horror, Andy was still awake. He seemed to sense my presence and tilted his head over the couch to look at me.

"S-sorry, I couldn't, um, sleep." I stammered, hoping he wouldn't be annoyed.

He sighed and ran a hand through his tousled, black hair. He didn't seem upset, but it was difficult to tell with how he switched moods so rapidly.

"It's fine. I have insomnia anyway. Come sit with me." He sounded weary.

I moved round the couch and sat down. I noticed he was only wearing a pair of black jeans. He was skinny, but his body looked so elegant. I could see his tattoos in more detail. Being this close to him unnerved me though.

This was my chance to get to know him and find out why he was holding me here. I flinched when he reached out, toying with the hem of my pyjama top. It was a favourite of mine with moomins on the front.

"This is cute." He murmured. I felt a shiver slide down my spine at the tone of his voice.

"Thank you, my parents got me this set for my birthday." I whispered. "So, where are your parents?"

His blue eyes regarded me with eerie calmness, but his gaze went to my top and continued to trace the hem. I gasped when his thumb brushed my hip bone. I saw him smirk and my mind started warring with itself.

"My parents are back home. In America." He rubbed the skin so gently.

My breathing stuttered and his eyes shot up again, watching my reactions and he leaned in. I backed away and he paused in his actions, pulling back, but not removing his hand.

"What do they do?" I asked.

"Dad owns a recording company and Mum runs a group of successful beauty salons." He sounded bored by that. I felt his palm flatten against my hip and he rubbed gently.

"We should get to know each other," I mumbled, but regretted it when his gaze became hooded. "I mean, like, talk to each other."

"Tell me to stop then." His hand travelled up and I reached down, grasping it.

For some reason my mind decided to think about Brett and I found myself feeling dejected. I had been with Brett for seven months and it had been a difficult decision to start dating him. I remembered him asking me and I remembered turning him down at first, afraid of the impact it would have on our friendship.

"You're thinking about that guy? The one that cheated on you, right?" Andy had removed his hand. He didn't sound upset, quite the opposite. He sounded concerned.

"I was with him for seven months. We started out as best friends." I was reluctant to discuss this with my abducter, but he was staring at me, waiting for me to continue.

"He didn't deserve you." This time he did sound annoyed, and I shrank back.

He noticed and smiled this time. I could see he was trying to keep his temper in check and that he was trying to make me feel at home. I doubted I ever would, considering I might never see my parents again.

I was about to ask something, delve into more detail about his life and why he did what he did when he stood and stretched. My eyes couldn't help but watch him. The way his muscles rippled under his skin; how his tattoos danced against his body, like a colourful story.

"Like what you see, kitten?" Andy smirked. He had turned to look at me.

I looked away, lost for words and I heard him chuckle. He was in front of me, locking eyes with me.

"I'm going bed. I have an early start tomorrow." He leaned in and for a minute I thought he might kiss me, but he simply kissed my cheek.

In a second he was gone. I sat there, feeling confused. Why was I feeling confused? He was clearly sociopathic and here I was feeling confused.

I rested my head against the cushions and my eyes felt heavy. I must have drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

Sun was streaming through the windows when I opened my eyes. It was Sunday morning and I distinctly recalled Andy saying he was going out. I sat up, only to find there was a cover draped over me.

I threw it off and stood. I had to find out if my parents had discovered I was gone. I dug around for the remote and switched the plasma tv on. Flicking through the channels I found what I was looking for.

"Police are investigating the disappearance of Felicity Ann Smith," There was a man in a suit standing outside my house. He looked solemn. Police cars surrounded my home. "Her parents are appealing for witnesses to come forward. As of right now there have been no witnesses."

The scene changed and I was face-to-face with my Mum and Dad. They looked gaunt and tired. Mum had obviously been crying and whilst Dad hadn't been crying, he looked ill and older than his years due to lack of sleep.

"Well, we rang the house to check on her and when she didn't answer we became very worried. We drove all the way home to find an empty house." Mum choked on her words.

"Could it be possible she went to stop with a friend?" The female reporter asked. Mum looked stricken and it was revealed they had rang all my friend's parents.

"She wasn't with any of them and Felicity wouldn't just run away. She was a happy girl." Mum snapped, clearly affronted by the thought of me running away.

A picture appeared on the screen. It was a photo taken of me at a Christmas party with my cousin. The screen flicked back to Mum and Dad. Mum was sobbing again. My throat tightened.

"If anyone has any information, please get in touch," Dad pleaded. "Felicity is our only daughter and we love her. We just want her home."

That was all I could stand and I switched the tv off. My heart was pounding and I felt like all the air had left my lungs. I had to escape somehow.

I got up and tried the window first, only to discover it was locked. I rushed to the door and found that was locked too. There must be keys for the window somewhere and I was suddenly struck with realisation.

I rushed down the hallway and paused before the other bedroom door. I jiggled the handle and found it was bolted too. The keys were obviously in Andy's room. I had to find a way in.
I spent the morning searching the flat for anything that could aid me in my escape.

Eventually I went and showered, getting myself dressed. I was about to make some lunch when I noticed the phone sitting on the side board.

I grinned and picked it up. I keyed in 999 and pressed it to my ear. I was expecting ringing and the reassurance of someone answering, instead I got a message.

"If you would like to use this phone line please enter your four digit code. Input code after the tone."

I thought quickly. Andy had not disclosed his age to me, but I guessed he was about twenty-four. I inputted the year 1990, but that was obviously not the code. Like Andy would use his own birthdate. I didn't know enough about him to guess any other numbers.

I put the phone back on its stand and sighed. I had to face the truth. I was a prisoner and there was no escape from this place. I sat on a stool and after a while of looking at nothing I felt boredom setting in.

I spent the rest of the morning looking for something to do. I wouldn't be able to go back to college and that thought filled me with dread. I loved my photography course.

I spent the next few hours watching the tv, but avoiding the news channels. I watched some films and some kids tv. The door opened and Andy walked into the lounge. He sat next to me and must have noticed my glum expression.

"My parents are looking for me." I sniffled.

I was surprised when he wrapped an arm round my shoulder, holding me close and rubbing my shoulder. I lifted my head to meet his eyes.

"Andy, please let me go home. I won't tell the police about any of this." I begged him and for a minute I thought he might be considering it.

"I told you that you're not going anywhere." He snapped.

I stood abruptly, putting some distance between us. I glared at him and he stood too. I forgot how tall he was and he towered over me, but I wasn't going to back down.

"I will not stop trying to escape." I seethed. Then added for good mesaure. "You sick freak."

His blue eyes narrowed and I knew I had pushed too far. He reached out and I was smart enough to step back. It was like a game of cat and mouse and I was suddenly afraid. His grin became sinister.

"Better run, kitten and hope I don't catch you." His tone was deadly.

I turned, taking off down the hall. I got to the bathroom just in time and slammed the door, sliding the lock into place. I heard him punch the door and I shrank into the corner.

"Open the fucking door." He shouted, and I sniffled. Fear lanced through me.

"N-no, leave me alone, Andy." I heard my voice break.

There was silence on the other side of the door and I waited. I heard him retreating and I heaved a sigh of relief. He had given up, or so I thought.

The lock turned and I realised he had keys. I sniffed again and pressed myself closer to the wall. This was how I'd die, in a bathroom at the hands of a serial murderer. The door opened and he stepped in, pausing to look at me.

I whimpered when he stepped closer. I felt his presence when he lowered himself to sit in front of me. I flinched when his hand touched mine, dwarfing it.

I lifted my head to look at him. He didn't look angry anymore and his fingers traced my knuckles softly. I shrank back when he moved closer.

"Hey, don't be scared. I won't hurt you, kitten." He pulled me over. He did sound genuine and I shifted over, allowing him to hug me. "I'm sorry I scared you."

I got the impression he didn't apologise often so I savoured this apology. My body felt small and frail in his arms. I burst into tears again and he pulled back, gently dragging his thumbs across my cheeks to wipe away my tears.

"Why did you take me? Why me?" I sobbed, desperately.

"I don't really know." What I hoped would be a definitive answer wasn't any help at all.

We stayed on the bathroom floor for a while, me crying into his shirt. I felt stupid and alone. I longed for my parents. I longed to see my friends again and immediately regretted any bad things I had said about Brett.

"My legs are cramping." I said, lamely.

I tried to stand and nearly fell over. Andy stood quickly and caught me in his arms. I needed comfort so I hugged him again. He was warm and this situation would have been sweet if he hadn't abducted me.

"Let's order pizza." He spoke suddenly. I pulled back and he smiled, looking innocent and child-like.

He was the only person I knew with the uncanny ability to be innocent one moment and scary the next. I had seen him act seductive and I faintly wondered if he had any girlfriends. He was handsome so he must have done.

He took my hand and I looked down, noticing the words 'Dragonfly' tattooed to the back of his hand. I stared at the tattoo as he dragged me out the bathroom.

"Who is Dragonfly?" I asked, and he paused.

He glanced down at his hand, realising I had noticed the tattoo. His blue eyes flashed back to my face and I hoped I hadn't over-stepped the mark again.

"It was for my ex." He sounded sad.

"Was she nice?" I was enjoying getting to know him.

"Yeah, she was nice, I guess. She's getting married next year." He shrugged.

I followed him to the kitchen and stood by as he dug around in the kitchen drawer. He pulled out a menu and handed it to me. I looked at all the options and choose a pepperoni pizza, I stood and tried to watch as he ordered. I was hoping to see what code he used.

Andy wasn't stupid though and as soon as he picked up the phone he lifted his hand, covering my eyes with it. I heard him keying in numbers, but without looking I had no idea what the code was. He removed his hand and started to order food.

When he had hung up I decided to play detective again. I trailed after him when he went and sat down.

"How long were you and Dragonfly together?" I would know if I upset him and so far I hadn't.

"Juliet and I were together on and off for four years." He sighed, reaching out and toying with my hair.

"Did she know you were a, um?" I wasn't sure how to ask this.

"A murderer? No, she had no idea. You never really know someone, kitten." He smiled.

"What about your parents?" I saw him tense, but he didn't look annoyed.

"Mom and Dad know I have problems, but they use their money and influence to stop me getting into trouble. I've never been in prison and I don't have a criminal record. It would look bad if I did so they make it all disappear." He rolled his eyes.

"So the two police officers?" I knew what the answer would be.

"The older guy, Detectice Crane knows my parents. They pay him to keep me out of trouble." Andy replied.

His parents must really love him if they're willing to go to all this trouble to protect. It was odd what the love of family could do.

"They must really love you." I smiled, but he did not.

"Actually they barely know I exist. If I got in trouble it would tarnish the Biersack name and it would ruin my parents." He scoffed.

I was know beginning to see why he acted this way. In a way I felt bad for him and that further served to confuse me.What was going on in my brain right now?

The downstairs doorbell went and Andy stood. I watched him cross the room and buzz the delivery guy in. Once the pizza was paid for we settled down to watch a film together.

I flicked through the channels and stopped when I found something I hadn't seen in ages. I was so excited.

"Wings of Desire is on. I love this film." I must have sounded so odd. Andy was watching me, smiling.

"What's it about?" He asked. He actually seemed interested. My friends used to make fun of me for loving old films and getting all excited by them.

"It's a German film from the eighties. It's about an angel and he gets bored of being an angel. He falls in love with a human. It's sweet and kind of magical to imagine angels falling in love with humans." I realise I sound like a geek so I stop talking.

Andy leans forward and my breathing stutters. For the second time in two days I think he might kiss me. A part of me wonders how it would feel to kiss my abducter and another part of me is angry and wants to escape, get as far away as possible.

"I like it when you talk about films," He grinned. Then as an afterthought. "It's cute."

His hand traces down my face and I hold my breath, awaiting the moment when he kisses me, but he shakes his head and in an instant he was gone.

Why does this make me feel so glum? I don't feel hungry anymore. He seemed to notice my change in demeanor and I feel him pull me closer. I cuddled up to him, breathing in his scent and actually enjoying it.

I managed to see the first part of Wings of Desire until I fall asleep. This time my dreams are blank and empty. It's like my mind cannot process what is happening.

Notes