I woke up this morning and went to open my coffee shop. Today was like any other day, except I have been shorthanded lately. I decided to put a help wanted sign in the window. The business has been booming recently. Hopefully, they will stick around for a long time when I hire someone. Before the morning rush poured in, I began cleaning the dining area and brewing coffee, tea, cappuccino, and everything else I needed. I baked some cookies, cakes, and pies for my highly demanding customers. Imagine if I could get someone in here before the end of the week. That would be wonderful. I finally got my dream business, and now I am always tired. Since James and Barbara quit me, I haven't had much time to do anything but work. Many people filled the shop when I unlocked the door and put the open sign in the window. Luckily for me, I already knew what most of them wanted. Only a few people asked about the position, and I gave them information. I was able to set up quite a few interviews. That was good news for me. Things were looking up already, yay!

By 11 am, things started to slow down. My friend Janice came to see me. She asked if there was anything for her to do to help me. I told her yes, that would be nice. After cleaning up, we just sat at one of the tables and relaxed. Everything was all set. It was time to close for the night. Janice came to my house, where we drank and caught up on things.

"Tiana, I have some good news and can't wait to tell you!" Janice said excitedly.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Close your eyes, and I will show you." She answered.

"Okay, okay, okay,"I said.

She held out her hand and said, "Look!"

"Oh my, is it? Really? Aww. Congrats." I said.

"Yes. I'm getting married. Get changed so we can go out and celebrate. I want you to be my maid of honor. You're my best friend, and I will do the same for you. "She said happily.

"Of course I will. I'm so happy for you. When did this happen?" I said.

"Okay, I'll tell you. So, Marcus and I went on vacation to the lake house for a romantic time.

We needed the alone time away from work and everything else that was going on. On the third day, he proposed to me at dinner. I was so ecstatic that I almost fell out of my chair. I yelled out yes to him. It's weird because I didn't think he was the marrying type until now. That's why I asked if you have seen anyone yet. It's time you get back out there." She explained.

"That's wonderful. You know I cannot get back out there after what happened." I said.

"I know it has been hard, but nobody needs to know what happened in the past. It's the past for a reason. I told you it's a secret between friends; no one else needs to know. Marcus doesn't even know, and he never will. Do you understand some things are better left unsaid? No harm can come from it. Just bury it in your mind as I did, and don't think about it again. I will always be here for you. Now hurry up and change so we can go out." Janice said, comforting me.

After getting dressed, we went out to our favorite club to celebrate. We drank and danced all night until closing. It felt good to have her around again. I was beginning to feel lonely.The next day, I awoke with a killer headache. I took some Advil and made some breakfast while Janice was still asleep. I began looking over some of the applications for prospective employees. She came downstairs into the kitchen smiling. She was so hungover. I told her to eat something and relax a bit. She said that she had to go home. Janice hugged me. Then she left, telling me she would come by the shop later. When she left, I started my day. I cleaned the house, removed the garbage, showered, brushed my teeth, and did my hair and make-up. Then, I sat in the living room, calling people in for interviews. I was able to set up three for today. I drove to the shop to meet my first candidate. As soon as I unlocked the shop's door, I turned around and saw a woman standing there. She must've been the one that I came to meet.

"Hi, I'm Tiana. Are you here for the job?" I asked. The woman said nothing and stared at me blankly as if she didn't understand. "Okay, have a lovely day. I'm not open yet," I said.

"I am here for the job. I'm sorry, but I tend to zone out. I am Beth, " the woman answered.

"Well, step inside and take a seat. I will be with you shortly. Let me turn on the lights." I said as we walked inside. I thought to myself, and she's a strange woman. "Alright, let's get started. Do you have any experience?" I said.

"No, not really. Are you willing to train? Beth answered.

"I will train the right person. You must be willing to learn. When are you available? Do you have specific days you can and cannot work?" I said.

"Well, I go to school part-time, andI'm looking for something on the weekends," Beth replied.

"I am looking for someone to work full-time now. You see, it's only me here. I need a full-time worker. I'm going to have to decline, but thanks." I said.

"That is okay. I hope you find what you're looking for. Thanks for meeting with me, though. Have a wonderful day." Beth said as she left the shop.

"Hello, anyone here?" Asked a woman dressed in red.

"Hi. How are you?" I said.

"Are you Tiana? I spoke to you on the phone about the job. My name is Stephanie." She asked.

"Yes. Take a seat right here, and let's begin." I answered.

"Do you have any experience?" I asked.

"Yes, I used to work in my uncle's coffee shop. I make coffee, expressos, cappuccinos, lattes, tea, and pastries. I know how to do it all." Stephanie answered.

"Wonderful. Tell me a little about yourself and why I should hire you?" I replied.

"For starters, I am easygoing. I like to learn new things and meet new people. I have great customer service, and I am very friendly. I am the best person because you wouldn't have to train me. Also, I can start right away if you'll have me." She explained.

"Wow, okay. I like you already." Are you available full-time?" I said.

"Absolutely." She said with a smile.

"I will try you out today. It's going to be busy. I hope you won't break under pressure." I said, shaking her hand.

"Thank you so much. I appreciate it." She said.

I gave her a name tag and an apron. Then, I put her to work right away. I showed her around and where everything was. "I will be sitting right over there if you need me. I have one more person to meet with today." I told her as I walked over to mylast candidate. This one was a well-dressed, handsome man. I introduced myself, and he did the same. He said his name was Brian. He says he had just moved to town and was looking for work anywhere he could find. He used to be a construction worker, and now he wanted a change. I knew it was wrong to hire him just because of his looks. At that moment, I didn't care. I decided to give him a chance. I told him that he could work the evening shift. I finally had the help that I so desperately desired. I promise to keep this a work-only relationship (to the limit).

By late afternoon, the shop was filled with customers. My two new employees were exceptional with the customers, and I finally got to take a break. I felt myself looking at Brian a few times. I couldn't resist staring at him. When the rush was over, and everything calmed down, I taught them how to take inventory and showed them how to stock. We need to cash out and count everything in the drawer at the end of the day.

"Hey, Tiana. Can I leave, or do you need me?" Stephanie asked.

"No, you can go. Can you ask Brian to come here, please?" I answered.

"Yeah, sure. I will see you tomorrow. What time do you want me to come in?" She said.

"You can come in from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Is that okay with you until I get you a full schedule?" I replied.

"Okay, sounds good. I'll see you then." Stephanie said.

"Have a great night, and thanks for all your help today," I said.

"Did you want to see me, Tiana?" Brian asked as he entered my office.

"Yes, I did," I answered.

"So, Stephanie left. You let her go for the night?" Hesaid.

"Yes, I let her leave. She will be back tomorrow morning." I said.

"Are you done with everything? Would you like to go out for drinks? It will be my treat." He said.

"Yes, I'm all done. I must lock it up for the night and make a bank deposit. After that, I am all yours. Where would you like to go?" I said to him.

"I haven't been in town that long, but I know a suitable place to go." He said.

I locked the shop up for the night and went to the bank to make my deposits. He followed me to my house to change my clothes, and we took his car. After that, Brian and I went out for drinks. We went to Garden Square since that was the only bar open late. We talked and had quite a few drinks. We did some dancing, then talked some more. I was astonished by how he made me feel. He kept touching me, and I loved it. It has been so long since a man has soothed me. It was about 2 am when he brought me home. He gently rubbed the inner part of my thighs and kissed me gently. Every piece of me trembled. Things were getting intense between us, so I invited him inside. He was excited.

We went inside and then headed straight to the living room. Brian's kisses were like nothing I had ever felt before. As he raised my dress, I felt the urge to end it. Apart from wanting him, the other party wanted to stop all the resurfacing memories. He rubbed his fingers through my hair. I felt a tingling through my entire body. I knew where this was heading and pushed him away. He looked at me with this confused look. I assuredhim nothing was the matter. I told him it was time that he had left.

Soon after Brian left, I went out to satisfy my urges. I didn't want to hurt him. I went on a long drive to think things through. I have a fear of letting anyone get close to me. I ran into a man at the gas station. We talked, and then he asked for a ride. I kindly gave him a ride. If only he knew it was going to lead to his doom.

"I have never seen you around here before. Are you lost or something?" I said to the man.

"I am looking for my brother. We haven't talked in a while. I was worried about him; this is the last place he said he was living." The man said.

"What is your name?" I asked.

"Anthony." He replied.

"Are you close?" I asked.

"Yes, I guess you can say that. Ever since our parents died, we have tried to stay in touch. A few days ago, I went to the police station and saw his picture on the missing person's board. This town has a lot of missing persons, and nobody gives a damn. This is so frustrating. I hired a private investigator to find him. I can't imagine life without him. If he is gone, that means I will have no one. I promised to look after him, but now, he is missing. I don't know where else to look." He explained.

"I am so sorry to hear that. People go missing every day. Some for good and bad reasons. Did you ever think that brother doesn't want to be found?" I said, grinning.

"If that is so, why would he leave me a message saying that he was in trouble? I had to come. He is family. Do youhave siblings?" Anthony said as he looked through his bag.

"I don't have any. I am an only child. I don't know how you feel. I do have a close friend that I see as a sister. We do everything together. I guess it's not the same thing. Sorry for your loss." I replied.

"Well, thanks for the ride. You can take this next turn on the right. I am staying at the Garden Motel." He said, pointing.

"I don't mean to pry, but what is your brother's name?" I asked.

"David, I wish that I knew where and what happened to him. This is a picture of him, " he answered.

As I pulled up to his motel, I had flashbacks of my first kill. I had intentions of killing Anthony. I could not bring myself to do it since I was responsible for his brother's disappearance. I watched him leave my car and go towards his room. I took note of his room number. By telling Anthony what he did, I knew I would have to be super careful. After leaving the motel, I went home to get some sleep. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling until I finally drifted asleep.

The next day, I showed up to work at about 8 am. I was still tired from last night. Stephanie and Brian were already here. The coffee shop was packed with customers, some new and some regulars. It was a smooth day. By late afternoon, everything had died down. I went to my office to catch up on paperwork. I had Stephanie stay in the front to watch the shop. I showed Brian how to take inventory and order new supplies. I went to make a bank run. While I was out, I went to the park to collect my thoughts.About 20 minutes later, I returned to the shop to find the police there. I was shocked but not worried.

"Hello, are you the owner?" The police officer asked.

"Yes, I am. What is this about?" I said.

"I am Detective Frank, and this is my partner, Detective Saul. We are investigating some recent disappearances and murders in the area. We would like to ask you some questions," Detective Frank explained.

"Please come into my office. We can talk there." I said, pointing the way to my office. "Take a seat. Can I get you anything?" I asked.

"No. We want to get started. As you know already, there has been a high rise in disappearances and quite a few murders in the area." Detective Saul said.

"I heard about some of it on the news. Are we in danger? Many other businesses have either closed or moved to other locations." I said.

"You should be fine if you close early and stay where there are crowds of people. Oh yea, I wanted to show you some pictures." Detective Frank said, showing the photos.

I pointed out a few people in the pictures as they were frequent customers of mine. Some of them I had killed, but others I had no idea where they could be. I needed to be cautious now that the police were poking around. I can't have anything linking me to any of these people. I assured the detectives that they didn't have to worry about me. I am going to be okay.

"Well, okay, thanks for your time. Be careful out there. There is a maniac running rabid. I guarantee we will find this maniac." Said Detective Frank.

"Thanks. I will show you out." I said, walking them to the door.

"Tiana, what was that all about?" Asked Stephanie.

"Nothing. The police wanted to inform me aboutthe recent disappearances. Also, there might be a lunatic on the loose. So, take precautions. I do advise you two to go home before it gets dark. I wouldn't forgive myself if something were to happen to my employees. Go now. I will close shop, and I'll see you tomorrow." I explained to them.

"What about you?" She questioned.

"I will be fine, just go. I'm used to being here by myself." I replied.

"Alright, I guess I will see you tomorrow. Have a good night." She said, leaving.

I waited for the last of the customers to leave. I started to clean and put things back where they belonged. I noticed that Brian was still there. I asked him why he didn't go home as I asked. He said he wanted to make sure that I was alright. How nice of him, but I already had plans of my own. Even though the police were out looking for a maniac, I still had urges and needs that needed to be met. No matter how hard I tried, I could not eliminate Brian. He stayed around even after I closed the shop for the night.

"I feel like you have been trying to get rid of me all night. Did I do something wrong? Or is this about last night? Whatever it is, I am sorry." Brian said.

"I am not avoiding you or trying to get rid of you. I want some alone time right now. I am dealing with a lot," I assured him.

"You can use some company. I wanted to pick up where we left off yesterday." He insisted.

"No. I am going home. Have a good night. I need some rest." I said as I drove away.

I watched him through my rearview mirror until I could no longer see him. I drove acrosstown to this bar I always go to. Once there, I ordered vodka on the rocks. As usual, a man came to sit with me. We talked until he asked me to accompany him to his car. I let him walk in front of me and pretended to be wasted. He pushed up against me, and I playfully pushed him away. I slowly opened my purse and pulled out my knife. When he went in for another kiss, I stabbed him in the kidney and twisted the knife. I laughed as he fell to the ground. This kill was indeed fulfilling. As always, I made sure that there was no blood on me. Soon after that, I went back to my car and drove home.

I found Brian sitting on my porch steps when I reached my house. I was surprised to see him. He asked me where I had been all night. I told him I went out for a drive and then had a drink. I made sure I left out the part about killing someone. Few people suspect a woman to be a serial killer, making the killing even more rewarding. I like him, but he's not well enough to spill all my secrets. I invited him inside. We talked briefly until I suggested we go to the bedroom, where we made love. I needed some skin-to-skin contact because, at that point, I was still pumped with adrenaline. My feelings made me forget the wrong things I engaged in all night. He spent the night with me, and I made him breakfast in the morning.

We showed up to work together. Once again, there were police there waiting to speak to me. I told Brian and Stephanie to continue to work as usual. The police officer came into myoffice with me. He told me about another murder about five miles from here. It was another man. In this case, I already knew that. I was the one who did it. I maintained a severe attitude because this one was close to home. Like I feel like I may be slipping or losing my mind or both, but who's to say? They still don't have any suspects. The police officer seemed very eager to crack the case. How? Should I be more careful?

"So, you still don't have any suspects, right?" I asked.

"Whoever this man is, they are good at what they do. I just wanted to let all the businesses and residents in the area know what was happening. It was only five miles from here. I came to see you because everyone killed shared the same thing." He answered.

"What was that?" I questioned.

"Well, for starters, they all came here and were your customers. I find it very odd. They were connected to your shop. Can you tell me why? Who would want to kill these people?" The police officer replied as he scratched his head.

"I don't have the slightest clue. I'm just as baffled as you are. The last time two detectives came here to talk with me, they said only men were being killed. Now, you are telling me that someone is going around killing people. I'm confused. Do you think it was me or something?" I said.

"That was because we have found bodies all over town lately, and someone has been busy. No one is accusing you. There is no need for you to feel that way. All I'm saying is that you need to be careful. This person might be killing all your customers to send you a message. Just be careful." He explained.

"Well, thanksagain. I am here to help. I'll show you out." I said.

"Be safe, and you all have a good day," he said as he left.

Stephanie and Brian were confused. They wanted to know what was happening. I explained to them that people were being killed in the area. Stephanie was scared and quit. She said this was too much for her and could not manage it. I assured her that the police had everything under control. She still refused to stay. I paid her for the days she worked and wished her good luck finding a new job. Stephanie took her pay, turned in her apron and name tag, and left the shop. It was for the better. Brian stayed; it didn't bother him. He was concerned, but not enough to quit. He and I are now intimate. I ran to the shop like usual without her being there. I needed extra help, but I will do it with just one employee.

A few weeks passed since the last time I killed anyone, but bodies were still turning up. By then, Brian and I were living together. We took our relationship to the next level. The business was booming again after being slow for two weeks. I

couldn't stop thinking about the other serial killer out there. This person was invading my territory. I only took a break from killing to find out who this person was. All I can say is it's been more complex than I thought.

"Hey, Tiana, there's a man here to see you," Brian said.

I came to the counter thinking it was another cop, but it wasn't. "Hello there. Did you want to talk to me?" I asked the man.

"I don't know if you remember me; I was the one you gave a ride to a while back.My name is Anthony. I was looking for my brother David." Anthony said, refreshing my memory.

"Okay, I remember you now. We can go into my office and talk. Brian, I will be back. Keep an eye on the shop." I said.

"I wanted to inform you that the PI I hired found my brother. He's umm uhm..." He said, pausing and holding his head.

"What is it? Is it something terrible?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's dead. Someone killed him in his apartment. The police told me they found him dead after some neighbors complained about a funky smell coming from his apartment. I am so angry because David has been dead for two years now, and nobody mentioned it to me. It's like he was just another victim in a case they wanted to hurry up and close. If I ever find out who did this to my brother. I'm so angry. I need some air." He explained.

"I am so sorry about your loss. At least you didn't give up on searching for David." I said as I hugged him.

"I need a drink right now. I need to clear my head." He said as he tried to kiss me.

"No, that is not a clever idea. I am seeing someone. I feel for you. I do. You need to go back to your room and get some rest. Go clear your head as you said." I said, pulling away from him.

"Alright. We can meet for a drink later. One drink, I need someone to talk to. I'm all alone now. I have no one, and you were so nice to me." Anthony said, holding my waist.

"One drink. I will come to your room." I said as I pulled away from him altogether.

"I am not there anymore. I went into the city to a differenthotel. I will leave the information for you and your employees. Enjoy the rest of your day." He said, leaving my office.

I returned to the shop's front to help Brian with the customers. After a long day, we went home. He seemed upset with me. I asked him what the matter was. He started yelling at me and accusing me of cheating on him with Anthony. He said that he saw us hugging. This man finally got closure. We argued for about an hour, and then he stormed out. Every time I called or texted him, he ignored it. I let him cool off.

While Brian was gone, I also went out with Janice. It was time to go out with my best friend. We went to one of our favorite clubs to dance and drink. I told her about Brian, who was upset with me. She assured me that everything was going to be okay. He needs some space right now. She said not to think about him for the rest of the night and to have fun. That's what I did.

Meanwhile, Brian still had the hotel info from earlier that day. He decided to visit Anthony. He showed up with bad intentions. Anthony opened his room door to find Brian standing there. He was confused.

He asked, "Where is Tiana? I thought you gave her my info."

"Look, man, she's not coming," Brian snarled.

"Why not?" Anthony questioned.

"I never gave the paper to her, that's why. I don't want her to see other men behind my back. That's my woman." Brian said as he pushed Anthony."

"Oh, I see. You're the one she was talking about. There is no need to be jealous. Tiana and I are only friends. I wanted her to come here because I had something to give." He saidas he looked through his duffle bag.

"Whatever you are giving her, you can give it to me. Hand it over." Brian demanded.

"Here, take it. If I were you, I would look at it."? Anthony replied as he handed Brian a file.

"What is this? Are you accusing my woman of murder? She wouldn't hurt a fly. Can I ask what you would do if she came to meet you tonight?" Brian asked.

"She fits the description of the woman last seen leaving my brother's apartment. Either you help me, or I will turn her in to the police. I know she killed my brother. I can't prove it yet, but I will. You'll see." Anthony explained.

"Wow. I need a minute. What do you have to drink? I can use one now." Brian said as he paced the floor.

"I have scotch and whiskey. Which one do you want?" Replied Anthony.

"I will take whiskey on the rocks," Brian answered.

"What are you going to do? I think she has been killing all these men that keep turning missing, also. If I am right, your girlfriend is the coffee shop killer. I read about this case a few years ago, even before my brother went missing. She is insane. You need to help me prove that she made these killings, or you might be the next one dead or missing." Anthony told Brian.

"I can't let you do that to Tiana. I'm sorry it must be this way." Brian said as he stabbed Anthony repeatedly.

"Why...." Anthony questioned as he slowly died.

Brian cleaned the blood up and made sure he didn't leave anything behind to link him to the murder. He then went home, showered, and went to sleep.

In the morning, Brian was calm and collected and, kissed me on the cheek and asked how I was doing.He apologized for yelling at me last night and said it was a misunderstanding. I told him Janice and I left the club last night after he left. Of course, we had fun, as we always do. As I said, she knows more about me than any other person on this planet. Brian asked if I wanted to take a vacation with him. It would be for only a couple of days. I thought it was an excellent idea. I closed the shop for the week, and we went on vacation. I said I had never been to Vegas, so that's where we went. I was in love with Brian and wanted to be with him.

For the first three days, we went sightseeing. As our vacation neared, we enjoyed ourselves at many different casinos. Our relationship needed this time away from everything happening at home. I went to the spa and had some pampering done. When I thought things couldn't get any better between us. Brian proposed to me, and I said yes without hesitation. I wanted him to be all mine. You know already I'm not particularly eager to share. What's mine is mine, and I felt the same way. It's like we are a perfect match. The vacation was over, and we soon returned home to chaos. What were the odds of that? Huh?

I was super excited to tell Janice the great news. For some reason, I couldn't reach her. That had me worried because she always answered the phone no matter what. After settling in at home, I drove to her house. I had to make sure my friend was alright. Soon after pulling up to her place, it was swamped with police. I ran out of my car to her door in tears. Thank God itwasn't her. It was her husband. He was dead. She was called home from work by the police to tell her that someone had killed her husband. I hugged her and asked her if she was alright. All she did was scream and cry out loudly. "Why him? Why him? Why?"

After the police left, she and I talked. I felt so bad for her. I didn't do this. I take credit for the killings that I do. There was indeed someone else out there. I invited her to stay with Brian and me for as long as she needed to. I hated seeing Janice this way. She packed some clothes and agreed to stay with us for a while. I showed her to the guest room where she would be staying. She was thrilled to be there with me. She was unhappy when I told her that Brian and I would get married. Janice asked me why because I barely knew him. I told her nobody knows anyone, only what they tell you. She didn't want to talk anymore and went to sleep.

"Why is your friend Janice here?" Brian asked.

"Her husband was killed some time today. I told her that she could stay here with us for a while. It's until she feels better." I answered.

"You should have asked me before you invited her here. I guess it's okay since this is your house." He said with a mad face.

"It is not like that. This is both of our houses. We are a couple. Next time, we will talk. I'm sorry." I said, hugging him.

"It's okay. I just had a long day, that's all, love. I think I'm going to turn it in. You coming to bed?" He said.

"I'm not tired yet. I'll be downstairs watching TV if you needme to. Or I was thinking about going out for a drive, but I'm not sure yet." I said.

"Well, alright, be safe. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." He said, kissing me.

I decided to leave the house. I covered my body from head to toe in plastic and returned to Janice's house. I don't play well with others. My space is mine and mine alone. One of her neighbors told me she saw a man arguing with Janice's husband earlier that day. She took a picture of him. Thank God for nosy neighbors. I analyzed the image of the man carefully. He looked familiar as if I had seen him somewhere before. After talking to Janice's neighbor, I went out to find my next prey. Killing always makes me feel better. I needed some time to myself. I will get someone who fights back for a chance to make the kill more entertaining.

The bar was closed for repairs that I always go to, so I went somewhere else. I drove on the backroads, came to a stop, and waited. It was about 11 pm when a car drove by and pulled over. A man got out of the car and asked if I needed help. I smiled and said yes. He wondered what was wrong with my vehicle. I told him that something was wrong with my engine. I wasn't sure.

"Pop the hood, and I will take a look." He said.

"Okay, I hope you can fix the issue," I said.

"Where are you going? Did you hear that there is a killer on the loose on the news? It's not safe for a pretty woman to be alone." He asked.

"I was going home. I don't watch the news, so I didn't hear or see anything. I'm a big girlwho can take care of myself." I replied.

"I am sure you can. Your car has no problems. See if you can crank it." He answered.

"Oh...what do you know? It started right up. Thanks." I said.

"Get home safe," he said as he returned to his car.

As I drove by the man, I noticed a woman tied up in his backseat. I quickly pulled over, took my knife out of my purse, and put on my gloves. I approached the car with caution as he was stabbing the woman he had tied up. I asked him what he was doing. I stabbed him in the neck, then in the chest, and three times in the stomach. The woman was indeed dead; he killed her. I searched through his entire car and found all sorts of things. He had tons of ropes, duct tape, several types of knives, and trophies from what I believe came from his victims. I returned to my car and left the scene. When I was far enough, I used a local payphone to call the police. I made sure I did an anonymous call.

I went to the diner to have some coffee and a turkey sandwich. I can see the police cars flying down the street through the window. Oh, they were going to be happy to solve this case. I needed the heat to be taken off me. The server, Maddy, and I had a lengthy conversation about everything happening in town. She said she had been here all her life and had never seen anything like this. I agreed slightly. Over the past few months, everything has been out of control in our quiet, small town. I paid for my food and went home. I took a shower and went to sleep.

The next day, Brian andI watched the news. It was hectic. Janice woke up and joined us. She was baffled by what she saw on the news. This man killed Janice's husband. In the information, they talked about finding bodies everywhere. They believed that he oversaw multiple murders. He was the "coffee shop killer," and now they had proof. I was thrilled to find this out. This calls for a celebration killed outside of town. He and I went to the shop to start our day. Janice wanted to stay in the house. She did feel a little relief. I told her to call me if she wanted anything.

When we got to the coffee shop, people waited to get in. Hopefully, business will be good today, and we can all put this behind us. My customers were happy to be at the shop again. It was still slow, but something is better than nothing. Brian has been so good at working with me here. I barely must help him with customers. He is good at solving problems and listening to complaints. A customer was reading the newspaper, and I saw Anthony's picture. The police found him dead in his hotel room a few days ago. Was it that man I killed? Or was it someone else?

I left Brian at the shop for a while and did some research. I went digging around Anthony's hotel room, looking for clues. His killing wasn't recorded as one of the coffee shop killings. He seems to have been motivated by something else. I covered my shoes, clothing, and hands before entering his room. I carefully examined every inch of his space, hoping that the police had missed something. There was still blood splattered on the walls and floor. After a thorough search, I found a folder hidden inthe crack in the foundation under the bed. I took the folder and left the room.

What was inside astounded me. There were photos of me inside. Anthony's PI was following me around. I had no idea. I need to watch my every move. Was this the reason he was killed? Did someone find out about me? Or did he think I was a suspect? I have so many questions. I stayed in my office all day looking at all the photos and papers inside the folder. I cannot wrap my head around this situation. I had to get away. I'm always careful, so I don't know how I could have slipped up. Could I be getting sloppy or thrown off my game? I need to get my head straight and get back in the game. Brian closed the shop and cleaned up after everyone left. He knocked on the door.

"Hey, babe. Are you alright in there?" He asked.

I opened the door. "I am fine. Come in; we need to talk." I said.

"What's up?" He asked.

"I found this in Anthony's hotel room today. I."

"Wait! How did you know where his hotel was, and why did you go there?" He angrily interrupted.

"I saw it in this morning's newspaper. I can't understand why you were the only one who had his hotel information. Did you forget that you never gave it to me? Look at this!" I said, throwing the folder at him.

"You want the truth! I was there; he threatened to turn you in to the police, saying you were the coffee shop killer. I confronted him, and that's all. You're right; I was wrong for not telling you. I felt like I was protecting you by not saying anything. I love you and wouldn't let anyone or anything hurt you. HisPI was taking pictures of you, and I thought that was foul." Brian explained.

"You want me to say it? Okay, I killed him for you." He answered.

"Why?" I questioned.

"Don't you get it? I know where you go at night when you say you need space. I feel like you're slipping. I know more than you think. Let's go home and talk about this." He said, trying to provide comfort.

It was a long, quiet ride. Janice made us dinner. We all sat down and ate with not much to say. I felt all the tension in the dining room. After dinner, I washed and dried the dishes and put them away. Brian took out the trash, and Janice put on a movie. I was angry with Brian. I couldn't even look at him. Then I thought to myself. Who am I to get mad at him? He was trying to help and keep me safe. I was eager to find out what exactly he knew. So, I asked.

"What do you know, Brian?" I asked.

"Let me ask you something." He replied.

"No, answer my question first," I demanded.

"We did not meet by accident. The truth is I know all about you. We are the same, you and me. We have more in common than you could ever imagine. I know you are the coffee shop killer. You see, you have the perfect setup. You own your own business, and everyone likes you in town. You have no kids and are not married. I could not let anyone find out about you." He explained.

"I don't know what to say. Thank you. I guess. How did you find out about me?" I said.

"You are the reason I came to this town. I am a fan or an admirer, however you want to put it. Ihave been lying low but picked up where I left off. I like your style. Missing lonely men is the perfect motive. I love it, " he said.

"I am impressed. I can't help myself." I said, lighting my cigarette.

"Since I know your secret, I can tell you mine. I kill people, too. I am wondering why your quiet, small town and surrounding areas had many missing people and murders. Well, besides, you, didn't you notice all the extra murders popping up? I take credit for most of them." He said.

"What do you mean most of them?" Janice questioned.

"Wait! Why are you in our conversation? Did you know about Tiana also?" He questioned.

"Of course, she's my best friend. I helped her bury her first two kills. She can't seem to stop this time." Janice answered.

"This time?" He asked.

"Yes, she hasn't killed anyone for three years. I was proud of her for stopping. Now she started up again, and this time it was worse." Janice said.

"No, that's not true. I can stop anytime I want. I find it indulging. This is how I relax my nerves." I cut in.

"One day, Tiana...I want you to be careful. Things are stirring between Brian and that other guy. Also, who killed my husband? Which one of you?" Janice said as she poured herself a glass of wine.

"It wasn't either of us. We went to Vegas for a week." Brian replied.

"Uh-huh, right. I forgot. So, it was the other man who committed the crime. Tiana, were you the one who killed that man on the back roads?" Janice asked.

"I did, and he deserved it. He murdered a woman in the backseat of his car, and I saw him do it. Therefore, he deserved to die. I felt good after killing him. Another no-good person was removedfrom the world. That is the way I see it. I'm sure nobody will miss him." I explained.

"Not. Are you going to be like a dynamic serial killer duo or something?" She said, laughing.

Brian didn't find it funny. "Everyone has urges, and sometimes it's good to release them, or you will explode. I'm quite thrilled, Tiana, that you managed not to kill for three years. That takes a lot of self-control that I don't have. I think that's why I am so attracted to you. I feel like our relationship will be even better now. No more secrets ever." Brian said.

"I think I will lay low for at least a month until things die. It's great. I have a plan; you'll see it in time." I said with a smirk.

"Brian, what about you?" Janice asked.

"He better if he knows what's good for him," I added.

"Whatever you say, love. I don't want problems between us. Well, since we're going cold turkey, let's go out tonight for the hell of it." He suggested.

"Sounds like a clever idea to me. Come on, Tiana, let's get dressed." Janice said, grabbing my arm.

We went to many different nightclubs before deciding on one outside of town. We drank and danced and just had fun. Overall, the night was great. Towards the end of the night, we had all split up. I got separated from Brian. He disappeared from me. I hope he didn't go back on his word. I was curious and went to search for him. Now that the cat was out of the bag, I had to watch him closely. We know what the other is capable of. Wow. Thinking about this is making me hot. Oh my. No wonder our sex life is so good. He is like me but less confined. Ican control my urges, but he cannot. That might be a problem for me eventually. I couldn't find him anywhere in the club. Instead, I ran into Janice. She was drunk. I took her to the bathroom, where she vomited in the toilet. This is something that I won't do: get drunk. I must always be alert and aware of my surroundings. She said that a guy had bought her a drink, and she thought he might have put something in it.

Once out of the bathroom, she pointed the guy out. What do you know, he was still at the bar wearing a buttoned white-collar shirt, dark blue dress pants, and black leather dress shoes? He looked like he had just got out of work. I sat near him, and we talked for a bit. I turned to talk to Janice, seated on the other side. I saw the guy pour something into my drink out of my eye. I looked at him and said, "Really? Did you just put something in my drink?"

"No way." He said.

"Since you didn't, you wouldn't have any problems drinking it then," I said.

"No, I bought it for you. Take a sip." He said as he slid the glass closer to me.

"No, I insist you have a taste first. "I said.

He looked away from the bar to gaze at the dance floor for a second. When he reached for his glasses, I switched them. He sipped it. "Since you don't want the drink, I'll give it to someone else. Bye." He said, walking away from the bar.

"Do you feel better, Janice?" I asked.

"Yes, a little. Thanks for helping me." She answered.

"Let's see how he likes being drugged and feeling helpless. Haaaahhaaaaa." I said, laughing. "Come, let's keep an eye on him," I said.

"Get him good."She said.

We followed the guy for half the night until he left the bar. I gave Janice the keys to my car and told her to wait there for me. I know I said that I would lay low, but come on. This guy deserved it. I leaned against my car. Of course, he walked over to me. He rubbed his hand on my face, and I moved away. He asked if I wanted to go somewhere with him. I agreed because I had plans for him anyway. We went into the woods, and I played with him before letting him get close to me. He passed out before trying to get a kiss or something. I couldn't tell what he was doing with his lips. I found it delightful. As soon as he passed out, I tied him to a tree and waited for him to wake up.

It took longer than I thought. When he finally came 'round, I was standing over him.

"Where am I?" He questioned with a confused look.

"Don't you remember?" I asked.

"Not really. Hey, you're the woman from the bar. You drugged me." He said.

"No, no, no, you drugged yourself. How does it feel to be helpless and at a stranger's mercy? It's not fun. Is it when the table has turned on you?" I said as I cut his arms.

"Stop, please. I'm sorry. I would never do it again. I only wanted to have fun, that's it." He begged.

"You should have thought about that before you were being a pig. Now it's time you pay the toll. Should I cut here in your arm, or how about your kidneys, so you'll bleed out? Let's see here. There are so many possibilities." I said, cutting him some more.

"Help! Help me, please! Someone anyone! Aww, aww..." Heshouted.

I laughed as I finished him off. I gutted him well. Then I walked back to my car with Janice. She asked if I had done it. I confirmed that I did. I hate men like him who think they can have anything they want. Sorry! The world doesn't work like that. People get it together. I have a preference when I make a kill. It's not any man, only a particular type. I despise piggish, no self-control, dirty men. The list goes on. I was full of adrenaline and wanted to find more victims. Who said that I had to stop at one a night? The more disgust I felt towards these men, the more gruesome the killing became. I don't feel like the wrong person. I'm doing the world a favor by eliminating the filth they bring with them. That includes their dirty thoughts, right down to their nasty habits.

I couldn't stop thinking about how good it felt to watch a man die as I drove home. It put a smile on my face. Janice fell asleep in the car. I saw that as an opportunity to find a new victim. I spotted someone sitting in the park. So, I parked my car a street away and approached him. I pretended to be talking on the phone as I approached him. I wanted to get a good look at him beforehand. He stood up and slowly approached me.

"Hey, do you have a light?" He asked.

"Sorry, no, I don't," I answered.

"Oops. Okay then." He said as he brushed me. "Do you know what time it is? I'm supposed to be meeting someone here."

"It's a little after 3 am," I replied. There was something off about this guy that I couldn't make out. I walked over to the bench andsat down for a while.

He joined me. " Are you waiting for someone also?" He asked.

"No, I just wanted to get some air. It is a nice night for a walk." I said.

"Yes, it is. It was nice talking to you, but I must go. My friend is here. Be careful out here by yourself. Have a good night." The man said as he walked away.

" I will be fine. I can look after myself." I said.

That was one odd guy. He didn't speak much, maybe because he was drunk. He reeked of alcohol. I was glad he left; his body odor was starting to give me a headache. I strolled along the sidewalk back to the car. As I searched for my keys, I noticed Janice wasn't in the passenger seat. She wasn't in or around the vehicle either. I called her phone, and it was still in the car. I can see it light up, as I am calling it. I stepped back, looked around, and called out her name. I was worried. I hope nothing happens to her.

" Janice! Where are you? Are you alright? Janice! Janice! Janice! Janice!" I yelled as I walked around the park. "Where are you? Janice, answer me, please! I didn't mean to leave you in the car. I just needed some air! Janice!" I continued yelling, but there was no answer.

At that moment, I called Brian and asked if she was at the house. She walked. She is my best friend, and I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to her. Brian wasn't answering his phone. I began to panic and rushed back to my car. As I put the key in the door, I heard footsteps behind me, so I turned to look. It was a man dressed in allblack with a mask on his face. I reached into my purse and grabbed my mace. Before using it, I felt my body slowly fall to the ground.

The next day, Brian awoke to an empty house. He saw he had a missed call from last night. Tiana. He tried calling her several times but had no answer. Eventually, it went straight to voice mail. He was worried about her safety. He drove to Janice's house to see if they were there. Janice was there, but not Tiana.

He asked, " Have you seen Tiana."

"No, not since last night," Janice answered.

" She called me last night, but I was asleep. I don't know where she is. Do you?" He asked.

" The last time I saw her was at the park on the other side of town. I was asleep, and when I awoke, I saw her talking to someone on the bench. I didn't disturb her because I thought she was trying to kill him. So, I walked home." Janice said as he sipped her coffee.

"Are you telling me you left her alone with some strange man at night? Anything could've happened to her." Brian retorted.

" I am sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I had the headache of a lifetime, and I was feeling sick. I just wanted to go home. I feel awful. I should have stayed." She said.

"I need to find her. This situation bothers me. If anything happened to her, so help me...." He said as he stormed out of her house.

Brian drove all over town looking for his girlfriend. He was eager to get her back at all costs. Hours flew by, and he was growing more irritated. Janice ran the coffee shop while Brian was out looking for Tiana. She closed the shop. Shewent to the park to find clues about her friend's whereabouts. To her surprise, Tiana's car was still in the same spot as the night before. Her purse, car keys, phone, and mace were on the ground next to the vehicle. Something indeed did occur here last night. Janice called the police in a panic. She was distraught. She waited for the police to arrive and gave them her statement. They took all her belongings and pictures of the scene. They found traces of blood two feet from the car. Tears started to fall from Janice's eyes. After they left, she called Brian to inform him of what had happened. He wasn't happy.

She went home and cried on the sofa for hours. Brian arrived at her house late that night. She troubled him.

" This is all your fault! You should have stayed with her! I can't believe this! Arghhhh! What did the police say?" He shouted at Janice.

" Nothing except that they found blood on the ground next to her car. They believe she may have been kidnapped or something. I don't know, but she may be in trouble." Janice replied.

" For your sake, you better hope that she is fine." He said.

" Excuse me, Brian. Are you threatening me? I called you, didn't I? I don't know your problem, but get over it." Janice said, rolling her eyes.

" It's not a threat. It's a promise. I mean what I say. I was hoping you wouldn't call me unless you know where she is! I have to go." Brian said as he rampaged out the door.

I awoke in a dingy, dirty basement. I can see one or two lights flickering on and off. I looked up to see that my hands were tied to a pipe on the wall. Myhead hurt so bad, and I was thirsty. I heard the same heavy footsteps right before I got knocked out. I closed my eyes and waited to see who came in. All I can say is that I was shocked to learn it was Earl from the butcher shop down the street from my coffee shop. This was unreal.

" Earl, is that you?" I questioned.

" Look who's awake! Hey! Hey! Hey! How are you feeling?" Earl shouted.

" Where am I? Why am I here? And what's going on? Hello! Earl, did you hear me?" I yelled back at him.

" So many questions. Just take it easy and relax. I'm going to untie you. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time." Earl said.

" Answer my questions, Earl!" I demanded.

" There is no need to get rude and nasty." He said as he rubbed my face.

" Don't touch me! Let me go now! I want to go home!" I said as I moved his hand away from my face.

" This is not going to work unless you play nice. There, there, look all untied. The bathroom is over there in that corner. Don't try to escape! You can't anyway because there are no windows there. I will give you 15 minutes, and that's it. Here's a towel, a washcloth, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a change of clothes." He said, pointing to the bathroom.

" Thanks, I guess." Thanking him and walking to the washroom.

How did I get into this mess? I can't believe I let my guard down. Is it true? Did I get sloppy? All these questions raced through my head. As I cleaned myself up, I felt relieved that Earl hadn't harmed me. But now I'm thinking that he may be responsible for all the missing women.Every day, there are missing women's posters and flyers everywhere. This town might not be as quaint as I thought it would be. Secrets are pouring out in every direction. The man I killed was a serial rapist from five towns over. My boyfriend is an undercover serial killer. Who saw that coming? Then there is me. I kill men that deserve it, such as perverts, scum, and dirtbags. As my 15 minutes ended, I came to terms with all the wrongs in this town. Our sunshine town isn't so full of light. It's full of darkness and evil. From one townsperson to the next, they all have heavy-duty secrets that bind them.

" Alright! The time is up! Did you hear me, Tiana?" The Earl shouted as he banged on the door.

" I am coming out now," I said, opening the door.

" Now, don't you feel better? I like my women to smell and look good. You look nice. Do you want some breakfast? I made pancakes, bacon, and eggs." Earl asked.

" Thank you. Yes, I would like something to eat." I replied.

" Great, come sit down at the table. Here's some orange juice. That's all I must drink for now. I will go to the store later. Do you want anything, Tiana?" Earl said.

" No, I don't," I answered.

"Well, eat up, and I will wash the dishes and take out the trash before I go." He said.

"You never answered my questions. Why did you bring me here?" I asked.

" I told you already. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I go to the park around the same time every night, and I wait patiently. It just so happens that you came strolling along, and I thought, hey, this is perfect. I saw a chance, andI took it. Are you thrilled? I like your spunk and that fire that brightens your soul." He said, cleaning the table.

" Wow, okay, that's deep," I said.

" I am leaving now. Don't try to escape because there is no way out. The whole house is locked down. So watch some TV and sit tight. I'll be back in the swift of a finger." He said, leaving.

As soon as he left, I ran around the house, looking for ways out. He was right. Everything was airtight, locked from inside and out. I could not escape. I ran my fingers through my hair in despair. After rummaging through all his belongings, I found keepsakes of his. He had a box of things that belonged to all these missing women. I found pictures, IDs, keys, and snips of hair. And what I saw made my stomach turn. Body parts were hanging all over the room. Some were inside keepsake jars. Cannibal Earl, I'm going to call him from now on. This might be why these women's bodies were also never found. Goosebumps ran down my body as I got chills just thinking about it. This is the kind of thing that drove me to kill people like this. I wonder what he has in store for me now. I heard his car pulling into the driveway and quickly put everything back in its place. I turned the TV on and sat on the couch. I functioned as if I had never moved from that spot.

Earl came inside the house. He put the food away and handed me a bag, then sat on the couch and drank his beer. He bought me some clothes. I also wanted to find the quickest, most straightforward way to end him. Earl wasn't hard to figure out.He was accessible. Though I still wanted to escape him, I needed to stay. I wondered if Brian and Janice were looking for me or if they even cared if I was missing. My carelessness got me in trouble, and I needed to find a solution to my problem quickly. While deep thinking, I found Earl gawking at me from the corner of my eye. What a creep. This man had some destructive issues, and I thought I was messed up. Things weren't going in my favor. The tables soon turned quickly.

He stood before me, demanding that I change into the clothes he bought for me and sit down with him. I don't know who he thinks he's talking to like that. I stood up in a rage, throwing my hands in the air. He yelled, and I yelled back at him. It was fun seeing him get all worked up over nothing. Finally, after twenty minutes or so, I gave in and changed. I found a razor blade in the bathroom mirror tucked inside my bra. I had enough fun with

Earl, but now it was time to do my thing and return to my life. There are so many bad people out there just waiting for me. I don't consider myself the wrong person, but the opposite. Many people take their lives for granted and don't realize what they have until it's gone. I adjusted my clothing and hair to his satisfaction and returned to the living room.

" Don't that feel better? Now you look like a lady." Earl said.

" Look, but don't touch," I said.

"Hey, don't be feisty. Even though I like a little fuss, let's play nice." He said.

" Why am I all dressed up? What's the special occasion? Are you letting me go?" I questioned.

" Whywould I let you go? Your journey is near the end. It's time for us to part ways, but not how you think. I enjoyed your company. You are at the three-day mark, and it's time to say goodbye. I am going to have to kill you now. I must go out and hunt for a new one.

" Well, Earl, you don't want to kill me," I replied.

" Why not? It's your time." He answered.

" Really?" I asked.

" Yes. What's with all the questions?" Earl asked.

" I thought we were bonding, that's all," I said.

" No, now come 'ere!" He demanded.

He grabbed my arm and dragged me into the basement. I screamed and kicked, trying to get away. Things took a turn for the worse. I cried and kicked as he dragged me down into the murky basement. He started strapping me to a metal bed. I managed to get one of my arms free and cut him with the razor I found. He stumbled into the wall and slowly fell to the ground. I slowly grabbed the key from his pants and bolted up the stairs while he was down. I unlocked the door and freed myself from his barricades. I breathed in the air and began to walk outside just when I felt a hand on my leg. I turned to see that it was Earl. Are you freaking kidding me right now? This man just won't quit. I stabbed him with the razor repeatedly, and then I set the house on fire. Yes! He's dead finally and won't be getting back up, let alone hurting anyone else.

I walked on the dirt road leading up to the main road. Eventually, I came across a diner. How creepy was that? A restaurant in the middle of nowhere screams trouble.Whatever, I decided to go inside still. I asked to use the phone to call Brian. The phone rang and rang. I was thrilled when he answered. He said he had been worried about me for the past few days. He asked where I had been and where I am now. He is so good to me. I told him that I was at a diner called Evette's Grill. The server said it was about an hour from town. He and I talked for about 20 minutes, and then I sat down at a table, waiting for him to come. All these things were running through my head. How is my business going without me? What have I missed? Is Janice okay? This happened because I was looking for her. I know she skipped out on me. Which I think is wrong on so many levels. Some friend, huh? There was so much to do with such little time.

"Brian, you came!" I yelled, hugging him.

"Of course. I was worried about you. Are you alright? Did someone try to hurt you? I missed you, sweetie." He replied as he hugged and kissed me.

"I got away from Earl. He was the man who took me." I said.

"Earl? The butcher?" He questioned.

"Yes, Earl. That man had some serious issues." I answered.

"What do you mean he had? Don't tell me that you didn't, did you? Come on, Tiana." He said.

"He deserved it. He did try to kill me. It was self-defense." I explained. "Let's go. I want to go home, shower, and lie down." I said.

"Okay, we'll finish talking at home in private." He said.

We pulled out of the diner's driveway and saw fire trucks and police cars flying down the street. They were going in the direction of Earl's. They were too latebecause he was dead. Brian looked at me and shook his head. "Let's get out of here before the police start questioning people. I can't believe you did that. It was enough that you killed the man, but you had to burn his house down." Brian said. I turned away from him and stared out the window. I know I shouldn't have set the house ablaze, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of trying to survive. The drive home was long and quiet. I drifted off to sleep. I was so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore.

When I awoke, I was in my bed. I realized that Brian must've put me to bed while I was still sleeping. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to shower. I felt so dirty. I spent about an hour grooming myself and getting myself together. It was already dark outside. The sun had set. Wow, I was knocked out for a while. I needed sleep. Brian was in the kitchen making some food. I could smell it as I walked down the stairs. I can't say how good it feels to be back home. Playtime was over, and it was time to return to business.

"What are you cooking?" I asked.

"Steak, white rice, and carrots. Do you want some?" Brian answered.

"Yes, I'm starving," I replied.

"Here, sit down, and I will make you a plate. What do you want to drink?" He said.

"Water is fine. Thanks." I said.

"So, Tiana?uhm? Where do I begin? What happened? I want to know everything. What does Earl have to do with any of this? Janice said that you had disappeared from her, so she walked home. I don't know what's going on with you anymore. Are you sure that youare okay?" He said.

"First of all, I didn't disappear on Janice. She was asleep in the car, and I decided to go to the park and chill out. When I came back to the car, Janice was gone. How am I supposed to know that she walked home? There are a lot of creeps out there, and anything could've happened to her. I was doing the right thing by searching for her. She was nowhere to be found. I felt like someone was following me, so I returned to my car. I kept hearing footsteps, so I was out cold when I reached into my purse for my mace. I was hit in the head by something. The next thing I remember is waking up and rubbing my head. I can barely see. It was very dark, and my vision was still blurry. I can hear voices and people moving around. When I finally came around, I saw Earl and another guy leaving. I asked him all types of questions, and he was never straightforward with me. I don't think he was too thrilled that I knew who he was. This man was deranged. He took women, kept them alive for three days, and at the end of the third day, he would kill them. Or end their journey, that's what he called it. How can someone eat another person? I couldn't let him live from all the horrific things I witnessed in that place. He would do it all over again to someone else." I explained.

"Well, this means that you need to be more careful. And you are right; there are a lot of sick individuals lurking in the shadows waiting to get the chance to do some harm. I want you to promise me that you will stopthese outbreaks you have. Stop putting your life at risk and watch your surroundings. Don't make rash decisions; thoroughly think things over before making them. It can save your life. Be smarter in the actions that you take." Brian said, expressing himself.

We chatted for a while and relaxed on the sofa in the living room. I put on a movie for us to enjoy. I knew that he was right and needed to be more careful. I adore what I do, that's all. Things have been very hectic lately, and it was time for me to get back to business and stop wasting time.

Brian and I woke up to a consistently ringing doorbell the next day. We jumped out of bed, running down the stairs in a panic. I felt like something was very wrong. I noticed a police officer standing at the door upon opening it. All I can think of is that I found out I was the one who killed Earl. My heartbeat was so hard it felt like it would burst open. For the first time, I felt like I had been caught. Does this mean that I have fallen off the wagon? Or does it mean that I have lost my touch? I don't know.

"Hello. Can I help you with something?" I asked.

"May I come in, please? The police officer politely asked.

"What's this concerning?" Brian questioned.

"That is why I want to come in and talk to you both. Tiana, is that you?" The police officer asked, holding up a picture.

"Yes, that's me. Why? What did I do?" I asked.

"Alright, stop beating around the bush and tell us why you are here," Brian demanded.

"Come in," I said, letting the man inside.

" I am happy to see you are home and safe. May I ask why youdidn't come to the police station to tell them you were unharmed? This seems strange to me. You were missing for three days, and now you turn up unharmed. I have quite a few missing person cases that I need to investigate." He explained.

Brian and I assured the police officer that things were all good here. There was nothing to worry about, and we were okay. He talked about the missing people and murders in our quaint small town. He said he wouldn't rest 'til he found the culprit. He told us to stay close in case he had more questions. Brian asked if he thought it was one of us. The police officer refused to answer the question. Deep down, I knew that's what he thought. The pressure was on.

After the police officer left, Brian and I talked in the living room. I can barely keep my head straight with all these events lately. Brian yelled at me, telling me to stay low. He blamed me for the outbursts that I had recently. Brian told me to control myself, or he would do it for me. I wasn't sure what he meant by that. Did he not trust me anymore?

Later that morning, I went to my coffee shop to clear my head. Janice was there. She ran the shop for me while I was away. I can say she has been doing an excellent job. I considered other possibilities for all the nonsense happening in town. I produced the conclusion that everyone was mad. They all had deep, dark secrets. I see myself more as a guardian of the city than a monster.

The day went on as usual as it could. I felt some relief being back at work and doing what I love. I am grateful to Janiceand Brian. They are the fuel for my fire that keeps burning. After closing the shop, Janice and I stayed a little after hours to talk and have coffee. She was thrilled to see me. We had an extended conversation about what I was going to do. I explained that I would take it easy and lay low until things cooled down. Right now, there is too much heat headed my way. I need to do some deep thinking and cleansing. She thought that was a clever idea because she didn't want to see something terrible happen to me. Janice was apprehensive about me, and I knew it. Her eyes said it all.

I locked up for the night. We both said goodbye and went home. I arrived home that night, finding that my house had been completely trashed. The front door was kicked in. Everything from the living room to the upstairs was ram-shacked. I panicked and looked for my cell phone. I called the police, and then I called Janice. I wasn't scared, just surprised and caught off guard. Who did this? And what were they looking for? Something didn't seem right. Brian was nowhere to be found. Where did he go? Then I asked myself, "Did he do this? If so, why? If it's not one thing, it's something else. The police came, looked around, asked questions, and then told me to call if I could think of anyone who would do this. They weren't much help. They were tired of seeing me.

Janice arrived soon after the police had left. She asked if I was alright, and she thought it would be a good idea if I stayed at her house for the night. So, I went over there to visit. I fell asleep on her sofa. Thenext day, I went to work. These crazy thoughts swamped my Brian all day. It was tough to concentrate. I closed the shop early so I could get some rest. I was overthinking everything. After I got home, I showered, ate food, and watched TV until I fell asleep in bed. Later that night, I awoke and decided to go out and do what made me feel better: kill. It gives me relief and satisfaction. While sitting in my car, I tried giving Brian a call. It was strange that he didn't call back. He always calls back. I kept getting this weird feeling that something was wrong. I guess I will think about finding him later. I needed to concentrate on the hunt. Spotting my first prey for the night was a man mugging a woman in the alley. I acted without thinking and stabbed the man in the back several times. The frantic woman ran away, screaming into the night. I quickly left the scene. Before getting back into my car, I made sure no blood was on me. Right after, I went home to clean myself up and go to bed. I felt a sense of relief as the adrenaline pumped through my veins.

"Tiana, open the door! I know you are home!" Yelled Janice.

That's what I awoke to. It was morning. "Yeah, I'm coming," I said, walking down the stairs. I opened the door. "Why are you yelling?" I asked.

"I can't believe you!" Yelled Janice.

"What did I do?" I questioned.

"You promised me that you would stop this mess! You said that you would lay low! You killed that guy in the alley last night. What is wrong with you? Huh?" She yelled angrily.

"What? How do you know that was me? It could have been anyone. We livein a town full of despair, secrets, and lies. It would be best if you stopped yelling. You're giving me a headache." I answered.

"Are you kidding me? I saw you. If you haven't noticed, I was the woman in the alley last night. That man wasn't mugging me, either. He was a private detective that I hired to find out who slew my husband. Thanks a lot. You just murdered the only person who could've helped solve this crime. I hate you so much right now! How could you do this to me? We could trust each other. Do you know what? You can justify why you're so messed up, but you are no better than those you kill. You're just like them. Anyone who can take a human life and still sleep at night is a monster. You have no emotion, and sometimes I think you don't even care about anyone or anything. I always stood by you; now you don't care about me. Tiana, I love you like a sister, but now I see where I stand. I don't understand why you keep hurting people, especially those who care about you. I am sick and tired of covering for you. Do you know what? I'm done. This all ends here today. You go your way, and I will go mine. If the police or anyone else questions me, I may not tell them everything. Don't push my buttons because that's when all hell will break loose. I will tell them everything. Just leave me be and never talk to me again." Janice retorted.

"I am so sorry, Janice. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to help." I sighed. "I feel terrible. I haven't been myself lately. The man who killed your husband is dead already. Whyare you still looking for him? I'm confused about that." I said. She had a smirk on her face. "First of all, you covered for me once. Let's get that straight. The other times, nobody asked you anything. Don't put yourself in the middle of something bigger than yourself. My life doesn't revolve around you, okay? If I am a monster, then so be it. I accept that, but don't ever compare me to those sick people. I have complete control. I stopped before and can do it again without thinking twice. So, tell me this: who are you investigating? Is it me? Or is it Brian? Or someone else? You always blame someone else instead of someone who is responsible. At least I take full responsibility for all my actions. I will leave you alone. Get out then! Bye." I said, yelling at her.

"You still don't get it. It's whatever, though. You will see soon enough. Have a nice life." She said, slamming the door behind her.

Whatever goodbye. I won't miss her a little. She doesn't know. I took the folder that fell to the ground next to the man I had killed. The folder was bloody, but the contents were still neat and clean. I locked all the doors and windows before looking inside. There were lots of photos of Brian. This got me thinking. For what was Janice searching? Did she know something that I didn't? How was I supposed to know that the man wasn't mugging her in the alley, and how was I supposed to know that she was the woman? I had no clue. I had cloudy judgment last night. I found a map of all the places Brian has visited within the last few months. Someone was extremely busy. It seems to methat Brian may have a whole other life.

Speaking of the devil, he was calling. I picked it up quickly. I asked him where he was. He refused to tell me but said he had unfinished business to take care of. He said he loved me and would be home in a few days. Then he hung up without letting me get a word in. The conversation lasted about 30 seconds. I was relieved to know he was alright. Although I still had suspicions about Brian, I wanted an explanation. That's when I started to do a little digging of my own. This was a challenging time for everyone. There were so many cries for help. What to do? Help! Ah! I was frustrated. It's time to get some shuteye. I need my rest if I am going to get anything done.

This week so far has been hectic. If it's not one thing, it's another. I know I keep saying this, but it's true. It's one terrible thing after another. Janice always comes around, and I give her the space she needs. My boyfriend is out doing who knows what. On top of it all, I think I'm losing my mind. Moreover, I might be losing control.

Last night, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned from my tormenting nightmares. It's strange because I never have nightmares. Something was bothering me deeply. There is no use in wallowing in my self-pity. It was time to get ready to go to work. I had to start my day no matter what was happening in my life. The business was steady but slow. It was alright because it gave me time to catch up on paperwork. I was back to doing everything myself all over again. I scrubbed, cleaned, and put everything away. ThenI locked up and headed home, and Brian was there when I arrived.

"Hello, Tiana. I miss you." Said Brian.

"Oh, Brian. Where have you been?" I said, hugging him.

"I told you that I had some things to take care of. I am here now." He answered.

"You told me that, but you have been gone for days. Then, the one time you call, it lasts 30 seconds. I was concerned about you." I said.

"You don't need to worry about me. Everything is all good now." He said.

"I am getting ready to make some food. Do you want something to eat? I had a long day. The business was prolonged today. I want to relax." I said.

"Yeah, sure. You couldn't have been that bored without me. You have Janice to keep you company and your hobbies." He said.

"She and I aren't friends anymore. I killed her PI because I thought he was mugging her in the alley two nights ago. I didn't even know he was a private investigator; I just thought he was some man robbing a helpless woman. Then, I found out that the woman was Janice. I didn't look at her, so I didn't know it was her in the alley. She told me that she was trying to find out who killed her husband. I told her the person who killed him is already dead." I explained while preparing dinner.

"So, she's mad at you right now?" He questioned.

"Pretty much. On top of that, I scooped up the man's folder. I looked through it last night and found some interesting things inside. I think you should look at them." I said, handing him the folder.

Brian sat at the kitchen table and skimmed through the folder's contents. "Why is all this stuff about me in here? Janice must be thinking Imurdered her husband. Why would she think that? I don't understand. I was with you when this incident occurred. Or does she think that I had something to do with it? Why is she having someone follow me around? Where is Janice now? I think I'm going to visit her. Looking at this makes me feel so betrayed. I figured she didn't like me, but this was too much. I will be back later." Brian said, examining the folder. He stormed out the door.

After he left, I re-looked over the stuff inside the folder. The photos were of Brian in various places all over town. I decided to play investigator on my own. I refused to let this go so quickly. My heart sank into my stomach, and I had mixed emotions. I didn't know what or who to believe anymore. I opened a bottle of wine and sat on the sofa, pondering my thoughts. I rubbed my fingers through my hair and took a deep breath before calling it a night. I heard screaming from Janice's house as I turned down the lights. I flew out the door and went to see what the problem was. There was blood everywhere, and Janice was on the floor. Brian was nowhere to be found. I quickly ran back to my house and called the police. About twenty minutes later, they arrived on the scene. The same detectives from before questioned me. One even said how come where there's trouble, you are always around. He gave me the idea that he knew about me but couldn't prove anything. I watched as they examined the crime scene and took away Janice's body. I covered my mouth, sighed, and cried. This was an unfortunate event. I had to give my statement to the policeabout what I saw; after that, I went home.

As soon as I closed my front door, I sat on the floor and bawled. I was so angry that I started throwing stuff across the floor. I dropped to my knees and banged on the floor repeatedly until my hands started hurting. If it were the last thing I did, I would find the person responsible for this tragedy. Brian was the only one I knew who was going to her house. Did he do it, and why? Well, that's tomorrow's problem. It's time to get some sleep.

The next day, I moped, and it was quiet. There were so many things running through my head, and I didn't know where to begin to find answers. I loved Janice. She was my best friend, and we kept each other's secrets. At least I know she died with mine. I owe it to her to find her killer. When I thought that I was going to close early and do some snooping, Brian showed up covered in mud and dirt.

"Where have you been?" I asked.

"I told you; I went to have some words with Janice. Why?" Brian answered.

"Really? She's dead. Someone killed her last night. Was it you?"

"What? No! Why would I? I just talked to her, and that's all."

"I don't believe you, Brian. What's wrong? Did she find out something about you and was going to tell me? Or better yet, was she onto something big?"

"No, Tiana. Believe me when I say that I didn't even know that she was dead. I just talked to her. I asked why she was having this man investigate me. She told me I knew why and threw an album of photos and papers at me. I looked at them and left."

"Do you expect me tobelieve that? Janice has been onto you since the first time that she met you. We talked about you a few times, and I brushed it off. Now I know you're like everyone else, monstrous." I said as I grabbed a knife off the counter.

He giggled and said, "Just when I thought I had everything, you surprised me. You see, I thought I knew you well."

"Not well enough. Why did you do it?" I said, pointing the knife at him.

"I am surprised that you don't know. I thought we could be good together, like a team. I guess not. Come here!" He yelled.

I ran into my office and locked the door. I called the police. While waiting for them to arrive, I had to stay alive. He kicked the door open and charged angrily at me. He yelled, and I yelled back. I managed to stab him, and he tossed me across the room. I hit the floor with a loud thud. As I tried to lift myself, he pushed me back down and dragged me into the kitchen. I turned on my back and kicked him until he let go. I didn't get far. He trailed after me, quickly jumping over the counters. Brian got a couple of stabs at my legs and arms before I managed to get away. The police finally showed up, and Brian was taken away in handcuffs. I wanted to see him dead more than anything. I was rushed to the hospital.

A few weeks later, the police visited me at my shop. They told me the case was closed. Brian was the one who killed Janice and her husband. They also said that he had plans to kill me as well. He wasn't who he said he was. His name wasn't even Brian. Itwas David. Well, that shows you that you don't know who people are. At least my secret is safe.