chapter eleven

When I arrived back home, I already knew I wanted Orpheus. How I wanted him remained a mystery. Whether I wanted him underneath me or if I wanted him boiled down to tallow and used him to further my beauty. It was a shame in both directions. A shame to let someone as beautiful as him go, and it was almost a shame to use him for products that could expire. I wanted him longer than either option could give me. After all, everyone left me at some point.

Maybe he would stay longer with me if I dismembered him and kept him here with me. Also, I loved his hair. I could already see myself making a wig out of it so it would stay with me forever. I could also always buy myself his cologne to keep his scent around.

But I didn’t want to ruin his skin’s flawlessness that I had yet to actively worship. However, there was no way I could keep him from my secret unless I kept him out of my house. And for how long would I be able to play that game? Eventually, he would find out because there was no way he wouldn’t once I sunk my claws into him, in whichever direction I wanted him to be in my life, and continue to hide. I wouldn’t be able to let him go, and I wasn’t naive to think I could keep something like this a secret from someone close to me for very long. I had just met him, and his presence had already sunk under my skin, becoming an unmovable force. Eventually, he would need to become aware, and his reaction would answer what he would become to me.

My phone alerted me to a new email, and I absentmindedly opened the email app. However, all of my attention tunneled to the words before me.

 

Subject: Hello Love

Hi Vanessa,

You don’t know me yet, but I am your biggest fan. I only ever want the best for you, and I am obsessed with your work. You never have to worry about my intentions because they align with your best interests, and I will never jeopardize that. I noticed you could be gaining more money from your livelihood, and I am more than happy to assist. No cost to you, of course. All you would need to do is get yourself a cooler to place all organs that you do not wish to use inside of, preferably as soon as possible after death. Place the cooler outside your door, and I will take care of the rest.

As your biggest fan, I am thrilled to dedicate myself to supporting you.

I hope to talk to you soon and that you take me up on this offer.

Sincerely,

Your Biggest Fan

 

My limbs froze, locked in place. It was relatively quick for someone to realize what I’d done. I’d only killed a few people at this point, and I made sure to cover my tracks well. Not a single person came from the city where I lived. Even though it seemed too early for my game to be spoiled, the knowledge that someone knew my secret felt amazing. I loved it so fucking much. I couldn’t care less if I got caught. There wasn’t much left for me here except for Samwise, and I already knew he’d be taken care of after I was gone if I was gone before he was. So, having someone who knew my passion and could put my name to my work was exhilarating. It was a feeling of pure bliss. Outside of that initial moment of doubt and fear, I was all on board with this person.

Why did they ask for organs? But that was no skin off my nose. I didn’t use them anyway, having to turn it into a chemical slushy and throw it down the drain. I would provide it because, at this point, he could be a cop, but it didn’t mean I wouldn’t get some fun out of it.

I ventured outside my typical hunting grounds that evening, driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore new territories and to satiate my hunger for a fresh kill. The thrill of the unknown had taken hold of me, and I couldn’t resist the allure of what lay beyond the familiar. My thoughts could not help but wander to the person who had recently entered my life, and I could not wait to see the outcome of our budding relationship. The anticipation was palpable, and I was desperate for the next chapter to unfold as I set out into the night in search of my latest prey.